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Prague and Berlin. Two of Central Europe’s most iconic capital cities. Both worth visiting, both full of enough history and culture to keep you busy for weeks...and you can travel between them by train in 4 hours!
Train travel in Europe can be complicated. Let’s clear up any confusion! We’ll guide you from getting to the train station in Prague and choosing your train all the way to what to expect on the train and what to do once you arrive in Berlin.
On this route your train will either be a Eurocity train, with rolling stock provided by Austrian, Czech or Hungarian railway companies, or a Regiojet train. You’ll be able to see which service the train belongs to when you book your tickets. Both options offer comfortable high-speed services on modern trains with the option to upgrade to First Class.
Your train will most likely depart from Prague’s central train station—also known as Praha Hlavní Nádraží in Czech and often shortened to Praha hl.n. From there, you can sit back and relax. Four hours later you’ll be in Germany’s capital city. When you step off the train, there’s no line for passport control and you’re already right in the middle of the city. How’s that for convenience?
Let us take care of the tickets. You can book online or on our app—in US dollars and in English. Pick which dates you want to travel on in our Journey Planner above, and we’ll take care of the rest. Read on for more information on the trains, how to get to the station and much more!
ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
The Economy Class on ÖBB's Eurocity trains is perfect if you’re looking for spacious seats and generous baggage allowance at an affordable price.
There are plenty of amenities in First Class on ÖBB's Eurocity trains, including adjustable seats, additional legroom and an in-seat meal service.
Although Low Cost is the cheapest option offered by RegioJet, this class boasts a variety of free services, including WiFi, newspapers and an entertainment platform.
In addition to the amenities of the Low Cost Class, you will also enjoy Italian coffee, complimentary tea and juice, power outlets and adjustable seats.
In the Relax Class, you’ll take advantage of all the amenities in Standard and Low Cost, as well as large fold-down tables, leather seats and individual seating.
Travel in RegioJet’s Business Class for a premium experience. During your journey, you can rest or work quietly in the quiet car and enjoy spacious seats.
You can take your baggage free of charge onboard all ÖBB Eurocity trains, provided that it is stowed in the luggage racks above or below your seat or in the areas provided for hand luggage.
The pieces of luggage must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 90 x 60 x 40cm (35.4 x 23.6 x 15.7''). These dimensions can only be exceeded if you’re traveling with skis and snowboards, ski and hiking poles, wind, string or plucked instruments, wheelchairs, or strollers.
A restaurant car is available on most ÖBB Eurocity trains and offers a wide range of snacks and drinks. Vegan and vegetarian options are available too. If you upgrade to First Class, your meal of choice will be served straight to your seat.
Unfortunately, ÖBB Eurocity trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. Also, WiFi is not always available.
If you’re traveling with your child, you’ll get a discounted ticket. Kids aged 0-5 travel for free on ÖBB Eurocity trains, while those aged 6-14 get a half-price ticket. Kids aged 15 or over need a full-price ticket.
Many ÖBB Eurocity trains offer special compartments for kids in Economy Class – they come with 6 seats and can be booked for any route. Breastfeeding compartments are available too – they have curtains that block the view for more privacy. These seats can’t be booked.
You can travel with your bike for free on ÖBB Eurocity trains if it can be folded and is not larger than 90 x 60 x 40cm (35.4 x 23.6 x 15.7''). You won’t need to book a space for your bike.
If you can’t fold your bike, you’ll need to buy a bike ticket to reserve your space. You can book your ticket up to 6 months in advance from ÖBB Ticketshop online. If possible, we recommend you print out your bike reservation and attach it to your bike so it's clearly visible to the ticket inspector.
Small pets can travel for free on ÖBB Eurocity trains if they’re placed in a carrier or cage. If you can’t carry them in a carrier or cage, you’ll need to buy a ticket for them. They must also be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost and don’t need to wear a muzzle.
ÖBB Eurocity trains come with accessible toilets. Depending on the type of car, several wheelchair bays, including one seat for an accompanying person, can be booked free of charge.
On many trains, the wheelchair bays are in First Class. However, passengers with wheelchairs and the person accompanying them can travel in First Class with their Second Class tickets and can also make use of the in-seat meal service on offer there.
There are no weight limits when it comes to baggage on Regiojet trains - you can take what you like, so long as you can carry it yourself.
Choose from a wide range of drinks, snacks and light bites on board - you'll find the full menu on the Regiojet app. A free bottle of water is available for all customers. For passengers travelling with Relax or Business Class tickets, you'll also be offered a free Italian coffee or mint tea (made with real mint leaves) when on board.
Free WiFi is available on board. You can access the entertainment portal using the Regiojet app, or through the built-in screens on more modern Regiojet trains.
Strollers should be folded up to be taken on board. If this isn't possible, you must store your stroller at the front or back of the car.
Bicycles cannot be transported on Regiojet trains.
It's possible to bring small pets on board Regiojet trains in suitable carriers. Pets are not allowed in sleeper cars or couchettes. Guide dogs of all sizes are permitted on board.
Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available on Regiojet trains.
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Prague to Berlin by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Prague’s international airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, is 7 miles west of the center of the city. On public transport you can get where you need to go in no time!
By bus and metro: The fastest way into the city center by public transport is by a combination of bus and metro.
Tickets must be bought before boarding the bus. You can purchase tickets at ticket machines at the bus stop, at the Visitor Center or Prague Public Transit company counters in the airport arrivals hall, or on your phone with the PID Lítačka app.
By Airport Express bus: You can catch a direct bus which links Terminal 1 with Prague’s central train station (Praha Hlavní Nádraží). Buses leave every 30 minutes from 5:30am to 10:00pm, and the journey time is 40 minutes. You can purchase tickets from the driver.
If you’re already in the city, Prague’s central train station is just east of the center. It’s a beautiful walk through the medieval Old Town, or you can easily catch the metro or a tram.
On foot: From the Charles Bridge, it’s a 30-minute walk through the center of the city to the train station.
By metro: The Hlavní Nádraží metro station is on the red C metro line. You can change to the C line from other lines: if you’re on the green A line, change at the Muzeum station; if you’re on the yellow B line, change at the Florenc station.
By tram: Tram lines 5, 9, 15 and 26 stop just opposite the train station. Additionally, lines 3, 6, 14 and 24 stop nearby at Jindřišská and Masarykovo nádraží, both around a 12-minute walk away.
Did you know? Between 1918 and 1938 and between 1945 and 1948, Prague’s main train station was called Wilson Station, after US President Woodrow Wilson.
Prague’s main train station consists of a modern station building, which includes two floors of retail space and options for food and drink, and the historic Art Nouveau building upstairs. In the station you’ll find:
If your ticket says Berlin Hbf, you’ll be able to get off your train at Berlin’s central station—or, in German, Hauptbahnhof. From here, you have a ton of options for getting around the city.
On foot: Berlin Hbf is just across the Spree River from symbols of the city, the Reichstag Building and Brandenburg Gate. If you want to get straight down to exploring, it’s a 20-minute walk to the Brandenburg Gate.
By U-Bahn: The U-Bahn is Berlin’s subway/metro system. U-Bahn line U5 (the brown line on maps) departs from Berlin Hbf. The Brandenburg Gate is 6 minutes away by U-Bahn, and Alexanderplatz is 9 minutes away.
By S-Bahn: The S-Bahn is a light rail network that connects Berlin’s center with its suburbs. Four different S-Bahn lines pass through Berlin Hbf: S3, S5, S7 and S9.
By tram: Tram lines M5, M8 and M10 pass by in front of Berlin Hbf. Berlin’s tram network focuses on the eastern part of the city.
By bus: Outside Berlin Hbf, you can catch a number of bus services: 120, 123, 142, 147, M41 and M85
Getting around Berlin quickly is cheap and easy if you take public transport.
Public transport in Berlin is managed by—big breath—the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, or BVG for short. This public body manages all U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus services in the city.
You can purchase tickets at BVG customer centers around the city. You can also buy tickets from machines or ticket offices at stations. Another option is to download the BVG app, which lets you buy tickets in-app as well as check departure times and plan your route.
Which tickets to buy? Single tickets start from €3.50 (roughly $3.90 as of August 2024), but you can also purchase short-trip tickets and 24-hour tickets. Special tourist tickets such as the WelcomeCard and CityTourCard offer unlimited travel for a specific time period as well as discounts at top Berlin attractions.
Berlin is cool. No one’s disputing that. It’s also a cultural powerhouse with a rich history. Find out more about how to spend your time in Germany’s capital.
Leave Berlin and you’ll find a host of destinations packed with history and culture. Guess what? They’re all an easy journey away by train!
After visiting Berlin, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport is brand new and well-connected to the center of the city by public transport. Here’s your guide to getting from train to take-off!
We have a full article explaining how to catch a train from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the city center, so you could take the same advice in reverse. But here’s a quick summary of our advice on getting from the center of Berlin to Brandenburg Airport.
By S-Bahn: Head to Berlin Hbf station and catch the S9 train to the airport. You can also catch the S9 at Alexanderplatz.
By regional fast train: The Express Train FEX leaves Berlin Hbf and takes 30 minutes to get to the airport.