Trains in Germany

There are a number of train types in Germany ready to transport you both day and night. The German train network is operated by Deutsche Bahn. Use the Eurail train timetable (operated by the Deutsche Bahn) to check times for trains in Germany.

German regional train

 

Regional and intercity trains in Germany

The main rail network in Germany is made up of the following regional trains and intercity trains:

• Regional Express trains connect regional destinations with larger cities. It makes frequent stops and connects with high-speed ICE trains.
• Regional bahn trains link all local towns. These trains are slower than Regional Express trains.
• InterRegional trains connect Germany’s regions.
• S-Bahn (suburban trains) is a network of trains that operate within most big cities, including Berlin and Munich.
• InterCity trains operate domestically and internationally between key cities. They are slower than the high-speed ICE trains as they make more stops.

Your Eurail pass is also valid on various private railway companies in Germany (PDF file).

On the Eurail timetable regional trains appear as 'RE', 'RB', 'IR' and 'IC'. Reservations are not required for regional and intercity trains.

High-speed trains in Germany

International high-speed trains in Germany
These high-speed trains operate to and from Germany:

• RailJet connects Munich to Vienna, Salzburg (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary)
• Thalys links Cologne to Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium)
• TGV connects Munich to Paris (France)
• ICE connects Frankfurt to Paris (France)

German ICE high-speed train

Domestic high-speed trains in Germany
These high-speed trains operate within Germany:

• ICE (InterCity Express) is the most popular train in Germany, connecting key cities. These high-speed trains travel at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h).
• ICE Sprinter is the newest brand of extra fast ICE trains, connecting Germany’s main cities: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne and Düsseldorf, with no stops in between. The ICE Sprinter is aimed at business travelers and runs during the busy periods at the start and end of the working day.

ICE and ICE Sprinter trains include an on-board restaurant. Snacks and drinks can also be served to your seat.  In 1^st class there may be extras, like newspapers, power sockets, audio channels and video screens.

On the Eurail timetable RailJet trains are shown as 'RJ', ICE and ICE Sprinter trains simply as 'ICE', Thalys as 'THA' and TGV as 'TGV'. Reservations are compulsory for Thalys, TGV and ICE Sprinter trains. The international ICE route Frankfurt to Paris also has a compulsory reservation. For RailJet and ICE, reservations are optional but we recommend making reservations during weekends and busy periods.

Night trains in Germany

International night train routes in Germany

The following night trains connect Germany with other European countries:

• City Night Line (CNL)
  Connects Germany to key cities in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland. Key routes include:
  Berlin – Paris / Zurich
  Hamburg – Paris / Zurich
  Munich – Paris / Rome / Venice / Amsterdam
• EuroNight Berlin Night Express
  Berlin – Malmö
• EuroNight 420/421
  Cologne – Frankfurt – Vienna
• EuroNight Hans Albers
  Hamburg –Nuremberg – Vienna
• EuroNight Kálmán Imre
  Munich – Salzburg – Vienna – Budapest
• EuroNight Metropol
  Berlin – Prague – Bratislava – Budapest
  Berlin – Prague – Vienna
• EuroNight Lisinski
  Munich – Ljubljana – Zagreb

Domestic night trains in Germany

• City Night Line (CNL) connects several German cities by night
  Munich – Berlin / Hamburg

City Night Line trains appear on the Eurail timetable as "CNL", and all EuroNight trains appear as "EN". On these trains you're required to book seats or sleeping accommodation in advance.

Scenic train routes in Germany

There are 2 scenic train routes that run in Germany:

• Black Forest Line: Offenburg – Konstanz
• Rhine Valley Line: Koblenz – Mainz

Reservations on German trains

Germany’s regional (RE, RB, IR), InterCity (IC), EuroCity (EC) trains do not require reservations. Reservations are optional for ICE trains, but at busy times we recommend making a reservation in order to guarantee yourself a seat. ICE Sprinter trains have a compulsory reservation. Reservations are also required for all night trains; prices depend on the type of seat or sleeping accommodation you choose. All the trains listed above are included in Eurail passes (where Germany is a chosen country), you only need to make reservations for those trains mentioned. For international trains, the Eurail pass must be valid in all countries the train runs through.

Please note that the number of seats available for Eurail pass holders is limited on the ICE Paris-Frankfurt train. We advise you to reserve this train as far in advance as possible especially in the high-season (May-September). Read how to avoid trains that have limited seating for pass holders.

For more information about reservations in Germany:

• How to make reservations
• View reservation fees
• How to avoid reservations

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Popular domestic connections in Germany

Popular train connections in Germany

View approximate train travel times between Germany's key cities with high-speed ICE trains and extra fast high-speed ICE Sprinter trains.

International train connections to and from Germany

We suggest the following routes to travel between Germany and other European countries:

• Austria – Germany
  Travel by day from Munich to Innsbruck (1hr 50min) on EuroCity (EC) trains or to Vienna (4hr 15min) on Austrian RailJet trains.
• Belgium – Germany
  Travel by day to Brussels from Frankfurt (3hr 15min) with ICE trains.
• Czech Republic – Germany
  Travel with EuroCity (EC) trains from Berlin to Prague (4hr 40min), or the DB Express Bus from Nuremberg or Munich (3hr 35min).
• France – Germany
  Travel by ICE from Frankfurt to Paris (4hr), by TGV from Munich (6hr) to Paris. Alternatively, go by night with the City Night Line from Berlin (13hr 15min) or Munich (10hr 30min) to Paris.
• Italy – Germany
  Travel from Munich to Venice (9hr) or Rome (12hr) on the City Night Line night train, or travel by day on EuroCity (EC) between Munich and Venice.
• Netherlands – Germany
  Go by night from Berlin to Amsterdam (9hr 30min) with City Night Line or by day from Frankfurt (4hr) or Düsseldorf (2hr 10min) with an ICE train.
• Poland – Germany
  Get to Warsaw (5hr 35min) from Berlin with the Berlin-Warsaw Express.
• Switzerland – Germany
  Go by night with City Night Line to Zurich from Berlin (11hr 35min) or Hamburg (11hr 50min). There are various ICE and InterCity (IC) trains crossing the Swiss border into Germany.

International ferry connections to and from Germany

You can also travel to and from Germany by ferry. Get a discount on specific routes with a Eurail pass.

• Denmark – Germany
  Travel for free on Scandlines Ferries between Puttgarden and Rødby Færge (Denmark).
• Finland – Germany
  Sail with Finnlines from Rostock or Travemünde to Helsinki (Finland). Get a 30% discount with Eurail passes.
• Poland – Germany
  Sail from Rostock to Gdynia with Finnlines and get 30% off with Eurail passes.
• Sweden – Germany
  Travel from Travemünde to Malmö (Sweden) with Finnlines. Get a 20% discount with Eurail passes.

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Eurail Germany passes let you see all of Germany's great cities like Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt. We offer various Eurail passes that combine Germany with other European countries.

Rail pass options for Germany

• Eurail Global Pass starting from US$600 – have the freedom to visit Germany and up to 23 other Eurail countries.
• Eurail Select Pass starting from US$322 – choose from a 3, 4 or 5 country pass that combines Germany with bordering countries.

• Regional Pass – focus on visiting Germany plus 1 other country. Here are your options:
  Eurail Austria-Germany Pass starting from US$327 – visit charming Austrian cities like Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck.
  Eurail Benelux-Germany Pass starting from US$282 – explore famous cities like Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg city.
  Eurail Denmark-Germany Pass starting from US$238 – get to know Danish cities including Copenhagen and Odense.
  Eurail France-Germany Pass starting from US$313 – travel around famed French cities like Paris, Nice and Lyons.
  Eurail Germany-Poland Pass starting from US$332 – visit Polish sites in Warsaw, Kraków and Poznań.
  Eurail Germany-Switzerland Pass starting from US$333 – travel to Switzerland's beautiful sites in Geneva, Zurich and Bern.

Germany is not available as a Eurail One Country Pass. To explore just Germany by rail, check out the German Rail Pass.

Example train route in Germany

Visit Germany's most popular cities on a single trip with Eurail. You can follow the suggested route below using a Eurail France-Germany Pass - choose 5 days within 2 months, starting from US$345.

Example train route in Germany

 

Berlin

Berlin is Germany's eclectic capital, offering an undergound art and culture scene, plus the remains of the Berlin wall, once dividing East and West.

Hamburg

Hamburg is filled with a rich maritime history thanks to its thriving port, the biggest in Germany.

Cologne

Cologne is adored for its architecture and history – don't miss Cologne's Cathedral which is next to the train station.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is Germany's financial capital and the location of the European Central Bank.

Munich

Munich is in the heart of Bavaria and is home to the country's beloved 17-day beer festival, Oktoberfest.

Füssen

Füssen is the location of the spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II and the inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle.

For more route ideas for your Eurail trip, check out our European highlights itinerary.

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