Sleeper trains may be the ultimate loophole as a hotel on rails, but they’re not for everyone. Part of the allure of train travel is snagging a window seat and watching the world whiz by.
That’s a lot more challenging at night; hence, sleeper trains have become the norm, especially across Europe.
2 of Europe’s most highly touted cities do indeed connect overnight, but convenient options have been minimal during daylight.
That’s all about to change. Those who want to zoom through Europe this winter will soon have a thrilling new option.
French train operator SNCF and Austria’s OBB are working in tandem to present Europe’s latest direct high-speed train route running from Paris to Berlin, a first for daytime travelers.
You can skip out on tight spaces of sleeper trains and be glued to your window seat as you pass through a multitude of fascinating European sites.
Cue the Beastie Boys because there’s ‘no sleep ’til’ — Berlin!
The Journey From Paris
We all know Paris is one of the easiest gateways into Europe, so whether you visit the ‘City of Light’ as your mainstay or simply a stopover, it makes for a great springboard.
Paris runs deep beyond most notables, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. In fact, what better excuse is there than to indulge in some of the world’s most celebrated cuisine and fuel up for an 8-hour journey to the land of schnitzels and beer?
The good news is that the train leaves in the morning, so you can arrive hungry just in time for dinner.
There are seemingly endless flight and train options from Paris, but it’s a surprise there haven’t been any direct daytime routes connecting to Berlin, another European titan in its own right.
Of course, many of us circle the winter months on our calendars to for a taste of holiday cheer at festive Christmas markets often backdropped by some of Europe’s finest architectural marvels.
Since this new route launches on December 16, it’s the perfect time to squeeze in a winter escape and make the most of your holiday vacation days!
Much of Europe transforms into a quintessential ‘white Christmas’ where numerous major cities and picturesque villages will have you feeling as if you’ve been immersed in a real-life snow globe.
The same goes for France and Germany, home to some of the most world-renowned Christmas festivities on Earth!
Departing Paris for Berlin, you’ll need to head to Gare de l’Est station, an architectural sight to behold itself, where trains will depart daily at 11:54 am.
Your Journey To Berlin
Berlin is a wild place, not so much in the sense of nature, but in the sense you could argue New York should rescind their rights to the nickname, ‘The City That Never Sleeps’.
There’s never a dull moment in Berlin, one of many reasons why one of Germany’s most captivating cities was just named the best destination for solo travelers in the world.
Arguably beholding the most intriguing history of any European nation, you can go to museums by day hopping and to bars and clubs by night.
As famed Chef and world traveler Anthony Bourdain once put it, “Berlin has always had a darkness that’s hidden in plain sight.”
Coming from Paris, the 8-hour ride will blow by in a jiffy as you pass through other extraordinary destinations along the way such as Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, and Strasbourg.
You’ll arrive at Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof station at 7:55 pm just in time to load up on tasty wieners and a pint of cold beer.
Oh, and don’t sleep on the pretzels!
How To Purchase Tickets & What It Costs
Talks of a daytime high-speed train connecting these cities have been in the works for years! Like anything else in life, plans change.
Initially supposed to launch in 2023 as a 7-hour trip, those plans ended up in the bin and have officially been revived for this winter.
You know it’s legit this time since prices have been released, and purchases can be made in mid-October (assumed to be on SNCF’s website).
444 seats will be made available at an initial price of $65.
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