Czech Railways to launch new direct route from Prague to Berlin and Copenhagen

Travelers from Prague will see a new direct rail connection linking the Czech capital with Berlin and Copenhagen beginning in May 2026. This route, operated by Czech Railways (ČD), Deutsche Bahn (DB), and Danish State Railways (DSB), aims to improve international mobility and offer passengers a modern, comfortable travel option across three countries.

The service will feature ČD’s new ComfortJet trains, designed for long-distance travel with amenities such as dining cars, children’s entertainment, and enhanced connectivity. It is part of a broader European Commission initiative to expand cross-border train routes and reduce travel times while encouraging greener transportation alternatives.

The new train service will commence on May 1, 2026, coinciding with the completion of renovation works on the railway line between Berlin and Hamburg. Two daily pairs of trains will operate year-round, with a third pair added during the summer months.

Passengers can expect a journey time of approximately 11 hours between Prague and Copenhagen and about seven hours between Copenhagen and Berlin. Stops will include major cities such as Dresden, Hamburg, and Ústí nad Labem, providing connections to key economic and cultural centers.

The route revives direct train travel between Prague and Copenhagen, which had been discontinued since 2014, when the last night trains ceased operations. Before that, the Neptun express once connected the two capitals via ferry and train, taking roughly 14 hours.

The new service is a pilot project under the European Commission’s efforts to improve cross-border rail infrastructure and market integration. The partnership between ČD, DB, and DSB reflects growing demand for longer international rail journeys, which are seen as a sustainable alternative to short-haul flights.

The trains operating the route will be ČD’s ComfortJet models, known for their modern design and passenger amenities. Each trainset can accommodate up to 555 passengers, with first and second-class seating, wheelchair accessibility, and facilities such as Wi-Fi, bicycle storage, and an onboard restaurant offering hot and cold meals.

Innovations in the ComfortJet include radio-transparent windows to enhance mobile signal reception, a children’s cinema area, and pressure-tight carriage design to reduce discomfort during high-speed tunnel passages.

"We are also highly delighted by the fact that our German and Danish colleagues have placed their trust in us and that we will be operating the entire line with our state-of-the-art ComfortJets," ČD chair Michal Krapinec says in a press release.

"This means that passengers can look forward to uncompromising comfort and top-quality cuisine in our dining car. Once the extensive renovation of the railway line between Berlin and Hamburg is complete, our ComfortJet will run there at a speed of 230 km/h, making it the fastest regular train in the history of ČD."

EU officials have highlighted the Prague-Copenhagen line as a key example of efforts to decarbonize transport and promote sustainable European travel. It offers passengers a direct, comfortable alternative to flying, linking over 15 million people across multiple metropolitan areas along the route.

Looking ahead, the completion of the Fehmarn Belt Undersea Tunnel between Germany and Denmark is expected to further reduce journey times, enhancing the connection between Scandinavia and Central Europe.