The majority of seats on an ice is in openplan saloons as shown in the photos on this page, but there are a handful of 6seater compartments in both classes which you can select when booking if you. For all practical purposes if youre getting a pass, the 2nd class pass will do fine. If youre using the pass, dont waste the days riding. The catering was superb as well, tasted truly delecious riding the ice is a great way in and around germany. Jul 17, 2014 this is the case on deutsche bahn ice trains. Highspeed train ice international brings you to germany and. But, buying a reservation, for a fraction of the price of a 1st class seat, gets you a seat on even the most crowded trains. The era of highspeed services started when the ice 1 was launched in 1991. On an ice i always use first as there is a lot more spacelegroom. Mar 18, 20 all other icetrains cant tilt, this includes the recently ordered icetrains too.
First class will cost you about 50 per cent more than second class, but the car will. Special compartments for 6 persons are bookable on most ice services which are useable for onboard meetings. Another intercityexpress prepares to cross the hohenzollern railroad and pedestrian bridge in cologne. Ice train tickets from 19 guide to germanys ice trains seat 61. The first regularly scheduled ice trains ran from 2 june 1991 from hamburgaltona via hamburg hbfhannover hbfkasselwilhelmshohefuldafrankfurt hbfmannheim hbf and stuttgart hbf toward munchen hbf at hourly intervals on the new ice line 6.
German ice train intercityexpress high speed rail db. The first class onboard ice trains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere. Booking a train trip is like booking a lowcost ticket for an airplane. German trains are clean, comfortable, reliable and fast. Not sure that first is worth it on the ic though it is nice to be able to use the lounges in ams and berlin. There is a diesel ice running at 200kmh betwenn hamburgberlin and danmark. The intercity express ice is the highspeed train operated by deutsche bahn the german railway company. With the internet provided in first class you can work. Wifi availability is increasing on european trains. As you are searching for your tickets you see that you have the option of booking either first or second class tickets. Most of the ice cars now have electrical plugs for computers and wifi. Explore germany by highspeed ice train travel with germanys. In germany you can travel on a train even if all the seats are already taken. What you need to know about riding the german train system.
The ice is arguably the most comfortable, civilised and impressive highspeed train in europe, with a very highspec interior designed to lure german. Ice train tickets from 19 guide to germanys ice trains. Deutsche bahn offers first and second class seating. Ice and ice sprinter trains travel the fastest and have onboard restaurants. A guide to germanys highspeed ice trains with travel tips, and how to buy ice. In german trains, there are neither food nor drinks included. The icelounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers. First of all, it is important to note that not every ice train is the same.
The first ice trains were the trainsets of ice 1 power cars. Eurocity intercity trains in europe best price happyrail. Deutsche bahn everything you need to know omio goeuro. First class is usually only available on the high speed intercity express ice trains, which mostly operate between large cities. Wifi, food and beverage services are only available on ice trains. Book your ice train reservation online for individual trips. The german rail pass is available to travelers who reside permanently outside of europe, turkey, and russia, offering unlimited travel across germany on everything from regional trains to the legendary ice. In first class we offer you worryfree internet access. If youre buying more than one ticket though, consider buying a german rail pass instead, as it may be cheaper and offers more flexibility. Due to legal issues its a long story, germany fell a bit behind the curve in development of highspeed rail, with the 160 kmh icec trains operating as the dbs fastest service until the ice finally came online in 1991. Heres a page in german that gives information about the first class with.
Reservations for second class even on ice are not usually required but reservations in the dining car are recommended. Its not surprising that there are several luxurious highspeed trains, too. While first class ice tickets will be more expensive, train tickets in germany work in a slightly different way. You will be hard pressed to find another train in germany which offers high speed trains throughout the entire country as. Catering travelling on an ice international train means comfortable travel. Some of the newer cars have seat back entertainment screens. For couples a first class table for two is ideal, when booking at. To travel by ice train, you can purchase a deutsche bahn eticket which gives you two fare options. The ice 2 is the second series of german highspeed trains and one of six in the intercityexpress family since 1995 the ice 2 halftrains are even closer to a conventional pushpull train than the ice 1, because each train consists of only one power car class 402, called powerhead, six passenger cars classes 805 to 807 and a cab car class 808.
The ice sprinter offers the fastest connection between germanys major cities. The ice lounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers not all ticket fares apply. Jan 22, 20 i wish to book train tickets from frankfurt airport to dusseldorf in early june as the saver fares right now are excellent at eur 57 for 3 adults in the direct ice trains. Aboard an ice you can use the table and electrical socket at your seat to easily set up your mobile office. Travellin g first class on an ice train gives you unrivalled comfort over long distances ice first class passengers have access to the db lounges in all available stations, perfect for starting any journey off in style. Today all charges are just included in the ticket price. Difference between first and second class trainline help faq. The ice lounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers.
The ic and ec trains travel at a maximum speed of up to 200kmh, which makes them only slightly slower than the highspeed intercity express ice. Reservations on trains from germany to denmark are optional, however in certain summer. European rail travel 1st class on ice trains originally posted by aerotec i am looking to book the ice from cologne to amsterdam. You can even go international, so long as youre riding a deutsche bahn train. Ice, ice sprinter, intercity and eurocity trains are used for longdistance services, even to neighbouring countries. I am getting good rates at the moment of 19 euro 2nd class or 49 euro 1st class. The first class onboard eurocitytrains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere.
In 1st class, staff will serve fooddrink to your seat. Anyway, you can expect a comparable service and seating on all first class ice trains in germany. Booking german deutsche bahn train tickets online thrifty. In ic and regional trains, the difference in seat quality is obvious. However, in first class, you are insulating yourself from the fabric of the local culture. Special compartments for 6 persons are bookable on most eurocityservices which are useable for onboard meetings. Coronavirus covid19 for the latest updates, all details on booking flexibility, and. This service, however, is not currently offered on all trains. German trains represent one of the most effective ways to get around the country theyre fast, convenient and comfortable. But the differences overall between 1st and 2nd are pretty minimal. Germany is one of the countries with the most extensive train networks in the whole world. Leather chairs, complimentary entertainment, special service and more space are the main advantages of first class. You can buy ice and other deutsche bahn tickets at railroad stations, at travel agencies, from rail europe u.
In some stations first class ticketpass holders will find complimentary wifi, usually in. The dining car with the hump makes it easy to recognise. As a first class passenger, you have many privileges. For regional and local transport regional trains and sbahn trains are used. Some of the most popular german train routes include deutsche bahns frankfurt to munich route which you can do as fast as 3h 10m via ice train and flixtrains berlin to cologne offering get there in just 4h 18m. In first class, your seat is included with your ticket. Explore germany and its neighbouring countries with ice connections. The ice and icec are the fastest trains on the germanrail roster and are the services that tourists use the most. Trains are safe and efficient, despite occasional delays. Anyone booking a longer journey will enjoy upgrading to a higher level of service as it affords more comfort. First class affords more space and comfort and seat reservations are included. Mar 30, 2017 their second class is really one of the best rail products out there. Intercity ic intercity ic trains and eurocity ec trains travel along regional routes in germany, though they are faster than the standard regional train service.
Highspeed train ice international brings you to germany. So its your first time travelling by train in europe. Aug 03, 2015 its not surprising that there are several luxurious highspeed trains, too. Ice international trains in germany cheap train tickets. One of the greatest things about living in europe is the ease at which one can travel nearly the entire continents without a car. I will introduce you to the different types of trains including comments on classes of passengers, smoking sections, bicycle cars, and reservations.
An ice is the classiest and fastest way to travel where there are no airplanes. First class passengers on longdistance trains get more room three rather than four seats abreast, more legroom, seats which recline more and on ice trains you can ask the conductor to bring you drinks and food from the restaurant car. What is included is baggage and newspapers only in first class. A german intercity train, 2nd class seats on an ic train. Trains in germany book germany train tickets trainline. Local train 1st class is quite different from highspeed ice, etc. The icelounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers not all ticket fares apply. Travelling in firstclass is a relaxing, comfortable option. Those were able to tilt, but arent ableallowed anymore. Many firstclass seats have individual video displays and most first and secondclass seats have inseat audio.
Here is our quick guide on booking tickets and navigating the german railway system. These premium trains run at speeds of 175 to 186 mph on special highspeed rail. Special compartments for 6 persons are bookable on most iceservices which are useable for onboard meetings. Comparison of first class on ice and intercity trains. Each car of a german train, like the ice coach shown here, has a large 1 or 2 indicating the class of the car. Ice trains are the fastest trains that operate in germany. If germany is your only destination in europe, consider purchasing a german rail pass, which allows 3 to 10 days of unlimited first or secondclass travel within a onemonth period on any db. The german railway system is very well developed and reliable, and you can reach almost every city in germany by train. The ice trains are quite nice and standard class 2nd is very comfortable. Leather chairs, complimentary entertainment, special service and more space are the main advantages.
The ice trains are nice but i have never bothered to take one on that route as it seems too much hassle to save 10 mins. The ice intercity express is a highspeed train that connects all major cities in germany. All other icetrains cant tilt, this includes the recently ordered icetrains too. The german high speed train, which reaches speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour, is a signature silver snout takes only 4 hours from berlin to frankfurt and 6 hours from. Both commuters and vacationers use the train system extensively. The first class onboard icetrains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere. If you want to travel as fast as possible from a to b, take the intercity express ice though it is not pronounced ice in german, it is referred to by its abbreviation. In first class, all seats are made out of leather and are pretty big three seats in a row, in a 21.
The ic and ec trains travel at a maximum speed of up to 200kmh, which makes them only slightly slower than. One of the best ways to discover germany is by train. Trains in germany are as complicated as they are anywhere. However, i do not want to make a seat reservation right now as i believe this is non refundable if there is a change done. Between 1st and 2nd class on the ice trains, not that much difference as pointed out above. Visit our site and book your deutsche bahn eticket online today. As of july 6 free wifi on all ice international trains, in both 1st and 2nd class. Ice trains have restaurant or bistro, but in rare cases it is closed during night hours. The ice first class is the best product the operator deutsche bahn has to offer. These trains connect the major german cities, including berlin, munich, frankfurt and hamburg. In 1st class, there are fewer people because of the cost, so it is easier to find a seat on a crowded train.
But before you can go and hop on any train, you need to know the ins and outs of using the deutsche bahn, germanys most powerful train service. See here the many advantages that travelling first class per train has to offer. Difference between first and second class if you want to know how to book eurostar business premier tickets, please see this page. Most trains in germany, apart from some local trains, have first and second class sections. We tested out the first class service to see how it fared in the style, comfort and efficiency stakes. When anyone says, we are going to buy a 5day german railpass for 2 people, it makes me wonder how they reached that decision. Deutsche bahns german railways intercity trains might not be as fast or glamorous as their highspeed ice trains, but these secondrank expresses still reach 200kmh 125mph with smoothriding and spacious carriages, and often a restaurant car or at least a bistro.
German intercity ic train travel tips from rail europe. Following that, i offer a few tips on trains for travelers. Dbs ice trains travel at up to 186 mph from city centre to city centre, and if you pre book direct with the operator you can find some really cheap fares. In ice, theres not that much difference in seat quality. Db bahn, 1st class vs 2nd class cologne forum tripadvisor. Explore germany in comfort with ice and ice sprinter highspeed trains. The deutsche bahn ice train connects all the major german cities such as frankfurt, hamburg. If your trip contains some of the usual smaller destinations recommended by mr.
The first class onboard eurocity trains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere. Buying tickets and booking seats on intercityexpress trains, from an illustrated. The most important thing when travelling on an ice is the seating. Aug 17, 2010 german trains are a great and easy option for regional, national, and international travel. On a side note, if you want buy first class tickets, some bahn service stations have extra counters for buying them, so you get faster service. If you have first class tickets, you will have access to the first class lounges if there is one at your departure station which can provide free food and drink including alcoholic beverages. Ice train tickets, reservations, and rail passes europe for visitors. Dbs train fleet comprises trains for longdistance and regional and local transport.
Browse the extensive menus in our onboard restaurants or get a snack from the bistro car if youre feeling peckish. There are five types of ice train come and meet our fleet. These premium trains run at speeds of 175 to 186 mph on special highspeed rail lines and up. Ice trains are the flagship of germanys deutsche bahn railway company. Travelling in first class is a relaxing, comfortable option. Generally, the ride on the ice trains is really smooth and quiet. How to book a train ticket in germany publishing perspectives. Between the downtown areas of most german cities the travel time by train is as fast or faster than the travel time by plane, when you calculate in the time it takes to get to and from the airport.
When travelling with deutsche bahn, first class services are known for the quality of service and comfort. I wish to book train tickets from frankfurt airport to dusseldorf in early june as the saver fares right now are excellent at eur 57 for 3 adults in the direct ice trains. Where it is offered, its usually complimentary with the purchase of a first class ticket. First class v second class on german trains berlin forum. In 1st class staff will serve fooddrink to your seat. Many first class seats have individual video displays and most first and second class seats have inseat audio. Your complete guide to using the deutsche bahn in germany. Now, i am undecided if it is worth booking 1st class or if i should book. Find out more about the onboard services that ice trains offer, as well as more on travelling first class on ice trains. These trains operate across and beyond germany, connecting cities like berlin, cologne and munich. Anyone booking a longer journey will enjoy upgrading to a.
Ice trains are the flagship of deutsche bahns train fleet. The modern ice trains are one of the fastest ways to get around in germany and its neighboring countries. If youre traveling in second class, you may incur a fee to connect to the wifi service. Some first class cars have glass enclosed seating compartments, with business service in first class. First class will cost you about 50 per cent more than second class, but the car will have fewer passengers and your seat will be a little more comfortable. Fast, comfortable and punctual, they carry passengers across germany and beyond. An ice train of the german federal railways leaves colognes hauptbahnhof. A multiunit ice 3 train crosses the lahntal bridge north of frankfurt am main. With your wifienabled device, you can access the internet at over 125 stations, in db lounges and on board ice trains.
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