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Hamburg to Berlin by train

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1h48 from Hamburg to Berlin. FlixTrain takes around two hours and may use other Berlin stations.

Origin
Hamburg
Destination
Berlin
Main stations
Hamburg Hbf to Berlin Hbf
Country
Germany

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1 hour 48 minutes from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof to Berlin 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 Hamburg Hbf to Berlin Hbf, up to 27 a day, roughly every half hour through the day. The fastest journeys take 1 hour 48 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 in Berlin. Berlin Hbf is a major hub, so onward S-Bahn and regional 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 Hamburg Harburg or Altona, and in Berlin at Spandau, Südkreuz, Schönefeld or Wannsee. Check the station names on your ticket before booking. An outlying Berlin station means an onward local connection into the centre.

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 does the train from Hamburg to Berlin take?

Direct ICE trains take as little as 1 hour 48 minutes. FlixTrain takes around two hours, depending on the departure.

How often do direct trains run?

DB runs up to 27 direct ICE trains a day, roughly every half hour. FlixTrain runs a smaller number of daily departures. Weekend and holiday timetables can differ.

Which station does the train use in Berlin?

ICE trains arrive at Berlin Hbf. FlixTrain also serves Berlin Hbf, but some departures use Spandau, Südkreuz, Schönefeld or Wannsee, so check the station on your ticket.

How much is a ticket from Hamburg to Berlin?

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 a seat reservation?

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

Is ICE or FlixTrain the better choice?

ICE is faster at 1 hour 48 minutes and uses Hamburg Hbf and Berlin Hbf. FlixTrain takes around two hours and may serve other Berlin stations. Choose FlixTrain only when its fare is clearly lower and its stations suit you.

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