Train Schedules Overview

When planning your train journey, two essential travel apps will make your experience much smoother: the Rail Planner app by Interrail and the DB Navigator app by Deutsche Bahn. Both apps provide valuable tools to navigate the European rail network. The Rail Planner app allows you to view all Interrail schedules offline, making it perfect for traveling without internet access. The DB Navigator app provides real-time train information, covering almost all trains within Europe, ensuring you’re updated on any changes. Be aware that both apps might not always show complete routes and details, especially when planning trips toward Eastern Europe. However, rest assured—every country in Europe is accessible by train. Pro tip: always check your travel plans a few day ahead on websites of local train operators.


Rail Planner App

The Rail Planner app is a must-have for all Interrail travelers. Upon launching the app, select whether you are using an Interrail or Eurail pass. Then, simply input your departure and destination stations, and the app will provide you with all the Interrail schedule options for your chosen date and time. If you’re looking for more control over your journey, explore the extra options available before searching. By clicking on the gear icon, you can filter transportation types, and even avoid trains that require seat reservations, such as high-speed trains. A useful tip is to plan your trip in parts, traveling from one major city to another. This strategy gives you more flexibility in choosing what type of train to take, slow, fast or high-speed. For more information about reservations for different trains across Europe, click here. If you’re looking for inspiration or exploring travel options, the app allows you to view the schedules for any train station. Simply type in a station name, and you’ll see all the trains departing or arriving on your selected date and time. For more details about different train types, click here.


DB Navigator App

The DB Navigator app is another essential tool for train travelers. Just like the Rail Planner, you can input your desired departure and destination stations, and the app will show you all train connections for your selected date and time. For a more customized experience, click on the ‘Mode of transportation’ option before searching. This allows you to choose which modes of transportation to include in your search results.  The most effective way to use DB Navigator is to plan your journey in segments, hopping from one major city to the next. This gives you the freedom to choose whether to travel on luxury trains or slower, more affordable regional trains. Similar to the Rail Planner app, you can browse schedules for any station. Just type in the name of a station, and you can view all departing and arriving trains for the selected date and time. One of the DB Navigator’s top features is its Saver Fares functionality. The app can help you find extremely cheap train tickets, sometimes offering highly discounted fares if you book early. However, note that this feature is limited to trains within or departing from Germany. For more details about different train types, click here.


Go back to the Interrail guide.

Train Schedules - Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash
Train Schedules – Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash