Trains in Germany: compare ICE, FlixTrain and buses
Trains in Germany at a glance
Taking trains in Germany means choosing between 2 families: Deutsche Bahn services (ICE, IC, regional trains) and low-cost FlixTrain. They sell different trips at different prices, and neither website shows you the other's offer.
On Kombo you see both side by side, plus FlixBus coaches. Compare departure time, duration and price, then book in a few clicks. Kombo brings together 400+ companies across train, bus, flight and carpooling, with customer service 7 days a week.
It is also a handy starting point for Paris → Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin: Kombo sells both SNCF (including TGV Inoui) and DB tickets, and can combine tickets from different companies on one journey.
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Who runs the trains in Germany?
Deutsche Bahn: ICE, IC and regional trains
Deutsche Bahn runs most of the network. The ICE is the high-speed train, and the ICE 3 reaches 300 km/h. IC/EC (Intercity and Eurocity) link major cities with more stops. For short hops there are regional RE and RB trains, and S-Bahn lines around big cities.
FlixTrain: low-cost on rails
FlixTrain runs budget trains on several major German routes. Worth knowing: the BahnCard is not valid on board.
European Sleeper: overnight to Berlin
The European Sleeper night train links Paris, Brussels and Berlin. For other overnight options, see our night train page.
Key routes
Berlin ↔ Munich: under 4h on the ICE Sprinter.
Paris ↔ Frankfurt: 3h43 on the fastest direct train.
Paris ↔ Munich: about 6h.
Paris ↔ Berlin: about 8h with one change.
Heading on to the Alps? Look at SBB for Switzerland, or ÖBB and WestBahn for Austria.
Popular train routes: Berlin → Munich, Berlin → Hamburg, Frankfurt → Berlin, Paris → Frankfurt, Paris → Munich, Paris → Stuttgart, Paris → Berlin.
DB fares, Familienticket, BahnCard and Deutschlandticket explained
The 3 Deutsche Bahn fares
Super Sparpreis: the cheapest, tied to one train, no changes.
Sparpreis: tied to one train, change for €10 until the day before. From €21.99.
Flexpreis: any train on your chosen day, free cancellation until the day before.
Seat reservation is optional and paid in 2nd class. On a Friday evening it saves you from standing in the corridor.
The BahnCard
The BahnCard 25 costs €62.90 (2nd class, 12 months) and takes 25% off Flexpreis, Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis. The maths: €62.90 / 25% means it pays off after €251.60 of DB tickets. On Kombo you can add your BahnCard when booking Deutsche Bahn tickets.
The Deutschlandticket
The Deutschlandticket (or D-Ticket, nicknamed the "€49 ticket" when it launched in 2023) is a monthly subscription, around €60 a month, valid on all regional transport in Germany: RE, RB, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram and bus. It does not cover ICE, IC/EC or FlixTrain. It is not sold on Kombo, but it works well alongside your Kombo tickets: book the ICE or TGV for the long leg on Kombo, then use the Deutschlandticket for regional trains and city transport once you are there.
The Familienticket: a fixed price for the whole family
With the Deutsche Bahn Familienticket, the whole family travels on ICE, IC and EC trains for a fixed price: €59.99 one way and €99.99 return, for 1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children (4 with one adult). Children count up to age 14, no family relationship is required, and seat reservations for up to 5 people are included. If the trip also uses a regional train, it costs €81.99 one way and €143.99 return. It can be bought up to 2 days before departure, and you will find it on Kombo.
A word on punctuality
In 2025, 60.1% of ICE and IC trains arrived on time (a train counts as late from 6 minutes). The network is busy, so leave a buffer before a connection or a meeting. The same network saw a test ICE hit 405 km/h in June 2025.
Trenitalia and Italo are coming to Germany
Trenitalia, together with Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB, plans direct Frecciarossa trains Munich → Milan (about 6h30) and Munich → Rome (about 8h30) via Innsbruck and Verona, starting with 1 round trip a day and growing to 5. An extension to Berlin has been announced.
Italo has ordered 26 Siemens Velaro trains with 450 seats for Germany, with Munich ↔ Cologne ↔ Dortmund and Munich ↔ Berlin ↔ Hamburg lines announced for 2028. More competition usually means lower fares: Kombo will compare these trains with DB as soon as they go on sale. Meanwhile, see our guide to trains in Italy.
Getting to Germany by train from France
Paris ↔ Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin
Frankfurt is the fastest gateway: 3h43 from Paris on a direct ICE or TGV. Munich is about 6h away. For Berlin, the direct Paris ↔ Berlin ICE is suspended for technical reasons: a restart has been announced, with no firm date. Until then, allow about 8h with a change, or travel overnight on European Sleeper via Brussels.
How Kombo helps
Compare DB, FlixTrain and FlixBus on one screen: trains and the bus comparison in a single search.
Kombo can combine an SNCF train with a DB train, or a train with a coach, when that is faster or cheaper.
On eligible tickets, exchange or cancellation takes 2 clicks.
Planning more trips? See our pages on trains in France, trains in Italy and trains in Spain, or our tips for cheap train tickets.
FAQ about trains in Germany
How do I buy a train ticket in Germany from abroad?
You can buy Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain tickets on Kombo, in English and in euros. Kombo also compares FlixBus coaches on the same route.
How long does the train take from Paris to Berlin?
Allow about 8h with one change. The direct Paris ↔ Berlin ICE is suspended for technical reasons, and the European Sleeper night train links Paris and Berlin via Brussels.
Is the Deutschlandticket valid on ICE trains?
No. It only covers regional transport (RE, RB, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, bus), not ICE, IC/EC or FlixTrain. It is not sold on Kombo, but you can use it alongside an ICE ticket bought on Kombo for local and regional journeys.
Do I need a seat reservation on German trains?
No, seat reservation is optional and paid in 2nd class. It is worth it at peak times and on weekend departures.
Can I use a BahnCard on FlixTrain?
No, the BahnCard only applies to Deutsche Bahn trains within Germany. On Kombo you can add it when booking a DB ticket.
Is there a family train ticket in Germany?
Yes, the Deutsche Bahn Familienticket: €59.99 one way or €99.99 return on ICE, IC and EC trains, for 1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children aged 14 or under, seat reservations included. It is available on Kombo.
We introduce you to Kombo?
Kombo is, above all, a team of travel enthusiasts who work (secretly) to make ticket searching simpler. With over 4 million users, the platform has been allowing you to compare and book train, bus, plane, and carpooling tickets since 2016.
But we don't just sell tickets! We also take care of you throughout your journey. This includes a customer service based in France, easily reachable 7 days a week, as well as many little tips and features developed to make your life easier. For example, tickets available on your phone or automatic reimbursement in case of delays or cancellations.
The trains present on Kombo
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