SNCF and DB launch a new high-speed train between Paris and Berlin

Written by Tolt

Published on September 23, 2024, modified on May 15, 2025

SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have officially announced the new high-speed direct connection between Paris and Berlin. Until now, you had to take the ÖBB night train or plan a journey with transfers, but that’s all set to change starting December 16, 2024. Frequency, duration, price... here’s everything you need to know about this new train between France and Germany.

How long does the trip take?

Starting December 16, this new high-speed route will connect the French capital to the German capital in approximately 8 hours. On this daily service, operated in cooperation by SNCF Voyageurs and DB, you won’t be boarding a TGV, as the two operators have chosen to run ICE trains, the German equivalent of the TGV. However, it won’t feel unfamiliar, as the ICE 3, series 407, already runs between France and Germany. This model offers 444 seats, including 111 in first class, and can reach speeds of 320 km/h on the French high-speed line.

Photo : ©Alexis Calvignac

Timetables, frequencies, and cities served

Each day, the train will depart from Paris Gare de l’Est at 9:55 a.m., arriving at Berlin Hbf at 6:03 p.m. Along the way, it will stop at Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, and Frankfurt Süd. In the opposite direction, the train will leave Berlin Hbf at 11:54 a.m., arriving in Paris at 7:55 p.m.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets will be available for purchase starting October 16, 2024, on the SNCF Connect website, with prices starting at €59 for second class and €69 for first class.

How to book tickets?

Reservations can be made online:

• Through the SNCF Connect website or app
• Through the DB website or app
• Via authorized resellers’ websites (although this may incur additional fees, so it’s not highly recommended)

You can also book:

• At SNCF stations and shops
• By calling 3635 (7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
• At authorized travel agencies

Photo : ©Alexis Calvignac - Inauguration du 16 décembre 2024

When to book for the best prices?

To get the best prices, you likely know the number one rule: book as early as possible! If you want to be one of the first to board this new train, note that reservations will open on October 16. In general, tickets are available 6 to 4 months in advance.

A SNCF-DB partnership since 2007

This line marks a new milestone in the partnership between SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn (DB), which began in 2007. Since then, more than 32 million international travelers have used the joint DB-SNCF services on routes like Paris-Stuttgart/Munich, Paris-Frankfurt, and Frankfurt-Marseille. In 2023, a summer seasonal line was also launched, connecting Frankfurt to Bordeaux every Saturday.

With the new Paris-Berlin route, the number of daily trips between Germany and France will increase from 24 to 26, adding more than 320,000 additional seats per year.

Other options

To find out about other options for getting to Berlin by train, visit our routes to Berlin :

Written by Tolt

Tolt - aka Benjamin Martinie - est réalisateur, Youtubeur et auteur spécialisé dans le voyage depuis plus de 10 ans. Il s’est d’abord fait connaître avec sa série "Don’t go to…”, tournée caméra au poing aux quatre coins du monde. Ces vidéos, visionnées plusieurs millions de fois et saluées par la critique, ont été relayées dans de nombreux médias (France Info, Nat Geo, Le Point...) et distinguées par plusieurs prix ou nominations (Travel Video Awards, Resistance Film Festival...).

En 2019, il prend un virage décisif et renonce à l’avion pour se consacrer au voyage responsable. En 2023, il fonde HOURRAIL !, le média communautaire de référence sur le voyage bas carbone qui rassemble aujourd'hui plus de 500 000 passionnés.

A travers ses articles, ses vidéos et interviews d'experts, il décrypte avec rigueur et pédagogie les enjeux liés au tourisme, au climat et au transport ferroviaire. Son objectif : prouver qu’on peut voyager et être heureux, sans prendre l’avion.