Berlin ↔ Munich

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.

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!

The newly built sprint section between Erfurt and Nuremberg cuts through the mountains of the Thuringian Forest, whizzing through 22 tunnels (41 km in total) and over 29 bridges (12 km). The apex of the new line is at Goldisthal where the tracks are flanked by high coniferous forests, narrow valleys and gleaming reservoirs. In Goldisthal’s “House of Nature” near the spa town of Masserberg, a visitor centre provides information about construction projects, feats of engineering and environmental compensation. Definitely worth the hike there!

The first railway to operate in any German territory was the legendary Bavarian Ludwig Railway in 1835, which connected the medieval city of Nuremberg with its neighbouring town of Fürth. It was this “steam engine on wheels” that really got the Industrial Revolution rolling in Germany. The 6 km track led straight through the Pegnitz valley, a little off from today’s line, but sadly not much remains of the route that the Adler, the first locomotive in Germany to transport passengers commercially, once took. Luckily that’s not the case at the DB Museum in Nuremberg, where the entire history of the railways is documented, including a replica of the nation’s first rail route.