Master Deutsche Bahn's Intercity Express (ICE): Sparpreis discount fares, optional seat reservations, Bordrestaurant dining, and cross-border routes to Austria, Switzerland, and France.
The Intercity Express (ICE) is Deutsche Bahn's flagship high-speed rail fleet, traveling at speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph). ICE trains connect major German hubs (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne) and cross international borders to Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris.
Unlike French or Spanish high-speed trains, seat reservations on German ICE trains are completely OPTIONAL. You can board any ICE train with a valid ticket or rail pass. Small digital displays above seats indicate if a seat is reserved (e.g. 'Frankfurt - Munich'). Unreserved seats are free for any passenger to sit in.
Flexpreis offers total flexibility to take any train on your travel date with full refunds. Sparpreis (Saver Fares) starts from €19.90, is bound to a specific train, and includes a city public transit ticket (City-Ticket). Super Sparpreis starts from €17.90 for maximum savings (non-refundable).
All ICE trains feature a full Bordrestaurant or Bordbistro carriage offering hot meals, draft German beer, pretzels, and coffee served on real china. Carriages are divided into Quiet Zones (Ruhebereich - no phone calls or loud noise) and Phone/Family Zones.
No. Seat reservations are optional on DB ICE trains (costs €5.20 in 2nd class or €6.50 in 1st class). If you choose not to reserve, look for seats without digital reservation lights above them.
When you book a Sparpreis or Flexpreis ticket for distances over 100km, the City-Ticket allows free travel on local buses, trams, and S-Bahn trains to get to your departure station and from your arrival station to your destination hotel.
Yes. Free Wi-Fi ('WIFI@DB') is provided in both 1st and 2nd class on all ICE trains. Every seat pair features standard European C/F power sockets.
If a delay of 20+ minutes at your final destination is expected, your train binding (Zugbindung) is automatically lifted. You can board any other DB train on the same route to reach your destination.