Prague–Berlin–Copenhagen high-speed rail link officially launched

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at Berlin Hbf on 26 June celebrated the full commercial launch of the new Prague–Berlin–Copenhagen day service, the first of ten EU pilot projects aimed at revitalising cross-border rail. Executives of České dráhy (ČD), Deutsche Bahn (DB) and DSB were joined by EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, underscoring the political weight behind the connection. The route, operated by ČD’s 230 km/h ComfortJet trainsets, has been running since 1 May but suffered detours while the Berlin–Hamburg line underwent an overhaul. With the works completed on 14 June, journey time has dropped to 11 hours 45 minutes, and two daily round trips now link the three capitals; a seasonal night train will follow in July. For corporates this creates a viable, lower-carbon alternative to short-haul flights on one of Central Europe’s busiest business corridors. The trains feature Wi-Fi, quiet-zones, bicycle capacity and a full bistro car, allowing travellers to remain productive door-to-door.

Before boarding, international passengers can quickly check whether they need a visa or supporting documents thanks to VisaHQ’s digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/). The service provides real-time guidance and expedited processing for Czech, German and Danish entry requirements, helping business travellers and project teams stay compliant while taking advantage of the new rail link.

Early-bird return fares start at €118, and Interrail and FIP concessions are accepted, making the service attractive for project teams and expatriate commuters. Logistically, the line plugs Czechia directly into Scandinavia’s rail network, facilitating multimodal freight and crew rotations via the Fehmarnbelt link once it opens in 2029. Travel-policy departments should update preferred-carrier lists and carbon-reporting tools to reflect the new option, while relocation teams can pitch Copenhagen as a weekend-commuting base for Prague-based assignees. The EU will use performance data from the service—ridership, punctuality and modal-shift figures—to decide on funding for the remaining nine pilot links. Consistent passenger uptake will therefore influence future Czech cross-border projects such as the proposed Prague–Vienna–Graz fast line.