Deutsche Bahn ICE 9572 Train from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to Strasbourg in 2nd Class

Deutsche Bahn ICE 9572 is an international high-speed train from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in Germany to Strasbourg and Paris in France. Continuing on my train journey to France and back to the UK later on, I took Deutsche Bahn ICE 9572 for the short hop over to Strasbourg where I will be spending a few nights in Alsace.

Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof

Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station in Stuttgart in the centre of town.

Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is undergoing controversial redevelopment to Stuttgart 21.

Heading in to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof via the temporary walkway.

The temporary walkway is wide and step-free.

The concourse of Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. All platforms here are end-on so getting to every platform is easy from the front end.

My ICE 9572 would be departing from Platform 10. There would be a 5-minute delay factored in, probably to wait for a late incoming connecting train.

Heading over to Platform 10.

Deutsche Bahn ICE 9572

My ICE 9572 was already waiting at Platform 10, since Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is the origin station of the ICE 9572.

The destination sign of ICE 9572 as displayed on the LED board on each train door.

The ICE 9572 ready for departure at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.

My train would be operated by a DB Class 407 Siemens Velaro D ICE 3 which are specifically designed for Deutsche Bahn international services from Germany, and are Channel Tunnel-compliant in terms of safety features. The DB Class 407 Velaro D ICE 3 is similar to the Eurostar Velaro e320.

Boarding the ICE 9572.

Welcome signs on the screens are displayed in German, French, and English.

ICE 3 2nd Class

The interior of the DB Class 407 Siemens Velaro D ICE 3 in 2nd Class.

My reserved seat 43 was unfortunately an aisle seat which I couldn’t change.

My seat neighbour by the window would also be travelling on the same sector as me, so no hopes of getting an empty window seat beside me. The train was running quite full anyway, so having a seat reservation is better than nothing. Seat reservations are separate from the travel ticket.

The legroom available on board the DB Class 407 Siemens Velaro D ICE 3 in 2nd Class.

A flip-down tray table is available behind each seat.

The window view out of my row isn’t great either, so I guess having an aisle seat is fine.

Route information is displayed on screens around the train.

The view of the 2nd Class car out of my aisle seat.

An Europlug 2-pin power socket is available underneath between each pair of seats.

A slide recline can be done using the lever on the side of the seat.

The clean toilet on board the ICE 9572.

Departing from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof 5 minutes delayed at 2.58pm as informed on the station screens. As there was an empty window seat a few rows away upon departure, I moved myself there.

Splitting left at the Nordkreuz junction.

The Flixtrain that I wanted to try is stabled in the depot. Next time then.

The next station is Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof in Germany.

Heading through countryside once quickly out of Stuttgart.

Heading through Germany at speed.

Approaching Karlsruhe with a view of the Karlsruhe Stadtbahn tram-train.

Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof

Entering Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof.

Making a brief stop at Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof. This is the only intermediate station in Germany for the ICE 9572.

More passengers boarded at Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof for this international journey to France. I moved back to my aisle seat for a while to watch if other passengers had seat reservations on my technically-occupied window seat which I moved to.

Continuing on to France.

I moved to another empty window seat after passengers have settled down.

On busy long-distance trains, you are highly recommended to get a seat reservation, or you risk standing throughout your high-speed journey.

Passing by Rastatt.

Mountains in the Black Forest start to get visible closer to France.

Overtaking a freight train with ease.

Splitting off at Appenweier to go on to France.

Strasbourg is just across the border, and announcements are made for arrival while in Germany.

Passing through Kehl at speed. Germany and France are part of the European Union Schengen Area, and there are no passport or border controls within the Schengen Area even when crossing countries.

Approaching the end of Germany.

Crossing the Germany-France international border over the Rhine River.

Entering France.

A delay of 3 minutes was advised at actual arrival timing, while still on board the train.

Passing by the SNCF Technicentre de Strasbourg-Ville maintenance depot, the headquarters of SNCF Technicentre Alsace.

Locomotives stabled outside Technicentre Alsace.

Gare de Strasbourg-Ville

Approaching Gare de Strasbourg-Ville.

My Deutsche Bahn ICE 9572 arrived at Strasbourg-Ville, France at 4.19pm – 7 minutes late.

The German Deutsche Bahn Class 407 Velaro D ICE 3 in Strasbourg, France.

This German train will continue on to Paris Gare de l’Est, operating non-stop from Strasbourg.

Heading down to the underpass to exit from the platform.

Taking the underpass under the tracks to the exit.

A glass canopy has been built in front of the original station façade to expand the concourse.

The new façade of Gare de Strasbourg-Ville with the glass canopy blocking the view of the original classic station façade.

Conclusion

Overall, the Deutsche Bahn ICE 9572 was a speedy high-speed international train ride taking just 1.5 hours from Stuttgart to Strasbourg. The convenience of travelling in the EU Schengen Area is evident on this train ride with no immigration and customs checks on this international journey, and getting from Germany to France is as easy as simply sitting down on a moving train.