Some travellers prefer to travel by train, not only because it is more economical, but also because they can see more of the journey. Of course, the best budget rail train trips for summer 2023 are a must-read!
Travelling by train is one of the best ways to explore Germany – as the country’s comprehensive rail network crisscrosses all major cities and remote villages, passing through some stunning scenery along the way. The German railways are also encouraging more people to travel by train.
From 1 May this year, Deutsche Bahn will be offering a monthly pass for just €49, offering unlimited travel on the rail network, which can be used by everyone, including foreign visitors. Since the same pass was sold for just €9 last summer, the campaign has been a perfect success and has led to a surge in the number of people using rail travel in Germany. Although the cost has increased considerably this time, the pass will be permanent and will offer incredible value for money that is unmatched in other countries, so train travel in Germany will be very economical.
Of course, the only restriction on train travel is that the ticket is not valid for the faster intercity trains – only for regional trains. However, if you’re here on holiday, this won’t affect your sightseeing trips. The regional trains in Germany are not as fast, but usually travel on more scenic routes and they will take you wherever you want to go. That’s why many experienced foreign tourists use the trains to travel.
Leipzig to Erfurt
Many years ago, Leipzig was a desolate Rust Belt city, but since the fall of the Berlin Wall it has undergone a remarkable renaissance. Today, it is one of the most vibrant cities in the former East Germany. Home to Bach and Mendelssohn, it is a hotspot for classical music, and the opulent Hauptbahnhof is a tourist attraction in itself.
Take the train to Erfurt, a historic city that escaped the worst of the devastation of the Great War and tyranny. The journey will take you through Thuringia, the historic centre of Germany, passing through Weimar, the cultural capital of Germany, on the way. Don’t miss a visit to Wartburg, the hilltop castle where Martin Luther escaped his oppressors and translated the Bible into German. If you would like to stop over, there are plenty of hotels to choose from.
Frankfurt to Heidelberg
Frankfurt has a reputation for being a dull commercial destination, but this is not true. For the rebuilt old town is a pleasant place to stroll, and its “Museum Avenue” in leafy Sachsenhausen is home to some of Germany’s finest museums. If you also like to refer to classical architecture, you can do so here.
Heidelberg, Germany’s most romantic city, is about an hour and a half away by train. Built of pink sandstone and surrounded by wooded hills, you can see why generations of visitors have fallen in love with Heidelberg, most famously Mark Twain. Take a stroll along the Philosopher’s Path for the best views of the town below. Here you will find a stylish modern hotel in the historic Altstadt antique building. Many travellers choose to stay here because they can enjoy the collision of the old and the modern.