European connection: ICE from Berlin to Paris canceled due to technical problems

The direct ICE high-speed train service connecting Berlin and Paris has been temporarily suspended, causing inconvenience for travelers between the two European capitals. Deutsche Bahn (DB) has removed the service from its schedule, citing technical problems with the European train control system provided by Alstom.

A spokesperson for DB confirmed the issue, stating that the company is urging Alstom to "immediately rectify the errors." Passengers booked on the affected service have been notified via the DB Navigator app and email, informing them that they must now change trains in Frankfurt or Mannheim. The exact duration of the suspension remains unclear, as reported by Tagesspiegel.

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The Bahn is urging Alstom to 'immediately rectify the errors.'

Alstom has acknowledged the problem and stated that the company is working intensively to restore the connection as quickly as possible. The direct Berlin-Paris ICE route was inaugurated in December 2024 with a formal ceremony, symbolizing the strong relationship between Germany and France. At the time, then-Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing described the service as "lived friendship," while then-DB CEO Richard Lutz called it a "symbol" of good Franco-German cooperation, essential for a united Europe.

Before the suspension, the ICE Berlin-Paris service reportedly operated at an average occupancy rate of around 80 percent. For travelers needing to reach their destinations, alternative options include changing trains in Frankfurt or Mannheim, or utilizing the night train service offered by European Sleeper, a Dutch-Belgian startup that directly connects the two capitals.

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the company is working intensively to enable the connection again as soon as possible.