Here we are again, for yet another chapter of Europe’s fast-spreading Railway Renaissance.
Over the last couple of years, numerous new train routes have launched across the pond connecting a spate of unexpected destinations: for instance, we’ve had a new night train from Brussels all the way to Venice, the first-ever direct Paris–Berlin, and soon enough, we might even get London–Geneva.
Crazy, right?
Well, that’s not the end of it. Starting next year, tourists will be able to opt for the rail travel between two gorgeous European capitals you don’t often see placed together in the same sentence:
Direct Trains From Copenhagen To Prague Launching Soon!
You read that right. From May 1, 2026, passengers will be able to ride a train from Copenhagen, in Denmark, all the way to Prague, in Czechia (or Czech Republic) passing through Germany in between.
A joint project between Deutsche Banh (DB), Germany’s national railway, Danish Railways (DSB), and Czech Railways (ČD) it will shorten overland travel time from Scandinavia to Central Europe, as well as improve connections significantly.
Right now, the only option for tourists keen on traveling more sustainably, or simply avoiding the airport traffic is to go from Copenhagen Central (Köbenhavn H) to Hamburg, a city in Northern Germany. That’s 5 hours only to get started.
Next, they must switch to another train going to Berlin Central (another 2 hours), and finally, a third ride from Berlin to Prague, for a final section of just over 4 hours. Add to that transfer times of 1–2 hours, and you’re looking at a 15, or even 17-hour journey.
Don’t forget the multiple bookings, the lack of protection in the event of a delay during part of the journey, and the mounting costs.
Get From Scandinavia To Central Europe About 6 Hours Faster!
With the new direct Copenhagen–Prague train, that is set to eliminate transfer times and transport passengers smoothly from the Danish capital, down to Germany, and finally eastbound towards Prague, the duration is approximately 11 hours.
Between 4 to 6 hours faster than the current 3-train alternative.
There will be two direct daytime trains per day, seven days a week, with a third added in the peak summer months.
It’s a long journey, equivalent to a long-haul flight, so you may be wondering what’s in it for you. After all, flights are simply much quicker and more convenient.
We’ll be honest with you: this train is sure to appeal primarily to railway enthusiasts and environment-conscious travelers. Usually, we strongly recommend you take night trains instead of flights as it essentially combines the cost of accommodation and transport into a single booking.
This is not the case here, at least not for now, as no nighttime service is planned, and you’ll be traveling during the day.
What Amenities Can You Expect During The Journey?
On the other hand, this train can be an excellent option for a multi-destination European trip from Scandinavia to Central Europe.
It will start in Copenhagen, stopping in several key German cities along the way, including Hamburg, Berlin, and Dresden, before reaching Prague.
You can easily break up the journey by stopping by in 2 or 3 different destinations along the way.
If you’re simply looking to get from Copenhagen to Prague as fast as possible using the train, you’ll be glad to know it’s ČD’s new ComfortJet trains that are being deployed on this route, and they will be equipped with a dining car, a cinema for children, onboard Wi-Fi, and ‘mobile-friendly windows’.
In non-technical terms, they are specifically designed not to block 4G/5G reception inside the train, not to mention they’re great for panoramic viewing.
Discover more exciting train routes debuting in the near future in Europe here—and don’t forget to refer to our TOP Entry Requirement Checker to verify entry rules for American citizens at the European countries you’ll be visiting.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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