Prague to Copenhagen Train Returns via Berlin

A direct train linking Prague with Copenhagen has returned after more than a decade, restoring a long-distance rail option across Central and Northern Europe. The service, launched on 1 May, runs via Berlin and Hamburg, connecting three countries in one continuous journey. It marks the first time in years that these cities are linked without transfers by rail.

Czech Railways (ČD) now operates two daily return services between Prague’s Hlavní Nádraží and Hamburg. One of these trains continues further north to Copenhagen. Both services include stops in Dresden and Berlin, adding flexibility for passengers travelling across Germany. The route is operated in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Denmark’s DSB following the completion of infrastructure works on the Berlin–Hamburg line.

Schedule and journey details

• Departures from Prague: 06:30 and 10:30 year-round
• Additional summer departure: 16:30
• Prague–Hamburg travel time: 6h 41m
• Prague–Copenhagen journey: just over 13 hours

The trains can reach speeds of up to 230 km/h and use ČD’s ComfortJet units, which include onboard catering, Wi-Fi, space for bicycles and family-friendly areas.

The restored link opens up easier rail access to several major destinations along the route. Dresden’s historic centre, Berlin’s cultural districts and Hamburg’s harbour areas all become simple stopovers. Copenhagen then adds a northern extension, with access to its waterfront, design scene and nearby coastal areas, making longer multi-city trips more straightforward to arrange.

This route shows a steady shift back towards long-distance rail connections that were once common but later reduced. With fixed daily departures and through-services across borders, the line offers a practical alternative to flying for those willing to trade time for a simpler journey. The launch also shows how rail operators are gradually rebuilding direct routes between European cities that had disappeared in the past.