A new high-speed train is set to link three of Europe's coolest capital cities
Train travellers in Europe will soon get the chance to travel from Prague to Copenhagen, via Berlin, using a brand new long-distance train connection.
Deutsche Bahn in Germany, DSB in Denmark and ČD in Czechia are the largest rail operators in their respective countries. Now, they're joining forces to run a new rail service.
The trains will run year round, starting on May 1 2026, with journey times of just 7 hours between Copenhagen and Berlin, and 11 hours between Copenhagen and Prague.
That might sound like a slog, but in the past, a journey from Copenhagen to Prague could take more than 14 hours.
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
And, travel time will be cut even more once the Fehmarn Belt Undersea Tunnel, which connects Denmark and Germany, is open, which is currently scheduled for 2029.
There will be two outward and two return journeys a day, on trains reaching speeds of up to 230km per hour. More planned stops are also set to be introduced, including destinations such as Dresden and Hamburg.
Trains will depart Prague daily at 6.30am and 10.30am, and there's also a night-time service planned for the summer — this will depart Prague at 4.30pm.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, said: 'Improving high-speed rail, especially across borders, is our top priority.
'This new line, connecting the Czech Republic, Germany, and Denmark, is a strong example of progress. And I am especially proud that it is the first of the ten pilot projects supported by the European Commission to promote new cross-border rail connections.'
One of the proposed stops on the new multi-country line includes Hamburg. Last year, Metro's video producer, Jed Bradley, spent 48 hours there — here's what he had to say about his trip…
I start my sightseeing at the Elbphilharmonie, an imposing concert hall-hotel known locally as the Elphi.
Sitting atop a 1960s brick warehouse, Hamburg's tallest residential building is a handy place to get your bearings with a 360-degree outdoor observation platform to gaze over the city to the north, and the bustling port to the south.
I visit in October, but every May, more than one million people descend on the waterfront for the Port Anniversary, the biggest event in Hamburg's calendar. Sailing ships parade down the river, live performances fill the streets and food stalls serve local delicacies before the night ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
The river path stretches for miles, with plenty of riverside bars and restaurants to rest your feet in before you head back towards the city centre.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Hamburg's grand City Hall, The Rathaus, dominates the skyline. Finished in 1897, it's now the nucleus of the shopping district, with high-end boutiques in the northern Old Town and high street giants like H&M and Zara to the south.
Wide, pedestrianised promenades are dotted with restaurants along the way, providing plenty of opportunity to refuel after retail therapy. If it turns into a retail nightmare, head to Binnenalster Lake, a popular respite from the frenzy of city life. More Trending
For a big night out, head to Hamburg's legendary nightlife district – the Reeperbahn. I visited venues like Große Freiheit 36 and Molotow, before perching myself at Le Lion, a famous speakeasy that serves expertly crafted drinks.
If you want to dance until dawn, check out one of the district's iconic nightclubs like Dollhouse or Übel & Gefährlich, housed in a sprawling war bunker.
Hamburg's trade roots remain important today with huge quantities of coffee and cocoa flowing through its port. If you're a chocolate lover (who isn't?), a visit to Chocoversum (€25/£21) will not disappoint like Glasgow's Willy's Chocolate Experience.
When you crash from all the sugar, Burg Coffee Museum is on hand for a pick-me-up. Along the 90-minute tasting tour (€21/£18) through one of the original canalside warehouses, you'll see why Hamburg's tax exemption for raw beans made it the coffee capital of Europe.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: 4 cheap package holiday destinations for 2025 as Greece and Cyprus soar in price
MORE: UK company launches £5,000 sex cruise — these are the rules passengers must follow
MORE: 'The Bali of Europe': This quiet destination has £42 flights and over 300 days of sunshine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Tiny European island dubbed 'Maldives of the Med' with 11-hours of daily sunshine
A tiny European island which boats transparent waters, balmy weather and swaying palm trees is giving the Maldives a run for it's money thanks to it's idyllic setting Choosing your holiday getaway can take a lot of time and planning and if you're after a white sandy beach and crystal clear waters - you'll more than likely have to jump on a long-haul flight. However people have been raving about a tiny Balearic island, and are comparing it to being the ' Maldives of the Meditarranean'. Formentera promises the same sunny weather, palm trees and crystal blue transparent waters, just like the Maldives, without the massive price tag. Situated right next to Ibiza, the two islands may be geographically aligned, but they couldn't be more opposite. Formentera is peaceful escape and the island is just 12 miles long and a mile-and-a-half wide at its narrowest point and there's little to do apart from eat, drink and enjoy the soft sand beaches. Lonely Planet describes the European island, which was also loved by Kate Moss in the 90s, as a 'beautifully pure, get-away-from-it-all-escape'. The travel guide adds: "Formentera's pace of life is blissfully languid, designed for lazy days spent lounging on some of Europe's (dare we say the world's) most exquisite beaches." Playa de Ses Illetes is Formentera's best known beach and it's even won Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award and the coastal spot is located within the Ses Salines National Park and has white sand with bright turquoise water. Platja de Migjorn is also considered one of the island's prettiest beaches. The longest beach on the island it stretches across 5km. For those looking to plan a trip to the beautiful island, travellers will need to fly to Ibiza to get to Formentera with direct flights available on British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2. They can then catch a ferry from Ibiza. Ferries tend to run frequently and take around 30 minutes. It also promises 11-hours of sunshine a day and in July and August, the temperature averages 26 degrees on the island and the average temperature is usually above 20 degrees in May, June, September and October as well. However if you don't fancy hopping on a plane, the UK boasts stunning landscapes that are the envy of the world, offering a plethora of beautiful spots to discover if you're planning a staycation this summer. One of the most 'underrated' regions offers the top must-do activity for holidaymakers this summer, located on a picturesque island just off Scotland's coast. A breathtaking drive along the Isle of Arran's coast in Scotland has emerged as the top choice, according to a survey of 2,000 adults about their staycation dreams. Often dubbed 'Scotland in miniature', the Isle of Arran boasts a range of spectacular landscapes, with the 109km Arran Coastal Way providing views of the coastline, charming villages, and mountain peaks. Journeying around the stunning Isle of Arran presents ample opportunities to discover remnants of Scotland's Gaelic and Norse heritage. It features numerous coastal towns, such as Lochranza and Kildonan, where you can enjoy a walk on beautiful beaches and explore ancient castle ruins. Scotland is renowned for its rich culture and history, which you'll experience at every turn when exploring Arran.
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
How to save on roaming charges with Vodafone, eSIMania, EE
When jetting abroad, especially for a relaxing break away, the last thing you want is to return home and be hit by significant charges for phone calls or sending messages to family and friends (as well as browsing the internet). Data roaming is when you use your data instead of WiFi to access the internet outside the UK, and if your phone connects to a different network, you may incur extra charges. Although some may already have set roaming charges included in their phone contract, others may not and instead might be looking for ways to save on roaming charges when on holiday. Do I Need Travel Insurance? It's common for the majority of mobile networks to only offer coverage within the UK, which means that when abroad, your phone will switch over to roaming. So first and foremost, the best advice is to check with your mobile plan and your provider's roaming policy before you travel, MoneySavingExpert explains. How to save on roaming charges abroad with Vodafone, eSIMania, EE and Three However, if you're looking to avoid any surprise roaming charges when on holiday, we have found some of the best ways to save on unexpected data costs, with tips and tricks from the likes of Vodafone and eSIMania. For anyone who is a Vodafone customer, there is a range of things you can do before jetting off on a plane, such as: Check your roaming bars 'Turn off any active roaming bars in your My Vodafone account or app so that you can still use your data and other services while you're away.' Set a limit on how much you spend 'Choose how much you can spend when using your device. You can even prevent receiving calls and texts, so you don't have any surprise charges.' Set up Spend Manager 'If you're on Pay Monthly, you can set a spend limit for services not included in your monthly allowance, like picture messages or international calls.' Keep track of your bill 'Keep tabs on your usage or credit. When abroad, it can take up to 72 hours for new charges to appear on your bill.' You can also use the roaming charge checker on the Vodafone website and take a look at all costs for international calls while roaming. What's the best seat to book on a plane? eSIMania Another popular way people can save money on data roaming costs is by using an eSIM when on holiday. International eSIMs can be much cheaper than roaming add-ons from your mobile provider, depending on the kind of usage you are looking for. eSIMania offers eSIMs for more than 200 countries across the world, such as America, Australia and the Maldives. Not to mention European countries including France, Germany, Italy and Greece. To buy an eSim from eSIMania, simply visit the website, choose your destination and package, then wait to receive your QR code. Have you ever thought about buying an eSIM when travelling? (Image: Getty Images) All that's left to do is activate your new eSIM and make the most of it on your travels. EE If you are an EE customer, one way you can save money on data roaming charges abroad is by setting up a Spend Cap. EE explains: 'A Spend Cap allows you to limit how much you use your phone outside of your Pay Monthly plan. 'You can limit your spending on roaming, picture messages, and international calls. This can help you manage your bill." It adds: 'If you're nearing the limit set for your Spend Cap, we'll send you a text.' #eSIM #explorewithairalo ♬ original sound - nicole @zannavandijk My most used travel hack 🌍 ✈️ ad If you haven't tried eSIMs yet then you're missing a trick. They're so easy to use, save you time, are more affordable than typical data roaming and mean that as soon as you land you can get online! If you want to give @Airalo United Kingdom 🇬🇧 a go my code ZANNA3 gets you $3 off your first eSIM ♥️ #airalo EE also shares that you can change your Spend Cap at any time. Increases will take effect immediately and decreases will take effect at the start of the next billing month. To add a Spend Cap to your account, download or open the EE app, or use EE online. Three Similar to Vodafone and EE, Three also provides Spend Caps as the provider explains: 'To help manage your roaming costs, you can set up a Spend Cap to limit spending on things not included in your monthly plan. 'You'll need to set this to your preferred limit amount ahead of your travels, so you're able to pay for the daily roaming charges in your destination, and don't have any difficulty roaming.' UK Passport Fee Guide You can set this up by logging in to My3 or using the Three app. Additionally, if you use a lot of data, you could buy a Data Passport, which gives you unlimited data for £5 a day. Data Passports are available to use in 89 destinations – find out more information on the Three website (linked above). Recommended reading: You can purchase a Data Passport ahead of your trip via My3 or visit the Three app, click Explore all Add-ons, then Roaming. Three adds: 'Your Data Passport will automatically activate when you first use some data abroad, and you won't be charged a daily roaming charge for using data while it's active.' Do you know of any other ways to save on mobile data roaming costs abroad? Share your tips in the comments below.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
David Gray sees Hibs history bid delayed but destination remains the same as gaffer targets club first
The Easter Road squad's flight from Edinburgh was help up as they made their way to Denmark for Midtjylland clash David Gray wants to make more Hibs history by leading them into the European group stages for the first time., writes Scott Burns in Denmark. As a player, he scored the winner in 2016 that took the Scottish Cup back to Easter Road for the first time in 114 years. Now as a manager, he and his squad have their sights set on getting Hibs into the group stages of Europe for the first time. Gray, who will lead his side out against Midtjylland in Thursday's Europa League opening qualifier, acknowledged: 'Well that is the challenge, that's the challenge to the players. 'It's never been done so can we do it. 'Last season we spoke a lot about recreating history in a positive way, we've done a lot of that and I think this is just the next stage for that. 'As I've just touched on, that is one of the genuine goals and ambitions of this group of players in a club and the staff is to try and be the first team to do that. "I think if we can do that, again, it's just something else we can add to the list and then we can keep moving forward. 'We believe we can do it, we believe we've got a squad that's good enough to do it. 'It's going to be tough, we know that, but we've got a fan base, we've got an ownership and we've got the players all pulling in the one direction, all desperate to be successful.' Hibs' journey nearly didn't get off the ground. They had a problem with their plane and had a long delay before it was fixed and they were able to fly to Denmark on Wednesday. Gray stated: 'That is the benefit of coming the night before. Our flight was delayed, everybody knows that. "It changed our scheduling and our arrival time. That is why we put plans in place, so if anything does come up then we have time to react. The boys have prepared, they are ready and Thursday night takes care of itself.' Midtjylland go in as heavy favourites but Gray is confident his team can upset the odds and certainly to keep things alive, going back to Easter Road next week. There will be more than 1,000 Hibs fans in the MCH Arena to cheer on their side. The Hibs head coach added: 'That's the challenge to the players, it's a real tough draw, we know that. 'I think in terms of how well Midtyjlland have done in Europe, you think about the Champions League team, last season they were runner-up in the league narrowly right at the very end of the season so we know they're a very good side. 'They've got Champions League players experienced at the level but we also demonstrated that if we can play to the best of our ability, we're a very good side and that has to be the mindset of the players. 'The game tomorrow night is over two legs so it's not as if we go a goal up in the game early or a goal down for that matter, there's a lot of football to be played over the two games for the complete tie so it's about making sure that the players remember that, they stay calm in the chaos and the enjoy it because this is something that they've all worked hard for, the rewards from last season. 'I keep saying it, these are the rewards from last season, it's a tough tie but one that every player should be looking forward to and certainly come off the pitch with no regrets and if we can do that I'm sure we'll be in a good place.'
