Embarking on a train journey from Berlin to Warsaw in Poland, I found myself caught in a series of misadventures that would test my patience and resilience. From missed trains and language barriers to unforeseen accommodation issues, my trip to Warsaw proved to be an unforgettable roller-coaster ride…
My Rules for Traveling in 2015
From Berlin, I made the decision to venture westward—to Poland by train.
I have a couple of rules for where I stay: they must be easily accessible by walking or using public transportation from my arrival point, and they must have Wi-Fi since cell service can be spotty or nonexistent.
I inform you of this so you will better appreciate my misadventure in Mazovia. Mazovia is the region encompassing the heart of Poland.
The Wrong Train Station
The apartment that I booked in Warsaw required me to pick up the key prior to 6:00 PM. I reserved a seat on a train leaving Berlin at 9:50 AM to arrive in Warsaw at 3:07 PM in order to pick up my key for the weekend in time.
For some reason, I woke up very early in Berlin, so took my time getting ready and walked the half-mile or so to the Central Station. I had breakfast, lounged around, and did some window shopping in the huge mall-like station full of stores. At about 9:15, I glanced up at the departures monitor to see what track my train would be leaving from.
I noticed that there was no indication of any train to Warsaw and no notice of any trains leaving at 9:50 AM. My pulse quickened as I rushed to find the nearest ticket window and stood in line to ask for help.
I was told the train for Poland was leaving at 9:50 AM—but from a different train station miles away!
Racing to Catch the Train
I was now in panic mode as I raced to get to the correct train station.
I was told I needed to take a local metro train in order to get to the correct long-distance rail station, from where my train was leaving in less than half an hour with or without me. I ran to the local metro-rail center and asked a worker how to get to this train station. He barked at me in German, obviously having no idea what I needed.
I consulted a huge metro map posted on the wall and figured out how to get to the correct train station. Then I discovered that I needed a metro ticket!
I saw people in line to buy tickets, but I did not have time to stand in line. A metro train had just pulled up and was ready to go. I quickly jumped the barrier and leaped onto the metro with no ticket and crossed my fingers, my heart beating like a thief as the train sped away and morning commuters eyed me with suspicion.
When the metro arrived at my correct train station, I ran to the track for the train bound for Warsaw—I had made it just in the nick of time!
The train started rolling right away, and we were off to Poland.
The Engine Breaks Down
After only about forty minutes into the four-and-a-half-hour journey, the train came slowly to a halt.
An announcement was made in Polish, so I did not understand why we were stopped. After 30 minutes of just sitting there, I got up and discovered from a female Polish train officer who spoke limited English that “the machine broke.”
The translation was that we would sit and wait a couple of hours to get a new engine car.
We sat for two hours and then started moving again toward Warsaw.
Pierogis and New Friends
Sharing a cabin with fellow travelers from Malaysia and Dubai, we decided to make the best of the situation.
We headed to the dining car, where the friendly Polish chef on board prepared delicious pierogis, the traditional meat-filled dumplings, for me, while my lunch-mate ordered soup. Upon arrival, he discovered the soup contained sausage, and being a Muslim, he was unable to eat it, so offered the bowl to me.
It was a very filling lunch, and amidst the delay, we forged connections through the shared meal and laughter, turning an inconvenience into a culinary adventure.
My Apartment Nightmare
After the gross delay, our train arrived in Warsaw at 5:10 PM. I was in another country, with a new language and foreign everything. I was able to find the rental office on the ninth floor of an office building after a fast-paced twenty-minute walk.
As I entered, the only employee left working past 5 PM on a Friday informed me that she had been trying to call me since she was about to go home. She stated that the apartment I rented had some “technical issues” and they would set me up in another place. I had little choice but to agree, and she walked with me to negotiate a taxi, which she paid for.
The cab ride was a long one, and I had a sinking feeling as the taxi drove me further and further away from the city center. I arrived at a huge complex of gated apartments with no English speakers to be found—including the taxi driver—and no shops or restaurants or public transportation in sight. The driver helped point me in the right direction, and I eventually made it to my apartment.
The apartment seemed okay. However, there was no Wi-Fi, and then I found that the shower and commode were not working!
A Midnight Rescue
I found a security guard at the building entrance and tried to get help, but he spoke no English.
I took some pictures to show him the problem, but there was little he could do. It was getting late, so I decided to camp out and wait until morning.
I was awakened at 11:40 PM by a knock on the door.
There was a man with a bottle of wine, apologizing and saying he had heard of my troubles. He was from the rental agency and was offering to take me to a hotel if I wanted. I agreed and quickly packed my things.
We took another ride, and I checked into the hotel just after midnight.
From Disaster to Luxury
The next day, the owner of the agency, who was very apologetic, personally picked me up and gave me the keys to a private condo for elite executives right in the heart of the city.
It was a very unique penthouse in the middle of an upscale office complex.
The next evening when I came home, there was a bag on the door. Inside was a personalized T-shirt they had made as another expression of their apology for the problems during my first night in Poland.
I decided all was well that ended well, plus now I had a premium condo in an excellent location!
Meeting a New Friend
During my stay in Warsaw, I met a beautiful attorney and asked if I could buy her dinner.
She spoke multiple languages, and we shared a similar sense of humor and a mutual passion for travel. We had dinner together at a Polish restaurant where she helped me order a traditional pork knuckle.
She then led me on an amazing tour of Praga, Warszawa—the historic center of Warsaw, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—describing the spirit of old Warsaw and telling me about the history of the Jews here.
We ducked around the nooks and corners of old town Warsaw, where the filming of The Pianist took place. The town was filled with wooden houses, atmospheric pubs, historic buildings, and artisan studios.
Chopin in the Park
When the weekend arrived, we drove to hear the “Chopin in the Park” concert, where a pianist recited works from Chopin’s oeuvre amidst the rose-edged gardens of Royal Lazienki Park.
We walked past the Belvedere, the stately palace depicted on the Belvedere and Chopin vodka labels. In the park, we fed wild red squirrels and spotted some peacocks strutting their stuff.
I decided to extend my stay in Warsaw. I checked out of my posh condo and booked a stay at the Warsaw Marriott.
All’s Well That Ends Well
As my stay in Warsaw drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on the twists and turns of my journey. Despite the initial setbacks, the hospitality I encountered along the way left a lasting impression.
From the personalized apology T-shirt from the rental agency to the unexpected upgrade to a luxurious condo, I realized that even misadventures can lead to delightful surprises and connections.
My misadventures in Mazovia taught me the importance of flexibility and resilience while traveling. Embracing unexpected challenges and opening myself to new experiences turned what began as a disaster into a memorable adventure.
Before leaving, I hung out in the executive lounge of the Warsaw Marriott for some free cappuccino and chocolate.
Little did I know, I would be back another year to stay again in this beautiful city and at this same luxurious hotel again.
Where I Stayed:
Anton Downtown Apartments
During my time in Warsaw, I stayed at Anton Downtown Apartments, which provided a completely different experience from a traditional full-service hotel. The apartment-style accommodation gave me a little more independence and the feeling of having my own place in the city rather than simply having a hotel room.
The downtown location was particularly convenient for exploring Warsaw, with the city’s attractions, restaurants, shopping, and transportation within easy reach. Having an apartment-style base also gave me a comfortable place to return to after spending the day walking around the city.
I enjoyed the more relaxed and residential feel of the apartment. It was a good reminder that some of my favorite places to stay while traveling aren’t necessarily the fanciest properties—they are the ones that put me in a convenient location and give me the freedom to experience a city on my own terms.
Warsaw Marriott Hotel
I moved from the apartment experience to the opposite end of the spectrum with a stay at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel. Located on Aleje Jerozolimskie in the heart of the city, the Marriott was ideally positioned near Warsaw Central Railway Station and provided an excellent base for exploring the capital. The hotel itself was also an impressive landmark, rising high above the surrounding city and offering spectacular views of Warsaw.
This stay was made even better because I had club-level access. The executive lounge provided a much more elevated hotel experience, with breakfast, snacks and hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and complimentary beverages available throughout the day. Having a comfortable lounge where I could relax, grab something to eat, or enjoy a drink was a wonderful perk after a day of exploring Warsaw.
The club-level experience also gave me the opportunity to enjoy some of the best views from the hotel. Looking out over Warsaw from high above the city offered a completely different perspective from walking its streets below.
The Marriott also offered the amenities I would expect from a major international hotel, including restaurants, a fitness center, room service, and comfortable rooms with city views. Its location next to Warsaw Central made getting around especially easy, whether I was exploring the city or continuing my travels by train.
Having stayed in both an apartment and a major international hotel in Warsaw, I experienced two very different ways to enjoy the city. Anton Downtown Apartments offered independence and a more residential feel, while the Warsaw Marriott provided luxury, service, impressive views, and the added bonus of club-level access. Both became part of my Warsaw experience, but for very different reasons.
