This service, however, is not currently offered on all trains. In 1st class, there are fewer people because of the cost, so it is easier to find a seat on a crowded train. Mar 18, 20 all other icetrains cant tilt, this includes the recently ordered icetrains too. Both commuters and vacationers use the train system extensively. Travelling in first class is a relaxing, comfortable option.
In ic and regional trains, the difference in seat quality is obvious. 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. Ice trains are the flagship of germanys deutsche bahn railway company. Trains in germany book germany train tickets trainline. 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. The ice first class is the best product the operator deutsche bahn has to offer. 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. 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. Anyway, you can expect a comparable service and seating on all first class ice trains in germany. You will be hard pressed to find another train in germany which offers high speed trains throughout the entire country as.
Aboard an ice you can use the table and electrical socket at your seat to easily set up your mobile office. Germany is one of the countries with the most extensive train networks in the whole world. I will introduce you to the different types of trains including comments on classes of passengers, smoking sections, bicycle cars, and reservations. Leather chairs, complimentary entertainment, special service and more space are the main advantages of first class. We tested out the first class service to see how it fared in the style, comfort and efficiency stakes. An ice train of the german federal railways leaves colognes hauptbahnhof. Here is our quick guide on booking tickets and navigating the german railway system. 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. Ice international trains in germany cheap train tickets. First class is usually only available on the high speed intercity express ice trains, which mostly operate between large cities. Difference between first and second class trainline help faq. 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. What is included is baggage and newspapers only in first class. Between 1st and 2nd class on the ice trains, not that much difference as pointed out above.
The first ice trains were the trainsets of ice 1 power cars. First class affords more space and comfort and seat reservations are included. There are five types of ice train come and meet our fleet. Eurocity intercity trains in europe best price happyrail. Hop on and enjoy the enhanced convenience and personal service. Many first class seats have individual video displays and most first and second class seats have inseat audio.
The ice is arguably the most comfortable, civilised and impressive highspeed train in europe, with a very highspec interior designed to lure german. Travelling first class with the train ns international. Ice trains are the fastest trains that operate in germany. The first class onboard ice trains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere. Mar 30, 2017 their second class is really one of the best rail products out there. The modern ice trains are one of the fastest ways to get around in germany and its neighboring countries. German intercity ic train travel tips from rail europe. These premium trains run at speeds of 175 to 186 mph on special highspeed rail. The dining car with the hump makes it easy to recognise.
First class will cost you about 50 per cent more than second class, but the car will. If youre buying more than one ticket though, consider buying a german rail pass instead, as it may be cheaper and offers more flexibility. The deutsche bahn ice train connects all the major german cities such as frankfurt, hamburg. Ice, ice sprinter, intercity and eurocity trains are used for longdistance services, even to neighbouring countries. However, in first class, you are insulating yourself from the fabric of the local culture. Difference between first and second class trainline help. 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.
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. 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. The first class onboard icetrains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere. In germany you can travel on a train even if all the seats are already taken. Ice train tickets from 19 guide to germanys ice trains. Fast, comfortable and punctual, they carry passengers across germany and beyond.
You can even go international, so long as youre riding a deutsche bahn train. In 1st class staff will serve fooddrink to your seat. Local train 1st class is quite different from highspeed ice, etc. One of the greatest things about living in europe is the ease at which one can travel nearly the entire continents without a car.
An ice is the classiest and fastest way to travel where there are no airplanes. 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. 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. 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.
Catering travelling on an ice international train means comfortable travel. In first class, all seats are made out of leather and are pretty big three seats in a row, in a 21. Ice and ice sprinter trains travel the fastest and have onboard restaurants. The ice sprinter offers the fastest connection between germanys major cities. German trains represent one of the most effective ways to get around the country theyre fast, convenient and comfortable. Db bahn, 1st class vs 2nd class cologne forum tripadvisor. These premium trains run at speeds of 175 to 186 mph on special highspeed rail lines and up. Leather chairs, complimentary entertainment, special service and more space are the main advantages. Ice trains have restaurant or bistro, but in rare cases it is closed during night hours. First class v second class on german trains berlin forum.
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. The ice and icec are the fastest trains on the germanrail roster and are the services that tourists use the most. German trains are clean, comfortable, reliable and fast. In some stations first class ticketpass holders will find complimentary wifi, usually in. Trains are safe and efficient, despite occasional delays. Each car of a german train, like the ice coach shown here, has a large 1 or 2 indicating the class of the car. When travelling with deutsche bahn, first class services are known for the quality of service and comfort. Many firstclass seats have individual video displays and most first and secondclass seats have inseat audio. German ice train intercityexpress high speed rail db. Explore germany in comfort with ice and ice sprinter highspeed trains. Special compartments for 6 persons are bookable on most eurocityservices which are useable for onboard meetings.
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 lounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers not all ticket fares apply. The catering was superb as well, tasted truly delecious riding the ice is a great way in and around germany. Wifi, food and beverage services are only available on ice trains.
Nov 19, 2016 one of the greatest things about living in europe is the ease at which one can travel nearly the entire continents without a car. A german intercity train, 2nd class seats on an ic train. Ice train tickets from 19 guide to germanys ice trains seat 61. A guide to germanys highspeed ice trains with travel tips, and how to buy ice. 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.
Now, i am undecided if it is worth booking 1st class or if i should book. Comparison of first class on ice and intercity trains. As a first class passenger, you have many privileges. Jul 17, 2014 this is the case on deutsche bahn ice trains. The icelounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers.
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. Some of the newer cars have seat back entertainment screens. European rail travel 1st class on ice trains originally posted by aerotec i am looking to book the ice from cologne to amsterdam. Highspeed train ice international brings you to germany. Your complete guide to using the deutsche bahn in germany. On an ice i always use first as there is a lot more spacelegroom. If youre traveling in second class, you may incur a fee to connect to the wifi service. 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. Book your ice train reservation online for individual trips. Some first class cars have glass enclosed seating compartments, with business service in first class. In first class, your seat is included with your ticket. So its your first time travelling by train in europe. Following that, i offer a few tips on trains for travelers.
Dbs train fleet comprises trains for longdistance and regional and local transport. Highspeed train ice international brings you to germany and. Aug 03, 2015 its not surprising that there are several luxurious highspeed trains, too. A multiunit ice 3 train crosses the lahntal bridge north of frankfurt am main. 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. Its not surprising that there are several luxurious highspeed trains, too. Where it is offered, its usually complimentary with the purchase of a first class ticket.
The ice lounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers. Coronavirus covid19 for the latest updates, all details on booking flexibility, and. Browse the extensive menus in our onboard restaurants or get a snack from the bistro car if youre feeling peckish. If your trip contains some of the usual smaller destinations recommended by mr. The intercity express ice is the highspeed train operated by deutsche bahn the german railway company. Wifi availability is increasing on european trains. These trains connect the major german cities, including berlin, munich, frankfurt and hamburg. Anyone booking a longer journey will enjoy upgrading to a higher level of service as it affords more comfort. Most trains in germany, apart from some local trains, have first and second class sections. 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. 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. One of the best ways to discover germany is by train.
For regional and local transport regional trains and sbahn trains are used. Explore germany and its neighbouring countries with ice connections. The ic and ec trains travel at a maximum speed of up to 200kmh, which makes them only slightly slower than. You can buy ice and other deutsche bahn tickets at railroad stations, at travel agencies, from rail europe u.
Reservations on trains from germany to denmark are optional, however in certain summer. See here the many advantages that travelling first class per train has to offer. The first class onboard eurocity trains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere. Reservations for second class even on ice are not usually required but reservations in the dining car are recommended.
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. Today all charges are just included in the ticket price. Booking german deutsche bahn train tickets online thrifty. The german railway system is very well developed and reliable, and you can reach almost every city in germany by train. To travel by ice train, you can purchase a deutsche bahn eticket which gives you two fare options. For all practical purposes if youre getting a pass, the 2nd class pass will do fine. The most important thing when travelling on an ice is the seating. But the differences overall between 1st and 2nd are pretty minimal. I am getting good rates at the moment of 19 euro 2nd class or 49 euro 1st class. Generally, the ride on the ice trains is really smooth and quiet. When anyone says, we are going to buy a 5day german railpass for 2 people, it makes me wonder how they reached that decision.
There is a diesel ice running at 200kmh betwenn hamburgberlin and danmark. 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. Ice trains are the flagship of deutsche bahns train fleet. In german trains, there are neither food nor drinks included. Most of the ice cars now have electrical plugs for computers and wifi. Special compartments for 6 persons are bookable on most ice services which are useable for onboard meetings. These trains operate across and beyond germany, connecting cities like berlin, cologne and munich. All other icetrains cant tilt, this includes the recently ordered icetrains too. Buying tickets and booking seats on intercityexpress trains, from an illustrated. First of all, it is important to note that not every ice train is the same. If youre using the pass, dont waste the days riding. As you are searching for your tickets you see that you have the option of booking either first or second class tickets.
In ice, theres not that much difference in seat quality. 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. Explore germany by highspeed ice train travel with germanys. The ice intercity express is a highspeed train that connects all major cities in germany. With the internet provided in first class you can work. Anyone booking a longer journey will enjoy upgrading to a. Difference between first and second class if you want to know how to book eurostar business premier tickets, please see this page. Special compartments for 6 persons are bookable on most iceservices which are useable for onboard meetings. Deutsche bahn everything you need to know omio goeuro. What you need to know about riding the german train system. How to book a train ticket in germany publishing perspectives. Visit our site and book your deutsche bahn eticket online today.
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. While first class ice tickets will be more expensive, train tickets in germany work in a slightly different way. Travelling in firstclass is a relaxing, comfortable option. The icelounge on german stations is open for all first class passengers not all ticket fares apply. In first class we offer you worryfree internet access. 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. Trains in germany are as complicated as they are anywhere. The first class onboard eurocitytrains offers a comfortable and quiet working sphere.
Deutsche bahn offers first and second class seating. Booking a train trip is like booking a lowcost ticket for an airplane. As of july 6 free wifi on all ice international trains, in both 1st and 2nd class. Ice train tickets, reservations, and rail passes europe for visitors. Find out more about the onboard services that ice trains offer, as well as more on travelling first class on ice trains. 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 1st class, staff will serve fooddrink to your seat.
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