Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen Direct Train: New Northern Railway Route Open to Hungarian Travelers

Another important step has been taken by European international rail: the European Commission welcomed the launch of the direct rail service between Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen on June 26. For Hungarian travelers, this does not mean that Denmark has suddenly become reachable by a single train from Budapest, but rather that a more predictable, comfortable, and better combinable northern route has been created via Prague and Berlin as an alternative or supplement to flying.

At first glance, the news may seem like a Czech, German, and Danish railway matter, but its impact is broader. From the Hungarian market, Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen are all popular city-break destinations, and many travelers already combine flights, trains, and car segments. The current development is interesting because it reduces the need for transfers on a longer, multi-country route and directly connects Copenhagen to the Central European rail corridor to which Budapest can connect via Vienna, Prague, or Berlin.

What exactly has started?

According to the European Commission, the new service connects Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen with a direct rail connection, and it is a milestone in European cross-border passenger transport. The project has been one of ten EU-supported pilot services since January 2023, aimed at improving international rail connections.

According to the Czech Railways' information for passengers, the Prague-Copenhagen direct connection is available from June 14, passing through Ústí nad Labem, Děčín, Dresden, Berlin, and Hamburg. The railway company highlights the latest ComfortJet trains, stating that the train can be a useful starting point not only for Copenhagen but also for other cities in Northern Germany and Denmark. On the Czech Railways' website, starting prices around 60 euros between Prague and Copenhagen are listed as examples of advance tickets, but the actual price always depends on the date, booking time, availability, and tariff.

According to a previous announcement by Deutsche Bahn, the service is based on the cooperation of DB, the Danish DSB, and the Czech ČD. The essence of the plan is that year-round daytime trains run between the three capitals, passing through Dresden and Hamburg, and seasonal night connections may supplement the offer. The ComfortJet trains appear in the service as high-speed capable trains equipped with on-board catering, Wi-Fi, bicycle spaces, and accessibility solutions.

Why is this important from a Hungarian perspective?

From Hungary, Copenhagen is typically easiest by plane, especially if the passenger finds a direct or one-stop flight. The railway, however, provides a new logic for those who do not just want to get from point A to point B, but would like to string several cities together on one trip. A Budapest-Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen route could already be constructed, but the transfer risk of the final segments, the schedules of different railway companies, and the long travel time deterred many travelers. The direct Prague-Copenhagen segment simplifies this.

This may be particularly interesting for those planning city visits, concerts, festivals, Christmas markets, Scandinavian tours, or family vacations. Someone who, for example, spends two days in Prague first from Budapest, then continues to Copenhagen via Berlin, can expect fewer separate decision points. The railway may also become more attractive to those who prefer city-center to city-center transport over airport procedures, luggage restrictions, or late-evening arrivals.

Flying does not become redundant because of this. The Budapest airport, the Vienna airport, and the Copenhagen airport remain key players, especially for shorter trips or when the passenger has few vacation days. The current development is strong in that it provides an alternative: not every northern route needs to be purely by air, and not every city visit needs to be narrowed down to a single destination.

Prague and Berlin become stronger rail hubs

For Hungarian travelers, Prague has long been an easily understood Central European hub. It is accessible by road, rail, and air, and is a strong tourist destination in its own right. Because of the current route, Prague can also become a northern gateway: from here, one can travel directly to Copenhagen via Berlin and Hamburg. This can be valuable if someone does not want to solve every segment by separate flights, or if they consciously want to reduce the flying part of the trip.

Berlin's role is similarly important. Alongside the Berlin Brandenburg airport, the German capital's rail connections are becoming increasingly stronger, and the city is a natural transition point between Western, Northern, and Central Europe. The Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen connection is therefore not just a new service, but a scheduling backbone to which other travel decisions can align: whether it is worth stopping in Berlin, whether it is worth including Hamburg, or whether it is better to travel directly to Denmark.

The Prague airport and the railway can also appear together in travel planning. A Hungarian traveler, for example, can fly to Prague or Berlin and then continue the journey to Copenhagen by train, or similarly combine transport modes on the way back. This is mainly useful if a more favorable flight ticket is available in one direction, while the railway is more comfortable or cheaper in the other.

What does the railway offer compared to flying?

The greatest advantage of a long international train journey is not always speed. From a market similar to Budapest, the plane usually remains more time-competitive for Copenhagen if all flights are punctual and the airport transfer is smooth. The advantage of the train is rather the more predictable city-center movement, the greater on-board freedom, the possibility of stops along the way, and the fact that the journey itself can become part of the program.

The railway can be a particularly good choice for those who would work from a laptop during the journey, do not want to worry about luggage size, or are traveling with family and value living space. In modern long-distance trains of the ComfortJet type, the dining car, Wi-Fi, bicycle transport, and accessibility solutions are all elements that improve the comfort of the long journey. These, of course, do not replace checking the schedule: large European rail projects, track renovations, and summer works can periodically modify the journey.

It is also important not to leave tickets until the last moment. International rail pricing is often dynamic: more favorable prices can run out faster, and popular weekends and holiday periods can quickly become more expensive. Those preparing for a Christmas market, autumn break, advent Copenhagen, or a summer Scandinavian tour should monitor the train just as they would a flight ticket.

The EU rail strategy is also visible in the background

The European Commission highlighted the service for a reason. The Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen route is linked to the EU's Trans-European Transport Network, the TEN-T logic, and can be understood alongside larger investments such as the development of the Dresden-Prague rail connection or the Fehmarnbelt connection, which in the long term can make transport between Northern Germany and Denmark faster and more stable.

This is significant for Hungarian travelers because the quality of European rail does not depend on the comfort of a single line. If border crossings, schedule connections, ticket purchasing, and infrastructure improve together, then the railway becomes a realistic alternative on more and more routes. The current service does not solve all European rail problems, but it is a good sign: direct trains between major cities across countries can once again be interpreted as tourist products.

How should one plan?

The most important advice is not to view the Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen train in isolation. From Hungary, one must first decide how to get to Prague or Berlin, how much time to spend in the intermediate cities, and only then compare the full rail, full air, and combined routes. For a long weekend in Copenhagen, the plane will probably still be more practical. For a 7-10 day Central and Northern European tour, however, the railway is already much more interesting.

• For short city visits: compare the direct or one-stop flight to Copenhagen with the total time of the rail journey.
• For multi-stop routes: Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, and Copenhagen together can already form a natural rail route.
• For family travel: pay attention to seat reservations, dining car availability, luggage, and connection buffers.
• For cost planning: along with the train ticket, include possible accommodation in Prague or Berlin if the journey is not made in one go.
• For combined routes with flights: it is worth checking the current flight offers of the Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen airports separately.

What does this mean for the tourism market?

The strengthening of international rail is not just transport news, but also tourism product development. Airlines offer fast arrival, while the railway provides a route, intermediate cities, and a slower, but more experiential journey. The two are not necessarily competitors: for many Hungarian travelers, the best solution will be a combination. For example, flying to Copenhagen, then a rail return via Berlin and Prague; or conversely, a rail northern tour, and then a fast return home by plane.

The service is also an important signal for those interested in more sustainable travel. The railway can be a lower-emission alternative for some of the short and medium-distance European routes, especially if the passenger would visit several cities anyway. At the same time, it is not worth idealizing: price, travel time, transfer buffers, and schedule reliability are just as part of the decision as environmental aspects.

Summary

The Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen direct train does not transform the Scandinavian plans of Hungarian travelers in one stroke, but it adds a new, usable element to European route planning. The service, also highlighted by the European Commission, shows that international rail is again capable of creating spectacular, multi-country tourist offers. From a Hungary perspective, its greatest value is flexibility: Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, and Copenhagen can be more easily strung together on one trip, while flying remains a fast alternative.

Those planning a northern city visit for the second half of 2026 or the winter season should already monitor schedules and advance tickets. The best decision is probably not whether train or plane, but which transport mode on which segment provides the most time, comfort, and value for the journey.