Train instead of flight: The railway companies in Germany and France are expanding their cooperation. Among other things, a new direct connection between Berlin and Paris is to start in 2023 – travel time: seven hours.

Deutsche Bahn and the French SNCF are planning a fast direct connection between Berlin and Paris. From the end of 2023, it should then be possible to get from the German to the French capital within seven hours by train without having to change trains – and vice versa. Bahn CEO Richard Lutz and SNCF President Jean-Pierre Farandou signed an agreement to expand the high-speed connections between the two countries that started in 2007.

Initially, there should be a daily return trip via Frankfurt with German ICE trains. A second connection with French TGV trains is to be added later. “We find that people are willing to take certain train journeys,” said Farandou in Strasbourg. “A few years ago, nobody would have found this too long and worried that it would be useful,” he added. But fortunately that has changed.” The fastest connection between Paris and Berlin is currently around eight and a half hours, but it can also take much longer.

“Our planned new direct connection between the hearts of our two capitals will inspire even more people to travel by train,” said Lutz. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing added: “The new high-speed connection Berlin-Paris is another attractive alternative to flying by rail.”

Other connections are also to be expanded

The connections between Paris and Milan and between Paris and Madrid are surprisingly well used, said Alain Krakovitch, who is responsible for TGV connections at SNCF. “We should have the same between Paris and Berlin.” Around the same time, the Austrian railway ÖBB will set up a night train line between Berlin and Paris together with DB. “Everyone can choose what they prefer,” said Farandou.

The agreement between Deutsche Bahn and SNCF also provides for the establishment of high-speed ICE and TGV trains between Frankfurt and Paris and between Stuttgart and Paris. There are also talks about other high-speed connections from Germany to southern France.

The two railway groups DB and SNCF have been cooperating since 2007. At a ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary in Strasbourg, Lutz and Farandou paid tribute to the results of the Franco-German cooperation. According to both companies, around 25 million people boarded the TGV and ICE during this period to travel to the respective neighboring country.

environmental aspect in the foreground

“The high-speed traffic between Germany and France is an excellent example of how attractive connections promote cross-border traffic on the rails,” said Lutz. Farandou spoke of a unique cooperation “in which we combine our know-how to get the best out of German and French high-speed traffic”. In view of the climate crisis, rail is the ultimate option and offers the best alternative for business and holiday trips between the two countries.

Federal Transport Minister Wissing also emphasized the environmental aspect of Franco-German cooperation. In view of the great challenges of climate change, the railways must also play a greater role in intra-European transport, according to the FDP politician.