The first EU pilot project for new cross-border services: from Praha to København with direct trains
posted on 26th Jun 2026 16:34
On 26 June 2026, the inauguration of the first EU pilot project for new cross-border rail services took place in Berlin, with the participation of representatives of ČD, DB and DSB, as well as representatives of individual states and the EU - in this case, it is about creating the possibility of traveling from Praha to København via Berlin without a transfer (and also creating a direct rail service between the Czech and Danish capitals for the first time).
This cross-border line is one of ten pilot projects supported by the European Commission and the first completely new service. The Commission has chosen the Praha - Berlin - København route as one of its projects "to overcome obstacles in international rail transport, improve market conditions and develop attractive and sustainable mobility services in Europe."
The operation of ComfortJets on the route between Praha, Hamburg and København was actually launched on 1 May 2026, first on a diversion route and only from 14 June in the originally planned form, after the reconstruction of the Berlin - Hamburg line was completed.
In the group photo are from left to right: Michal Krapinec, CEO of ČD; Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister of Transport; Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism; Ute Bonde, Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment; Michael Peterson, Member of the DB Board of Directors for Long-distance Passenger Transport; Flemming Jensen, CEO of DSB.
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