Is this the end of trains to Berlin? Fatal news for travelers
Already in 2026 passengers await serious difficulties on the key railway route connecting Poland with Germany.
Due to the extensive modernization works, international trains between Frankfurt on the Oder and Berlin will run only 11 weeks a year. For the rest of the time, travelers will be forced to use substitute bus communication, which will significantly extend the travel time and cause additional complications.
The closure of the tracks will hit thousands of passengers
Most trains between Poland and Germany pass through Frankfurt on the Oder. This applies to, among others Popular connections Berlin-Warsaw-Express, Gedania, Galicja, Odra or Wawel. Unfortunately, the German railway infrastructure manager is planning a number of track closures that will make it impossible for most of the year.
Longer travel time and bus makeshift
Due to the closures of the tracks, passengers will be doomed to substitute bus communication on the Frankfurt section on the Oder – Fürstenwalde/Spree – Erkner – Berlin. Even worse, the lack of the right number of coaches means that … ordinary city buses that are not adapted to distant routes are used to service passengers. As a result, the standard travel time from Warsaw to Berlin, which is 5 hours and 5 minutes, can extend by up to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Problems not from today, but 2026 may be the worst
Passengers using this route are already struggling with delays and canceled courses. According to the “railway market” earlier, frequent failures and difficulties mean that trains from Berlin to Poland regularly come with delay. The introduction of such a large number of closures in 2026 may additionally affect the delay in the start of two new Flixtrain connections from Warsaw to Berlin, which have already obtained permission to carry out transport.
What next with travel to Berlin?
The situation on the Frankfurt – Berlin route in 2026 will be extremely difficult for all travelers. Regular closures of the track can make many people decide on alternative means of transport, and the growing popularity of travel by rail can slow down. If you are planning a trip on this route in the coming years, it is worth preparing for changes and be patient.
