Train Travel Germany 2026: The 8 Most Beautiful Routes and Travel Gadgets You Actually Need

Last October I closed my laptop on a Friday evening, grabbed my backpack, and walked to the train station. No flight booked. No rental car. Just a Deutschlandticket and four free days. Down the Black Forest Railway, along Lake Constance, beer in Lindau by nightfall.

I saw more of Germany in those four days than on my last ten flights combined. And I'm clearly not the only one thinking this way. 2.7 billion passengers used German rail in 2024, a 6% jump from the year before. The Deutschlandticket is driving those numbers, and honestly, I get it.

But here's the thing about train travel in Germany. You've got two questions to answer. First: which scenic train route in Germany is actually worth your time? And second: what do you pack so that a six-hour regional train doesn't turn into misery?

That's what this guide covers. Eight routes I've either ridden myself or had confirmed by friends who spend half their lives on trains. Plus the gadgets that genuinely made a difference on longer trips.

The Deutschlandticket in 2026: Quick Facts

Before we get to the routes, a fast update on pricing.

The Deutschlandticket costs EUR 63 per month since January 2026. That's up from EUR 49 at launch in 2023, then EUR 58 in 2025. If your employer offers a Jobticket, you pay EUR 44.10. Starting 2027, a price index model kicks in, but for now it's locked at 63.

What it gets you: Nearly all regional trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and buses across Germany. Seven of the eight routes in this article work with it. No ICE surcharge needed.

What it doesn't cover: ICE, IC, and EC trains. And the Rasender Roland steam train on Ruegen needs a separate ticket. More on that below.

The 8 Most Scenic Train Routes Germany Has to Offer

1. Black Forest Railway: Offenburg to Konstanz

If someone asks me for one train travel Germany experience, one single ride, this is it. Black Forest Railway. Done.

About 150 kilometres from Offenburg to Konstanz, through 39 tunnels. The train climbs through the Black Forest mountains, and on clear days you catch glimpses of the Swiss Alps from the highest points. The engineering trick? The line uses turning tunnels to gain elevation. You pass over the same valley three times without realizing it.

The ride takes roughly two hours. Hourly connections, all covered by Deutschlandticket. My tip: sit on the left side (facing forward) from Triberg onwards for the better views.

For the Black Forest Railway, I'd bring good headphones. Not just because the tunnels are loud (they are), but because you want noise cancelling on in the tunnels and off when the panoramas open up. The Sony WH-1000XM5 inkl. Hardcase, Kabelloser Premium-Kopfhörer mit Noise Cancelling, Bluetooth, Hi-Res-Audio, bis zu 30 Std Akkulaufzeit does exactly that, switching between noise cancelling and ambient mode in seconds.

Sony WH-1000XM5 inkl. Hardcase, Kabelloser Premium-Kopfhörer mit Noise Cancelling, Bluetooth, Hi-Res-Audio, bis zu 30 Std Akkulaufzeit

4.0 (12,075)

EUR 232.07 Amazon

2. Rhine Valley Line: Bingen to Koblenz

70 kilometres of UNESCO World Heritage Site right outside your window. The stretch between Bingen and Koblenz is one of the most famous scenic train routes Germany can claim in all of Europe, and for good reason. Castle ruins every few minutes. Steep vineyards. The Loreley rock.

One important note: take the regional train, not the ICE. The ICE races through parts of this route in tunnels, and you miss everything. The regional express gives you time to actually look around. And yes, Deutschlandticket covers it.

3. Moselle Line: Trier to Koblenz

Around 120 kilometres of Moselle river loops, vineyards, and medieval villages. From the train you can spot Burg Eltz (get off at Moselkern, then it's a 30-minute walk). The Moselle Line gets fewer tourists than the Rhine Valley, and maybe that's exactly why it feels so relaxing.

For both the Rhine and Moselle routes, a lightweight daypack is worth having. You'll want the flexibility to hop off spontaneously at stops that catch your eye. The Osprey Daylite Unisex Rucksack is light enough for all-day carrying and big enough for a water bottle, camera, and rain jacket.

Osprey Daylite Unisex Rucksack

4.6 (3,478)

EUR 53.9 Amazon

4. Hell Valley Railway: Out of Freiburg

The steepest standard-gauge railway in Germany. From Freiburg, the train pushes through the wild Hoellental gorge in surprisingly little time. The highlight is the Ravenna Viaduct: 224 metres long and seriously high above the valley floor. They hold a Christmas market underneath it in winter. Sounds kitschy, but it's actually quite nice.

5. Hamburg to Sylt via the Hindenburgdamm

Eight kilometres of causeway over the Wadden Sea. Water on the left, water on the right, and you're sitting in a train. During storms, the waves sometimes get high enough to spray against the windows. I haven't experienced that personally, but my friend Stefan swears it happens.

This route is also a good test for your travel setup. Hamburg to Sylt takes about four hours, so you want to be prepared. A TEMPUR Reisekissen Memory Foam, ergonomisches Reise-Nackenkissen inkl. Tragetasche, Anthrazit, Größe 25 x 31 x 10/7 cm travel neck pillow makes the difference between arriving rested and stumbling off the train with a stiff neck. I'm probably overthinking this, but on any journey over two hours, a good travel neck pillow genuinely pays for itself.

TEMPUR Reisekissen Memory Foam, ergonomisches Reise-Nackenkissen inkl. Tragetasche, Anthrazit, Größe 25 x 31 x 10/7 cm

4.4 (786)

EUR 58.92 Amazon

6. Mittenwald Railway: Mittenwald to Innsbruck

Technically this route crosses into Austria, but it starts in Bavaria and belongs on any list of train travel Germany highlights. 16 tunnels, 18 viaducts. The views of the Karwendel range are... honestly, you just have to see them yourself. Photos don't capture it.

Note: You'll need a separate ticket for the Austrian section.

7. Lake Constance Belt Railway: Radolfzell to Lindau

Water on one side, Alps on the other. On clear days you can see all the way to the Swiss mountains. This route works perfectly as a follow-up to the Black Forest Railway: take the Black Forest line down to Konstanz first, then ride along Lake Constance to Lindau. Three days, two scenic train routes Germany is proud of, zero stress.

8. Rasender Roland on Ruegen

The only route on this list where the Deutschlandticket doesn't work. The Rasender Roland is a historic narrow-gauge steam train that chugs between Putbus and Goehren on the island of Ruegen. Separate tickets from about EUR 12 for a single ride.

Is it the fastest way to get around Ruegen? No. Not even close. But it might be the most charming.

Route Comparison: All 8 at a Glance

Travel Gadgets for Train Journeys: What's Worth It

I've tested a lot of gear on train trips over the past few years. Some of it was pointless. Some of it I now bring on every single trip. Here's what actually earned its place in my bag.

Power and Tech

One advantage trains have over planes: no watt-hour limits on power banks. On flights, anything over 100 Wh is banned (we covered that in our power bank airplane guide). On trains? Bring whatever you want. The Anker Powerbank, 20.000mAh tragbares Ladegerät mit integriertem USB-C-Kabel, 87W Max Schnellladung, kompatibel mit MacBook, iPhone, Samsung und mehr with 20,000 mAh charges my phone three times over and still has juice for the Kindle. In regional trains, where power outlets are hit-or-miss, this is a must.

And speaking of cables. I spent years tossing chargers, adapters, and random cables loose into my backpack. Then one day at Lake Constance I spent 20 minutes digging for a USB-C cable while my battery sat at 3%. Since then, the tomtoc Elektronik Organizer Tasche, Wasserresistent EDC Zubehör Kabeltasche, Tragbar Kabelorganizer Tech Pouch Bag für Handy Netzteil, Ladekabel, Ladestecker, Powerbank, Festplatte, Schwarz has kept everything organized. Sounds like a small thing. It's not, when you're actually looking for something in a hurry.

Anker Powerbank, 20.000mAh tragbares Ladegerät mit integriertem USB-C-Kabel, 87W Max Schnellladung, kompatibel mit MacBook, iPhone, Samsung und mehr

4.6 (6,312)

EUR 39.97 Amazon

Entertainment on Long Routes

WiFi on regional trains? Forget it. Even on ICE trains with their 200+ Mbit/s target, the signal drops to nothing in certain areas (hello, Black Forest tunnels). So download your entertainment beforehand.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (neueste Generation) – Unser schnellster Kindle, mit neuem 7-Zoll-Display und wochenlanger Akkulaufzeit – 16 GB – ohne Werbung – schwarz was practically made for train travel in Germany. Lighter than a paperback, weeks of battery life, and you can download entire books before you leave. During those 39 Black Forest tunnels, it beats staring at a YouTube buffering circle.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (neueste Generation) – Unser schnellster Kindle, mit neuem 7-Zoll-Display und wochenlanger Akkulaufzeit – 16 GB – ohne Werbung – schwarz

4.7 (12,003)

EUR 179.99 Amazon

Gadget Comparison for Train Travel

Sony WH-1000XM5 inkl. Hardcase, Kabelloser Premium-Kopfhörer mit Noise Cancelling, Bluetooth, Hi-Res-Audio, bis zu 30 Std Akkulaufzeit

4.0 (12,075)

EUR 232.07 Amazon

Night Train Germany and Europe: They're Back

I can't write about train travel in Germany without mentioning night trains. They're having a real comeback. OeBB Nightjets now connect Munich with Vienna, Hamburg, Amsterdam, and since 2024, Barcelona. Night train Germany options aren't some niche thing anymore. It's a genuine travel alternative.

I took the night train from Munich to Hamburg last year. Booked a sleeping compartment, got on at 10 PM, woke up in Hamburg at 7 AM. Comfortable? Eh, it was okay. But: no 4 AM alarm for a flight, no airport security theatre, no carbon guilt.

About that carbon part: the Hamburg to Munich route produces roughly 37.4 kg of CO2 per person by train. The same trip by plane? Around 310 kg. That's an 87% reduction. I'm not going to lecture anyone about their travel choices, but those numbers speak pretty clearly.

Night train Europe routes have expanded a lot since 2022. From Germany you can now reach Barcelona, Brussels, Paris, Rome, and several Scandinavian cities without setting foot in an airport. Worth checking if you've never tried it.

For night trains specifically, a decent travel neck pillow is close to mandatory. The sleeping compartment pillows are acceptable, but in a seated car you'll definitely want your own.

Practical Tips for Train Travel in Germany

A few things I wish someone had told me earlier, pulled together for anyone planning their first proper train travel Germany trip.

• Seat reservations cost EUR 5.50 in second class (EUR 6.90 in first). On popular routes during weekends or holidays, absolutely worth it. I once stood the entire Black Forest Railway because I didn't reserve. Never again.

• Luggage fits overhead if bags are roughly 70 x 50 x 30 cm or smaller. Regional train racks are a bit tighter than ICE. For more on carry-on dimensions across different airlines, check our comparison guide.

• Saver fares start at EUR 6.99 with the Sparpreis, bookable up to 180 days ahead. For the scenic train routes in Germany covered here, you probably don't need one since the Deutschlandticket covers nearly everything.

• Punctuality is honestly mixed. 62.5% punctuality in long-distance rail in 2024, meaning roughly one in three long-distance trains arrived late. Regional trains are better at 87 to 90%. Build in at least 15 to 20 minutes of buffer for connections.

• Download apps before you go. DB Navigator works well for train travel in Germany. It handles tickets, real-time delays, and platform info. No wifi needed once you have your ticket downloaded.

If you're also looking for travel gadgets for flying, we've covered those separately. And for anyone who wants a good neck pillow for flights, we tested five models on actual trips.

My Personal Take

If you can only ride one route: Black Forest Railway. If you've got a long weekend: combine the Black Forest Railway with the Lake Constance Belt line. And if you want something completely different: night train to Vienna, spend three days there, night train back.

Pack good headphones, a travel neck pillow for the longer rides, and enough battery power to last the day. Everything else sorts itself out along the way. That's the beauty of train travel in Germany, honestly. You don't need to plan every detail. Just get on, look out the window, and see what happens.