International rail connectivity from the Czech capital will receive a major boost from 1 May as České dráhy introduces daily direct Railjet/ComfortJet services from Prague to Hamburg and Copenhagen. The long-awaited link had been in doubt because of protracted reconstruction on Germany’s Berlin–Hamburg high-speed corridor, but the Czech operator has secured a diversion route via Stendal, Uelzen and Lüneburg. Under the interim timetable one train pair will run between Prague and Copenhagen and two between Prague and Hamburg. Journey times are 11 hours 45 minutes and just under six hours respectively, with through-ticket prices starting at CZK 1,500 to Denmark. From mid-June, once the German line re-opens, frequencies will double and Prague–Berlin travel time will drop below four hours—a game-changer for corporates with twin-city operations. For business-travel managers the revived daytime service offers a lower-carbon alternative to short-haul flights and an attractive product: Wi-Fi, at-seat dining and bicycle spaces are standard. Companies tracking sustainability KPIs may wish to nudge employees toward rail, especially as German airport security staff have announced sporadic strike warnings for May. Travellers should, however, note that the diversion adds roughly 50 minutes to schedules and that engineering works in the Elbe Valley could still trigger ad-hoc detours. Mobility planners should verify timings close to departure and reserve seats early on Friday/Monday peaks.
Source: Prague Daily News
