Michael Müller, the Average German, is traveling by train. What do trains look like in Germany? What are the unwritten rules of behavior on board? And will Michael fall victim to Deutsche Bahn’s infamous delays? Euromaxx reporter Clare Trelawny-Gower joins his journey to find out.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:24 Deutsche Bahn’s punctuality
01:19 Boarding the ICE
01:58 Seat reservations, leg room, and ticket control
02:59 Food and drink on board
04:26 Arriving (or not) in Bielefeld
#dweuromaxx #germany #averagegerman
——————————————–
CREDITS
Report: Clare Trelawny-Gower
Camera: Neven Hillebrands
Edit: Clare Trelawny-Gower
Supervising Editor: Mirja Viehweger
CAST
Michael Müller: Mischa Wanker
Passenger: Lukas Harth
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Today, we’re doing a
quintessential German activity. We’re taking the train!
So, are German trains as punctual as the German people?
What do they look like inside? And can you really drink a beer on there? We’re following Michael Müller,
an Average German, to find out! Michael is travelling by train to visit a
friend in Bielefeld, in western Germany. Germans ride trains regularly.
In 2024, some 22 million took a longer train journey. That’s more than
a quarter of the country’s population! However, while German people
are known for their punctuality, unfortunately, their railway network is not. Last year, over one third of
long-distance trains were delayed. Looks like Michael has a bit of time.
Fortunately, he brought his own tea. Like 88 percent of Germans, Michael
associates the railway network, Deutsche Bahn, with the term “unpunctuality”. Luckily, he got here four hours early,
so he’s got some time to kill. That last part was a joke. ICE to Bielefeld is now boarding! ICE stands for Intercity Express. These high-speed
trains connect all major cities in Germany. In the ICE, Michael has booked a 2nd
class ticket in the “Handybereich”, which is the area where you can legally
use your phone and talk to each other. There’s also a family zone, 1st class cars, a
silent zone, and a special area reserved for those with “Gold and Platinum Bonus Memberships.”
In other words, VIP train travelers. There might be some trouble brewing. A cardinal sin has been committed: someone
is sitting in the seat that Michael reserved. But he’s not afraid to ask for his seat back
– even though many other seats are available. In this 2nd class seat, Deutsche Bahn guarantees a minimum of 80cm of leg room.
But Michael has to make sure. Now, the ticket inspector
is coming to check the tickets. Michael’s printed out his
and put them in a folder, as if he’s never heard of digital tickets?! Michael walks the length of the train and
goes to the dining carriage for a refreshment. After deciding that €4.20 is
too much for a cup of coffee, Michael goes back to his seat. I’m just going to chill here for a second. Removing your shoes on the train is a contentious
topic. Some love it. But some hate it. Germans also dislike it when
people play music too loudly, talk too much on the phone, and
put their feet on the seats. Michael has taken his revenge. He’s eating one of the most maligned
foods to eat on the train: boiled eggs. He also has a cheese sandwich
and some chopped veggies. Washed down with a beer. Unlike in many countries, on German trains,
alcohol can generally be freely consumed. Michael exits the train at
his destination, Bielefeld. There’s a long-running German conspiracy theory
that the city of Bielefeld does not exist. Supporters of the theory ask: do
you know anyone from Bielefeld? Or have you ever visited Bielefeld?
Which is obviously ridiculo… So, was that entire journey just a
figment of Michael Müller’s imagination? I guess we’ll never know. So, what did you think of
the German train experience? Was it everything that you expected,
especially the punctuality? As always, like and subscribe
for more Average German!
36 Comments
No, you cannot consume alcohol on most german trains. Just far distance trains, not regional ones.
Something to add: You can submit conpensation if you get to your destination >60min late! And luckily you can do it digitally (without printing out and sign and scan again)
The First long distance train ride I took in Germany in 1992 included a change with two IC arriving and departing opposite each other on a platform.
My English experience was that that was not only not going to happen but impossible.
It wasn’t, it worked and also on a second trip.
25 years later it was like England
Privatisation I’m told
Es fährt nicht ordentlich. Das war’s.
For 20 years I visited Germany on a yearly basis staying there for 1-2 months every summer. One of the big attractions was ease of train travel within your amazing country. Trains play a role in German tourism.
I think I learnt a lot about German humor through this video.
Very important compared to other countries (my experience): Germans want silence and space if possible. Most of us don't like if people talk or listen to music loudly. It's considered very rude. Also most don't like if someone wants to take the seat right next to them if there are other empty seats left.
Why there are so people inside the train. I heard someone say full compartment is empty
You don't know what a train delay is , until you try to travel by train in Croatia :)))
Considering today's media enviroment, it is quite refreshing that an ACTUAL state owned media channel is making light fun of a conspiracy theory and nobody goes crazy about it. #Bielefeld
I got so uncomfortable by just watching this. It pushed me to drive. Also if your boiled egg smells too much it means you boiled it too much.
In the regional trains drinking Alcohol is not allowed
The DB train was, as always, an hour late—yet, of course, the unwritten rule of walking on tiptoes and the etiquette of not being allowed to breathe still had to be observed. The system has the right to be completely and utterly disrespectful towards us, but not the contrary…
Let me tell you something, it’s not ALL true though – I am AMERICAN, and during my time in Europe last summer, I had to report to the conductor on my OBB train from Salzburg or somewhere back to where I was staying in Austria, the LOUD and DISRUPTIVE behavior of some AUSTRIAN teenagers in my car. My German was/is poor but the conductor spoke English. But man, I felt like I was back home. They were acting like apes who hadn’t taken their ADD medicine. And I wasn’t about to change cars and vacate the seat (and seat reservation) I had paid for.
no facts are shown ( numbers?)
Bielefeld does'nt exist
The train system in Germany is a mess only in …Bulgaria’s which is the poorest in EU is even worse. The reason is simple the Merkel and her globalist cabal are keeping the EU people poor and investing the stolen value and savings in China not in EU.
DB may have serious problems due to past lack of investment but they pale into insignificance compared to UK where nothing works and is incredibly expensive. Trains, water, health care to name just a few on a very long list.
What is wrong with eating a hard boiled egg?
When I was in my teens, I would visit my family in Berlin and practised my German. On each and every occasion my family would correct me in front of people as I made a mistake. Buying railway tickets was a nightmare for me and the person behind the desk. I know they were trying to be helpful but a more relaxed attitude would have helped me gain confidence. I dread speaking German to this day.
DB can't arrive and depart on timely manner to the actual city but somehow has train running to some fictitious non existent city.
I guess I'm another cliche for saying this, but i didn't thought we have train rules, yet every word is 100% true.
remove your cocaine from the table before photos
Doesn’t help that I find Berlin Hauptbahnhof a darn confusing station that has signs that led one way and then they stop! Leaving you wondering where to next.
Many of these are global. Feet in seats. Loud music. People taking others seats (if they are reserved why should I have to go and find another one). I have been on several long distance trains in Germany. One from Stuttgart to Berlin. And back to Frankfurt. And yes. They do get delayed. A high speed train stop starting.
Are Germans really known for their punctuality? To be honest not anymore.. 😢
@3:25 – Auf den Ohren, nicht auf den Nerven!
1/3 of the long distance trains have been delayed… Not including canceled trains 😉 they come on top
Trains were my favorite part of germany 😊
Still have a signed copy of a refund that the german railways need to refund on my card for a delay. It's been 2 years now. Still waiting.
In April 2025 I took an ICE from HH to Bergen auf Rügen. It left HH 1 hour and 59 minutes late and was cancelled after travelling some hours. Passenger had to change to a regional train. Total delay about two and a half hours
Never mind, I was on a holiday trip. But I feel sorry for the commuter who has to endure this kind of situations more often.
A lot has changed since I traveled Europe via Eurail in 1978. Then German trains were very punctual. The one time a train I took was late leaving it went very fast to catch up. What happened?
Another sin of Michael's, using toast instead of real brot in his sandwich!
It was horrible! And as always it's really hard to accept such a bad quality of local trains and services. Passengers have to be paid for using these so-called railways
It's true that trains are often very late in Germany, but you know what happens in the UK? They are not late.. nope..they are simply cancelled all the time 😀
When humans stop acting like humans: