--- title: "Trains from Cologne to Berlin | EveryRail" description: "Direct ICE trains link Cologne and Berlin every two hours in about 4 hours 20 minutes; a 2026 Berlin-Hannover renovation adds time on part of the route." image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/cologne-to-berlin/" --- [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Germany]()Cologne to Berlin by train [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Germany]()Cologne to Berlin by train **Share** - - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on X]() - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share by email]() **On this page** - [About Cologne to Berlin by train]() - [Where to book]() - [Find places to stay in Berlin]() - [Frequently asked questions]() - [More routes]() [Book now]() Last updated September 2026 # Cologne to Berlin by train Direct ICE trains link Cologne and Berlin every two hours in about 4 hours 20 minutes; a 2026 Berlin-Hannover renovation adds time on part of the route. ![Cityscape of Berlin, Germany]() Origin [Cologne]() Destination [Berlin]() Country [Germany]() Direct ICE trains link [Cologne]() and [Berlin]() roughly every two hours, in about 4 hours 20 minutes, though a Berlin-Hannover engineering closure adds time to the final approach from October 2026. That part is simple. The rest of this guide covers the station to book, the disruption pattern to plan around, and how to use the fare ladder. ## Cologne to Berlin by train at a glance | Detail | What to expect | | --- | --- | | Direct service | Yes. ICE line 19 runs a direct Cologne to Berlin train roughly every two hours | | Typical journey time | About 4 hours 20 minutes on the regular ICE | | Nonstop Sprinter | Used to link this corridor in under 4 hours at no fare premium. Deutsche Bahn's own listing still shows it suspended for construction with no resumption date confirmed (see below) | | Departure station | Köln Hbf | | Arrival station | Berlin Hbf (Hauptbahnhof) | | Typical starting fare | From around €20 one way on a Super Sparpreis or Sparpreis, an indicative starting price rather than a guaranteed fare | | Engineering works | Confirmed closure 2 October to 12 December 2026 adds time between Hannover and Berlin. Deutsche Bahn is still finalising its plan for 2027 (see below) | ## Choosing the right Berlin station For a Cologne train, book Berlin Hbf. [Deutsche Bahn]()'s own authorised retail channel for this corridor recommends Hauptbahnhof as the arrival and departure station, and it is the terminus this ICE line is built around, with fast onward connections to Leipzig, [Dresden](), and Poland. Berlin has other long-distance stops, including Südkreuz, Spandau, and Gesundbrunnen, but treat them as backups rather than planned alternatives on this route. Check your own booking confirmation for your train's actual calling pattern rather than assuming it matches an older trip or a different corridor. ## Engineering works affecting this route, 2026 and into 2027 Two separate Deutsche Bahn engineering programmes affect a Cologne to Berlin ICE right now, and they run to different clocks. The first is already under way. From 14 June to 12 December 2026, engineering works close the Stadtbahn tracks in central Berlin between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof. Deutsche Bahn's own notice for this closure confirms the Cologne and Düsseldorf ICE line runs via Berlin Südkreuz into Berlin Hbf on the lower level for the duration, instead of its usual routing through the city centre. It still calls at Hauptbahnhof, so book Hauptbahnhof as usual. Only the approach into the station looks different if you are travelling before 12 December 2026. The second, larger programme starts as that one ends. From 2 October 2026, Deutsche Bahn begins a renovation of the high-speed line between Berlin and Hannover that every Cologne to Berlin ICE relies on for its final approach into the capital, running overall to December 2027. Deutsche Bahn's own confirmation, updated as recently as 14 August 2026, states that the plan for the first phase, 2 October to 12 December 2026, is published and unchanged: trains between Hannover and Berlin are rerouted, with Deutsche Bahn's own published figures putting the added journey time at 60 to 80 minutes on that leg. What happens after 12 December 2026 is genuinely unsettled. Deutsche Bahn's own 14 August 2026 statement says it is reworking its plan for the 2027 phase of this same renovation, because electrification works on a parallel diversion route are running late and will not be ready as originally assumed. Deutsche Bahn has not yet published a revised 2027 timetable. Earlier reporting described a calmer phase through most of 2027 followed by a second full closure in October to December 2027, but treat that as provisional rather than settled: Deutsche Bahn's own project overview page for this same renovation still lists a different date range again, 5 February to 10 December 2027, that matches neither account. That mismatch is itself a sign the published detail has not caught up with the current plan. If your travel date falls after December 2026, check bahn.de or the DB Navigator close to your booking window rather than planning around any one of these dates now. ## ICE Sprinter: suspended since February, no resumption date Deutsche Bahn used to run a nonstop Sprinter between Bonn, Cologne, and Berlin in under 4 hours, at no fare premium over a standard ICE at Flexpreis. It was suspended from February 2026 for engineering works between Cologne and Hagen. Those works finished in July 2026, but as of this run date Deutsche Bahn's own Sprinter listing still carries the same suspended-for-construction note for this route, with no resumption date given. Rather than plan a trip around it, search your own date on bahn.de or in the DB Navigator. A departure carrying the Sprinter symbol is running, and costs no more than a standard Flexpreis ICE fare. ## Fares and the advance booking ladder Deutsche Bahn sells this route on three fare types. The difference is about flexibility, not comfort. The Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis are the cheapest options, but each ties you to a specific train on a specific date, with no seat reservation included. The Flexpreis costs more, lets you travel on any train that day, allows a stopover, and includes a seat reservation in first class. Tickets go on sale up to 12 months before travel. Prices on the Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis rise as popular departures fill up, so booking early gets you both the widest choice of trains and the lowest fares. A one-way fare from around €20 has appeared on Deutsche Bahn's authorised retail channel for this route, but treat that as an orientation figure for the cheapest available seats, not a fare you can expect on every date or departure. If your plans might change, the Sparpreis can still be cancelled up to the day before travel for a €10 fee, while the cheaper Super Sparpreis cannot be changed or refunded at all. Weigh that against the price difference before committing to the very cheapest fare. ## Seat reservations and rail passes Seat reservations are optional on this domestic German route, on both standard tickets and with an Interrail or Eurail pass. You can board without one. But on a busy departure, especially around holidays or a big event in either city, every seat may already be reserved by someone else, so a reservation is worth paying for if you want a guaranteed place. Deutsche Bahn's compulsory reservation rule for pass holders applies to specific international trains that require one, not to a domestic corridor like this. Nothing about the current engineering works changes that. Even on a rerouted, longer departure, the reservation on a Cologne to Berlin ICE stays optional. ## 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]() - 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]() Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s national railway company, operating long-distance, regional, and international train services across Europe. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() ## Find places to stay in Berlin [![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed]()**Browse stays in Berlin**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com]() ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a direct train from Cologne to Berlin? Yes. ICE line 19 runs a direct Cologne to Berlin train roughly every two hours, taking about 4 hours 20 minutes on the regular service. ### Which Berlin station should I use for a train from Cologne? Book Berlin Hbf (Hauptbahnhof). Deutsche Bahn's own authorised retail channel for this corridor recommends Hauptbahnhof as the arrival station, and it is the terminus this ICE line is built around. Until 12 December 2026 the train reaches it via Berlin Südkreuz rather than its usual city-centre routing, because of a separate Berlin engineering closure, but it still calls at Hauptbahnhof either way. ### Will engineering works affect a Cologne to Berlin trip in late 2026? Yes, from 2 October to 12 December 2026. Deutsche Bahn confirms trains between Hannover and Berlin are rerouted during that window, adding 60 to 80 minutes to that leg, as part of a wider renovation of the Berlin-Hannover line running overall to December 2027. What happens after 12 December 2026 is not yet settled: Deutsche Bahn said in August 2026 that it is reworking its plan for 2027 and has not yet published the details, so check bahn.de closer to a later travel date. ### Is the ICE Sprinter still running between Cologne and Berlin? Not confirmed. The nonstop Sprinter was suspended from February 2026 for engineering works that finished in July 2026, but Deutsche Bahn's own Sprinter page still lists this route as suspended for construction with no resumption date. Search your own departure on bahn.de or in the DB Navigator: a Sprinter symbol on your train means it is running, at no fare premium over a standard Flexpreis ICE. ### How much does a Cologne to Berlin train ticket cost? Deutsche Bahn's authorised retail channel has shown one-way fares from around €20 on the cheapest Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis tickets, but treat that as an orientation figure for the lowest available seats rather than a guaranteed price. Fares rise as popular departures fill up, so book early for the widest choice of trains at the lowest fares. ### Do I need a seat reservation on this route with a rail pass? No. Seat reservations are optional on this domestic German corridor, including for Interrail and Eurail pass holders. Deutsche Bahn's compulsory reservation rule applies to specific international trains, not domestic services like this one, though booking a reservation is still worth it on a busy departure. ## More routes [![Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at night]()Amsterdam to BerlinDirect ICE trains connect Amsterdam Centraal and Berlin Hauptbahnhof in around 5 hours 42 minutes, with six departures daily. Advance tickets start from €37.99 in second class. Seat reservations are compulsory from 26 June to 31 August 2026.]()[![Amsterdam canal houses and houseboats illuminated at night]()Berlin to AmsterdamBerlin to Amsterdam is served by direct trains between Berlin Hbf and Amsterdam-Centraal. Deutsche Bahn operates trains on this route.]()[![Temple of the Sacred Heart on Tibidabo hill in Barcelona at sunset]()Berlin to BarcelonaBerlin to Barcelona by train is possible via Paris. Compare routes, journey times, tickets, station transfers and Interrail reservations.]()[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()Berlin to BolognaBerlin to Bologna by train takes about 11 to 15 hours with a Munich change. Compare ICE, Railjet/EuroCity and Nightjet options before booking.]()[![Cologne skyline and Rhine River]()Berlin to CologneBerlin to Cologne by train: fastest ICE takes 3h43. \~35 daily trains with DB and Flixtrain. Advance fares from €9.98.]()[![Copenhagen cityscape, the destination for this Berlin to Copenhagen train journey]()Berlin to Copenhagen by Train: Route, Times and TicketsBerlin to Copenhagen by train: two daily direct ComfortJet trains since June 2026, taking about 7 hours since the corridor rerouted via Hamburg.]()[![Historic Dresden palace architecture around Schlossplatz square]()Berlin to DresdenBerlin to Dresden trains take from 1h39, with up to 15 direct trains a day. Fares start at EUR 25.99 as of June 2026, per DB.]()[![Florence Cathedral dome and bell tower rising above the rooftops]()Berlin to FlorenceNo direct train exists. The fastest daytime journey takes around 13 hours with two transfers. Advance fares start from approximately 60 euros.]() ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://everyrail.com/_astro/everyrail-logomark-2026.VJ4vNX1T.webp", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization-logo-1" } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#website", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#webpage", "name": "Trains from Cologne to Berlin | EveryRail", "description": "Train travel information for Cologne to Berlin. Origin: Cologne. Destination: Berlin.", "about": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#traintrip" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#website" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization" }, "url": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/", "dateModified": "2026-09-03T18:02:27.520Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "TrainTrip", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#traintrip", "provider": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/germany/deutsche-bahn/#organization", "name": "Deutsche Bahn", "url": "https://www.bahn.de/" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there a direct train from Cologne to Berlin?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. ICE line 19 runs a direct Cologne to Berlin train roughly every two hours, taking about 4 hours 20 minutes on the regular service.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-1-acceptedAnswer-1", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-1", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which Berlin station should I use for a train from Cologne?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Book Berlin Hbf (Hauptbahnhof). Deutsche Bahn's own authorised retail channel for this corridor recommends Hauptbahnhof as the arrival station, and it is the terminus this ICE line is built around. Until 12 December 2026 the train reaches it via Berlin Südkreuz rather than its usual city-centre routing, because of a separate Berlin engineering closure, but it still calls at Hauptbahnhof either way.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-2-acceptedAnswer-2", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-2", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will engineering works affect a Cologne to Berlin trip in late 2026?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, from 2 October to 12 December 2026. Deutsche Bahn confirms trains between Hannover and Berlin are rerouted during that window, adding 60 to 80 minutes to that leg, as part of a wider renovation of the Berlin-Hannover line running overall to December 2027. What happens after 12 December 2026 is not yet settled: Deutsche Bahn said in August 2026 that it is reworking its plan for 2027 and has not yet published the details, so check bahn.de closer to a later travel date.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-3-acceptedAnswer-3", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-3", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the ICE Sprinter still running between Cologne and Berlin?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not confirmed. The nonstop Sprinter was suspended from February 2026 for engineering works that finished in July 2026, but Deutsche Bahn's own Sprinter page still lists this route as suspended for construction with no resumption date. Search your own departure on bahn.de or in the DB Navigator: a Sprinter symbol on your train means it is running, at no fare premium over a standard Flexpreis ICE.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-4-acceptedAnswer-4", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-4", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does a Cologne to Berlin train ticket cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Deutsche Bahn's authorised retail channel has shown one-way fares from around €20 on the cheapest Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis tickets, but treat that as an orientation figure for the lowest available seats rather than a guaranteed price. Fares rise as popular departures fill up, so book early for the widest choice of trains at the lowest fares.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-5-acceptedAnswer-5", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-5", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a seat reservation on this route with a rail pass?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Seat reservations are optional on this domestic German corridor, including for Interrail and Eurail pass holders. Deutsche Bahn's compulsory reservation rule applies to specific international trains, not domestic services like this one, though booking a reservation is still worth it on a busy departure.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-6-acceptedAnswer-6", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage-mainEntity-6", "inLanguage": "en" } ], "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#faqpage", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://everyrail.com/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-1" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Europe by train", "item": "https://everyrail.com/trains/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-2" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Germany", "item": "https://everyrail.com/germany/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-3" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Cologne to Berlin by train", "item": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-berlin/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-4" } ], "inLanguage": "en" } ] } ```