Berlin to Frankfurt

With the opening of Berlin’s north-south railway tunnel and main railway station in the mid-2000s, the transport network in the German capital was finally unified. An iconic example of modern architecture and a sight in and of itself, Berlin Hauptbahnhof is located on the site of the historic Lehrter Station – a significant spot in the history of Berlin’s rail network. In 1871, the new “Ringbahn” first connected the city’s terminuses and by 1882 the “Stadtbahn” was winding its way through the city centre. Berlin has always had a well-connected and expanding transport network and it still benefits from this today. Find out things to do near Berlin Hauptbahnhof here.

A short distance from Berlin lie the rolling hills of Fläming Heath, a scenic spot in eastern Germany. Wind turbines and even the odd windmill dot the landscape as you pass through charming villages and small towns. Crossing the mighty River Elbe in Wittenberg – also known as Lutherstadt for its close ties to Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation – is an impressive sight.

Shortly after Halle/Saale (on ICE Sprinter trains) or Leipzig (other ICE trains) as you head towards the centre of the country, you cross the Saale-Elster Viaduct, the longest bridge in Germany and the longest high-speed rail bridge in Europe. For 6½ km, you traverse a lush wetland landscape. This is followed quickly by bridge, tunnel, bridge, tunnel – 300 in total – with great views over the Thuringian Basin, including over the famous Saale-Unstrut vineyards.

Erfurt lies in the heart of Germany and is home to one of the nation’s prettiest and best preserved old towns. The Krämerbrücke, a medieval stone bridge lined with half-timbered houses which dates back to 1325, has been continuously inhabited for over 500 years. There’s also an impressive Gothic cathedral, a medieval town fortress, and a network of winding alleyways and cobbled streets. With a flexible ticket from Deutsche Bahn, you can hop off here during your journey and explore!

Leaving Erfurt, the pace becomes more leisurely and the landscape more mountainous as the train meanders through the foothills of the Thuringian Forest, Rhön Mountains and Vogelsberg. Shortly after passing through Eisenach – the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach – the ICE whizzes through Hörschel, a pretty half-timbered village deep in the Werra valley and the starting point of the historic Rennsteig hiking trail in the Thuringian Forest. Definitely worth a look out of the window!

As the train pulls into Frankfurt, the skyscrapers of the city’s central business district – known here as Mainhattan after the River Main on which Frankfurt lies – come into view. With the Commerzbank Tower, one of Europe’s tallest buildings, and more than 30 other buildings dominating the skyline, Frankfurt rivals other metropolises such as Shanghai, London or even New York. Certainly makes for a great photo!