Share the article
Last updated
Sleeper trains may be the ultimate loophole for hotels on rails, but they’re not for everyone. Part of the appeal of train travel is getting a window seat and watching the world fly by.
That’s a lot more challenging at night; That’s why sleeper trains have become the norm, especially across Europe.
Two of Europe’s most acclaimed cities are indeed connected at night, but during the day the convenient options are minimal.
That’s all going to change. Anyone who wants to whiz through Europe this winter will soon have an exciting new option.
French train company SNCF and Austria’s OBB have teamed up to present Europe’s latest direct high speed train route running away from Paris to Berlina first for day travelers.
You can skip the cramped quarters of the sleeper trains and stay glued to your window seat as you pass through a host of fascinating European sights.
Cue the Beastie Boys, because there’s ‘no sleep until’ – Berlin!
The journey from Paris
We all know that Paris is one of the easiest gateways to Europe, so whether you visit the ‘City of Lights’ as your mainstay or just as a stopover, it’s a great springboard.
Paris extends far beyond most notables, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame. Really, what better excuse than to indulge in some of the world’s most celebrated dishes 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 that there have been no direct daytime routes connecting to Berlin, another European titan in its own right.
Naturally, many of us circle the winter months on our calendars to soak up the Christmas spirit at festive Christmas markets, often set against the backdrop of some of Europe’s most beautiful architectural wonders.
Since this new route launches on December 16ththis is the perfect time to get away from winter and make the most of it of your holiday vacation days!
Much of Europe turns into a typical ‘White Christmas’, where countless large cities and picturesque villages make you feel as if you are immersed in a real snow globe.
The same goes for France and Germany, home to some of the most world-famous Christmas festivities in the world!
If you leave Paris for Berlin, you have to go to Gare de l’Est stationan architectural spectacle to see, where trains depart daily 11:54 am.
Your trip to Berlin
Berlin is a wild place, not so much in the sense of nature, but in the sense that you could argue that New York should revoke its rights to the nickname “The City That Never Sleeps.”
There’s never a dull moment in Berlin, one of the many reasons why one of Germany’s most fascinating cities was just named the best destination for solo travelers in the world.
Because you are undoubtedly witnessing the most intriguing history of any European country, you can visit museums during the day and bars and clubs in the evening.
As celebrity chef and world traveler Anthony Bourdain once said, “Berlin has always had a darkness hidden in plain sight.”
If you’re coming from Paris, the 8-hour drive will fly by in no time as you pass other extraordinary destinations along the way, such as Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and Strasbourg.
You’ll arrive at Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof at 7:55 PM, just in time to load up on tasty sausages and a pint of cold beer.
Oh, and don’t sleep on the pretzels!
How to buy tickets and what it costs
There has been talk for years about a high-speed train connecting these cities during the day! As with everything in life, plans change.
Initially intended to launch in 2023 as a 7-hour trip, those plans ended up in the trash and have been officially revived for this winter.
You know it’s legit this time as prices have been released and purchases can be made in mid-October (assuming this is on the SNCF pages). website).
444 seats will be made available at an initial price of $65.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
