Berlin-Warschau-Express celebrates 25 years of rail service

The Berlin-Warschau-Express, a joint venture between Deutsche Bahn and PKP Intercity, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Since its launch on September 30, 2001, approximately ten million passengers have used the service connecting the German and Polish capitals.

Over the past two and a half decades, the service has expanded significantly. While the route initially offered three daily trains in each direction with a six-hour travel time, it now provides eight daily connections with a reduced travel time of approximately five hours. The network has also grown to include direct connections to Gdynia, Krakow, and Wroclaw, with some services extending to Przemyśl near the Ukrainian border.

To mark the milestone, operators are introducing several initiatives, including a second edition of the Berlin–Poznań–Warszawa cultural train, which will feature additional carriages with multilingual programs such as concerts and workshops. Additionally, plans are underway for a German-Polish Friendship Pass aimed at encouraging climate-friendly travel, particularly among younger passengers.