The first direct high-speed rail service between Paris and Berlin officially launched on Monday, marking a significant milestone in European rail connectivity.

A German ICE train departed Paris’s Gare de l’Est station at 9:55 a.m., arriving at Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 6:03 p.m. The daily service, operated jointly by Germany’s Deutsche Bahn (DB) and France’s SNCF, offers a convenient 8-hour journey connecting two of Europe’s major capitals.

Deutsche Bahn announced on social media platform X: “In 8 hours, you can travel from the German to the French capital via Frankfurt South, Karlsruhe, and Strasbourg.”

The new service caters to a growing demand for eco-friendly and efficient rail travel across Europe, further strengthening ties between the EU’s two largest economies.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner hailed the rail link as “a powerful symbol of German-French friendship,” underscoring the broader implications of the collaboration.

The launch comes as Deutsche Bahn works to improve its service reliability. In November, the operator reported that only 60% of its long-distance trains arrived within six minutes of their scheduled time. DB has committed to raising punctuality rates to over 75% by 2027.

German Transport Minister Volker Wissing expressed confidence in DB’s plans, stating that the improvements in punctuality and service quality are “critical for enhancing passenger trust and experience.”

This new rail link underscores a step forward in sustainable travel and international cooperation.