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Trains • Germany

DB Fernverkehr

Deutsche Bahn Fernverkehr operates all German long-distance trains: InterCity Express (ICE), Intercity (IC) and EuroCity (EC). ICEs run at 300 km/h in Germany and 320 km/h in France, linking Frankfurt to Paris in 3 h 40 and Cologne to Brussels in 1 h 47.

Czechia, France, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Slovenia, and Netherlands and 14 others

Deutsche Bahn, the heart of the German rail network

Deutsche Bahn AG is the German rail company, formed in 1994 from the merger of the Deutsche Bundesbahn (West Germany) and the Deutsche Reichsbahn (East Germany). DB Fernverkehr is the subsidiary that operates long-distance trains: InterCity Express (ICE), Intercity (IC) and EuroCity (EC). ICEs are the German high-speed trains, running at up to 330 km/h in commercial service in Germany and in France since June 2007.

ICE services to France

The Frankfurt-Paris ICE service was inaugurated on 10 June 2007. It runs via Saarbrücken and Kaiserslautern and uses the LGV Est-Européenne for the last 180 kilometres. The trainsets used are Class 407 ICE 3 (Velaro D) units, multi-system for the French and German overhead lines. There are 5 daily round trips on Frankfurt-Paris (3 h 40 journey) and 3 round trips on Munich-Paris via Stuttgart. The Brussels-Cologne-Frankfurt ICE services (Class 408, ICE 3neo) also run at 300 km/h.

Onboard classes and services

ICE, IC and EC trains offer two classes (1st and 2nd). 1st class offers individual 1-2 seats with welcome service, complimentary press and at-seat catering. 2nd class offers a 2-2 layout with tables, individual sockets, free Wi-Fi, silence coach and family coach. All ICEs have a Bord Bistro or Bord Restaurant serving hot food and drinks. Seat reservation is mandatory on France-Germany ICEs and free, otherwise optional (€4.50 in 2nd, €5.50 in 1st).

Travel guides

DB Fernverkehr

  • Berlin
  • Munich
  • Francfort
  • Hambourg
  • Cologne
  • Düsseldorf
  • Stuttgart
  • Hanovre
  • Paris
  • Bruxelles
  • Amsterdam
  • Zurich
  • Vienne

Most frequent questions about Gopaxo

How long does Paris-Frankfurt take by ICE?

The direct trip Paris Est - Frankfurt Hbf takes 3 h 40, with 5 round trips a day. The train serves Paris Est, Saarbrücken, Kaiserslautern, Mannheim and Frankfurt.

Do I need to reserve a seat on an ICE to France?

Yes — seat reservation is mandatory and included free in the ticket for international Paris-Germany ICE. On intra-Germany ICE, reservation is optional but recommended in peak season.

What does a Paris-Frankfurt ICE cost?

Sparpreis fares start at €39 when sales open (6 months ahead), €59 on average in 2nd class. 1st class starts at €89. The BahnCard 25 (€62/year) gives -25%, BahnCard 50 -50%.

Can I bring a bike on an ICE?

Yes, but a bike reservation is mandatory (€9 in 2nd class). Not all ICE trainsets offer bike spaces; check on bahn.de. Folding bikes travel free as hand luggage.

What luggage is allowed on ICE?

DB allows as much luggage as you can carry and stow yourself. In practice, 2 bags + 1 hand bag is the norm. Bags go in the racks, door areas or, on ICE, in secure lockers at certain 1st-class seats.

Carriers

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