Currently, the train from Berlin to Paris takes a little over eight hours and involves at least one change. That could all be about to change, however, with talks underway between Deutsche Bahn and SNCF to establish a high-speed, direct connection between the two capital cities, along with further high-speed connections to other destinations in southern France.

Germany and France to cooperate on direct Berlin - Paris train

Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn, and SNCF President Jean-Pierre Farandou, announced this week that they had signed a joint agreement to establish a direct, high-speed, long-distance train between Berlin and Paris, along with new plans to expand high-speed ICE and TGV train services between Frankfurt and Stuttgart and Paris. 

Talks are also ongoing about the possibility of adding other high-speed connections from cities in Germany to other destinations in southern France, as a quicker and more environmentally-friendly alternative to flying or driving. A night train service between Paris and Berlin is also expected to resume next year

New direct connection should be up and running in December 2023

“The high-speed traffic between Germany and France is an outstanding example of how attractive connections are driving cross-border rail travel,” said Lutz. “Our planned new direct connection between the hearts of our two capitals will inspire even more people to travel by train.” 

Farandou said the companies hoped to be offering one trip a day between the French and German capitals by December 2023.