Deutsche Bahn ICE 599 1st Class from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief) to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof

Deutsche Bahn ICE 599 is a high-speed train service from Berlin to Stuttgart and onwards to Munich. Continuing on to my next German city after Berlin, I had the option of taking the cheap FlixTrain open-access operator, but the departure timing from Berlin was too early for my comfort. The ICE was the next option, which was not too expensive on 2nd Class at just €29.90. However, the top up to 1st Class was also cheap at an extra of only €12 for a Super Sparpreis ticket, making it a total of only €41.90 for a 6-hour 1st Class ride on ICE.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof

My journey starts from Berlin Hauptbahnhof which is where I have been staying in Berlin for the past few nights at MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central Station.

Heading in to Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

While my 1st Class Super Sparpreis ticket is only for the seat on the train, I tried my luck at the DB Lounges first.

After checking with the staff, I was pointed to a scanner on the main entrance counter where I needed to scan my ticket to check for validity. No chance of entering the lounge with this scanning.

Checking for my platform on the information screens.

My Deutsche Bahn ICE 599 would be departing from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief) Platform 4 sections A-F.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief)

Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief) are the cluster of low-level platforms running in the north-south direction at Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

1st Class is at sections A and B on Platform 4.

My DB ICE 599 arrived at Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief) on time at 11.04am operated by an ICE 4.

My ICE 4 has a green stripe on the two end cars to indicate that the train’s run is done with 100% ecological current.

The train details are displayed on the train doors before boarding. The ICE 599 originated from Berlin Gesundbrunnen.

Boarding my ICE 599 and my ride for the next 6 hours.

The lowest step extends out to the low platform level for easy boarding by the steps.

ICE 4 1st Class

My single seat 74 on board DB ICE 599 1st Class.

My seat reservation is displayed on the side of the seat.

The interior of the ICE 4 1st Class. Seats are laid out in a 2+1 configuration in a fixed forward and reverse direction.

Both table and airline-style seats are available.

Train information is displayed on screens throughout the train.

Seats have rigid backs as the 1st Class seats use a slide-down recline which is better for comfort for the person behind.

The legroom available on board the ICE 4 1st Class.

A Europlug 2-pin power socket is available by the 1st Class seat.

There is an adjustable headrest on each 1st Class seat.

A reading light is also available on the side of the headrest.

My DB ICE 599 departed from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief) on time at 11.07am.

When departing from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (tief), my seat was in reverse.

Berlin Südkreuz

Approaching Berlin Südkreuz.

Information screens are also available at the gangway.

The clean toilet available on board.

With the rigid seat back, the tray table is a simple flip-down.

Next station information are paired along with pictures of the destination.

A GPS route map follows during lull periods of the journey when the ICE just zooms by places casually.

The city buildings quickly give way to vast landscapes as the ICE speeds out of Berlin.

Approaching to Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof late.

Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof

Making a brief stop at Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof.

Crossing the Elbe Bridge over the Elbe river.

Speeding past cars on the highway.

The next station is Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

Travelling beside tram lines on approach to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

Passing by a disused roundhouse at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

Leipzig Hauptbahnhof is a major junction on the German railway network.

Leipzig Hauptbahnhof

Entering Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

Making a brief stop at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

Departing from Leipzig Hauptbahnhof in the reverse direction, which means my seat is now facing forward.

Passing by the roundhouse again.

Passing by IC trains stabling in the yard.

Heading left from the line that the ICE 599 had just entered Leipzig from.

Bordrestaurant Lunch

As it was lunch time, I headed over to the Bordrestaurant on the next coach to get some lunch.

Unfortunately, the tables at the Bordrestaurant were all taken.

The Bordrestaurant counter at the other end of the car.

Paper menus are provided at the Bordrestaurant.

There is a standing bar area in front of the counter. However, I decided to have my lunch back in my seat instead.

ERDINGER Weißbier

I got an ERDINGER Weißbier for €4.40 to start because this is Germany. I was provided with a paper cup with my bottle of beer. Not ideal, but better than drinking wheat beer from the bottle.

Veal Fricassee with Potato Rösti

My Veal Fricassee with Potato Rösti (€15.90) was served to my seat with proper china.

The Veal Fricassee was nice and soft with a tasty creamy sauce and the crispy Rösti went well with the sauce. I was very pleased with my order as this was an impressive restaurant-quality German dish on board the ICE, perfect for my lunch on ICE 1st Class.

What I thought was gloomy rain during my lunch got me thinking that soil was turning beige-y. It took me a few minutes to realise that the white ground was actually snow. Forgive me for this is the first time in my life I have seen snow in person.

Erfurt Hauptbahnhof

Making a brief stop at Erfurt Hauptbahnhof with definite snow cover on the track bed and swept-up piles on the platform.

Yup, definitely snow.

Departing from Erfurt Hauptbahnhof.

After departure from Erfurt Hauptbahnhof, the train crew handed out “DB Lieblingsgast”. Google Translate says this is “DB favourite guest”.

When opening the packet, this turned out to be a small 4-piece block of Ritter Sport chocolate.

Heading on through snow after a good lunch and free DB chocolate.

The snow grew lighter at Eisenach.

Eisenach

Making a brief stop at Eisenach.

I walked over to 2nd Class for a bit to have a look, and it was very full in a 2+2 configuration. I’m very pleased with my €12 upgrade to 1st Class for this long journey.

Fulda

Making a longer stop at Fulda. My ICE 599 was delayed here to wait for the incoming ICE 795 with connecting passengers.

Meeting with ICE 795 at Fulda. ICE 795 will continue on to Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof.

While the ICE 795 arrived late, it departed from Fulda first.

Departing from Fulda behind ICE 795.

The next station is Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof.

ERDINGER Weißbier

As it was tea time, I decided to order another ERDINGER Weißbier (€4.40) from a passing Bordrestaurant waiter. This time, my ERDINGER Weißbier was served to my seat poured in a glass.

While having my drink, the train crew once again handed out Ritter Sport chocolate, this time with an additional disinfectant wipe. Excellent.

Heading straight in to Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof.

Arriving late in to Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof due to the delay at Fulda.

Crossing the Main-Neckar Bridge over the River Main.

Entering Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof passing by the railway yard on the approach.

Too many parallel lines to count.

Approaching Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof.

Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof

Making a brief stop at Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof where quite a number of passengers alighted, and many more boarded as well for the onward journey to Munich.

Departing from Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof in reverse together with an IC train.

Passing by the railway yard again.

Crossing the Main-Neckar Bridge over the River Main again.

An expected delay timing was shown for Mannheim Hauptbahnhof.

Approaching Mannheim Hauptbahnhof.

Mannheim Hauptbahnhof

Making a brief stop at Mannheim Hauptbahnhof.

There is another wait for a connecting train here, this time for disembarking ICE 599 passengers to transfer over to it.

This would be my last stopping station as the next is Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, my destination.

Heading on to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.

Passing by Stuttgart-Feuerbach.

Passing by the flying junctions before Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.

Arriving in to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof late.

Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof

My DB ICE 599 arrived at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof at 5.10pm – 2 minutes late.

The ICE 599 will continue on to München Hauptbahnhof (Munich Central Station), reversing once again at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.

Looks like the ICE 599 can make up time here with extra allowance in the timetable for departure.

Heading out of the end-on platform.

There are some construction works going on to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and there are temporary diverted exits out of the station.

Follow the big green path out of Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.

Do NOT follow the signs that say Staatsgalerie if heading directly out as that is a temporary path leading to the next adjacent U-Bahn station.

The temporary walkway is wide and step-free.

Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is undergoing controversial redevelopment to Stuttgart 21.

The temporary walkway ends at the façade of Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.

If transferring to the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, head in to the old Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof as the entrance to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations still function.

The construction works of Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Stuttgart 21) as seen from the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof S-Bahn and U-Bahn entrance.

Conclusion

Overall, it was a very pleasant and memorable ride on board the ICE with many firsts. It was my first journey on the German ICE, first time on 1st Class on a European train, first time to Berlin and Stuttgart, and most importantly, my first time seeing and touching snow at Erfurt, even if it’s just stepping on to the platform for a few seconds. The price of €41.90 for 1st Class was excellent value for a long-distance journey. If I were to make a similar journey again and offered a similar price, I would book it in a heartbeat.