Train service
Deutsche Bahn
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Berlin to Paris by train is around eight hours. There is now a direct option. Since December 2024, Deutsche Bahn runs one daily ICE with no change of trains required. If you prefer to travel overnight, European Sleeper launched a Paris-Berlin night train in March 2026, running three nights a week each way.
One thing worth knowing before you book: the day train and the night train arrive at different Paris stations. The ICE arrives at Gare de l’Est. The European Sleeper arrives at Gare du Nord. They are close, but the difference matters when you are planning accommodation or an onward connection.
The direct ICE
For most travellers, the direct ICE is the simplest choice. One train, no change, around eight hours.
Deutsche Bahn operates the service daily from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Paris Gare de l’Est. The route runs south through Erfurt, Halle and Frankfurt am Main, then west via Karlsruhe and Strasbourg. The train uses German ICE speeds on the German section and French high-speed lines from Strasbourg to Paris.
One departure per day. If you miss it, you are on an indirect connection. Book early.
Tickets
Book at int.bahn.de, SNCF Connect, Trainline or Rail Europe. Advance fares can start from around €44 for second class, though prices vary by date and demand. The cheapest fares appear earliest in the booking window, which usually opens three to six months ahead.
Interrail and Eurail
A pass covers this train, but the reservation is mandatory and more expensive than on domestic German routes. The Berlin-Paris direct ICE falls under the international ICE+TGV category, which carries a fixed reservation fee of €19 in both second and first class. Pass-holder seats are limited, so make the reservation as soon as you fix your dates.
Connecting services
When the direct ICE timing does not work, indirect connections run throughout the day with one change.
The main option is via Cologne: an ICE from Berlin takes around four hours to Cologne Hbf, where you connect onto a Eurostar service to Paris. Total journey time is around 8 to 9 hours depending on the layover. Paris arrivals on this route are at Gare de l’Est.
A note on branding: the Paris-Cologne service was previously marketed as Thalys. Thalys was retired in October 2023 and these trains now run as Eurostar.
Interrail and Eurail on Eurostar services: Reservations are compulsory on all Eurostar routes. For Paris-Cologne, the fee is €32 in Standard class and €37 in Plus. A second-class pass covers Standard class only. Premier class is not available with an Interrail or Eurail Pass.
Night train: European Sleeper
If you want to save a night’s accommodation or simply prefer to sleep your way across Europe, the European Sleeper is now the Berlin-Paris overnight option. The ÖBB Nightjet on this route was withdrawn from the 2026 timetable. European Sleeper launched its Paris-Berlin service on 26 March 2026.
It runs three nights a week. That is not every night, so check availability early, particularly if your dates are fixed.
Timetable
Paris to Berlin (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday)
Departures from Paris Gare du Nord at 17:45. The train calls at Mons and Brussels Midi before heading east. It arrives at Berlin Hbf the next morning at 09:59.
Berlin to Paris (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Departures from Berlin Hbf at 18:31. The train reaches Brussels Midi at 07:06 (departing 07:20) and arrives at Paris Gare du Nord at 10:00.
From 13 July 2026, the train also stops at Hamburg-Harburg. Hamburg-Harburg connects to Hamburg Hbf by S-Bahn in about 16 minutes.
The train occasionally substitutes Berlin Gesundbrunnen for Berlin Hbf. Check the schedule for your specific date at europeansleeper.eu.
Choosing your accommodation
European Sleeper uses three booking tiers.
Budget (seat) is a reclining seat in a locked-away bunk car. It is adequate for daytime travel. Do not book it for overnight. You will not sleep well and it is a false economy if you then need a hotel room anyway.
Classic (5 or 6-berth couchette) gives you a flat bunk with sheet, blanket and pillow in a lockable compartment. If you book fewer berths than the compartment holds, you share with strangers. For solo travellers on a budget, this works well.
Comfort Standard is a couchette compartment sold for single, double or triple occupancy with proper mattresses and duvets. No washbasin, but the beds are comfortable. A good middle option if you want privacy without paying for a full sleeper.
Comfort Plus (sleeping car) offers a proper private compartment with a made-up bed, washbasin, towel and breakfast included. Book all berths in a compartment to get a private room. This is the most comfortable way to travel.
Women travelling alone can request a women-only compartment in any category.
Prices
Prices are dynamic and rise closer to departure. The figures below are starting fares.
| Category | Starting from |
|---|---|
| Budget (seat) | €49 |
| Classic (6-berth couchette) | €79 |
| Classic (5-berth couchette) | €99 |
| Comfort Standard (triple, per bed) | €119 |
| Comfort Standard (double, per bed) | €149 |
| Comfort Standard (single) | €289 |
| Comfort Plus (3-bed sleeper, per bed) | €139 |
| Comfort Plus (2-bed sleeper, per bed) | €169 |
| Comfort Plus (single sleeper) | €339 |
Children under 4 travel free without a berth. Children under 12 pay a child rate.
Book couchettes and sleepers well ahead. The lower accommodation categories fill faster than the cheapest price suggests.
Onboard
No restaurant car. Buy food before boarding or order snacks and drinks from staff. No WiFi. Mobile data works along most of the route. Power sockets are available in couchette and sleeping cars.
Booking
Book at europeansleeper.eu. The window opens around six months ahead.
Interrail and Eurail on European Sleeper: Both passes are valid. You still need a reservation. To book, go to europeansleeper.eu, set adults to 0, and select the reservation-only places you need. Reservation-only prices for pass holders are listed on the booking page.
Paris arrival stations
Two different Paris stations serve Berlin trains. Confirm your arrival station before you arrange a hotel or onward connection.
| Service | Arrives at |
|---|---|
| Direct ICE (Deutsche Bahn) | Paris Gare de l’Est |
| Indirect via Cologne (Eurostar) | Paris Gare de l’Est |
| European Sleeper | Paris Gare du Nord |
Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord are about 15 minutes apart on foot and linked by Metro. Confirm the station before you book anything based on it.
Interrail and Eurail
Both Interrail (European residents) and Eurail (non-European travellers) cover all the trains on this route. Reservations are required for every service. None of these trains are pass-and-board.
| Service | Reservation | 2nd class fee | 1st class fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct ICE Berlin - Paris | Mandatory | €19 | €19 |
| Eurostar Paris - Cologne (indirect) | Mandatory | €32 | €37 |
| European Sleeper (night train) | Mandatory | See europeansleeper.eu | See europeansleeper.eu |
Book ICE reservations through the Interrail or Eurail reservation service. Pass-holder quotas are limited. Book early, particularly in summer.
Journey options at a glance
| Option | Time | Frequency | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct ICE (day) | ~8 hours | Once daily | None |
| Via Cologne (day, indirect) | 8 - 10 hours | Multiple daily | 1 change at Cologne |
| European Sleeper (night) | Overnight (~16h) | 3x per week | None |
Journey times are approximate. Check the exact time for your specific departure when booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Berlin to Paris?
Yes. Since December 2024, Deutsche Bahn runs one direct ICE each day from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Paris Gare de l'Est. The journey takes approximately eight hours. There is one departure per day in each direction, so book ahead.
How long does the train from Berlin to Paris take?
The direct ICE takes approximately eight hours. If you travel on an indirect connection with one change at Cologne, the journey is usually around 8 to 9 hours depending on the layover. The overnight European Sleeper night train takes around 16 hours.
Is there a night train from Berlin to Paris?
Yes. European Sleeper launched its Paris-Berlin night train on 26 March 2026. It runs three nights a week in each direction: departures from Paris on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and from Berlin on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The ÖBB Nightjet on this route was withdrawn from the 2026 timetable.
Which Paris station does the Berlin train arrive at?
It depends on the service. The direct ICE and indirect connections via Cologne arrive at Paris Gare de l'Est. The European Sleeper night train arrives at Paris Gare du Nord. Confirm your arrival station before booking accommodation or onward transport.
Can I use an Interrail or Eurail Pass from Berlin to Paris?
Yes, both Interrail and Eurail Passes are valid on all services on this route. However, reservations are mandatory and not covered by the pass. The direct ICE requires a reservation fee of €19 (the same in 2nd and 1st class). Eurostar services via Cologne require €32 in Standard class or €37 in Plus. European Sleeper reservations must be booked at europeansleeper.eu by selecting reservation-only places. Pass-holder quotas are limited, so book reservations early.
How much does a train ticket from Berlin to Paris cost?
Advance fares for the direct ICE can start from around €44 for second class, though prices vary by date, demand, and how early you book. European Sleeper fares start from €49 for a reclining seat, €79 for a couchette, and from €139 for a proper sleeper berth. Dynamic pricing applies to both services, so earlier booking usually means lower fares.
Where do I buy tickets for the Berlin to Paris train?
For the direct ICE, book at int.bahn.de, SNCF Connect, Trainline or Rail Europe. For the European Sleeper night train, book exclusively at europeansleeper.eu. The European Sleeper booking window opens around six months ahead.
Does Thalys still run from Berlin to Paris?
No. Thalys was fully rebranded as Eurostar in October 2023. The brand no longer exists. The Paris-Cologne high-speed service that was previously marketed as Thalys now runs as Eurostar. You can still connect in Cologne from an ICE from Berlin and board a Eurostar towards Paris.
Does the European Sleeper run every night?
No. European Sleeper runs three nights a week in each direction. Departures from Paris are on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Departures from Berlin are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Check availability early, particularly if your travel dates are fixed.
Do I need to book a couchette on the European Sleeper, or can I travel in a seat?
You can book a seat (the budget tier), but this is only worth considering for a daytime journey. For an overnight trip, always book at least a couchette. A budget seat on the night train means a reclining chair in a darkened car, not a flat bed. The classic 5 or 6-berth couchette is the minimum comfortable overnight option.
