German trains
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I. Routes and Travel Times
The ICE (Intercity-Express) is the fastest and most comfortable way of travelling on the Deutsche Bahn network, reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h, and new standards of excellence. ICE trains link nearly all major German cities at hourly or two-hourly intervals and go also to Switzerland (Zurich, Interlaken and Basel); Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Brussels), France (Paris), the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Denmark (Copenhagen). Please note that only destinations in Germany and a few International routes are available for now, it concerns Germany routes to/from Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary & Poland.
- Domestic routess
- International routes
| Routes | Best travel times |
|---|---|
| Berlin <> Bonn | 4h43 |
| Berlin <> Cologne | 4h16 |
| Berlin <> Frankfurt | 4h08 |
| Berlin <> Munich | 3h58 |
| Bern <> Hamburg | 7h47 |
| Frankfurt <> Munich | 3h10 |
| Frankfurt <> Hamburg | 3h37 |
| Hamburg <> Mannheim | 4h18 |
| Hamburg <> Munich | 5h32 |
| Routes | Best travel times |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam <> Cologne | 2h44 |
| Brussels <> Frankfurt | 2h58 |
| Hamburg <> Zurich | 7h35 |
| Nuremberg <> Vienne | 4h36 |
| Stuttgart <> Zurich | 2h47 |
* Not all international routes are available yet
When searching for a schedule in ERA, select the city with the * to search for "all stations". i.e. FRANKFURT* would return results for all stations in Frankfurt. To search for a specific station, select it from the dropdown menu.
Types of trains
Currently there are 5 different ICE train types in service: ICE 1, ICE 2, ICE 3, ICE 4, ICE T/TD and Sprinter. Each operates between several major cities including international destinations in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. These trains mainly differ in the composition of coaches and the maximum speed.
©Deutsche Bahn AG / Jet-Foto Kranert, ©Deutsche Bahn AG / Axel Hartmann
| Train | Maximum speed | Number of seats per train |
|---|---|---|
| ICE 1 | 280 km/h | 649 |
| ICE 2 | 280 km/h | 368 |
| ICE 3 | 320 km/h | 440 |
| ICE 4 | 250 km/h - 265 km/h |
444/918 |
| ICE T/TD |
230 km/h |
357/250 |
ICE Sprinter
On some lines ICE Sprinter trains offer virtually non-stop connections between major German cities. The Berlin - Frankfurt, Hamburg - Koeln and Hamburg – Frankfurt ICE Sprinter shorten your travelling time up to one hour, saving you valuable time. The sprinter is perfect for business travel. On the mentioned lines there is usually a ICE Sprinter connection in the morning and in the evening.
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II. Onboard services
1st class
©Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang
- With a 1st class FLEX ticket: Access to 1st class DB lounges in Berlin Hbf*, Hannover Hbf, Bremen Hbf, Cologne Hbf*, Düsseldorf Hbf, Leipzig Hbf, Dresden Hbf, Mannheim Hbf, Essen Hbf, Munich Hbf*, Frankfurt/M. Hbf, Nuremberg Hbf, Frankfurt/M. Flughafen Fernbahnhof, Stuttgart Hbf, Hamburg Hbf* offering complimentary drinks and snacks usually open every day from 7am to 9pm
- DB Lounge access is not available for other fares (only available to travelers holding a 1st class Flex ticket)
- Air-conditioned carriages
- Reclining leather seats with folding tables
- Electric sockets at all seats
- Quiet zones are reserved for passengers who want to travel in peace
- Trolley service with beverages
- Lockers available in the vestibules for the luggage: the deposit is returned when removing the luggage* Separate 1st Class lounge location
2nd class
©Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang
- Reclining seats with folding tables
- Lockers available in the vestibules for the luggage: the deposit is returned when removing the luggage
- Trolley service with beverages
Other services
©Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang / Pablo Castagnola / Kai Michael Neuhold
- There is a Bordbistro and/or Bordrestaurant on all ICE trains.
- Menus vary depending on the time of day. German and European regional menus available. Snacks and a wide selection of beverages are also available, which can be consumed there or taken back to the seat.
- In 1st class coaches a selection of beverages and meals from ICE menus can be served at seat on request.
- Facilities for disabled travellers
Wi-Fi
- Access to Internet connection in all DB Lounges
- And on all ICE trains which feature the HotSpot logo on the following routes:
| Dortmund - Duesseldorf - Cologne (also via Hagen and Wuppertal) |
| Cologne - Frankfurt am Main Airport |
| Frankfurt am Main - Stuttgart - Munich |
| Frankfurt am Main - Hannover - Hamburg |
III. Individual fare types
- Conditions vary according to the purchased fare, click here for details.
- ICE reservations are not compulsory on all ICE trains, but are highly recommended. When required, this will be noted in the schedule.
- From June 1st till September 1st ALL international long-distance trains to/from Germany will be subject to mandatory reservations. (The only exceptions to this rule will be ICE trains via Basel Bad into Switzerland and IC trains Stuttgart/Singen via Schaffhausen to Zurich, reservations will remain optional here). So, all IC,ICE, EC, ECE, RJ, RJX, NJ, EN etc. crossing the German border will have areservation compulsory, including when travelling with a passholder fare.
- In first class Flexpreis & Flexpreis Plus, your seat is included with your ticket, if a seat is available.
Europa fares exist on International routes & carry the same sales & aftersales rules
| Flexpreis Adult/Child | For journeys up to 100km, ticket is valid for 1 day. For journeys over 100km, ticket is valid for 2 days. Passengers must begin their journey on the first day of validity printed on the ticket, but can interrupt it and continue their journey through the last day of validity printed on the ticket. Special note for return tickets: For outbound and return journeys, the exact day on which the journey must start will be printed on the tickets. If the outbound and return trip are within 1 month, they will be printed on a single ticket. Valid for children 6-14 years old, inclusive on domestic routes. Travel free on ticket if accompanied by with a person at least aged 15, reservations additional. Half adult fare if travelling alone. Children under 6 free when sharing an adult passenger’s accommodations. |
|---|---|
| Flexpreis Plus Adult/Child | Extended validity period of 4 days, one day before and up to two days after the specified date of travel. Your ticket is also valid for local public transport, both on the outward and return journeys. Departure and destination points must be within the tariff zone permitted by the City-Ticket. Seat reservation is included in the Flexpreis Plus ticket. Valid for children 6-14 years old, inclusive on domestic routes. Travel free on ticket if accompanied by with a person at least aged 15, reservations additional. Half adult fare if travelling alone. Children under 6 free when sharing an adult passenger’s accommodations. |
| Super Sparpreis | Discounted fare. Subject to availability. Only valid for the date(s)/train/class specified on the ticket |
| Sparpreis | Discounted fare. Subject to availability. Only valid for the date(s)/train/class specified on the ticket |
| Super Sparpreis Gruppe | Discounted fare. Subject to availability. Only valid for the date(s)/train/class specified on the ticket. Available from a minimum of 6 adults |
| Sparpreis Gruppe | Discounted fare. Subject to availability. Only valid for the date(s)/train/class specified on the ticket. Available from a minimum of 6 adults |
Child Policy
- Up to four children travel for free with a person at least aged 15 (considered as adult), who doesn't need to be directly related to them, as long they are all registered on the booking. Children must still be booked in ERA at the same time as the paying adult/youth, or they will be charged a child fare locally.
- Child age varies on bordering countries
- In some case an International booking involving various children may run into an error, please book separately children from different age groups (0-5 / 6-14 / 15-26)
| Country | Age |
|---|---|
| Austria | 4-14 |
| Belgium | 6-11 |
| Hungary | 6-13 |
| Italy | 4-15 |
| Netherlands/Poland/Luxembourg | 4-11 |
| Austria/Czech Republic/Germany | 6-14 |
| Switzerland/Denmark | 6-15 |
| Sweden | 6-15 |
You can book a maximum of 5 passengers for individual fares.
- For information on how to book on the Rail Europe Booking tool 'Easy Rail Access'; User Manual is available here
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IV. Booking Horizon
These trains can be booked up to 365 days in advance
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V. Ticketing Time Limits
- TTL is 1 hour from booking date/time
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VI. Exchange / Refund
- Refunds can be done in ERA, when applicable, if refund is performed before train departure date.
- Grace period is up to two hours during which refunds for a booking can be made without paying a refund fee, to be used only for agent's mistakes.
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VII. Check-in procedures
- There are no check-in or customs procedures before boarding ICE trains.
- ICE indicated platforms are available for passengers holding ICE tickets.
IMPORTANT: Travelling in the Netherlands
Many train stations in the Netherlands have platforms with entry/exit gates. To enter or exit from the train’s platform, traveller’s will need to pass through these gates that are controlled with a bar code reader.
Most paper tickets and e-tickets and all Eurail Pass covers have a square barcode which can be scanned at the entry/exit point of the platform. On trains originating in Germany and traveling into the Netherlands, the train personnel will provide you with a keycard to use to exit the platform.
- Step 1: Go to a gate with ‘scan ticket’ sign.
- Step 2: Hold the square barcode against the illuminated area.
- Step 3: The gate will open and you can now leave or enter the platform. If there is no square barcode on the ticket or the barcode does not work and the gates do not open, push the blue info button on the post near the gate and travellers will be connected to a station employee who will assist them.
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VIII. Specific to this train
- HotSpot (wifi connection in some trains)
- Panoramic lounges at both ends of ICE 3, ICE T and ICE TD trains
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IX. Seat Map
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X. FAQs
First class on the ICE offers larger reclining seats in leather. A Bordbistro car offers a selection of food and beverages for purchase for both classes. At-seat catering service is available for 1st class ticket holders.
Yes. There are also discounts for child between 6 and 15 years old inclusive. There is no discount for Youth and Senior.
No, travellers do not need to validate tickets prior to boarding the train
- Yes, travellers are limited to 1 large items per traveller (standard dimensions of luggage racks are 70 x 50 x 30 cm) and 1 small item of hand luggage.
- You can take items such as briefcases, laptops, rucksacks, trolley bags or suitcases on board for no extra charge.
- Travellers must label their bag(s) with first and last name.
- Lockers are available onboard ICE trains. The deposit will be returned to the traveller when removing the luggage.
- Travellers are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure. This allows time to locate the platform where the train will be departing from. If they are departing from a larger train station (typically a city’s main station) and need to activate their rail pass prior to boarding, we recommend to arrive even earlier to make sure you have enough time to get the rail pass activated.
- There is no check-in time so travellers can board the train a few minutes before departure.
No, reservation is not compulsory however it is included in the price ticket in 1st class.
If your clients travel on peak periods (holidays, morning or late afternoon), we strongly we recommend to book a seat reservation as ICE trains are frequently used by local people who commute.