Berlin-Paris High-Speed Rail Link Launches, Connecting Capitals in 8 Hours
The new daily ICE train service offers a direct connection between Berlin and Paris, emphasizing sustainability and Franco-German cooperation.
- The inaugural ICE train departed Berlin and Paris on December 16, 2024, marking the first direct daytime high-speed rail link between the two capitals in over a century.
- The journey spans 1,100 kilometers, takes approximately eight hours, and includes stops in Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, and Strasbourg.
- Tickets start at €59.99 for second class, but prices vary based on demand and booking timing; the service is jointly operated by Deutsche Bahn and SNCF.
- The route highlights environmental benefits, producing significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to air travel, and aims to attract more passengers to rail transport.
- While praised for convenience and comfort, critics note the travel time is only marginally shorter than existing one-stop connections and faces competition from cheaper, faster flights.
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