But before you can go and hop on any train, you need to know the ins and outs of using the deutsche bahn, germanys most powerful train service. One train a day also continues on to basel in switzerland. A detailed, attractive hardback book of lego trains full of full colour photos. And they have special compartments for handicapped travelers and travelers with babies. If you choose to reserve a seat, you can do so in a train station or on the db web site for 4. The modern ice trains are one of the fastest ways to get around in germany and its neighboring countries. Many european trains have baby changing facilities andor family friendly play areas. Free wifi in the train we have joined together with our partners to offer free wireless internet in the train. Jointly operated by db bahn german railways and ns dutch railways the ice train makes stops at utrecht, arnhem, oberhausen, duisburg, dusseldorf, cologne and frankfurt airport.
One of the greatest things about living in europe is the ease at which one can travel nearly the entire continents without a car. Trains in germany general information about german rail. Eurostar, german and austrian railways open bookings up to 180 days ahead, but most other european trains open for. Ice train tickets from 19 guide to germanys ice trains seat 61. How to book trains in europe by rail expert the man in seat. The information also applies to regional and local transport and international services. The deutsche bahn ice train connects all the major german cities such as frankfurt.
Explore germany and its neighbouring countries with ice connections. Deutsche bahns ice trains have free wifi in both first and second class. They are a hallmark of modern and civilised trains. The euronight trains are operated by different companies, so you would have to check the train operators website. Some of the most popular german train routes include deutsche bahns frankfurt to munich route which you can do as fast as 3h 10m via ice train and flixtrains berlin to cologne offering get there in just 4h 18m. Due to legal issues its a long story, germany fell a bit behind the curve in development of highspeed rail, with the 160 kmh icec trains operating as the dbs fastest service until the ice finally came online in 1991. As with thalys, special fares apply and belgian domestic tickets are not valid. Wifi internet facilities may differ by train and route. Eurostar, german and austrian railways open bookings up to 180 days ahead, but most other european trains open for sale 90 or sometimes. Most international trains allow reservations to be made from 3 to 4 months before the date of departure or from 6 months for eurostar and ice. You can use wifi free of charge on ice international. All passengers can use the wifi wifionice for free. Intercity buses in germany travel guide at wikivoyage.
Deutsche bahn everything you need to know omio goeuro. Nov 19, 2016 one of the greatest things about living in europe is the ease at which one can travel nearly the entire continents without a car. On my return from frankfurt to amsterdam, i wonder if it is possible for me to reserve this seat on ice 122, second class, when i buy my ticket online. Europe german rail pass seat reservation on ice trains. Hello everyone, although i have ridden trains in austria, france, italy and switzerland, i have not ridden trains in.
These premium trains run at speeds of 175 to 186 mph on special highspeed rail. Trains in germany the fastest and best value routes. The free ice portal is your new digital travel guide. Most trains in germany, apart from some local trains, have first and second class sections. Trains germany to paris cheap train tickets happyrail.
Packed with amazing facts and photographs of trains around the world, the big book of trains covers the history of trains and train travel. With incredible pictures and informative text, the big book of trains is the essential book for young readers who want to know everything about trains. But it is highly unlikely that for example pkp intercity pays for wifi in germany for a train running mainly at night where people are sleeping most of the time. Wifi free in first class of ice trains since december 2014 confirmation on the linked db page. On a trains between paris and berlin, is wi fi available. Free, uninterrupted wifi is available on all ice trains to austria, france, belgium, the netherlands and switzerland. Look at the biggest and fastest trains in the world. Currently the fleet is equipped with wifi, and most trains already offer internet access. Since some time, it is possible to use wifi on all german ice trains. Train travel in germany, a beginners guide online tickets. If you book early you have the best chance to book cheap train tickets. Most ice trains offer breakfastlunch or dinner menus with many german specialties as well as snacks and a wide selection of beverages. Train travel in germany with luggage rick steves travel.
Ice3 and other icet trains have a bistro car with a cafebar area and small 12seat restaurant area. First class passengers on longdistance trains get more room three rather than four seats abreast, more legroom, seats which recline more and on ice trains you can ask the conductor to bring you drinks and food from the restaurant car. Deutsche bahn, for instance, links up to the tmobile wireless system because the many tunnels that german trains pass through would make a satellite system impractical, said. With your wifienabled device, you can access the internet at over 125 stations, in db lounges and on board ice trains. Eurostar thalys virgin ice select trains frecciarossa italo sj high speed allegro. Highspeed train ice international brings you to germany and. Ice international trains in germany cheap train tickets. Between paris and frankfurt there is daily ice connection. There is a photographic history of lego trains from the primitive push along blue era 60s and 70s, through the 9v and 12v grey era to modern power functions. Discount calculation does not include additional paid services. Find out before the train arrives in which platform section your coach will stop. The intercity express ice is the highspeed train operated by deutsche bahn the german railway company.
The information provided here is applicable to longdistance trains operated by deutsche bahn. German ice trains run on the brussels liege aachen cologne frankfurt route a few times each day. Highspeed train ice international brings you to germany. With trains travelling at over 300kmh, ice trains are the way to go for longdistance journeys in germany. The ice has international connections to denmark, the netherlands, belgium, france, switzerland and austria. What makes the trips on ice trains even more enjoyable is the newly introduced wifi service that i was able to test on different routes. With your wifi enabled device, you can access the internet at over 125 stations, in db lounges and on board ice trains. Enjoy unlimited access to all that germany has to offer aboard the ice. There are, for example, ice 1 lines to basel and zurich. Intercity express ice trains between germany and bordering countries.
A guide to germanys highspeed ice trains with travel tips, and how to buy ice tickets. Between paris and frankfurt there is daily iceconnection. Your complete guide to using the deutsche bahn in germany. Many trains in britain require free seat reservations for passengers with a eurail global pass whereas anyone with a pointtopoint ticket, or a britrail pass, can hop on these trains at whim go figure. Travellin g first class on an ice train gives you unrivalled comfort over long distances ice first class passengers have access to the db lounges in all available stations, perfect for starting any journey off in style.
As the fastest train belonging to the deutsche bahn, it travels at speeds of up to 200 mph whisking you to your desired destinations in the amount of time it would take to pack your bags. German trains represent one of the most effective ways to get around the country theyre fast, convenient and comfortable. There is or was in 2011 wifi in the tgvest paris to strasbourg and the thalys parisbrusselsamsterdam. There are no seat dividers under the seat cushions of all ice seat rows. I need to book an ice train for 3 people to travel from berlin to nuremberg in. Also, you can connect to the ice portal to enjoy movies and tv series for free. I have heard there is a cool seat right behind the driver on ice trains.
The intercity express commonly known as ice german pronunciation. The ice and icec are the fastest trains on the germanrail roster and are the services that tourists use the most. Eurocity ec trains between germany and bordering countries. Trains in germany the fastest and best value routes omio. A short video about the fastest trains in germany, the new generation tilting high speed ice t and ice 3 trains made by siemens, full name intercity express. Some countries have a few longdistance though not necessarily highspeed mustreserve routes, such as finland, norway, and poland. More than likely, youll encounter a small fee to use the wifi service. On dates close to the departure date ticket prices can rise sharply, even up to three times the fare you pay when you book far ahead. Intercites trains in france, some intercity swiss trains, intercity finnish trains and ice trains in germany offer play areas or dedicated compartments for families with children. These high speed trains allow you to connect your wifi device to the internet data volume is limited in 2nd class. The book contains a guide to advanced building techniques.
The high speed train of deutsche bahn, the german railways. International trains rail services tofrom amsterdam. How to book trains in europe by rail expert the man in. Almost all dutch intercity trains offer free access to their hotspots. Aboard an ice you can use the table and electrical socket.
The ice trains have laptop connections and repeaters to make use of cell phones easy. Find out how trains are designed for certain jobs and tasks, including mountain trains, snow trains, and freight trains. You can buy ice and other deutsche bahn tickets at railroad stations, at travel agencies, from rail europe u. Fixed, discounted fare based on the business premiere fare for tgv inoui and ice trains requiring booking and operated under the dbsncf partnership. On 10 june 2007, a new line between paris and frankfurtstuttgart was opened, jointly operated by ice and tgv trains. The ice highspeed trains in germany are known to be stateoftheart, reaching a speed of 300 kmhour 186 mph and taking just over an hour. Leipzig hbf, mannheim, munich hbf, nuremberg hbf, stuttgart hbf. Valid for direct tgv except ouigo and ice trains operated in partnership by deutsche bahn and sncf to and from select destinations in france and germany.
By train from germany to switzerland, how does that work. In addition, wifi access can typically be found at many major train stations throughout western europe. Is there wifi internet access on the euraileurorail. But it is highly unlikely that for example pkp intercity pays for wifi in germany for a train running mainly at. The trains painted white with red stripes resemble aerodynamically sleek monorails. Some have even argued that these are the most comfortable trains in all of europe and with the most impressive interior. As of july 6 free wifi on all ice international trains, in both 1st and 2nd class. Wifi is working in most ice trains nowadays at the moment, it is priced at 5 euro for a day pass for first class and for second class, but in 2015, it will be available for free when travelling first class. Ice trains call at all major german cities, including munich, berlin and frankfurt. These premium trains run at speeds of 175 to 186 mph on special highspeed rail lines and up to mph on upgraded conventional lines. When travelling with deutsche bahn, first class services are known for the quality of service and comfort. All trains convey either a bistro or restaurant car with a varied menu offering snacks, drinks and several hot dishes. Trains from germany to paris are very convenient high speed trains.
The menu is varied from chilli con carne to roast pork with dumplings, to a variety of salads. As well as national highspeed routes, ice trains also operate international routes, including trains to amsterdam, vienna and even budapest. F rances tgvs, japans shinkansen bullet trains, and eurostar may be betterknown to englishspeaking foreigners, but the intercityexpress or ice trains of germany have been providing highspeed rail service on the deutsche bahn, or germany federal railways, since 1991 on any given day, more than 150 ice trainsets connect german cities at speeds of up to 300 kmh or. Wifi in europe europe western europe lonely planet. It also serves some destinations in austria, denmark, france, belgium, switzerland and the netherlands mostly as part of cross border services. With speeds up to 300kmh, this is one of the fastest ways to travel between cities such as berlin, hamburg and cologne. The systems of payment can differ a lot within countries, even more between countries.
Discover germany and neighbouring european countries in ice trains or the ice. The dining car with the hump makes it easy to recognise. Catering travelling on an ice international train means comfortable travel. The ice 2 is the second series of german highspeed trains and one of six in the intercityexpress family since 1995 the ice 2 halftrains are even closer to a conventional pushpull train than the ice 1, because each train consists of only one power car class 402, called powerhead, six passenger cars classes 805 to 807 and a cab car class 808. From seat configuration to speed, this video highlights ice intercity express. From the first locomotive built in 1804 to the highspeed bullet train, the big book of trains is the perfect book for kids who love trains. Reserve a seat on icice trains cologne forum tripadvisor. The fact that reservations are optional on the ice makes the german rail pass convenient to use. To use maxdome on your smartphone or tablet you need the free maxdome onboard player app.
Eurocity, abbreviated as ec, is a crossborder train category within the european intercity rail network. The austrian railjet is even equipped with a movie theater especially for children. As far as i know, most of them will not have wifi internet access on the trains, some have it on the stations, but not often for free. Comfortable seating with more legroom than on planes. Deutsche bahns highspeed rail service, known as ice, provides national and international routes for german rail passengers. In contrast to trains allocated to the lowerlevel ic category, ec trains are international services that meet 20 criteria covering comfort, speed, food service, and cleanliness. Trains in germany book germany train tickets trainline. Things have changed rapidly since then and intercity buses are now a relatively cheap way to get to a wide range of german and a handful of international destinations. Customers have indicated that they greatly appreciate the art in the trains, because it contributes to a pleasant, inspiring travel experience.
Apart from domestic use, the trains can also be seen in countries neighbouring germany. Dbs ice trains travel at up to 186 mph from city centre to city centre, and if you prebook direct. Faq rail europe rail travel planner europe train travel. The era of highspeed services started when the ice 1 was launched in 1991. By far the most convenient way of getting between central london and central brussels. The trains connecting german cities are called intercity ic trains and the ones connecting german cities with neighboring countries are called eurocity ec trains. First class seats on this twoclass route are especially popular with business travelers, as they have power outlets, wifi and sometimes even video screens. These trains operate across and beyond germany, connecting cities like berlin, cologne and munich. The ice intercity express is a highspeed train that connects all major cities in germany. If you plan to explore neighboring countries the international ice trains connect germany with austria wien, innsbruck, belgium brussels, liege, denmark copenhagen, arhus, france paris, the netherlands arnhem, utrecht, amsterdam and switzerland zurich, interlaken. Deutsche bahns conditions of carriage for persons travelling with deutsche bahn ag companies bb personenverkehr apply in german.
Deutsche bahn offers food in both the bordbistro and bordrestaurant onboard. Maximizing train travel around europe and deciding when it. At many stations, in db lounges and on board ice trains you can surf the. Dbs ice trains travel at up to 186 mph from city centre to city centre, and if you pre book direct with the operator you can find some really cheap fares. You will be hard pressed to find another train in germany which offers high speed trains throughout the entire country as. Use the free wifi on board the ice in 1st and 2nd class. In 1 st class, staff will serve fooddrink to your seat.
May 04, 2019 book at or call dbs uk office 08718 80 80 66. Ice train tickets from 19 guide to germanys ice trains. There might be trains in europe with free wifi, but i have never met them. The modern ice international trains run from amsterdam central to frankfurt main hbf up to 7x daily.
Different types of trains are featured on their own spreads, and each page features multiple images to give a close. Breakfast in the restaurant costs around 8, 10 or 15, depending on what menu you want. While most european countries have had a system of long distance buses for a long time, intercity bus travel was virtually nonexistent in germany until 2012. Watch this video to get an idea of what german train travel is all about.
Ice trains have aircondition and power sockets at all seats. About wifi i just had a look for the french system. Aboard an ice you can use the table and electrical socket at your seat to easily set up your mobile office. One of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel in germany is by train. With our eurocity ec trains you can also travel in comfort to neighbouring european. The highquality rail network has made trains in germany one of the most popular ways to travel, as they are an efficient and reliable method of transportation. These are mostly found on the longdistance train journey. The db train schedules online will accurately reflect any rare departures that at subject to compulsory reservation. Free wifi is available on all new and renovated eurostar trains. There are five types of ice train come and meet our fleet. The german version of the well known tgv is called the ice intercityexpress which runs up to 290 kmh on certain routes. Book tickets for ice, ic ec trains including sbahn, ubahn, bus and tram.