EC Berliner (Czechia <> Germany)

ShowMeTheJourney has anticipated what questions are most often asked about travelling on these Railjet train managed by the Austrian national rail operator, CD

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Most of the routes taken by these trains has a maximum speed of 160 km/h (100 mph), but they can travel at up to 200 km/h (125 mph) between Berlin and both Dresden and Hamburg.

Only when booking the more expensive 'Standard' type of ticket for travel in First Class and Business Class tickets
When travelling in Economy (2nd) Class - and when booking the cheaper types of tickets to travel in First Class, reservations have to be proactively added.
Note that there is not charge for adding the reservation on when booking international journeys and journeys within Czechia on the CD website - but a fee is added when booking reservations on the DB, German railways website.

Aside from the peace of mind of knowing that you will have an allocated seat for the entire journey, opting to reserve has these benefits:

• less stressful boarding
• when travelling in Economy (2nd) class you can ensure placement in a specific 'zone' on the train, Bike, Family and Quiet - this zone is also available in 1st class

Yes - If your preferences include seats at tables, forward facing seats or seats in Quiet zones, you will need to use the seating plan.

Seat reservations are now mandatory for journeys to and from Germany when travelling June 1st to September 1st
On journeys from Germany they cost €6.50 when travelling with 1st class passes and €5.20 when using 2nd class passes.
On journeys to Germany they cost the equivalent of €3 regardless of whether travelling with 1st or 2nd class passes.
However, outside of this time they are optional
Though if you will be making the fairly long journey between Berlin and Praha / Prague, reservations are highly recommended when using 2nd class passes on these trains, particularly;

• If you won’t be travelling on the first/last trains of the day.
• Will be travelling on a Friday or Sunday year round
• Will be travelling on a weekend in May and September

The bar/bistro sells comparatively good hot and cold food that isn’t extortionately priced, but don’t overly rely on the full range of items being available.
A full restaurant facility is also available - Passengers travelling with 1st or 2nd class tickets can take seats in this restaurant car.

Yes and the sockets are compatible with standard EU plugs.
There are sockets per pair of seats in Economy (2nd) class, but there are sockets per seat in First and Business class.

Yes and it is free to access for all travellers

Yes, when opting to travel in Economy (2nd class) or First class.
To ensure being placed in the Quiet Coach, opt to reserve and then make use of the seating plans - see above.

There are no luggage rules for travel by these trains,

Yes - and places for journeys within and from Czechia can be researched and booked on the CD website

Yes, but places must be reserved pre-boarding

When booking tickets online for journeys within and from Czechia there will be an option to add ‘a bike’ to your booking, but what won’t be clear is that you will be purchasing or requesting the bike reservation and NOT the bike ticket(s).
The ticket for the bike will need to be booked separately, either online or at the station ticket office.

If you can transport a small dog in a pet carrier it is will be classed as hand luggage and no ticket will be required.

If your dog is too large to be taken in a pet carrier it will need to be muzzled and you will need to book a ticket.

For journeys in and from Czechia there are two flat-rate prices for below and above journeys of 150km.
These rate are cheaper than booking dog tickets on the DB, German railways website.