Frankfurt to Berlin by train
Direct DB ICE trains run about every hour from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin Hbf, taking about 4 hours. Seat reservations are optional.
Direct ICE trains run from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin Hbf about every hour, and the journey takes about 4 hours on most departures.
Direct ICE trains every hour
Deutsche Bahn runs direct ICE trains from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin from early morning into the evening, roughly one an hour. They alternate between two routings. Both take about 4 hours.
| Routing | Main stops after Frankfurt | Typical journey time | Berlin stations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Halle | Hanau, Fulda, Erfurt, Halle (Saale) | About 4 hours | Berlin Hbf (also Berlin Südkreuz from 13 December 2026) |
| Via Leipzig | Fulda, Eisenach, Erfurt, Leipzig, Lutherstadt Wittenberg | About 4 hours 15 minutes | Berlin Südkreuz, Berlin Hbf, Berlin Gesundbrunnen |
For the quickest hourly ride to Berlin Hbf, take a train via Halle. The Leipzig trains are about 15 minutes slower but stop at Berlin Südkreuz first and continue to Gesundbrunnen. From 13 December 2026 the Halle trains also stop at Südkreuz, and extra faster ICE Sprinter trains run on many days, non-stop from Frankfurt to Erfurt, then Halle, Berlin Südkreuz and Berlin Hbf, in about 3 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes.
Frankfurt Airport and other stations
Board at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. Until 12 December 2026 the direct Berlin trains do not call at Frankfurt Airport, so from the airport you need one change, and the trip takes about 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours. From 13 December 2026 a few direct ICEs a day start at the airport's regional station and run to Berlin without a change, except from 6 February to 14 May 2027.
In Berlin, most passengers get off at Berlin Hbf, where the ICE arrives on the lower level. Heading north? Stay on a Leipzig train to Gesundbrunnen.
Tickets, fares and reservations
Deutsche Bahn sells three main fare types. Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis are the cheapest, but both are tied to the train you book 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. In return you can take any train on your booked route and day, and cancel free until the day before travel.
A seat reservation is optional on these ICE trains and costs from €5.50 when booked separately. It is worth having at weekends and in holiday periods, when trains to Berlin fill up.
With an Interrail pass you can board any of these ICE trains without a reservation. The pass alone is enough.
FlixTrain also runs between Frankfurt and Berlin, leaving from Frankfurt (Main) Süd rather than the Hbf, with stops in Berlin at Südkreuz, Berlin Hbf and Spandau. 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 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. Allow extra time for the S-Bahn across the city.
From 5 February to 14 May 2027, the line between Fulda and Bebra is closed for renovation. Direct ICE trains still run on a diversion. Expect about 4 hours 30 minutes, and some trains skip Fulda, Erfurt or Halle. A second closure, between Hanau and Fulda, runs from 13 August 2027 to 4 February 2028 and adds a similar amount of time. The hourly pattern carries on 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 Berlin
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Frankfurt to Berlin?
Yes. Direct ICE trains run from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin Hbf about every hour, via Erfurt and either Halle or Leipzig. From Frankfurt Airport you need one change until 12 December 2026; after that a few direct ICEs a day start at the airport.
How long does the train from Frankfurt to Berlin take?
About 4 hours on trains via Halle and about 4 hours 15 minutes via Leipzig. During the Fulda to Bebra closure from 5 February to 14 May 2027, allow about 4 hours 30 minutes. From 13 December 2026, Sprinter trains do the trip in under 4 hours on many days.
How much is the train from Frankfurt to Berlin?
Prices vary by train and date. Deutsche Bahn's Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis saver fares are the cheapest and are tied to one train, and the lowest prices go early. Flexpreis costs more and lets you take any train on your travel day.
Do I need a seat reservation on the ICE to Berlin?
No. Reservations are optional on these ICE trains, including with an Interrail pass. A seat reservation from €5.50 is worth it at weekends and in holiday periods.
Which Berlin station should I get off at?
Berlin Hbf for most travellers. Trains via Leipzig also stop at Berlin Südkreuz before the Hbf and continue to Berlin Gesundbrunnen, and from 13 December 2026 most other direct trains stop at Südkreuz too.
More routes
