The plane is faster door to door. Fastest train ~4h00 (DB: Sprinter 'rund 4 Stunden'; a third-party guide lists 3h45) (Frankfurt (Main) Hbf → Berlin Hbf), DB. Checked 2026-11-01.
The comparison
| Fastest train | ~4h00 (DB: Sprinter 'rund 4 Stunden'; a third-party guide lists 3h45)Frankfurt (Main) Hbf → Berlin Hbf |
|---|---|
| Trains | DB (2025 timetable data): 22 Sprinter-type trips/day (both directions) in ~4h; Berlin-Frankfurt nonstop Sprinter 3x/day per directionDeutsche Bahn ICE / ICE Sprinter |
| Flight | DB's own comparison: 3h25 for the flight incl. estimated 75 min check-in/waiting and 2x30 min airport transfers (DB ICE Sprinter factsheet, Oct 2024). DB-sourced, not independent. |
| Door to door | The plane is faster door to door |
| Air & rail | Berlin is a Lufthansa Express Rail station (ICE to Frankfurt Airport on a Lufthansa ticket, Miles & More credit). |
| Points | DB BahnBonus: 1 reward point + 1 status point per EUR spent on DB tickets; national free trip from 750 points (2nd class, one-way; 750-2,000 depending on route/date/demand), international free trip from 1,750 points (2nd class one-way). Lufthansa Express Rail (DB ICE sold on a Lufthansa ticket to/from Frankfurt Airport, connection guarantee): Miles & More earns ticket price x 4 miles (x 6 with status) when booked via Lufthansa Group channels; Points/Qualifying Points also earned (capped). Only useful when connecting to a Lufthansa Group flight at FRA, not for city-to-city travel. |
By DB's own numbers the plane door-to-door (3h25) still beats the ~4h train; rail wins on CO2 and productive time, not speed.
Questions
Is the train faster than flying from Frankfurt to Berlin?
The plane is faster door to door. The fastest train takes ~4h00 (DB: Sprinter 'rund 4 Stunden'; a third-party guide lists 3h45) city centre to city centre; the flight is DB's own comparison: 3h25 for the flight incl. estimated 75 min check-in/waiting and 2x30 min airport transfers (DB ICE Sprinter factsheet, Oct 2024). DB-sourced, not independent..
How often do trains run from Frankfurt to Berlin?
DB (2025 timetable data): 22 Sprinter-type trips/day (both directions) in ~4h; Berlin-Frankfurt nonstop Sprinter 3x/day per direction
Can I earn or use points on this train?
DB BahnBonus: 1 reward point + 1 status point per EUR spent on DB tickets; national free trip from 750 points (2nd class, one-way; 750-2,000 depending on route/date/demand), international free trip from 1,750 points (2nd class one-way). Lufthansa Express Rail (DB ICE sold on a Lufthansa ticket to/from Frankfurt Airport, connection guarantee): Miles & More earns ticket price x 4 miles (x 6 with status) when booked via Lufthansa Group channels; Points/Qualifying Points also earned (capped). Only useful when connecting to a Lufthansa Group flight at FRA, not for city-to-city travel.
Can I book the train with an airline?
Berlin is a Lufthansa Express Rail station (ICE to Frankfurt Airport on a Lufthansa ticket, Miles & More credit).
Sources: int.bahn.de, deutschebahn.com, zug-ticket-kaufen.de, lufthansa.com, miles-and-more.com
Points or cash, or the train?
Tell Points or Cash where you are going. On short European trips it checks whether the train beats the flight before you spend a point.
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