New Rail Link Officially Launched: Travel from Prague via Berlin to Copenhagen Without Changing Trains

The new rail connection between Prague and Copenhagen via Berlin enables passengers to travel directly without changing trains for the first time. It is part of an EU pilot project aimed at strengthening cross-border rail travel across Europe in a sustainable way.

The official launch of the new direct rail connection between Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen took place in Berlin on Friday. The ceremonial opening was attended by representatives of Czech Railways (ČD), Deutsche Bahn (DB), Denmark's DSB, as well as representatives of the participating countries and the European Union.

For the first time, the new service enables passengers to travel directly from Prague via Berlin to Copenhagen without changing trains. It is one of ten pilot projects launched by the European Commission to strengthen cross-border rail transport in Europe and is regarded as the first entirely new service introduced under this initiative.

Foto: České dráhy

The Prague–Berlin–Copenhagen route is intended to remove barriers to international rail travel, improve market conditions, and expand attractive and sustainable mobility options across Europe. At the same time, it creates a direct rail connection between three European capitals.

German Federal Minister for Transport Patrick Schnieder described the new service as a strong signal for climate-friendly mobility, comfortable travel, and a high-performance rail network at the heart of Europe. He said the participating railway operators were putting the idea of a united Europe into practice.

Foto: České dráhy

EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas also described the new connection as an important milestone for European long-distance rail travel. Better connections along the trans-European transport network, he said, would bring people across Europe closer together and strengthen cross-border mobility.

Michal Krapinec, Director General of Czech Railways, stressed in Berlin that railways connect Europe more strongly than ever before. The direct connection between Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen demonstrates how railway operators can work together to create an attractive and sustainable travel offering. According to Czech Railways, modern ComfortJet trains will operate on the route.