Warsaw to Berlin

Today we caught the train we had booked from Warsaw to Berlin. The central station was a short walk from the hotel and we left about 8:15am giving us plenty of time to catch our 9am train.

When the train arrived it was very long and took up the entire platform. Our carriage was right at the front behind the engine so we had to run for it. It wasn't long after we boarded that the train departed.

We were in First Class and in here there are compartments that seat six. There is nowhere on the train to store baggage apart from small bags above seats. Us, like many others, had to take our bags into the compartment with us. Luckily apart from a gentlemen joining us for part of the journey, we had it to ourselves.

The train was delayed at one point, there was an announcement about a bomb but it was at a platform, not on our train.

Just after 1pm we crossed the border into Germany over a river.

Shortly afterwards the train stopped while police walked through to inspect the train. Then we were on our merry way. We were due to arrive at our first Berlin stop around 1:30pm where we were to change trains to get us into central Berlin just after 2:00pm. Somewhere in that half hour both Helen and I fell asleep. When the train stopped at our changeover station I woke up, and we realised we should be getting off. We hurriedly packed our gadgets, grabbed all our bags, and made it to the door. Just as Helen pushed the open door button, the train moved, we had missed our stop!

I was aware there is a railway ring around Berlin and based on the live Google Maps on my phone, it seemed we were following the ring. So we got of at the next station. Here we found there was a direct train that took us very close to our hotel. In fact, it turned out much easier than had we got off at the intended station. All's well that ends well.

The hotel room is very nice, and central to buses and underground trains.

We hadn't bought a public transport pass yet but it was about a 15 minute walk to the Mall of Berlin which is just huge and is claimed to have the biggest foodcourt in Berlin. I will take their word for it, as it is huge with plenty of variety.

The mall is adorned with Christmas Lights and is go big it even has room to host a mini Christmas Markets which is outdoors but under cover.

We both got nice burger meals at the foodcourt then walked back to our room. On the way we passed a section of the Berlin Wall that remains standing as a memorial.