The Anonymous Widower

Paris – Berlin Direct High Speed Train Service Launched

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Railway Gazette.

This was the sub-heading.

A daily high speed train service linking Paris Est and Berlin Hbf was launched on December 16.

These four paragraphs outline a few details of the service.

It is operated through the Alleo partnership of SNCF Voyageurs and DB, with both French and German onboard staff and using DB Class 407 Velaro D trainsets built by Siemens Mobility.

The journey time is just over 8 h, using high speed lines from Paris to Strasbourg and from Frankfurt to Berlin, and calling at Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt Süd and Berlin-Spandau.

The service is targeted at both leisure and business travellers, with the operators highlighting the environmental benefits of the rail journey producing 2 kg of CO2, compared to 200 kg when flying.

Fares start at €59·99 in standard class and €69·99 in first.

Those prices seem good value.

I have just looked up going on the direct trains from Paris to Berlin on 19th Feb and coming back on the 21st.

These were the two trains.

• Paris Est – Berlin HBf 19th Feb – 09:55-18:03 – 8:08 – £52:00
• Berlin HBf – Paris Est 21st Feb – 11:54 – 20:00 – 8:06 – £86:50

Note.

1. Why is it cheaper to go to the East?
2. The Berlin HBf – Paris Est should allow you to catch a late Eurostar to London.
3. easyJet could get you fast and affordably between Gatwick and Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
4. Lumo can get you between London and Edinburgh for under £25:00.

New train services are opening up interesting trips.

Consider.

• I’ve not been to Berlin by train except from the East.
• I’ve not been to the new Brandenburg Airport.
• I’ve not done an eight-hour East-West daytime train trip across Europe.
• I want to look at Karlruhe and Chemnitz, and their new tram-trains.

I might organise my trip like this.

• Eurostar from London to Brussels
• Train from Brussels to Karlsruhe
• Overnight in Karlsruhe
• Train from Karlsruhe to Chemnitz
• Overnight in Chemnitz
• Train from Chemnitz to Berlin
• Overnight in Berlin
• Train from Berlin to Paris
• Walk between Paris Est and Paris Nord
• Eurostar from Paris to London

Note.

1. I’ve done London to Karlsruhe in a day via Brussels.
2. There will be three nights in hotels.
3. It should be possible to do Berlin and London via Paris in a day.

I think I’ll at least plan it.

January 4, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Berlin, Chemnitz, DB, EasyJet, Eurostar, Karlsruhe, Paris, SNCF, Tram-Train