New Paris-Berlin direct ICE train service to launch in December

Thursday, September 26, 2024

A daily direct ICE train service between Paris and Berlin is set to launch on December 16, 2024, following an announcement by SNCF TGV-Intercités CEO Alain Krakovitch and DB Personenverkehr CEO Michael Peterson at InnoTrans.

Bookings for the highly anticipated route will open on October 16, with ticket prices starting at €59 for standard class and €69 for first class.

The journey will take approximately eight hours, with stops in Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, and Frankfurt Süd.

High-speed rail lines will be used from Paris to Strasbourg and from Frankfurt to Berlin, ensuring a fast and efficient journey.

Targeted at both leisure and business travelers, the new service emphasizes the environmental benefits of rail travel.

The train journey will produce just 2 kg of CO² per passenger, a stark contrast to the 200 kg of CO² produced by flying the same route.

With 320,000 seats available annually, the service could see additional trains added if demand proves strong.

The route will be operated by Alleo, the long-standing partnership between SNCF and DB, with both French and German staff on board.

Speaking at InnoTrans, Krakovitch highlighted the success of the Alleo partnership, which has transported 32 million passengers since 2007, including 24 million on international routes.

In 2024, ridership increased by 4%, with an impressive occupancy rate of 81%.

This new Paris-Berlin direct train service represents a major step in expanding sustainable and efficient rail travel across Europe.