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Germany: Railway Information

The German Railways, Deutsche Bahn AG or DB operate a rail network of 40,000 kilometres. More than 33,000 trains run in Germany every day (1,200 of which are long-distance trains) and carry more than 4 million passengers. Such a dense and intricate network makes it possible for the passengers to reach any destination comfortably and on time.

Eurail Passes for Germany:

German railway company

Logo German Railways

The national railway company of Germany is called DB (German Railways - Deutsche Bahn).

Visit the website of the German railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB): English version / German.


Network

Long-distance and local traffic are perfectly co-ordinated with each other, offering the best possible connections. Many airports are also included in this system.

With the most modern standard of comfort, maximum speeds up to 186 mph (300 km/h), special amenities and innovative technology, the famous InterCityExpress (ICE) trains are setting new standards for high speed transport between major German cities and selected destinations in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria.

Railway Service
All carriages have air-conditioning, offer a choice between individual compartments and saloon carriages. In some trains special lounges are located in the end carriages, directly behind the driver, thus offering a clear and unique view of the route. During the journey travelers can enjoy a meal, have a snack or just a refreshing drink in the BordRestaurant, BordBistro or at the seat. nearly all the day trains reservations are not required, which is a guarantee for flexible travel in Germany.

Reservation fees in Germany

  • ICE/IC/EC
    1st class: € 5 / 2nd class: € 4
    Reservation possible but not compulsory.
  • ICE Sprinter
    1st class: € 16 / 2nd class: € 11
    Reservation compulsory. First class includes newspaper and catering.
  • Thalys (between Köln and Aachen)
    1st class: € 7 / 2nd class: € 4
    Reservation compulsory.
  • Berlin-Warszawa Express (between Berlin and Frankfurt/Oder)
    1st and 2nd class: € 4
    Reservation compulsory.

Special trains

You can travel by train through Europe on a large variety of special trains. Examples are high-speed trains, scenic trains or night trains.

Special trains mostly require a small supplement or a reservation fee from Eurail Pass holders. See the list of supplements for international trains and the information about train reservations. You can plan your trip with the help of online timetables.