Germany
General train travel information for GERMANY. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
The first passenger train in Germany ran between Nuremberg and Fürth in 1835.
In 1920, all local railways in Germany were merged into the "Deutsche Reichsbahn".
After the Second World War, the railways were split into the "Deutsche Bundesbahn" for western Germany and the "Deutsche Reichsbahn" for eastern Germany. After their reunification, the railways continued as "Deutsche Bahn".
Deutsche Bahn" is the main railway company in Germany, along with several private operators.
General Information and Statistics
Deutsche Bahn is one of the country's largest employers. In 2022, there will be around 132 million passengers on long-distance trains.
There are 33,399 kilometres of railway lines in Germany (2020). The 5,400 railway stations in Germany are used by 21 million passengers every day (2022, including long-distance and regional travellers).
In 2022, the share of renewable energy will be 65%. The target for 2027 is 74%.
What connections to other countries there are.
There are frequent train services to all neighbouring countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and Denmark. There are also direct trains to Hungary, Italy and Sweden.
Are trains fast in Germany in general? How much time to cross the country?
Germany has an extensive network of ICE high-speed trains. They usually stop at the main hubs. The journey from Munich to Hamburg takes 6:30 hours and from Frankfurt am Main to Berlin 3:50 hours.
What railway companies are available?
The main provider of long-distance services is "Deutsche Bahn. "Flixtrain" offers train connections on some selected routes.
What train types are available in Germany
The high speed trains in Germany are called "ICE" (Intercity Express) trains. They only stop at major railway hubs and larger cities.
The "IC" (Intercity) trains offer cheaper tickets than the ICE, are slower and have more stops. But they also travel long distances.
Regional trains and local services support the network of these long-distance trains.
Are there high-speed-trains available?
Most major cities in Germany are connected to Deutsche Bahn's "ICE" high-speed train network. These offer comfortable long-distance travel. There are several high-speed train connections to neighbouring countries, such as the "Thalys" to Belgium and France, the "TGV" to France and the "ICE" to Switzerland and Austria.
Most important train stations / hubs.
The main railway hubs in Germany are Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Leipzig and Cologne.
Websites to buy train tickets for Germany?
bahn.de , flixtrain.de , omio
Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Germany?
Deutsche Bahn has a nice app.
Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Germany?
You can easily buy your train ticket over the Internet on the website of Deutsche Bahn and private operators. You can get it as an e-ticket (PDF file) or in an app. You can also buy tickets at ticket counters in major stations, where you will find an even wider range of tickets, including international ones. The same applies to telephone orders. All stations have ticket machines - if not, you will find ticket machines on the trains.
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
Deutsche Bahn's telephone support service offers a wide range of train tickets, especially for international journeys, reservations only and other tricky journeys. Tickets can be sent by post or collected from a ticket machine.
Return the ticket.
We recommend that you buy each ticket separately, rather than buying your return ticket in one go. It is easier if you change your travel plans.
Train ticket prices
"Deutsche Bahn" always offers special discount tickets. If you book well in advance, the ticket prices are cheap. Avoid travelling on Friday and Sunday afternoons and evenings as these are peak times and expensive. You can buy tickets for most long-distance journeys within Germany for as little as €17 – even on major routes such as Munich to Berlin.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
Saver fares to neighbouring countries are available from Deutsche Bahn. For example, from Munich to Vienna from EUR 19.90. And from Berlin to Amsterdam from €37.90.
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de and on bahn.de
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
If you know when you want to travel on a long-distance journey within Germany or to neighbouring countries, buy your ticket now. You will then be able to find cheaper fares.
If you are travelling within a region on local trains, you do not need to buy your ticket in advance.
Types of tickets.
The Eurail and Interrail Pass is available for Germany. So is the Deutsche Bahn pass. Both are great deals as you can travel on any train in Germany without a seat reservation. Get one of these rail passes and just hop on any Deutsche Bahn train.
As well as these rail passes, there is also the 'Deutschland Ticket', which allows you to use almost all regional and local trains and buses. The ticket costs 49 EUR. It's a subscription, so you need to cancel it immediately.
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Germany
The best option is to buy your Eurail or Interrail Pass on the official website using their app.
Saver price.
Deutsche Bahn and other rail companies offer special tickets that are non-refundable, but cheap. There are also flexible tickets, which allow you to get a refund, change your train connection or simply take any train that runs on the route, with no fixed departure time. Flexible tickets are more expensive.
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.
Flexible tickets.
Flexible tickets are available. These are more expensive, but you can change your train connection, take any train on the route you booked or get a refund. When you select a train journey in the booking system, you will see the options available and can book the one you prefer.
Rules of boarding.
In addition to your train ticket, you will need an identity card or passport to prove your identity.
Discounts for group travel.
Deutsche Bahn offers group tickets for groups of 6 or more people. Saver tickets for groups start at €8.90 per person. Other rail companies have different rules.
Age groups and discounts.
Deutsche Bahn offers the following services. They may vary at other rail companies.
Children up to the age of 5 travel free on Deutsche Bahn.
Travellers aged 15 or over can take up to 4 children aged 14 or under with them. They do not need to be related.
Senior travellers aged 65 and over can get special saver fares from EUR 15.90.
Age limitations for minors.
Children aged 6 to 14 can travel unaccompanied on Deutsche Bahn. The fare is 50% of the adult fare.
If you are 15 years or older, you pay the normal ticket price.
Handicapped passengers.
Deutsche Bahn's "Mobilitätsservice-Zentrale (MSZ)" can help you plan your journey if you have a disability. You can take a wheelchair with you free of charge.
Seat reservations in trains in Germany.
It is advisable to reserve a seat on long-distance trains within Germany, especially those crossing borders with neighbouring countries. Especially at peak times such as Friday and Sunday afternoons and evenings, and before public holidays. Most 1st class tickets include seat reservations. Check them out, as they are often not much more expensive than 2nd class tickets, which require you to buy a seat reservation separately. The price of a seat reservation is EUR 4.90 in 2nd class and EUR 5.90 in 1st class.
Comfort classes on the trains.
German trains have 2nd and 1st class. 2nd class is usually comfortable and 1st class offers more space, which means fewer seats per carriage.
Food and drink in trains / train restaurant in Germany.
Most long-distance trains have a restaurant or bistro car. They serve good quality food and drink at reasonable prices. For example, noodles with sauce, curry sausage with chips or cilly con carne for around EUR 10. Soups from 6 EUR. A coke, beer or coffee for less than EUR 4. Check their website at https://www.bahn.de/service/zug/bordgastronomie
It is not possible to reserve a table in the restaurant car.
Night trains in Germany?
ÖBB's nightjet night trains start and end in Germany. From Munich to Italy (Venice, Milan, Rome), from Berlin to Paris, Vienna, Budapest and Switzerland or from Hamburg to Vienna and Zurich. There are also night trains from Berlin and Hamburg to Sweden: Malmö, Stockholm. They all offer standard seating, 4 or 6 berth couchettes or 1 to 3 berth sleepers.
Are there trains transporting cars?
The only remaining night train service that offers car transport is from Innsbruck (Austria) to Hamburg.
Important train routes in Germany.
Berlin-Munich / 4:00 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every hour
Berlin-Hamburg / 1:45 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
Berlin-Frankfurt am Main / 4:00 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
Hamburg-Munich / 6:00 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
Hamburg-Cologne / 4:00 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
Frankfurt am Main-Munich / 3:50 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
Berlin-Leipzig / 1:15 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every hour
Hamburg-Frankfurt am Main / 4:20 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every hour
Cologne-Munich / 4:15 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
Munich-Stuttgart / 2:00 hours / from 14,90 EUR / every 30 minutes
International train routes.
There are direct international trains from Germany to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark and Sweden.
Tourist / scenic routes in Germany.
Scenic routes and destinations include the route from Munich to Füssen, where you can take a bus to Neuschwanstein Castle.
And the River Rhine Valley from Cologne via Koblenz to Mainz and Mannheim.
Luggage information.
The maximum baggage size is 70cm x 50cm x 30cm for one suitcase. There is no limit as long as you can carry it yourself.
Bicycle on the train.
Local and regional trains usually allow you to take your bike free of charge at off-peak times. For long-distance trains, you need to buy a ticket and make a reservation for your bike, which usually costs EUR 9. Folding bikes can usually be taken free of charge.
Ski or snowboard on the train.
It is no problem to take your skis or snowboard with you on a Deutsche Bahn train at no extra charge. Put them in a baggage area, not in the aisle.
Luggage lockers on the stations in Germany.
All medium to large stations have luggage lockers. Usually in two sizes for standard size and large suitcases. Payment is for 24 hours. Expect to pay 4-8 EUR for your locker.
Lost and Found Items.
Deutsche Bahn offers a lost and found service here. Simply fill in the form: https://www.bahn.com/en/contact/lost-luggage
Other train companies also offer this service. Please visit their websites.
Pets on the trains.
You do not need a ticket for small dogs and other small pets (up to the size of a domestic cat). You may take your pet with you free of charge in a transport box, for example.
If your dog is larger, you will need an additional ticket. You only pay half the fare, i.e. the price of a child's ticket.
Assistance dogs always travel free of charge and do not need to wear a muzzle on the train.
select city
Do you have further questions and need assistance? Do not hesitate to ask in our friendly forum where you always get detailed help.
