My First Time Onboard a DB ICE Train in Germany. Hamburg to Leipzig Return in First Class...
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- čas přidán 4. 12. 2023
- Wrapping up my Germany series with a look at the train journeys I took between Hamburg and Leipzig. I will be honest, they were a sleepy couple of trips but maybe that has something to do with the comfort of the seats. Or was it something else? :D Also a wee bonus at the end, join me for a snack and a look around my favourite German shop. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy!
Filmed on 19th and 23rd October 2023 in Germany
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Map courtesy of Google Maps
Thumbnail designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own
I don’t pretend to be a travel expert, but I love what I do and would be honoured if you came along with me. My channel focusses on the wide-eyed wonder and excitement of finding somewhere new, and my genuine reaction to it. You might not get a history lesson in my videos, but who knows, you might pick up some useful travel tips along the way, add a few destinations to your bucket list and hopefully be entertained by what you see. Thanks for watching, it means a lot to me :)
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FAQs:
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I was born in Glasgow but have lived in Carnoustie, Dalgety Bay, Stonehaven, Edinburgh, Montrose, and further afield (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
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WHY DON'T YOU SPEND LONGER AT DESTINATIONS?
The usual suspects I'm afraid - time and money! Hotels especially these days make my eyes water like a true Scotsman.
WHERE'S ALICJA?
Alicja will feature as often as possible, but I'm afraid she has a proper job so it can take weeks for our schedules to match up.
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#SteveMarsh #DeutscheBahn #ICEtrain
A little tip: If you know the carriage number, there will also be a letter from A - D on the ticket. These are the letters that are too displayed quite large on the platforms. You can go to the corresponding zone from A - D and then you don't have to search for the carriage and rush around later.
Yes and you can see them on the bottom of the displays on the platform too, like at 8:33 in the video.
This is true, very useful it is 😊
Only if DB actually knows what's going on for once. Usually you have to place yourself in the middle of the train and run towards your compartment.
I usually find the long-distance train layout diagrams (Wagenstandsanzeiger) located on the platform (in the same display cases as the timetables) are pretty accurate for working out where to stand.
The great thing about that small first class compartment is that if you really *are* at the front (i.e. not with another unit in front), the glass will go clear and you can watch where you are going over the driver's shoulder. Hence the banked up seats.
Indeed, I love those seats, but only if the driver activates the window (it's smart glass, it's opaque when not in operation, but run a current through it, and it becomes see-through.) It's also a quiet compartment, great for a nap.
Yes, I had a seat there from Cologne to Brussels once, but the one at the back. The glass was clear and we had a similar view to the one you used to get on traditional trains through the rear coach window; just a bit faster!
DB app is pretty good what I have noticed travelling across Germany a bit due to my work. Good on buying tickets, live info on delays and it tells you where to wait so you are right on front of your carriage. Not much of a problem considering the length of trains here in Finland, but over there a handy thing.
Absolutely love Hamburg! Miniatur Wonderland, the bustling river front, the stunning architecture and of course, great beer. The main station is indeed crazy busy but does have plenty of shops and eateries, not an ideal place to go with a hangover though..
As a German, it was interesting to watch your experiences with DB. I recently traveled with the ICE from Cologne to Hamburg and I must say that the Hamburg train station made a very run-down impression on me. Since the DB privatization 30 years ago, no more money has been put into maintenance and that's excactly what it looks like today. Regarding your comment that you had no DB lounge access: You need a 1st class in the Flexpreis category. This is the most expensive category. I don't think that it is worth the money, that's why I always prefer 2nd class Sparpreis. And yes! The german Currywurst is a classic german streetfood and it get's even better if you combine it with "Pommes rot/weiß" ;-)
Suspending reality for a minute - it was difficult to watch you get off the train in Leipzig knowing what would happen later and not being able to warn you. A bit of a weird curl in the timeline. This said, you closed this series in such a satisfying way! Another great one in the books and lots of lovely treats. Win-Win!!
You lucky sod getting a Currywurst. I was in Aachen for a day last week travelling there with Flixbus and, of course, the first thing I do when I'm back in the Fatherland is indulge myself in a Currywurst or two but I couldn't find a stall selling them anywhere. So in the end I popped into Kaufland, a massive Supermarket owned by the same people who own Lidl, bought some sausages and German curry ketchup and made them at home.
What an unexpected delight. A mid week video of very cool trains. I loved it. What a busy place. Fabulous as always Steve. 😍
03:05 that's what they thought ;)
Really, did that make you feel good? Unbelievable. @@richarddevaottien7724
The small Cabin you showed in the second train was once used as a telephone cell. The train is older than mobile phones so this was a nice way to communicate right from the train. But the service is out of use nowadays cause like everybody has a smartphone. The cabin obviously still does remain :)
Hello from Northern California USA! I find your videos and adventures absolutely fascinating. Thank you for sharing them. Maybe one day I will get the chance to see Germany in person. Until then I will continue appreciate your videos. Many thanks!
Steve,
In the future, can you please do a vlog on Berlin. Cheers.
I always worry about getting on the wrong train too! That's actually why I started paying attention to train journey channels on CZcams -- it's so helpful to see a variety of videos shot in train stations I'm planning to visit. Some of those channels, like yours, have ended up being continued favorites!
Nice trip report on the ICE Train Steve!
Hi Steve, really interesting video. I have never seen so many trains and tracks in all my life. I'm almost 80 years old too. Great train trip but very crowed most of the time. Thanks for another great video. Keep up the good work, I love it! 😍
Very interesting trains, so clean and well organized. Hamburg also looks very tidy. Loved your favorite shop! Thanks, loved it!
Love your reaction at 4:20❤
A journey full of Kloppiness
My wife and I went from Hildesheim to London first class, under the tunnel, once. It was fantastic, free food, free drinks ..All it cost was 20€ more than the normal price, some special deal that the lady at information sorted out.
We went back to normal second class for the return journey.
Trains in Germany are good.
Next time go to Berlin Steve, you won't regret it ..
I travel between Rotterdam - where I'm based - and Hamburg, and I always elect to take Deutsche Bahn's ICE trains. Everyone in shipping I know in Rotterdam tend to either drive or fly from Schiphol, but for me it's more hassle than it's worth. I love the bistro car; always have me a currywurst + frites and a Bitburger pils.
Speaking of currywurst, there was a stand just before you boarded in Hamburg; no word of a lie, THE nicest currywurst I've ever had. You just wouldn't expect that sort of quality from a station stall.
Excellent! A midweek VLOG, what a treat!
The scenery in northern Germany reminds me of the Fens in England. There’s a saying in German that translates as “the land is so flat that you can already see on Tuesday who’s coming to visit you on Wednesday.”
Beer and pretzels, now that’s my kind of fine dining. 👏👏👍😎
So looking forward to a future “ Steve in Berlin “ video. It’s a lovely city with so much to see.
Thank you for the bonus video.
I never understood how people can eat those pretzel thingies... yuck!
Dont ever worry about not vlogging if you are tired, Steve, your health comes first!
Steve I love the German railway stations they are so big and interesting I think I need to visit Berlin, Hamburg and Leipzig. Great video Steve you are really good at train and station videos.
Hamburg Station is just a mess in my opinion - always full of people and there are way to small platforms. I'm always happy when I leave Hamburg. Maybe you should also consider the Uelzen Hundertwasser Station which is near Hamburg - Munich has also a huge train station as well as Frankfurt - where you have a nice view on the skyscrapers when driving towards the station. And in 12/2025 Stuttgart (S21) opens its new train station - which looks pretty cool, but is totally useless regarding the increase of train capacities...
Hamburg is definitely a beautiful city, but the station, well, just avoid it whenever you can. As a local I can tell you that as you may saw in the video, the station is exceptionally busy, especially in rush hour. Additionally, the station itself and the area around it is a major criminal hotspot. You may board your ICE in Altona or Dammtor station (most ICEs will also stop there BEFORE they go to the main station, so you have some extra time to find an unreserved seat if you haven’t reserved one, as most people will board at the main station). Both stations (Dammtor + Altona) are quiet in comparison to the main station and you’ll also find many shops and things to buy for your journey.
STEVE! Congrats on you 100k subscriptions!🎉🎉🎉
Congratulations on the 100k subscribers! Very well deserved! An excellent video as always mate. That train looked fabulous and 1st class looked very comfortable indeed.
Great video Steve, ICE trains looked very comfortable and ideal for having a much needed sleep as well. You did mention you would like to visit Berlin, What a fascinating place to go to and maybe a future video? There would be so much to see, the Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, to name but a few. Also your favourite shop in the whole of Germany, Manufactum, looked amazing😊
nice to see. Thank you
Watching again , so interesting,
I hope you'll get to take a train down in the beautiful South of Germany during summer sometime (if you haven't yet). The landscape in the North and East is just very.. different. :) A dreamy view makes every train ride 10 times more exciting!
I must say the DB ICE trains have really improved since I last rode one, actually I believe one of the very early ICE trains that DB ran. This was back in 1971 during my year in Germany, with the US Army. I rode an ICE once, between Frankfurt and Wurzburg, where I normally, to save money, I took the regular trains. As an E4 in the Army, my pay didn't allow for very much 1st class travel. The only reason I took the ICE was I'd just missed the connecting train that would have taken me "home" to Bamberg from Frankfurt.I noticed there was an ICE due in, that would get me to at least Wurtzburg, then I could catch a regular train from there to Bamberg. I asked an attendant if I could upgrade to the ICE and if so, how much would it cost.. Turns out it was only 20marks, if I remeber correctly. Very nice ride!!!
The first ICEs ran in 1991, so a full 20 years after your trip. Maybe you rode an IC?
You must have traveled in time and took the whole ice train with you lol.
In those days the English term „Intercity“ had just been introduced for express trains. They were conventional coaches pulled by one or two diesels on the non- electrified tracks or one electric loco, usually the then newly introduced E 103. Today we still have those conventional trains as Eurocities. They often have coaches from all over Europe. The Intercity Express trains follow a complete different design. The motors are all along the train in various places under the floor and not just behind the drivers‘s cab.
Two uploads thank you 😊
That shop is lovely x
When you want Legroom on an ICE, always book one with a table (although they are those that also get booked out fast). There you have more legroom as with a normal seat.
Fun😊time thank you.
That shop was really nice, and I hope that by now you had a well deserved rest!!!!
Loved it. Super cool trains. Thanks Steve. 👍😊
You are certainly full of surprises, Steve, using a Scottish toilet in a German railway station (Hamburg). Brilliant and funny at the same time! 👍 The clip of you pretending to sleep on the return from Leipzig to Hamburg was way too quiet. Alicja says you're a world-class snorer. 😄
I got back from my first trip to Germany and a couple of other countries (actually my first trip to Europe in general) just a couple of weeks ago. My experiences with DB were mostly positive, although there were a couple of pretty serious delays that I had to deal with (OBB and SBB/CFF were much more timely). I had a similar mission to get one last currywurst before leaving. So tasty!
I always enjoy my trips in Germany. Berlin is wonderful. So is Dresden. 🙂
Those wee red seats at approx 12.39 are punishment areas for misbehaving passengers - the guard makes them sit there where they cannot see out the window and film their trip. 😄 PS That store was brilliant, no wonder it is your favourite.
Amazing video as always thank you
Used to have frequent traveller (comfort) status with DB when I lived in Germany. Delays and unreliability back then, but seems much worse now. On holiday in the summer, nearly all the journeys I took ended up with a refund for delays, with over two hours not uncommon. Adding in overnights where a connection would have never been an issue before. But going to avoid them from now on as far as possible as the stress not worth it, especially with the added risk of strikes. Used to enjoy a nice first class ICE trip, but cba'd now.
In 2006 I did a rail trip from Hamburg to Copenhagen and the train goes on to a ferry. Be a great video if that route still operates. Very pretty too.
I love Manufactum! Top quality, great choice, my favourite German shopping experience. Great video as usual, Steve.
12:54 it basically is an aircraft toilet. It also uses a vacuum system for the dirt water tank
Trains are for sleeping in. Hamburg's a great city. Driving into it from the south is interesting passing over the harbour looking down on the container ships.
You really have to go to Berlin m8, the atmosphere is amazing.
Been a great set of vlogs about Germany and the great trains and stations. 👍
Berlin is fantastic its a must "do" place and so cheap to travel around . all the best
I enjoyed the video as usual Steve.
The train looked really comfy.
I don't know how you managed to stay awake so long.
Look forward to the next one.
That shop looked amazing for sure. Thanks for sharing as always.
Not been to Hamburg station but have been to Cologne lovely station and love the DB ice train more leg room than UK! xx
the music in the shop was Ralf Vaughan Williams 5 variants of dives and Lazarus
I loved the mini-series. I sat in exactly the same front seat from Cologne to Liege ( a week after being very close to you in Douglas IoM), and as it was a very busy train I was just glad to he sat down. Looking forward to your next one.
I did very much enjoy the mini series Steve...what a wonderful video, as usual . Thank you.
To quote a saying that rings through my head every time I use a train is "Double seat double seat, gotta get a double seat".
Great video once again!
You found the phonebooth. A common sight on older ICE trains. A word of advise though always use the Wagenstandanzeiger on the platform. It will indicate where you need to stand to find your carriage.
Do keep an eye out for announcements for '"Geänderte Wagenreihung", though. It's not uncommon for German trains to run in reverse order, but at least, it's generally well indicated.
@@barvdw They just rearrange the railcars to spice up things for the passengers.
The busier the station and the more frantic and disoriented the passengers are, the more they are likely to do that.
Germany very clean and very organised transport wise great vog trains very good
Hey Steve! Late congrats on hitting 100k subs, Awesome job! Keep up the great work! Anyways onto the video, nothing wrong with some lazy video recording, because being sleep deprived is rough. Most people see the joyfully side of travel videos portrayed in other Vloggers videos but in reality it can get rough for the traveler. Sometimes it's had to put on a smiley face and go to work filming your adventure. But you do a superb job no matter what. Thanks again for bring us all your journeys! Skol!
We travel by train a lot in Germany
as we don't have a car and like travelling
The trick with DB is booking early
and getting up to 50% off your ticket price
then with a 25% Bahncard
I can get 62.5% off tickets.
Well, you can travel as cheap at 14 Euro through whole Germany when you are really early.
Great video with loads of interesting and useful information. I look forward to the next adventure
How sweet, Alicja will adore it 😻. Gorgeous shop. Great vlog as always Steve❤.
My home town many moons ago, used to catch my train to and from school there. One day I fainted on the platform because I had stared at the Scandinavian Express gliding soundlessly past. Big fuss!
OMG ! Loved that store, I spotted things I remember seeing growing up on a small island off the Newfoundland Coast! My Dad had a variety store on the island. ❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉 I think Germany just went on my bucket list, just to get to that store! 😮😮😮
Heey, a Steve bonus vid! Made my day! 👏👏
Great timing Steve - most of the network seems to have ground to a halt this week due to heavy snow. The cubicle reminds me of the orgasmatron in the Woody Allen film 🤣
thanks for another good vid love when you give us wee bonus thanks so much have good xmas
The more I watch your train videos the more I want to take a trip 😊 very nice. Your favorite store was really nice and I looked it up online. Thank you 🤗
Thanks Steve lovely video I don’t know where you get the energy 👍
Another interesting train journey. I love to see these modern German trains with modern interiors and sleek exteriors. Can imagine relaxing in the restaurant car with a delicious meal and drink watching the scenery go by ; though in this case it was an impressionist view ! The stations too are big and bustling - thats what I like with a lot of eating options included. Thanks for packing it all in including squeezing yourself into a toilet in the line of duty , Steve . Looking forward to travelling by ICE in future .
Amazing video!
I think the little room - "the shower" - is for talking in your mobile phone privately and to not disturb other passengers.
Uh Berlin-Spandau 5:32 There i grew up. A really beautiful part of Berlin with a big forest , many lakes and a beautiful old town city center
Another entertaining video thanks Steve. Smart looking trains.
The first time I went from Hamburg central station was in 1976. How time flies! Great video.
Another goodie! Well done again, Steve.
@9:38 Now imagine those windows were see-through in the past!
Thanks for sharing Steve I love and miss Germany thank you for sharing ❤
Great video Steve, I live in Berlin but support RB Leipzig, so I spend a lot of time in the trains from Berlin to Leipzig. Liked the video on Colditz the other day too. Keep up the good work.
Good video, as always
These vids are so good, already can't wait for the next
Really really good Steve !
Delighted to find this here for mid week pleasure, thank you so much and stay safe and get some sleep.
A great series, Steve.!
Epic Steve epic you must be really really beat after that my late uncle lived in Hamburg until his passing numbers of years ago you got a tad of shopping in looking forward to the next adventure
You're right about one thing.....Curry wurst is delicious....Loved them when we visited Bavaria.....Cracking bonus video Steve....Thanks....
A midweek treat. Thanks Steve.
Love these videos your presentation is of a amazing quality
Hi Steve. So pleased I found your channel. I particularly enjoy the rail journeys overseas, and this is a great one. Take care and all the best.
for future reference, check the train plan on the platform, it will show you where you should be standing so when the train arrives, you will be right in front of where you should embark
Berlin is an unbelievable city. Definately to be added to your list Steve!
Hello Steve thank you so much for your videos. Well I think this Teleportion cabin could be a place where you can speak on your phone not beeing disturbed. Pease tell us what you like so much at Railwaystations in Germany. By the way you speak a very nice german. Tschüß und Gute Reise!
Thank you Steve. What a great video. I especially loved the beautiful sound of church bells with a full rich sound. Loved your enthusiasm for curryworst and shopping at your be favourite shop. I agree. A wonderful shop like this is addictive. In my present home city in Tasmania, Australia, we had a great shop like this which had been in existence for a very long time. However for various reasons the retiring owner could not sell it and it closed. Also, many of the Anglican churches with good bells have been sold. Looking forward to your new videos. Happy travelling.
Enjoyed the video Steve . Used to spend a lot of time in Germany Berlin in particular , a lovely city but has changed so much over the last years . Started going there in 1991 was still very East West .
Well worth a visit though .
Was impressed with your ability to order Currywurst in German !!!
Thanks for such an interesting video Steve & you obviously needed a bit of kip on the way back after the trauma in Leipzig.
Great vid! I used to travel much with the ICE, never was on time but was very comfortable in first class ...
Another wonderful foot on the ground video. You know I love trains! Too bad you missed the meal service. And I can understand why that shop is your favorite. That's all. Lots of things in there I would love. I hope you got Alicja a surprise. Say hi to her for me. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.
I agree. You have to go to Berlin. I went a few years ago. Totally loved it. Lots of things to see and do.
Glad you had a good time in Germany and on the train station and train ride and thanks for showing me round the place
that was excellent Steve... That store had everything but the kitchen sink...:):):)
The bells at the end were so grand. And the shop. 🌟