Trains in Germany | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Deutsche Bahn is Germany's state-owned rail operator, accounting for 85% of passenger traffic in the country
• DB's long-distance fleet is divided into ICE high-speed trains and Intercity trains, with ICE reaching up to 330 km/h
• ICE trains were introduced in 1991 and have been undergoing upgrades since 2020 to meet current standards
• Intercity trains offer family compartments, 100% green energy supply, Wi-Fi and bicycle transport
• First class on ICE includes a quiet zone, seat reservation, access to DB Lounges and in-car dining service
• Around 62% of long-distance trains arrived on time in 2025, with delays mainly caused by infrastructure works

Deutsche Bahn is Germany's state-owned railway company, accounting for 85% of passenger traffic and 67% of freight traffic. It offers a wide range of long-distance and regional routes, as well as routes to neighbouring countries.

Deutsche Bahn's long-distance trains

Deutsche Bahn's fleet divides its long-distance trains into ICE and Intercity. The former were introduced as early as 1991, and since 2020 the oldest models have been undergoing upgrades to bring them up to current standards. Today, there are many models of this type of train on the tracks, which are operated both in Germany and on foreign routes, such as Belgium and the Netherlands. ICE trains are characterised by:

High top speed - from 230 km/h to 330 km/h.

High capacity - more than 400 seats.

Intercity trains are similar to long-distance trains operated in Poland. They are mostly 20th century carriages, which underwent extensive modernisation between 2012 and 2014. Since the end of 2015, Deutsche Bahn has also offered double-decker Intercity trains. Intercity trains run at a lower speed than ICE trains, while they have many amenities such as:

• compartments for families with children,
• 100% green power supply,
• Wi-Fi network,
• possibility of carrying bicycles.

When you buy a ticket, you can reserve a seat in first or second class. They differ, of course, in ticket price, but also, by extension, in comfort. In 1st class there is:

• more space and more comfortable seats - three seats in a row instead of four, more luggage space and wider aisles;
• quiet zone;
• seat reservation included in the ticket price;
• access to DB Lounges - special lounges at stations where you can relax before your journey and use Wi-Fi, power sockets.

On ICE trains, there is also free internet access and in-car dining service.

Deutsche Bahn regional connections

Regional services are divided into:

Regional-Express - high-speed connections between regions and the long-distance network.

Regionalbahn - regional railways that connect smaller towns with urban centres.

S-Bahn - short routes connecting large cities with surrounding towns.

All regional trains are equipped with passenger information monitors, comfortable seats and separate luggage areas. They are also seamlessly connected with long-distance connections.

Other operators are also running on German tracks. Notable among these is a Belgian-Dutch rail start-up that offers night train services between Berlin and other European capitals such as Brussels, Amsterdam and Prague. Although the Czech company RegioJet also operates in Germany, at the moment it only runs bus services.

European Sleeper

Using the European Sleeper service, a ticket can be purchased in the following four classes:

Classic - a seat in a 5-person couchette compartment, with a folding table. The price includes a blanket, sheet, pillow and mineral water. Breakfast as well as drinks and snacks are available for an additional charge. Toilet and washbasins are located in the corridor.

Comfort Standard - a maximum of three beds per compartment. There are standard seats with a folding table below the beds. There is a duvet and pillow on the beds. The toilet including washbasin is in the corridor and additional options are charged as in the Classic option - breakfast and snacks.

Comfort Plus - this option differs from Comfort Standard in that a washbasin is available in the compartment. Also included are a towel, toiletries, breakfast, mineral water and a welcome drink. You can also order a wake-up call at a time of your choice.

Budget - as the name suggests, the cheapest travel option. Seats in 6-seat compartments or compartmentless carriages (with tables). As with previous options, it is possible to purchase snacks and drinks from the train crew and order breakfast.

It is also possible to carry bicycles and travel with a dog or cat on European Sleeper trains.

The trains on which Germans travel reach all of the country's major cities, but do not bypass smaller towns. Among the most popular domestic connections are the trains that run on the routes:

🚆Berlin- Hamburg - this is one of the busiest lines in Germany. Up to 30,000 passengers travel on it every day. The route is mainly served by high-speed ICE trains operated by Deutsche Bahn, with 19 trains per day on weekdays. The first train from Berlin HBF station leaves at 4:38 a.m., the last at 10:38 p.m. The route takes an average of 2 hours 30 minutes to complete.

🚆Berlin- Munich - the line leading to southern Germany is also very popular. In its first 100 days of operation, almost one million passengers used the route. There are 16 services operated by Deutsche Bahn on the route during the day. The first of these leaves the German capital at 3:39 a.m., the last at 8:55 p.m. On average, the route takes five hours.

🚆Köln- Frankfurt am Main - another popular and also key railway line. Frankfurt am Main is home to Germany's largest airport and also one of the important transport hubs of the whole of Europe. From Cologne, 26 Deutsche Bahn trains travel there each day. The first train from Cologne Messe/Deutz station leaves at 3:17 a.m., the last at 11:57 p.m. The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, although there are trains that cover the route faster, at just 1 hour and 4 minutes.

Among the international routes, the connections are very popular:

🚆 Vienna- Munich - there are regular trains from the Austrian capital to Munich. This line is mainly served by Austrian operators such as Westbahn and ÖBB, while one morning service is operated by Deutsche Bahn. Trains on this route take around 4 hours.

🚆Brussels- Berlin - there is one direct daily service to Berlin from Belgium, operated by European Sleeper. The journey takes just over 11 hours, but the train offers mainly sleeping accommodation, so you can sleep the whole way. The train leaves Brussels Midi station at 19:22, with stops in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, among others, along the way.

🚆Berlin- Prague - European Sleepers trains can also take you to Prague. The train leaves Berlin HBF station at 6:20, while it is in Prague at 11:55, stopping at Berlin's eastern station, Dresden, Bad Schandau and Děčín on the way. In addition, six more Deutsche Bahn trains run daily between Berlin and Prague.

Tickets for trains in Germany can be purchased directly from the carrier or more conveniently, in Polish currency, on the PolishTrains portal. Simply search for the connection you are interested in on the main page, then proceed to select your train class and book your seat.

If you are travelling with a pet or would like to take a bicycle with you, please contact Customer Services:

📩Mail**:** kontakt@polishtrains.eu

☎️Telefonicznie: +48 123 451 661 (charge according to the operator's tariff)

📲Fora priority call: +48 703 402 010 (charged at PLN 2.58 per minute incl. VAT)

Travellers are also entitled to various discounts on tickets, which depend on the carrier.

In the case of Deutsche Bahn:

• Children under 5 years of age travel free of charge without reservation,
• Children aged 6-14 must be indicated when booking tickets - they travel for free, while a maximum of four children per ticket are allowed per person over 15 years of age.
• Independent travelling children aged 6-14 receive a 50% discount on some fares.
• Seniors over 65 can take advantage of the Super Sparpreis Senioren discount offer.
• Group fare discounts also apply.
• In the Super Sparpreis Europa fare, tickets are cheaper, and up to the age of 27, the Young option can be used, resulting in an even lower price.

For European Sleeper:

• Children under 3 years of age travel free of charge.
• Dogs and cats can be transported at no extra charge, but only when booking a private compartment.

It is advisable to buy all train tickets in advance, as prices are then lower. At European Sleeper, ticket sales start as early as 180 days before departure, for Westbahn it is 89 days, and for ÖBB and Deutsche Bahn it is 90 days. This gives you plenty of time to plan your journey in the country of our western neighbours.

Are trains in Germany punctual?

Due to ageing infrastructure and ongoing repairs and congestion on the lines, punctuality varies, especially when it comes to long-distance trains. In 2025, it was reported that only 62% of the country's trains run on time.

Do German railways have adapted rolling stock for people with disabilities?

Yes, both Deutsche Bahn and other train companies in Germany are continually investing in upgrades to adapt rolling stock and rail infrastructure for people with disabilities. Many trains are equipped with ramps and lifts and specially adapted toilets.

Is there Wi-Fi on German trains?

Wi-Fi is on most German trains and its availability is increasing every year. On long-distance trains, the network is available, while you may have to pay a fee to use the internet.