Travel with ICE International

ICE International – the comfortable way to get to Germany and Switzerland

ICE International is the high-speed train that travels from the Netherlands to Germany every day. Travelling in an ICE International train is comfortable and relaxing. An ICE International train also adds a new dimension to train travel: between Cologne and Frankfurt, it reaches speeds of up to 300 km/h!

Fares and discounts

No trip is ever the same. That’s why we have just the right fare for every travel situation.

* Depends on availability.
** Amsterdam Central - Cologne.

Buying tickets

To provide the best possible service, we make our tickets available in various ways. The easiest way to buy one is from the website.
More information on where to buy your tickets

Pre-sale period and seat reservations

ICE International tickets can be booked as early as 92 days* before your travel date. Although not required, we advise you to arrange for a seat in advance. You will then receive a voucher for the seat reservation that gives your carriage and seat numbers. If you book online the seat reservation is always included.
*This period can be reduced should there be a change in the timetables.

Classes on ICE International

ICE International has 2 travel classes.

Second class:

* seat with adjustable back in a carriage with a middle or side aisle
* 1 electrical outlet for every 2 seats
* a headset at each seat to listen to audio channels
* plus: a number of ICE International trains have a 'kleinkind abteil' where children can have fun playing

First class:

* seat with adjustable back in a carriage with a middle or side aisle
* German newspapers
* a headset at each seat to listen to audio channels
* plus: the backs of the seats in the new ICE International 3-train sets (Cologne-Frankfurt) have a display to view video channels

Lounges

As a first class passenger, you can stop in at the DB Lounge in Cologne, Frankfurt Airport and Frankfurt for a free cup of coffee, tea or a soft drink. You can also watch TV here or look through your choice of newspapers and magazines. Workstations with internet connections are also available.
More information about NS Hispeed Lounges

Services on board ICE International

Catering

Travelling on an ICE International train means comfortable travel. Every detail has been attended to. In the Bar/Bistro, you can order a simple meal, sandwiches, salads, hot snacks or a beverage and pay in cash or with a credit card. In some ICE International trains, personnel come around to your seat selling beverages and snacks.

 

See what the engine driver sees

The new ICE International 3-train sets (Cologne-Frankfurt) have Panorama Lounge compartments. In these compartments, a glass wall gives travellers the same view that the engine driver has!

Finding your carriage

On ICE International trains, the carriage numbers are located next to the exterior doors. Your ticket has your carriage number on it, so finding your carriage should be easy. Or consult the sign located on the platform that gives information about train carriages and where they are located.

Travel information

Once on board, you will receive Ihr Reiseplan, a folder that lists the stops the train will make and gives information about departure and arrival times for each station, information about connecting trains, and what services are available on board. You should also listen to announcements.

 

Travellers with impaired mobility

To make our trains as accessible as possible for everyone, including the elderly, visually handicapped and other passengers with impaired mobility, we provide a number of special facilities.
More information for travellers with impaired mobility

Luggage

You are advised to limit your luggage to what you can easily carry. Your luggage can be stored in the spaces reserved for this purpose.
More information about luggage on ICE International

Taking your bicycle along

Would you like to take a standard bicycle, mountain bike, tandem, racing or reclining bicycle with you on an international train to a European destination? Some trains have a special place to put your bicycle.
More information about taking your bicycle with you on ICE International

 

Taking your pets along

Most trains allow you to take your pet with you. In certain cases, there are conditions that will have to be met.
More information about taking a pet with you

 

 

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timetable ICE International

ICE International high-speed trains depart from stations in the Randstad seven times a day and travel to Oberhausen, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Frankfurt. It only takes 2.5 hours to get from Amsterdam to Cologne and not even 4 hours to get to Frankfurt Hbf! Every day, one of these ICE International trains travels on to Basel with connections to all major Swiss destinations.

Departure stations

You can depart on an ICE International train from three stations:

* Amsterdam Central
* Utrecht Central
* Arnhem

Arrival stations

ICE International has a direct connection with eleven stations in Germany and one in Switzerland:

* Oberhausen
* Duisburg
* Düsseldorf
* Cologne
* Cologne Messe (1x p.d.)
* Sigburg/Bonn
* Frankfurt Flughafen
* Frankfurt
* Mannheim (1x p.d.)
* Karlsruhe (1x p.d.)
* Offenburg (1x p.d.)
* Freiburg (Breisgau) (1x p.d.)
* Basel Bad (1x p.d.)
* Basel SBB (1x p.d.)