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Popular routes
Popular train routes in Germany
Looking for inspiration for your next train journey in Germany? Explore popular routes below, check train times and find useful information to help you plan ahead.
Berlin to Frankfurt am Main train
- Deutsche Bahn
- FlixTrain
- Hessische Landesbahn
Frankfurt am Main to Stuttgart train
- Deutsche Bahn
- FlixTrain
- TGV
Frankfurt am Main to Cologne train
- Deutsche Bahn
Berlin to Munich train
- Deutsche Bahn
- ÖBB | ICE
Hamburg to Berlin train
- Deutsche Bahn
- FlixTrain
- metronom
Munich to Cologne train
- Deutsche Bahn
- TGV
Frankfurt am Main Airport to Stuttgart train
- Deutsche Bahn
Berlin to Hamburg train
- Deutsche Bahn
- FlixTrain
- metronom
Hamburg to Bremen train
- Deutsche Bahn
- metronom
- FlixTrain
Frankfurt am Main to Nuremberg train
- Deutsche Bahn
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Take a trip to Germany
The high-quality rail network and transportation infrastructure have made trains one of the most popular ways to travel in Germany. Train travel is so popular in Germany that many cities and major towns have multiple train stations. Deutsche Bahn offers train routes between most cities in Germany. From popular destinations and train routes to information about train companies and how to buy cheap train tickets, this page provides an overview of everything you need to know about train travel in Germany.
Trains in Germany
One of the fastest and most convenient ways to visit Germany is by train. The high-quality 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. There are a number of types of trains and services that visitors may choose from when planning their trip to Germany. There's the InterCity Express (ICE) train that stops at the major cities in Germany as well as the bordering countries (Netherlands, France, and Austria). There's also the slightly slower yet cheaper, version of the InterCity Express, simply called InterCity. There is the Regional Express train which has a long-distance route throughout Germany. Lastly, there's the Regionalbahn, which also has routes within Germany but stops at a greater number of stations (a good choice for commuters and travellers that wish to see smaller rural towns). A couple of the most popular routes chosen by travellers are Frankfurt to Munich (duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes) with the Deutsche Bahn, and the Frankfurt to Berlin route (duration 4 hours and 43 minutes) with the FlixTrain. Using Omio, travellers will be able to find all the optional routes for their trip all in one website, allowing them to make the best choice in the simplest manner.
Booking with Omio
Booking with Omio
When booking train tickets in Germany with Omio, you will be able to plan your trips efficiently and smoothly thanks to its journey app planner. To book a trip, first select where you want to travel to (in Europe, the U.S. or Canada) as well as the dates for your trip. Once you have decided on these details, you'll see clear and up-to-date information on which options are available to you including train types. At this point, travellers will have the choice to pay in different currencies, add on any personal discount cards, as well as having the chance to decide how to travel (i.e. slower for lower price or by picking the fastest travel time). Once booked, you will have access to all the tickets needed for your journey directly on a mobile device—no printer needed!
Train Companies and Train Types in Germany
Information about German Rail Providers
The largest and most important train company in Germany is Deutsche Bahn, which is literally translated as “German Railway” and sometimes abbreviated to Die Bahn or DB.Deutsche Bahn is the largest rail company in Europe, transporting approximately 2 billion passengers annually. In 1994, West Germany’s Deutsche Bundesbahn and East Germany’s Deutsche Reichsbahn merged to create Deutsche Bahn railway company. Deutsche Bahn is Germany’s national rail provider with the Federal Republic of Germany functioning as DB’s single shareholder.
InterCity Express
InterCity
Regional Express
Domestic Train Routes
Most German cities are linked by rail. The most popular train routes in Germany are between major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Dresden. All large cities are linked by InterCity Express (ICE) trains, as well as standard InterCity (IC) services. Regional trains are also quite popular, especially the particularly scenic routes which pass through the Black Forest and Rhine Valley.
International Train Routes
Trains in Germany run international routes to various destinations in France, Italy, Switzerland, BeNeLux, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic. German high-speed trains often share travel international routes with train companies from other countries like Thalys and SNCF. ÖBB Railjet trains connect Munich with cities in Central Europe like Vienna, Salzburg, Prague and Budapest. Many providers also offer sleeper trains, connecting different cities throughout Europe and the UK.
Popular Train Routes to Germany
Most Popular Trains to Berlin
Top of the Page
Most Popular Trains to Munich
Most Popular Trains to Frankfurt
Man train stations in Germany
MUNICH CENTRAL STATION |
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| Address: Bayerstraße 10A, 80335 Munich, Germany |
Services:Currency Exchange Luggage Store Automatic Ticket Dealer and Lockers Waiting Room Lounge Area Assistance Service for Disabled Travelers Restaurants and Bars Car Rental ATM Bank Restrooms |
Transportation: Metropolitan Lines (S-Bahn): S1 and S8 Transportation Service to Munich Airport (MUC) in the "Lufthansa Express Bus". Regional buses to Ingolstadt, Norimberga, Freising, Erlangen and Prague, departing from Terminals 1 and 2. |
FRANKFURT AM MAIN CENTRAL STATION |
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| Address: Am Hauptbahnhof, 60329 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany |
Services: Photo booth Ticket dispensers Luggage storage Waiting room Attention service for disabled travelers Lounge Area Restaurants and Bars Car Rental ATMs Lost and Found |
Transportation: Metropolitan Lines (S-Bahn): S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S8 and S9
Metro Line (U-Bahn): U4 and U5 Navetta railway airport "Lufthansa Rail Express" Buses to the Airport: 58 , 61, 62, 72, 73, 77, 751, 752, DLH, n7, n72, n81, OF64, OF67. Regional Train Lines to the Airport: 21, 55 and 75. |
BERLIN CENTRAL STATION |
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| Address: Europaplatz 1, 10557 Berlin, Germany |
Services: Left Luggage Office Ticket Dispensers Free Wi-Fi Waiting Rooms Assistance Service for Travelers with Disabilities Restaurants and Bars Shopping |
Transportion S-Bahn lines: S5, S7 and regional trains
Numerous trams and buses at the exit of the station to different points of the city |
FAQs about Train Travel in Germany
Routes & Train times in Germany
The main train stations in Germany are Berlin Hbf, (Munich) München Hbf, (Cologne) Köln Hbf, and Frankfurt Hbf. These train stations connect to most cities in Germany as well as other international destinations. Most train stations in Germany feature luggage lockers, currency exchange services, tourist information bureaus, ATMs and Restaurants.
Seat Reservations in German Trains
Deutsche Bahn’s Regional (RB, RE, IR), InterCity (IC) and EuroCity (EC) trains do not require reservations. Reservations for InterCity Express (ICE) trains are optional; however, during busy times reservations are recommended in order to guarantee seat availability. All night trains require reservations, which can be made online via the DB website.
Rail Fares and German Train Ticket Types
Using the ticket machines at the train station are still the most common way to purchase train tickets in Germany; however, online ticket purchases are becoming more popular. After purchasing a train ticket online, you can either print your train ticket or download it to your phone and show it to the train crew during the train journey. Passengers may be required to identify themselves by presenting identification or the credit card that was used to make the train ticket purchase.
Popular train companies in Germany : Deutsche Bahn, České dráhy, FlixTrain, Bayerische Regiobahn, ÖBB | Railjet, ÖBB, ÖBB | ICE, TGV, metronom, ÖBB | S-BahnTrain travel in Germany is operated by Deutsche Bahn, České dráhy, FlixTrain, Bayerische Regiobahn, ÖBB | Railjet, ÖBB, ÖBB | ICE, TGV, metronom, ÖBB | S-Bahn. From High-speed trains to regional services across the country, explore and compare train times and tickets on Omio to find the right train journey for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
FlixTrain
ÖBB | Railjet
ÖBB
ÖBB | ICE
TGV
metronom
ÖBB | S-Bahn
Bayerische Regiobahn
České dráhy
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Other train journeys you might be interested in
Most popular train connections
Favourite train companies
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