Transportation from Berlin to Poznan, Poland

Sue, Going from Berlin Hbf, to Poznan (Posen) is very doable as a day trip. Take the 0940 train leaving Berlin central station (Hbf), you arrive in Poznan at 1220 direct, less than 3 hrs. I've taken this route Berlin-Warsaw and in 2005 Berlin-Torun (Thorn). both times passing through or transfering in Poznan.

Take the train. German Rental car companies get very upset if their cars go into Poland, and if something happens, you will be on the hook.

That must be a high speed train, which I prefer. Is there a website where I can find return trips?

You can take an earlier train and have a full day in Poznan. Depart at 06:41 and arrive at 09:20. Leave Poznan at either 17:35 or 20:35. If you book well in advance (up to 92 days allowed) on the German Rail site, you can get a Europa-Spezial Polen fare as low as €19/person each way.

Sue, There is no "speed train," as such, in Poland. The departure times suggested above, to and fro. are the fastest for a day trip since they're direct connections, giving you a full day to spend. Also, as suggested above, don't bring a rental car (Mietwagen) into Poland because of the very good chance of theft. It may be not allowed under the terms of the rental contract (Mietwagenvertrag). The Germans have a saying pointing out this car theft occurence...once (it's) stolen, (it's) already in Poland... (einmal gestohlen, schon in Polen.)

OK, now it is <90 days in advance so I should be able to purchase my tickets. I have tried various combinations for all 3 possible dates that we could travel from Berlin to Poznan and back and there are no seats on any of the trains. Could that be that they are sold out this far ahead? I tried the one that leaves Berlin at 0641 and the one leaving at 9-something and various return times and there is nothing available any of the 3 days. That seems bizarre that they would all be sold out - am I doing something wrong???

Hi, You could still get a ticket in Berlin for the departure times that don't require a mandatory reservation, such as the next one after 0940. You can hop on with the ticket without needing the seat resrvation.