Coverage
What each ticket actually gets you onto
Most confusion about German rail travel comes down to one split: long-distance trains (ICE, IC, EC) and everything else. The German Rail Pass covers the first, the Deutschlandticket covers the second, and city transport sits outside both.
| What you want to board | German Rail Pass | Deutschlandticket | Single ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICE high-speed trains | Yes | No | Yes, per journey |
| IC and EC trains | Yes | No | Yes, per journey |
| IRE, RE and RB regional trains | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| S-Bahn | Yes (DB S-Bahn) | Yes | Local ticket needed |
| U-Bahn, tram and bus | No | Yes | No |
| First class | If you buy a first-class pass | No | If bought |
| FlixTrain | No | No | Separate operator |
| Night trains (ÖBB Nightjet) | Yes with reservation and berth fee | No | Separate booking |
| Basel Bad Bf / Salzburg Hbf | Yes | No | Cross-border fare |
| Brussels via ICE International | Yes | No | Cross-border fare |
| Seat reservations | Extra | Not offered | Extra |
Source: Deutsche Bahn — German Rail Pass product page and FAQ. Checked on 4 September 2026.
Border stations included in the pass
- Basel Badischer Bahnhof and Schaffhausen (Switzerland)
- Salzburg and Kufstein (Austria)
- Liège and Brussels (Belgium) on ICE International
- Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Bologna and Venice (Italy) — reservation with surcharge required
These are genuinely useful: Salzburg makes a day trip from Munich, and Basel Bad Bf puts you on the Swiss network for the price of a local hop.
The gap everyone hits
You arrive at Munich Hauptbahnhof on a valid German Rail Pass, walk downstairs to the U-Bahn, and none of it is covered. City transport in Germany belongs to regional associations, not Deutsche Bahn.
Options: buy a day ticket in each city, buy a Deutschlandticket if your trip fits a calendar month, or walk — most German city centres are compact and stations are central.