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Journey terminology

European Train Categories and Abbreviations

ICE, IC and EC are DB long-distance labels; RE, RB, IRE and S-Bahn are regional. TER is SNCF's French regional category.

Includes: European train categories, Train service abbreviations, Rail timetable labels

Also known as: train category abbreviations, train service labels, rail timetable abbreviations, train type codes

Train codes describe the type of service in a particular railway's timetable. They are not a single Europe-wide ranking, so read each abbreviation in the system that uses it. This comparison covers Deutsche Bahn's German timetable and SNCF's TER network in France.

What the labels mean

LabelFull name or meaningWhat it identifies
ICEIntercity-ExpressDB's high-speed long-distance category.
ICIntercityA DB long-distance category that also serves smaller towns than ICE.
ECEurocityDB's category for an international passenger train; the coaches may come from foreign railway companies.
RERegional-ExpressA regional service in DB's German timetable.
RBRegionalbahnA regional service in DB's German timetable.
IREInterregio-ExpressA DB Regio category used only in some German federal states.
S-Bahn (shown as S)S-Bahn serviceA regional transport service in DB's German timetable.
TERTransport Express RégionalSNCF's regional train service in France. Each French region manages its own TER network.

The broad split is simple: ICE, IC and EC are DB long-distance labels; RE, RB, IRE and S-Bahn are regional labels. TER belongs to the French regional system. That distinction helps you understand an itinerary, but it does not tell you everything about the train or your ticket.

A train label is not a ticket rule

A category name does not decide whether your ticket is valid. For DB journeys, the fare product, booked route and travel day determine which train categories you may use. Those DB fare rules do not establish validity on another railway.

Reservations are a separate question too. For holders of DB's German Rail Pass, DB says reservations are not necessary within Germany, although some international connections and night trains require one. SNCF Connect's TER guidance says seating is open except on Normandy services, where a reservation is required. These are specific product and operator rules, not meanings carried by ICE, IC or TER.

Facilities are listed separately

DB shows onboard restaurants, bistros and bicycle arrangements with separate timetable symbols. Use the category to identify the broad type of service, then read the departure details for the facilities on that particular train.

ICE

Intercity-Express, DB's high-speed long-distance category.

Also known as: Intercity-Express

IC

Intercity, a long-distance category in DB's German timetable.

Also known as: Intercity

EC

Eurocity, DB's category for an international passenger train.

Also known as: Eurocity

RE

Regional-Express, a regional service in DB's German timetable.

Also known as: Regional-Express

RB

Regionalbahn, a regional service in DB's German timetable.

Also known as: Regionalbahn

IRE

Interregio-Express, a DB Regio category used in some German federal states.

Also known as: Interregio-Express

S-Bahn

A regional transport service shown as S in DB's German timetable.

Also known as: S

TER

Transport Express Régional, SNCF's regional train service in France.

Also known as: Transport Express Régional

Frequently asked questions

What do ICE, IC, EC, RE, RB, IRE and S-Bahn mean?

In DB's German timetable, ICE means Intercity-Express, IC means Intercity and EC means Eurocity. RE is Regional-Express, RB is Regionalbahn, IRE is Interregio-Express and S marks an S-Bahn service. IRE appears only in some German federal states.

What does TER mean on a French train?

TER means Transport Express Régional. It is SNCF's regional train service in France, and each French region manages its own TER network.

Do train abbreviations have the same meaning across Europe?

No. The labels on this page come from DB's German timetable and SNCF's French TER network. Read an abbreviation in the context of the railway and country using it.

Does a train category determine ticket validity or reservations?

No. For DB journeys, the fare product, booked route and travel day determine which categories your ticket covers. Reservation rules also depend on the product and service: DB's German Rail Pass does not require reservations within Germany, while SNCF Connect requires them on Normandy TER services.

Can I tell what facilities are on board from the train category?

No. DB uses separate timetable symbols for restaurants, bistros and bicycle arrangements. Read the departure details for the facilities on the particular train.

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