What is an IC train in Germany?

Usually abbreviated as IC, German Intercity trains are fast, long-distance services between major cities within Germany . Although IC trains reach speeds of up to 200km/h and are quicker than regional trains, ICs are generally not as sleek as the newer ICE trains.



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Where a trolley service is available, it is limited to hot and cold drinks and a range of snacks. Many Intercity trains have a bistro or buffet car that offers cold and hot snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, usually with the option to sit down at a table.

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Reservations for ICE trains Reservations on regular ICE high-speed trains are optional. Reservations are compulsory on the ICE from Frankfurt to Paris and Stuttgart to Paris.

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On most ICE and some IC trains, reservation info appears on a small electronic display. All trains in Germany have toilets, and most intercity trains come with bistro and restaurant cars serving hot meals, snacks and beverages. There's no issue with bringing your own food and drink.

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The ultra-modern InterCity Express provides two travel classes: ICE First Class and ICE Standard Class. Plus, all ICE carriages are equipped with power sockets at every seat, plenty of space for luggage, air conditioning, seats with tables, Wi-Fi, disabled facilities, a Children's play area, and a coffee bar.

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The difference between an Intercity and an Intercity Direct train is that the Intercity Direct trains go directly to another city without stopping at any of the other cities it passes, however, you will have to pay an extra fee to make use of an Intercity Direct.

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In the USA, staff were instructed to lock toilets when the train was stopped in a station and unlock them when the train was again underway. Mercifully, new trains no longer dump waste on the tracks. Instead, trains are fitted with chemical holding tanks.

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You can generally drink water from the tap in Germany, as tap water is subject to strict controls. There are exceptions, and these are indicated with the sign Kein Trinkwasser (not drinking water). You cannot drink the tap water in trains, for example.

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Note: If you want to use an ICE train with your IC/EC ticket, you will need to buy an upgrade. The price of the upgrade is equal to the difference between the IC/EC fare and the ICE fare for the route of your ticket.

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Riding any train in Germany, including the ICE, requires a valid ticket or pass for the specific journey and class of service. Failure to have a valid ticket can result in penalties, such as fines or being asked to leave the train at the next station.

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The types of train service: (2) IC trains – long distance express trains that tend to be slower than ICE trains because they rarely use the high speed lines.

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