There's hardly a town that German rail doesn't reach. The southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are particularly popular rides to take in historic cities, picturesque lakes and villages, and the German Alps.
Online travel outfitters such as Rail Europe and Rick Steves offer a mind-boggling array of rail passes to supplement your tour, with packages that combine time in Germany with travel in France, Switzerland, Scandinavia and other countries.
High-speed rail connections, comfortable seating and fine restaurant cars make Deutsche Bahn's Inter City Express trains an efficient and pleasurable mode of transportation.
The famous City Night Line service acts as a mobile hotel, transporting passengers in private sleeping compartments between cities overnight. Business travelers and tourists with tight schedules gain a day of travel without losing a night of sleep.
Unlike in some European countries, reservations are a must when riding the rails in Germany--even for pass-holders. Reservations can be made online when purchasing tickets or updating a rail pass itinerary, or in any train station for pass-holders.
