Get ready to experience Europe in a whole new way! A direct high-speed train service connecting Paris and Berlin is set to launch on December 16th, 2024, offering travelers a fast, environmentally friendly, and affordable alternative to air travel.
This highly anticipated route, announced at InnoTrans by SNCF TGV-Intercités CEO Alain Krakovitch and DB Personenverkehr CEO Michael Peterson, will be operated by Alleo, the long-standing partnership between SNCF and DB. Bookings open on October 16th, with fares starting at €59 for standard class and €69 for first class.
The journey will take approximately eight hours, with stops in Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, and Frankfurt Süd. The route will utilize high-speed rail lines between Paris and Strasbourg, as well as Frankfurt and Berlin, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey.
The new service is designed to appeal to both leisure and business travelers. It emphasizes the environmental benefits of rail travel, highlighting the significantly lower carbon footprint compared to air travel. The train journey will produce just 2 kg of CO2 per passenger, a stark contrast to the 200 kg of CO2 produced by flying the same route.
With an initial capacity of 320,000 seats annually, the service has the potential to expand with additional trains if demand proves strong. Alleo, with its combined French and German staff, has already successfully transported 32 million passengers since 2007, including 24 million on international routes. In 2024 alone, ridership increased by 4%, with an impressive occupancy rate of 81%.
This new Paris-Berlin direct train service is a major step forward in expanding sustainable and efficient rail travel across Europe. It offers a compelling alternative for those seeking a comfortable, environmentally conscious, and affordable travel option.
