SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn, the national train operators of France and Germany, will launch a new high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin.
Set to commence on 16 December, the new daily service will be operated by DB’s InterCity Express (ICE) trains, which are already in circulation between the two countries. The ICE train features 444 seats, including 111 seats in first class, and can reach speeds of 320km/h on the French high-speed line.
The service will depart Paris Gare de l’Est at 9:55, calling at Strasbourg, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt South before arriving at Berlin Hbf at 18:03. Trains from Berlin, meanwhile, will depart at 11:54 and arrive in the French capital at 19:55 after a total journey time of approximately eight hours.
Reservations will open on 16 October, with tickets starting from €59 in second class and €69 in first class.
The rail operators said the new service is the first high-speed rail link that directly connects the two capitals “from city centre to city centre” and that it will complement existing high-speed operations.
DB board member for long distance passenger transport, Michael Peterson, said: “SNCF Voyageurs and DB are sending a strong signal for the development of Europe by rail. The new ICE connection will give new impetus to the booming international long-distance traffic. With our cooperative partners, we continue to fully focus on growth to enable more quality international rail connections. This is the only way for Europe to achieve its climate goals.”
With the addition of the new high-speed line, the rail operators will provide 26 daily connections between France and Germany, including links such as Paris-Stuttgart/Munich, Paris-Frankfurt, Frankfurt-Marseille and the seasonal summer service between Frankfurt and Bordeaux.