germany cheap train travel

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in germany.

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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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Discount Train Tickets in Germany

Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images

Want to explore Germany by train and travel on a budget? It is totally doable.

Trains in Germany are (usually) punctual and one of the best ways to travel the country . You can step on a train right from the center of town in the Hauptbahnhof (central train station) and cruise to anywhere in Germany and beyond at speeds up to 300km/h (186m/hour). At its best, it is comfortable and leisurely, and with a little planning, it can be very inexpensive.

All train tickets can be purchased either online, at ticket vending machines at the stations, or at ticket counters of the German National Railway (called Deutsche Bahn ) which are located in most German train stations. Here is a complete guide to finding discount train tickets in Germany.

Buy Train Tickets in Germany in Advance

Tickets are sold at sparpreise (discount prices) from 3 months to 3 days prior to the travel date. Discounts can be up to 63 percent. Outside of those times, or once all the discount tickets are sold, tickets are sold at normalpreis (standard fare).

For this lower price, there are a few restrictions. For example, they are zugbindung which means you must take the train printed on your ticket; it is not flexible.

Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket (Happy Weekend Ticket)

With the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket , the weekend is all yours—you can take the train as often as you like within one weekend (Saturday or Sunday and is valid from midnight up to 3 am the following morning), anywhere in Germany, and on any regional (RB, IRE, RE) and S-Bahn train (no high-speed Intercity Express). The ticket costs 44 euros plus just 6 euro per person for up to 5 people. 

To give a little perspective, you can ride from Munich to Berlin on this ticket with 4 of your friends. It is crazy cheap but will cost you in time. This journey is usually only 4.5 hours but can stretch to 12 hours on regional trains. Plan your time versus money accordingly.

Länder Ticket (State Ticket)

Every federal state in Germany offers a Länderticket , which allows you to explore their Bundesland by train for one whole day. Travel anywhere within Bavaria or Saxony or Berlin - Brandenburg.

With only one pass, you can travel with up to five people and explore a German state of your choice on a shoestring budget starting at 23 euros plus 6 euros per additional traveler up to five people.

Group Travel

Group saver fares allow groups to travel within Germany for as little as 19.90 euros per person. Groups can range from 6 to 30 people in size and tickets are available up to 12 months in advance. There is also a group saver fare Europe that offers travel to more countries in Europe.

German Rail Pass

With the German Rail Pass , you can travel on all trains on the German Railway including the Intercity Express (also known as ICE) for 5 to 15 days within the period of one month. The German Rail Pass is available for both first and second class travel (as well as youth options) and for consecutive days or flexible.

Prices start at 145 euros for 2 consecutive days up to 280 euros for 7 days within a month.

An important note : This offer only applies to people with permanent residence outside Europe, Turkey, and Russia. If you are European and live outside Europe you must have left more than 6 months ago (indicated by the stamp in your passport).

The German Railway offers frequent train travelers the chance to buy a card that offers discounts on every train journey. There are three different options:

• Bahncard 25 - This card provides a 25 percent discount on flexpreis (flexible fares) and sparpreis for one year. The card costs just 62 Euros for second class.
• Bahncard 50 - This card provides a 50 percent discount on Flexpreis and 25 percent discount on sparpreise within Germany. The card costs 255 Euros for second class. Students, senior citizens, and children only pay half the purchase price. 
• Bahncard 100 - For the constant traveler, this card provides all-inclusive travel for one year. The card costs 695.52 euros for private customers.

Youth Discounts on the Eurail Pass

Train Travel in Germany

Traveling by Train in Europe: Where, Why, and How

The Best Places to Photograph Neuschwanstein Castle

Senior Train Travel Discounts in Europe

German Rail Map and Transportation Guide

Getting Around Frankfurt: Guide to Public Transportation

Useful German Phrases for Train Travel

How to Travel from Berlin to Dresden by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

Getting Around Nuremberg: Guide to Public Transportation

The Best Rail Passes in Europe

Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

Berlin's Public Transportation: The Complete Guide

How to Travel from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From Berlin to Munich by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

• NETHERLANDS
• SWITZERLAND

Expat Info Articles

10 smart tips for cheap train travel in Germany

The Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket is no more , but there are still many other ways you can travel cheaply by train in Germany - perhaps even faster and cheaper than ever before! Take a look at our top 10 tips for securing the best train ticket prices in Germany . 

1. Book as early as possible

Okay, this one might be obvious, but did you know that you can book train tickets up to 180 days before departure? Prices are calculated according to how busy the train is expected to be, so if not as many tickets are booked as expected, fares may be lowered. However, this is generally the exception rather than the rule, so early booking should be your guiding principle. 

2. Book online or at vending machine

We all like a bit of face-to-face contact. But when it costs you two euros extra? No thank you! Save yourself on “consulting fees” by booking online or via a ticket machine in the station. Often there’s a helpful soul standing nearby to help you find the cheapest fares anyway! 

3. Select less popular travel days

Mondays, Fridays and Sundays are the most popular travel days in Germany, as well as those just before and after school holidays and national holidays . Save yourself a couple of euros (and avoid the crowds!) by travelling on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays. 

4. Deselect ICE

This one really depends on how highly you value your time. If you can afford to dawdle a little on the way, travelling without ICE connections is a cheaper alternative. If you’re a tech-whizz dependent on charging your laptop, however, you’d best stick to premium trains, as there are no power outlets anywhere else. 

5. Change to regional traffic

If you know your route well and are not afraid of changing trains a couple of times, hop off the ICE and do a stretch of your journey on a regional train. It may be cheaper, for example, on the route Berlin - Frankfurt to take the high-speed train to Kassel and then switch onto regional transport . 

6. Switch off “Prefer fast connections”

This is a tricky little feature on the Deutsche Bahn website that may elude you. If you cannot find a ticket at the price you were hoping for, deactivate the search option “Prefer fast connections.” You will then be shown some slower, cheaper options that were hidden from you before. 

7. Choose alternative route

This follows the same principle as switching to regional traffic - by breaking up your journey or travelling a slightly strange route, you can make some huge savings. For instance, if you’re travelling from Munich to Bremen , you will usually change in Hannover. If you continue to Hamburg and change there, however, the price suddenly drops.  

8. Don’t bother with seat reservations

If you don’t mind scrambling for a seat, this is a way to save a cool 4,50 euros each way. This is an especially good option if you are getting on the train right at the start of its journey, where there are still plenty of free seats to choose from in the unreserved carriage. Just be sure to arrive in plenty of time to secure a space, or you may find yourself standing. 

9. Use group offers

You might still be mourning the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket, but there are still cheap group options available via the Cross-Country and Länder tickets from Deutsche Bahn. And the more people you travel with (up to a maximum of five), the cheaper it gets. If you’re more than five, you can get groups savings tickets, starting at 19,90 euros each. 

10. Use a third-party vendor

Deutsche Bahn doesn’t always have the cheapest options. This is especially the case if you have no choice but to book your tickets last-minute. For example, train companies sell a small amount of their discount tickets to other websites such as L’Tur . It might even be worth seeing if anyone’s selling an unwanted ticket on eBay!

On your way!

Try out a few of these tips, and you’ll be sure to make some significant savings on your transportation ! Know any other hacks for securing a Deutsche Bahn bargain? Let us know in the comments below!

Abi studied History & German at the University of Manchester. She has since worked as a writer, editor and content marketeer, but still has a soft spot for museums, castles...

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Germany is filled with interesting destinations, like the dynamic capital Berlin, the enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle, or major cities like Cologne, Hamburg, or Munich. You can also explore the dense forests, mountainous regions, river valleys, or sea coast. In short – Germany has it all.

Train types in Germany

The German railways are run by Deutsche Bahn. You can check train times on the Eurail train timetable  or on the DB website .

• Domestic trains
• International trains
• Night trains
• Scenic trains

Your Eurail Pass can also be used on several  railway companies in Germany .

Regional and intercity trains in Germany

Suburban trains that run within most major cities.

No reservations required.

Regional Express (RE)

Connections between regional towns and larger cities. Frequent stops.

Regional Bahn (RB)

Connections across all local towns. Slower than Regional Express trains.

Interregio-Express (IRE)

Connections between Germany’s regions.

InterCity and Eurocity (Express) (IC, EC, and ECE)

Domestic and international connections between major cities. Frequent stops.

High-speed trains in Germany

InterCity Express ( ICE )

Connects major cities and travels at speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph).

Includes an on-board restaurant.

1st class may have extra benefits, like newspapers and power sockets.

Reservations optional (but recommended during busy periods).

• Frankfurt/Munich/Stuttgart/Freiburg to France. 
• Reservations optional for trips within Germany. 
• Reservations required for trips to France.

International high-speed trains in Germany

All international ICE’s will be subject to mandatory reservations from June 1 st until September 1 st (except trains via Basel).

• Frankfurt – Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam/Zurich
• Stuttgart – Paris
• Hamburg – Zurich
• Dortmund/Berlin – Vienna
• Berlin – Innsbruck
• Frankfurt – Amsterdam
• Frankfurt – Brussels
• Frankfurt – Paris
• Frankfurt – Paris/Marseille
• Munich/Stuttgart/Freiburg - Paris
• Frankfurt – Bordeaux. Running on Saturdays 08 July – 26 August
• Freiburg – Bordeaux. Running on Saturdays 01 April – 02 September
• Reservations optional for trips within Germany
• Reservations compulsory for trips to France
• Dortmund – Düsseldorf – Cologne – Brussels – Paris 
• Reservations are compulsory 
• Read more about special booking conditions on our dedicated Eurostar page
• Operated by red coloured former Thalys trains
• Munich – Salzburg/Vienna/Budapest
• Munich – Innsbruck – Verona/Bologna/Venice (From Spring 2024)
• Reservations are compulsory when crossing the German border

International conventional trains in Germany

All long-distance trains to/from Germany will be subject to mandatory reservations from June 1 st until September 1 st (except trains via Basel and Schaffhausen)

EuroCity Express (ECE)

• Munich – Zurich
• Frankfurt – Milan

EuroCity (EC)

• Hamburg – Zurich/Interlaken 
• Bochum – Klagenfurt 
• Rostock/Hamburg/Berlin – Prague – Budapest 
• Berlin – Gdynia/Warsaw (Reservations compulsory)
• Berlin – Wroclaw – Krakow – Przemysl (Reservations compulsory)
• Frankfurt – Munich – Salzburg – Ljubljana – Zagreb 
• Munich to Venice, Verona and Bologna (Italy) 
• 1st class: €15 
• 2nd class: €10

InterCity (IC)

• Hamburg – Copenhagen
• Berlin – Amsterdam
• Hamburg – Zurich (part of the NightJet)
• Amsterdam – Cologne – Frankfurt – Zurich (part of the NightJet)
• Stuttgart – Zurich

Train stations of bordering countries

With a Eurail pass valid in Germany you can travel to the following train stations of countries that border Germany:

Basel (Switzerland) 

Salzburg (Austria)

Domestic night trains in Germany

ÖBB Nightjet  (these trains continue or/and start abroad)

• Düsseldorf – Cologne – Frankfurt – Nürnberg – Munich/Passau
• Hamburg – Hannover – Nürnberg – Munich/Passau
• Hamburg – Hannover – Frankfurt – Freiburg – Basel
• Berlin – Leipzig – Frankfurt – Freiburg – Basel
• Dresden – Leipzig – Frankfurt – Freiburg – Basel

International night trains in Germany

Snälltåget night train

• (Dresden –) Berlin – Hamburg – Copenhagen Örestad – Malmö – Stockholm

SJ Euronight   (EN)

• Berlin – Hamburg – Copenhagen Airport – Malmö – Stockholm 

ÖBB NightJet  (NJ and EN)

• Munich – Florence – Rome
• Munich – Verona – Milano – Genoa - La Spezia 
• Stuttgart – Munich – Udine – Venice 
• Hamburg – Basel – Zürich 
• Hamburg – Linz – Vienna 
• Hamburg – Munich – Innsbruck 
• Hamburg – Nuremberg – Vienna 
• Amsterdam – Düsseldorf – Linz – Vienna 
• Amsterdam – Düsseldorf – Cologne – Innsbruck 
• Amsterdam – Düsseldorf – Cologne – Basel – Zürich 
• Vienna – Munich – Paris/Brussels
• Berlin – Halle – Erfurt –Paris/Brussels
• Prague/Berlin – Leipzig – Basel – Zürich

EuroNight Metropol (EN)

• Berlin – Dresden – Prague – Bratislava – Budapest

EuroNight Chopin (EN)

• Munich – Salzburg – Vienna – Krakow – Warsaw

EuroNight Kálmán Imre  (EN)

• Stuttgart – Munich – Salzburg – Vienna – Budapest

EuroNight Lisinski  (EN)

• Stuttgart – Munich – Ljubljana – Zagreb

EuroNight Opatija  (EN)

• Stuttgart – Munich – Opatija – Rijeka

European Sleeper  (ESL) 

• Prague and Dresden from 25th March

Scenic train routes in Germany

Black Forest Line

• Offenburg to Konstanz, through the Black Forest and small villages.

Rhine Valley Line

• Koblenz to Mainz, through the German wine country.

Elbe Valley Line

• Dresden to Czechia, along the Elbe river in Saxon Switzerland.

Neckar Valley Line

• Stuttgart to Heidelberg, along the picturesque Neckar river.

Mosel Valley Line

• Koblenz to Trier, small towns and wine along the Mosel river.

Private railway companies in Germany 

Popular connections.

• Domestic routes
• International routes
• Ferry routes

In Germany it's not mandatory to have a seat reservation on the ICE trains. However, we recommend you to buy a seat reservation, especially if you're traveling in a group. This way you can not be asked to leave a seat, which might happen if you don't have a reservation. We'll explain more about reservations in Germany a bit further down on this page.

View approximate train travel times between Germany's key cities with high-speed ICE trains.

Optional (Required June 1st till September 1st)

International ferry connections to and from Germany

You can also travel to and from Germany by ferry. Get a discount on specific routes with a  Eurail pass .

Finland – Germany Sail with  Finnlines  from Rostock or Travemünde to Helsinki (Finland). Get a 30% discount with Eurail passes.

Poland – Germany Sail from Rostock to Gdynia with Finnlines and get 30% off with Eurail passes.

Sweden – Germany Travel from Travemünde to Malmö (Sweden) with Finnlines. Get a 20% discount with Eurail passes.

Reservations

Eurail reservation self-service system

• IC, EC, ECE, ICE, TGV, RailJet, Eurostar, Nightjet, EuroNight

Administration costs when booking through Eurail self-service

• € 2,- p.p.per train
• Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)

With railway carriers

• IC, EC, ICE, RailJet
• Book ICE and TGV to France through our  self-service  or via  Rail Europe
• RailJet, IC, EC, ICE, Nightjet, EuroNight
• Eurostar, TGV to France, European sleeper and some Nightjet trains
• Westbahn (Private Railway) : Only international Westbahn trains 
• Berlin – Copenhagen – Stockholm night train
• Also bookable by phone through  Snälltåget's Customer Service
• SJ (Swedish Railways) : Only Berlin – Stockholm Euro Night
• European Sleeper:  Only European Sleeper trains, international
• ÖBB Nightjet : Only Nightjet and some Euro Night trains

Other platforms

• ICE to France, Eurostar, and TGV

By calling Deutsche Bahn

• By clicking the link above you'll find yourself on the DB contact page. There are phone numbers for English, French, Danish, Italian, Dutch or German speaking customer service representatives.

An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here:  How do I book my reservations

Locally at the train station in Germany

• At the DB ticket machines at the station

Good to Know

Which trains in Germany require reservations?

No reservations:  Regional (RE, RB, IR).

Optional (but highly recommended during busy periods):  InterCity (IC) / ICE / EuroCity (EC) / ECE (Eurocity Express). €4,90 2nd class and €5,90 1st class.

• Exception: To Switzerland, only trains Munich-Zurich have mandatory reservations. 
• Required: All night trains, fees depend on destination and type of seat/bed booked.

Required:   Supplement  Eurocity (EC) trains to/from/within Italy. Optional for routes that don't start, end or run through Italy.

The ICE Paris-Frankfurt train has a limited amount of seats for Eurail Pass Holders. Our advice is to book this train well in advance, especially if you plan to travel in high season (May to September).

Eurostar trains are popular and therefore, usually sell out quickly. Make sure to get your seat reservation in time. Alternatively, find trains without seat reservations in our timetable by toggling on the ‘no reservation needed’ button.

Get your Pass for Germany

German rail pass.

Germany is not available as a Eurail One Country Pass. If you only want to travel in Germany, check out the German Rail Pass.

Standard prices from $ 187

Global Pass

Be free to visit Germany along with the other 32 Eurail countries.

Standard prices from $  233

Tips and tricks for Germany

Quick facts.

Capital: Berlin

Population: 81.1 million

Language: German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Dialing code: +49

Spelling of city names

On German train timetables and at train stations in Germany, you'll usually find the local spelling of German cities and stations.

Here is the local spelling of some popular German cities:

Hannover = Hanover

Cologne = Köln

Munich = München

Nuremberg = Nürnberg

German hub stations

Germany's main hub stations are  Berlin Hbf, Köln Hbf  (Cologne),  München Hbf  (Munich), and  Frankfurt Hbf . At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to Germany's main cities and many international destinations.

Station facilities

Stations in Germany usually have excellent facilities, often including:

Luggage lockers

Foreign exchange desks

Restaurants and cafés

Tourist information offices

ATM cash machines

Elevators and escalators

Access for disabled passengers

Get around with the S-Bahn

Eurail Pass holders can travel for free on the S-Bahn (suburban metro railways) networks that DB operates in major German cities. The S-Bahn can be recognized by its logo (a white S on a green background).

Ferry buses to and from Germany

Free bus travel (reservation only) is an extra benefit of the German Rail Pass. Travel from Germany to Italy, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and many more countries.

See all Pass benefits in Germany

Get inspired

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.

Fast train travel from €4.99

Best value for money, guaranteed seat, explore our destinations, travel environmentally-friendly, discover our comfortable trains.

Our high-speed rail network offers free Wi-Fi, spacious seating, and outlets/USB ports for your devices. Arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and recharged.

Our FlixTrain network

FlixTrain offers fast , comfortable , and affordable train travel in Germany!

With daily high-speed routes to major cities, you can easily plan your trips at unbeatable prices .

• Berlin → Hamburg
• Frankfurt → Stuttgart
• Cologne → Hamburg

Find train lines and schedules  here .

Hope to see you on board soon!

Discover Germany by train

Travel affordably in Germany with our trains. By choosing to travel by train instead of by car, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and help safeguard the climate. More on sustainability here .

Comfort on board FlixTrain

Our mission is to offer you an affordable and easy way of traveling, without compromising on quality. With FlixTrain you always have a guaranteed seat on board, assigned for free when you book your ticket. Additionally, you get to enjoy free Wi-Fi. Here you find a full list of our services on board.

Easy booking, easy traveling

We want to make traveling as convenient as possible, therefore we offer an easy booking process as well as a smooth travel experience. The easiest way to book your ticket is on our website or in the FlixBus App . To give you an even bigger flexibility in your travel plans, you can combine FlixTrain and FlixBus to find the best connections.

To stay up to date with what’s going on in the FlixTrain network and also get exclusive offers, check out our Instagram or like our page on Facebook .

Popular Cities and Connections

• Frankfurt Airport
• Berlin - Hamburg
• Hamburg - Berlin
• Frankfurt - Berlin
• Berlin - Frankfurt
• Berlin - Leipzig
• Leipzig - Berlin
• Cologne - Berlin
• Berlin - Cologne
• Berlin - Dresden
• Dresden - Berlin
• Stuttgart - Berlin
• Berlin - Hanover
• Berlin - Stuttgart
• Hanover - Berlin
• Hamburg - Cologne
• Cologne - Hamburg
• Düsseldorf - Berlin
• Frankfurt - Stuttgart
• Dortmund - Berlin
• Stuttgart - Frankfurt

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.
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Save with the Cheap Travel-Throughout-Germany Day Train Ticket

The Quer-durchs-Land Ticket is a day ticket allowing for unlimited travel on any regional train of Deutsche Bahn in Germany. Small groups save the most.

The cheap Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (Day Ticket for Germany) is one of Deutsche Bahn’s greatest savings deals. The ticket is valid for solo travelers or small groups of up to five traveling together using only local and regional trains in Germany. It may be used on weekdays from 9 am until 3 am the following day or all day weekends. It is a great deal for saving on railway fares in Germany, especially when traveling only short distances or visiting sights in towns without high-speed trains. The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket has a base fare of €46 for the first traveler with each additional traveler up to five adding €9. It is best bought online  from German Railways or at station vending machines. If traveling in a single German state, a Länder Ticket is usually better value. Travelers to Germany should also consider the Deutschland-Ticket at €49 per month but note that it is a subscription and not a regular train ticket or travel pass.

Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket works great in German but is harder to translate into English. Literally, it means “across through the country”. It tries to convey the message that is valid throughout Germany and that it is not necessary to take the shortest, fastest, or most direct route while traveling. In English, it is now referred to as the less poetic but easier-to-understand Day Ticket for Germany , (which itself is now complicated by the Germany Ticket subscription season ticket launched in mid-2023.)

Save with the Cheap Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket

The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket is remarkably cheap and thus not surprisingly comes with special travel restrictions. The most important include:

• The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket may only be used on weekdays after 9 am (weekends and national holidays from midnight) and is valid up to 3 am the following morning.
• The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket may only be used on local regional trains with the letters IRE, RE, RB, or S in the train name. It is also valid on most private railways which operate on regular routes, i.e. not special holiday or excursion routes. Private trains may use different abbreviations in the train name but are listed as local trains (Nahverkehr) in timetables.
• The ticket is NOT valid on U-Bahn trains, trams, or city buses!
• The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket is only available for travel in second class.
• The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket is available for solo travelers or for a group of up to five passengers traveling together. The group composition may not be altered and names have to be entered on the ticket prior to commencement of the journey. (Group members may join at later stations / get off earlier but all the correct names must be entered before the first journey starts. Similarly, if the ticket is on a mobile phone, the particular phone has to travel with all the time (and a flat battery is no excuse).
• Up to three children aged 6 to 14 may be added for free to any Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket. A fourth child will count and pay as an additional passenger. Children under 6 travel for free. The old family rule of own children is no longer relevant.

Cheap Quer-Durchs-Land vs Cheaper Länder-Tickets

The Quer-Durchs-Land-Tickets and Länder-Tickets are Deutsche Bahn’s saving tickets for travel on local trains only. The tickets have a lot in common but there are important differences too:

• Länder-Tickets are cheaper but have geographical restrictions while the Quer-durchs-Land-Tickets are valid throughout Germany.
• The Quer-durchs-Land Tickets are usually not valid on city buses, trams, and U-Bahn trains while the Länder-Tickets are generally accepted on all public transportation in cities and larger towns.
• Länder-Tickets are also available in first-class versions while the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket are limited to second class.
• A few states have even cheaper Länder-Tickets Nacht for night travel.
• Most metropolitan areas, and some rural regions, have even cheaper tickets covering the specific geographical area.
• An increasing number of regional tickets are available too — always check planned journeys at the German Railways website and the cheapest options will be offered.

The previous Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket (Happy Weekend Ticket) was canceled in mid-2019. The Quer-Durchs-Land Ticket offers the same benefits (but is, of course, a few euro more expensive)!

Cheap Quer-Durchs-Land vs €49 per Month Deutschland-Ticket Subscription

By far the best bargain for public transportation travel in Germany is the Deutschland-Ticket (Germany Ticket). It is a subscription season ticket valid on all regional, local, and city public transportation throughout Germany — trains, metros, buses, trams, and ferries. It is valid all day, all year, in all cities and states throughout Germany.

The Deutschland-Ticket costs only €49 per calendar month but it is a subscription ticket — travelers need to sign up for a year but may cancel within a month. Anyone may buy it — no German residency is required. For foreigners, it must be bought online — it is never sold at stations or vending machines. It may be bought from any local transportation authority or German Railways — use the Hamburg HVV service for the easiest process in English, simple paying by credit card or Paypal, and canceling the subscription with the click of a button in the app.

See Cheap Travel on the €49 Deutschland-Ticket Germany Train Pass for details — read the fine print before signing up!

Buying the Quer-durchs-Land Germany Train Day Ticket

The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket, when bought online or from ticket machines, is €46 for the first passenger and then adds €9 for each additional traveler up to a maximum of five (€82). Additional passengers cannot be added after purchase and names must be entered in ink before the first journey commences, or added online when the ticket is bought.

At station ticket counters, German train tickets are usually €2 more expensive. Train tickets cannot be bought on German trains — failure to buy a ticket prior to boarding will result in heavy fines per person.

Buy in German: Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket , or in English from German Railways  (if the link has moved, look for the Day Ticket under Regional Offers).

In many areas, bicycles are transported for free on trains. In others, each bicycle requires a €5 Fahrradticket (Bicycle Ticket), which allows unlimited transportation on all local trains for the day.

Small dogs travel for free if inside a transportation container, otherwise, a dog counts as a person. Dogs do not qualify for free travel under the “children” rule and must be counted as an adult passenger — enter Hund (dog) rather than the name of the animal on the ticket.

The Quer-durchs-Land Tickets offer great savings over regular train fares provided only local trains are used. The  Länder-Tickets are even better saving deals for travel in smaller areas. Deutsche Bahn has numerous further discount fares available on high-speed, long-distance trains as well while non-residents can also get great value out of the German Rail Pass .

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

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Cheap Train Travel in Germany [6 Uncomfortable Facts About FlixTrain]

Last Updated:

Which train to choose for traveling long distances in Germany? FlixTrain vs ICE vs Deutsche Bahn

You like to travel on a budget or are low on funds. FlixTrain may seem like your knight in shiny armor.

It’s the cheapest and the fastest available option. But, don’t get blinded by its incredible price.

Here are the six factors to consider before you travel via FlixTrain.

#1 FlixTrain is seldom on time

It is very common for FlixTrain to be late by 2 to 3 hours. Sometimes, FlixBus cancels the train altogether if it’s empty.

So, plan your trip accordingly.

#2 You have to wear an FFP2 mask inside the FlixTrain the entire journey

During the Corona times, you must wear an FFP2 mask throughout your journey. It is for your’s and other passengers’ safety.

Some may find it challenging to wear a mask on a 6-hour journey during summers.

#3 It’s freaking hot to travel in FlixTrain during summers

FlixTrain does not have air conditioning. Thus, the train is very hot during summer.

Thanks to the heat, you won’t have the best travel experience. So, I recommend you carry a small fan * that runs on a battery to make your journey a bit comfortable.

#4 You may damage your ears thanks to loud wind noise inside the FlixTrain

No air conditioning on FlixTrain leaves you only one option to survive the summer heat. That is to open the windows.

Once you open the windows, you get loud noise complementary with air.

The noise gets worse when the train enters the tunnels. You may even experience severe pain in your ears till the train is in a tunnel.

So, carry earplugs * on your journey to save yourself from excruciating pain.

#5 You can’t buy food or water on FlixTrain

A long journey is tiring. But traveling empty stomach with no access to food and water can make you miserable.

Hence, carry enough food and water to survive your time on FlixTrain.

#6 There are no sockets to charge your phone or laptop on FlixTrain

Your phone may die anytime, and you are looking for a charging point. Well, you won’t find any on the FlixTrain.

Thus, carry a power bank * if you are traveling long distances. Or don’t use your phone.

#7 FlixTrain is a cheap mode of travel

The only pro of traveling in FlixTrain is that it is cheap. But, it charges you for your precious time and comfort.

It’s about expectation management. You should know what price you have to pay to travel via FlixTrain.

Of course, ICE is Germany’s most comfortable and fastest mode of travel on land. But, it costs 2 to 3 times more than the cost of FlixTrain.

However, If you can plan your travel well before a month or two, you may get a cheaper ICE ticket.

Now you are well prepared to travel via FlixTrain. I wish you a safe and fun trip.

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11 of the best value train journeys in Europe (Starting from €9! )

The best and cheapest way to see Europe ? How about travelling by train across Europe. While it is not as cheap as coach travel, trains in Europe, if booked in advance, can offer some incredible deals. It beats flying anyway and also is the most sustainable and one of the cheapest ways to travel across Europe. While for peace of mind and ease of travel, an Eurail pass is incredible, if you do have a rough itinerary in mind and prepared to book the long distance routes 90 days in advance ( or 9 months for trains in France) , there are some incredible  cheap train tickets for Europe. Following my revised guide to the best budget bus companies to see Europe, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best tips and hacks to find cheap trains in Europe.

1. Use the stopover feature on Deutsche Bahn’s international tickets to travel from Berlin to Prague with stopover in Dresden for €18.90

Plan a stopover at no extra cost thanks to this incredible feature from deutsche bahn.

If you are visiting Berlin for example with plans to continue to Prague, via the Deutsche Bahn website, you can add a 24 hour stopover in Dresden at no extra price.

For example, searching in March 2022, you can buy a ticket from Berlin to Prague for as little as €18.90 with a 24 hour stopover in Dresden.

Or if you are planning to visit Budapest, you can book a ticket from Berlin to Budapest for €46.90 with a 24 hour stopover in Prague.

PS: If you are planning a trip to Prague, checkout my guide to the best budget places to stay in Prague ,  Prague on a budget and also my guide to the best things to do in Prague

These are Deutsche Bahn’s Sparpreis advance-purchase cheap fares.

For an extra €19.90 you can also upgrade your ticket to 1st class where you’ll get a slightly better seat and legspace but honestly in my opinion, there is not really a big difference between travelling 1st and 2nd class on these trains.

2. Prague to Budapest- €16 and Vienna to Budapest- €9 with Regiojet

One of the best value cheap train europe deals- tick off three classic europe destinations with one incredible fare.

Formerly the Student Travel Agency which started out offering low-cost luxury bus services within Czech Republic, the agency has now rebranded as Regiojet offering incredible value low-cost train services within Czech Republic and beyond.

The best value deal of the lot, was launched last summer when Regiojet started a new train service that linked up three key European capitals that are a staple of every Eurotrip- Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Currently there are 2 trains servicing the route daily. Tickets start from as little as €16 between Prague and Budapest and just €9 from Vienna to Budapest.

A quick search pulled up a few of the €16 Prague and Budapest fares in March 2022. The basic fare includes seat reservations and WiFi. For an extra €2.30 you get a better seat, free newspaper water and access to their built-in LCD screens.

3. Prague to Budapest with Czech Railways for €21 in advance

Another slightly more expensive and alternative option is to book Eurocity train from Prague to Budapest for as little as €21 or 514 CZK. You can only book this ticket in advance only via the

Czech Railways website.

4. Prague to Munich for €15 via Czech Railways

Czech railways, portal for czech trains can sometimes offer some great deals on train travel…..

If you are travelling from Czech Republic to Germany, I would also strongly urge you to look up fares on Czech Railways website where they can be often a third cheaper than when booking via Deutsche Bahn website.

For example on 30th March, travelling from Prague to Munich on the direct train, ( 11.38am ) the fare shows up as €42 one way via bahn.de website but if you look at the Czech Railways website, same train and fare shows up as 360 CZK which is €14.76 which is a massive saving.

Promenade Anglais, Nice

5. Paris to Nice €19 with the French low cost train service Ouigo

A low-cost, high-speed train service operated by sncf .

Visiting France soon? While many are familiar with their amazing TGV trains, Voyages SNCF also has a low-cost train service called Ouigo which offers fares as cheap as €10 between Paris Marné la Vallée and Lyon or Bordeaux & €19 from Paris to Nice. These super cheap fares open 9 months in advance so you should book early to get these fares.

For example, a quick search on en.oui.sncf, I can see a bunch of fares for €10 from Paris to Bordeaux in June 2022. It is worth noting that this fare is valid from Marné la Vallée which is the TGV outpost for Disneyland Paris and is a 12 minute , €15 ride from Paris CDG airport. Or you can take the underground to Châtelet-Les-Halles from where you take the RER-line A to Marne-la-Vallée. Journey time is 35 minutes and costs €7.50.

If you are planning to travel to Paris and Nice, Ouigo also operate a low-cost service on this popular route. In June 2022, I can see fares for as little as €19. Trains leave from the more central Gare de Lyon to Nice.

Ouigo also has a few extras to keep in mind. If you want a seat with electric sockets for an extra €2 and if you want to be in the quiet carriage, there is an extra €5 fee.

Trainline’s cheap fare finder feature is a really handy feature to find out the cheapest fares in the next month

PS: Another brilliant value train deal to also keep in mind is the Milan to Paris route. Being offseason, there is a bunch of their cheap €29 fares on sale now on the route ( Trainline’s excellent low fare calendar is a very handy tool )   Journey time is 7 hours. Extra €10 snags you a seat on 1st class.

6. Barcelona to Madrid by €9 with Ouigo Spain

Low-cost, high speed rail service revolution comes to spain.

Last summer ( 2021) Ouigo brought their unique low-cost train services to Spain. From May 2021, Ouigo started offering a 5 times a day, daily return service between Barcelona and Madrid. The service also serves the cities of Zaragoza and Tarragona.

Simple search on Ouigo website, reveals a bunch of the bargain €9 fares on the Barcelona to Madrid route for dates in June and July 2021. Ouigo applies low cost airline dynamic pricing so the sooner you book, the better the fares so keep that in mind.

Worth noting that for the basic €9 fare, passengers can bring a small bag/ handbag and a carry on cabin sized luggage. If you have a rucksack or suitcase, there is an extra €5 fee.

7. Stockholm to Gothenburg with Flixtrain for €12.99

If Sweden is on your itinerary and you are planning to travel between the two main cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg, have a look at Flixtrain who offer fares for as little as €12.99/135 kronor between Stockholm and Gothenburg. To give you a comparison, main operator in Sweden SJ offer fares of 194 kronor/ €18.60 so you make a big saving.

8. Berlin to Frankfurt for €9.99 with Flixtrain Germany

Flixtrain also operates on a number of routes in Germany and is the main competitor to Deutsche Bahn. Frequency is less and they operate on a handful of routes but their fares are much cheaper.

To give you an idea, fares with Flixtrain cost as little as €4.99 from Hamburg to Berlin ( Journey time 2 hours 39 minutes ) €9.99 Berlin to Stuttgart ( Journey time 5.56 hours ) and €9.99-Berlin to Frankfurt ( 4.09 hours )

9. Deutsche Bahn Länder ticket/ Regional day tickets

Unlimited train travel across any of germany’s 16 federal states for as little as €22.

If you are visiting Germany, especially with your partner or a group of friends, another brilliant deal is the Lander regional tickets which offer you unlimited travel within the state for as little as €22. This ticket is valid only on local and regional trains and excludes the faster ICE/IC trains. You can travel with up to four fellow passengers per ticket for as little as EUR 3 per additional passenger.

The tickets are valid from Monday to Friday from 09:00 until 03:00 on the following day.

We used this ticket when visiting Munich last year for a day trip to Zugspitze, beautiful Lake Eibsee and Garmisch Partenkirchen.

The other great thing worth remembering is that you can buy these tickets on the day from any Deutsche Bahn ticket machine in the train station.

10. Paris to Vienna for €60 with Nightjet train service

Night trains in europe a great way to save money on accommodation plus time if you are on tight itinerary.

If you are on a tight budget and travelling between countries, I would highly recommend looking into booking an overnight sleeper train to help you save money on 1 nights accommodation and also you are not wasting the whole day in a train.

For example you can travel from Paris to Vienna on the Nightjet service. It leaves Gare de l’Est at 6.58pm and reaches Vienna at 10.12am in the morning.

The basic fare for a seat in a 6 seat compartment carriage is €60. From the picture above, as you can see, not the most comfortable seat to be cooped up and try and sleep.

I f you are on a tight budget, it will get you from A to B. If you splurge on a couchette , you pay an extra €20 which might be worth the investment if it means getting a decent night sleep.

I’ve taken the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh and also the Helsinki to Kolari ( Prices start from €49 for private cabin and with shower, €69 ) overnight train on my way to the 7 Fells Hostel in Finnish Lapland- ( Read more about my trip to Finnish Lapland here ) great way to travel and the journey itself is an experience that will remember.

Other great services on Nightjet train worth keeping an eye include the Munich to Zagreb service ( leaves Munich at 23.20pm and reaches Zagreb at 8.32am) -booking in advance, you get a seat in the compartment for as little as €29.90 or for an extra €45 on top, you can get a sleeper bed.

11. Buy a Eurail pass

The first entry on my first Interrail pass from 2012: ICE 36, Copenhagen to Hamburg, The journey begins…

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How to Travel Through Europe by Train Like a Pro

Last Updated on June 8, 2023

Traveling through Europe by train is a wonderful experience that offers a unique and authentic way to explore the continent. It is a cost-effective and sustainable way to travel that gives you a chance to see the breathtaking scenery of Europe. 

However, train travel can also be overwhelming for first-timers. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on traveling through Europe by train like a pro.

Make an Itinerary

The first step to traveling through Europe by train like a pro is to plan ahead. Research your destinations and create a rough itinerary of the places you want to visit, as well as the duration of your stay. You can use websites such as Rail Europe or Eurail to plan your train journeys and book tickets in advance. This can save you money, time, and heartache on your adventure!

Buy a Rail Pass

If you plan to take multiple train journeys during your trip, buying a rail pass is worth considering. A rail pass allows you to travel on most trains in Europe without purchasing individual tickets for each journey. Different types of rail passes are available, depending on the length of your trip and the countries you want to visit.

Utilize Nearby Luggage Storage

When traveling through Europe by train, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to store your luggage temporarily. This can happen if you arrive at your destination before your hotel check-in time or want to explore a city without carrying heavy bags.

Fortunately, many train stations in Europe offer luggage storage facilities. For example, if you’re spending the day in St. Pancras, simply look for luggage storage in St. Pancras . Now, you can explore the city with peace of mind — and no heavy bags weighing you down.

Choose Your Train

When traveling through Europe by train , you can take high-speed trains, regional trains, or overnight trains. High-speed trains, such as the Eurostar or TGV, are faster and more expensive than regional trains. However, they are a smart option for longer journeys or days you want to travel between two distant cities in a short amount of time.

Regional trains, on the other hand, are slower but cheaper. They are an option if you want to explore smaller towns and villages along your route. Overnight trains, such as the Nightjet, allow you to save time and money by combining transportation and accommodation.

One of the advantages of traveling through Europe by train is the ability to easily move from one place to another. However, this can be difficult if you are carrying a heavy suitcase. Therefore, it is important to pack light and only bring the essentials. A backpack or a small suitcase is ideal for train travel.

Arrive Early

You should arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before your train departure time. This allows you to find your platform, check the train timetable, and board the train stress-free. After all, when a train says it leaves at 10:00, you best believe it’ll be on the move promptly at 10:00.

Additionally, arriving early can give you time to grab a coffee or a snack from one of the many cafes at the train station.

Validate Your Ticket

If you have purchased individual train tickets, don’t forget to validate them before boarding the train. You can do this at the yellow validation machines located at the train station. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine if you are caught by a ticket inspector on the train.

Keep Your Ticket Handy

Once you have boarded the train, it is important to keep your ticket handy. Ticket inspectors may ask to see your ticket any time during the journey, so it is best to have it easily accessible. Additionally, some trains have a designated area for luggage storage, so be sure to keep your bags in the appropriate area.

Bring Your Own Food

While some trains have dining cars or food carts, it is always a good idea to bring your own food and snacks for the journey. This can save you money and ensure that you have something to eat if the train has no food options or limited options.

Enjoy the Scenery

Last but not least, one of the most important things to remember when traveling through Europe by train is to take the time to enjoy the scenery. Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and architecture, and traveling by train allows you to see it all from a unique perspective.

Happy Travels!

Traveling through Europe by train is a fantastic experience that offers a unique and authentic way to explore the continent. With these tips, you can travel like a pro and make the most of your journey. Remember to plan ahead, pack light, and most importantly, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

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