With 24 million people crossing borders in 2023, a significant 21 % increase over the same period last year, Deutsche Bahn ( DB) has experienced a remarkable boom in the international long-distance travel sector. This boom, which is at odds with previous COVID levels, is a sign of a strong recovery in long-distance journey. In response to growing demand, the DB has also added 13 % more seats, added new roads, and used longer trains in parallel. Dr Michael Peterson, Executive Board Member for Long- Range Customer Transfer at DB, commented:” Europeans are extremely choosing rail travel, with 2023 witnessing a amazing surge in global journeys by train. This increase highlights the appeal of train travel because it provides quick, affordable, and practical city-to-city connections. Moreover, every trip taken by coach contributes to effective climate protection for Europe “.The Berlin–Amsterdam route experienced the most significant increase among DB global routes, with 64, 000 more people in 2023 than in 2022, marking a rise of 23 per cent. The Berlin–Warsaw way witnessed an extra 51, 000 vacationers, representing a significant development of 22 per cent. In the case of the Munich–Verona path, there were 17, 000 more people, reflecting a 20 per cent raise. Also, the Munich–Vienna way saw an extra 72, 500 visitors, indicating a 17 per cent increase in ridership. Eventually, the Munich–Zurich course observed 17, 000 more people, reflecting a 16 per cent raise. Increase in ridership ( Source: DB, translated from German ) Expansion of DB’s international serviceLooking ahead, Deutsche Bahn plans to further enhance its international services. A significant development includes the introduction of the ICE 3neo, expected to start businesses on the Frankfurt/Main–Brussels and Frankfurt/Main–Amsterdam roads from late- June 2024 on, six weeks ahead of schedule. This faster turnaround is attributable to work being done in collaboration with regulatory bodies, European railroads, and Siemens Mobility. Modern trains are being deployed to replace older models, improving reliability and passenger comfort on international routes. Important schedule changes for 2024 include a half-hour cut in Berlin-Amsterdam for greater efficiency and convenience. Additionally, direct trains from Frankfurt/Main to Bordeaux will resume on summer Saturdays, with service extended to and from Stuttgart from mid- July, enhancing travel options for passengers. Furthermore, the introduction of the Berlin–Paris/Brussels night train three times a week, along with the Munich–Vienna–Wroclaw–Krakow–Warsaw night train, offers travellers more flexibility and overnight travel options. Another notable update is the introduction of a second direct connection between Berlin/Erfurt–Linz/Vienna, catering to growing demand on this route. The expansion of daily ( Berlin-) Frankfurt/Main–Stuttgart– Innsbruck service provides increased connectivity between major cities. Moreover, passengers will benefit from an increase in direct connections between Hamburg and Copenhagen. Additionally, the Munich–Zurich service will see an expansion with the addition of a seventh train pair for round trips, catering to heightened demand. In addition, additional trains will run between Berlin and Prague during the summer months of June through September, making it possible to travel more frequently during the busiest times of the day. ICE train in winter ( Photo: DB / Oliver Lang ) New rolling stock in the 2024 scheduleSeveral new vehicles will be put in service for the 2024 schedule. In order to provide faster and more effective travels, ICE trains are increasingly being replaced with intercity trains between Germany and Austria. Additionally, passengers can anticipate the introduction of new Railjets to offer better connectivity to Italian destinations starting in April 2024. From June 2024, the introduction of the ICE 3neo on the Frankfurt/Main–Brussels and Frankfurt/Main–Amsterdam routes will bring state- of- the- art technology and comfort to these popular international routes. Furthermore, the introduction of the new Nightjet in night service on the Hamburg–Vienna/Innsbruck route, with plans for expansion to the Vienna/Munich–Rome route from autumn 2024 on, will offer passengers overnight travel options. Travel between these significant European cities will become even more convenient with the arrival of the SBB high-speed train Giruno this summer on the Frankfurt–Zurich–Milan route. Additionally, Czech Railways D’s ( D) will gradually introduce new Railjets starting in the fall of 2024, improving connectivity between the two cities for passengers traveling between Berlin and Prague. Finally, in order to meet high demand, special days ‘ trains with double capacity will operate between Frankfurt and Paris, offering more seats for passengers during peak times. Further reading:
