The Most Exciting Train Routes through Germany

Just enjoy the beautiful scenery, read a good book, enjoy the service, and don't worry about finding the next rest area. That's relaxation.

And throughout Germany there are particularly beautiful train routes that show you landscapes and cities from a new perspective. From the North Sea to the Alps, we've taken a closer look at train lines and present our favorites.

Heading up to the famous Brocken is particularly charming with the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway, a steam locomotive with a nostalgic flair. The adventure from times past begins in Wernigerode, Lower Saxony.

If the sky is cloudless, you can see all the way to the Großer Inselsberg in Thuringia, Köterberg in the Weser Hills, and Petersberg north of Halle while steaming to Brocken - the highest mountain in northern Germany.

Howdy! Through marshlands, over the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, through the Wadden Sea - the Intercity from Hamburg to Sylt is for real North Germany fans. Just the ride along the coast sets many hearts racing.

Lush green meadows accompany the journey, reaching a highlight on the impressive Hochdonn bridge - at a whopping 42 meters high, the train travels more than two kilometers over one of the country's most famous waterways: the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal.

Also eye-catching is the Hindenburgdamm, which connects the destination, Sylt, to the mainland. The Intercity rolls a full eight kilometers through the Wadden Sea National Park with its tidal currents: it's pure North Sea vibes.

Diverse is the 327-kilometer high-speed route with the ICE from Hanover to Wurzburg. Travelers cross 194 bridges and even go through Germany's longest tunnel, the Landrückentunnel between Kalbach in the north and Mottgers in the south, measuring 10,780 meters.

When the train emerges back into the daylight, passengers on board can enjoy the idyllic largely Hessian landscape with its hills, half-timbered houses, and views of the Rhine-Weser watershed.

Relax traveling along the Rhine and experience cultural and scenic highlights over 70 kilometers on the ICE route between Cologne and Mainz. Monuments, castles, vineyards, and impressive rocks pass by the train window, leaving an impression on young and old alike. Among them is the famous landmark of the Rhine, the Loreley.

The currents and echoes at Loreley Rock have inspired myths and legends since the Middle Ages - where mountain spirits, nymphs, and dwarfs are said to be active. While the little ones search for proof of these fairy creatures, the adults can relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

The Baltic Sea also boasts beautiful train routes - for instance, you can take the IC to Rügen. Travelers can board at the Rügendamm station in Stralsund. The route leads across Germany's favorite island to Sassnitz. It passes by sailboats in Altefähr harbor, and the train comes close to the famous chalk cliffs - passing by the Jasmunder Bodden. This certainly builds anticipation for Rügen.

The Mittenwald Railway has been connecting Mittenwald in Bavaria and Innsbruck in Austria for more than 100 years, since 1912. It is also known as the Karwendel Railway. The 32.1-kilometer journey offers particularly beautiful views in the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps. Travelers also pass through 16 tunnels and cross 18 high bridges and viaducts.

Particularly impressive is the ride over the Schlossbach - at about 60 meters above the water level, an iron truss arch bridge spans the 66-meter-wide gorge.

Lake Constance connects three countries - Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. With the Lake Constance Belt Railway you travel leisurely along the shore, pass impressive cities, and catch a glimpse of Lindau, located on an island in the lake. The 74-kilometer journey begins in Radolfzell, ends in beautiful Lindau, and passes through impressive landscapes with mountain views.

An alternative is the route from Stuttgart via Ravensburg, where especially younger travelers will enjoy a stop at the lovingly designed theme park. Beware: According to legend, a sea monster lurks in Lindau.

No car can compete: The ICE on the high-speed line Berlin-Munich races from A to B in under four hours. So, you can comfortably have your morning coffee in the capital and then enjoy a hearty lunch in Munich.

It won't be boring along the way: The Thuringian Forest with 29 valley bridges offers travelers views of beautiful lakes or picturesque small towns, and impressive cities like Leipzig or Nuremberg are along the route. The longest railway bridge in Germany is also crossed: the 6.5-kilometer Saale-Elster Bridge. Additionally, the ICE travels through a total of 22 tunnels - totaling 63 kilometers of darkness outside.

If you're more interested in cities and want to learn about interesting industrial landscapes, you'll find it on an ICE or IC journey through the Ruhr area to the Rhineland. Travelers can board their tour, for example, in Münster or Dortmund.

Along the way, they get to know a different exciting city about every ten minutes, before heading over the Rhine towards the Cologne Cathedral. Of course, it's also worth getting off along the way to explore a city and relax in a charming café before continuing your journey with the next train.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations right here.

Travel Reporter