---
title: "Trains from Berlin to Hamburg | EveryRail"
description: "Direct ICE trains take as little as 1h47 from Berlin to Hamburg. FlixTrain takes around two hours and may use other stations."
image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/berlin-to-hamburg/"
---

[Home](<https://everyrail.com/>)[Europe by train](<https://everyrail.com/trains/>)[Germany](<https://everyrail.com/germany/>)Berlin to Hamburg by train

[Home](<https://everyrail.com/>)[Europe by train](<https://everyrail.com/trains/>)[Germany](<https://everyrail.com/germany/>)Berlin to Hamburg by train

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**On this page**

- [About Berlin to Hamburg by train](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-hamburg/#about>)
- [Where to book](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-hamburg/#where-to-buy>)
- [Find places to stay in Hamburg](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-hamburg/#places-to-stay>)
- [Frequently asked questions](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-hamburg/#frequently-asked-questions>)
- [More routes](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-hamburg/#more-routes>)

[Book now](<https://everyrail.com/go/omio/?sub_id=er_92a1ba5e2b8973f4>)

Last updated September 2026

# Berlin to Hamburg by train

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1h47 from Berlin to Hamburg. FlixTrain takes around two hours and may use other stations.

Origin

[Berlin](<https://everyrail.com/germany/berlin/>)

Destination

[Hamburg](<https://everyrail.com/germany/hamburg/>)

Main stations

Berlin Hbf to Hamburg Hbf

Country

[Germany](<https://everyrail.com/germany/>)

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1 hour 47 minutes from [Berlin](<https://everyrail.com/germany/berlin/>) Hauptbahnhof to [Hamburg](<https://everyrail.com/germany/hamburg/>) Hauptbahnhof. FlixTrain takes around two hours, can cost less, and some of its trains use other stations.

## ICE is the quickest and simplest choice

[Deutsche Bahn](<https://everyrail.com/germany/deutsche-bahn/>) (DB) runs direct ICE trains from Berlin Hbf to Hamburg Hbf, up to 29 a day, roughly every half hour through the day. The fastest journeys take 1 hour 47 minutes. Weekend and holiday timetables can differ, so check the day you travel.

Book ICE when you want the shortest journey and a central arrival. Both stations are big hubs, so onward connections are easy to plan.

## FlixTrain can cost less

FlixTrain also runs direct trains on this route. Journeys take around two hours, and fares start from about €12.50 depending on date and availability. The lowest fares do not exist on every date. A seat reservation is included with every FlixTrain ticket.

Not every FlixTrain departure uses the main stations. Depending on the train, it may call at Berlin Spandau, Südkreuz or Wannsee, and in Hamburg at Harburg or Altona. Check the station names on your ticket before booking, especially if you are heading to a hotel or an onward connection in Hamburg.

## Tickets and seat reservations

DB fares vary by departure and booking date, and cheaper Sparpreis tickets sell out as the date gets closer. A second-class ICE ticket does not include a reserved seat. A reservation is optional on this route and costs €5.50 in second class. Flexpreis tickets in first class include one.

The Deutschlandticket does not cover ICE, IC or FlixTrain, so it is no use for a direct journey between the two cities.

Choose ICE for speed and the main stations. Choose FlixTrain when its fare is clearly lower for your date and its stations suit your plans.

## Where to book

### Train tickets

- Omio
  Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning.
  [Check times & prices](<https://everyrail.com/go/omio/r/berlin/hamburg/?sub_id=er_dcd4e0cf30f1cb52>)
- Rail Europe
  Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide.
- Trainline
  Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies.

### Train service

- [Deutsche Bahn](<https://everyrail.com/germany/deutsche-bahn/>)
  Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany's national railway, running ICE, IC and regional trains with Flexpreis, Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis fares.
  [Official website](<https://www.bahn.de/>)
  [Check times & prices](<https://everyrail.com/go/omio/r/berlin/hamburg/?sub_id=er_52bcdaf8a9932f4f>)
- [Flixtrain](<https://everyrail.com/germany/flixtrain/>)
  FlixTrain runs affordable intercity trains mainly in Germany and, to a lesser extent, Sweden; fares vary by demand and booking time.
  [Official website](<https://www.flixtrain.com/>)
  [Check times & prices](<https://everyrail.com/go/omio/r/berlin/hamburg/?sub_id=er_7fcc510d430b8054>)

## Find places to stay in Hamburg

[![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed](<https://everyrail.com/images/accommodation-card-2-800.webp>)**Browse stays in Hamburg**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com](<https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101845132-17323134?sid=route-berlin-to-hamburg-197765&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DHamburg>)

## Frequently asked questions

### How long is the train from Berlin to Hamburg?

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1 hour 47 minutes. FlixTrain takes around two hours, depending on the departure.

### How often do direct trains run?

DB runs up to 29 direct ICE trains a day, roughly every half hour. FlixTrain runs a smaller number of daily departures. Weekend and holiday timetables can differ.

### Which stations do I use?

ICE trains run between Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. Some FlixTrain trains use Spandau, Südkreuz or Wannsee in Berlin, and Harburg or Altona in Hamburg, so check the stations on your ticket.

### How much does a ticket cost?

FlixTrain fares start from about €12.50, subject to date and availability. DB ICE fares vary by departure and booking date, and advance Sparpreis tickets are the cheapest.

### Do I need to reserve a seat?

No. Reservations are optional on DB trains within Germany. A second-class reservation costs €5.50, and FlixTrain tickets include a seat reservation.

### Is FlixTrain faster than ICE?

No. The fastest ICE takes 1 hour 47 minutes and FlixTrain takes around two hours. FlixTrain may cost less, but check that its stations suit your plans.

## More routes

[![Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at night](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/amsterdam-to-berlin/>)Amsterdam to Berlin by trainDirect ICE trains connect Amsterdam Centraal and Berlin Hbf in around 5 hours 42 minutes, with six daily departures. Advance fares start at €37.99.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/amsterdam-to-berlin/>)[![Hamburg Hauptbahnhof's arched train shed and ICE platforms](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/amsterdam-to-hamburg/>)Amsterdam to Hamburg by trainAmsterdam to Hamburg takes about 5h15 with one change at Osnabrück; a direct ICE runs four times a day from 2 October 2026.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/amsterdam-to-hamburg/>)[![Cityscape of Basel, Switzerland](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/basel-to-berlin/>)Basel to Berlin by trainDirect daytime trains take under 7.5 hours from Basel SBB to Berlin; an ÖBB Nightjet also runs directly every evening.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/basel-to-berlin/>)[![Amsterdam canal houses and houseboats illuminated at night](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/berlin-to-amsterdam/>)Berlin to Amsterdam by trainDirect ICE trains take about 5 hours 42 minutes to 6 hours from Berlin to Amsterdam, with DB advance fares from €37.99 and GoVolta promotional tickets from €10.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-amsterdam/>)[![Temple of the Sacred Heart on Tibidabo hill in Barcelona at sunset](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/berlin-to-barcelona/>)Berlin to Barcelona by trainBerlin to Barcelona has no direct train. Via Paris, fastest trips take about 17 hours and typical trips 21 to 22 hours, changing from Paris Est to Gare de Lyon.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-barcelona/>)[![Cityscape of Basel, Switzerland](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/berlin-to-basel/>)Berlin to Basel by trainDirect daytime ICE trains can take about 7 hours from Berlin Hbf to Basel SBB; slower options may require changes or an overnight connection.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-basel/>)[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/berlin-to-bologna/>)Berlin to Bologna by trainThere are no direct Berlin to Bologna trains; journeys take about 11 to 15 hours via Munich, with fares from EUR27.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-bologna/>)[![Deutsche Bahn ICE trains beneath the glass roof of Berlin Hauptbahnhof](<https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/berlin-to-brussels/>)Berlin to Brussels by trainDaytime trains take about 7 to 8 hours with a change, usually in Cologne; European Sleeper runs direct overnight from Berlin Hbf six times a week.](<https://everyrail.com/trains/berlin-to-brussels/>)

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