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Trains in Germany
Travel around Germany by train with an Interrail Pass and visit the enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle, soak up the lively atmosphere at Oktoberfest and admire areas of outstanding natural beauty like the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley.
Explore top cities Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Frankfurt by regional, high-speed or night train while enjoying Germany's picturesque scenery on the way.
Map with main train connections in Germany
Train types in Germany
The German railways are run by Deutsche Bahn. You can check train times on the Interrail train timetable or on the DB website.
Regional and intercity trains in Germany
S-Bahn
Suburban trains that run within most major cities.
No reservations required.
Regional Express (RE)
Connections between regional towns and larger cities. Frequent stops.
No reservations required.
Regional Bahn (RB)
Connections across all local towns. Slower than Regional Express trains.
No reservations required.
InterRegional (IR)
Connections between Germany’s regions.
No reservations required.
InterCity (IC)
Domestic and international connections between major cities. Frequent stops.
No reservations required.
Domestic high-speed trains in Germany
InterCity Express (ICE)
Connects major cities and travels at speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph).
Includes an on-board restaurant.
1st class may have extra benefits, like newspapers and power sockets.
Reservations optional (but recommended during busy periods).
International high-speed trains in Germany
Connects Frankfurt to Paris (France).
Reservations are compulsory for this route.
Connects Munich to Vienna, Salzburg (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary).
Reservations are mostly optional, and compulsory when travelling to Hungary.
Connects Munich to Paris (France).
Reservations are compulsory.
Connects Cologne to Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium).
Reservations are compulsory.
Domestic night trains in Germany
ÖBB Nightjet (EN)
Connects Berlin – Hamburg - Munich and Cologne - Frankfurt - Munich by night.
International night trains in Germany
| Night train | Routes |
|---|---|
| Berlin Night Express |
Read more about the Berlin Night Express |
| ÖBB Nightjet (NJ and EN) |
|
| EuroNight Hans Albers |
Read more about the EuroNight Hans Albers |
| EuroNight Kálmán Imre |
Read more about the EuroNight Kálmán Imre |
| EuroNight Lisinski |
Read more about the EuroNight Lisinski |
| EuroNight Metropol |
Read more about the EuroNight Metropol |
Scenic train routes in Germany
Offenburg to Konstanz, through the Black Forest and small villages.
Koblenz to Mainz, through the German wine country.
Private railway companies in Germany
Your Interrail Pass can also be used on a several private railway companies in Germany.
Reservations for trains in Germany
Which trains in Germany require reservations?
No reservations: Regional (RE, RB, IR).
Optional (but recommended during busy periods): InterCity (IC) / ICE / EuroCity (EC).
Required: All night trains.
Do you plan on booking international trains? Your Interrail Pass needs to be valid in each country that the train goes through. Exceptions are routes from Germany to the train stations of Basel (Switzerland) and Salzburg (Austria) - an Interrail Pass valid in Germany will cover these trips.
The ICE Paris-Frankfurt train has a limited amount of seats for Interrail Pass Holders. Our advice is to book this train well in advance, especially if you plan to travel in high season (May to September).
How can I make reservations for high-speed and night trains in Germany?
Online through the Reservation Service.
Online via the Rail Planner App.
In person at ticket desks or self-service machines in German railway stations.
By phone through the Deutsche Bahn call center.
What can I expect when calling Deutsche Bahn?
Call Deutsche Bahn on +49 1806 996 633 (available 24/7).
You'll hear a menu in German.
Choose extension "9" for an English menu.
Select "1" for bookings and train details.
The booking center can deliver your reservations to any country, without charging you a booking fee. The delivery cost is €3.50.
You can also pick up your reservations at larger German train stations. Just take the order number you received on the phone to a ticket window or a self-service machine in the station.
For more information about reservations in Germany:
Reservations for Thalys trains cannot be made through the Deutsche Bahn website. You can instead make them via the call center, a DB agency or at the ticket desks at German train stations. Find out how to make your Thalys reservations.
Domestic connections in Germany
Compare train travel times for popular routes in Germany. We'll show you the travel times for high-speed ICE trains in Germany:
| Route | ICE |
|---|---|
| Berlin to Cologne | 4.5 hours |
| Berlin to Frankfurt | 4 hours |
| Berlin to Hamburg | 2 hours |
| Berlin to Munich | 6 hours |
| Frankfurt to Cologne | 1 hour |
| Frankfurt to Munich | 3.5 hours |
| Hamburg to Cologne | 4 hours |
| Hamburg to Frankfurt | 4 hours |
| Hamburg to Munich | 6 hours |
| Munich to Cologne | 4.5 hours |
International train connections to and from Germany
| Route | Which train? | Travel time | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin to Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Intercity | 6:20 | Optional |
| Berlin to Prague (Czech Republic) | EuroCity | 4:30 | Optional |
| Berlin to Warsaw (Poland) | Berlin-Warsaw Express | 5:45 | Required |
| Berlin to Zurich (Switzerland) | ÖBB Nightjet | 10:00 (overnight) | Required |
| Dresden to Wroclaw (Poland) | trilex regional train | 4:00 | Not required |
| Düsseldorf / Frankfurt to Amsterdam (Netherlands) | ICE | 2:15 / 3:55 | Optional |
| Frankfurt to Brussels (Belgium) | ICE | 3:05 | Optional |
| Frankfurt to Paris (France) | TGV / ICE | 3:50 | Required |
| Hamburg to Zurich (Switzerland) | ICE / ÖBB Nightjet | 7:35 / 10:55 (overnight) | Optional / Required |
| Hamburg to Aarhus (Denmark) | IC train | 4:26 | Required from June 7th until August 31st |
| Hamburg to Copenhagen (Denmark) | ICE | 4:44 | Required from March 30th until September 29th |
| Munich to Innsbruck (Austria) | EuroCityBrenner | 1:45 | Required |
| Munich to Paris (France) | TGV | 6:10 | Required |
| Munich to Rome (Italy) | ÖBB Nightjet | 11:30 (overnight) | Required |
| Munich to Venice (Italy) | EuroCityBrenner / ÖBB Nightjet | 6:20 / 9:00 (overnight) | Required |
| Munich to Vienna (Austria) | RailJet | 4:10 | Optional |
| Nuremberg to Prague (Czech Republic) | DB Express Bus | 3:40 | Required |
Germany rail passes
Interrail Pass options for Germany
Interrail Germany Pass
Explore all of Germany by rail.
Youth discounts, as well as family and senior discounts.
Benefits include FREE travel on the S-Bahn metro in major cities and 50% off ferries to Finland and Sweden.
Prices from € 166
Interrail Global Pass
Travel by train in up to 33 countries in Europe including Germany.
Discounts available for youth, seniors and families.
Prices from € 185
Train stations in Germany
German main train stations
The main stations in Germany are very well connected to local and international cities. These stations are:
Berlin Hbf
Köln Hbf (Cologne)
München Hbf (Munich)
Frankfurt Hbf
German train stations are often well-maintained and have modern facilities:
Lockers
Cash machines and a foreign exchange desk
Restaurants and cafés
Restrooms
Tourist information offices
Elevators, escalators, and access for disabled passengers
Pass benefits for Germany
Ferry travel in Germany
Free and discounted ferry travel is an extra benefit of the Interrail Germany Pass. Get discounted ferry travel between Germany and:
Denmark
Finland
Poland
Sweden
Bus travel in Germany
Interrail pass holders can also travel for free (pay only a reservation) on these international bus routes:
Munich – Prague (Czech Republic)
Nuremberg – Prague
Spelling of cities in Germany
Sometimes the German spelling of cities is different to what you're used to. You'll see the local spelling when you arrive at the train stations or when you look up routes on the timetable.
Good to know:
Köln = Cologne
München = Munich
Nürnberg = Nuremberg
Example train route in Germany
Route
Berlin > Hamburg > Cologne > Frankfurt > Munich > Füssen
Berlin: Check out the eclectic underground scene and the remains of the Berlin Wall.
Hamburg: Filled with a rich maritime history thanks to its thriving port.
Cologne: Don't miss the cathedral next to the train station.
Frankfurt: Germany's financial capital.
Munich: In the heart of Bavaria, it's home to the country's beloved Oktoberfest.
Füssen: The location of the spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle.
Pass suggestion
Travel days needed: 6 days within 1 month
Prices from € 227
