ICE Trains (Germany)

  • ICE train
  • 1st Class
  • Bistro
  • Dresden Station
  • Cologne

The ICE (Intercity-Express) is the fastest and most comfortable way of travelling on the Deutsche Bahn network. With maximum speeds of 280 kms per hour this high-speed train connects all major German cities as well as Germany to the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria.

There are several train types within the ICE range. The most recent addition to the range is the ICE Sprinter which offers non-stop connections between major German cities. Sprinter services have shortened travelling time and are perfect for business travel.

  • Routing Map
  • Seating Map
  • ICE Train, Germany
  • 2nd Class
  • Bar Car
Routes and Travel Times
ICE trains link nearly all major German cities at hourly or two-hourly intervals and go also to Switzerland (Zurich, Interlaken and Basel); Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Liège, Brussels), France (Paris), the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Denmark (Copenhagen).

The main routes are:
Within Germany
Hamburg-Hannover-Frankfurt-Stuttgart
Berlin-Frankfurt-Mannheim-Basel
Bonn-Cologne-Dusseldorf-Hannover-Berlin
Dortmund-Cologne-Frankfurt-Nuernberg-Munich
Munich-Wuerzburg-Hannover-Hamburg
Frankfurt-Leipzig-Dresden
Munich-Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt
Munich-Nuernberg-Leipzig-Berlin

International services:
Hamburg-Frankfurt-Mannheim-Basel-Zurich
Amsterdam-Utrecht-Dusseldorf-Cologne-Frankfurt
Frankfurt-Saarbruecken-Paris Est
Frankfurt-Cologne-Aachen-Liège-Brussels Midi
Interlaken Ost-Bern-Basel-Mannheim-Berlin
Vienna-Nuernberg-Frankfurt-Cologne-Dortmund
Berlin/Hamburg-Luebeck-Copenhagen

Best Travel Times:
Amsterdam-Cologne: 2h38
Bonn-Berlin: 4h43
Cologne–Berlin: 4h16
Frankfurt-Berlin: 4h08
Frankfurt-Brussels: 2h58
Frankfurt–Hamburg: 3h37
Frankfurt–Munich: 3h10
Frankfurt–Paris Est: 3h48
Hamburg-Mannheim: 4h18
Hamburg-Munich: 5h38
Interlaken-Hamburg: 8h41
Vienna–Nuernberg: 4h45
Zurich-Hamburg: 7h51
Vienna-Hamburg: 9h13




Onboard Services
General features:
• Seats can be adjusted in depth and inclination (up to 40 degrees)
• Air-conditioned carriages
• Fixed or hinged tables at all seats
• Panoramic lounges in the first and last coach of some ICE trains (1st and 2nd class)
• Integrated audio connection in the armrest, 3 radio stations: classical music/jazz, rock/pop and the children’s channel
• Low noise level
• Lockers available in the vestibules for the luggage (coin operated)
• Onboard crew can arrange reservations for taxis or porters
• Trolley service with beverages and snacks in 2nd class coaches
• Internet access in all DB Lounges and on all ICE trains which feature the HotSpot logo on the following routes:
    Dortmund-Dusseldorf-Cologne (also via Hagen and Wuppertal)
    Cologne-Frankfurt am Main Airport
    Frankfurt am Main-Stuttgart-Munich
    Frankfurt am Main-Hannover-Hamburg
• Facilities for disabled travellers
• HotSpot WiFi connection in some trains
• Quiet zones: Available in both 1st and 2nd class. In this area mobile phone calls, ringtones, listening to loud music (including headphones) or   other disturbances are not welcomed.
• Mobile phone area: On completion of this work almost 2/3 of the seats in both 1st Class and in 2nd Class will have optimised mobile phone   reception.

Additional First Class features:
ICE First Class offers a high standard of service, with some coaches featuring:
• Individual video screens at the seat
• Real leather seats
• Electric sockets for laptops or DVD players can be found in most 1st class carriages
• A selection of beverages and meals from menus can be served at your seat on request
• Complimentary newspapers available
• Quiet zones are reserved for passengers who want to travel in peace.
• On some International lines a small snack and soft drinks (coffee, tea, mineral water, orange juice) are offered free of charge.
• In major stations: DB Lounges. In Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich in addition a dedicated area exclusively for first class customers with free internet access

Onboard Dining:
• All ICE trains feature a Bordbistro and/or Bordrestaurant
• Depending on the time of the day, your client can choose from various breakfast menus to suit any taste or main dishes from the à a carte menu.
• In addition to the standard dishes, the menu often features German and European regional specialities freshly prepared.
• The Bordbistro serves snacks and a wide selection of beverages which you can enjoy there or take back to your seat.
• In 1st Class coaches a selection of beverages and meals from our menus can be served at your seat on request.
• Snacks and beverages are also available at your seat in 2nd Class.

Fares
Reservations are not compulsory on most ICE trains.
Reservations are mandatory on ICE Sprinter (see below list) as these trains have special services such as a meal and newspaper. Both pass holders and tickets holders will be required to pay a supplement.

Compulsory reservations are required on the following ICE Sprinter trains:
Hamburg HBF-Frankfurt HBF
Frankfurt HBF-Berlin HBF
Berlin HBF-Frankfurt HBF
Hamburg HBF–Koeln HBF
Koeln HBF–Hamburg HBF

Passholder fares:
Holders of passes will have to use one day of validity from the pass and pass must be validated prior to boarding the train.
Travel must be completed by midnight on the last date of validity of the pass.
Supplements for regular ICE Trains are included with a pass
A pass does not cover supplements for ICE Sprinter Trains.
Valid for holders of Eurail Global Pass, Eurail Select Pass (including Germany), Eurail Germany-Benelux Pass, Eurail Germany-Denmark Pass, Eurail Germany-France and German Rail Pass.

Exchange/Refund
Exchange and refund policies vary depending on the type of fare purchased.
Lost or stolen tickets cannot be refunded.
Cancellation fees apply to some fares.

Check-in and Immigration Procedures
There are no check-in or customs procedures before boarding ICE trains.
For International destinations, ticket control and passport checks will occur on boarding the train.
ICE indicated platforms are available for passengers holding ICE tickets.