Last updated:
Quick Answer: Germany’s fastest intercity train routes are operated by ICE (Intercity-Express) trains at speeds up to 300 km/h. The quickest connections include Frankfurt–Cologne (1h 05min, 190 km), Munich–Nuremberg (1h 04min, 170 km), and Berlin–Hamburg (1h 42min, 285 km). Tickets start from €17.90 with Super Sparpreis. Most major city pairs have direct ICE connections running every 30–60 minutes throughout the day.
Germany has one of Europe’s most comprehensive high-speed rail networks. The ICE (Intercity-Express) connects all major German cities at speeds reaching 300 km/h on dedicated high-speed lines (Neubaustrecken), making train travel faster than flying on many routes once airport time is factored in. This guide covers every major city pair, exact travel times, frequencies, approximate prices, and practical tips for getting the most out of fast rail travel in Germany.
Search all ICE connections on Deutsche Bahn →
ICE Travel Times: All Major City Pairs at a Glance
| Route | Distance | Fastest Time | Train | Connections/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt – Cologne | 190 km | 1h 05min | ICE | ~60/day |
| Munich – Nuremberg | 170 km | 1h 04min | ICE | ~30/day |
| Berlin – Hamburg | 285 km | 1h 42min | ICE | ~20/day |
| Frankfurt – Stuttgart | 210 km | 1h 08min | ICE | ~20/day |
| Frankfurt – Munich | 524 km | 3h 15min | ICE | ~20/day |
| Berlin – Frankfurt | 550 km | 3h 10min | ICE | ~15/day |
| Berlin – Munich | 585 km | 3h 55min | ICE | ~15/day |
| Hamburg – Munich | 780 km | 5h 40min | ICE | ~10/day |
Book cheap ICE tickets from €17.90 →
The 5 Fastest ICE Routes in Germany
1. Frankfurt – Cologne: Germany’s Busiest Rail Corridor
Distance: 190 km | Fastest time: 1h 05min | Frequency: ~60 ICE trains per day
The Frankfurt–Cologne corridor is the single busiest high-speed rail route in Germany. With roughly 60 ICE departures per day in both directions combined, it is one of the most intensively operated rail links in Europe. The route runs on Germany’s first purpose-built high-speed line (Cologne–Frankfurt Neubaustrecke), opened in 2002, which allows ICE trains to cruise at up to 300 km/h.
Prices: Super Sparpreis tickets start at €17.90 for 2nd class.
2. Munich – Nuremberg: Fastest Relative to Distance
Distance: 170 km | Fastest time: 1h 04min | Frequency: ~30 ICE trains per day
Munich–Nuremberg is Germany’s most impressive high-speed achievement in terms of raw speed relative to distance. The dedicated Neubaustrecke Nürnberg–München, opened in 2006, allows ICE 3 trains to operate at 300 km/h for most of the journey.
Prices: Super Sparpreis from €17.90.
3. Berlin – Hamburg
Distance: 285 km | Fastest time: 1h 42min | Frequency: ~20 ICE trains per day
The Berlin–Hamburg corridor covers 285 km in under two hours. Super Sparpreis from €17.90.
4. Berlin – Frankfurt: The Politician’s Corridor
Distance: 550 km | Fastest time: 3h 10min | Frequency: ~15 ICE trains per day
Since the opening of the Erfurt–Halle/Leipzig Neubaustrecke in December 2017, journey times dropped from over 4 hours to just 3h 10min. Super Sparpreis from €29.90.
5. Frankfurt – Munich
Distance: 524 km | Fastest time: 3h 15min | Frequency: ~20 ICE trains per day
Super Sparpreis from €29.90.
Save 25% on every ICE journey with BahnCard 25 →
ICE Ticket Types and Prices
| Ticket Type | Flexibility | 2nd Class From | 1st Class From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Sparpreis | Train-specific, non-refundable | €17.90 | ~€27.90 |
| Sparpreis | Train-specific, partially refundable | €21.90 | ~€32.90 |
| Flexpreis | Fully flexible, any ICE on the day | ~€40–€150 | ~€60–€220 |
Practical Tips for Fast ICE Travel
- Book up to 180 days ahead for Super Sparpreis seats
- Use DB’s Bestpreissuche price calendar on bahn.de for cheapest days
- Seat reservations cost €3–5 — recommended on busy routes
- Tuesday/Wednesday departures typically have more low-price availability
- BahnCard 25 (from €62.90/year) gives 25% off all fares
FAQ: Fastest Train Routes in Germany
What is the fastest train route in Germany? Munich–Nuremberg at approximately 1h 04min over 170 km, followed by Frankfurt–Cologne at 1h 05min over 190 km. Both use purpose-built 300 km/h high-speed lines.
How fast do ICE trains go? Up to 300 km/h on Neubaustrecken; 200–250 km/h on Ausbaustrecken. Average commercial speed is 150–220 km/h.
Can I use a Deutschlandticket on ICE trains? No. The Deutschlandticket covers only regional trains. A separate ticket is required for ICE.
How much does an ICE ticket cost? Super Sparpreis from €17.90 on short/medium routes; from €29.90 on longer routes like Berlin–Frankfurt or Frankfurt–Munich.
Key Facts Summary
- Fastest routes: Munich–Nuremberg (1h 04min) and Frankfurt–Cologne (1h 05min)
- Maximum ICE speed: 300 km/h on Neubaustrecken; 200–250 km/h on Ausbaustrecken
- Super Sparpreis tickets start at €17.90; book up to 180 days in advance
- BahnCard 25 gives 25% off all fares from €62.90/year