Difficulties for train traffic in Germany. What changes for travellers in spring? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Polish cities including Warsaw, Krakow, Gdynia and Wroclaw are connected to Berlin by direct trains
• Engineering works on the German side have caused long-running disruption to Berlin services
• During works, trains from Poland may terminate at Berlin Lichtenberg or Berlin Gesundbrunnen
• Replacement bus services operate on some affected sections between Poland and Berlin
• The terminating station changes at each phase of works, so checking before travel is essential
• Passengers with onward connections in Berlin should allow extra time to transfer between stations

Connections from Poland to eastern Germany are among the most popular international journeys. Intercity and Deutsche Bahn trains connect the German capital with cities such as Warsaw, Cracow, Przemyśl, Gdynia and Wrocław, between which as many as a dozen trains regularly run during the day. In connection with the modernisation of the popular line on the western side of the border, travellers have long complained about difficulties and the need to use substitute transport. In practice, this concerns the Warsaw - Berlin, Kraków - Berlin and Przemyśl - Berlin routes. Seat reservations are compulsory on the international section. Refund and exchange conditions depend on the fare, so check the current rules in the PolishTrains help section before changing your plans.

Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn operates some services on the section between Frankfurt (Oder) and Berlin. According to the carrier, this is to remain in place for most connections, but only on individual days. The terminating stations of trains that travel directly to Berlin are also changing. Deutsche Bahn also operates other routes from Poland to Germany, such as services to Monachium, and you can buy tickets for them on PolishTrains. You can buy a ticket for a service to Przemyśl, from where it is easiest to continue to Bieszczady, on PolishTrains regardless of these disruptions on the route to Berlin. Here is a detailed list and calendar of the most important changes: The changes also affect the Gdynia - Berlin and Wrocław - Berlin routes, which run via the same section. Whether a seat reservation is required depends on the selected service and fare. You can check the current refund and exchange conditions on the PolishTrains help page.

• Train to Berlin: from 30 June to 30 August 2025, some services terminate at other stations in Berlin or Frankfurt (Oder).

• Most affected period: 7–25 July 2025 – all trains from Poland run only as far as Frankfurt (Oder).

• Replacement bus: from Frankfurt (Oder) to Berlin, you travel by bus using your railway ticket if the carrier accepts it on this section.

• Stations in Berlin: outside the period of 7–25 July, trains run to Berlin Lichtenberg and Berlin Gesundbrunnen.

• Stations omitted: Berlin Hbf, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Zoologischer Garten, Berlin Charlottenburg and Berlin Ostkreuz are temporarily excluded from direct services from Poland.

• Refunds and exchanges: the rules depend on the carrier and fare – details can be found on the PolishTrains ticket refunds and exchanges page. ### Changes to trains to and from Berlin

Trains to Berlin

From 30 June to 6 July 2025, trains running to Berlin have a changed route and do not stop at the stations: Berlin Ostkreuz, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hbf, Berlin Zoologischer Garten and Berlin Charlottenburg. Trains run to the stations Berlin Lichtenberg and Berlin Gesundbrunnen.

Please note that the exception is train 40 on 6 July, which only runs to Frankfurt (Oder) station. The onward journey to Berlin will be made by Substitute Bus Transport.

From 7 to 25 July 2025, all trains to Berlin only run as far as Frankfurt (Oder) station, the onward journey will be by Substitute Bus Transport.

From 26 July to 8 August 2025, trains are re-routed and do not stop at Berlin Ostkreuz, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hbf, Berlin Zoologischer Garten and Berlin Charlottenburg stations. Trains run to the stations Berlin Lichtenberg and Berlin Gesundbrunnen.

Train 40 on 29 July, 30 July, 15 August and 27 August 2025 does not stop at Berlin Ostkreuz, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hbf, Berlin Zoologischer Garten and Berlin Charlottenburg stations. The train runs to Berlin Lichtenberg and Berlin Gesundbrunnen stations.

The dates may be amended by the operator. Check the current timetable before travelling on PolishTrains. * Train to Berlin: from 30 June to 30 August 2025, some services terminate at other stations in Berlin or Frankfurt (Oder).

• Most affected period: 7–25 July 2025 – all trains from Poland run only as far as Frankfurt (Oder).

• Replacement bus: from Frankfurt (Oder) to Berlin, you travel by bus using your railway ticket if the carrier accepts it on this section.

• Stations in Berlin: outside the period of 7–25 July, trains run to Berlin Lichtenberg and Berlin Gesundbrunnen.

• Stations omitted: Berlin Hbf, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Zoologischer Garten, Berlin Charlottenburg and Berlin Ostkreuz are temporarily excluded from direct services from Poland.

• Refunds and exchanges: the rules depend on the carrier and fare – details can be found on the PolishTrains ticket refunds and exchanges page. #### Trains from Berlin

From 30 June to 6 July 2025, trains operating from Berlin are re-routed and do not stop at the stations: Berlin Hbf, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Zoologischer Garten and Berlin Charlottenburg. Trains run from Berlin Gesundbrunnen and Berlin Lichtenberg stations.

From 7 to 25 July 2025, all trains run from Frankfurt (Oder) station, while earlier travel from Berlin is by Replacement Bus Service.

On 26 July, trains (with the exception of train no. 41) are re-routed and do not stop at the stations: Berlin Ostkreuz, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hbf, Berlin Zoologischer Garten and Berlin Charlottenburg. Trains run from the stations Berlin Gesundbrunnen and Berlin Lichtenberg.

Please note that the exception is train No. 41, which runs from Frankfurt (Oder) station on 26 July, while earlier travel from Berlin is by Substitute Bus Service.

From 27 July to 30 August 2025, trains have a changed route and do not stop at the stations: Berlin Ostkreuz, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hbf, Berlin Zoologischer Garten and Berlin Charlottenburg. Trains run from Berlin Gesundbrunnen and Berlin Lichtenberg stations.

IMPORTANT: It is not necessary to purchase a separate ticket for the bus replacement service. Travellers are entitled to travel on the Frankfurt (Oder)-Berlin section with the purchased rail ticket.

Does this mean the announced end of the renovations? We hope so, however, due to the high dynamics of the changes, we recommend that all travellers keep checking train routes and departure times to avoid unpleasant surprises during their travels. You will find the latest train timetable and train tickets at attractive prices at PolishTrains.pl!

If you need additional information, give us a call!

The general rules are also described on the PolishTrains ticket refunds and exchanges page. If you need help, contact PolishTrains Customer Service: 703 402 010, contact@polishtrains.eu or via the contact form. Customer Service is open daily from 7:00-23:00. We are available to you from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week.

Marcin Lis, member of the PolishTrains team. A travel enthusiast who regularly travels by train across Poland and Europe. Analyst and marketer studying travellers’ needs and behaviour since 2017.