Hi all - We will be traveling via rail from Amsterdam to Berlin - about a 6.5 hour trip. We have two choices for travel - direct train on an IC or 1 change - basically the same route but switching trains in Hannover to an ICE. This comes in about 10 minutes earlier but I wonder - is it worth switching trains to take the ICE for a couple of hours and save 10 minutes? We will not have a huge amount of luggage but certainly a bag each.
Also - it is currently €79 for 2nd class and €139 for 1st class. Is the difference for 1st class significant enough to pay the extra fee? Normally I would say no but a 6 hour train ride is a bit long. Would an IC train have a restaurant car to break up the ride in the seats? I have looked at DB Bahn%26#39;s site and not found anything that helps.
Thank you!
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I don%26#39;t think the price differential is worth it from 1st to second class.
We have used the train system a good bit in Germany over the past 5 years and really love the ICE trains. Some of them are downright plush and they are very quiet and comfortable. Not sure if I would change trains though unless there was no luggage involved.
Here are some basics on services aboard: bahn.de/international/…service_on_board.shtml
Also here to compare trains: bahn.de/hilfe/view/pk/en/alle_ergebnisseiten…
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Helllo and thank you for your response. I can%26#39;t find on here - but do you happen to know if 2nd class IC trains have the 6 person compartments?
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I don%26#39;t recall. I have seen them in 1st class and that is what we generally book as like the quiet and often have them to ourselves.
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The last time I used the IC through service to Berlin the train had the %26quot;snack bar%26quot; offering..you could get some hot food but it was from the typical counter and not served at seats.
Changing trains in Hannover could be easy or not so easy especially if you have to move from one platform to another (the usual stairs down to the tunnel then over to the other platform (and that station is fairly large)...they used to have those luggage %26quot;assistance%26quot; belts but frankly, I don%26#39;t think the inconvenience is worth it just to ride on an ICE service for a short period.
As to 1st vs. 2nd....I%26#39;ve always traveled in 1st but I didn;t see a whole lot of difference between 1 and 2 EXCEPT the usual fewer number of seats (1st) in the same space with more seats (2nd).
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Some pictures of German train interiors here www.vagonweb.cz/fotogalerie/D/index_DB.php…
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%26gt;Is the difference for 1st class significant enough to pay the extra fee?%26lt;
Not necessarily on ICE trains. But whenever I%26#39;m using an IC I go 1st , because those trains often are sort of run-down.
%26gt;Would an IC train have a restaurant%26lt;
IC trains usually have a %26quot;Bistro%26quot; section. The menu:
bahn.de/p/…MDB67078-bordbistro_1009.pdf
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I have done the trip a few times in both classes, first is in a 6 seat compartment,second is mostly aircraft style seats though a few face eachother with a table between. There is a self service buffet car with seating. The ICE trains are nice but I have never bothered to take one on that route as it seems too much hassle to save 10 mins. Not sure that first is worth it on the IC though it is nice to be able to use the lounges in Ams and Berlin. On an ICE I always use first as there is a lot more space/legroom. Do make seat reservations as the trains can get crowded
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