Although ICE trains are still off-limits to cyclists, the train is a good means of public transport, even across borders. Unfortunately, bicycle parking spaces can only be reserved on long-distance trains (IR, IC and EC trains). Or you can travel at night. Most DB NachtZug trains have bicycle compartments. The CityNight Line trains all run with a new couchette coach, which has 20 bicycle spaces that must be reserved. If parking spaces are fully booked, packed bicycles can only be taken on board after consultation with CityNightLine (e.g. with the SBB TranZBag bag). The "Bahn&Bike" brochure is helpful for an initial overview. It is available at railway stations and can be downloaded as a pdf file at http://www.bahn.de download. If you prefer to get personal advice, call the DB Cyclists' Hotline on 01805/151415 (daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 0.12 euros/minute). The hotline not only provides information about train connections and prices. You can also book a bicycle parking space on the long-distance train and tickets at the same time. With the booking number, you can pick up your travel documents later at any DB ticket counter or travel agency with a railway service. Private long-distance trains with reservable bicycle parking spaces are operated by the company Connex: daily Gera-Berlin-Rostock; Friday to Sunday Dresden-Berlin-Stralsund. The bicycle parking spaces must be reserved. Information at http://www.interconnex.info or by telephone (also for booking bicycle parking spaces) on 01805/101616.
