Berlin to Frankfurt by train
Hourly direct DB ICE trains link Berlin Hbf and Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in about 4 hours, via Halle or Leipzig. Seat reservations are optional.
Direct ICE trains leave Berlin Hbf for Frankfurt (Main) Hbf about every hour, and most of them reach Frankfurt in a little over 4 hours.
Direct ICE trains every hour
Deutsche Bahn runs direct ICE trains from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf from early morning into the evening, roughly one an hour. Each follows one of two routings.
| Routing | Berlin stations | Main stops before Frankfurt | Typical journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Halle | Berlin Hbf (also Berlin Südkreuz from 13 December 2026) | Halle (Saale), Erfurt, Fulda, Hanau | About 4 hours |
| Via Leipzig | Berlin Hbf, Berlin Südkreuz | Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Leipzig, Erfurt, Eisenach, Fulda | About 4 hours 15 minutes |
The Halle trains are the quickest of the hourly pattern. From the timetable change on 13 December 2026, extra ICE Sprinter trains also run on many days, stopping at Berlin Südkreuz, Halle and Erfurt and then running non-stop to Frankfurt in about 3 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes. If you are staying in the south of the city, board at Berlin Südkreuz: Leipzig trains call there now, and from 13 December 2026 the Halle trains do too.
Arriving in Frankfurt
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf is the station you want for the city centre and for onward trains. Until 12 December 2026 the direct ICEs from Berlin do not call at Frankfurt Airport, so for a flight you need one change, and the trip takes about 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours. From late December 2026 at least one direct ICE a day runs on from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to the airport's regional station, except from 6 February to 14 May 2027.
In Berlin, the ICE leaves from the lower level of Berlin Hbf, so follow the signs down to the deep platforms before you look for your coach.
Tickets, fares and reservations
Deutsche Bahn sells three main fare types. Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis are the cheapest, but both lock you to one train and the low prices sell out first, so book early. Sparpreis can be cancelled before the travel day for a €10 fee, refunded as a voucher. Flexpreis costs more. It is valid on any train on your booked route and day, and free to cancel until the day before travel.
Seat reservations are optional and cost from €5.50 on their own. Reserve one for weekend and holiday travel, when these trains are busiest.
An Interrail pass covers the ICE with no compulsory reservation, so you can simply board.
FlixTrain also runs on this route, picking up at Berlin-Spandau, Berlin Hbf and Berlin Südkreuz and arriving at Frankfurt (Main) Süd rather than the Hbf. It sells its own tickets with a seat included, and DB tickets are not valid on board.
Engineering works in 2026 and 2027
On the weekends of 21 to 22 November and 28 to 29 November 2026, most direct ICE trains call at Frankfurt (Main) Süd instead of the Hbf. Allow extra time for the S-Bahn into the centre.
From 5 February to 14 May 2027, the line between Bebra and Fulda is closed for renovation. Direct ICE trains keep running on a diversion. Expect about 4 hours 30 minutes, and some trains skip Halle, Erfurt or Fulda. A second closure, between Fulda and Hanau, runs from 13 August 2027 to 4 February 2028 and slows trains by a similar amount. The hourly pattern continues after the timetable change on 13 December 2026, but the Sprinter trains do not run during these two closures. During the works, check the journey time of your exact train when you book.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany's national railway, running ICE, IC and regional trains with Flexpreis, Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis fares.
Official website - Check times & prices
FlixTrain runs affordable intercity trains mainly in Germany and, to a lesser extent, Sweden; fares vary by demand and booking time.
Official website
Find places to stay in Frankfurt
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Berlin to Frankfurt?
Yes. Direct ICE trains run from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf about every hour, via Erfurt and either Halle or Leipzig. Trains via Leipzig also pick up at Berlin Südkreuz, and from 13 December 2026 most other direct trains do too.
How long is the train from Berlin to Frankfurt?
About 4 hours on trains via Halle and about 4 hours 15 minutes via Leipzig. From 5 February to 14 May 2027, works between Bebra and Fulda stretch this to about 4 hours 30 minutes. From 13 December 2026, Sprinter trains do the trip in under 4 hours on many days.
How much does the train from Berlin to Frankfurt cost?
Prices vary by train and date. Deutsche Bahn's Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis saver fares are the cheapest and are tied to one train, with the lowest prices going early. Flexpreis costs more but is not tied to a train.
Can I use an Interrail pass on the ICE from Berlin to Frankfurt?
Yes. Reservations are optional on these ICE trains, so you can board with the pass alone. A seat reservation from €5.50 is sensible at weekends and in holiday periods.
Does the train from Berlin go to Frankfurt Airport?
Not on most trains. Until 12 December 2026 you need one change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and should allow about 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours. From late December 2026 at least one direct ICE a day continues to the airport's regional station, except from 6 February to 14 May 2027.
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