A direct daytime train from Paris to Berlin at lower cost? Originally scheduled for 2023, the launch of this direct TGV has been postponed until Monday December 16, 2024. Until now, journeys between Paris and Berlin have involved connections, making the journey longer. From now on, this service will link the two capitals directly, departing Paris at 9.55 a.m. and arriving in Berlin at 6.03 p.m., or vice versa, departing Berlin at 11.54 a.m. and arriving in Paris at 7.55 p.m. Passengers will be able to board from €59 in 2nd class and €69 in 1ʳᵉ class, with tickets available from October 16, 2024 on SNCF Connect and the Deutsche Bahn website.
Named ICE 3, this train has 444 seats, including 111 in 1st class. Powered at a speed of 320km/h, it's a faster connection than ever before. Departure from Paris is at 9.55 a.m., with arrival in Frankfurt at 2.04 p.m. and Berlin at 6.03 p.m. The return journey is at 11:54 a.m., arriving in Paris at 7:55 p.m. The train stops in strategic cities such as Strasbourg, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt-South, facilitating travel between Europe's major metropolises.
This project is part of a Franco-German cooperation framework dating back to 2007, with the aim of strengthening high-speed rail connections between the two countries. In addition to its positive impact on reducing carbon emissions, the new line aims to promote long-distance rail transport as an environmentally-friendly alternative to air travel.
The heads of the two companies, Alain Krakovitch of SNCF and Michael Peterson of DB, hailed this new initiative as proof of the Franco-German commitment to a more connected and greener Europe. With this new offer, Paris and Berlin are getting even closer, both for occasional travelers and for professionals looking for speed and comfort.
The new Paris-Berlin TGV line was inaugurated this Monday, December 16, 2024. The first train left Paris Gare de l'Est at 9:55 am, arriving at Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 6:03 pm.
The direct trip between Paris and Berlin takes around 8 hours, connecting the two capitals from city center to city center.
This link crosses several major cities:
Prices start at :
The link will be operated by ICE trains, Germany's high-speed trains, renowned for their comfort and modernity.
A Paris-Berlin train journey emits around 2 kg of CO2 per passenger, compared with 200 kg by air. A powerful argument for travellers keen to reduce their carbon footprint.
This is the first time in railway history that a high-speed link has directly connected Paris and Berlin, two of Europe's most important capitals, without any connection.
Tickets are available on the SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn websites, and from authorized travel agencies.
With this direct line, travel between Paris and Berlin has never been so practical, ecological and accessible. A great opportunity to discover Germany in a different way, or to facilitate cultural and professional exchanges.
The Paris-Berlin daytime TGV completes a night-time link between the two capitals, operated by Austrian railroads ÖBB in partnership with SNCF and Deutsche Bahn. However, this night train has been suspended since August 12 due to essential regeneration work on the French and German networks, requiring night-time intervention. Services are scheduled to resume on October 28. However, the daytime service will not be affected by this work, according to Deutsche Bahn. So, how about a trip to Berlin over Christmas or beyond?
