New high-speed train between Paris and Berlin

Arushi Sakhuja

If you’ve been planning that Euro trip, listen up. French rail transport company SNCF and German Deutsche Bahn recently announced the first direct high-speed train between Paris and Berlin by the end of 2023. The train will operate once a day to begin with, and the frequency will be stepped up in the future, depending on the occupancy rates. The said high-speed train is set to stop over at Frankfurt.

As the travel industry finds its grounding once again, people across the globe are looking for newer experiences to attract travellers post the pandemic. A new upcoming tourist destination, an experiential activity or a luxurious (and quicker) mode of transport all add to a tourist appeal.

Moreover, the head of the French company in a statement to the press, revealed how people are willing to spend longer journeys travelling by train, upwards of four hours, making it an environmentally-friendly option.

Destinations like London, Paris and New York, among others, still remain a favourite for people to travel to by train.

The new high-speed train underway will make travelling the 545 miles between Berlin and Paris way quicker. Set to launch by the end of next year, the high-speed train will be connecting two major cities in just seven hours, as opposed to the current travel time of more than eight hours.

The project was announced in a joint statement by Germany’s Deutsche Bahn and France’s SNCF rail networks in May. “The high-speed traffic between Germany and France is an outstanding example of how attractive connections promote cross-border rail traffic. I firmly believe in the great potential of the railways in and for Europe. Our planned new direct connection between the hearts of our two capitals will inspire even more people to travel by train,” said Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn.

Jean-Pierre Farandou, Jean-Pierre Farandou, President of SNCF, “In view of the climate crisis, rail is the mode of transport par excellence and offers the best alternative for business and leisure trips between our two countries.” “With the new high-speed connection between Berlin and Paris, there is another attractive alternative to flying by rail,” said Federal Transport Minister of Germany, Dr. Volker Wissing.

Initially, Germany’s Intercity-Express (ICE) train is expected to carry out one round-trip between the cities per day, with a scope to increase the service.

While the train will offer all the comforts of a luxury train, you will also have access to WiFi, power sockets and a bistro. For a more luxurious journey, you’ll get some extra space, at-seat service and access to the first-class lounges at the respective stations.

The new direct train is expected to launch by the end of 2023.

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