Creative, cultural and lively, Berlin is a European capital on the move. Every year, it attracts many visitors with its museums, historical heritage and renowned nightlife. If you too would like to discover Berlin while limiting your carbon footprint, don't hesitate to swap the plane for the train: the destination is easy to reach from France! Take the time to slow down and embark on a few hours of train travel before finding yourself at the heart of Berlin's frenzy.
Paris-Berlin by direct train, daytime
Good news! Since December 2024, there has been a direct line between Paris and Berlin. This high-speed train is jointly operated by SNCF and the German DB company, which means you can book your tickets directly on the French site and benefit from reduced fares if you have a discount card.
From Gare de l'Est, a daily train makes the journey: allow around 8 hours to reach the German capital from Paris.
The article to read on the train, to discover the city's must-sees.
Strasbourg, another starting point for a direct flight to Berlin without a plane
You can make the journey from many other French cities by connecting in the capital (such as Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes or Lille, for example). However, you can also fly direct from Strasbourg. And fares are generally lower than from Paris.
From this beautifulAlsatian city, it takes around 6 hours 20 minutes to get to Berlin, still on one train a day.
Getting to Berlin without flying: the night train alternative
Before the opening of the direct line in December 2024, the connection with the German capital was mainly by night train. You can still opt for this option, by booking your Paris - Berlin journey on Nightjet operated by the German company ÖBB.
In this case, you'll still leave from Gare de l'Est for a journey lasting around thirteen hours, before waking up in the German capital. The night train also stops in several German cities along the way, including Mannheim and Frankfurt am Main.
The article to read the best night trains in Europe.
What's the approximate budget?
It's difficult to estimate the budget for a trip to Berlin without a plane, as it depends on a number of factors. There are, however, a few tricks you can use to benefit from cheaper train tickets. You can book well in advance, choose off-peak tickets, travel outside school vacations, or take advantage of loyalty programs offered by certain companies.
To get a reliable idea of your budget, don't hesitate to visit the websites of the transport companies involved in your journey. However, here's a rough estimate (which may change over time):
- Paris - Berlin by day: between €65 and €120 on average if you plan ahead.
- Strasbourg - Berlin by day : between €55 and €90 on average if you book in advance.
- Paris - Berlin by night train: first prices between €35 and €115, depending on the formula, if booked 3 months in advance.
What is the carbon footprint of a trip to Berlin without a plane?
To calculate the following estimates, we used the carbon footprint calculator provided byADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency.
A return flight from Paris to Berlin emits an average of 454kg of CO2eq. For the train, this figure rises to 6.63kg of CO2eq. In other words, the carbon impact of train travel is 68 times lower than that of air travel.
Tempted by our itinerary? Book your train tickets to Berlin now to take advantage of the best fares:
