Train travel between Prague and Berlin has reached a new milestone. From Sunday, December 14, journeys between the two capitals will take less than four hours for the first time, following the opening of a newly modernized railway section near Dresden. This upgrade marks a significant step in Central Europe’s ongoing rail modernization.

Faster Travel Times
Thanks to the upgraded Dresden railway line, long-distance trains can now bypass older routes and operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h.

Czech Railways’ new ComfortJet trains will complete the Prague–Berlin journey in just 3 hours and 57 minutes. Connections between Prague-Holešovice and Berlin-Südkreuz will be even faster at 3 hours and 39 minutes. Travel times to Berlin Brandenburg Airport have also improved, with journeys now taking only 21 to 25 minutes.

According to Czech Railways spokesperson Filip Medelský, the combination of German infrastructure modernization and the introduction of ComfortJet units has reduced travel times between the two capitals by approximately 15 minutes.

The Dresden Railway Upgrade
Originally built in the 1870s, the Dresden railway line had long been restricted to local S-Bahn and freight services. Reconstruction efforts began in 2018 and were delayed by legal challenges, finally allowing intercity passenger trains to operate on the line.

This development not only shortens Prague–Berlin travel but also sets the stage for future improvements. Further time reductions are expected on routes to Hamburg once additional track upgrades enable speeds of up to 230 km/h.

New International Connections
The December 14 timetable update brings expanded international rail services from Czechia.

Czech Railways is launching new night trains from Prague to Przemyśl in Poland, with onward connections via Ukrainian Railways to Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. New or expanded services will also operate to Villach, Vienna, Linz, and Poznań. A direct connection to Copenhagen is planned from May 2026.

Prague–Berlin services will run more frequently, with additional routes planned toward Hamburg.

Private Rail Operators Expand Services
Private carriers are also strengthening international connectivity.

RegioJet is introducing daily Prague–Warsaw trains and expanding its Kraków–Warsaw services to the Tricity area. Leo Express will operate daily Prague–Kraków trains, plans to expand to Warsaw in 2026, and is adding direct rail connections to Prešov along with bus links to Uzhhorod and Mukachevo in Ukraine.

Regional Rail Improvements in Czechia
Domestic rail services are also seeing major upgrades.

In Central Bohemia, new RegioFox trains will serve routes to Mělník and Benešov. Liberec has launched a fully modernized timetable on the Liberec–Hrádek nad Nisou–Zittau–Varnsdorf line.

In Ústí nad Labem, RegioPanter and Pesa units are being deployed, while international services to Dresden will now operate hourly instead of every two hours. Pilsen gains a new barrier-free transfer terminal in Klatovy, improving connections between trains and buses.

South Moravia has introduced hourly weekend services from Brno to Ivančice and Moravský Krumlov and restored the Pálava–Podyjí tourist line between Břeclav and Znojmo. In Zlín, all-door bus boarding is being piloted, with some underused rail lines replaced by bus connections.

Fare Changes
Alongside the timetable updates, Czech Railways is implementing modest fare increases in line with inflation. Short journeys will increase by approximately CZK 2–3, with larger increases on longer routes.

A new 25 percent online discount will be introduced for groups of two to five passengers. RegioJet will largely maintain current fares, with only minor regional adjustments.

Travel Advice
From December 14, passengers are advised to check updated train schedules using official apps or online platforms to stay informed about new connections, revised departure times, and service changes.