The ICE network connects all major German cities on dedicated high-speed lines. The Cologne to Frankfurt high-speed line (Schnellfahrstrecke Koeln-Rhein/Main) opened in 2002 and is the fastest section of the German network, with ICE 3 trains running at 300 km/h to complete the 177-kilometre journey in under one hour. Berlin to Munich is covered in 3 hours 55 minutes via Nuremberg on the Nuremberg to Ingolstadt high-speed line. Frankfurt International Airport has a dedicated Fernbahnhof (long-distance station) directly below Terminal 1, connecting the airport to the ICE network with direct trains to Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne.
The IC and EC network serves cities and towns not on the high-speed lines, using older locomotive-hauled coaches or modern push-pull Intercity double-deck units. Eurocity trains extend into Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium on international corridors. The Hamburg to Copenhagen Eurocity operates via the Vogelfluglinie and the Puttgarden to Rodby ferry crossing, a route unique in European rail operations.
Regional rail in Germany is operated under concession contracts awarded by Laender (state) governments and tendered to a mix of DB Regio and private operators including Abellio, Transdev, Westbahn, and others. S-Bahn networks in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Cologne are operated by DB S-Bahn subsidiaries, running at 3 to 10 minute headways during peak hours on dedicated tracks through city centres. The Berlin S-Bahn is the largest urban rapid transit system in Germany, with 166 stations across 340 kilometres.
The Deutschland-Ticket, introduced in May 2023 at 49 euros per month (since raised to 58 euros), provides unlimited travel on all short-distance public transport in Germany including S-Bahn, RE, and RB trains. It does not cover IC or ICE services, which require a separate fare. The BahnCard 25 and BahnCard 50 provide 25 or 50 percent discounts on long-distance DB fares and are renewable annual subscriptions available at bahn.de.
Live train positions displayed on this map use timetable interpolation from the official DB open data system. Actual train positions are estimated from the scheduled departure time, stop sequence, and GPS coordinates of each station. DB provides a real-time departure board API (available through the DB Navigator app) that reports confirmed delays from the Rail Control Centre in Frankfurt. For exact delay information, check the DB Navigator app or bahn.de before travel.