Berlin to Bratislava by train

How to travel from Berlin to Bratislava by train

It's a long, but easy journey by daytime train from Berlin to Bratislava, and for some of the journey the scenery is rather lovely.
It is possible to take an overnight train, but it isn't recommended as it arrives in the Slovakian capital before 06:00.

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Routes

From Berlin Hbf to Bratislava hl.st.

Journey Summary

To
Bratislava
Image coming soon...
Bratislava hl.st.
Travel Time
8hr 51min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

This train usually departs Berlin Hbf at 08:59

Final Destination: Budapest-Nyugati

Train also calls at: Berlin-Sudkreuz; Prague/Praha, Brno

Take this train and you will be on the EC train that is provided by MAV (Hungarian) Railways.

The overnight train from Berlin to Budapest calls at Bratislava at 05:50 in the morning, so despite the length of the journey, this daytime EC train is the best option for a rail journey,

1  x direct train per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date

This train usually departs Berlin Hbf at 08:59; so target that departure time when looking up this journey.

Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on DB Bahn and your seat reservation is included, but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.

Reservations are highly recommended for this journey; particularly in 2nd class.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
DB Bahn from €27.90

DB Bahn Guide

DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.

It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.

A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.

Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.

Omio from €27.90

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

Happyrail from €27.90

Happyrail Guide

Happy Rail is a Netherlands rail ticket agency which sells tickets for both national and international journeys within a range of countries including Belgium France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland.

HappyRail doesn't charge booking fees in the conventional sense, but if you're not Dutch you can expect to pay additional transaction fees, which will be added to the total cost.
That's because the most common form of online payment used in The Netherlands is 'iDEAL' and HappyRail doesn't charge a transaction fee for 'iDEAL' payments, but only Dutch residents can sign up to 'iDEAL'.
Other forms of payment include Visa debit cards will incur a fee.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesNot High Speed

Good to Know

Between Bad Schandau at Decin Between Bad Schandau at Decin
Between Bad Schandau and Praha Between Bad Schandau and Praha
Between Decin and Praha Between Decin and Praha
Between Decin and Praha Between Decin and Praha

The majority of the journey by this EC train from Berlin to Bratislava isn't particularly scintillating.
As far as Dresden you will be travelling across flat farm land, but try to stay awake!

The highlight of the journey comes between Dresden and Prague.
For around two hours the train travels through the beautiful Elbe River valley, but sit on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) for the best views.

The most scenic section of the Czech part of the trip is when the train travels through the valleys to the east of Pardubice.

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