Train travel in germany

Germany enjoys one of europe s most advanced, efficient and reliable rail networks. Since all big or mediumsized cities, as well as many smaller communities in germanspeaking europe have a train station or two or three, train travel is convenient and efficient. You can step on a train right from the center of town in the hauptbahnhof central train station and cruise to anywhere in germany and beyond at speeds up to 300kmh 186mhour. Embark on a germany vacation and visit the capital city of berlin. The first time i took a train in germany i was lucky enough to have a friend explain where and when i had to go. Prices for a secondclass german rail pass for travel on any 5 days in a month. The simplest way is to ask at the ticket window at any of germanys 5,000plus train stations, many of which now have new, selfservice ticket machines at which you can also easily make reservations.

For more information on train travel in germany, visit our trains in germany page. One of the best ways to discover germany is by train. Theres an abundance of places worth a visit, including berlin, munich, hamburg, cologne, and frankfurt. Heres your chance to join spinner and the rest of his coaster enthusiasts on their journey on the high speed german ice train from stuttgart to munich for oktoberfest. Trains in europe are a fast, safe and efficient way of traveling around countries and across the continent. Intercity runs on similar routes to the ice, just a little slower. However, we recommend you to buy a reservation for these trains, especially if youre traveling in a group. Travel across europe and discover 33 countries by train with eurail. Bbc travel top sites for booking european rail tickets. Germany is one of the easiest european countries in which to make train reservations. Its valid for one year from the date of purchase and gives you discounts on all standard tickets. How to travel by train in germany show me the journey.

If you prefer to explore germany by train at your own pace, a german rail pass which is only available to noneuropean residents from rail europe allows for unlimited travel for a certain number. Regionalexpress travelling at 7090kmh on average, re feed into to the longdistance train. Book now and enjoy the flexibility of traveling 17 months later in europe with our eurail pass. Germany started the highspeed train movement in europe, but the rollout stagnated for some years, which means that key routes such as berlin to munich dont yet exist. The history of rail transport in germany can be traced back to the 16th century. Discover trains, routes, and the best places to visit in germany. The highquality rail network has made trains in germany one of the most popular ways to travel. Most incidents of street crime involve the theft of unattended items and pickpocketing. Italy to germany 10 ways to travel via train, plane, line. Bahncard is a good choice, if you plan to travel by train a lot. Germanys privatized national railway, the deutsche bahn, features the superfast intercity express ice trains. Belgiums rail network, started in the 1830s, was the first in. Germany seems to have very good deals on regional tickets, and i think the second person often pays less than the first when two travel together.

View luxury train travel trips which include travel through germany. Note that this only works when you travel into germany from another country, not the other way round. The train is the best way to travel in germany, hands down. Independent train tours in europe vacations by rail. If a rail pass doesnt pencil out for your trip, you may be able to shave off the cost of your train tickets with some of these tips. Trains between munich and salzburg as salzburg is officially the austrian border station on this. Germany s geographya myriad of majestic mountains, rolling countrysides, and cosmopolitan citiesmakes rail travel highly convenientand captivating.

Trains in germany the fastest and best value routes. Trains in germany are usually punctual and one of the best ways to travel the country. If germany is your only destination in europe, consider purchasing a german rail pass, which allows 3 to 10 days of unlimited first or secondclass travel within a onemonth period on any db. Please read our daily advice to travellers concerned about the impacts.

Below well reveal some of the things travelers need to know in order to get the most out of rail travel in germany and europe. Travel by train in europe with rail europe, your travel planner. Highspeed rail in europe is emerging as an increasingly popular and efficient means of transport. In many cities, platforms are designed in such a way that the train you need to transfer to may be standing immediately across the platform from the train in which you arrive. Trains to germany book tickets in english trainline. Club members have a discount off every listed journey, plus other benefits and gifts that c. There are 11 ways to get from italy to germany by plane, bus, train, night train or car. This is advisable during peak travel periods in the summer or on popular trains. Rail europe rail travel planner europe train travel in. Two adults travelling together can use the german rail twin pass, starting at 311 in 2nd class for three days of travel within one month. Travelling by train in germ any can be an incredible experience.

Train travel in germany, a beginners guide online tickets from 19. I have already written a few pages to help you get around by public transport. The german high speed train, which reaches speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour, is a signature silver snout takes only 4 hours from berlin to frankfurt and 6 hours from munich to berlin. This article is part of the history of rail transport by country series. This will be the first time that scheduled railjet.

How to travel by train from london to germany london to. Germany cuts fares for longdistance rail travel in response. Kids under 15 travel free when named on one train ticket with parents or grandparents. Germany is blessed with some of europes most highpowered sights. Information, train tickets for germany and europa, onlinetickets, cheap offers for holidays and travelling. Whether youre just after a quick bit of info about trains in germany, or you want to know absolutely everything there is to know about travelling by rail in the land of frankfurters, bier gartens and wanderlust, weve got you covered. The top six things worth knowing about travelling by train in germany. Please read our daily advice to travellers concerned about the impacts of coronavirus. Look around, and youll certainly find useful answers to your questions. France germany travel by ice from frankfurt to paris 4hr, by tgv from munich 6hr to paris. Yet, with standard operating speeds of nearly 200 mph, thats what the francegermany high speedalleo lines did with their expansion in 2010. Usually the quickest way to travel between european destinations, highspeed trains connect major cities throughout europe, with most countries offering a highspeed train service.

Buying german train tickets is fairly painless since germanys rail systems website is logical and it accepts payments from international credit. Rail passes, best if youre traveling within a country or several countries and planning on a lot of travel, can be either consecutive valid for unlimited train travel or flexi valid for a. Its not every day a train route is so revolutionary, it can change travel plans all over europe. You need to activate your pass at a train station in germany within 11 months of the issue date. Since then, several countries have built extensive highspeed networks, and there are now several crossborder highspeed rail. Jan 02, 2020 fares for longdistance rail travel in germany have dropped for the first time in 17 years, as climate protection measures aimed at making train travel more attractive came into effect with the. The history of rail transport in the netherlands can be described in six eras. Onsale dates vary by country, route, and time of year, with most starting two to four months in advance of travel, and six months ahead for germany and the eurostar chunnel train.

Germany rail passes and train tips from rick steves. All trains within germany, as well as the following extras. There are 11 ways to get from paris to germany by plane, bus, train or car. Deutsche bahn ag, or german railway, operates more than 25,000 miles of the rail networks in germany. Germanys rail system is operated almost entirely by deutsche bahn, with a variety of train types serving just about every corner of the country. The db website has detailed information in english and other. The german railway system is very well developed and reliable, and you can reach almost every city in germany by train. Germany train travel read about what is the peak tourist season in berlin, germany. If you travel without a reservation, you might get asked to leave your seat because someone else reserved it. Early may will see the launch of a new daily railjet train from graz, austrias arty second city, via vienna and prague, to dresden and berlin. Between the downtown areas of most german cities the travel time by train is as fast or faster than the travel time. At major stations in germany, computerized boards offer uptotheminute departure information. The german rail pass lets you travel by train in germany and beyond.

If germany is your only destination in europe, consider purchasing a german rail pass, which allows 3 to 10 days of unlimited first or. Given that one of the best things to do on a train in europe is to travel on the top deck, being able to sleep on it is the stuff of childhood dreams. Germany train travel train travel forum tripadvisor. We have several people on the forum who are experts on german rail travel. How to buy cheap european train tickets read this advice. Longdistance buses operated by the railways intercity. If you know which cities you will travel to or even just some of them, post a list. Italy germany travel from munich to venice 9hr or rome 12hr on the obb nightjet night train, or travel by day on eurocity ec between munich and venice. Between the downtown areas of most german cities the travel time by train is as fast or faster than the travel time by plane, when you calculate in the time it takes to get to and from the airport.

Brief history of railroads in europe the importance of rail transportation to the history of europe cannot be understated. With a eurail pass valid in germany you can travel to the following train stations of countries that border germany. Independent train tours in europe offer wellplanned itineraries in the most popular destinations and include travel aboard europe s renowned trains, stays in centrallylocated hotels, comprehensive. If planning to go from frankfurt to southern germany by ice and local services and the trip is a week, is it cheaper to buy a return ticket or a youth rail pass. Theres spectacular scenery the jagged alps, flowerfilled meadows, rolling hills of forests and farms, and mighty rivers dotted all over with castles and churches of every variety. Europe train vacation packages european rail tours. The top six things worth knowing about travelling by train in germ any. Explore germany by highspeed ice train travel with germanys. Train travel is an excellent way to get around in belgium and germany, as both countries have welldeveloped rail networks. The ultimate train ticket for exploring germany, this rail pass gives you. Your dream may be to stroll the champselysees in paris, to make a wish in the trevi fountain in. A german rail pass is valid for travel with participating train companies. It can boast some of the fastest and most fabulous trains in europe, has impressive and efficient stations and offers a multitude of spectacular journeys.

Trains in germany the fastest and best value routes omio. A beginners guide to train travel in germany, including ice trains between berlin, hamburg, munich, the schonewockenende ticket and lander. Dbs ice trains travel at up to 186 mph from city centre to city centre, and if you prebook direct with the operator you can find some really cheap fares. The simplest way is to ask at the ticket window at any of germany s 5,000plus train. Trains in germany general information about german rail. Train germany trains map, pass, timetables and fares. See historic sites like the restored reichstag, charlottenburg palace and the brandenburg gate.

Travelling by train in germany can be an incredible experience. The best new european rail journeys for 2020 travel. Traveling by train is an excellent way to explore germany. Violent crime is rare in germany, but can occur, especially in larger cities or highrisk areas such as on large metropolitan subway systems and in train stations, primarily during late night or early morning hours. Train travel gets you to your destination quickly, safely and conveniently with a firstclass view of the countrys diverse landscapes. German rail passes unlimited train travel with the german. Purchase the service at least one day before travel. Stereotypes about efficiency aside, this rail network is one of the most complete in europe have a. Europe is home to some of the worlds most beloved cities and acclaimed travel locales. The first highspeed rail lines in europe, built in the 1980s and 1990s, improved travel times on intranational corridors. Trains in germany book germany train tickets trainline. Paris to germany 11 ways to travel via train, plane, line.

German trains are clean, comfortable, reliable and fast. There are 2 scenic train routes that run in germany. Intercity trains in the uk, germany, austria, denmark and much of eastern europe work the. Me and my younger sister will be traveling to germany on january 22nd, probably arriving in bremen or hamburg. Train travel in germany, a beginners guide online tickets. Koblenz mainz train stations of bordering countries. Germany enjoys one of europes most advanced, efficient and reliable rail networks. The earliest form of railways, wagonways, were developed in germany in the 16th century. Because we dont always have help at hand, in this video i give you. At all german stations you will find timetables showing departure times and platform listings. How to travel germany by train the savvy backpacker.

Travel along germanys romantic road to the university town of heidelberg and medieval rothenburg. Types of trains in germany intercityexpress capable of travelling at eyepopping speeds of over 300kmh. Most popular train routes train companies in europe train travel in european countries trains. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. And kids under 6 ride free without a ticket whereas train travel in most neighboring countries is free only for kids. The db website has detailed information in english and other languages, as well as a ticketpurchasing function with detailed instructions. But despite the massive popularity of touring europe by rail, major online travel agencies such as expedia and hotwire dont sell european rail. There are a number of types of trains and services that visitors may choose from when planning their trip to germany. There are several options for both passes, depending on how many countries you want to visit.