Earlier this week I took the direct Paris to Berlin train as part of a two-month trip across France and Germany. This wasn’t my first time taking a long-distance international train in Europe, but it was the first time I’d traveled on this particular international train route that just launched daytime service in late 2024.
Traveling from Paris to Berlin by train was a very enjoyable experience. Considering the time it takes to get to the airport in Paris and pass through security screenings, traveling between these two cities by train is nearly as fast as traveling by plane. As well, traveling by train has the added bonus of being better for the planet. Even better, instead of being trapped in a cramped airplane seat, you’ll be able to walk around and stretch your legs throughout the journey.
In this guide I’m going to talk about my experience traveling by train to Paris from Berlin, what you can expect on board the train, and tips for booking this soon-to-be iconic route. Personally, I think you’d be crazy to fly when it’s so convenient and fun to make this trip by train!
Note: I am not an affiliate of any train lines or train companies and I don’t earn money if you book your Paris to Berlin tickets using the links on my website. This guide is just here to help you, and the train ticket site I’ve linked is the one I used myself.
How to Get from Paris to Berlin by Train
The best way to get from Paris to Berlin by train is using the direct, high-speed train that is part of the Inter-City Express (ICE) network. This route used to operate exclusively as an overnight sleeper train, but recently daytime service was added to the schedule as well.
There are other high-speed train options between Paris and Berlin but they all require changes in cities such as Cologne or Mannheim and a switch between the French and German rail operators. Personally, I avoid booking tickets that require a change of train if there is a direct alternative.
How long is the Paris to Berlin train journey?
The high-speed ICE train from Paris to Berlin makes the trip in between eight and nine hours, with no changes required. The exact duration of your trip will depend on what is going on at the France-Germany border (more on that below!).
On the day I traveled, we departed Paris on time at 9:55, and we arrived in Berlin’s main train station at 19:20 pm. The conductor acknowledged and apologized for the delay.
For curiosity’s sake I planned out a journey from Paris to Berlin using only slow, regional trains and found that most routes took more than twenty hours (!), and the fewest numbers of transfers I could find was eight! 😲
How much does the Paris to Berlin train cost?
I’m writing this guide in early June 2025, and these are the cheapest tickets still available:
- For departures tomorrow, the train is already sold out.
- For departures the day after tomorrow, the cheapest fare is €384 (there is only one seat left).
- For departures a week from today, the cheapest fare is €233.
- For departures thirty days from now, the cheapest fare is €119.
- For departures three months from now, the cheapest fare is €109.
Personally, I paid €84 for a first-class seat. I purchased my ticket on the day that bookings opened, exactly six months before my departure date. I chose first class because I was traveling solo and I could book a single seat with nobody beside me. Plus, by booking early it’s comparable in price to second class.
The fares shown above are provided by SNCF Connect, which is the ticketing department of the French rail network. I also compared prices using both Omio and Trainline, two popular third-party booking platforms, and they were not able to match any of these ticket prices.
How to Book Tickets on the Paris to Berlin Train
At first, the cheapest fares from Paris to Berlin that I could find were on SNCF Connect, I recommend using their website or app to book your train tickets. Personally, I find the app easier to use than the website, and I used it for all of my French train bookings when I was there last summer. With the app, you can also store all your tickets right on your phone – no paper copy required!
Several months after I bought my ticket I went on the website of the German rail operator, Bahn.de, and found that fares there appeared to be lower than on SNCF by about €5-10. So, if I was traveling from Paris to Berlin again, I would start my ticket shopping there.
In terms of when to book, I suggest that you download the SNCF Connect or get on the Bahn.de website as soon as you know your travel dates, and then check every day or two to see if prices dip due to a sale or other special offer.
Is the Paris to Berlin train ride scenic?
Yes, the train from Paris to Berlin is scenic! Unfortunately I ended up with a seat facing backwards (because trains have engines at both ends there isn’t a way to book a seat facing a specific direction, unfortunately) and beside a wall, so my view was limited. However, from the window across from my seat I could see many charming villages in both France and Germany, and beautiful rolling hills and farmers’ fields in the rural areas.
Where to catch the train to Berlin in Paris?
The direct train to Paris from Berlin departs from Gare de l’Est, one of largest train stations in Paris. Gare de l’Est is only about 500 meters from Gare du Nord. It takes about ten minutes to walk between the stations, or you can hop on Metro Line 5 and travel one stop.
I was actually traveling from the Burgundy region to Berlin, and the way the trains worked it meant I had to stay overnight in Paris. I chose to stay at a boutique hotel midway between Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord called Hotel Les Deux Gares, and can highly recommend for a one-night stay or for even longer!
What is the train to Berlin from Paris like?
The train from Paris to Berlin is convenient, clean and comfortable. Here’s what you can expect to find on board the train during your journey.
Luggage Storage
Each carriage had a luggage rack at one end of the wagon, and they didn’t seem too full on the day I traveled. I’m guessing this is because the overhead storage above each seat was large enough to accommodate standard carry-on sized bags, so only people with big suitcases (like me) needed to use the racks.
First Class Seats
First class is set up in a one-two configuration, which means one side of the aisle has one seat (perfect for solo travelers) and the other side has two seats. In the very middle of each carriage, and at each end, there are pods of seats with a table in the middle. If you’re a couple, or a family of four, booking these seats means that you’ll be facing your traveling companion(s) and you’ll have room to spread out.
My first-class seat was adjustable and had a footrest that could be adjusted. It had its own power outlet and a tray table that was a good height for holding snacks but not ideal for working on my laptop.
Second Class Seats
Second-class seats are set up in a two-two configuration, so there are two seats on each side of the aisle. This means they’re a bit narrower and if you’re solo, you’ll be seated next to a stranger, but aside from that they looked fine to me. Second class also had several tables in the pod configuration around a central folding table.
Food on the ICE Train
I was very impressed by the food and drink available on the train from Paris to Berlin. One wagon was set up with a small cafeteria and six booth-style tables, and staff were also taking orders at the cafeteria and delivering full meals to passengers in their seats.
There was a full menu on the train including light snacks, soups, salads, full meals, kids meals and lots of drinks. What you can see above is just one page from the menu, but it was a complete booklet.
As a vegetarian traveler, I don’t like to assume that long-distance trains will have food that I can eat. So, I packed enough snacks to tide me over between the included breakfast at Hotel Les Deux Gares and my arrival in Berlin. The night before my trip I went to the Monop’ supermarket across the street from the Saint-Vincent de Paul church. It has a much better selection than the Monoprix in the station and prices are 25% lower (I checked!).
It turned out that once we crossed into Germany the onboard menu did have both vegan and vegetarian options (including a plant-based currywurst and a falafel wrap) but I don’t regret packing my own food.
Bathrooms on the Train to Berlin from Paris
I used the bathroom on the train twice (once towards the beginning of the trip, and once towards the end). The bathrooms were clean and stocked with both soap and toilet paper both times, and I saw them being cleaned throughout the journey.
WiFi on the Train from Paris to Berlin
There was free WiFi on the train from Paris to Berlin. At the beginning of the trip the network speed was quite slow, but once we left Paris, and especially once we arrived in Germany, the speed was fine. I was able to back up photos and work on my blog with minimal internet disruptions.
Stops Between Paris and Berlin
The train between Paris and Berlin makes stops in three cities along the way:
- Strasbourg, France
- Karlsruhe, Germany
- Frankfurt, Germany
These stops were each less than five minutes, allowing just enough time for travelers to get on and off the train.
Border Control on the Train From Paris to Berlin
One month before my train trip, I received an email from the train company saying that the schedule for my train had changed. It would be leaving at the same time, but now arriving almost an hour later. When I opened up the app to try to figure out why the schedule had changed, I found this notice:
“The German authorities are introducing border controls at Kehl statin, the first station after the German border. As a result, the journey will take about 15 minutes longer. Please have your identity documents ready.”
My experience with the border crossing was very simple. Shortly after the train left the Strasbourg station, an announcement came on that German authorities would be checking passports and everyone needed to have their identity documents ready. Three German immigration officers entered our carriage, but they continued walking into the next carriage without checking the documents of anyone around me.
After about ten minutes the train continued moving and I put my passport away. I suppose the lesson is that while you must be ready in case your passport is checked, there’s a good chance you won’t be the person selected for passport control.
Arriving in Berlin on the Train from Paris
The direct train from Paris to Berlin usually arrives at Berlin Hauptbahnhof around 6:30 pm. From here, countless regional trains, subway lines and trams connect you to the rest of the city (including Mitte, Alexanderplatz, Charlottenberg and East Berlin).
Upon arrival in Berlin, the train also stops at Berlin Spandau and Ostbanhof. These stations are smaller and have fewer transportation connections, but depending on where you’re staying they might be a better station to disembark.
Bonus European Train Travel Tips
- When possible, I use a Pacsafe retractable cable lock to secure my suitcase or backpack to the luggage storage rack. Luggage theft is a crime of opportunity and this makes my bag the least-appealing target for thieves. I have been using my cable lock since 2010 and it’s still going strong!
- I always put AirTags inside my bag so that if they are stolen (or delayed, on a flight), I can see where they are.
- Since we’re talking about theft, French and German train stations are popular places for pickpockets. Keep your luggage with you at all times, and keep a hand on any bags containing valuables.
- I recommend arriving at the station 30 minutes before the train departs to find your track (voie) and pass through the ticket scanners. If you’re planning to buy made-to-order food at the station then add at least another fifteen minutes to that estimate.
- Keep your tickets within easy reach as mine was checked twice during the trip.
While you’re in Paris, check out a few of the free indoor things to do I compiled in my latest travel guide. I’ve also got a guide to my 25 favorite things to do in Berlin, including recent updates based on my 2025 trip.
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