Latest news with #InterCityExpress


Metro
22-07-2025
- Business
- Metro
Eurostar-style train to directly connect UK with Berlin and two more cities
Whether it's buzzing nightlife, an inclusive LGBTQ+ scene, historical sites or just a really good Currywurst, Berlin arguably has everything you'd need from a city break. And now, if you're looking for a greener way to travel to the German capital, plans for a direct train from London have been announced – and it could significantly chop journey times. Last week, Keir Starmer signed a 'first of its kind' treaty with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which, as well as strengthening the relationship between the UK and Germany, also plans to establish a direct route between the capital and three German cities. Building the Eurostar-style links between London, Frankfurt and Cologne will be first on the list, while Berlin will be the final stop added across the roughly decade-long plan. At the moment, those looking to travel between the two cities need to take a Eurostar train from St Pancras to Bruxelles-Midi, changing for a service to Cologne and, finally, to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. While there are undoubtedly stunning views along the way, it takes between 10 and 11 hours door-to-door. Frankfurt isn't much better, as it can take up to nine hours, though it's hoped that the new route will shorten this to around five. This isn't the first time officials have looked at establishing a direct route between London and Frankfurt. In 2010, Deutsche Bahn tried (and failed) with proposals for the Inter City Express, but it shelved the plans after it encountered a mass of red tape and complications, including differences in train voltage, crossing borders and even tunnels. While we don't have any specifics right now, the plans have the potential to change how millions of people travel between the UK and Germany, with an estimated 3,200,000 Brits having visited in 2023. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said that the government is 'determined to put Britain at the heart of a better-connected continent,' describing it as a 'landmark agreement.' 'A new task force will bring our nations closer together and create new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange, building on a landmark deal we signed earlier this year to explore introducing direct services to Switzerland,' she added. And, as well as improving the transport links between the two, it's hoped that the London-Berlin line will support the economy in creating jobs and strengthen existing trade links, both of which are 'central' to the UK's 'Plan for Change.' Need inspiration on how to fill your time once your train arrives? Berlin is famous for its nightlife scene – but be warned, the Berghain is notoriously difficult to get into. Rumour has it that if you wear all-black, your chances of getting in are higher. If you don't manage to charm the bouncers, though, there's also the famous KitKat, a hedonistic sex club complete with a swimming pool and countless sex swings, or more PC options available at SchwuZ and Sisyphos. If you do go out on a Friday, though, you could end up partying until Monday, as the famous Berlin clubbing mantra goes. First opening its doors in 1985, the Schwules Museum (AKA, the Gay Museum) has long been a mainstay for documenting LGBTQ+ life. Found in one of the city's historic queer neighbourhoods, Regenbogenkiez is known as the Rainbow District, and has been a hub for LGBTQ+ Berliners since the 1910s. Writer Christopher Isherwood famously moved to Berlin in 1929, and local theatre Metropol (formerly the Neues Schauspielhaus) was a favourite haunt of his. Later transformed into the club, throughout the 1980s it was frequented by the likes of Depeche Mode, Morrissey, and the Human League. When it comes to foodie spots, if you're after a life-changing Currywurst, you'll be sure to find it at Konnopke's Imbiß, which started off as a sausage cart and later went on to serve East Berlin's first Currywurst in 1960. And of course, Burgermeister is known for its mouthwatering menu. If you want our recommendation, it has to be the chilli-cheeseburger. History buffs will be well acquainted with Checkpoint Charlie, a central crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin throughout the Cold War that famously appeared in multiple spy films, including James Bond's Octopussy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. While the final crossing between the two divided cities was made in June 1990, these days it's possible to visit the original booth that stood there at the Allied Museum. A photograph of a US soldier towers above the site, and there's more information on display at the Mauer (which means wall in German) Museum, as well as the Trabi Museum and Cold War BlackBox. More Trending Housed inside the former home of the East German secret police, the Stasi Museum displays the various objects used by the Stasi to control the residents of the DDR, including bugs, hidden cameras, and propaganda. A hugely emotive experience, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe documents the horror of the Nazi regime. The granite network is comprised of 2,711 concrete slabs measuring 19,000 square metres, with each stone remembering the 6,000,000 Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Our Travel Editors' picks of underrated destinations in the easyJet summer 2026 sale MORE: Fans slam 'atrocious' immersive Elvis Presley show with tickets up to £300 MORE: I stayed in one of Europe's grandest hotels — a time warp of Old World glamour


Local Germany
25-06-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
Why Germany's nationwide rail upgrade faces a five-year delay
With endless disruption, cancellations and old infrastructure, Germany's rail system is in desperate need of a makeover. Deutsche Bahn last year launched an ambitious project to improve the network. It involves the repair and modernisation of 40 of the most important railway lines in Germany. But on Wednesday, it emerged that the "corridor refurbishment" was at least four years behind schedule. The state operator was scheduled to get the project wrapped up by 2031. But the expected completion of the project is now 2035. Deutsche Bahn revised its outlook at a recent industry event, but says it still needs to finalise the schedule. "The aim of the industry forum is to develop an adapted proposal for extending the corridor refurbishment programme until 2035," the company announced. "A further meeting of the forum is planned for July. As soon as the positions of the other transport companies and associations have been incorporated, the responsible railway subsidiary DB InfraGo intends to coordinate and approve a final concept with the federal government." Why is the refurb delayed? The initial timetable is said to have been slammed by many, especially in the freight transport sector, as too ambitious. There have also been complaints that diversions to alternative routes have not been sufficiently prepared. Advertisement The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and its sister party, the CSU, was also sceptical about the concept put forward by former Transport Minister Volker Wissing (a former FDP member). The coalition agreement drawn up by the new government stipulates that the strategy will be reviewed and possibly adapted. Deutsche Bahn previously said it had earmarked €16.4 billion to its infrastructure programme, with the aim of renewing about 2,000 kilometres of track and 2,000 points as well as upgrading several stations and bridges. A Deutsche Bahn ICE (Inter City Express) train departs from Freiburg Central Station towards Switzerland. Deutsche Bahn customers experience frequent delays on connections to Switzerland, and will now need to change trains at Basel on some routes as well. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Philipp von Ditfurth What is the rail upgrade project? The aim is to gradually improve punctuality in long-distance transport, which last year was worse than at any time since the railway reform in 1994. Only 62.5 percent of long-distance trains arrived without a delay of six minutes or more. And this figure does not include cancelled trains. Experts say the main reason for unreliable trains is the dilapidated and overloaded network. Numerous construction sites slow down rail transport on a daily basis. Of a total of 41 rail corridor upgrades, only one has been completed: the overhaul of the Riedbahn between Mannheim and Frankfurt am Main. This redevelopment was supposed to show that it was possible to close an important route for several months and put it back in operation as a "high-performance line". However, Christian Böttger, railway expert and professor at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, takes a critical view of the result of the upgrade, which was largely completed at the end of 2024. "The main goal of 'punctuality' was missed, but it has become three times as expensive," he told Spiegel . "So I don't see it as a great success story." Furthermore, one of the goals of the project was not actually delivered on schedule – the modernisation of the line with the European Train Control system (ETCS). READ ALSO: The major rail disruption in Germany to prepare for this summer Advertisement Which routes are affected? Following the Riedbahn, the Hamburg-Berlin route is next on the list. The renovation is set to take place as scheduled from August 1st this year to April 20th 2026. During much of this time, the tracks will be closed. Long-distance trains between Hamburg and Berlin will be rerouted, while trains between Hamburg and Rostock/Stralsund will be diverted via Lübeck. Some regional trains will run, while other journeys will get a bus replacement service. The first delays are expected to occur after that. For example, the Frankfurt-Heidelberg line is likely to not see an upgrade until 2030 instead of 2027. The Lübeck-Hamburg upgrade is set to be postponed by one year to 2028. And in 2028, only four lines are to be refurbished instead of nine, as previously planned. According to DB's plans, several refurbs have a new scheduled completion date including: Würzburg-Ansbach-Treuchtlingen (2029), Aachen-Cologne (2029), Forbach-Ludwigshafen (2029), Minden-Wunstorf (2034) and Weddel-Magdeburg (2032). The last and only refurbishment in 2035 would therefore be the Flensburg-Hamburg line. The lines are set to remain construction-free for at least five years following the rail upgrades.


The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
5 affordable train trips in Germany with top views and experiences
In Germany, a country with one of the world's most extensive public transportation systems, travelling has gotten a whole lot simpler. That's thanks to the Deutschland-Ticket, or Germany-Ticket, a new type of (almost) all-inclusive travel pass. Priced at €58 (RM278) for a month of travel, it lets you criss-cross the country using Germany's vast network of regional trains. You don't even need to organise tickets for your journeys; you can just show up at the train station and board. (The faster, longer-distance trains, like the Intercity or InterCity Express, are not included in the pass). Once you've arrived at your destination, the Deutschland-Ticket lets you bypass the byzantine local German transportation ticketing systems that can stymie even locals. Instead, no matter where you are, you can hop on any type of local public transportation, from buses to trams to underground systems, 19th-century steam locomotives and ferries. Since its introduction in 2023, the Deutschland-Ticket has sparked something of a post- pandemic renaissance in local travel. A raft of Deutschland-Ticket-themed travel books and websites have appeared, as cardholders use the opportunity to explore corners of the country using climate-friendly transportation, at a fixed price. 'This ticket is an innovation,' said Allister Loder, professor of mobility policy at the Technical University Munich in Germany. 'It changes how we use public transportation.' Especially beloved by retirees, families and students, the Deutschland-Ticket is also great for tourists. You can book your monthly pass from abroad, using an app. Just be sure to cancel it before it renews. Here are some of the most scenic trips you can take with the Deutschland-Ticket: Konstanz is beautiful in all seasons. Stuttgart to Konstanz Regine Heue, author of On The Road With The Deutschland-Ticket guide, loved all the early 40 trips she took to write it. But if she had to pick one, it might be travelling from Stuttgart, home of the Mercedes-Benz Museum, to the beautiful medieval city of Konstanz, on the shores of Lake Constance. After a ride along the stunning clear blue lake, you can stop in Konstanz to admire the Alpine scenery that forms the city's backdrop, eat, drink or go shopping. Or you can keep going – via bus to the wine town of Meersburg; to Friedrichshafen, home of the Zeppelin; or to the garden island of Mainau, with its 150-year-old arboretum. If you plan to travel around Germany for an extended period, get the Deutschland-Ticket to ride the trains instead of taking the bus or driving. From Cologne, along the Rhine and Moselle rivers Starting from Cologne, with its magnificent Gothic cathedral and carnival spirit, you can catch a train that winds along the bank of the Rhine River, toward Mainz. Described by Germany's Stern Magazine as 'perhaps the most beautiful and romantic rail route in the country', the trip takes you through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a Unesco World Heritage site, past castles, forests, vineyards and the famous Loreley cliff. Alternatively, if you change trains in Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle, you can head toward Trier, Germany's oldest city. This route follows the Moselle, with plenty of opportunities to disembark for wine tastings at one of the area's many vineyards. (One good place to stop: the town of Bernkastel-Kues). Sylt is Germany's northernmost island. Hamburg to Sylt, through the mud flats There may be no better way to see the Hanseatic port city of Hamburg than from the water – and with the Deutschland-Ticket you can ride the city's ferry system at no extra cost, disembarking at places like the famous Fischmarkt, or fish market. Once you've experienced Hamburg from the water, you can hop on the regional train to Germany's northernmost island of Sylt. This train travels through the spectacular natural landscape of North Frisia, with its large, Unesco-protected intertidal sand and mud flats known as the Wadden Sea. For a surreally beautiful stretch, the train travels along an embankment right through the sea. On arrival in Sylt, travellers can use the local bus to get around, rent bikes (not included in the Deutschland-Ticket) or just walk to the beach. Don't miss the region's famous fischbrotchen, or fish rolls. The historic town of Zittau is not (yet) on many travellers' list of places to visit in Germany. Berlin to Zittau, into the mountains Klaus Scheddel, author of the guidebook With The Deutschland-Ticket From Berlin, travelled 32 routes from the German capital to write his eco-friendly travel guide. But the Deutschland-Ticket discovery that most delighted the long-time Berliner was a trip to the charming, largely undiscovered historic city of Zittau, about three hours to the south, near the Czech and Polish borders. The city is nestled at the foot of the Zittau mountains, which are remarkable for their striking sandstone rock formations, named for the forms they resemble: praying nuns, a beehive, a brooding hen, a crocodile. From Zittau, you can travel into these mountains to Oybin on a small-gauge steam train that dates from the 19th century. Part of the public transportation system, this train requires additional payment of an 'historical surcharge' of €10 (RM48) per person, per day. Munich to Fussen, and Cinderella's castle From Munich, with its beer gardens and one of the world's largest museums for science and technology, the Deutsches Museum, you can board a train to the historic city of Fussen. About a two-hour ride through the foothills of the Alps, this route brings you to an area known for its mountains, lakes and castles, and features spectacular views of the peaks of the Ammergau and Allgau Alps. In Fussen, which calls itself 'the highest town in Bavaria', you might want to stop to eat local Allgau specialties such as Kasspatzen (homemade noodles mixed with regional cheese), or the local Sissi Torte, created in honour of the Austrian empress' 19th-century visit to the city. From Fussen, a short bus ride will take you to Neuschwanstein Castle, Walt Disney's inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle. – SALLY MCGRANE/©2025 The New York Times Company This article originally appeared in The New York Times.


New York Times
19-03-2025
- New York Times
5 Stunning German Train Trips at a Bargain Price
In Germany, a country with one of the world's most extensive public transportation systems, traveling has gotten a whole lot simpler. That's thanks to the Deutschland-Ticket, or Germany-Ticket, a new type of (almost) all-inclusive travel pass. Priced at just 58 euros, or about $63, for a month of travel, it lets you crisscross the country using Germany's vast network of regional trains. You don't even need to organize tickets for your journeys; you can just show up at the train station and board. (The faster, longer-distance trains, like the Intercity or InterCity Express, are not included in the pass). Once you've arrived at your destination, the Deutschland-Ticket lets you bypass the byzantine local German transportation ticketing systems that can stymie even locals. Instead, no matter where you are, you can hop on any type of local public transportation, from buses to trams to underground systems, 19th-century steam locomotives and ferries. Since its introduction in 2023, the Deutschland-Ticket has sparked something of a post-pandemic renaissance in local travel. A raft of Deutschland-Ticket-themed travel books and websites have appeared, as cardholders use the opportunity to explore corners of the country using climate-friendly transportation, at a fixed price. 'This ticket is an innovation,' said Allister Loder, professor of mobility policy at the Technical University Munich. 'It changes how we use public transportation.' Especially beloved by retirees, families and students, the Deutschland-Ticket is also great for tourists. You can book your monthly pass from abroad, using an app. Just be sure to cancel it before it renews. Here, some of the most scenic trips you can take with the Deutschland-Ticket: Stuttgart to Konstanz Regine Heue, the author of 'On the Road With the Deutschland -Ticket' guide, loved all the early 40 trips she took to write it. But if she had to pick one, it might be traveling from Stuttgart, home of the Mercedes-Benz Museum, to the beautiful medieval city of Konstanz, on the shores of Lake Constance. After a ride along the stunning clear blue lake, you can stop in Konstanz to admire the Alpine scenery that forms the city's backdrop, eat, drink or go shopping. Or you can keep going: via bus to the wine town of Meersberg; to Friedrichshafen, home of the Zeppelin; or to the garden island of Mainau, with its 150-year-old arboretum. From Cologne, along the Rhine and Moselle routes Starting from Cologne, with its magnificent Gothic cathedral and carnival spirit, you can catch a train that winds along the bank of the Rhine River, toward Mainz. Described by Germany's Stern Magazine as 'perhaps the most beautiful and romantic rail route in the country,' the trip takes you through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, past castles, forests, vineyards and the famous Loreley cliff. Alternatively, if you change trains in Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle, you can head toward Trier, Germany's oldest city. This route follows the Moselle, with plenty of opportunities to disembark for wine tastings at one of the area's many vineyards. (One good place to stop: the town of Bernkastel-Kues). Hamburg to Sylt, through the mud flats There may be no better way to see the Hanseatic port city of Hamburg than from the water — and with the Deutschland-Ticket you can ride the city's ferry system at no extra cost, disembarking at places like the famous Fischmarkt, or fish market. Once you've experienced Hamburg from the water, you can hop on the regional train to Germany's northernmost island of Sylt. This train travels through the spectacular natural landscape of North Frisia, with its large, UNESCO-protected intertidal sand and mud flats known as the Wadden Sea. For a surreally beautiful stretch, the train travels along an embankment right through the sea. On arrival in Sylt, travelers can use the local bus to get around, rent bikes (not included in the Deutschland-Ticket) or just walk to the beach. Don't miss the region's famous Fischbrötchen, or fish sandwiches. Berlin to Zittau, into the mountains Klaus Scheddel, the author of the guidebook 'With the Deutschland-Ticket From Berlin,' traveled 32 routes from the German capital to write his eco-friendly travel guide. But the Deutschland-Ticket discovery that most delighted the longtime Berliner was a trip to the charming, largely undiscovered historic city of Zittau, labout three hours to the south, near the Czech and Polish borders. The city is nestled at the foot of the Zittau mountains, which are remarkable for their striking sandstone rock formations, named for the forms they resemble: praying nuns, a beehive, a brooding hen, a crocodile. From Zittau, you can travel into these mountains to Oybin on a small-gauge steam train that dates from the 19th century. Part of the public transportation system, this train requires additional payment of an 'historical surcharge' of 10 euros per person, per day. Munich to Füssen, and Cinderella's castle From Munich, with its beer gardens and one of the world's largest museums for science and technology, the Deutsches Museum, you can board a train to the historic city of Füssen. About a two-hour ride through the foothills of the Alps, this route brings you to an area known for its mountains, lakes and castles, and features spectacular views of the peaks of the Ammergau and Allgäu Alps. In Füssen, which calls itself 'the highest town in Bavaria,' you might want to stop to eat local Allgäu specialties such as Kässpatzen (homemade noodles mixed with regional cheese), or the local Sissi Torte, created in honor of the Austrian empress's 19th-century visit to the city. From Füssen, a short bus ride will take you to Neuschwanstein Castle, Walt Disney's inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle.


The Independent
04-03-2025
- The Independent
Advice on purchasing the Deutschlandticket please?
QHow do I get a Deutschlandticket? Kevin S A You are referring to the greatest travel bargain in Europe: unlimited rail journeys in Germany, as well as urban transport by tram, bus and even ferry, for a fixed price of €58 (£48) for a calendar month. You can buy a Deutschlandticket in the first 10 days of any month; I have just bought one for March. This not a deal for people in a hurry, since the Deutschlandticket does not allow travel on the fastest IC/ICE (InterCity/InterCityExpress) trains. But if you are prepared to make do with slower InterRegonal Expresses (IRE) and local trains, you can travel thousands of miles for only dozens of pounds. I like to think of it as an Interrail ticket for Germany; as when using that pass elsewhere in Europe, to avoid paying more than the basic monthly subscription, simply avoid the quickest trains. You may have noticed the word 'subscription'. The Deutschlandticket is aimed squarely at a domestic audience, and specifically German commuters. British leisure travellers are welcome, but most of us do not require more than one month at a time. The best source of the Deutschlandticket is the transport organisation based in Bremen: Verkehrsverbund Bremen/Niedersachsen (VBN). Don't worry – no need to type that into a computer. Just search online for FahrPlaner (yes, only one 'n' in the name). Tap 'Tickets' and then select 'Deutschlandticket'. A few more taps and some personal details, plus credit card details, and you will be all set. The tricky part is that you have technically bought an open-ended subscription. On completion of the transaction, VBN says: 'From now on, you will automatically receive a new ticket every month.' Fortunately, you can expect within minutes to get an email reading: 'If you would like to cancel your Deutschlandticket at the next possible date, please use the following link.' The link says CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION in big letters. Once completed you should get a confirmation email reassuring you that no further payments will be taken. Two final notes: even if you are planning to travel in the last week or two of the month, you must buy by the 10th of that month. And if your visit straddles two months, eg March to April, you will need a separate Deutschlandticket for each month. Q I'm cheesed off that easyJet won't refund pre-booked luggage when I have to cancel a flight. Could you fight this? Mark S A 'Once you've booked hold luggage we're unable to offer you a refund should you change your mind': that is the blunt message from easyJet. The airline could easily refund baggage charges to passengers who don't travel. But in common with other carriers, it likes to keep the cash from 'ancillaries'. For example, easyJet's rival Ryanair says: 'You will not be able to remove bags from your booking or get a refund once purchased.' One in 20 easyJet passengers is a 'no-show' according to the latest figures I have from the airline. Since many will have paid in advance for baggage, keeping the sum paid for extras as well as the basic fare is a useful revenue stream. While I think this policy is unfair, I will not campaign against it because there is a reasonable workaround: do not pay for any supplementary services such as baggage or self-selected seats until you are fully committed to your flight. Yes, you may pay slightly more but in my experience, the difference is just a few pounds – and is better than losing perhaps £50 in pre-payments. One commendable exception to the 'no money back for prepaid baggage' is British Airways, which 'will refund any pre-payment for extra baggage that is cancelled online before check-in'. Note that you must cancel online – and once you have checked in, the money is gone even if you don't fly. BA has a generous policy of two pieces of hand luggage weighing 23kg each; if you have an advance booking with baggage that you could carry on board, you might want to claim a refund now. Two more points about payments to easyJet. I never pay for specific seats: in my experience, the airline strives to assign people on the same booking together, even if you choose not to pay. Check in as early as possible (free online, up to a month ahead) to maximise the chance of this happening. And if you can't make a flight, easyJet generously refunds Air Passenger Duty in full, without a fuss. Do this through the airline's contact form; select 'Government Tax Refund' from the drop-down menu. Q I am a frequent business traveller to Germany, specifically to a pharmaceuticals enterprise near Dusseldorf. The visits are rewarding professionally, and also because of the social side. But my family are concerned at what appears to be a relentless series of attacks on pedestrians. Do you think I should reduce my visits? I would be able to do a fair amount of the work virtually. Name supplied A I happen to be responding from Germany, specifically from the city of Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg. I have spent a couple of hours wandering through the city centre and its notable sights. Naturally my thoughts were with the victims of another tragic attack in Mannheim, south of Frankfurt. It took place on a pedestrianised street in the city, and two people have died. The attack follows similar atrocities last month in Munich, and in December in the city of Magdeburg. The Foreign Office is currently saying: 'We are aware that a car was driven into a crowd today in Mannheim. If you're in the immediate area you should follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media.' Understandably, everyone (including my family) is concerned about this string of attacks and what it might mean for their loved ones. Doubtless some people will reconsider their travel plans, and also assess their behaviour in the light of the increasing incidents of men intent on mass murder driving vehicles into crowds. Doubtless also the German authorities are redoubling their efforts to protect pedestrians – just as their counterparts in London did following the killings on Westminster and London Bridges. It is desperately sad to say, but random killing is a phenomenon of our times. Relative to other risks the chances of being caught up in such a tragedy remain extremely unlikely. I will not change my plans, though I will be more conscious of my surroundings. As you evidently enjoy your visits, I suggest you do the same.