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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
Destination
Hamburg
Main stations
Berlin Hbf to Hamburg Hbf
Country
Germany

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1 hour 47 minutes from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to 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 (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

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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.

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