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Praha / Prague / Prag to Berlin by train

Routes you can take to go from Praha / Prague / Prag to Berlin

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Praha / Prague / Prag Journey guides for travel from Berlin

Route Information

Station Guides

The old station building by platform/track 1

Praha hl.n. Rail Station Guide

Some of the escalators that link the multiple levels in Berlin Hbf

Berlin Hbf Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

4hr 31min (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

7 x trains per day

Is the journey from Prague to Berlin direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route - though there are multiple other daily journey options available which involve making connection

Is this journey scenic?
Between Prague and the outskirts of Dresden the railway is on the west bank of the River Elbe.

What other tourist locations are along this route from Prague to Berlin?
These trains also call in Bad Schandau and Dresden

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Berlin?
Before 10:45am daily

Source = [European Rail Timetable](https://www.europeanrailtimetable.eu/

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Berlin?
Berlin Hbf is linked to other areas of the city by

frequent local (S-Bahn) trains
trams
the metro line, U5
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Praha hl.n
Before 17:30 daily - this departure is by a Railjet train
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Prague?
Praha hl.n train station is located on the eastern edge of the city centre, so transferring to the Metro or trams can be good options.
See the Station Guide for more information, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Prague to Berlin trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Prague to Berlin trains?
It can be up to 3 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.

Does the ticket for these Prague to Berlin trains include assigned seats?
Only when booking the most expensive types of ticket = Flexpreise tickets for travel in 1st class.
So they are not included when booking tickets for travel in 2nd class, or any other type of ticket valid for travel in 1st class
They are available, so they can be added for an additional cost, when booking those types of ticket.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Prague to Berlin trains?
Yes - between June 1st and Sept 1st
At other times of the year they are available, but are not mandatory, though they are recommended for this route.
See the rail pass guide for details of the booking options.

Is catering available on the Prague to Berlin trains on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany

What else is good to know about Czech rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Czechia.

Travel Information

Final Destination: Hamburg or Berlin or Kiel or Flensburg

All trains also call at: Děčín, Bad Schandau, Dresden,

Departing from Prague/Praha/Prag:

Between around 06:30 and 16:30 trains depart every other hour.

Don't assume that you have to board the train at Praha hl.n.

These trains also call at Praha-Holešovice and this station has easier connections (by tram) from some parts of the city, particularly those by the river.

Though if you will be boarding at Holešovice, you should reserve, the trains can fill up on departure from Praha hl.n.

Arriving in Berlin:

These trains will call at Berlin-Südkreuz before they arrive at Berlin's main station, Berlin hbf.

It's worth checking the lcoation of your final destination in Berlin - there are direct S-Bahn trains from Sudkreuz to FriedrichstraBe and locations to the east and west of the city centre.

Check your onward connections in Berlin on this public transport map.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

Exterior of Czech train at Dresden on a Praha - Hamburg journey

EC Metropolitan (Germany <> Czechia <> Hungary) Train Guide

Exterior of a ColmfortJet train operated by the Czech national rail operator, CD

EC Berliner (Czechia <> Germany) Train Guide

A side view of a Railjet train - the top tier OBB trains

ÖBB Railjet (RJ/RJX) (Austria/International) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesRiver views

Good to Know

The final train of the day, which typically departs at around 17:30, is the Railjet.

Between Praha and Decin

Between Praha and Bad Schandau

Between Praha and Decin

Between Decin and Bad Schandau

Between Prague and Dresden the train travels through the beautiful Elbe River valley, but sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) to see these views.

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: up to 3 months ahead of the travel date

A choice of tickets

Three types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis
One type of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis,

A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:

Super Sparpreis tickets are cheapest, but they can't be refunded at all.
Sparpreis tickets can be refunded for a fee, but the refund will be in the form of travel vouchers to be used for alternative / future journeys.
Flexpreis tickets can be refunded at no additional charge.

The other key difference is that both types of Sparpreis tickets are only valid on the specific departures selected when booking, but Flexpreis tickets live up to their name, as they can be used on any departure on your travel date.

Note that none of the tickets can be exchanged to a different departure.
There's no need for this to be available for Flexpreis tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis ticket and want to travel by a different departure you can refund it and then use the travel voucher towards the cost of the new booking.
Super Sparpreis tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.

The Sparpreis and Flexpreis tickets also include 'City tickets' for Hamburg which can be used on public transport between locations in the city centre and Hamburg hbf.

Seat reservations

Seat reservations are optional on this route - take note if you will be using a rail pass.
They cost €4.90 when travelling in 2nd Class and €5.90 when travelling in 1st class.
Specific seats can be selected from seating plans - you don't have to accept the seat(s) that you will be automatically offered.

They are included within the cost of booking 1st class Flexpreis tickets.
When booking Super Sparpreis, Sparpreis and 2nd class Flexpreis tickets, you have the option of purchasing seat reservations later.
It can be worth re-looking up a journey a week or two ahead of travel, because the DB website will indicate how busy a departure will be..

Booking on the DB website

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so if you can be flexible with your departure time use the 'best prices' tool - at the top right on the list of journey options.

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