Germany by train

EuroCity (EC) connects Germany with Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia.

1st class: rows of three (2+1)
2nd class: rows of four (2+2) or six-seat compartments
No reservation required
Trains have power sockets, air conditioning and a bistro car offering a selection of food and drinks.
Bikes are allowed on the trains, but you need an extra ticket for your bike.

InterCity Express (ICE) connects Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark with Germany

1st class: rows of three (2+1)
2nd class: rows of four (2+2)
First-class passengers can enjoy extra services such as magazines, power sockets and at-seat service.
Reservations are not required
Trains have power sockets, free WiFi, toilets and air conditioning. They also have an on-board bistro offering a range of food and drinks.

RailJet (RJ) connects Munich with Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, and with Budapest, Hungary.

1st class: rows of three (2+1) with more legroom; Business Class is also available. You need a 1st class ticket to upgrade to Business Class.
2nd class: rows of four (2+2)
No reservation required*, but optional:
2nd class €4.50
1st class €5.90
Trains have power sockets, free WiFi and air conditioning. They also have a restaurant car offering a selection of food and drinks.
Bikes may be taken on the trains, but a bike reservation is required (€3 online) and you need an extra ticket for your bike.
*Reservations are required for Hungary.

TGV connects Germany with Paris, France

1st and 2nd class available
Reservation required.
Trains have power sockets, free WiFi and air conditioning. They also have a restaurant car offering a range of food and drinks.
Bikes are allowed on the trains, but you need an extra ticket for your bike.

Thalys (THA) connects Cologne with Brussels, Belgium, and with Paris, France.

Premium class: rows of three (2+1), including a meal, drinks and newspapers
Comfort class: rows of three (2+1)
Standard class: rows of four (2+2)
Reservation required.
Trains have power sockets, free WiFi and air conditioning. They also have a restaurant car offering a range of food and drinks.

ÖBB NightJet (NJ)

Routes:
Berlin – Frankfurt – Freiburg
Hamburg – Hanover – Munich
Düsseldorf – Frankfurt – Munich
Cologne – Frankfurt – Munich
Reservations are included in the ticket price
Sleeper: standard cabin with your own bed, washbasin and breakfast in the morning.
Deluxe cabin with your own bed, shower, toilet, washbasin and breakfast in the morning.
Couchette: 4-berth and 6-berth couchettes as well as private compartments are available
Toilets are located in the carriage
Breakfast is included in the fare
Seating car: 2nd class available, no 1st class
Toilets are located in the carriage
Trolleys with a selection of drinks and food pass through the carriages.

EuroNight (EN)

Routes:
Cologne – Frankfurt – Vienna, Austria
Hamburg – Nuremberg – Vienna, Austria
Munich – Ljubljana – Zagreb, Croatia
Munich – Salzburg – Vienna – Budapest, Hungary
Berlin – Prague – Bratislava – Budapest, Hungary
Berlin – Prague – Vienna, Austria

See ÖBB Nightjet for carriage and sleeper arrangements
Some trains can also carry cars

Snälltåget night train (VEO) / Berlin Night Express

Routes:
Berlin – Malmö – Stockholm, Sweden
Reservation required
Couchette: 6 berths shared with other passengers, bedding included
Toilets are located at the end of the carriage
Private compartments: all private compartments have the same facilities as the 6-berth couchette (1–6 people)
3 different private compartments available
Regular: bed linen included, the compartment has WiFi and power sockets
Comfort: bed linen, hot drinks, water and breakfast included, the compartment has WiFi and power sockets.
Family: bed linen included, compartment with WiFi and power sockets. One member of the group must be under 16, no alcohol allowed in the compartment after 9 pm.
Washrooms are located at the end of the carriage.
Most trains have a bistro car offering drinks, light meals and snacks.
Discounts for students and travellers aged 26 or under

Rheingold

• Description: The Rheingold is a legendary luxury train that first ran in the 1920s. Today, restored historic carriages combine nostalgic charm with modern amenities.
• Highlights: The train runs along the picturesque Rhine line and offers luxurious saloon cars, dining cars and panoramic views.

2. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (sections in Germany)

• Description: The famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs on various routes across Europe, including through Germany.
• Highlights: The train is known for its Art Deco style, luxurious compartments and first-class service, reminiscent of the golden age of travel.

AKE Rheingold

• Description: The AKE Rheingold is a nostalgic luxury train operated by AKE-Eisenbahntouristik that runs on selected routes in Germany.
• Highlights: This historic train offers upmarket comfort in stylishly restored carriages reminiscent of the original Rheingold trains.

Brockenbahn (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen)

• Location: Harz
• Route: Wernigerode – Brocken
• Gauge: 1,000 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: The Brockenbahn climbs the Brocken, the highest mountain in northern Germany, and is one of the best-known steam railways.

Saxon steam railways

• Fichtelbergbahn: Cranzahl – Oberwiesenthal
• Weißeritztalbahn: Freital-Hainsberg – Kipsdorf
• Lößnitzgrundbahn: Radebeul Ost – Radeburg
• Zittauer Schmalspurbahn: Zittau – Oybin/Jonsdorf
• Location: Saxony
• Gauge: 750 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: These railways offer scenic journeys through the Ore Mountains, the Zittau Mountains and other Saxon landscapes

Rügensche Bäderbahn (Rasender Roland)

• Location: Island of Rügen
• Route: Putbus – Binz – Göhren
• Gauge: 750 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: A historic narrow-gauge railway on the island of Rügen that runs through the popular Baltic seaside resorts.

Preßnitztalbahn

• Location: Saxony
• Route: Jöhstadt – Steinbach
• Gauge: 750 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: A lovingly restored railway in the Ore Mountains that runs through the idyllic Pressnitz Valley.

Schwarzwaldbahn

• Location: Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg
• Route: Triberg – St. Georgen – Hausach (regular special steam trips)
• Highlights: Historic steam locomotives run on the scenic Black Forest Railway line.

Sauschwänzlebahn

• Location: Baden-Württemberg
• Route: Blumberg – Weizen
• Gauge: standard gauge
• Highlights: The “Sauschwänzlebahn” runs along a winding route through the Black Forest and is known for its tunnels and viaducts.

Selfkantbahn

• Location: North Rhine-Westphalia
• Route: Schierwaldenrath – Gillrath
• Gauge: 1,000 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: The Selfkantbahn is the last remaining narrow-gauge railway in North Rhine-Westphalia and offers a nostalgic journey through the region.

Brigadelokbahn

• Location: Hesse (Vulkan-Express)
• Route: Brohl – Engeln
• Gauge: 1,000 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: This historic railway runs through the volcanic Eifel region, known for its geological features.

Dampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz

• Location: Bavaria
• Route: Ebermannstadt – Behringersmühle
• Gauge: standard gauge
• Highlights: The steam railway runs through the picturesque Wiesent Valley in Franconian Switzerland.

Chiemseebahn

• Location: Bavaria
• Route: Prien am Chiemsee – Prien Stock
• Gauge: standard gauge
• Highlights: This short line links Prien station with the shore of the Chiemsee and is one of the oldest railways in Germany.

Molli-Bahn

• Location: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
• Route: Bad Doberan – Kühlungsborn
• Gauge: 900 mm (narrow gauge)
• Highlights: This historic railway runs along the Baltic coast and passes through the seaside resort of Bad Doberan.

Zugspitzbahn

• Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria
• Type: rack railway and cable car
• Highlights: The Zugspitzbahn takes you up Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze.

Wendelsteinbahn

• Location: Bayrischzell, Bavaria
• Type: rack railway
• Highlights: This railway climbs the Wendelstein and offers spectacular views across the Alps.

Nebelhornbahn

• Location: Oberstdorf, Bavaria
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: The Nebelhornbahn takes you up the Nebelhorn and is known for its impressive panoramic views.

Brockenbahn

• Location: Harz, Saxony-Anhalt
• Type: narrow-gauge railway
• Highlights: The Brockenbahn runs up the Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz.

Braunlage Wurmbergseilbahn

• Location: Braunlage, Lower Saxony
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: The cable car takes you up the Wurmberg, the highest mountain in Lower Saxony.

Feldbergbahn

• Location: Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: This railway climbs the Feldberg, the highest mountain in the Black Forest.

Höllentalbahn

• Location: Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg
• Type: rack railway
• Highlights: This historic railway passes through the Höllental valley and the picturesque scenery of the Black Forest.

Herzogstandbahn

• Location: Walchensee, Bavaria
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: The railway takes you up the Herzogstand, with views over the Walchensee and Kochelsee lakes.

Tegelbergbahn

• Location: Schwangau, Bavaria
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: This railway climbs the Tegelberg, close to the famous royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

Karwendelbahn

• Location: Mittenwald, Bavaria
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: The Karwendelbahn takes passengers up into the Karwendel mountains and offers magnificent views over the Alpine foothills.

Schauinslandbahn

• Location: Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg
• Type: cable car
• Highlights: The Schauinslandbahn is Germany's longest gondola lift and takes you up the Schauinsland in the Black Forest.