Germany By Train

In Germany it's not mandatory to have a seat reservation on the ICE trains. However, we recommend you to buy a seat reservation, especially if you're traveling in a group. This way you can not be asked to leave a seat, which might happen if you don't have a reservation. We'll explain you more about reservations in Germany a bit further down on this page.

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

Interior of the Reichstag Berlin

All sides of life in Berlin

Be prepared to see and do it all in Berlin. Learn about the city’s dark past, and celebrate its colorful rebirth. City tours allow you to walk, cycle, sail, ride or fly through Berlin and take in the culture, art, architecture and history that make this city famous. See the remains of the infamous Berlin Wall, and ride Europe’s fastest elevator to the panoramic observation deck in Potsdamer Platz.

View of Cologne

Art, architecture and athletes in Cologne

One of the oldest towns in all of Germany, Cologne (Köln) was established in 50 A.D. Nevertheless, it’s still young at heart. Construction on the famous Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) began in 1248, and attracts 6 million visitors a year. On the modern side, Cologne is the leading media city in all of Germany. From the 900-year-old Town Hall to the Chocolate Museum, Cologne is not to be missed.

View of Frankfurt

Delightful contradictions in Frankfurt

Although it is known as one of the financial and business centers of Germany, Frankfurt has no shortage of historical, artistic and architectural offerings to please even the most curious of travelers. Home to many trade shows, events and exhibitions, Frankfurt also offers quiet harbors, historical landmarks and cultural wonders. Not to mention beautiful natural surroundings.

Town Hall, Munich

Memorable and majestic Munich

Ancient Bavaria blends with modern convenience in Munich (München), a lovely, ancient city on the Isar River. Although more than 70% of the city was destroyed during World War II, it has been carefully and lovingly restored to recapture its old-world appeal. Shopping, museums, nature and nightlife come together in one gloriously appealing city.

The old Speicherstadt in Hamburg

Port pleasures in Hamburg

Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany, and its largest port city. Its position on the river Elbe connected northern Europe and Scandinavia with the world. A medieval city with modern features, this prosperous region’s skyline is dotted with church steeples, including St. Michel’s tower. Take a stroll through the old Speicherstadt, enjoy the food and shopping, and then dance the night away at the wide variety of nightclubs.

Black Forest scenery

The Black Forest

Deep in the southwest corner of Germany lies the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), an enormous natural reserve that stretches more than 125 miles (200 km) long and 37 miles (60 km) wide. It’s home to lakes, rivers, nature hikes and an amusement park. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss it. Don't forget to pay a visit to Freiburg, a quaint town filled with hidden lanes and streams, sometimes called the 'capital' of the Black Forest.

Frankfurt train station

Quick facts

• Capital: Berlin

• Population: 81.1 million

• Language: German

• Currency: Euro (EUR)

• Dialing code: +49
   

German hub stations

Germany's main hub stations are Berlin Hbf, Köln Hbf (Cologne), München Hbf (Munich) and Frankfurt Hbf. At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to Germany's main cities and many international destinations.

Station facilities

Stations in Germany usually have excellent facilities, often including:

• Luggage lockers

• Foreign exchange desks

• Restaurants and cafés

• Tourist information offices

• ATM cash machines

• Elevators and escalators

• Access for disabled passengers
   

Spelling of city names

On German train timetables and at train stations in Germany, you'll usually find the local spelling of German cities and stations.
 

Here is the local spelling of some popular German cities:

• Hannover = Hanover

• Cologne = Köln

• Munich = München

• Nuremberg = Nürnberg

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 to check times for trains in Germany.
 

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.

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), Prague (Czech Republic) and Budapest (Hungary)

• Thalys links Cologne to Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium)

• TGV connects Munich to Paris (France)

• ICE connects Frankfurt to Paris (France)

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 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.

Night trains in Germany

The following night trains connect Germany with other European countries:

• ÖBB Nightjet (EN)
  Connects Germany to key cities in Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Key routes include:
  Munich - Salzburg - Florence - Rome
  Hamburg – Berlin - Basel - Zürich
  Hamburg - Hanover - Vienna
  Düsseldorf - Cologne - Frankfurt - Vienna

• EuroNight Berlin Night Express
  Berlin – Malmö

• EuroNight 420/421
  Cologne – Frankfurt – 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

• ÖBB Nightjet connects several German cities by night

• Hamburg - Berlin - Munich

• Düsseldorf - Cologne - Frankfurt/Munich

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

Train stations of bordering countries

With a Eurail pass valid in Germany you can travel to the following train stations of countries that border Germany:

• Basel (Switzerland)

• Salzburg (Austria)