Train Types in Germany

This is an extract (4/94) of the soc.culture.german FAQ which is posted periodically to the news.answers and soc.culture.german newsgroups by Ralf Vogelgesang [thanks, Ralf :-)].

Look out for these train designs :-)

For the last couple of years the German Rail have been implementing a new philosophy in train travel. One very obvious sign of its modernization are the new cars, which have defined new colors outside and better seats inside.

All modern trains have special color codes:
red-white = High speed trains (ICE, EC, IC)
blue-white = long distance trains (IR, Talgo)
green-white = regional trains (RSB, CB, RB)
orange-white = urban train (S)
It is a good idea to use these if possible. Foreign cars are also nice. Check the label outside! Only the silver cars ('Silberlinge') are a bit old-fashioned and loud, but some like them exactly for this "railroad feeling" :-)...

Most trains have some cars where smoking is allowed... There are also first class cars in most trains.
You don't really need reservation in most trains. If you found no seat you can ride without a seat or, if you think the train is to full, take another train an hour later... There is no reservation possible for any short-distance trains.

Long-distance trains

ICE - 'InterCityExpress'


The German high speed train. These trains are integrated in the IC network, but have higher prices than other IC. Ticket prices depend on ICE speed and the speed of other trains at the same distance.


The ICE interior (left: 1st class, right: 2nd class).

EC - 'EuroCity'

An international high quality train. In Germany most EC's are integrated in the IC net. EC travelling costs the standard fare plus a DM 6.00 supplement.


A 2nd class IC/EC car (they also have compartments with 6 seats).

IC - 'InterCity', ICN - 'InterCityNight'

A national high quality train. Nearly all IC's run in the IC net. On most lines there is one IC every hour. IC travelling costs the standard fare plus a DM 6.00 supplement.
The ICN is a new overnight hotel train which travels between Munich and Berlin and between Bonn and Berlin. It has special fares.

EN - 'EuroNight'

A night train, there were only 4 such trains in 1993/1994.

IR - 'InterRegio'

Similar to IC. The IR net is much longer and IR's stop at more stations than IC's. On most lines there is one IR every other hour.


The IR interior (left: 1st class, right: 2nd class; they also have compartments with 5 seats).

D - 'Schnellzug'

A long-distance train which is not good enough for to be qualified as ICE, EC, IC, EN, IR. Most of them have been modernized and become InterRegios. Some night trains or trains with foreign destinations will remain D trains.

Short-distance trains

RSB - 'RegionalSchnellBahn'

A semi-fast train with good rolling stock like a VT 610 (German pendolino), VT 628 or other modern cars. Some of these trains are as fast as IC, others stop at every station.


A typical RB or RSB train.

E - 'Eilzug'

A semi-fast train not good enough to be classified as RSB. Some of these trains are as fast as IC, others are slower and stop at every station.

CB - 'CityBahn'

A local train with qualified good rolling stock.

S - 'S-Bahn'

An urban train in areas like Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich,...

RB - 'RegionalBahn'

A local train with qualified good rolling stock.

without letter - 'Nahverkehrszug'

Local train with rather poor rolling stock.

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