From May 1, 2026, a new direct train will connect three of the continent’s most beautiful capitals – Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen.
The project is being implemented by Czech Railways (ČD), Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Danish State Railways (DSB) and is supported by the European Commission, which is adamant that it will continue to promote cross-border train travel.
The direct connection also comes after the completion of the renovation of the train line from Berlin to Hamburg, and according to Railway News, stops will also be included there and in Dresden.
What do we know so far about the service? It will likely run twice a day, taking seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen and 11 hours between the Danish capital and Prague. The seasonal night train between Hamburg and Copenhagen will be extended to use the new route.
The trains themselves will be Czech Railways’ ComfortJets, which can travel up to 230 km/h and have 555 seats, of which 99 are in first class. On board the train, passengers will have access to a restaurant car, adjustable seats and even a cinema.
Tickets will go on sale soon.
Direct high-speed trains will connect Munich, Milan and Rome, German railway operator Deutsche Bahn announced earlier this month, quoted by DPA. The connection is expected to be operational in December 2026, if the necessary permits are issued on schedule.
It will be the first time that Italian Frecciarossa trains will run direct routes in Germany via Innsbruck, Austria, Deutsche Bahn said at the presentation of the cooperation agreement in Munich.
Initially, one train per day will run on the route. After two years, the service is expected to be gradually expanded to include Berlin and Naples. The aim is to eventually offer five round-trip trips per day between Germany, Austria and Italy.
The journey from Munich to Milan will take around six and a half hours, and from Munich to Rome around eight and a half hours. This will save passengers around 75 minutes compared to the current journey time to Milan, which includes transfers, a Deutsche Bahn spokeswoman said.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/railroad-tracks-in-city-258510/
