Cheap Hamburg to Berlin trains make for an excellent two centre break. Book the Flixtrain service for the lowest prices.
Hamburg to Berlin trains summarised
- The best way to get from Hamburg to Berlin is by train.
- Hamburg to Berlin trains run once an hour.
- The direct Hamburg to Berlin services take from 2h31m.
- The cheapest tickets are on the daily Flixtrain service.
- One way tickets cost from €14.
To book Hamburg to Berlin train tickets, head this way.
For more information, read on.
A Hamburg and Berlin twin centre holiday
As a travel journalist with more than 20 years of experience, I have spent a lot of time in Germany.
In my view, Hamburg and Berlin are the most enjoyable German cities. And they’re sufficiently different to make for an excellent twin centre break.
Fly in to either Hamburg or Berlin, then fly out the other, and you’ve got an excellent week’s holiday.
5 Berlin experiences worth booking
- 🏛️ Dive into Berlin’s history on a Third Reich and Cold War walking tour.
- 🚲 Take a three hour bike tour and cram in more Berlin highlights.
- 🍽️ Discover Berlin’s food scene on a multi-stop food tour.
- 🕊️ Visit Sachsenhausen concentration camp to understand the horrors of the Third Reich.
- 🎵 Discover David Bowie’s Berlin haunts on a specialised small group music tour.
Hamburg to Berlin train times
The good news is that getting between Hamburg and Berlin is very easy.
According to booking site Omio, the first direct Hamburg to Berlin train of the day departs at 04.49, arriving in Berlin at 07.22.
If that’s a bit too early for your tastes, there are several more Deutsche Bahn departures running throughout the day. These direct Hamburg to Berlin trains leave roughly once an hour. The journey time is generally between 2h30m and 2h45m.
Hamburg to Berlin train ticket prices
Searching two weeks in advance, the tickets on the Hamburg to Berlin trains cost from €15. However, the cheapest prices are generally are for the hideously early services.
To travel at a humane time of day, you can generally expect to pay €30 for a one way ticket. These tickets should be booked online.
5 great things to do in Hamburg
- 🚢 Glide through the Speicherstadt warehouses on a two hour harbour cruise.
- 🪞 Head to the Museum of Illusions for spectacular selfies.
- 🏰 Get a gruesome take on the city’s history at the Hamburg Dungeon.
- 🚶 Take a Reeperbahn walking tour to discover Hamburg’s wild side.
- 🍺 Hear the stories of St Pauli on a guided pub crawl.
Flixtrain deals from Hamburg to Berlin
However, there is a lesser-known way to get cheap train tickets from Hamburg to Berlin. Flixtrain runs one direct train a day on the Hamburg to Berlin route.
Departing at 11.17, the Flixtrain service from Hamburg to Berlin arrives at Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 13.48. That’s a 2h31m journey time.
The crucial thing to know about the Flixtrain service from Hamburg to Berlin, however, is that ticket prices are a lot cheaper. Booking two weeks in advance, the cost of a one way ticket is €14.
Again, book online in advance.
Why book the Berlin WelcomeCard with pocket travel guide?
- Unlimited public transport in Berlin: Use buses, trams and trains across Berlin (fare zones ABC including Potsdam and BER Airport) for the duration of your card.
- Discounts at 170+ attractions: Save between about 25% and 50% at museums, tours, restaurants and leisure activities throughout the city.
- Travel guide included: Receive an English-language pocket travel guide with tips, maps and suggestions to help plan your visit.
- Flexible validity: Choose a card valid from 2 to 6 days so you can tailor it to how long you’re exploring Berlin.
- Saved time and money: Skip buying individual transport tickets and get reduced rates for city tours, museums and sights with one pass.
More Germany travel
Other Hamburg and Berlin travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 9 reasons to take a Hamburg city break.
- Why Hamburg’s vibe comes from St Pauli, musicals and the port.
- Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in Hamburg.
- The best time to visit the DDR Museum in Berlin.
- A guide to West Berlin for first time visitors.
- Canoeing along the Berlin Wall.
