ICE trains operate all over Germany, with connections to neighboring countries.
With a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) these high-speed trains connect major German cities at hourly intervals. International ICE trains connect Germany with Austria (Wien, Innsbruck), Belgium (Brussels, Liège), Denmark (Copenhagen, Arhus), France (Paris), the Netherlands (Arnhem, Utrecht, Amsterdam) and Switzerland (Zürich, Interlaken).
Photo by Martin Kers
Conditions for Eurail pass holders
Reservations for regular ICE trains are not required for Eurail pass holders. However, it is recommended during peak periods. The fees are: 2nd class: €5 / 1st class: €6.
The Deutsche Bahn advises travelers to make reservations for a seat on long-distance journeys, especially on Fridays and Sundays when trains may be full. ICE reservations can often be made online.
For the international ICE from Frankfurt / Mannheim / Saarbrücken to Paris, reservation is compulsory. Fees: 2nd class: € 5 / 1st class : € 20 (includes meal).
For the ICE Sprinter trains, reservations are compulsory. The fees are: 1st class: €16 / 2nd class: €11. The ICE sprinter trains are extra fast trains between Germany's major cities during rush hours, aimed at business travelers.
Train routes
Some travel time examples: Frankfurt-Hamburg: 3h:25 , Frankfurt-München (Munich): 3h:10, Hamburg-München: 5h:30, Berlin- Frankfurt: 3h:29, Frankfurt- Köln: 1h:15, Frankfurt-Amsterdam: 3h:52, Frankfurt-Brussels: 3h:32; Berlin-Hamburg: 1h:32, Hamburg-Copenhagen: 4h:45.
The ICE TD train from Berlin to Copenhagen via Hamburg, enters a ferry between Puttgarden and Roedby. Passengers have to leave the train until the ferry arrives.
Services
ICE trains have a restaurant car and/or a self-service bistro. Public phone booths and luggage lockers are available on board the train. Nearly the complete ICE train is non-smoking area. All ICE trains present state-of-the art comfort and special amenities such as in-seat video screens, an integral audio system, plugs for computer notebooks and laptops or telecommunication zones.
The latest ICE generation ICE 3, ICE T and ICE TD even offers a magnificent panoramic lounge at each end of the train set for a spectacular driver's eye view of the landscape.
More info at Deutsche Bahn - ICE.
