Month: May 2012

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Things to Do

3 Days in Berlin: Itinerary Ideas

Germany’s capital is filled with historical sites, interesting museums, good shopping and excellent bars and clubs. Seeing Berlin in only three days can be an adventure but you will be able to hit at least the most important sights.

Itinerary assumptions:

  • fly directly into Berlin
  • stay in a budget hotel or hostel located close to the main sites (main even in Alexanderplatz)
  • make use of the public transportation (underground, bus, tram) and use the trains for the day trip; a day card (€ 6.80) is valid for trips to Potsdam, too
  • if you are comfortable cycling, then you can rent a bike during your stay in Berlin and make use of the many cycling paths available

Sample prices:

  • Return flight: London – Berlin – London : Aug 10 – Aug 13 , from €120 (Ryanair, Easyjet)
  • Return flight: Paris – Berlin – Paris: Aug 10 – Aug 13 , from €131 (Lufthansa)
  • Accommodation: from €43 per person (3 nights in 8-bed dorm); from €156 / 2 persons / 3 nights in twin room with private bathroom

Day 1

Start your first day in Berlin with a free walking tour (details here ). It starts at the Brandenburg Gate, in front of Starbucks daily at 9 a.m. , 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The tour visits the Reichstag, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Island (among others). Get to Brandenburg Gate before the beginning of the tour so that you can visit it (it’s free).

Now that you have an idea where the main sights are located and how to get to them, it’s easier to plan the rest of your stay. Take a lunch break on Museum Island (where the tour ends) and then visit some of the museums. Pergamonmuseum features interesting collections of Greek and Roman relics and is considered the best museum in the city.

Finish the day in the Mitte district. Have dinner and try some of the clubs and bars.

Day 2

Start the day by seeing the city from above. The Reichstag has a glass dome which can be climbed. Be aware that you need to register on their website for such an experience (details here ) . There’s also a rooftop restaurant so if you don’t mind splurging a bit, you can enjoy a coffee or lunch with great views of Berlin.

Now it’s time to go to the Zoo. It’s the biggest in Europe and even if you don’t care much for seeing the animals, taking the tram to there will show some lovely sights and the time spent in the nature is a good change.

Alternatively, you can pack a picnic basket and head to Tiergarten, the largest park in Berlin. Then, for some interesting shopping head to Kurfürstendamm , which is filled with international chains.

In the evening, go to the Friedrichshain district. Have dinner and check out the bars and clubs in the area.

Day 3

Don’t leave Berlin without taking an in-depth look at the Berlin Wall… or better said at its most interesting part. In the Friedrichshain district, there’s the Eastside Gallery, named so because of the graffiti which now beautify the wall.

Head to Wannsee area for lunch and spend the afternoon here. The mad-made lake is an activities hub during summer. Soak up the sun and do some people watching.

Alternatively, you can visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe and its information center. And then visit Berliner Dom, the most impressive church in the city.

Alternative Day 3

Another option is to plan a day trip to Potsdam. Head to the train station, board the next available one and spend a day visiting this interesting city. There are walking tours available (such as this one ) . You get to see the old city palace , an interesting bridge and learn a lot about the city’s history.

>>read more about the Things to do in Berlin

Photo credits: Brandenburg Gate , Glass Dome , Berlin Wall, Potsdam

Categories
Sweden

Cheap Hostels in Stockholm

Search Stockholm hostels with up-to-date availability and book a hostel in Stockholm.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a lovely city to explore. Located on 14 islands, it offers history, entertainment, museums and green spaces. Finding the best place to stay in Stockholm depends a lot on your budget, style of traveling and what you plan to do while here.

Hostels have the advantage of being located close to the city center or close to the public transportation stations. So, you’ll be able to travel to/from the sights and to/from the airport easily.

Even if the hostel uses the names “youth hostel” or “backpackers” , it doesn’t mean there’s an age restriction or you cannot stay there unless you travel with a backpack. These days, “youth hostels” typically refer to places offering dorm-style accommodation.

Aside from saving money on your stay – and in Sweden , the accommodation really adds up to the cost of traveling – hostels are also excellent places to meet fellow travelers. Whether you stay in a dorm or use the common areas , you’ll bump into other travelers and conversation easily follows.

If you want to save money but staying with 20 other traveler doesn’t sound too appealing, there are always the private rooms (with private or shared bathrooms) to choose from. Sure, they are more expensive than dorm beds, but are worth it especially if you travel with your partner and want some intimacy.

When it comes to the prices, expect to pay from €25.64 per night for a bed in a 12-bed dorm in a hostel in central Stockholm; a twin room will set you back about €72 per night (shared bathroom) in a hostel in Södermalm.

Try to book your bed in advance and remember that the prices go up in July and August, the peak travel months.

Search this map to find cheap hostels in Stockholm, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Categories
Sweden

Cheap Hotels in Gothenburg

Gothenburg (Swedish: Göteborg) is the second largest city in Sweden , known for its friendliness towards visitors. The city offers a lot of things to do, so choosing the hotel depends on what you plan to do and the budget you have for the trip.

Best areas to stay

The best area for you to stay in Gothenburg depends on what you want to do here and what your travel style is. Örgryte is the upscale residential area , close to the city center, with some places of interest, such as The Palace of Dickson and the Örgryte old church. Eriksberg is a modern neighborhood, close to the water. Other interesting areas are Sannegårds Hamnen and Mariaplan.

Prices and Hotels

City Hotel Avenyn

The 2-star hotel is located close to the main pedestrian street Avenyn. The rooms have TV, phones and radios. Guests can choose between shared and private bathrooms. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1095 SEK / €122 per night in a small double room, breakfast included.

Hotel Maria Eriksson

The 2-star hotel is also close to the main pedestrian street. Valand Tram Stop and Gothenburg Central Station are very close, too. Each room has TV, fridge, ironing facilities and free wi-fi. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1100 SEK / €122.50 per night for a double or twin room.

Spar Hotel Majorna

The 3-star hotel is located close to the Chapmans Torg Tram Stop and Gothenburg’s Ferry Terminal. There’s a rooftop terrace available for the guests and free wi-fi. All rooms have flat screen TV and desk. The guests can use the gym and sauna. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 995 SEK / €111 per night in a small double room with breakfast included.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Gothenburg, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Things to Do

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held annually in Munich, Germany. Despite its name, it runs from late September to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world’s largest fair.

The event is held in an area called Theresienwiese, close to the city’s center. While beer is the main star of the festival, local foods are also enjoyed during the fair.

The beer

All beer served at the fair must be brewed within the city limits of Munich and have about 6% alcohol. All beers served must abide to the German Beer Purity Law.

History

Prince Ludwig (later to become King Ludwig I) was married to Princess Therese of Bavaria in October 1810. To celebrate the citizens of Munich were invited to a festival held on the fields in front of the city gates (called Theresienwiese). The event was closed with horse races and the next year they decided to repeat the horse races. Hence, the festival was born.

In 1811, an agricultural show was also added to the festival. The horse races ended in 1960, but the agricultural show still takes place every four years. In 1816, carnival booths appear. Since 1850 the annual parade became tradition and an important component of the festival.

In 1854 the festival was cancelled due to a cholera epidemic, while in 1866 and 1870 it wasn’t held due to wars. In 1873, it was canceled again due to cholera epidemic. In 1881 the first bratwurst (sausage) were sold at the festival and in 1892 the beer was first served in glass mugs. By the end of the 19th century, the booths became beer halls as the organizers wanted more room for the musicians and the guests.

From 1914 to 1918 the festival was canceled due to World War I. Then in 1923 and 1924 it didn’t take place because of inflation. From 1939 to 1945 , World War II canceled the festival.

Since 1950 there has been a traditional festival opening : a twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg at midday.

In 2005, the concept of “quiet Oktoberfest” was introduced to keep the festival family-friendly. Until 6 p.m. only quiet music is played, leaving the partying music for later in the day.

Tents

There are currently 14 large tents at Oktoberfest. Here is a list of some of these tents :

  • Hippodrom is of the favorite tent among youngsters and also serves sparkling wine.
  • Armbrustschützenzelt is home to the crossbow competition. Try the food, too.
  • Hofbräu-Festzelt is very popular among Americans and Australians.
  • Schottenhamel is where the first keg is open and the party starts. It is a favorite of the local younger crowds.
  • Winzerer Fähndl is decorated with authentic Bavarian details.
  • Weinzelt also serves more than 15 different wines, as well as sparkling wine and champagne.

How to get to Munich

Munich is served by the second busiest airport in Germany. But during Oktoberfest this only means that a lot of people choose to fly here and the fares skyrocket. Even low-cost carriers aren’t that cheap during this time of the year.

Expect to pay from €112 one way on Air Berlin should you choose to fly from London in late September. Fly from Paris and the fare is €169 one way on Niki. But you can do something to lower the price: fly into another city and travel by train to Munich. Train travel in Germany is well organized and there are connections all over the country. Book your ticket up to 92 days in advance to get the discounts.

>>book a cheap flight to Munich

Where to stay

I’d start with the obvious: unless you somehow managed to score a very good deal way ahead of time, don’t stay in Munich. The city is expensive anyway but during Oktoberfest the prices skyrocket.

Since the festival takes place in late September (Sept 22 to Oct 7, 2012 to be exact), don’t count on warm enough weather for camping. Although in a dorm you can pay from €10 per night for a bed (within a campsite). And remember that some budget hotels have a 3-night minimum stay policy.

Where to stay then?

In Salzburg (Austria), beds in hostels start from €19 per night. Take the train (from €19 one way , 1h 45 min) to Munich.

In Regensburg, beds start at €16.57 per night. The train ticket is €25.20 one way and takes 1 ½ h to get to Munich.

In Nuremberg, you can find hostel beds at €16 per night. But the train to Munich is more expensive (€44 one way, 1h 15 min).

However, in order to save some more money and if you travel with a group of friends, consider buying group train tickets.

Read more about:
>>How to Enjoy Oktoberfest on a Beer Budget
>>Guide to Munich’s Oktoberfest
>>Oktoberfest in Munich

Photo credits:Official poster , Beer

Categories
Sweden

Cheap Hotels in Stockholm

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is made up of 14 islands. So choosing the best hotel for your taste and budget can be a bit overwhelming at first. But some research will solve the problems. Remember that you can relay on the public transportation, but if you’ll stay in the city for just a couple of days , you’d want to be close to the sights.

Best areas to stay

Choosing the best area to stay in Stockholm depends on what you want to do here. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is cozy but touristy and crowded. Östermalm is the area where you can find the upscale shops , while Södermalm is the trendy part of the town where you’ll find the younger crowds. Djurgården is basically a giant park where you’ll be close to the museums.

If you don’t mind staying further from the main sights , you can save some money and use the metro to get around. Or you can stay in a hostel.

Prices and hotels

Vanadis Hotell

This 2-star hotel is located close to Vanadislunden Park. The rooms have TV and you can choose either private or shared bathroom. The Frejagatan Bus Stop and Stockholm Central Station are close by. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1145 SEK / €127.50 per night in a Standard Double or Twin Room, breakfast included.

Colonial Hotel

The 2-star hotel is located just 10 min walk from Stockholm Central Station. All rooms have TV and free wi-fi. Guests can choose between private and shared bathrooms. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1150 SEK / €128 per night in a Double Room, breakfast included.

Reimersholme Hotel

The 2-star hotel is located in Reimersholme Island in central Stockholm , about 10 min walk from Hornstull Metro Station. The scenic island of Långholmen is located close by. Guests can choose between private and shared bathrooms. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 795 SEK / €88.50 per night for an Economy Twin Room with Shared Bathroom, breakfast included.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Stockholm, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a very important travel destination in Germany and is located in the Neckar River valley. It is home to the oldest university in the country. After World War II the city came out almost untouched by the bombs, so it retains the baroque charm of narrow streets and castle ruins.

Frankfurt is the business and financial center of Germany, home to the country’s largest airport. It’s where you’ll most likely land, especially if you arrive from another continent. Frankfurt is a transportation hub, the place where roads and railways meet. The old city center, the Dom and the Iron Bridge are only some of the city’s landmarks.

Summary

Unless you plan to travel from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg – where you can catch a bus -, the option for traveling between the two cities is the train. Train tickets are the cheapest option. On the slower trains (1h 45 min) the fare is €16.40 one way. High speed trains are a bit more expensive (€19 one way).

Trains from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Deutsche Bahn operates various types of trains on the Frankfurt to Heidelberg route. The IC and ICE trains take 55min and the savings fare is €19 one way (standard fare €20 on IC and €27 on ICE). The slower RB trains take 1h 45 min and the standard fare is €16.40 one way. Trains leave Frankfurt about every hour.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Buses from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

If you land at Frankfurt Airport , you can take the Lufthansa Shuttle Bus to Heidelberg. There are departures from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily, every half an hour to two hours, depending on the time of the day. The single fare is €22.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Germany

Driving from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

You can rent a car in Frankfurt and drive the 94km to Heidelberg is about 1h (depends on the traffic) on A5.

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Categories
Sweden Things to Do

Things to do in Stockholm

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is made up of 14 islands connected by about 50 bridges. The lively city offers an amazing Old Town (Gamla Stan), alongside modern architecture and a lot of green space. It probably offers the freshest air in the entire Europe thanks to its waterways and green spaces.

Despite its location, Stockholm has a fairly mild climate but the sunlight varies a lot from season to season. Unless you like to venture in the night – since in December there are only 6 hours of sunlight per day -, it’s best to plan your visit during late spring to early fall.

Explore the Old Town (Gamla Stan)

The beautifully preserved hear of the city, the Old Town offers narrow medieval alleys, small and picturesque squares, interesting old churches and lively taverns. Sure, it can get incredibly crowded during the high season, so plan your visit accordingly.

See the changing of the guards

You can watch the 40 minute event in front of the residence of the King of Sweden. At about midday (12:15 p.m.) daily during summer (May to August) you can see a Military Band and sometimes the guards on horses, too. In the winter, the event is not as big (and of course there aren’t as many tourists either) and takes place Wed and Sat at 12:00 p.m. and on Sun at 1 p.m. In April, September and October it takes place on Wed & Sat at 12:15 p.m. and on Sun at 1:15 p.m.

And by the way, this is one of the free things to do in Stockholm.

Visit the Nobel Museum

It opened in 2001 to commemorate the centenary of the Nobel Prizes. The museum is not large but can keep you entertained (and educate you) for a while. You can listen to acceptance speeches and see short films about the laureates. Admission is 60 kr.

>>read more about the Museums in Stockholm

Visit the Vasa Museum

It is the most visited museum in Scandinavia. The warship Vasa sunk on her maiden voyage but has been salvaged and now is a museum.

>>read about the Top 10 Museums in Stockholm

Have a drink on a boat

Several pontoons and boats are now bars and restaurants, extremely popular among both locals and visitors. At the edge of the Old Town you can find an old steamboat which is actually a pontoon turned into a posh restaurant (admission is 50 kr)

See the City Hall (Stadshuset)

It is the most well known landmark in Stockholm, home to the Nobel Prize banquet, held annually here in the Blue Hall. You can visit the City Hall during a guided tour , which includes the Golden Hall and the Council Chamber. There’s a fantastic view from the tower.

Taste the local food

Meatballs, herring platter, cheese and many traditional Swedish dishes await those ready to taste the local fare. Go to a Swedish beer hall for some traditional eating and schnapps.

Enjoy the nature on Djurgården

The royal grounds are a perfect place to enjoy a day in nature. Pack a picnic basket and head to this superb island in the middle of Stockholm. Walk, bike and enjoy the views.

Drink coffee

Locals love their coffee with someone sweet alongside, so don’t be surprised to find amazing cafes for your caffeine fix . By the way: some of the most popular cafes also come with a great view.

ABBA

We aren’t exactly suggesting you to become an ABBA fan (if you love them just as much as Anthony Bourdain does) , but you can indulge in some good music while you are in Stockholm. Folk, pop, rock, salsa…you name it, there’s a club where you can find it.

Day trip to the islands of the Stockholm Archipelago

Stockholm Archipelago can be easily reached by ferry from the city . It covers 140 km and has plenty of islands to explore. The scenery differs from the island to island but during summer it’s typically warmer than in the city.

Take the kids to Junibacken

Junibacken is a mini indoor theme park devoted to Pipi Longstocking (a character created by Astrid Lindgren). You and the kids can ride a fairytale train through fictional landscape.

Swim

Långholmsbadet and Smedsuddsbadet are the city’s two swimming beaches, very popular during summer among both locals and tourists. And both are public beaches so swimming here is free.

Photo credits: Old Town , Changing of the guards , Nobel Museum , Vasa Museum , City Hall , Food , Royal grounds , Coffee , Stockholm Archipelago , Junibacken , Beach

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Dusseldorf to Cologne

Dusseldorf is located on the River Rhine and is famous for its nightlife, shopping and events. It is also home to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), the third largest airport in Germany. Also, Airport Weeze (NRN) serves the city and is used by European low cost carriers. Many travelers choose to fly here and then connect to the rest of Germany rather than flying into the larger Frankfurt or Munich airports

Cologne is also located on the River Rhine and is the fourth largest city in Germany. It is a very popular city among travelers, well known for the Kölner Dom, the traditional neighborhoods, the Hohenzollern Bridge, the parks and the churches. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is an important hub for low-cost carriers TUIFly and Germanwings , offering excellent connections to the rest of Europe and other continents.

>>read more about the Airports in Germany

Summary

If you don’t want to rent a car to travel between Dusseldorf and Cologne, then the other option is the train. There are fast and slow trains on this route running every half an hour and the fares start at €10 one way.

Trains from Dusseldorf to Cologne

Deutsche Bahn operates trains between the two cities. The standard fare is €11.50 on the IC trains and €17 on the ICE trains. However, the travel time is the same. There are also slow trains which take 51min but are not operated by Deutsche Bahn (and the fare is not available on the site). Depending on the time of the day, fast trains run every half an hour to three hours.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Driving from Dusseldorf to Cologne

You can rent a car in Dusseldorf and drive the 44 km (on A57) to Cologne in about 40 min. If you want to stop by Leverkusen, choose either A3 or A59 with similar driving time.

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Categories
Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Stockholm

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark , known for the good shopping, excellent nightlife an interesting sights.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a city which spreads on 14 islands, offering history, nightlife and nature.

Many travelers choose to visit all of the Scandinavian countries during a single vacation, so traveling between their capitals is usually the easiest and cheapest way to tackle the transportation.

Summary

When you plan to travel between Copenhagen and Stockholm, the bus is the cheapest option but takes at least 10 h. The airplane ticket is cheaper (as listed on line) but you need to take into account the booking fees (which depend on the method of payment) and the money paid to get to/from the airport. Overall, the flight might be just as expensive as taking the slower train, which has the advantage of leaving you right in the city center.

Flights from Copenhagen to Stockholm

Copenhagen is served by Kastrup Airport (CPH), located 8 km from the city center. It is hub for Blue1, Jettime, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Novair, Primera Air, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, TUIfly Nordic, Copenhagen Air Taxi and Star Air. The easiest way to get to/from the airport is by train.

Stockholm is served by four airports, but only 2 of them handle flights to/from Copenhagen:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN): is the main international airport serving Stockholm and is located 40 km from the city center. It is hub for Amapola Flyg, Nextjet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Novair, Scandinavian Airlines, Skyways Express and TUIfly Nordic. To get from the airport to the city center, you can catch the express train, the regular train, the airport coaches or the regular bus. The flights to/from Copenhagen are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA): is a smaller airport located just 10 km from the city center. It is not hub for any airline and is mostly used for flights to/from other Scandinavian countries. The flights to/from Copenhagen are operated by Flybe Nordic.

In mid-August 2012, expect to pay from €43 one way on Flybe Nordic. Slightly higher fares – from €48 one way – are offered by Norwegian Air Shuttle. The flight time is 1h 30 min to BMA and 1 h 15 min to ARN.

A return flight in mid-August will set you back from €82 (Flybe Nordic) ; while in mid-October 2012, you’ll pay from €41 for a single flight (Flybe Nordic) and €82 for a return flight on the same airline.

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains from Copenhagen to Stockholm

SJ – the main train operator in Sweden – operates high-speed trains and regular trains from Copenhagen (Danish: Köbenhavn) to Stockholm Central. There are two direct high speed trains per day (11:37 a.m. and 2:29 p.m.) as well as 4 slower trains which require a stop in Malmo.

The cheapest fare (553SEK / €61.63) is on the train which departs Copenhagen at 1:12 pm. and takes 6 h 25 min to get to Stockholm. On the high speed train, the cheapest fare is 1074 SEK / €120 (at 11:37 a.m.) and the travel time is 5h 13 min. The return fares differ, because they also depend on when you purchase the ticket and when you travel.

Buses from Copenhagen to Stockholm

There are two companies which operate direct buses between the two capitals:

  • Swebus : look for buses from Stockholm to Kopenhamn ; there’s one direct bus, which leaves Stockholm at 10:45 p.m. and there are two buses with a stop along the way which leave at 11:05 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. The direct one takes 9 h 20 min and the single fare starts at 529 SEK / €59. The bus which leaves at 5:20 pm. takes 14 h and the single fare starts at 449 SEK / €50. On the way back, catch the direct bus at 8:35 a.m. and the indirect ones at 10:10 am and 9:05 p.m. The fares are not always the same as they depend on when you travel and when you book the ticket.
  • Eurolines : operates a bus per day between the two capitals, every other day and it leaves Stockholm at 1:45 p.m. The travel time is 9 h 45 min and the single fare is 385 DKK / €52.

Driving from Copenhagen to Stockholm

You can rent a car and drive between the two capitals without any problems. Both countries are members of the EU and Schengen so you won’t pay any surcharges for crossing the border. However, do ask the rental company if you are allowed to cross the border with the rental car.

The shortest route is on E4. The 658 km can be tackled in about 7 hours (of course, it depends on the traffic).

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Photo credits : Stockholm Airport ; Stockholm train station

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Berlin to Warsaw

Berlin is best known for its history and nightlife. Tourists come here to see what’s left of Berlin Wall and explore the museums and other sites.

Warsaw is the capital of Poland and is located on the Vistula River. It is an excellent start point for planning to visit both the Baltic Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains. Most of the major sites area located in the city center and include the Royal Castle, the Royal Palace and the Poster Museum.

Summary

The cheapest and easiest way to travel between Berlin and Warsaw is by train. Buses are not much more expensive but take 9 hours and run only 3 times a week.

Flights from Berlin to Warsaw

Berlin is served by two airports, but right now only Tegel International Airport (TXL) handles the international flights to/from Warsaw. It is the main international airport serving Berlin and is hub for Air Berlin and Germania. It is also focus city for Lufthansa.

Starting with June 2012, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is scheduled to open and it will handle flights to/from Warsaw. However, the opening has been postponed indefinitely. When eventually opened it would be hub for Air Berlin, EasyJet, Germania, Germanwings and Lufthansa.

Warsaw is also served by two airports, but the one operating flights to/from Berlin is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW). It is located about 10 km from the city center. It is hub for LOT Polish Airlines, OLT Express, EuroLOT, Enter Air and Wizz Air (until Jul 17).

The only company operating flights between Berlin and Warsaw is LOT Polish Airlines. The flight time is 1h 15 min. In mid-June 2012, the single fare is €177 but you can choose an indirect flight (via Riga) and pay €164 on Air Baltic. Return flights during the same period start at €101. By mid-October 2012, the single fare is €75 (indirect) on Air Baltic.

>>book a cheap flight to Berlin

Trains from Berlin to Warsaw

Bahn.de lists all connections between Berlin and Warsaw (Warszawa), regardless if the trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn or not. There are several types of trains running on this route, including EC and EIC. The direct trains take 5 h 35 min and the single savings fare is €39 (if paid in advance). The single standard fare starts at €49.10. There are five direct trains leaving Berlin each day (4:28 a.m., 6:40 a.m, 9:40 a.m., 2:40 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.).

Buses from Berlin to Warsaw

Berlin Linen Bus operates direct buses between Berlin and Warsaw (Warszawa) three times a week (Sat, Mon, Thu). Buses depart Berlin at 6:55 a.m. and take 9 hours to get to the destination. The single fare is €43.

On the way back, buses leave on Mon, Wed and Fri at 10:45 a.m. from Warsaw. The same fare applies.

Driving from Berlin to Warsaw

It is possible to rent a car in Berlin and drive the 590 km to Warsaw. Both Germany and Poland are part of the Schengen area, so you won’t be paying any surcharges. The travel time is about 7 h 10 min on E20 and Route 2. Please note that this rout has tolls.

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