Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 Train from Amsterdam Centraal to Duisburg Hauptbahnhof

My next stop after Amsterdam was Hamburg. I was initially open to trying out an intercity bus service in Europe since there’s not much opportunity for me to do so in my travel plans, but it turns out that the Deutsche Bahn ICE was around the same price as the bus thanks to the DB Super Sparpreis Europa ticket, though it means I need to do a transfer halfway through. But with a cheap ICE train ticket and a chance to take 2 trains instead of 1, it was a no-brainer decision to take an ICE ride. My first leg of the journey would be by Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 from Amsterdam Centraal to Duisburg Hauptbahnhof.

Amsterdam Centraal

My Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 train would be departing from Platform 2b.

The ticket gates did not work with my QR code Deutsche Bahn ticket, so I had to find another gate line to enter from.

On the main station façade side, there are side gates open for passengers like me with such issues.

Waiting at Platform 2b for my Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 train. This train will stop at Utrecht Centraal, Arnhem Centraal, Oberhausen Hbf, Duisburg Hbf, Düsseldorf Hbf, Köln Messe/Deutz, and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof (Frankfurt am Main Airport long-distance station), and Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. Hbf is a short form of Hauptbahnhof, or Central in German.

The train formation is displayed on screens so passengers can stand near their coach in advance.

Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221

My Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 train arrived just a few minutes before departure time, operated by an ICE 3M Class 406 8-car train.

This set, DB ICE3 406 501-7 Europa, has a blue I❤️Europe livery.

The rear coupler cover was open. Perhaps there will be a train coupling from behind later?

Train information is displayed near the train door.

The ICE 3M has an extra step to minimise the platform gap and provide a lower step up to the train.

Heading to my train car.

The interior of the ICE 3M in 2nd Class.

Perhaps the best 2nd Class seats are those facing the front and back, with a view to the cab and out of the front and back train windows. The sign says “Staff Only” but I don’t think the kids are staff. Perhaps it’s a pandemic mark left behind.

The train route information is also displayed on board by the side of the train doors.

The legroom on board the ICE 3M.

There is a fold-down tray table behind the seat backs.

An EU 2-pin power socket is located below each pair of seats.

Unfortunately my seat reservation had this excellent view.

Thankfully, there was an empty seat with a window view as the train departed.

My Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 departed from Amsterdam Centraal on time at 6.38pm.

Departing Amsterdam Centraal with a view of Open Havenfront.

Lots of canals on the way out of Amsterdam.

The ICE wasn’t going very fast yet due to the many curves.

Passing by the Amsterdam Metro from Overamstel to Van der Madeweg.

Passing over Ringweg Zuid.

Passing by Johan Cruijff ArenA.

The scenery gives way to empty land after crossing the border from North Holland to Utrecht.

Passing by Verkeersleidingspost Utrecht.

Approaching Utrecht Centraal.

Utrecht Centraal

Making a brief stop at Utrecht Centraal.

Departing from Utrecht Centraal.

The Utrecht–Boxtel railway splits off after Utrecht Centraal.

Passing over the A27 motorway.

Running parallel with the A12 motorway.

With a bit of time before the next station, it’s time for a bit of exploration on board the train.

ICE Bordrestaurant

A Bordrestaurant is available on board this ICE 3M train set.

However, there’s no dine-in service at this Bordrestaurant, with standing tables only. 1st Class seats also share this same train car without a door dividing the Bordrestaurant and 1st Class seats, which I don’t think is very pleasant to be sitting here.

There are grab poles by the train windows along the kitchen aisle which was a nice touch.

Toilets are, of course, available on board.

Heading to the rear of the train again, I guess the view isn’t that good with a little bit of frosting on the smart glass panel, along with glare from the sun, offering no views out.

Arnhem Centraal

Making a brief stop at Arnhem Centraal.

A glimpse of Arnhem from the train.

I had no idea where the border between the Netherlands and Germany was as the train just zoomed through and there’s no border station either. Thanks Schengen Area.

Oberhausen Hauptbahnhof

Making a brief stop at Oberhausen Hauptbahnhof.

Duisberg Hauptbahnhof

My Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 arrived at Duisburg Hauptbahnhof on time at 8.32pm.

The Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 departed from Duisburg Hauptbahnhof on time at 8.34, bound for Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof.

Seems like the coupler covering is still open without a train attached behind. Will there be an attachment later on, or someone forgot to close it?

The platforms of Duisberg Hauptbahnhof.

Heading down the stairs to find out where my connecting train will be departing from. I have a 16-minute transfer to my next train, Deutsche Bahn ICE 514 from Duisburg Hauptbahnhof to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof.

The platforms are all connected by a single underpass which makes it easy to figure out platforms.

The façade of Duisberg Hauptbahnhof.

Conclusion

The Deutsche Bahn ICE International 221 was a simple fuss-free ride from Amsterdam Centraal to Duisburg Hauptbahnhof for me in 2nd Class. It’s just a 2 hour ride outside of a meal time, so the ride was simple without the need to buy anything from the Bordrestaurant, and it’s not long enough as well to get too comfortable, lest I miss my connecting station.