The new Deutsche Bahn timetable will apply from Sunday. Travelers will then benefit from new and faster connections, new trains and more seats on some routes. However, they also have to pay more for this - the ticket prices are increasing noticeably. In the coming year, numerous major construction sites will also affect traffic.
New connections, especially at night
The new Deutsche Bahn timetable includes a new direct ICE connection from Hamburg to Frankfurt Airport. To this end, the Basel-Cologne-Dortmund line will be extended via Frankfurt to Hamburg. A new night train from Berlin to Zurich also stops in Erfurt, Halle and Leipzig. New stops will be added to the existing night train line from Hamburg to Zurich. The night train from Munich to Budapest starts in Stuttgart.
Faster connections
With the commissioning of a new high-speed route, the travel time between Stuttgart and Munich will be reduced by around 15 minutes, according to Deutsche Bahn. Connections from North Rhine-Westphalia to Bavaria also benefit from this. In terms of international connections, the company highlights a reduction in travel time between Berlin and Warsaw of around ten minutes.
New trains, more seats
The new ICE 3neo is launched and will in future run between Dortmund, Cologne and Munich as well as on Saturdays on the new high-speed line between Ulm and Wendlingen. There are also new XXL ICE 4 trains. In 2023, there will be more ICE trains "than ever before," Deutsche Bahn said. In particular, more seats would be created on the connections to Frankfurt Airport. A total of 19,000 seats will be added in long-distance traffic.
Higher prices
Deutsche Bahn is increasing long-distance fares by an average of 4.9 percent. The flex tickets alone will be 6.9 percent more expensive on average. The Bahncards 25, 50 and 100 and the route season tickets cost an average of 4.9 percent more. The entry-level prices remain the same for the super saver price from 17.90 euros and for the saver price from 21.90 euros. Seat reservations also continue to cost EUR 4.50 in second class and EUR 5.90 in first class.
Numerous large construction sites
In December, minor construction sites are already affecting rail traffic on six routes, for example between Cologne and Mainz, Frankfurt and Mannheim and Giessen and Wetzlar. So far, ten major construction sites are planned for next year, each of which will require closures and diversions for at least several weeks. For example, new tracks will be laid and bridges renewed between Erfurt and Nuremberg by the end of March. From March, the Rostock-Stralsund route will be completely closed in sections. The high-speed line between Kassel and Fulda is being renovated - probably for eight months.
Porcelain and glass in the on-board bistro
From January, food and drinks will also be served in glasses and china in the on-board bistro. So far, this was only the case in the on-board restaurant; the bistro used cardboard and plastic. However, disposable packaging will continue to be offered on request. A surcharge or deposit will not be charged. According to Bahn, hot and cold drinks, main courses and snacks are then available in glasses, mugs, bowls or plates.
