Visit the Web site for Deutsche Bahn, known as Die Bahn by most Germans (see Resources). The Web site is published in many languages, including English.
Enter Berlin as your departure city in query form and Hamburg as the destination as well as the date and time you wish to travel.
Decide whether you wish to travel first or second class on this short ride to Hamburg. The difference in price can be upwards of 30 euros.
Consider whether you wish to travel on the InterCity Express train or the EuroCity before you purchase your ticket. You will notice there is a slight price difference between EC and ICE trains. Service on the ICE train is more expensive but travel time is shorter.
Remember that tickets can only be posted to an address in Germany or picked up at the station before departure.
Book your ticket to Hamburg over the phone or at the station for impromptu travel. You may not have the same choices as advance online booking, but service between these 2 cities is frequent. To speak with a Deutsche Bahn customer service agent, call 011 (+49) 1805 996633 from the U.S. and Canada, or call 00 (+49) 1805 996633 from elsewhere outside of Germany.
Find the ServicePoint in Berlin's renovated Central Station or Hauptbahnhof. Here you will find schedule information, updates on delays, as well as assistance for disabled passengers.
Look for Die Bahn's lounge located on the first floor of the station if you have purchased a first class ticket. Remember that the first floor is not the ground or entry level but the floor above it.
Know that you will spend between 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours on the train to Hamburg, depending on whether you booked the ICE or EC train.
Get a quick bite to eat at the catering car on the train to Hamburg. A catering car is available on both EuroCity and InterCity Express trains.
Bring along a bicycle by making advance reservations on the EuroCity train to Hamburg. This service is limited to the allotted space available on each train.
