Rumour: Prague - Copenhagen from December 2025

[doc7austin]

Hello,
the preliminary timetables of Czech Railways are indicating the introduction of two daily roundtrips Prague-Copenhagen from December 2025.
All trains would run via Dresden, Berlin, Hamburg, Padborg, and Odense.
Those timetables have not been confirmed by DB InfraGO and Banedanmark.

CD Comfortjet RJ 382 Prague (departure: 10:31) - Copenhagen
CD Comfortjet RJ 383 Copenhagen - Prague (arrival: 17:25)


Seasonal second daily night train from late May to late August 2026.
CD Comfortjet RJ 386 Prague (departure: 16:31) - Copenhagen
CD Comfortjet RJ 387 Copenhagen - Prague (arrival: 11:25)

Source:

https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/documents/50004227/179757306/k090.pdf/

 

[nwales58]

This would extend the existing EC174 which runs as far as Flensburg on some dates.

CD restaurant on a 1715 Hamburg-Copenhagen would be very attractive.

 

[43096]

Hello,
the preliminary timetables of Czech Railways are indicating the introduction of two daily roundtrips Prague-Copenhagen from December 2025.
All trains would run via Dresden, Berlin, Hamburg, Padborg, and Odense.
Those timetables have not been confirmed by DB InfraGO and Banedanmark.

CD Comfortjet RJ 382 Prague (departure: 10:31) - Copenhagen
CD Comfortjet RJ 383 Copenhagen - Prague (arrival: 17:25)


Seasonal second daily night train from late May to late August 2026.
CD Comfortjet RJ 386 Prague (departure: 16:31) - Copenhagen
CD Comfortjet RJ 387 Copenhagen - Prague (arrival: 11:25)

Source:

https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/documents/50004227/179757306/k090.pdf/

Presumably ČD’s forthcoming 230km/h Vectrons will have Denmark capability as well as the expected Germany/Austria/Czech/Slovakia/Poland/Hungary and will be available in time.

 

[doc7austin]

I think Czech JLV will run the Bistro Car on the ComfortJet RJ 382/383 with reheated meals.
On the southbound Copenhagen-Hamburg-Prague train be advised that many food options would have ran out already.
It is possible that the Bistro Car is not going to be serviced on the summer-seaonal overnight train RJ 386/387.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2025 ==

Also I think that train may also only start operating, once the construction work is finished on the Hamburg-Berlin Main Line in spring of 2026.

 

[NCT]

I don't mind operators experimenting with various through trains during market incubation stage, when current infrastructure is still lightly used and upgrades are underway.

On the southbound Copenhagen-Hamburg-Prague train be advised that many food options would have ran out already.

Reasons such as this (and many others) are why I'd prefer that, once all the ongoing works are completed - Dresdnerbahn, Fehmarn - various routes mode to a more self-contained but higher frequency model. So that if I were a Berlin - Dresden passenger (which ought to become hourly and eventually half-hourly once Dresden - Prague HSL is built), I wouldn't want to be at the mercy of the odd train that's accumulated delays from Denmark and turns up with menu items already run out.

If I were a Copenhagen - Prague passenger I wouldn't mind breaks of journey if I get a clock-face timetable where every journey opportunity is the same, and I can expect consistent/predictable time keeping and service offering on all legs.

 

[The exile]

If I were a Copenhagen - Prague passenger I wouldn't mind breaks of journey if I get a clock-face timetable where every journey opportunity is the same, and I can expect consistent/predictable time keeping and service offering on all legs.

But the elderly couple or family with luggage almost certainly wouldn’t. You’re never going to a get a single solution that is ideal for everyone!

 

[andersj]

Presumably ČD’s forthcoming 230km/h Vectrons will have Denmark capability as well as the expected Germany/Austria/Czech/Slovakia/Poland/Hungary and will be available in time.

Both the Vectrons and cab cars will have Denmark capability, but not until 2028. Until then the trains will go over Hamburg Altona with a change of locomotive from CD Vectron to DSB Vectron.
Travel time from Hamburg Hbf to Copenhagen will be 30 minutes longer on trains with ComfortJet stock than other services due to the Altona detour.

 

[doc7austin]

Though, travel times between Prague and Berlin should be reduced significantly with the (re-)opening of the direct line from Berlin Südkreuz to Blankenfelde on the Dresdner Bahn. Moreover, the speed restrictions due to construction work around Zossen should end, as well.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2025 ==

Both the Vectrons and cab cars will have Denmark capability, but not until 2028. Until then the trains will go over Hamburg Altona with a change of locomotive from CD Vectron to DSB Vectron.
Travel time from Hamburg Hbf to Copenhagen will be 30 minutes longer on trains with ComfortJet stock than other services due to the Altona detour.

I think DSB will try everything to get the new ComfortJet trainset running. The IC1 option at the moment is simply disgusting - esp. with the AC problems (esp. on Danish voltage) during the summer time.

 

[andersj]

There is a lot going on regarding rolling stock usage on the Copenhagen-Hamburg corridor. DSB also needs the Talgo coaches for domestic services as a gap solution until the delayed IC5's are delivered. They are also needed for new Oslo-Copenhagen-(Hamburg) services.
In 2027 Aarhus will also be connected to Hamburg again following the electrification of Fredericia-Aarhus-Aalborg Airport.

So lot of demand for new rolling stock short term.

 

[NCT]

Though, travel times between Prague and Berlin should be reduced significantly with the (re-)opening of the direct line from Berlin Südkreuz to Blankenfelde on the Dresdner Bahn. Moreover, the speed restrictions due to construction work around Zossen should end, as well.

Do we know when these are scheduled to happen? Thanks.

 

[doc7austin]

DB has now released timetable data for 2026.
2 daily CD ComfortJet roundtrips Prague-Copenhagen starts May 1, 2026. A third seasonal overnight roundtrip is added on May 22.

Booking window should open on November 2, 2025.

 

[Austriantrain]

DB has now released timetable data for 2026.
2 daily CD ComfortJet roundtrips Prague-Copenhagen starts May 1, 2026. A third seasonal overnight roundtrip is added on May 22.

Booking window should open on November 2, 2025.

Very welcome addition to the Central European Rail Network. While of course still comparatively low in passenger numbers, long-dustance daytime services are rapidly increasing in popularity. Having direct trains massively increases their attractiveness.

Also, good to see Scandinavia moving closer to „Main Europe“ railway-wise.

I do admit though that miserable timekeeping in Germany is a worry. However, These trains at least avoid the most dangerous pinchpoints.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Do we know when these are scheduled to happen? Thanks.

The DB planner has the details now.

Dresden Hbf-Berlin Hbf comes down by almost an hour from 2h29m to 1h25m from December.

Today's route is via Berlin Ostbahnhof, while from December the original Dresdnerbahn direct route via Südkreuz will be used.

Prague (1031)-Copenhagen (2138) from May is 11h07m with 17 stops (including 16m at Hamburg Altona).

 

[Austriantrain]

(including 16m at Hamburg Altona).

Which will be a good thing.

 

[jamesontheroad]

The nighttime train is interesting, not that I would ever willingly take it. But it adds a huge amount of capacity for budget travellers who are willing to sleep in a seat overnight. I notice it has a couple of longer stops in Flensburg and Padborg to ensure a more civilised arrival time.

 

[doc7austin]

During summer season of 2026 Hamburg-Copenhagen has up to 10 daily roundtrips with DSB Talgos and CD ComfortJets. That should be enough capacity.

 

[43096]

I do admit though that miserable timekeeping in Germany is a worry. However, These trains at least avoid the most dangerous pinchpoints.

Isn’t Hamburg one of those pinch points? In particular the Hbf and the stretch through Dammtor - Dammtor just needs shutting on the mainline side with just S-bahn services calling.

 

[Austriantrain]

Isn’t Hamburg one of those pinch points? In particular the Hbf and the stretch through Dammtor - Dammtor just needs shutting on the mainline side with just S-bahn services calling.

True, but from what I hear and read, Frankfurt, Cologne and the whole Rhein-Ruhr Region are the major culprits.

The longer stop in Altona (north-south it is very long) will certainly help to recover some Delay going north and ensure a punctual departure towards the East, thus not missing its path.

We will see - it‘s true that if the trains run with a typical DB delay it will be a problem.

 

[jamesontheroad]

The start of Prague - Copenhagen services has been delayed indefinitely, pending completion of railway upgrade works in Germany. Early to mid summer 2026 is likely, but no date has been given.

Source, auto-translated: https://zdopravy.cz/cd-musi-odlozit...-do-kodane-lidem-nabizi-vraceni-penez-274662/

Czech Railways will not launch a new direct rail line between Prague and Copenhagen from May 1, as originally planned. The reason is delays in the modernization of the line between Berlin and Hamburg. As a result, they have already started offering refunds to passengers who have purchased tickets.

The carrier is in practically the same situation as the passengers. Officially, all it knows is that the German infrastructure manager DB InfraGO will miss the April 30 completion date and that the German side will provide further information on March 13. " We have no new data, " confirmed Czech Railways spokesman Petr Šťáhlavský.

The carrier announced the postponement of the start of the new line to passengers with purchased tickets by e-mail. " We have taken operational measures based on the available information and suspended the sale of tickets for the excluded section and the affected trains until approximately mid-June, and we will take further measures in response to information from our partners in Germany and Denmark ," added Šťáhlavský.

 

[JonasB]

The start of Prague - Copenhagen services has been delayed indefinitely, pending completion of railway upgrade works in Germany. Early to mid summer 2026 is likely, but no date has been given.

Source, auto-translated: https://zdopravy.cz/cd-musi-odlozit...-do-kodane-lidem-nabizi-vraceni-penez-274662/

DB Infrago will present a new planned opening date in two weeks, we will probably get more news after that.

 

[Austriantrain]

DB Infrago will present a new planned opening date in two weeks, we will probably get more news after that.

For once, I wouldn’t blame Infrago (I know that you didn’t, either!). The winter was really exceptionally harsh.

 

[JonasB]

For once, I wouldn’t blame Infrago (I know that you didn’t, either!). The winter was really exceptionally harsh.

I agree, it seems like the winter weather is the reason.

 

[doc7austin]

CD has just confirmed this in writing:
Comfortjet operations between Prague and Copenhagen will start on May 1, 2026. It is the RJ 384/385 rotation.
Due the closure of the Berlin-Hamburg Main Line the train will he diverted via Stendal/Uelzen. In addition the train RJ 384 (Prague-Copenhagen) will stop for 79 minutes in Hamburg-Altona in order to be timed correctly for the Hamburg-Copenhagen path.

All in all, the train will take two hours more between Prague (06:30) and Copenhagen (19:40) because of the closed track between Berlin and Hamburg.