Editorial update 19 October 2026 · Region: Central Europe · Current passholder train restrictions should be checked with the operator.
Why explore Germany by rail?
Germany’s intercity rail network connects creative cities, historic old towns and river valleys. Berlin, Munich and Hamburg make good starting points for contrasting experiences.
With an Interrail Global Pass you can combine Germany with other participating countries without buying a new country-specific pass, where the trains are included. The challenge is designing a route around actual connections, required reservations and realistic sightseeing time.
Best destinations in Germany for a rail holiday
Berlin: Brandenburg Gate
Begin with Brandenburg Gate, then allow time for Museum Island and Reichstag. Urban S-Bahn eligibility depends on the specific participating service and pass conditions. See the full Berlin rail guide.
Munich: Marienplatz
Begin with Marienplatz, then allow time for English Garden and Deutsches Museum. Reserve plenty of time for mountain day trips and separately paid local branches. See the full Munich rail guide.
Hamburg: Speicherstadt
Begin with Speicherstadt, then allow time for Elbphilharmonie and Alster lakes. Harbour ferries and metro rides are not automatically covered. See the full Hamburg rail guide.
How to travel around Germany with Interrail
Deutsche Bahn’s major ICE/IC lines connect principal cities; disruption, platform changes and transfers must be checked near departure.
Choose a realistic number of nights in each destination. Before activating a travel day, confirm whether the specific service is run by a participating operator and whether it requires a supplement or reservation. A pass does not automatically include local buses, city metro, airport links, summit railways or ferries.
Pass and seat reservation considerations
Reservations are often optional on many domestic ICE/IC trains but are compulsory on some international, night and other services.
Arriving by train and reaching the sights
Berlin is a useful starting point, with key arrival stations including Berlin Hauptbahnhof. For Hamburg, consider Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. Always confirm your station and the last-mile walk, bus or tram before paying for a hotel.
Keep generous connections rather than relying on a tight transfer to the last train.
A practical rail itinerary idea
For a short introduction, begin in Berlin and continue to Munich. If time permits, include Hamburg for a contrasting stop. This is a suggested sequence of places, not a claim of a daily direct service; check actual connections in the Rail Planner app and at the operator.
Practical tips for your Germany train trip
- Check timetables for the exact day: frequency and border connections can change.
- Confirm pass acceptance and book any compulsory seats before finalising accommodation.
- Compare the total pass cost plus reservations against point-to-point tickets.
- Reserve separate local transport or attraction tickets where required.
Explore our Germany city guides
Tours and experiences in Germany
Use the location-specific Viator search to compare sightseeing, cultural tours and day activities. Provider prices and availability are separate from the Interrail Global Pass.
If the external activities widget does not load, your browser may be blocking it. Booking help.
Travel to Germany with the Global Rail Pass?
Check live pass options and compare the total including any compulsory reservations.
More Germany destinations by train
These additional guides cover key stations, local sights and Interrail Global Rail Pass reservation considerations. Travel patterns vary by railway operator and date.
Independent editorial update: . Check the issuer and operator sources for current rules and dated train services. Local travel, admission and reservations can cost extra.