railroad trips in germany

• The Most Scenic Train Journeys...

The 11 Most Scenic Train Journeys in Germany

On your next trip to Germany , why not ditch the car and treat yourself to a mind-blowing scenic train ride instead? A slow, leisurely journey through dense forests, snow-blanketed mountain roads or alongside sparkling lakes is guaranteed to be the highlight of your German holiday. Here’s a list of train routes in Germany that promise incredible scenery. Of course, you can choose to take each listed ride the other way round.

1. cologne to mainz.

Train Station

For sweeping views of the Rhine Valley, book a seat on this route . The 139km (86mi) journey takes an average of one hour and 40 minutes. If you wish to make a stop in the pretty town of Koblenz on the way, that is an option as well. From your train window, enjoy views of the Rhine flanked by cliffs and with ships bobbing in the horizon. The route is punctuated with picture-postcard towns and hills crowned by ancient castles, making it one of the most romantic train rides in the country. When travelling from Cologne to Mainz , grab a seat on the left side of the train for the best views (and on the right side if you are travelling from Mainz to Cologne).

Mainz is the wine capital of Germany and a vibrant university city, so it’s worth sticking around to explore. Peek inside the city’s beautiful churches, wander around the medieval old town and put your feet up at the centrally located me and all hotel Mainz for a night or two.

2. Konstanz to Offenburg

Architectural Landmark

Take a memorable train ride from the picturesque Konstanz by Lake Constance to the land of Hansel and Gretel , the Black Forest . This route covers 129km (80mi) in three hours and 55 minutes on average (with stops). Soon after leaving Konstanz, you’ll see mesmerising scenes of pine forests, which will gradually give way to vistas of the impenetrably dense Black Forest, lush meadows and quaint hamlets. The train meanders over the Hornberg Viaduct and the beautiful town of Triberg on its course.

In Offenburg, stay overnight at the Mercure Hotel Offenburg am Messeplatz. It’s not far from the train station, and there’s an indoor pool you can take a dip in before breakfast in the morning.

3. Höllentalbahn: Freiburg im Breisgau to Donaueschingen

The Höllentalbahn translates to Hell Valley Railway, but in reality, it’s a heavenly journey to take when you are in the Black Forest . This route connects Freiburg im Breisgau with Donaueschingen via the dramatic Dreisam river valley and takes around 90 minutes. It’s among the steepest rail lines in the country, rising from 278m (912ft) to 885m (2,904ft) in altitude during its course. The most exciting part of this excursion is crossing the Ravenna Gorge on the 40m- (131ft-) high Ravenna Bridge.

If you’re in no hurry to head back, book a room at the Flair Hotel Grüner Baum on the outskirts of town. With a range of room sizes and an on-site restaurant, it’s just a short walk from the source of the Danube.

4. Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

Historical Landmark

Munich to Mittenwald

Taking about one hour and 51 minutes, this 81km (50mi) train ride to one of the most beautiful alpine towns, Mittenwald, is a brilliant day-trip idea from Munich. En route, enjoy quintessential Bavarian countryside panoramas of the snow-capped mountains, cute little villages and green fields. In the cold months, this region transforms into a snowy winter wonderland.

For a place to stay, we recommend a guest room at Post Hotel Mittenwald . Here, you’ll be close to the centre of town and have an indoor pool and Bavarian-style spa to keep you occupied when you’re not out exploring.

5. Zugspitze Railway Route

Natural Feature

The Bavarian Zugspitze Railway is one of four rack railways still operating in the country. It runs from Garmisch (705m/2,313ft) to just below the top of Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze , making it the highest railway route (2,650m/8,694ft) in the country and the biggest ascent in Europe. At the station, you need to switch to a cable car to go up to the summit. The entire journey takes around 75 minutes and is as scintillating as the destination itself.

6. Saxon Steam Railway Route

The Saxon Steam Railway Route stretches about 100km (62mi), consisting mostly of old narrow-gauge railway lines that preserve Saxony’s heritage and culture. This nostalgic journey reveals splendid surprises and a treasure trove of natural beauty, castles and cultural icons during its course. The train meanders through Saxony, including the Elbe region, the Eastern Ore Mountains, Saxon Switzerland National Park, Upper Lusatia, Lower Silesia and the Vogtland. The culturally rich city of Dresden , the Moritzburg Castle, Leipzig , the wine town of Radebeul, the Ore Mountains and Lößnitzgrund Valley are the most popular stops on this route.

If you’re planning a stopover in Dresden, check out our pick of the best hotels in town for a place to stay.

Brockenbahn: Harz Steam Railway Route

This train journey is reason enough to travel to the Harz Mountains . The historic steam Brocken Railway starts at Drei Annen Hohne station and meanders through Harz National Park to reach Brocken, the highest peak (1,141m/3,744ft) in the Harz mountain range. The journey covers only 19km (12mi) but offers views of mountains and valleys that you will never forget.

Three Lakes Railway: Freiburg im Breisgau to Seebrugg

When you take the Höllentalbahn (Hell Valley Railway), you can either go all the way from Freiburg to Donaueschingen or diverge southwards on the Dreiseebahn (Three Lakes Railway) from the Titisee station. The train is so named because it crosses three famous Black Forest lakes during its course – the Titisee , Windgfällweiher and Schluchsee – terminating at the Seebrugg station. Soon after leaving Titisee, you’ll be rewarded with uninterrupted, beautiful views of Bärental (Bear Valley). The Feldberg-Bärental station at 967m (3,173ft) above sea level is the most elevated point of the course. The journey covers a distance of 19km (12mi) in about an hour. Trains leave Freiburg every hour, so it’s easy to get tickets at the station without booking. However, if you do want to make time to explore the city and its enchanting old town, arrive a day early for a stay at the Alex – a chic boutique hotel that’s just five minutes from the main train station on foot.

Fichtelberg Railway

The Fichtelberg Railway is a nostalgic steam locomotive that goes from Cranzahl to the popular ski resort and Germany’s highest town, Oberwiesenthal. This scenic 17km (11mi) train ride lasts about an hour and brims with views that are sure to exceed your imagination. On the way, you’ll come across many photo opportunities – Sehmatal Valley, trains passing each other at the quaint Neudorf, Hammerunterwiesenthal, Pöhlbach Valley, five bridges and a viaduct. During Christmas, you can feast your eyes on towns bathed in lights and a blanket of snow in the Ore Mountains .

Soak up the scenery of Oberwiesenthal and spend the night to catch both the sunset and sunrise if you’re an early riser. Alpina Lodge Hotel Oberwiesenthal offers a range of rooms and a spa for even more soaking.

Rügen Railway: Putbus to Göhren

The Rügensche Kleinbahn (RüKB) is a narrow-gauge railway network operating on the island of Rügen , covering a distance of 24km (15mi) between Putbus and Göhren . The appeal of this rail line lies in the fact that many of the steam locomotives and wagons used in this network are more than 100 years old, allowing you to do a bit of time travel. The nostalgic train puffs through dense forests and snazzy beach resorts. Due to its leisurely pace (30kph/19mph), it’s affectionately known as Rasender Roland (Dashing Roland).

When you get to Göhren, the scenery takes on a whole new kind of appeal, with golden-sand beaches skirting the deep-blue Baltic Sea, overlooked by thick trees. Check into Travel Charme Nordperd & Villen Göhren for a day or two by the coast. It’s next to the train station and has an infinity pool and a spa.

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The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in germany.

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Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, inter-city train tickets from €12.90.

Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) high-speed IC and ICE trains are easily the best way to travel between major town & cities all over Germany, in comfort at ground level.  DB's 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.

Train travel within Germany

International trains to & from Germany

Station guides, general train travel information, useful country information, how to check train times & buy tickets.

To check times & prices and to buy tickets in advance go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de ( on a mobile device, use this link ).

Anyone from any country can use bahn.de, all international credit cards accepted, you print your own ticket or can simply show it on your laptop or phone.

Tip:   I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in, check all your bookings and re-print your tickets at any time.

Do you need to book in advance?

When does booking open.

Booking now opens up to 6 months ahead for German domestic tickets.

It was increased to 6 months from the previous 92 days in 2016.  However, the booking period is often less than this for dates immediately after the timetable changes at midnight on the 2nd Saturday in December.  Bookings for dates after the mid-December timetable change, including the Christmas period, usually open in mid-October.

Flexpreis or Sparpreis?

If you use int.bahn.de to book a long-distance train it initially shows the cheapest fare available against each train.

If you click on that fare, you'll then see a range of fares, Super Sparpreis , Sparpreis & Flexpreis .

Flexpreis is the full-price flexible fare.  A Flexpreis ticket can be bought online or at the station on the day of travel, the price in fact varies slightly on different dates, but not by a huge amount.  They are refundable, good for any train that day, just hop on and find any empty unreserved seat, seat reservation on long distance IC, ICE & EC trains is optional for a small extra charge, €4.90 in 2nd class, €5.90 in 1st class.

Sparpreis & Super Sparpreis fares are limited-availability advance-purchase fares, from €12.90, €19.90, €29.90, €39.90 and so on, the price varies significantly depending how far ahead you book and how popular that date, day and train is.  Spar is German for save .  Sparpreis & Super Sparpreis fares only allow travel on the specific train you book, although if your journey involves a connecting regional train you can use any regional train on the regional part of the route.  Prices vary like air fares, rising as departure approaches and the cheaper tickets are sold.  They disappear a few days before departure, leaving only the Flexpreis fare.

Super Sparpreis = no refunds, no changes.   Sparpreis fares are refundable (although for a DB credit voucher, not cash) up to the day before departure with a small fee deducted, no changes or refunds allowed from the day of departure onwards.

• Children go free!   On DB trains, children under 6 go free, no ticket needed.  Children over 6 but aged under 15 also go free if they travel accompanied by a fare-paying adult, a great offer.  Book your tickets at int.bahn.de and it will work all this out for you.

Only one passenger name is needed

Only one name is necessary as I.D. to support a print-at-home ticket, even if that ticket covers several passengers.

If you buy hard copy tickets at a station, no name at all is needed.

Incidentally, until 2016 you had to show the credit/debit card used for the booking when using print-at-home tickets. I'm glad to say that this changed in October 2016, all you now need is a passport or other recognised ID to support a print-at-home online ticket.  You may or may not be asked for it by the conductor.

Tips for using int.bahn.de

Stopovers .  If you'd like a stopover en route, but still want a cheap saver fare from end to end, no problem.  Go to int.bahn.de and enter your start and end point, simply click Stopover , enter the place where you want to stop off, enter the number of hours stopover and off you go.  Maximum 2 days validity with a Sparpreis fare.

Alternatives to using bahn.de:   Bahn.de is one of the best train operator sites, but if for any reason you want an alternative site which can also book DB trains at DB prices, try these two:

Raileurope.com has a direct connection to DB's ticketing system so it sells the same trains, same prices, same print-at-home tickets at Bahn.de, but with a small booking fee.  It accepts all international credit cards so can be used by anyone from any country.  Raileurope.com also connects to the French, Italian & Spanish ticketing systems so can easily book multi-operator journeys such as Munich to Naples (which involves DB and Trenitalia) or Frankfurt to Bordeaux (which involves DB and SNCF).  Raileurope.com is also capable of splitting the booking to book some cross-Germany journeys (for example, Brussels to Poland) for which you'd have to manually split the booking at some logical point within Germany if you wanted to use bahn.de.

Thetrainline.com also has a connection to DB's system, so can sell print-at-home tickets (but not those which need to be posted) for DB train at the same prices as DB, but with a small booking fee.

Competing lo-cost operator:  Flixtrain

Almost all long-distance trains in Germany are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the State-owned German Federal Railways.  But there is now one other long-distance operator worth mentioning.

Buy tickets by phone in the UK

If you live in the UK you can buy German train tickets direct from Deutsche Bahn on their English-speaking telesales line, 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 .  Lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings.

Custom-made tours of Germany by train

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour of Germany for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & breaks which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They now have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Germany by train, they have suggested itineraries or they can organise a trip based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/germany .

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DB's discount card:  Bahncard

What are bahncards.

You get the discount on German domestic journeys, and on international journeys to, from or across Germany.

However, for international journeys the discount will not normally be the full 25% or 50% as the reduction is not necessarily applied to the part outside Germany (test it before buying a Bahncard to see what actual effect a Bahncard has - see my top tip below).

Man in Seat 61's top tip:   Before buying a Bahncard, run an enquiry for the journeys you actually plan to make, using int.bahn.de (a) as normal and (b) with a Bahncard 25 or Bahncard 50 discount added.  See what it does to prices.  If you see no difference, the discount may not apply to your particular journey.  If you see a difference, do the savings justify the cost of the card?

Types of Bahncard

Each type of Bahncard can be bought for either 2nd class or 1st class.

Check prices & buy a Bahncard

Special regional tickets.

These one-day unlimited travel passes are well worth knowing about, even though they're not valid on fast long-distance trains, only on slower regional trains.  If you want a railpass valid on all trains, including high-speed and long-distance ones, see the German Rail Pass section below .

Deutschland ticket

Unlimited travel on regional transport nationwide for €49 a month

From 1 May 2023 Germany offers unlimited travel on regional transport nationwide for €49 per month.  This is the successor to the popular (but temporary) €9 ticket created after the pandemic to address the cost-of-living crisis.  Unlike the €9 ticket, the Deutschlandticket will be a permanent product.

The Deutschland ticket is good for all regional trains run by DB and by other operators across the whole of Germany ()marked R, RE, RB, IRE or S-Bahn in the timetable) and other types of local & regional transport including local buses, city buses, trams & U-Bahn.

It's even valid on the famous Harz Railway , including steam-hauled trains, but not on the branch line up the Brocken.

It's not valid on long-distance ICE & IC trains or similar long-distance trains classified EuroCity, Eurostar, TGV, Railjet, Westbahn, Flixtrain or Snälltåget.  So yes, you could cross Germany with it if you wanted, but only using slower regional trains.

The Deutschland ticket covers journeys wholly within Germany, with a few exceptions:  For example, it's valid on cross-border regional trains to/from Salzburg in Austria, to/from Venlo, Arnhem, Hengelo & Enschede in the Netherlands, to/from Basel Bad Bf & Basel SBB in Switzerland, and to/from Zgorzelec in Poland.  But remember, only on the regional trains (marked R, RE, RB, BRB and so on), not EC, RJ, RJX, IC or ICE long-distance trains or privately-run Westbahn (WB) trains.

It's valid from the 1st of the month to the end of the month :  Unlike normal passes or season ticket which can start on any date you choose, each month's Deutschland ticket is valid from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month.  So if you bought one on 30 May, that would be a 'May' Deutschland ticket valid from 1 to 31 May and you'd only get 2 days use out of it, 30 & 31 May - but it would still cost €49!

Only sold as a rolling monthly subscription :  It's aimed at commuters not tourists, so the Deutschland ticket is only sold as a rolling monthly subscription or one-off annual payment.  However, you can cancel the monthly subscription it at any time, even after paying for only 1 month, just be aware that most vendors require you to cancel before the 10th of the month to avoid paying for the following month's €49 Deutschland ticket.  Most vendors require payment by direct debit, a few allow payment by credit card.

Children : As it's aimed at commuters, there's no child version and no provision to add children to your account.  However, a child can travel on an adult ticket (just not the other way around).  If you want to buy Deutschland tickets for yourself and your children, use RMVgo app at sites.rmv.de/en/deutschlandticket , the Rhein-Main Lander, because this (unlike other Landers' apps) allows one person to open an account and buy Deutschland tickets for multiple people including children, with a credit card in one transaction.  The catch?  It may not accept non-German addresses, my correspondent had to use the address of his German hotel but successfully bought tickets for himself and his kids.  Feedback would be appreciated .

If you only want a Deutschland ticket for one month to enjoy a one month's unlimited travel on regional trains across Germany, buy a Deutschland ticket before the 10th of that month by setting up a monthly credit card payment.  Then make sure you cancel the subscription before the 10th of that same month to avoid paying for the following month.

How to buy a Deutschland ticket:

Don't bother trying to use the German Railways (DB) website www.bahn.com to buy a Deutschland ticket as it only accepts payment by direct debit and setting up a direct debit with a non-German bank account results in an error message.  #fail!

The easiest way for foreign visitors to buy a Deutschland ticket is to buy from Bremen area transit authority VBN using their FahrPlaner app because (a) it accepts payment by credit card, (b) it's in English, and (c) it has no problem with overseas users, overseas addresses or UK postcodes.  #result!

Step 1, download the FahrPlaner app for iPhone or MFahrPlaner app for Android (please let me know if those links stop working).

Step 2, the app should open in English.  Click the menu icon top left and go to Tickets .  Then select Deutschlandticket.

Step 3, click the red PROCEED TO LOGIN button at the bottom.  Then click Sign up for free and register, it lists most countries including United Kingdom and United States and has no problem with UK postcodes.

Step 4, select Credit Card and buy your Deutschland ticket.

This is a rolling subscription which you can cancel at any time.

You show the Deutschland Ticket as a QR code in the app on your phone.  Easy!

If you only want one Deutschland ticket for one month, buy it before the 10th of the month then cancel your subscription also before the 10th of the month.  That prevents payment being taken for the following month.

To cancel the subscription , you must open the order confirmation email they sent you when you bought it and click on the cancellation link.  You cannot cancel your subscription from the app.

If you have children, you'll need to use the RMVgo app instead, see the paragraph about children above.

Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket

Unlimited regional off-peak train travel, €46.

The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket ( Day Ticket for Germany ) gives a day's unlimited travel from 09:00 weekdays or from 00:00 Saturdays & Sundays, until 03:00 the following morning on all regional & regional-express trains (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) throughout the whole of Germany.

The first traveller pays €46, each additional passenger pays just €9 to be added to the same ticket, up to a maximum total of 5 passengers.

You can't use fast IC, ICE or EC trains, only slower regional trains, so a long-distance journey which could be made on a fast direct IC or ICE train could be very slow and involve several changes if made using purely regional trains.  But it can be a very cheap way to go, especially if you haven't been able to book a cheap advance-purchase ticket for an ICE or IC train.

For more information, see int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany .

To buy a ticket online and print it out yourself, see int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany .

Alternatively, these tickets can be bought on the day of travel from the self-service ticket machines at German stations, although it costs €2 more if you buy from a staffed counter.

Lander tickets

Bayern ticket, schönes-wochenende-ticket :  discontinued, railpasses for germany, interrail germany pass:  click to check prices & buy online, german rail pass, maps of the german rail network, what are german trains like , intercity express (ice).

InterCity Express high-speed trains, usually known as ICE, are German Railways' front-rank trains, travelling at up to 200 km/h (186 mph, ICE3), 280 km/h (175 mph, ICE1 & ICE2) or 250 km/h (155 mph, ICE4).  They have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains .

InterCity trains (IC)

InterCity trains travel at up to 200 km/h (125 mph), usually using a locomotive and conventional carriages.  Some InterCity trains cross borders into neighbouring countries and these may be classified EuroCity (EC) rather than InterCity.  Power sockets at all seats, and usually some sort of refreshment service.  More about IC trains .

A German Intercity train at Amsterdam Centraal .

2nd class seating on an Intercity train.  Larger photo .

Regional trains

Regional trains are shown as R, RB, RE and so on, where RE is a faster regional express.  Some are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB, German Railways), others are outsourced to private operators such as Abellio, Metronom, Erixx, but still run as part of the national network with tickets sold by DB at int.bahn.de .  They come in many different shapes and sizes, some single-deck, some double-deck.  No  catering, so bring your own food & drink.  No seat reservation necessary or possible, you sit where you like.

Sleeper trains

There are several German domestic routes where a sleeper is an option.  These are now run by ÖBB (Austrian Railways) and branded Nightjet:

Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz < > Munich, see the Nightjet page .

Hamburg, Hannover < > Munich, see the Nightjet New Generation page .

Seat numbering plans : Click here

Travel tips.

Language problems?

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, signs are usually in English as well as German, or they use easy-to-understand pictograms.  On-train announcements on long-distance trains are often made in English as well as German.

Food & drink on German trains

Most long-distance trains have at least a bistro car serving tea, coffee, wine, beer & snacks from a counter, with some tables nearby if you'd want to eat and drink in the bistro car rather than take it back to your seat.  See sample ICE bistro menu .  Many German long-distance trains have a proper sit-down waiter-service restaurant car.  In first class on ICE you'll often be asked if you want to order food or drink, and it will be brought and served at your seat.

Alternatively, feel free to bring your own food and drink (even a bottle of wine, if you like) onto the train, there's no rules against that on the rails.

Luggage on trains

There are no baggage fees or weight limits, and you don't check your bags in, you simply take them with you onto the train, placing them on the racks at the end of each car or amongst the seats, or above your head.  It's usually possible to keep all your bags in sight.  More about luggage on trains .

Should you reserve a seat or not?

Reserving a seat is optional on most German trains.  You can add a reserved seat to your booking for €4.90 in 2nd class, €5.90 in 1st class. 

If you don't reserve, you simply sit in any empty unreserved seat.  Small LED displays above each seat show which seats are reserved between which stations, and which seats are free.  Travelling alone, middle of the day, mid-week in February, you'll have plenty of seats to choose from.  But a family group, travelling on a Friday afternoon in July would be well advised to reserve seats.  And for any long journey it's best to be on the safe side and reserve. 

You can make a seat reservation separately (i.e. after buying your ticket) by going to int.bahn.de , clicking in the from or to field to open the parameters panel, set up an enquiry and run it by clicking Book seat only .

On the seat reservation display for each seat:

ggf. reserviert - this means the train's on-board reservation system hasn't been updated with the latest information from the main DB reservation system.  Usually all of the seats show this message if this happens.  Seat reservations are still valid, but cannot be shown on the LED displays, so you can sit in these seats but you could be asked to move if someone shows up with a reservation.

ggf. freigeben - this is a last-minute reservation seat.  You can sit in it if you like, but will have to move if someone shows up with a reservation.

bahn.comfort - travellers holding a frequent traveller BahnCard have priority for these seats. You can sit in these seats but someone with a BahnCard may show up and claim it.  Though how they'd know you didn't have a BahnCard and so ask you to move is another question!

Schwerbehinderte means that seat is reserved for people with disabilities.

First class lounges at stations

There are lounges for holders of certain types of first class ticket at Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt Main Airport, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart. Follow the signs to the DB Lounge .  They're typically open 07:00-21:00 daily, search int.bahn.de for details.  The lounges offer complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer & snacks.  Unfortunately, only holders of expensive 1st class Flexpreis tickets get lounge access, you don't get access with 1st class Sparpreis or Super Sparpreis fares or 1st class Interrail or Eurail passes.

Left luggage at stations

All German stations except the smallest have left-luggage lockers in various sizes, up to suitcase-sized.  More information on left luggage lockers & prices .

Bikes can be carried on all German trains if semi-dismantled & placed in a bike bag, they then travel as ordinary luggage. 

Undismantled bikes are carried on most suburban & regional trains, you need a Bicycle Day Ticket ( Fahrradtageskarte ) which you can buy online at int.bahn.de (use the site search to find it) or at stations for a few euros.

Undismantled bikes are also carried on most InterCity trains , ICE-T & ICE4 trains for a fee as these have been fitted with bike racks, prior reservation required.  Undismantled bicycles are not carried on high-speed ICE trains other than ICE-T & ICE4 .

To find a train that takes bikes, go to int.bahn.de , click in the from field to open the details panel and select Bicycle transport possible .

To book yourself and your bike on a train in Germany, go to int.bahn.de , click in the from field to open the details panel, click on Passenger, bicycles and add a bicycle to the booking.  For more information, see the bicycles by train page .

Dogs & pets

Dogs can be taken on all German trains, sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee.  For more information, see the dogs & pets page .

Places not served by the main rail network

Neuschwanstein, Germany's fairytale castle:   See details here .

Eagles's Nest:   See details here .

Take a good guidebook.  For independent travel, the best guidebook is either the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide an excellent level of practical information and historical and cultural background.  You won't regret buying one!

Buy in the UK from Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Or buy the Lonely Planets from the Lonely Planet website , with shipping worldwide.    Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Tours of Germany by train

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

If you want to tour Germany by train, with all your train reservations and hotels sorted for you, contact rail travel specialists Railbookers and they'll create the best rail holiday for you, hassle-free.  They take good care of their clients and get a lot of repeat business.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Germany by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels conveniently located for arrival by train in key German cities, all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com .

In Frankfurt

If you walk out of Hamburg Hbf's main eastern exit, you'll find a row of good hotels lined up in front of you on the opposite side of the Kirchenallee.  The pick of these is the excellent 4-star Hotel Reichshof Hamburg , across the road and to the left with art deco-based design and great reviews.  It has its own restaurant for lunch or dinner, although I'd still be tempted to try the beer & traditional German food at Nagel's bar, 150m south along the Kircheallee, restaurant-kneipe-hamburg.de .

The Hotel Europaischer Hof is another good choice and directly in front of you across the road when you walk out of the station.  Other hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the 5-star Hotel Continental Novum (to the right of the Europaischer), Hotel Furst Bismarck (to the right of the Continental Novum), and the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski .

If you'd prefer a hotel right in the city centre, the Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown is 5 minutes walk from the station on the city side, and gets really great reviews.

If you're on a budget, private rooms in the A&O Hotel start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com .  The A&O is an 11-minute 900m walk south of Hamburg Hbf, see walking map .  Also try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel , a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map .

Affordable hotels right next to Munich Hbf with good or great reviews include the reliable Eden Hotel Wolff or the NH Collection München , both directly across the road from the station's north side exit, ideal for an overnight stop between trains.  I've used the Hotel Wolff myself.

Also consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian , Excelsior by Giesel or Mercure München City Center , all a stone's throw from the station with great reviews.

If you want to push the boat out, the luxurious 5-star Sofitel Munich Beyerpost is right outside the station's south side exit, located in the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building dating from 1896-1900.  It comes complete with a spa with massage service and sauna.

If you're on a budget, the Wombat's Hostel Munich is close to the station's south side exit with private rooms & dorm beds, with good reviews.

Booking.com for hotels

I generally use Booking.com for hotels for 3 reasons:

(1) It keeps all my hotel bookings together in one place;

(2) I've come to trust Booking.com 's review scores;

(3) Booking.com usually offers a clearly-marked Free cancellation option.

Free cancellation means you can secure hotels risk-free even before trains open for booking, and if necessary change those bookings if your plans evolve.

If I'm only staying a night or two, I look for a hotel near the station to make arrival & departure easy.  You can enter the station name (e.g. Berlin Hbf ) as search location.  If staying longer, I look for a hotel close to the sights, entering the name of a city attraction as the search location, then using map view.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels: Hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

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Germany train guide – how to travel germany by train.

How to travel Germany by train — tips for buying German train tickets and advice for navigating Germany by rail.

Transportation

Germany has one of Europe’s greatest rail networks. The trains are fast, frequent, and famous for being punctual. As an added bonus, it’s very easy to book German train tickets online no matter where you’re from. So keep reading because in this Germany Train Guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about traveling through Germany by train—from navigating the system to buying train tickets for the cheapest price.

How To Buy German Train Tickets

Buying German train tickets is fairly painless since Germany’s rail system’s website is logical and it accepts payments from international credit cards without any hassle. There are also other ways to save (booking early, special tickets, etc.) that we’ll cover below.

Travel Tip: Most train tickets in Germany are now electronic so having reliable high-speed data for your phone is super helpful when traveling by train. Here are a few articles I’ve written to help you get cheap mobile data in Germany:  Guide To Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Phones in Europe , and  How To Buy A SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans in Europe .

Where To Buy German Train Tickets

Here are a few places to buy train tickets:

Omio (Recommended)

Omio is a search engine that lets you compare and book trains anywhere in Europe. It allows you easily book tickets with your credit card at essentially the same prices as the Deutsche Bahn website — there is a very small service charge.

Additionally, Omio searches routes for multiple rail services across Europe so it’s great for international trips (since it can easily combine rail journeys of multiple countries).

Train tickets sold via Omio are electronic—simply show the conductor the ticket on your phone (you can also print the ticket if you wish).

TrainLine (Recommended)

TrainLine is another third-party booking site that connects directly to Germany’s National Rail Network and it gives you the same prices you’d find there. They also take international credit card payments without any hassle.

Additionally, it searches routes for multiple rail services across Europe so it’s great for international trips (since it can easily combine rail journeys of multiple countries).

Train tickets sold via TrainLine are electronic — simply show the conductor the ticket on your phone (you can also print the ticket if you wish).

Buying German Train Tickets via Deutsche Bahn—aka the German Rail System

You can buy German train tickets directly through Germany’s national rail system — Deutsche Bahn (www.bahn.de). It accepts most international credit cards and tickets can be sent to you electronically or printed at home.

While rare, sometimes you might encounter some translation issues when using Deutsche Bahn—which is why I prefer using Omio or TrainLine .

NOTE: German train tickets can be purchased about six months in advance.

Buying German Train Tickets At The Train Station

You always have the option to buy your train tickets from any train station in Germany. Every train station will have automated ticket machines and ticket windows. All the machines have an English-language option and most employees staffing the ticket windows will speak English.

DO I NEED TO BUY GERMAN TRAIN TICKETS IN ADVANCE?

Long-Distance Trains

Yes. For high-speed/long-distance trains in Germany, you should book early to get the best price—fares rise as the departure date approaches. For example, a ticket purchased on the day of travel can cost 3x-4x the price as one bought a month or two in advance.

These high-speed trains include InterCity Express (ICE), ICE Sprinter, InterCity (IC), Eurocity (EC).

Regional Trains

No. These trains have a fixed price based on the distance traveled. Simply show up at the station, buy your ticket, and hop on the train. These trains are obviously slower and you’ll have more connections. However, you can book them via the Omio or TrainLine app simply for the convenience of not needing to buy them at the station.

Types of German Train Tickets

There are two standard ticket types:

• Sparpreis:   Sparpreis is a budget ticket that’s valid for a specific route (i.e. it’s not flexible). There is also a first-class version that has the same limitations but you get a few extra perks like nicer seats, more legroom, and access to a nice lounge in large stations — sometimes the first-class and second-class tickets are virtually the same prices so treat yo self.
• Flexpreis: The Flexpreis is a full-price ticket but it offers a lot more flexibility — it’s valid on any train of the day and you can cancel the ticket before the day of travel. It’s also a lot more expensive.

HOW TO COLLECT YOUR TRAIN TICKETS

All digital and printed tickets have a QR code that the conductor will scan when they check tickets on the train. It’s super easy.

• Digital Tickets: You can download the ticket as a PDF and save it to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This is the easiest way.
• Print: You can also print the PDF.
• DB Navigator App: You can have the ticket loaded to your DB Navigator app.
• Print at the Station: Most of the time you can print your ticket at the station. You’ll be given a code that you type into the ticket machine and it will print there. You can also go to the customer service counter.
• By Mail: Yes, you can get printed tickets mailed to you at an extra cost — I think it’s around €5 and takes a while to arrive.

Tips For Using German Trains

First, we recommend getting to the train station about 20 minutes early so you can find your train platform in plenty of time — by the way, there is no check-in… you simply get on the train. Most are easy to navigate but it’s best to play it safe. Also, if you’re printing a ticket at the station you should leave more time because there can be lines to use the machines.

Once you have your tickets sorted, look at the departure board. This will tell you where to find your train. Pay attention to the board as the platform can sometimes change. Don’t worry if you don’t see your train on the board because they may not list it until it’s closer to departure time.

After you’ve found the platform, use the signs in the station to locate the train. Almost everything should be in English and most Germans speak excellent English.

When the train pulls you’ll want to find your correct car if you have assigned seats (if not, just sit in any non-reserved seat). Each train car will have a number on it so it’s easier to find the car while outside the train than to walk through the train to get to your car. From here, all you gotta do is find your seat.

There is plenty of luggage storage on the train—both above/behind the seats and in the luggage racks at the end of the cars.

Eventually, the conductor will come by to check your tickets.

Rail Passes for Germany

Another great thing about German train travel is that rail passes can actually be a pretty good deal. That’s because they don’t require rail pass users to make reservations — even on the expensive high-speed trains (the exception is overnight trains). So all you gotta do is hop on any train and go.

Check out Eurail.com for the various rail pass options.

Eurail Pass Vs Single Tickets: What’s Cheaper?

So what’s a better deal—a Eurail pass or single tickets. Well, it depends…

First, you need to look at the per day/per ride cost of the pass — i.e. divide the total cost of the pass by the number of rides it gives you. If you go to Eurail they do a pretty good job of breaking down the per-day price. So, in the image above, a pass that gives four travel days in a month costs $58 (€50) per travel day.

From here you need to estimate how much a single ticket would cost.

The price of a single ticket will vary greatly based on when you buy it and the travel distance. So let’s take a look at a Munich to Berlin ticket.

If you buy this ticket four months in advance the price is around €30-€40. So this is quite a bit cheaper than the pass.

If you buy tickets one month in advance the prices are still fairly affordable at €40-€54. This ends up being a little cheaper or about the same as the pass.

However, when you book less than a week in advance the price skyrockets to well over €50 so a pass is a way better deal.

In conclusion:

Single tickets are almost always cheaper if you buy them a few months in advance but you lose out on flexibility as you have to ride that specific train. Rail passes usually end up being a better deal if your plans aren’t set in stone as you can choose what trains you take on a whim. So we recommend visiting  Eurail  to see what passes might work for your trip and then do some simple math comparisons.

More Rail Pass Considerations

• 28 & Older: If you’re 28 and over then you’re required to buy a first-class rail pass. This does jack the price up a good amount so it’s less of a deal when compared to 2nd-class single tickets.
• German Rail Twin Pass:  When two people travel together they get a 50% discount on the second pass (this is good for both 1st and 2nd class passes). You’ll have to travel on the same train because you’re only given one pass with both your names on it.

More Tips For Riding Trains in Germany

• The Departures Board:  You’ll find your train platform via the departure board at the train station. Don’t worry if you don’t see your train because they often only display trains departing within the next 10-20 minutes.
• Self-Service Machines Are In English:  Don’t worry if you don’t speak German because the ticket machines (and train station signs) are all in English.
• DB Navigator App: Download Deutsche Bahn’s official app to book tickets, check timetables, and do other helpful stuff.
• Download The Rail Planner App:  There are a number of rail apps but we like the  Eurail App  — it essentially has the timetables/info for every train in Europe and it doesn’t require an internet connection.
• Cheap Tickets Are Non-Refundable:  One downside to cheap tickets is that they’re non-refundable and there is a fee to change (but you can’t do it on the day of travel).
• Pack A Picnic:  You’re allowed to bring your own food and alcohol on trains. It’s great for those long train rides.
• Luggage:  There aren’t any weight limits on luggage and you can bring as much as you want (well, as much as you can carry). Simply bring it on and store it above your head, behind your seat, or in the luggage racks in each car.
• Making Connections:  Your trip might require you to change trains along the journey. Don’t worry if there isn’t much time between trains as switching trains are usually fairly quick and easy (it’s not like flying).
• Get To The Train Station Early:  Train stations are usually fairly easy to navigate but they can be a little confusing.
• Changing Stations: Some routes might have you switch train stations in a city to make the journey — pay attention to this because stations are usually far apart.

More Articles About Traveling In Germany

• Berlin City Guide : What to do, see, and eat in Berlin.
• Best Hostels in Berlin : The best cheap places to stay in Berlin.
• How To Choose The Best Travel Insurance : Travel insurance will help cover those non-refundable train tickets if something goes wrong during your trip.
• Packing List For Europe Travel : Tips on packing light — which makes train travel much easier.
• How To Buy Train Tickets In Germany : In-depth guide to buying Germany train tickets.
• Recent Posts
• New York Pass Review | Is It A Good Value or Waste of Money? - May 20, 2024
• Paris Pass Review — A Good Value or Waste of Money? - May 13, 2024
• The Best Travel Backpacks | In-Depth Buyer’s Guide & Backpack Reviews - April 28, 2024

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Germany is impressive. Picture this: Natural and architectural wonders, distinctive dishes and beers, and a fascinating history. The country is a feast for the eyes, mouth, and mind. Our Germany itinerary takes you on an adventure through five major cities. From skyscrapers to historical landmarks, museums to parties, and a constant cool factor - we've got all interests covered.

We offer one-country passes to Germany at our dedicated German Rail Passes site.

Itinerary highlights

Cities visited on this trip:.

Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner

Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt is the financial capital of Europe - for proof, just look at its modern skyscrapers and the giant Euro Sculpture in front of the European Central Bank. Go to Main Tower and take an elevator to its viewing platform. On a clear day you’ll be able to see above the entire city, the river Main, and their surrounding areas. Another architectural delight is the My Zeil shopping center, located on Frankfurt’s bustling shopping street Zeil. The building’s remarkable curved glass roof and vortex-shaped facade has to be seen to be believed. Afterwards, step back into nature at the City Forest (Stadtwald), Germany’s biggest inner-city forest.

From Frankfurt to Cologne

Travel time:

Reservation needed:

Frankfurt am Main Hbf

Reservation optional

Cologne, Germany

Cologne (köln), germany.

The magnificent Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) welcomes you when you arrive in Cologne – it lies on the doorstep of the main train station. Reach the top of the South Tower’s spiral staircase and be rewarded with a sweeping view over the river Rhine. The nearby Hohenzollern Bridge is covered with love padlocks. Cultural buffs have a smorgasbord of museums and galleries to discover. Modern art fans should go to Museum Ludwig . If you like big celebrations, time your visit for the crazy Carnival in February, or Christopher Street Day and the Cologne Lights Festival (Kölner Lichter) in July.

From Cologne to Berlin

Berlin, germany.

Berlin. The capital of cool. It has an exciting mix of history, culture, and nightlife, with discoveries at every corner. Make sure you add the East Side Gallery to your Berlin itinerary – it’s the world’s largest open-air gallery with murals painted across almost a mile (1.3 kilometers) of the former Berlin Wall. One of the most iconic symbols of the city is the 18 th century Brandenburg Gate . Minutes away lies the Holocaust Memorial . Its thought-provoking design and underlying museum leave a somber reminder worth reflecting on – definitely a must for your Germany itinerary.

From Berlin to Dresden

Reservation required

Dresden, Germany

Dresden Hbf

Dresden is a cultural and architectural gem. It was called the “Jewel Box” thanks to its former role as the royal residence of the kings of Saxony. Most of Dresden’s historical center was destroyed by bombings in 1945, but much has been restored to its former glory. The city's inner old town holds several treasures, including Dresden's signature landmark the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche). Its ruins were left untouched for over 40 years after the bombings. Reopened in 2005, it now symbolizes hope and reconciliation. Semper Opera is another architectural masterpiece. It's an opera house, concert hall, and ballet stage, all in one grand setting.

From Dresden to Munich

Munich, germany.

München Hbf

Munich (München), Germany

Munich, Germany: home of proud Bavarians; kingdom of world-class beer. The main square Marienplatz is a great starting point for exploring the Old Town. Minutes away is the Hofbräuhaus , a definite must-see on your Munich itinerary. The world’s most famous beer hall has been around since 1589. Still up for more beer? Take a daytrip to Andechs Monastery , where Benedictine monks have been brewing beer since 1455. To gain an insight into the sad events of the Holocaust, visit the Dachau Concentration Camp . It provides a chilling account of the first National Socialist concentration camp. Tours are free.

For this itinerary we recommend:

• The German Rail Pass
• Travel days:  4 days within 1 month

For ICE trains in Germany it's not mandatory to have a reservation. However, we recommend you to buy a reservation for these trains, especially if you're traveling in a group. If you travel without a reservation, you might get asked to leave your seat because someone else reserved it. 

These reservations are not included in your Eurail Pass. Make sure to book your seats in advance, there are limited seats available for Eurail Pass holders. It's also possible to avoid reservations all together, simply by taking regional trains . 

What are my Pass options?

German Rail Pass The ultimate Pass for train travel in Germany.

Eurail Global Pass Lets you travel in 33 countries, including Germany.

Related Pages

1 week in the netherlands.

France Itinerary

Switzerland Itinerary

Austria itinerary

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

• Most Scenic Rail Journeys In Germany

Instead of traveling by car during your next vacation in Germany, why don’t you take a breathtaking train journey through the country’s scenery instead? Your vacation in Germany is likely to be memorable for all the beautiful trips you can make. Whether you take a leisurely drive through the Fichtelberg Railway, from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, or along the Putbus to Gohren on the Railway of Rügen. The following list makes you want to jump on one of Germany´s railway lines.

Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

A gorgeous castle in the world, Neuschwanstein, may be reached by taking a scenic train trip from Munich, which is 91 kilometres in the distance. The drive from Munich to Füssen in Bavaria is like moving through a scene straight out of a picture postcard because of the region’s picturesque landscape. You may look forward to seeing never-ending beautiful meadows, rolling hills, and teeny small settlements.

No matter how well-prepared you are, you won’t be able to prevent your heart from skipping a beat the first time you see Neuschwanstein Castle set against the gorgeous Bavarian Alps. Always remember to sit on the left side of the train while travelling to the castle to have the best view.

Although it is impossible to stay in Neuschwanstein Castle, you may get a room at the Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel just down the hill from the castle. This will ensure that the enchanted castle is the first thing you see when you open your curtains in the morning.

Hollentalbahn: Freiburg im Breisgau to Donaueschingen

Despite its name, which translates to “Hell Valley Railway,” the experience on the Hollentalbahn through the Black Forest is what visitors describe as “heavenly.” It will take you about an hour and a half to go from Freiburg im Breisgau to Donaueschingen through this route via the breathtaking Dreisam river valley.

It begins at an elevation of 278 meters and ends at an elevation of 885 meters, making it one of the steepest train lines in the nation. The most thrilling aspect of this expedition is walking over the 40-meter-high Ravenna Bridge to go across the Ravenna Gorge. Make a reservation at the Flair Hotel Grüner Baum on the outskirts of town if you do not feel rushed to return to your original destination. It is just some minutes from the Danube River’s headwaters and has various accommodation sizes and an on-site restaurant.

Cologne to Mainz

Make sure you get a seat on this tour to take in the Rhine Valley’s breathtaking scenery. It takes an average of one hour and forty minutes to go 139 kilometres. It is also possible for you to stop at the charming town of Koblenz along the road if you have the time and want to do so. Views of the Rhine, complete with rocks on each side and ships dotting the horizon, maybe had looked out the window of your train.

It is one of the most exciting train trips in the nation since the route is interspersed by villages that seem to belong in a picture postcard and hills that are topped by historic castles. If you want to get the adequate best out of your trip from Cologne to Mainz, make sure you book a seat on the left side of the train (and on the right side if you are moving from Mainz to Cologne).

It is well worth one’s time to remain in Mainz to explore this city since it is both the wine capital of Germany and a lively university city. Visit some of the city’s stunning cathedrals, take a stroll around the historic old town, and then settle in for a night or two at me and all hotel Mainz, which is conveniently situated in the city’s centre.

Munich to Mittenwald

An excellent option for a day excursion from Munich is to take the train 81 kilometres (50 miles) to Mittenwald, one of the most beautiful mountain villages. The train route takes around one hour and 51 minutes. Along the way, take in some of the most iconic views of the Bavarian landscape, including snow-capped mountains, quaint tiny towns, and rolling green fields. This area is transformed into a wintry paradise during the winter months due to snow.

We suggest anybody looking for a place to stay book a room at the Post Hotel Mittenwald. When you’re not out exploring the area, you may use the hotel’s indoor pool and spa, designed in the Bavarian tradition. The hotel is just within walking distance of the town centre.

Konstanz to Offenburg

Train travel from the stunning city of Konstanz, perched on the shores of Lake Constance, to the Black Forest is sure to be an experience you won’t forget. This trip travels 129 kilometres in an average of three hours and 55 minutes. Soon after you leave Konstanz, you’ll view mesmerizing panoramas of pine trees, eventually giving way to vistas of the impenetrably impenetrable Black Forest, lush meadows, and tiny hamlet. The Black Forest is one of the most amazing places in Germany.

During its journey, the railway passes through the breathtaking town of Triberg and is carried over the Hornberg Viaduct. In Offenburg, the Mercure Hotel Offenburg am Messeplatz is an excellent place to spend the night. It is not too distant from the railway station and has an indoor pool where you can swim in the morning before breakfast.

The Harz Steam Railway, also known as the Brockenbahn

This train ride alone is sufficient justification for the trip to the Harz Mountains. The historic steam Brocken Railway begins its journey from the Drei Annen Hohne station and winds its way through Harz National Park on its route to Brocken, the highest point in the Harz Mountain range at 1,141 meters.

The trip is just 19 kilometres long, but it will leave you with unforgettable memories of the mountains and valleys you pass along the way.

Three Lakes Railway: Freiburg im Breisgau to Seebrugg

You have the option while riding the Hollentalbahn (also known as the Hell Valley Railway), to go all the way from Freiburg to Donaueschingen or to take the Dreiseebahn (also known as the Three Lakes Railway) from the Titisee station and head in the other direction, toward the south.

The Titisee, Windgfallweiher, and Schluchsee are three well-known lakes in the Black Forest traversed by this train before it arrives at its final destination, the Seebrugg station. This is how the train got its name. You will have to immediately leave Titisee to be rewarded with stunning, unobstructed views of Parental (Bear Valley). The Feldberg-Parental station, located at 967 meters (3,173 feet) above sea level, is the highest point along the circuit. The trek takes around one hour to cover a distance of 19 kilometres (12 miles).

A train departs Freiburg every hour, making it simple to purchase tickets without a reservation at the station. However, if you do want to make time to explore the city and its charming old town, arriving a day early for a stay at the Alex — a stylish boutique hotel that is only five minutes away on foot from the central railway station – is the best way to go about it.

It’s hard to find a country that can compete with Germany regarding picturesque train rides. On a train trip through Germany, travellers may see the breathtaking Bavarian Alps, the romantic Rhineland, and the picturesque Danube valley. There is something for everyone on a train trip through Germany. Check out our list of the top 10 things to do in Germany if you’re searching for even more motivation to go there or have a look at our trips that include Germany.

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German Holiday Tours by Rail – a great way of traveling!

Pre-packaged  German Holiday Tours by Rail : Travel Your Way right into the City Center along Germany’s  excellent Rail Network !

Long Distance Rail Station Frankfurt Int Airport 10 TG ©Thomas H. Giesick

A great way to travel through Germany is to travel by High-Speed Rail. We have a variety of rail tours covering Germany . Please find a complete list right here :

At Frankfurt International Airport you will find two different Rail Stations: the Regional Rail Station (located below baggage claim in Terminal 1) and the Long Distance Rail Station (called “AiRail”) which is connected to Terminal 1.

Frankfurt Airport Long Distance Rail Station – AiRail ©Thomas H. Giesick

The AiRail Terminal is a great advantage of Frankfurt International Airport. When you are on your home for example and you arrive there by train you will find a Check-in Center (for Lufthansa and most major carriers) right at the AiRail terminal so you can drop off your luggage right there.

The Long-distance Rail Station at Frankfurt International Airport connects the airport terminal to the High-Speed “ICE” network . This way you do not necessarily have to spend the first night in Frankfurt: cities like Heidelberg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Koblenz and Wurzburg, gateway to the Romantic Road , can be reached within 60 to 90 minutes travel time.

A great example of a Rail tour taking advantage of the High-Speed Rail network at Frankfurt International Airport is the   7 Day Heidelberg & Bavaria – Vacation Package by Rail (7R05)  tour. The beautiful designed itinerary takes you by high-speed rail right from/to the AiRail terminal to the Romantic Road (Wurzburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber ), the Royal Castles (Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle ), Nuremberg, Munich and Heidelberg.

If you book one of our rail tours starting with a night in Frankfurt you will depart from the Regional Rail Station (below baggage claim in Terminal 1) to get to Frankfurt Central Station in just 11 minutes. A tour that starts and ends with a night in Frankfurt is the  10 Day German Fairy Tale & Berlin Rail Circle Tour (10R04) for example which takes you along the German Fairy Tale Route to the North Sea and to Berlin .

We also have Rail tours which start and end in towns and villages located not too far from Frankfurt International Airport. For those tours we include private airport transfers from and to the airport. A very nice and popular tour for example is the  9 Day German Highlights 1st class Rail & Cruise (9R03) . You enjoy a scenic  Rhine River Cruise , visit the Romantic Road   and the Royal Castles ( Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace), Rothenburg ob der Tauber , Munich and Heidelberg . The tour from/to Frankfurt International Airport includes 1st-class Rail tickets  for your entire tour. Unlike 1st-class Rail Passes like the “Eurail” or the “German Rail Pass” those tickets also entitle you to visit the 1st-class Lounges at major train stations (please find information about the cities with 1st-class Lounges below). If you are interested in details about this tour please find them here or click on the picture of the Cruise Ship of the “White Fleet” you will be cruising with.

Rhine River Cruise near Rudesheim ©Thomas H. Giesick

Munich International Airport is Germany´s second largest airport. It is connected to Munich Central Station by direct commuter train (“S-Bahn”). Travel time is about 45 minutes. The  9 Day Romantic Road & Rhine River Cruise (9RC01)  is a Rail Vacation Package which starts at Munich International Airport and ends at Frankfurt International Airport. It takes you to Munich and into the Alp Mountains to the Royal Castles , to Nuremberg, the Romantic Road and to Rudesheim am Rhein , from where you enjoy an all day Rhine River Cruise .

The German Rail network serves nearly every city in the country. In most cities in Germany the Central Station (“Hauptbahnhof”) is right in the City Center . Usually a wide variety of hotels are located in walking distance from the stations. Since also the major historic sights are typically located in the historic centers of the towns, sightseeing is very easy . No driving within a city during rush-hour, no parking issues and fees and a great public transportation system available in all of the towns: public buses, trams, subways, commuter trains…

Frankfurt Central Station and Frankfurt Airport Rail Station

The major cities are connected to the High-Speed “ICE” (InterCityExpress) network. The top speed of the new generation ICE exceeds 170 mph which means that travel time between the major cities is significantly faster than by car . Seats can be reserved on High-Speed ICE and also on “IC” trains. If you are holding a seat reservation you will find the compartment and seat number on your ticket (or on a separate reservation ticket). If you do not have a reservation you may take any seat that is not reserved. You see a little electronic display above each seat showing the reservation status.

Seat Number Display / Second Class Compartment on an ICE

There is no need to arrive hours in advance at a rail station. Within Germany there is no check in so you just have to be at the track in time. You take your baggage with you, in most compartments you will find baggage racks to store your luggage.

Sit back and relax and see the landscapes pass by while traveling at high-speed! Have a meal at the restaurant on board of the train or visit the bistro to chat with fellow passengers.  People usually have time to talk while traveling on the train. The bistro on board of the ICE is a great place to get in touch with locals !

Restaurant and Bistro on board of the ICE

In larger rail stations in Germany you will find food courts and shopping arcades which are open seven days a week, usually from 6 am to 10 pm. You are allowed to bring your own food on board of the trains if you prefer to. At rail stations you will also find lockers to store your baggage in case you have time to visit a city “along the way”: for a small fee you just put your luggage into the lockers which are available in different sizes.

Shopping Arcade and Food Court at major stations / Lockers for baggage

If you are traveling on one of our tours which include 1st-class Rail tickets or if you have upgraded your rail tickets to 1st-class (please ask us for this option) you are entitled to visit the lounges of DB German Rail at no extra cost. Please note that travelers holding a “Eurail” or a “German Rail Pass” are not entitled to visit the lounges and this is one reason why we do not use such tourist passes for our tours. You may visit the lounges at your departure station (the rail station you depart from that day), at a rail station you are connecting at (if you are not booked on a direct train) as well as at the arrival station (where your rail journey ends that day). In the lounges you find complimentary hot and cold beverages , free WiFi access, international newspapers and restrooms . There are 15 German Rail Lounges located in Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Duesseldorf, Dresden,  Essen,  Frankfurt,  Frankfurt Airport,  Hamburg,  Hanover, Leipzig,  Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart. In Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt (Central Station), Hamburg and Munich you will find separate 1st-class areas which you may access with your tickets at no charge. Here you find even more comfort and service. Complimentary snacks and drinks are served here.

DB German Rail First-class Lounge at Frankfurt International Airport

On some of our tours we arrange day trips by Rail. During the Black Forest Rail Circle Tour for example you will be traveling on regional trains on your way to visit Lake Titisee (please see our blog  Day trip to scenic Lake Titisee and into the Black Forest ) and small Black Forest Villages like Triberg .

Regional Rail Compartment (here: along our Black Forest Rail Circle Tour), Hinterzarten Black Forest Station

Or take a look at the Day trip by Rail from Munich into Alp Mountains (Zugspitz) area .

Day trip by Rail – from Munich into the Alp Mountains ©Thomas H. Giesick

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The country of 5.000 beers and 20.000 castles!

For a country that likes to celebrate, the train journey across its dynamic cities is nothing but a huge party. An Interrail Pass is your ticket to discover the historic city of Hamburg and taste the world-class nightlife in Berlin. Check out Oktoberfest in Munich and soak up the breathtaking views from Heidelberg Castle. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and go see what Germany has lined up for you.

Germany quick facts

Population: 80 million

Language: German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Dialing code: +49

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The Interrail Germany Pass is the best way to travel to Germany's highlights, like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Heidelberg and Cologne.

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In Germany it's not mandatory to have a seat reservation on the ICE trains. However, we would recommend you to buy a seat reservation, especially if you're travelling in a group. This way you can not be asked to leave a seat, which might happen if you don't have a reservation. 

Reservations are not included in your Interrail Pass. We can help you book your reservations for 95% of the trains in Europe. It's also possible to travel without reservations, by travelling with regional trains. 

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A wonderful Christmas Time

Germany is the place to be in late autumn and early winter. Watch Christmas Markets pop up all over the country, from Hamburg to Nuremberg and from Berlin to Dusseldorf. Wherever you go, you'll be sure to enjoy mulled wine, bonfires and carol singers - all wrapped underneath a warm blanket of holiday cheer!

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Adventure in Germany’s beautiful landscape

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a playground for mountain biking and hiking and not to be missed is the cascading Triberg waterfalls . Venture onto Freiburg ’s Schauinsland Cable Car to get spectacular views of the surrounding Black Forest, Swiss Alps and Rhine Valley from the Schauinsland mountain (1284 metres). Nearby is Lake Constance which is great for relaxing on one of the pebble or sand beaches. For those with bags of energy, choose from sailing, windsurfing, swimming, canoeing and even freshwater diving.

Berlin: Europe’s most underground city

Berlin, one of Germany’s über coolest places to visit, is open-minded, eclectic and downright individual. Mix your trip with a peek into recent German history, along with an exploration into some of Berlin’s great artistic expression. And by night get lost in Berlin’s hidden underground scene and see why it has become the city of choice for the young and young at heart. The Hauptbahnhof is Berlin’s main train station and worth checking out for the impressive architecture of the building.

Epic architecture and summer beer gardens

Just an hour from Berlin, you can reach the Baroque city of Dresden , known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Take in the captivating skyline of elegant buildings and soaring towers. Hit the Brühlsche Terrasse, running along the River Elbe – a favourite among locals and travellers alike for coffee drinking and watching the world go by. Munich (München), the capital of Bavaria is also worth a visit. Come between June and October and take full advantage of the typical German beer gardens and enjoy the mesmerising buzz of Marienplatz’s street entertainment.

Get lost in the hardcore party scene

When it comes to partying, Berlin is effortlessly on the ball with an unrivalled diversity of bars and clubs. One club not to be missed is the Berghain and Panorama Bar with dark minimal and techno rattling out. Be prepared for shock-factor – this is not a place for the squeamish! Over in Hamburg there’s also some fine nightlife. Focus on the legendary Reeperbahn – a mile of eclectic nightlife and also home to Europe’s biggest red light district. Find all you need for a hedonistic night: great bars, restaurant, clubs and strip clubs.

Immense forests and picturesque islands

Near Stuttgart, perched high atop a cliff overlooking the Echaz Valley, is Lichtenstein Castle – one of Germany’s most beguiling fairytale castles. Inside the Neo-Gothic-styled walls, you find a fascinating collection of historic armour and weapons. Germany’s biggest island is also a real treat to visit for a few days of relaxation. Rügen sits in the Baltic Sea, north-east of the mainland, and has over 500 kilometres of coastline. The Rügendamm bridge connects the island by rail with Stralsund , a small city on the mainland.

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How to Take the Train in Germany: A Step by Step Guide!

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

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When it comes to the German rail system, I think one thing you could definitely say is… I have a LOT of feelings about it.

Train travel in Germany is a truly funny and misunderstood thing, shrouded in a romantic cloud of efficiency, speed and scenic bliss.

But while German trains are leaps and bounds better than train travel in many countries, it is far from the flawless and simple utopia many of us imagine in our heads.

From awkward seat shuffling and breathless running to impatient inspectors and stunningly muffled announcement quality, German train travel is a piece of work that, like a marriage, requires years of learning, understanding and patience.

Don’t worry though – I’ve endured the marital strife so you don’t have to. I lived in Germany for over five years, exploring the country (mostly) by train, and today I’m going to walk you through the process, from start to finish.

I hope you find it helpful!

Save this guide on how to travel Germany by train for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

A Brief Introduction to the German Rail System

Let’s start with some basics on taking the train in Germany, which involves the largest rail network in Europe and over 33,000km of track!

Rail Providers in Germany

Operating over 40,000 trains a day, Deutsche Bahn is the national rail provider in Germany responsible for the vast majority of trains in the country.

When it works, it works great. However, when there are delays, travelling with them can be a bit of a nightmare, which is why the brand has become the butt of countless jokes regarding delays and high prices.

But bear in mind these jokes are often made by Germans who don’t realize how bad train systems can be in other countries.

Honestly, compared to many countries like Canada where I’m from, the German train system is fantastic, and still my go-to mode of transport around Germany.

It’s far from flawless but it’s still pretty great, especially when boarding at hubs like my former home of Munich, since there’s far fewer delays at the start of a journey!

Another train operator you can consider in Germany is FlixTrain.

I’ve personally never taken them because in the time I lived in Germany, they were operating really limited routes and I still haven’t had a chance to try them. That said, their value proposition is super cheap fares starting at only 4.99 euro so definitely worth looking into if budget is a priority.

Flixtrain is fairly no frills – they only have one standard class and the buying process is straightforward so the rest of this post will focus on Deutsche Bahn trains and tickets.

NOTE: If you do book with Flixtrain though, be sure to double check that you are in fact booking a train, because this company also owns Flixbus, one of the biggest bus companies in Europe, and they’ll often show you buses alongside trains.

Now, let’s discuss…

Types of Trains

Broadly speaking, we can divide German trains into two three categories: long distance, regional, and local, such as S-Bahn or U-Bahn trains.

Understanding the difference between these is important, as they make a huge difference in journey time and cost, so I’m going to run through the most common ones, along with their abbreviations that typically show up in the train numbers and booking portals.

Long distance trains in Germany are used to connect larger cities and are therefore usually quicker, but typically require booking in advance, with reservations being a good idea in busy periods.

Under the German long distance train umbrella, we have…

• ICE: InterCityExpress trains, which are the fancy, high speed trains that get you between major cities, and can go up to 300km an hour. Especially quick are the ICE Sprinter trains which make even fewer stops than normal.
• IC: Intercity trains, which also travel between cities in Germany but are sometimes a bit slower than the ICE ones (maxing out at about 200km an hour) and often not as new or nice.
• EC: Eurocity trains, which travel between cities in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. These can look different than usual Deutsche Bahn trains because depending on the route, they may be operated by another country’s rail provider.

In contrast, regional trains cover shorter distances, typically within one state or region.

Reservations and assigned seats are not possible for these trains, their prices are fixed so buying in advance isn’t necessary, and they’re covered by a range of special deals which I’ll go over later.

Under this regional train umbrella, we have…

• IRE: Interregio-Express trains, which travel longer distances between regions but usually at much slower pace than the long-distance trains (and are therefore classified as a regional train as far as special deals are concerned)
• RE: Regional Express trains, which connect destinations in one region, but don’t stop at every stop on the route which can be faster than the…
• RB: Regional Bahn trains, which connect destinations in one region and do stop at every stop along a particular route

Lastly, on the local train front, we have options like…

• S-Bahn, which are trains that connect stops within cities and out to nearby suburbs, as well as…
• U-Bahn (in some cities) which are underground trains that connect stops within the city itself like the Subway or Metro

These are also typically covered by the special deals we’ll be discussing below.

Now, with the basics covered, let’s go through step by step how to plan a train trip in Germany.

Step One: Decide if Train Travel in Germany is Right for You

First – let’s talk alternatives to train travel in Germany.

I’m a huge fan of German train travel, but there are other options for getting around that may be better suited to your specific trip and priorities.

Overall, I think taking the train in Germany is great if you’re looking for convenience, comfort and scenery.

The downside is however it can be quite expensive, especially if you don’t book in advance. It’s also not super convenient if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage (more than one big suitcase per person).

A more budget-friendly alternative may be taking buses, booking a ride share on services like BlaBlaCar or sometimes even flights if you’re booking with budget airlines like Ryanair , easyJet and Wizz Air .

Or, if your priority is freedom and getting off the beaten path, it may be worthwhile to rent a car.

Overall, if you’re torn and want to compare all your options at a glance, Omio is a great app that shows you planes, trains, and buses from Point A to Point B. From there, you can gauge whether train travel suits your needs.

If/when you’ve decided you do indeed want to take the train, then we move onto…

Step Two: Buy Your Germany Train Tickets

The pricing of trains in Germany is dynamic, meaning the cost changes depending on when you buy it and what demand is like.

It is totally bananas to me that a ticket, when booked early, can be 20 euros but if you wait until the day before/day of it can go up to 180 euros.

But alas, I do not make the rules. If I did, everyone would get a free on-board puppy.

In any case, I’d advise booking tickets in advance online, because buying them on board isn’t usually possible, and buying in person from the information desk at the station does incur an extra service fee.

You can also buy tickets on machines at the station but I feel like this adds an extra element of stress, so be sure to book in advance whenever possible.

Now, there are a lot of considerations to be made when you go to buy train tickets in Germany. I’ll outline them all now.

First off…

BahnCard vs No BahnCard

If you plan to stay a while and take a lot of trains in Germany, it may be worthwhile to purchase something known as a BahnCard.

These are cards that you purchase for a set fee that then give you discounts on most train journeys, either 25% or 50% depending on which one you buy.

While these cards are definitely more geared towards locals than tourists, sometimes the discounts can be so significant that you can make the cost up in just a few journeys, so it’s worth crunching the numbers.

Especially interesting for short term visitors are the Probe Bahncards, or Trial cards which allow you to buy a cheaper membership that’s essentially a trial for 3 months, rather than for a whole year.

These start at just 17.90 for the three months, an amount you can easily make up if you’re buying an expensive long-distance or last minute ticket. Just don’t forget to cancel your subscription 6 weeks before the expiry date, or it auto-converts to an annual one that of course costs more.

Honestly though, for most tourists visiting for a short time, there are better ways to save money on German train tickets.

So let’s move onto our next consideration which is…

Standard Tickets vs. Special Tickets or Rail Passes

If you are only booking a few train journeys during your time in Germany, the best option is most likely to just buy tickets for the journeys you’re taking, meaning hopping on the Deutsche Bahn app or website, entering Point A to Point B and buying tickets for each trip you plan to take.

Sometimes though this won’t be the way to get the best deal. So, I’m going to outline some options that may save you money depending on your circumstances.

First off – do know that there are age based discounts on Deutsche Bahn for the following groups:

• (FREE!) Children 6 & under
• (FREE with parents or grandparents) Children aged 6-14
• Youth (aged 15-26)
• Senior (age 65+)

So, to activate these discounts, be sure to specify your age and the age of those travelling with you when you go to search routes.

Now, if you are looking to save money on regional and local trains in Germany, there are few excellent options that are almost guaranteed to save you money, especially for day trips.

With one of these, you can genuinely save hundreds of euros over buying individual tickets the day-of.

If your travels are restricted to one German state, then look into buying a regional day ticket (known in German as Länder-Tickets ). These give you unlimited travel on regional trains for one day, with options up to five adults on one ticket.

The savings with these are also better the more people you bring, with a base fee, then a small additional fee for every extra person, so definitely worth considering if you’re travelling in a group.

Here are the different regional tickets you can buy:

• Baden-Württemberg-Ticket
• Bayern-Ticket
• Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket
• Hessen-Ticket
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern-Ticket
• Niedersachsen-Ticket
• Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket
• Saarland-Ticket
• Sachsen-Anhalt-Ticket
• Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket
• SchönerTagTicket NRW
• Thüringen-Ticket

They also have a Germany-wide version of this ticket if you plan to travel across states, known as the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket.

BUT, an even better deal if you plan to use regional trains exclusively across Germany is a relatively new offering known as the Deutschland ticket.

This golden ticket is only 49 euro a month and gets you unlimited travel on regional trains for that whole month. Considering a one-day Quer-durchs-Land Ticket is already 44 euro, getting the Deutschland Ticket is pretty much a no-brainer if you’ll be taking regional trains for more than one day.

BUT the catch is, this ticket is more geared towards locals, and therefore is offered on a subscription basis. So long as you cancel your subscription in time though, then you can easily just use it for one month or as you need.

Unfortunately, saving money on long distance trains is less simple. Generally, your best bet is just booking early. The earlier you book, the cheaper it’ll be.

If you can’t book in advance though, a potential cost saver could be a rail pass.

If you are just travelling within Germany, there is a German rail pass you can buy for unlimited journeys either on a flex basis, meaning for a few days within a set period or on a consecutive basis, meaning a set number of days in a row.

If you are travelling to other countries in Europe, it may be worth getting a Eurail pass , also known as an Interrail Pass when you’re a resident of Europe.

Used properly, these passes can save you a lot of money, but only in certain situations so for more information on that, be sure to read my full Eurail review.

Now, when you go to buy tickets, you can either do so in person or online.

Online, you can either buy tickets directly through Deutsche Bahn (website or DB Navigator app) or through a third party website.

Booking direct with Deutsche Bahn will pretty much always be the cheapest option, but if you’re planning a big trip with lots of trains or buses in other countries, then a 3rd party like Omio or Trainline might be worth it just to keep all your tickets in one place.

NOTE: When choosing your journey, always prioritize direct connections or routes that make fewer stops. These will usually cost more, but trust me, it’s worth every penny! Transfers are simple enough when trains run on time, but as soon as you’re hit with a delay, that can disrupt your entire journey and make things 100x more stressful.

Whether you buy from Deutsche Bahn or from a third party though, there are several considerations to make, so I’ll run through them now.

1st vs 2nd class on German Trains

The first time I got to sit on a 1st class German train, I had extremely high expectations.

Part of my brain flashed to a sepia-toned flashback of glamour train travel in the 60s, with fizzy champagne flowing and a steak dinner served right to my seat. I knew this wasn’t going to happen, so I dialled it down. I once took a first class train in Italy and they gave us coffee and snacks. I therefore looked forward to said coffee and snack.

German trains? You get pretty much nothing. So no, the difference isn’t stark, but there are some instances where I think splurging on first class is worth it.

On regional trains, there isn’t a dramatic difference between first and second class seats.

The main perk is it’s generally quieter and sometimes the seats are slightly comfier. So, I would go for first class in regional trains if a) the price difference isn’t much/doesn’t matter, b) you want extra privacy or c) it’s a busy time and you want to secure your chances at having a seat (and space for your stuff).

On long distance trains however, there’s definitely a bigger difference between first and second class, especially on ICE trains.

In first class, the seats are more comfortable, a reservation is included, you can get food/drinks ordered to your seat, and for introverts like me, there are even single seats you can reserve so you don’t have to sit next to anyone.

If any of these perks sound appealing to you, then I’d say it’s worth the extra cost (which is sometimes minimal if you book early enough).

The next consideration is…

Reserved vs. Unreserved seats

Reservations are pretty much never mandatory on German long distance trains, and aren’t even possible on regional trains, S-Bahn or U-Bahn.

That said, I would highly advise making a reservation if you’re at all an anxious traveller, or if you’ll be travelling during a busy period.

The cost is only about 5 euro and having that peace of mind for me is more than worth it.

If you do end up reserving a seat, another consideration is…

Carriage and Seat Types

Some trains in Germany have different carriages intended for different purposes, such as…

• Silent/quiet carriages
• Cellphone carriages (where you can freely make calls)
• Family areas
• Bike zones (with additional space)
• Accessible zones

There are also different seating configurations for many long distance trains, with the two main choices being:

• Open saloon seating, which is your standard train set-up with seats in a carriage, sometimes with a table around which 4 people can sit facing each other OR
• Compartment seating, which are more old school closed compartments with seats facing each other. These are fun if you get them to yourself, or with your own group but can be a bit intimate if you’re sharing with strangers

You’re usually given an interactive map when you book a reservation, so you can also make other considerations like window vs aisle or how close you are to amenities like the bathroom, luggage racks or the on board restaurant.

Be sure to take some time to consider which seat you might want to reserve – not all seats are made equal!! With seats at the end of cars for instance, people will be coming in and out constantly to go to the bathroom, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for a peaceful journey.

Another choice you’re given when buying tickets is…

Flexpreis vs Sparpreis

Essentially these are different versions of the same ticket, and make no impact on the destination/route, but do impact how flexible the terms of your ticket are.

The Sparpreis is essentially a ticket that is only valid for that one train and time you’re booking. In exchange for this lack of flexibility, the fare is much cheaper, especially with the Super Sparpreis (which is most limited in flexibility).

In contrast, the Flexpreis ticket gives you a lot more flexibility, usually allowing you to travel on any train that day for your chosen route, or with the Flexpreis Plus, even trains the day before or two days after.

Overall, I feel like the price difference is rarely justified for these Flexpreis tickets (sometimes it’s more than 5x!), but do what’s right for your own trip and priorities.

Lastly, there’s…

Bike/Pet Add-Ons

If you are travelling on German trains with a bike or with a pet, know that you’ll typically need to buy an additional ticket for them.

Alright with your tickets booked it’s time to move onto the day of your journey, with…

Step Three: Get Snacks

On the day of your journey, I highly recommend you get some food and drink to bring with you on the train (especially for longer trips). This is completely allowed on German trains!

While there are usually some food options on board with long distance trains, they tend to be fairly limited and pricey, so getting your own gives you more control. On regional/local trains, there is no food or drink sold on board at all.

So, at the very least, I’d get some water or something to drink. There’s often great options even at the train station itself.

Now let’s move onto… 

Step Four: Arrive at the Station 

First off, before leaving, double check that you are headed to the right station. Many major cities will have multiple stations like Munich, which has its Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) as well as Ostbahnhof (East Station) and other smaller ones.

If it’s your first time at this station, and if you’re in a big city, I recommend you arrive thirty minutes or more in advance of your departure time, because main stations in cities like Berlin, Munich & Hamburg can be very overwhelming, with multiple levels, shops and 20+ platforms.

Now, if you are taking public transport and arriving at the train station in a big city, you might find it tough to find where the trains actually are, because often these stations are multi level transport hubs servicing U-Bahn, trams and buses as well.

In any case, all you need to do is look for train symbols on signs like this which will point you in the direction of the platforms:

Now when you get to the station’s main concourse, your priority is finding out which platform your train is on. The Deutsche Bahn app will usually tell you in advance but I like to double check on the board just in case.

When looking at the board, remember that trains will not necessarily say your destination, but rather the final destination of the train, so if you don’t see the name of where YOU’RE travelling to, don’t panic.

Look for the time and train number, and (when available) the list of stops to see if your destination is listed, then figure it out from there. Beware that some cities like Munich and Cologne have a different name in German (München & Köln) and that’s likely the name that will show.

Next, it’s time to…

Step Five: Get to the Platform 

Platform numbers will generally be very well marked so just look up for signs before making your way.

You will not need to have your ticket for this part, because there are no fare gates for German trains, and tickets are usually just checked on the train itself.

When you get onto your platform, double check it’s correct by confirming either on a platform screen or on the side of the train that you’re in the right place before proceeding to find your carriage.

NOTE: Some regional trains in Germany are divided trains that split at one point in the journey, which means only certain cars end up going to certain destinations. So, before you board, double check that the destination on your train carriage is actually where you want to go. In cases where the train splits, the sign will usually tell you which cars or which part of the platform to go to for your destination, so keep an eye out for that.

Next up, it’s time to…

Step Six: Find Your Carriage 

If you have a reserved seat, then you’ll need to take some extra steps to make sure you get to the correct carriage once the train arrives.

German trains can be very long, so if you have a seat reservation, make sure you’re standing in the right part of the platform to get onto your carriage, otherwise you’ll have to awkwardly dodge and shuffle your way all throughout the length of the train.

With reserved seats, a handy thing to look out for are these charts that show you which part of the platform to stand on (marked by number/letter) depending on your carriage number.

If you do not have an assigned seat, then you simply need to board a carriage in the right class, then pick a free seat.

In these cases, look up at the platform sign and there should be a little diagram that explains which letter part of the platform to stand on for 1st class, 2nd class, and the meal car (depicted by a tiny knife and fork).

When picking a carriage to board, pay special attention to…

• The class number of the carriage (you may only board the class you’ve booked for)
• Whether they are special carriages meant for a certain purpose e.g quiet zone, bicycle zone 

If you don’t have a reserved seat, then usually I find the farther you walk, the emptier the carriages will be. 

Once you find or choose your carriage, then it’s time to hop on board.

If the door isn’t opening then look for a button like this <> and press it. This goes for the train doors as well as carriage doors. 

Now it’s time for…

Step Seven: Find Your Seat 

First off, if your seat is assigned, try to make sure you go in through the correct door closest to your seat.

Long distance trains will usually write the seat numbers on the corresponding door, like so:

If you have large bags, keep an eye out for large luggage racks when you enter. These will usually be found on the ends of the carriages.

With smaller bags/suitcases, there is usually space above your seat for it, or sometimes under and between seats, as marked.

If you don’t have a reservation, before sitting down, make sure your seat isn’t reserved and make sure you’re not taking up a priority space if the train is looking full.

Seats that are reserved on long-distance trains will usually be marked on an electronic screen that shows you which part of the journey the seat is reserved for.

So let’s imagine you’re going from Munich to Berlin. The screen may show the seat is reserved for the whole journey, or for just a portion. If your journey doesn’t overlap with the reservation, then that sat is technically free.

But do note however that the screen may sometimes say something else like..

• ggf. reserviert (possibly reserved)
• ggf. freigeben (possibly to release)

Both of these annoyingly mean that the seat might be reserved, or it might not, but either way you have to vacate it if the person with a reservation comes, so you kind of just have to sit there and hope for the best.

It is honestly the silliest system. To avoid this Russian Roulette of seating charts, be sure to just reserve yourself a seat. It’s worth it.

There are also some seats that are reserved for Bahn Comfort customers, i.e. VIP frequent travellers, so avoid those when you see them or an especially fancy-looking person might come kick you out of it.

Now finally, onto…

Step Eight: Get Comfortable and Enjoy the Journey!

Once you’re all settled, you’re now in a good place to enjoy some of the hidden features and amenities of your train.

Okay, I say “hidden”, but what I mean is they’re easy to miss, especially if it’s your first time on board a German train.

So, be on the look out for…

Coat hooks: These can be found on the wall next to your seat – sometimes they may need to be pulled out. You can leave coats, scarves, etc. on those

Plugs: Most trains will have an area to charge electronics. On ICE trains, usually the charging ports are in the middle part between two seats. On regional trains, the charging ports can often be found between seats or on the wall.

WiFi: Most long distance trains will say they have this but the quality is questionable depending on where you are. Many S-Bahn routes are starting to get WiFi too. Like with modern dating apps, be sure to try connecting, but don’t get your hopes up.

On-board restaurant or bistro: You’ll find these on long distance trains, and if you sit in first class, there’s often even table service straight to your seat.

Bathrooms: And of course, don’t forget to look for the on-board bathrooms (which are free). They’re typically marked by signs saying “WC”.

Now, as you get comfy, keep your ticket and ID handy in case controllers come on board. With long distance trains, you’re often able to check yourself in on the app so you don’t have to worry.

Otherwise, you just wait for a controller to come, at which point you show your ticket.

Getting your tickets checked by a controller tends to happen more often in high speed or long distance trains than the regional ones, but regardless just make sure you have your ticket and also some ID (preferably your passport) on you.

Sometimes they will want to verify your name if it’s a reserved ticket, and your age/residency as well depending on whether or not you’ve purchased a discounted fare.

I’ve had it before where they didn’t accept foreign IDs like driver’s licenses – only passports, so that’s why I’d recommend having that.

Now after your journey is complete, it’s onto…

Step Nine: Disembark

If you are not getting off at the end destination, then start prepping for disembarkation about 10 min before your arrival time. This gives you plenty of time to gather your belongings and bags in a rational, non-crazed manner.

To keep track of what time you’ll be arriving, keep an eye out for screens that show the scheduled arrival time/estimated arrival time.

Make sure you memorize the name of the stop you’re meant to get off at because most major German cities have multiple train stations and it gets a little confusing once you’re in the city. Like in Munich, you could accidentally get off at the East station instead of the Central Station, just because the names start the same.

And if you’re transferring onto another train, keep an eye out on signs/listen for announcements just before your arrive at your station because they will usually tell you which platforms to transfer on, and if there are any delays/disruptions for transfers.

Upon arrival, if the door isn’t opening then again look for a button with the <> open symbol.

Once the doors are open, be careful getting off the train as there’s often a gap/step.

To navigate your way off the platform and onwards to wherever you need to go, keep an eye out for signs that will point you in the right direction.

If you are transferring onto another train, look around for big signs pointing to different platform numbers. If it’s a tight connection (10 min or less) you may want to speed walk or run, depending on how big the station is.

NOTE: Remember, you’re on a train platform, so to reach other platforms you need to either go via a tunnel underground or sometimes a bridge above ground. Keep an eye out for stairs/an elevator so you’re not panicking to find ways to reach your next platform.

If this is your final destination but you need a place to drop off your bags while you explore, most major train stations will have a paid left luggage area with lockers, which is great if you’re too early to check in to your accommodation, or just dropping in for the day.

Remember that your train ticket is usually only valid for that specific train you boarded, so you won’t be able to use it for onward travel on the metro or bus unless you bought a special regional ticket or a City Ticket add-on.

Lastly, take note that in Germany, if the train is more than an hour delayed, you are entitled to compensation. Just make sure you get some proof of the delay, whether through an employee or through photos of signs showing the delay. You can then fill out a form or claim compensation through your DB app.

Final Tips for Taking the Train in Germany

Alright, we’ve gone through ALL the basics so now I’m going to simply leave you with some extra bonus tips on how to make the most of the German rail system!

Learn basic train-related vocabulary

The German rail system is very English-friendly for the most part, with many trains making announcements in English and most train attendants speaking at least some English as well.

That said, when you’re in a panicked state dealing with travel stress, sometimes it IS helpful to know some basic words, so here are a few to keep in mind that may be useful:

• Bahnhof: Train Station
• Hauptbahnhof (HBF): Central Train Station
• Gleis: Platform
• Abfaht: Departure
• Ziel: Destination
• Einsteigen : To board
• Aussteigen :  To disembark
• Umsteigen : To change/transfer
• Zurückbleiben  – To stand/stay back
• Endstation: Final stop

Download the DB Navigator App

I’ve said it so many times already, but the DB Navigator App is an amazing tool, and well worth downloading even if you’re only taking a few trips.

Google Maps does sync train info but it’s sometimes inaccurate or incomplete. The DB Navigator app is free and simple to use, plus it unlocks a bunch of bonus perks like self check-in. Highly recommend!

Make use of helpful search filters to find the right train

If you’re struggling to choose which trains to get, then the good news is there are many helpful tools built into the DB website/app.

If you’re travelling exclusively with a Regional Ticket or Deutschland-Ticket for instance, it may be helpful to click on “Mode of Transport” and then set it to “Local Transport Only” which will then filter out high speed trains and show you only the trains you can take with one of those tickets.

You can also ask them to only show the fastest connections, direct services only, trains with a minimum transfer time, or even specify what stopovers you want.

Avoid peak times

As a tourist, you have the luxury of flexibility, so try to plan your train trips around when other people aren’t travelling.

This will ensure the least stressful experience, and make sure you have room for you and your bags.

Some times to avoid include:

• Early morning (to avoid business travellers)
• 3-4pm during school days
• Early evenings just after work (again, to avoid business travellers)
• Weekends (Friday & Sunday evenings, plus Saturday & Sunday mornings especially)

Use the bathroom on the train – bathrooms at the station cost money

As I mentioned in my Germany must-knows post, free public restrooms are quite rare in Germany, which means you’ll usually have to cough up 50 cents or more to pee at train stations.

NOTE: If you do end up using a paid train station toilet, usually the machine will print you a little coupon to use on a future purchase, so if you need to go, head to the toilet first before buying your train station snack.

Luckily, trains on board are free! So take care of business before disembarking.

Don’t forget ID

Again, remember to have ID on you, even if it’s just a little day trip. Sometimes they will ask to see it.

NOTE: You might assume a driver’s license is okay, but I’ve had several instances where they’ve insisted on a passport because they don’t recognize foreign IDs.

It kind of depends on who checks you and how cranky they’re feeling that day, but if you’re from outside the EU, it’s a safer bet to just bring your passport… especially because it’s Germany, and your train might accidentally cross into Austria or something without you noticing.

Beware of putting your bag in places you’re not supposed to

One time, I had a suitcase that was too huge and heavy to put in the overhead compartment, so I left it in the bike zone as no one was using it.

About an hour later, a cyclist got on and shouted at the top of his lungs “WHO IS THE HUMAN TRASHBUCKET THAT LEFT THIS SUITCASE HERE?” (Okay, just kidding – my German is bad and he probably didn’t phrase it like that but his  tone  did).

I was terrified, and was sitting pretty much right next to the suitcase. I had to meekly say it was mine and had the poor dude next to me try to hoist and cram it up in the overhead shelf.

I still have nightmares about it to this day.

So yes, don’t leave your bags where they’re not meant to be.

Learn the names of your destinations in German

Most places like Berlin or Frankfurt have the same name as in English, others like Munich (München) or Cologne (Köln) have a different name in German, so make sure you know the German name of your destination, and how to say it in German in case you need to ask for directions.

Similarly, learn how to say the names of trains the German way

For instance, ICE trains are not “ice” trains, but rather pronounced Ee Tsay Ay, like the German way of spelling it out.

Be sure to also ask for the U-Bahn, not the subway or Metro.

Don’t bank on the WiFi

The WiFi on German trains is hilariously bad considering how much you pay for those tickets… but yes, don’t rely on having WiFi (like setting aside a bunch of work to do on the train that requires it).

Cell service tends to be quite poor as well once you’re away from the big cities.

Know your route and stops

The last thing you want to do when travelling by train in Germany is relying solely on the announcements to know when to get off or what to do.

Seriously, mumbling seems to be a skill requirement for workers of DB. Mixed in with ambient train noise and the screeching of rails, I have had it far too many times where I’ve been unable to hear anything the conductor is saying.

They also seem to randomly translate in English when they feel like it, so a translation isn’t guaranteed if you don’t speak German. So, make sure you know your route and approximately when you’ll need to get off, transfer, etc.

Beware of “on demand stops” where you must press a button for the train to make your stop

Very rarely, you may come across stops that only stop when someone requests it. These are known as Bedarfshaltestellen .

This shouldn’t be a concern unless you’re travelling to very small, quiet stations, so I wouldn’t worry too much, but if you notice anything on your ticket that mentions the word “Bedarfshalt” or any signs that say “”Der Zug hält nur bei bedarf” (the train only stops on demand) then be prepared to press a special button before your stop, kind of like on a bus.

If you are boarding at one of these Bedarfshaltestelle , then don’t worry – the train will stop so long as they see you on the platform.

I had this (stressful) experience when I travelled to Untergrainau:

Always read the fine print

Lastly, especially when buying discounted offers for German trains, be sure to read the fine print!

With regional tickets for instance, it’s very common for there to be time restrictions on when the ticket is valid, or when it expires.

Likewise, there’s often restrictions on which types of trains you can take with your ticket, so be sure to read up on these or you may be fined as your ticket will be considered invalid.

I Hope This Step by Step Guide on Taking Trains in Germany was Helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions. 

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2 thoughts on “How to Take the Train in Germany: A Step by Step Guide!”

Thank you so much for putting this post together. This was extremely helpful for planning some train travel in Germany. The information is really clear and the pictures are super helpful.

So glad you found it helpful!! Safe travels 🙂

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15 scenic train rides across Europe

Posted: March 16, 2024 | Last updated: March 16, 2024

For tourists, Europe is synonymous with train travel, and there is truly no better way to explore the continent. All the options make it difficult to choose one — or two, or even a few — for your transatlantic adventure. That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 of the most scenic train rides across the region!

Munich, Germany to Salzburg, Austria

Bavaria is known as the most beautiful region in Germany and Austria, and if you spend even just a few minutes there, it’s easy to see why. This part of Europe is a true fairytale, with snowy mountain peaks, charming alpine cabins, and rushing rivers. And while road trips here are fun, the train ride between the two major cities, Munich and Salzburg, lasts about two hours and provides some of the best views of the Bavarian Alps and surrounding villages.

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Sarajevo to Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Balkans aren’t known to have an amazing rail system. However, one train ride that is a must on any visit to the area is the two-hour journey between Sarajevo and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Travel through the Dinaric Alps and catch sights of elevated bridges, waterfalls, and peaks that would otherwise be hard to reach.

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Oslo to Bergen, Norway

This seven-hour journey is a full day of travel, but not one that you should dread, thanks to the spectacular scenery through the heart of Norway! You’ll enjoy glimpses of fjords, rivers, and the lovely Norwegian countryside. The Oslo to Bergen route is at its best in winter when Norway is blanketed with snow. It’s also much less nerve-wracking than driving this route in cold weather conditions.

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Athens to Meteora, Greece

When you picture Greece, sandy island beaches and vibrantly blue water probably come to mind. But that’s not all there is to the country. It has epic mountains as well. The four-hour ride (but budget longer, Greek trains are notoriously slow and late) from Athens to Meteora takes you through the heart of the peaks and ends in the perfect spot for a walking adventure. You can hike from the main towns of Kalambak or Kastraki to the various monasteries that dot the mountains.

Luxembourg, Luxembourg to Cologne, Germany

No, the tiny country of Luxembourg isn’t part of Germany, but it is right next door and ideally located for terrific train rides across Europe. The one from the capital city, also called Luxembourg, to Cologne takes approximately three and a half hours and usually requires a change in Koblenz. But it will take you along the Moselle River, dotted with vineyards, castles, and adorable towns that make the ride fly by.

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Glasgow to Mallaig, Scotland

The West Highland Line is the most picturesque in all of the United Kingdom. You’ll follow the Clyde River into the country and through Trossachs National Park and Rannoch Moor. The five-and-a-half-hour journey is perfect for those looking to see a bit of Scotland in a short amount of time.

Kristinehamn to Gällivare, Sweden

The most fantastic train ride in all of Sweden (and that’s saying something in this country) is this just-over 800-mile journey through the interior. The summer-only route operates between mid-June and late August annually. You’ll see the verdant forests of Sweden and the breathtaking backcountry dotted with wildflowers. 

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Jesenice, Slovenia to Trieste, Italy

The Bohinj Nostalgia Train is a three-and-a-half to four-hour ride through some of the prettiest parts of Slovenia. Visit the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge and the imposing Julian Alps before crossing into Italy. It’s the perfect way to see the area without a car!

Zermatt to St. Moritz, Switzerland’s Glacier Express

Switzerland is known for top-notch public transportation, which is efficient and charming. It is not cheap, but the smooth ride and out-of-this-world window views are absolutely worth it. The all-day, eight-hour Glacier Express will take you through the heart of Europe’s most famous Alps, the Rhine Gorge, and multiple tunnels.

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French Riviera Regional Line

The Cote d’Azur was legendary long before Emily in Paris  visited the coast. And while cruising around in a convertible might be stylish, it’s not exactly realistic for most visitors. Plus, one of the best ways to see the South of France is by a regional RER train. Sure, it’s not the super quick TGV, but that just means you’ll see more of the lovely area. There are multiple lines, and most tickets can be bought on the day of travel.

Lucerne to Interlaken, Switzerland

This isn’t a standard commuter rail between two domestic cities; it’s an experience. The two-hour ride will take passengers through the lovely Swiss countryside. Before departing, you’ll see alpine blue lakes, cascading waterfalls, and quaint mountain villages.

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Dublin to Galway, Ireland

Ireland is a delightful country, full of rolling green hills and a stunning coastline. Most visitors opt to rent a car, but if you’re not keen to drive or want to enjoy the sites without worrying about traffic, the train is a great option. The route between Dublin and Galway takes passengers through the heart of Ireland, perfect for a scenic ride!

French Alps Regional Line

Like its neighbor down south, the regional RER line through the French Alps is one of the best ways to see the mountains and villages. Relax in style and enjoy snowy peaks with a cup of hot chocolate aboard one of the many daily trains between alpine towns and cities.

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The Orient Express, London, England to Venice, Italy

The original route might have gone from Paris to Istanbul (and the French rail operator is working on getting this route ready for the 2024 Olympics), but now you can travel from the British Isles to Italy. In 2023, La Dolce Vita began running and provides luxury train travel in carriages reminiscent of another time. You’ll also enjoy superb Italian dining on this two-day overnight journey!

Levanto to La Spezia, Italy

Cinque Terre is one of the most magical destinations in Italy, but it can be a bit tricky to get around. But the train from Levanto to La Spezia, which lasts just under an hour, is the perfect solution. You’ll catch epic coastline views and candy-colored houses in the hills of the villages.

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How to use Germany’s €49 rail pass to travel beyond Euro 2024’s host cities

Use the unlimited ticket to see lesser-known highlights in, and around, the country.

For four weeks from 14 June, Germany will hope to relive its 2006 Sommermaerchen (Summer Fairytale) when, as host, they finished in third place at the World Cup.

The country will become one huge festival parade ground and everyone is invited. Whether you have tickets to Euro 2024 , or are simply visiting during the tournament, you can expect a party atmosphere with cafés, restaurants and beer gardens putting up screens to show the game. From the Brandenburger Tor in Berlin to Olympiapark in Munich , there will be zones for fans to catch the game with a heavy chance of beer showers.

The sleeper train on which you wake up to breakfast tacos - and Texas

With the action spread across 10 German host cities, it is also the perfect chance to enjoy Germany’s culture, natural landscapes and food. There is something for everyone. The capital, Berlin, has a dark but interesting history, world-class museums and incredible nightlife. Hamburg offers musical heritage and harbourside architecture. Or, in the east, Leipzig is the most alternative cultural city in Germany.

With a greater frequency of trains, dedicated routes to the stadiums (for nine out of 10 host cities) and services running later into the evening, taking the train will be the best way to travel during Euro 2024. Ticket holders will be given a free 36-hour travel pass, valid on matchday and the day after to travel within the city and on slower services within the region.

However, the Deutschland-Ticket will give fans unlimited access to all regional public transport in Germany on RB, RE and S-Bahn trains (SPNV) for one month – ideal for those who want to spend longer and see more of the country.

Priced at €49 a month, the ticket offers use of all forms of regional transport and that includes trains, buses, trams, underground routes, and ferries. However, it does not include the faster, long-distance trains such as ICE, Intercity, FlixTrain and Eurocity or night trains.

You can buy the Deutschland Ticket online via the  Deutsche Bahn website . It is worth remembering that the Deutschland-Ticket is a subscription that will automatically renew at the end of each month.

Whether you purchase it on the 1 June or 14 June , it will be only valid till the end of June. It still works out as a good deal, even if you are travelling across Germany for a fortnight. Remember, you have to cancel on the 10 of the previous month, otherwise it renews for the next month.

It’s also possible to use the Deutschland ticket to travel between some of the host cities on regional trains, for example between Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen, or Cologne and Dusseldorf (though make sure you are using regional rather than high-speed trains). But it’s also worth using it to explore before or after match days. Here are 10 highlights worth detouring for with the Deutschland ticket.

Salzburg : two hours from Munich

Just two hours away from Munich on the Bavarian RE5 is Austria’s fairy-tale city. Salzburg’s most recognisable view is that of the city’s buildings spread into the distance, with the Salzach river below, and the Hohensalzburg fortress perched on a hilltop. Visit the Salzburg Cathedral, the home of Mozart, walk along the winding streets and stumble upon innumerable picturesque city squares.

Hop on the Bavarian Regiobahn (BRB) RE5 train from Munich to Salzburg. The journey time is two hours.

Nuremberg : three hours from Stuttgart

Nuremberg is attractive anytime of the year, but it particularly shines with the buzz and excitement of the Christmas markets. It is one of Germany’s most underrated cities, with so much to enjoy – the architecture, museums, craft beer, waist-expanding gastronomic delights and friendly residents.

Take the MEX 13 regional train from Stuttgart and change in Crailsheim for the RE90 train to Nuremberg. The journey time is three hours.

Essen: 10 minutes from Gelsenkirchen

Essen is located in the heartland of the Ruhr region of Germany. Visit for its coal mine, the Zeche Zollverein, which was once regarded as the world’s largest. Now it is a Unesco site and home to the Ruhr museum. The museum has 6,000 permanent exhibits, showcasing how the use of coal changed over time.

Take the RE2, RE42 or the S2 train from Gelsenkirchen. Journey time is just 10 minutes .

Bochum: 11 minutes from Dortmund

Bochum’s beauty lies in its understated charm. This former industrial mining town is undergoing some major changes, but even in the current state of flux, visitors will find a city packed with culture, green spaces and hip hotspots such as the neighbourhood of Ehrenfeld – and Bermuda3Eck, quite possibly the Ruhr area’s leading nightlife hotspot. For football fans, Bochum is one of the few Bundesliga stadiums where you can get close to the action and feel the spirit of football.

Take the RE1 or RE6 train from Dortmund to Bochum. The journey time is around 11 minutes.

Halle Saale : 22 minutes from Leipzig

Halle is the German city that will surprise visitors. It has an appealing blend of history, music, culture and natural beauty – and it is home to the world’s largest Beatles museum. The historic centre of Halle is impressive, with the Gothic Marktkirche dominating the skyline.

With a 15.9 per cent concentration of green spaces, parks and sports areas, Halle is also one of Germany’s greenest cities. Soak up nature with a gentle stroll along the Saale river followed by a visit to the Botanischer Garten with its range of plant species and landscapes.

Take the local S5x (22 minutes ) or S3 (37 minutes ) from Leipzig to Halle (Saale) Hauptbahnhof .

Bremen: 1 hour 9 minutes from Hamburg

By the banks of the Weser, the Hanseatic city of Bremen is another lesser-visited highlight of Germany. Here, world-class museums stand cheek to cheek with picture postcard neighbourhoods, restaurants showcasing local and international cuisine and nightlife hubs. Bremen is “schon klein” – a compact place to cover by foot.

The Schlachte, Bremen’s 600-year-old harbour, is the place where residents come for long walks up the promenade, ride their bikes or go for a drink in the sun. The Market Square of Bremen is the place to catch up on a great number of stories and legends. Here you will see the instantly recognisable musicians of Bremen captured for all eternity in the form of a bronze statue. The Roland statue found in most German cities, a symbol of market rights and freedom, is the biggest in Germany and is Unesco protected.

The RE4 or RB41 run every hour from Hamburg to Bremen, with journey times varying from one hour nine minutes (RE 9) to one hour 30 minutes (RB41)

Lübbenau: 1 hour 9 minutes from Berlin  

A Unesco biosphere reserve of 400km natural and man-made waterways, Spreewald is the perfect escape from Berlin. Just over an hour by train from the capital, the lush forests and waterways feel like a world away. Lübbenau, on the outskirts of the reserve, makes for a pretty unique day out. From this “city of cucumbers” – they have been grown and pickled here since the 8th century – visitors can set off to explore Spreewald either by wooden boats with their lovingly laid tables (Spreewald’s answer to Venice’s iconic gondolas) or by canoe.

From Berlin Hauptbahnhof, it takes one hour, nine minutes, direct on the RE2 or RE7.

Mainz : 1 hour 23 minutes from Cologne

Mainz is a picturesque university town located on the Rhine. Mostly known as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg (of Gutenberg Bible fame) and the host of stupendous carnival celebrations, Mainz is also a centre for wine making in the Rhineland. Be sure to visit the Romanesque Mainz Cathedral. Kirschgarten Square, with its timbered buildings, ornate fountains, restaurants, cafés and boutiques, is the place to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the old town. The Gutenberg Museum has a Gutenberg Bible on show.

T ake the t rain RB26 (MittelrheinBahn) from Cologne to Mainz.

Heidelberg : 1 hour 36 minutes from Frankfurt

The science city of Germany, Heidelberg is where the country’s intellectual glitterati reside. It has the oldest university in Germany and many research institutes and companies. But there’s a romantic side, too, found by visiting the Baroque Old Town, the Philosopher’s Walk and Heidelberg Castle. The Old Town is spread out across a long, narrow stretch that falls parallel to the Neckar River. Heidelberg Castle, which has a Gothic-Renaissance appeal, stands on the crags of Königstuhl hill, commanding a bird’s eye view of the surroundings.

The RE68 whisks you to Heidelberg from Frankfurt in just one hour, 36 minutes .

Venlo : 1 hour 4 minutes from Dusseldorf

Venlo is a small sleepy town on the German-Dutch border. But, for all its sleepiness, it played an important part in espionage activities during the Second World War. Two British Intelligence officers were arrested here in what came to be known as the “Venlo Incident” and which was later used as justification for the Nazis to invade neutral Netherlands.

These days, expect a laid back and pleasant day trip, enjoying Venlo’s cafés and restaurants, markets and friendly people in this pretty little city on the Meuse River.

With the RE13, hop across the border from Dusseldorf to Venlo in just 64 minutes .

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Monschau-Aachen-Luxemberg, train ride covers bus? - Germany Forum

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Hello wise travellers!

1, if I take the train, then my bus ride is free? Also my son's bus ride becomes free too? I just use this e-ticket to take the bus and train?

2, the bus options on DB app doesn't fit me very well, to the hotel I have booked in Aachen actually just needs one direct bus SB66 instead 2-3 changes it offers. Can I take the bus that I want?

I have been studying about Germany's transpotation for many days, it is really complicated, anyone could solve my confusions would be highly appreciated!

12 replies to this topic

And where is Luxemberg?

If the bus is covered depends what your ticket says - sometimes not the complete journey can be bought via Bahn.com, but it should say so when you select the ticket

There is normally no free travel on connecting buses. As indicated by luchforone, DB will propose you a ticket for a part of the trip, if they can't sell a through ticket for the entire trip. This is indicated, but can be missed. I guess that this has happened here.

Sorry, wrong spelling, Luxembourg

It doesn't say that any leg isn't covered. Looks like everything is covered actually, so I would like to confirm.

If you would post the date and times you are looking we can confirm - if I checked I saw some where this wasn’t the case

In my German language DB Navigator app, when I look for Monschau to Luxembourg and the fare is shown, below the fare it is always written: "Teilstreckenpreis" (partial fare).

And there is a footnote saying: Dieses Angebot deckt die angefragte Strecke nicht komplett ab. Bitte kaufen Sie das Ticket für die nicht enthaltene Teilstrecke separat. (This fare doesn't cover the entire trip. Buy the ticket for the remaining leg separately).

FYI once you have arrived in small but beautiful GDL GrandDuchy of Luxembourg, all public transport can be used for free by everybody (train/except 1.class, bus, tram, funicular ....), no ticket needed, just hop on PT 😉

Thanks everyone, trav1970, lunchforone, you are absolutely right! I missed checking "details"on the page! Now I see that! Much appreciated!

Soinic, that is so generous! Look forward to it! 😊

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5/22/2024 – Lauren Wolff

Plan your summer cycling vacation in Germany

One of the most unique aspects of ROUVY is its ability to transition you from outdoor to indoor cycling seamlessly. With a wide variety of virtual routes, each one offering a unique adventure, ROUVY is a versatile tool for maintaining your cycling routine and achieving your fitness goals. Whether you're in the mood for a flat course, rolling hills, or a challenging climb, ROUVY has it all. You can even use ROUVY to prepare and train for a particular goal event or bucket list climb. It's more than just a cycling platform. It's your personal cycling adventure guide.

Whether you opt for a flat course, rolling, or roads that ascend to the sky, every pedal stroke allows you to push your limits, propel you to higher fitness levels, and explore exotic and uncharted territory simultaneously. It is the opportunity to fuel your sense of adventure and explore and check off places you may never have the opportunity to, a change of scenery from your usual local route. Alternatively, you can prepare and train for a specific goal event or bucket list climb to aim for on a memorable trip that you plan on riding for your next vacation. The sky is the limit!

With ROUVY, you're not just a cyclist. You're an explorer. The app's extensive video route library is like a blank canvas, inviting you to paint your journey with vibrant colours of new experiences and discoveries. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely ride through a picturesque village or a challenging climb up a mountain, ROUVY allows you to choose your cycling adventure. It's your journey, your way.

Choosing a route on ROUVY invites you to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. It's a thrilling journey searching for beautiful virtual destinations or challenging climbs to conquer across six continents. If you want to explore the pleasures of travelling further afield on your trainer, keep reading, be inspired, and find out where to teleport your brain this summer.

One of our experienced professional video creators, Christian Haas, is eager to unveil his exciting new flat and fast routes and provide more background behind each.

​​Explore Germany this summer

Try it for free

Gemünden to Hammelburg in the idyllic valley of the Franconian Saale

A small segment of the extensive 120 km cycle path winds through the enchanting Franconian Saale valley, a 140 km long river in the southern part of the Rhöne that originates and flows into the Main in Gemünden. The journey commences at the Franconian Saale and the mouth of the Main, a perfect starting point. You'll pass through lush green meadows and picturesque villages with traditional half-timbered houses and cross the river on ancient sandstone bridges, each with its unique past.

The route guides you along peaceful, low-traffic roads that follow the river to Hammelburg. Along the way, you'll pass the historic Schönau nunnery and traverse charming villages with traditional half-timbered houses. Known as 'fachwerk' in German, these timber-framed buildings, with their sloping roofs and dark wooden beams, are typical of the late medieval building style and may date back to the 12th century. You then cross the river on ancient sandstone bridges, each with a unique story.

Above: The route follows the river Fränkische Saale, which joins the Main in Gemünden.

Above: The river must be crossed on a floating bridge.

In a meadow between Gräfendorf and Schonderfeld, there is a bridge pillar from a motorway that was not completed in the 1930s. A unique part of Bidet, the Rossmühle, a leisure centre for camping with boat rental, where the river must be crossed on a floating bridge (pontoon bridge) to Morlesau, a through town on cobblestones, the valley of the Saale gradually widens until Hammelburg is reached.

Above: Cycling over the old cobbled streets in the old village.

Above: Cycle past the 'fachwerk', the old timber-framed buildings.

Hammelburg is considered the oldest wine town in Franconia and was first mentioned in documents in 716, making Hammelburg one of the 30 oldest cities in Germany. Some might also think that the name of this city comes from the US American sitcom series ''Hogan's Heroes''.

Ride the new German route.

Hammelburg to Gemünden, the return journey

This course follows the same route, but on the reverse, you’ll see the beautiful scenery from another perspective.

Hafenlohrtal to Rothenbuch, a gem of the Spessart

The new German route from Hafenlohrtal to Rothenbuch is a tranquil and renowned valley in the Spessart, home to a unique cultural and natural landscape, the Hochspessart. This landscape, situated near Marktheidenfeld, is lovely. The gatehouses in the Spessart, marking the entrance to the Fürstlich Löwensteiner Park that partially encircles this valley, are a testament to its uniqueness. One of my preferred routes takes you deep into the Spessart, where you're immediately enveloped in a peaceful ambience upon leaving the last town. The journey commences in Marktheidenfeld, a picturesque village where you cross the bridge and enter the Hafenlohr, named after the river and valley, setting the stage for a memorable excursion.

Above: Over the bridge in Marktheidenfeld and enter Hafenlohr.

Our journey continues through Windheim, where we cross a bridge and turn right into the picturesque valley of the Hafenlohbach. As the road meanders into the forest, there is a herd of water buffalo (unfortunately, not visible in the video as they were enjoying a swim in the stream at this time of day).

After a few km, we ride through the Tothaus Breitfurt to the Fürstlich Löwensteinsche Park, a 30.67 km² forest area. We then cross the Einsiedel, once a former monastery courtyard and today the headquarters of the Princely Forestry Administration.

Above: Enjoy cycling through the magnificent Spessart forests on ROUVY.

The path leaves the park at the forest and gatehouse and climbs until you reach the old Erlenfurt forester's house, built in 1861 and now a listed building. The next point is at a road junction in Lichtenau, a 15th-century stud farm that is now an inn. From here, the route becomes very peaceful until you reach the town of Rohtenbuch.

Niedernberg to Miltenberg, a journey of culture and heritage

The scenic Main Cycle Route spans approximately 500 kilometres from the source rivers, the Red and White Main, to the Rhine's confluence and is a popular choice for touring cyclists. The specific section I captured on film runs upstream from Niedernberg to Miltenberg. Notably, Oberburg, founded by the Romans, often yields archaeological findings during construction work. The tower stands at the entrance to Wörth am Main, with remains of the medieval town wall and tower (Tannenturm) built in the 15th century.

Above: Ride along one of the many extensive and scenic cycle paths.

Above: Wörth am Main with remains of the mediaeval town wall and 15th-century tower (Tannenturm).

As you cross the river to Wörth, you'll encounter the shipyard of Erlenbach, a historical site established in 1668. Continuing your journey, you'll traverse Klingenberg, a charming mediaeval town renowned for its vineyards and castle ruins. Klingenberg is where an annual theatre festival takes place, a testament to the town's rich cultural heritage.

As you ride along Wörth am Main, you’ll see the Main riverbank with a landing for large cargo ships. On the opposite side of the river is the shipyard of Erlenbach and the vineyards of Klingenberg. On the right are the old town walls of Wörth.

Above: Cycling along the Wörth am Main River.

Above: The old sandstone bridge shortly before Miltenberg.

You’ll cycle through the Mainz Tower, the Spitzer Turm. This five-storey late medieval gate tower, built in the 14th century, is one of the landmarks of the town of Miltenberg. The Mainz Gate is located on the western edge of the old medieval village.

Above: Cycle through the Mainz Gate is located on the western edge of the old city.

Miltenberg's destination boasts numerous half-timbered buildings, an excellent brewery, and the Riesen, one of Germany's oldest inns. The city has also gained recognition among mountain bikers for its outstanding trails, making it a hidden gem for offroad riding.

Cycling this new German route.

On ROUVY, there are so many places and opportunities to travel to, and Germany is only one of them to keep up the momentum on your summer vacation.

And if you’re keen to try out more of our new routes fresh out of the ROUVY oven, stay tuned and join us on our next stop - North America!

FREE! Try out ROUVY

Ride with ROUVY, the world’s most realistic cycling app. With 1,300+ real routes, pro training plans and more, staying motivated is easy with ROUVY, Get a free trial!

TRY ROUVY FOR FREE

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General election latest: Starmer gives blunt response on potentially rejoining EU - as police drop investigation into his deputy

Greater Manchester Police will take no further action after an investigation into Labour's Angela Rayner. Meanwhile, the party's shadow chancellor has delivered her first big speech of the campaign - and Rishi Sunak continues to sing the virtues of his national service policy proposal.

Tuesday 28 May 2024 18:00, UK

• General Election 2024

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Election news

• Coming up on Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge at 7pm
• No further action in Rayner police investigation
• Deputy Labour leader hits out at Tories for reporting her
• Explained: What Starmer's deputy was being investigated for
• Starmer says 'no case' for rejoining EU
• Labour's Reeves refuses to rule out unexpected tax rises
• PM says national service 'will keep young people out of trouble'
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler  and (earlier)  Ben Bloch

Expert analysis

• Ian King: Has shadow chancellor boxed herself in over taxation?
• Serena Barker-Singh: Tories lose key attack line with Rayner ruling
• Gurpreet Narwan: Farage already posing a big problem for Tories
• Rob Powell : Why latest Tory tax cut pledge is tricky for Labour

Election essentials

• Bulletin: Our latest rundown of the day's main headlines
• Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more: What happens next? | Which MPs are standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency's changing | Sky's coverage plans

 Our weeknight politics show  Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge  will be live on Sky News from 7pm.

The fast-paced programme dissects the inner workings of Westminster, with interviews, insights, and analysis - bringing you, the audience, into the corridors of power.

Sophy will be joined tonight by Bim Afolami , the economic secretary to the Treasury, and Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh .

On Sophy's panel tonight are:

• Philip Collins , Tony Blair's former speechwriter;
• Lee Cain , Boris Johnson's former communications director.

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

Watch  Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge  from Monday to Thursday on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on the  Sky News website  and  app  or on  YouTube .

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has said she welcomes the conclusion of the police investigation into her former living arrangements - and has hit out at the Tories for taking the issue to detectives.

"We have seen the Conservative Party use this playbook before - reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their dire record," she said.

"The public have had enough of these desperate tactics from a Tory government with nothing else to say after 14 years of failure.

"I am grateful to all those who have stood by and supported me and my family. My focus now is squarely on securing the change Britain needs, with the election of a Labour government."

Sir Keir Starmer has been at an Airbus factory in Hertfordshire this afternoon and has fielded questions from the public and reporters.

Speaking to the latter, he was asked whether a Labour government would review freedom of movement with the EU.

"We haven't got it any more, and we're not going back," he said.

"There is no case for saying we go back into the EU."

He refers to the outcome of the 2016 referendum, despite having later campaigned for a second one.

But Sir Keir says he thinks "we can get a better deal" with the bloc.

He called for a "closer relationship", especially on trade and defence.

Earlier, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves made her pitch to be the UK's first female chancellor, in which she claimed Rishi Sunak is "singing from the same songbook" as his predecessor Liz Truss.

If you need a reminder, Ms Truss's short tenure in No 10 included a disastrous mini-budget which caused havoc to the economy.

Reacting to Ms Reeves' speech - and news overnight that 120 business leaders have backed Labour - our business presenter Ian King said a "couple of things" have started to turn heads in the City.

No tax rises - and no summer fiscal event

He explains: "One was the commitment from Rachel Reeves that there would be no additional taxes other than the ones that she's already set out - for example, more aggressive taxation of private equity, the imposition of VAT on private school fees.

"The other was the fact that during the question and answer session she ruled out an emergency fiscal event this summer.

"She said that there would need to be at least 10 weeks between the end of the general election and a fiscal event taking place, so that any spending decisions and taxation decisions could be properly assessed by the Office for Budget Responsibility."

This is interesting for a couple of reasons, Ian says.

"First of all, it rather suggests that this hike in private school fees - or VAT on school fees - is not going to be implemented straight away," he says.

"Not until probably mid-September at the earliest.

"The second point is that she's really kind of boxed herself in with this promise not to additionally put on extra taxes, other than the ones that she's already outlined.

"Because practically every economist... have said whoever wins the general election, they're either going to have to raise taxes or cut public spending.

"There isn't room to keep spending as it is without raising taxes."

Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out tax rises beyond income tax, national insurance and corporation tax if Labour finds a black hole in the public finances once it enters government.

In an interview with Sky News, the shadow chancellor swerved questions on whether the government books might be worse than anticipated if Labour wins the election, and how the party would raise the money to deal with pressing issues.

The shadow chancellor said her plans were fully funded, but existing tax rises were there only to fund commitments already made, and insisted: "We have no plans for increased taxes."

But pressed on whether she would raise other taxes if there was a black hole on entering government, she said: "I'm not going to write a budget here."

Read more below:

It's 5pm - here's your teatime run-down.

We're still in the early days of the election campaign, but there's been plenty of divisive policy announcements, clashes and political stunts making a splash here in the Politics Hub.

Let us get you up to speed on everything you may have missed....

• Rishi Sunak is in the East Midlands, where he has defended a Conservative plan to introduce the "triple lock plus". This will essentially result in a tax cut for pensioners by raising their tax-free allowance by either average earnings, inflation or by 2.5% - whichever is higher;
• However, it should be noted it was the decision of a previous Tory government to freeze income tax thresholds, bringing more people into paying the tax, including on income from pensions;
• And - bad news for Brits - taking part in a Q&A session earlier, the prime minister laughed off the idea of a new bank holiday being introduced for St George's Day ;
• Labour have been busy outlining their economic plans, but challenged by our deputy political editor Sam Coates , would-be chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to rule out further tax rises if Labour finds a black hole in the public finances;
• However, as our political correspondent Tamara Cohen explains, a letter signed by over 120 business leaders in support of Labour is "a sign of how far they've come";
• Meanwhile, over in the Liberal Democrat camp, the party's leader Sir Ed Davey fell off a paddleboard numerous times in Windermere today - but has admitted one of the plunges was intentional;
• He did, however, stress a "serious message" behind the stunt: "Our environment and our wonderful country is so critical to so many people";
• We've also heard from Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron , who has "fully" backed Mr Sunak's "bold" decision to reintroduce national service, if the Tories are re-elected in July;
• And the Tories have lost a key attack line after news that Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner will face no further action in an investigation over her living arrangements.

If you've got a bit more time on your hands, you can read more of some of the stories above in greater detail:

Stick with us for all the latest throughout the evening.

Sir Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of "rummaging around in the toy box of ideas" with his "desperate" pledges for another Tory government.

In a Q&A event at an Airbus factory in Hertfordshire, the Labour leader was asked about suggestions the prime minister would bar GPs from freely handing out sick notes.

Sir Keir said: "Rishi Sunak is putting out a lot of ideas now that are pretty desperate stuff.

"Every day he rummages around in the toy box of possible ideas and flings one on the table.

"Yesterday, we had national service for teenagers.

"Today we've had something on pensions - but no funding for it."

On the question of sick notes, Sir Keir says: "I think he's going down the wrong track. 

"There are many people, I would acknowledge, who are not in work at the moment who want to be back in work… but they don't feel supported back into work.

"And I think they should be supported back into work."

Hot on the heels of Greater Manchester Police ending its investigation into the deputy Labour leader's old housing arrangements, the relevant local council, Stockport, has come to the same conclusion.

A statement said: "Stockport Council has reviewed and responded to all correspondence relating to this matter, including information received from Greater Manchester Police who have concluded that no further police action will be taken. 

"We have also concluded that no further action will be taken on behalf of the council."

If you need a reminder on what the investigation was all about, see our previous post.

As we just reported, police have ended their investigation into Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner.

If you need a reminder, the issue had centred on what house Ms Rayner used as her primary address 10 years ago.

Ms Rayner said it was an ex-council house she used to own on Vicarage Road in Stockport, which she bought in 2007.

But she faced claims she lived primarily at her then husband's address in Lowndes Lane, just over a mile away.

The pair married in 2010 and have two children together.

Why did the claims matter?

The claims she lived mainly at her ex-husband's house mattered because she was registered to vote at the Vicarage Road address.

Under electoral rules, voters must register at their permanent home address, and there are penalties for providing false information when registering to vote.

Then there is the issue of whether she paid the right amount of tax when she sold her house.

She sold the Vicarage Road house in 2015 for £127,500, having bought it at a 25% discount through the "right-to-buy" scheme for £79,000 in 2007.

If it was her primary address, as she has claimed, she would not have had to pay capital gains tax on the £48,500 profit.

But if she had moved to Lowndes Lane, she would have had to pay up.

Tax experts have said if Ms Rayner did owe tax, the amount could be in the region of £1,500.

She had vowed to stand down if she was found to have done anything wrong.

Labour have responded to news that police have ended their investigation into the party's deputy leader, Angela Rayner.

A spokesperson said she "cooperated fully" throughout and "has always been clear that she was not liable for capital gains tax on the sale of the home she owned before she was an MP".

"She was properly registered to vote, and paid the appropriate council tax. She took expert tax and legal advice which confirms this," they added.

"This draws a line under the matter."

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