Direct Trains from Prague to Hamburg and Copenhagen Launch from 1 May – Initially via Diversion Route

Despite ongoing engineering works on the line between Berlin and Hamburg, České dráhy will expand its international services from May. Travellers from Prague will once again have direct train connections to Hamburg and Copenhagen.

Despite the extended engineering works on the railway line between Berlin and Hamburg, the first direct railjet services from Prague to Hamburg and Copenhagen will begin operating as scheduled on 1 May. The trains will initially run via a diversion route and will be operated using the new ComfortJet trainsets of České dráhy.

According to current information, the modernisation of the Berlin–Hamburg line via Wittenberge and Ludwigslust will continue until 13 June 2026. Nevertheless, direct daily connections between Prague, Hamburg and Copenhagen will already be offered from the beginning of May. Initially, one pair of trains per day will operate between Prague and Copenhagen, while two pairs of trains per day will run between Prague and Hamburg.

Foto: České dráhy

From 1 May 2026, the following services will operate:

• rj 171 Berliner: Hamburg-Altona (4:34 am) – Berlin Hbf (7:28 am) – Praha hl.n. (11:25 am); from 23 May as train rj 387,

• rj 172 Berliner: Praha hl.n. (4:31 pm) – Berlin Hbf (8:28 pm) – Hamburg-Altona (11:23 pm); from 23 May as train rj 386,

• rj 384 Berliner: Praha hl.n. (6:31 am) – Berlin Hbf (10:29 am) – Hamburg-Altona (1:37 / 2:52 pm) – København H (7:38 pm),

• rj 385 Berliner: København H (8:22 am) – Hamburg-Altona (12:52 / 2:18 pm) – Berlin Hbf (5:28 pm) – Praha hl.n. (9:25 pm).

Between Berlin and Hamburg, the trains will temporarily operate on a longer and slower diversion route via Stendal, Uelzen and Lüneburg. Stops are planned in all three cities. Services to and from Copenhagen will additionally include a stop of more than one hour at Hamburg-Altona station.

From 14 June, regular operations on the modernised Berlin–Hamburg line are expected to resume. A two-hourly service between Prague, Berlin and Hamburg is then planned. In addition, three direct daily train connections between Prague and Copenhagen are expected to be introduced in future.

Foto: České dráhy

Brno will also receive additional international direct connections. Alongside the existing railjet services to Berlin, a direct daily train from Brno to Hamburg is expected to begin operating from mid-June.

The scheduled journey time from Prague to Berlin will in future be less than four hours. Travellers are expected to reach Hamburg in just under six hours and Copenhagen in around eleven hours and 45 minutes.

According to České dráhy, ticket prices including seat reservation will start at the equivalent of around 425 Czech crowns for Berlin, 650 Czech crowns for Hamburg and 1,500 Czech crowns for Copenhagen.

The railjet and ComfortJet trains offer air-conditioned carriages, an onboard restaurant, at-seat service in first class, and minibar service in second class. In addition, the trains feature Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports, bicycle spaces, as well as family areas with a children’s cinema and changing table.