🚆 Prague to Berlin: travel time and prices for train, bus and car

The distance between Prague and Berlin is short. But the four ways to get there differ in price by several times, although the time difference is smaller than it seems. We compared train, bus, plane, and car: how much each option costs, how long it takes, and what to choose in your specific case.

The short answer looks like this. If you need comfort and predictability, take the train. If only price matters, the bus will be noticeably cheaper. A car is worthwhile for a group of three or four people and for those who want to stop in Dresden along the way. A plane on such a short route loses almost always.

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Four ways to get there: comparison

💡 In short:

The train gets you from Prague to the center of Berlin faster than anything else and doesn't depend on traffic jams.
The bus is cheaper than the train, but takes longer and depends on highway traffic.
There are almost no direct flights between the capitals anymore, and a flight with a connection makes no sense.
Prices and schedule: 09/2026, checked on the official České dráhy website.

The road distance between the capitals is about 350 km, and the route almost always goes through Dresden (on the map). After that, everything depends on what matters more to you: time, money, or the freedom to stop along the way.

Option	Travel time	Price estimate	Who it suits
Train	about 4.5 hours (České dráhy website)	from €45 per seat	those who value time
Bus	about 4.5-5 hours (FlixBus website)	€32-34 one way	those who want to save
Plane	longer than the train due to a connection	usually more expensive than the train	almost no one
Car	3.5-4 hours (on the map)	rental plus fuel	groups and families

Train from Prague to Berlin: day and night

Rail service between Prague and Berlin runs reliably, and it's the most predictable way to end up in the center of the German capital. During the day, high-speed trains run via Dresden and arrive at Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 4.5 hours (according to the carrier, cd.cz). Tickets start at €45 one way, and the earlier you buy a seat, the lower the fare.

The night train is convenient for those who don't want to spend daylight hours on the road. A sleeper berth costs more than a seat, but you arrive in Berlin in the morning and can go straight out to explore the city. Tickets are sold on the carrier's website, buy in advance: on Fridays and Sundays there are noticeably fewer available seats.

Passengers on the platform and an arriving train

Departure is from the main station Praha hlavní nádraží, where it is convenient to leave your suitcase in a locker and walk around before boarding. Sit by the window: between Děčín and Dresden the train runs along the Elbe valley. Compare options in advance on Trip.com: sometimes a ticket with a transfer works out cheaper than a direct one.

Bus from Prague to Berlin: cheaper, but slower

The bus remains the most budget-friendly way to get to Berlin. Services depart from the ÚAN Florenc bus station and arrive at ZOB Berlin, and the journey takes about 4.5-5 hours (as of 09/2026, FlixBus). A one-way ticket costs about 32-34 €, and buying a round trip at once saves you a few euros.

Night services save you a whole day: you board in the evening and step off the bus in Berlin in the morning. If you are traveling as a pair, buy bus tickets Prague Berlin in advance and check whether luggage is included in the fare.

Flight from Prague to Berlin: when you do not need it

There are almost no regular direct flights left between the two capitals, because the distance is too short for airlines. Air Berlin and Germanwings, which once served this route, ceased operations long ago. Today a flight almost always involves a transfer in Vienna, Munich or Frankfurt, and with the trip to the airport the journey takes longer than the train.

If you still need a plane, compare offers in advance and count separately the trip to Václav Havel Airport, which takes time in any case. It is worth comparing Prague Berlin flights before buying: sometimes the train works out cheaper and arrives right in the city center.

Car: 350 kilometers via Dresden

By car the journey takes 3.5-4 hours (on the map), but only if you leave Prague early and do not get stuck in traffic on the way out. The best route goes via Dresden, and it is worth stopping there for a couple of hours to see the old town and the Elbe embankment.

For the trip you will need a European-style driver's license and car insurance. You can rent a car in Prague and return it in Berlin, but the one-way drop-off fee in another country often eats up all the savings. Czech motorways require a vignette, which you can buy online in advance (as of 09/2026, official e-dálnice website).

Dresden in the evening: the Elbe, riverboats and the embankment

Costs add up from rental, insurance and fuel, so a car makes sense when there are three or four of you and a lot of luggage. In winter check the forecast: there can be snow and ice at the border, and in summer allow time for Friday traffic jams.

Compare prices in advance and match the car class to your luggage: a rental car in Prague will cost less if you book a couple of weeks ahead.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How long does the trip from Prague to Berlin take?

The train takes under five hours, the bus about 4.5-5 hours, and a car 3.5-4 hours without traffic (on the map). A flight with a connection usually takes longer once you factor in getting to the airport, waiting, and the layover itself in Vienna or Munich.

Which is cheaper, the train or the bus?

The bus is cheaper. A ticket costs about 32-34 € one way (as of 09/2026, FlixBus schedule), while the train starts at 45 €. The difference is especially noticeable when there are several of you, but the train is faster and arrives in the city center.

Are there direct flights between Prague and Berlin?

There are almost no direct flights left, because the route is too short for airlines. The flight almost always involves a connection, and it takes more time than the train. Schedules change, so check flights on the airport's official website before buying.

Can you travel overnight?

Yes. Night trains with sleeping berths and night buses run between Prague and Berlin. You leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, without spending a day on the road. A sleeping berth costs more than a seat, so compare prices in advance and book round-trip tickets.

What do you need to travel by car?

A European-style driver's license and car insurance. Only take a rental car with drop-off in Berlin if you are prepared to pay an extra fee for a different city.

Prague to Berlin route on the map

The map below shows the route via Dresden that we described above. Open it on your phone in advance so you don't have to figure out the way while traveling.

From Prague to Berlin

Places on the map

Prague Starting point, train, bus, plane or car to Berlin
Berlin End point of the route via Dresden, about 350 km

In short: what to book

The decision matrix is simple. If you are short on time, the train arrives in central Berlin and is largely unaffected by traffic. If your budget is limited, the bus will be cheaper. If you are traveling with a group or want to stop in Dresden, a rental car is a better deal than tickets.

From Prague to Berlin: four ways to get there and what is cheaper