Travellers between Prague and Copenhagen can once more take advantage of a direct rail link between the two European cities for the first time in over ten years. The Czech Railways (CD) service, in partnership with Deutsche Bahn (DB), and Danske Statsbaner, launched on 1 May 2026, running between Prague and Hamburg with stops in Berlin, Dresden, and Copenhagen, giving rail lovers a whole suite of iconic city break options all on one train.
Two daily departures will run year-round, leaving the Czech capital’s gothic spires and bridges behind at 6:30 am and 10:30 am, with a third departure in the afternoon at 4:30pm operating during the summer high season.
Hola hola, Kodaň volá 🇩🇰
— České dráhy (@ceskedrahy_) May 1, 2026
Vypravili jsme první přímý spoj po trase Praha → Hamburk → Kodaň. Rekonstrukce trati u Berlína stále probíhá 😏 – Ale! S DB jsme se domluvili na dočasné odklonové trase přes Stendal a Lüneburg, aby nikdo nemusel přestupovat. pic.twitter.com/ArDiLBwxhs
Wheelchair accessible, and with a seat capacity of up to 555, including 99 in first class, the ComfortJet trains offer passengers storage for 12 bikes, plus restaurants, radio-transparent windows, and, of course, Wi-Fi connection. There is even an onboard cinema to keep children entertained but with a maximum speed of 230km per hour, whipping passengers from Prague to Hamburg in just six hours and 41 minutes, it may be a struggle to fit more than a trilogy of movies in. Meanwhile, the full 1,000km Prague to Copenhagen trip can be completed in under 13 hours.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Union Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, hailed the pan-bloc rail service in 2025. He said: “Improving high-speed rail, especially across borders, is our top priority. This new line, connecting the Czech Republic, Germany, and Denmark, is a strong example of progress. And I am especially proud that it is the first of the ten pilot projects supported by the European Commission to promote new cross-border rail connections.”
At the #TTE Council, we held productive discussions and reached important agreements on some of the most critical issues on Europe’s transport agenda.
— Apostolos Tzitzikostas (@tzitzikostas) December 5, 2025
We discussed the new increased budget for transport infrastructure, and I presented our plans on military mobility, high-speed… pic.twitter.com/vnWd8pJmyq
At the same time, Michael Peterson, DB Board Member for Long Distance Passenger Transport, said: “Rail is bringing Europe closer and closer together. Journey times of over four hours are popular with our passengers in international long-distance transport, and we are offering additional attractive services to meet the growing demand. Our strategy of growth in international long-distance transport is truly working.”
In addition, Kai Wegner, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, said: “Deutsche Bahn’s new direct connection links three European capitals: Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen. This will strengthen Berlin as a hub in Europe. The new direct rail connection is also an important component in decarbonising the transport sector, since it will offer more green options for people travelling to and from Berlin.”
Like Copenhagen, Berlin is now offering visitors rewards and incentives for greener travel choices and contributions to sustainable tourism, via its “BerlinPay” scheme.
