AMSTERDAM TO BERLIN ON THE INTERCITY TRAIN (trip report - does deutsche bahn deliver?)

In this episode, Michelle and Alex are excited to take the direct, 6-hour Intercity train that runs from Amsterdam to Berlin, but things quickly go awry. Will they finally get the currywurst that they're so looking forward to trying? This video starts as a trip report, but ends as... well, you'll find out soon. (Deutsche Bahn, why do NONE of your IC and ICE trains have hot meals?! 😢)
Featuring a few references to @MilesinTransit and @SimplyRailway.
Episode 22 · Filmed on November 23, 2022 · On a train to Berlin, Germany
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00:00 Introduction
00:47 Intercity (IC) from Amsterdam to Berlin
01:52 Seat tour
02:29 Train tour (bike storage, bathrooms, compartments)
03:30 The beginning of our deviation
04:01 More unexpected train changes
05:31 What's happening?
07:35 Finally, on a train to Berlin
08:14 Would we take this train again?
08:30 CURRYWURST! (Curry 61)
09:45 Wrap up
---
WHO IS BUNCHARTED?
We're Michelle and Alex, a travel-obsessed American couple living abroad in the Netherlands.
In 2020, we quit our jobs to travel the world, and... yeah, that didn't happen. So in 2022, we decided to make an even BIGGER change, packing up our lives (and our cats 🐈), moving from Austin, Texas, to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Subscribe for new videos like this every week!

[@youtubeaxel9030]

That's what makes travelling with DEUTSCHE BAHN so exciting: You'll never know what will happen, nor if you'll reach your destination.....😂 You should always be in the mood for an adventure if you're travelling with DEUTSCHE BAHN... So you'll be disappointed if everything works as planned. You just have to adjust your expectations.👍

[@buncharted]

hey. we got a free tour of northern germany! 😄

[@youtubeaxel9030]

@@buncharted 👍....that's the correct attitude !😂 Grüße aus der Südpfalz !

[@mrnobody043]

There is a huge difference in quality between the NS/Dutch railway compared to the German railway/Deutche bahn. Same goes for the Belgian railway which is maybe worse than the German one.

[@frankgeurts3912]

Yes indeed Belgian is a real adventure

[@frankgeurts3912]

Normally there is food on the Berliner,at the restaurant car

[@jasmikko]

Also Thalys from France is not ss good as NS in my personal experience

[@peterf1]

One of my true flaws is to look at Europe in general and see it only with my rose colored glasses on. Oh, it's so perfect... Oh, the mass transportation system is so wonderful... so this was a good reminder that, yeah, it's not that simple. Poop happens. But I love how you guys went "well that sucked, but we're here now so let's eat"... way to save the day. Look forward to more adventures.

[@blinkachu5275]

I remember when I needed to travel from the Netherlands to Cologne, Germany. It was one of the most hectic travels I've ever had per train... idk why but while the Dutch train system is often very reliable, between Germany and the Netherlands it's just consistently difficult :')

[@ChrisMcCandless77777]

what a shame that your train journey was less than hoped, but you can also take the ICE the germany luxurious train to Berlin, I think it also departs from Amsterdam. or the TGV from Amsterdam to Paris but if you still enjoy traveling around. Do I have a secret tip for you for a fun weekend in Deventer from December 10, the Dickens festival is very interesting to experience, especially because the historic center of Deventer is beautiful

[@vincenttayelrand]

I recall boarding that train years ago only to have the very coach with my reserved seat being removed just one hour into the trip - At least what was left of my train made it all the way to Berlin. 😀 Fun fact; I can see this DB train passing by several times a day from where I live and yes, it has seen better days. I suspect this cheap DB option it is deliberately being run down into the ground to eventually make way for more profitable high speed alternatives - They pull that trick all the time. But for now it still is dirt cheap option to get from Amsterdam to Berlin, especially when booked well in advance.

[@grateful9604]

Wow great video 🎉

[@ithacatins]

The Miles in Transit reference was so spot on 😅

[@moretoknowshow1887]

You're living the dream, mrs and I have talked about retiring to the Netherlands! Outside traveling on DB, which can be an experience, it looks to be an interesting adventure..

[@buncharted]

don't worry - NS in the netherlands is much more reliable than DB :)

[@pkorobase]

oh, as far as i remember there was a heavy train crash east of hannover, and all trains from there to berlin had to be relocated to go north (via hamburg) or south (via nürnberg) to berlin.

[@MarceldeJong]

When I travelled to Berlin last year by train, we had an unexpected stop-over at Hannover, where we had the pleasure of waiting 2 to 3 hours for the next train. And then we got lost at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, several times. I HATE Berlin Hbf.

[@Dutch1961]

You went to visit one city and instead you've been in three. And all for the same price. It's a steal!

[@buncharted]

hahah, you're right! we got to tour all of northern germany!

[@HomerDuck]

I remember one time going home from Amsterdam to Denmark, it all went smooth until Hamborg, which should have taken one train to the danish border, but became 8 trains starting in the evening. And if I missed just one of those connections, I would be stuck at that station until morning. But I got to the border very late at night and then one train back to my city. I was home at 2 at night, instead of 11 o'clock. I slept the next day away, because of stress. 😴

[@bartvschuylenburg]

So, next time you’ll travel to Germany, take one of those MRE’s with you 😜. Hope you had a lot of fun there.

[@TimWil]

Ah, your story reminds me of that glorious day back in 2019 when my DB train from Berlin to Leipzig was cancelled (I had a 1st class ticket) and I ended up standing for the entire (two hour?) trip because the next train was completely full.

[@buncharted]

sounds like a true first class experience 😅

[@davevanbeers6944]

Looks like a blog to me, train disaster day on to the fun stuff. Berlin! What kind of irked me when I last went to Berlin, was that I had first class tickets but no lounge access.

[@Patrick-on2ty]

nur beim vollen Preis, Supersparpreis ist zu günstig

[@jasmikko]

We went to Berlin about 4 years ago with DB trains i thought the transit waiting and not being able to get (we didn’t reserve for) a seat was already a bad experience, you had it much chaotic it seems. Would still prefer to flying though.

[@janregterschot7152]

Berlin is a very pretty city to go to, but i really like the environment of the Eifel more. Places like Cochem and further back Bernkastel-Kues.

[@janregterschot7152]

and also welcome to the Netherlands😄

[@frankgeurts3912]

Because of a major train accident,the normal route is jammed....till januari....its a logistic nightmare at this moment.the accident was weeks ago

[@DavidHabnit]

Honestly, I have tried to travel in Germany by train several times now. Local traffic is usually fine, but the longer distance always give me a headache. They are doing a great job promoting the airplane; I have decided to always take the airplane if I need to go to Germany (or drive there). I tried to go back home (The Hague) from south Germany one time, which should have been an easy 3 transfer trip...it ended up being 9 transfer and I had to run several times to catch a train. I got home 3 and a half hours after I was supposed to. That last try with DB langstrecken was this spring and that was the final blow! Though I love the ICE trains, no more DB langstrecken for me!

[@arnodobler1096]

In Germany buy "Hela" Curry Ketchup scharf (spicy) it´s the best

[@frankgeurts3912]

The thumbnail says it all😂

[@gijsbertuslaurensvandevooren]

Round December there is a steamtrain leaving from the kralingse bos to Germanie. Christmas market. Maybe an idea ?

[@buncharted]

that sounds awesome! i can’t find anything about it online - do you know the name of the train operator?

[@eddys.3524]

If you're still in doubt.... yes, it was a Vlog. A bit chaotic, but that was your journey too. Looking forward to the Berlin video. BTW, for the return trip, bring sandwiches and something to drink..

[@buncharted]

we brought tons of snacks, haha we learned our lesson 😅

[@frankgeurts3912]

Mezzo mix,My favorite drink🤗

[@buncharted]

i’m obsessed

[@frankgeurts3912]

@@buncharted we had this drink in the Netherlands made by Fanta,sold at Jumbo but sales where low.replaced by Almdudler Drink,a very tasty soda drink

[@TimWil]

I don’t get why Mezzo Mix is touted as similar to Spezi, which is Fanta Orange mixed with Coca Cola. Mezzo Mix only tastes like a cola to me. I always go for the Spezi when in Germany. And I occasionally pay $3.99 for a can at my German deli in NYC.

[@Inf0H3ld]

Hello from Hamburg. I hope you visit Hamburg again for a longer time.

[@buncharted]

oh, we plan to!

[@Thomas_TdK]

that's DB for you. you never now what is going to happen

[@frankgeurts3912]

Lots of hours,on steel wheels 🚂🚂

[@Bowwow30]

I'm curious: what do you like better, a Curryworst or a frikandel? And have you tried a frikandel speciaal (frikandel with curryketchup, mayo and chopped onions)?

[@buncharted]

i prefer a currywurst, but only because i find the curry ketchup in the netherlands too sweet. i prefer my fries speciaal though (i love the chopped onions).

[@val91201]

Trooper is the word you were looking for

[@MilesinTransit]

I'm kind of impressed you were only 2 hours late given how crazy those detours were! (although geez, no food on ANY train for a trip that long is awful) Great video!

[@buncharted]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Patrick-on2ty]

ab D gibt es meist auch etwas zu Essen! auch beim ICE von Amsterdam - D nur Café und später in D gibt es Essen

[@hcjkruse]

fun fact: this train used to start in Hoek van Holland (Rotterdam) and was called the boat train from London to Moscow. the part between Hoek of Holland and Schiedam was converted to Tube/Metro/"Underground" a few years ago.

[@buncharted]

WHAT! that’s so cool!! do you have a link where i can read more about it?

[@hcjkruse]

@@buncharted I grew up in Schiedam and an aunt from Oldenzaal used that train to visit us. Oldenzaal used to be the last stop before the border, currently it is the larger station more inland in Hengelo. nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moskou_Expres

[@buncharted]

gosh, i would have loved to have taken this it's our dream to take the train all the way from here to south korea or japan someday, but the trans-siberian would be a big portion of the trip

[@hcjkruse]

@@buncharted there is a ferry from Shanghai to Japan. You could take the Queen Mary 2 from the US to the UK and then take a ferry to mainland Europe. UK to Santander Spain might be nice. Russia obviously is a bit problematic nowadays. There are KZbin videos on all mentioned ferries

[@VeniVidiAjax]

Dutch people tend to complain about the NS all the time. But it’s the most densed railway in Europe (even the world I believe). And it’s 90% on time. Which is pretty good. Apparently DB is pretty bad indeed.

[@Dutchbelg3]

OK, That was an unfortunate journey! But why did n't you eat somewhere on the platforms ? Weren't there any kiosks?

[@buncharted]

the transfers were super tight except for hamburg, but at that point, we wanted to hold out for that spot in berlin!

[@Dutchbelg3]

@@buncharted i subscribed 😀 You 2 are fun to watch. Kindly invite you over to Antwerp. I would love to show you guys the good stuff ! 😀

[@Wielie0305]

Oops, what a trip. It’s a bit like the autobahn with all the baustelle

[@MHG1023]

Well, you were really unlucky because you travelled on the day we had a horrible freight train accident on the main line between Hannover and Berlin (which actually completely blocked the route for at least a whole week - it was a train transporting propane gas and some of the containers were leaking due to damage ...) ... and getting trains (and passengers for that matter) from/to Berlin was really a challenge for DB. Unfortunately DB lacks sufficient capacity to circumvent such a major incident. Such a heavy impact runs the system into chaos and if the train you are on has an issue as well --- go figure ...

[@buncharted]

yeah. honestly, we get it. it was just the lack of communication ahead of time from DB that was disappointing. it would have been nice if they automatically rebooked us and reserved our seats (since we had reserved seats). i’d still do it again over flying though :)

[@rwiersema]

I know that in the Netherlands (NS) if you're delayed for more than 30 minutes you can get a refund. I wonder if there's a similar policy in Germany (probably not XD )

[@Snowshowslow]

There is! I don't think it kicks in at 30 minutes, but when our journey took about 8 hours more than planned, we got our hotel refunded and part of our train tickets too. They even handed out the forms in the train :)

[@john_jordan]

100% a vlog.

[@niekgrootrouwen9488]

Great video❤! I like to invite you to visit Twente the most beautiful region in the Netherlands

[@mediocrebastard]

"It's an older train, but it checks out" heheh

[@buncharted]

glad someone finally got the reference 😄

[@daaneijkel]

Why didn't you get any food during the 50 minutes you were in Hamburg?

[@buncharted]

we almost did! but we decided to hold out for the currywurst place in berlin (at the end of the video).

[@hape3862]

Did I see the rails through the hole in the toilet? I thought the toilets were no longer emptied into the open air?!??

[@buncharted]

i think it's the light reflecting off the window but i am not 100% sure, haha - it definitely looks that way!

[@hape3862]

@@buncharted You rode an IC, which are known to be very old wagons (probably from my childhood, and I'm 55 years old!) that have been overhauled many times. So, them still having open air toilets would make sense. However, I have heard that they will soon be finally retired.

[@SimplyRailway]

Damn... classic DB situation :( sorry about that guys. It sucks :(

[@buncharted]

haha, all good. free tour of northern germany 😄

[@bli2008]

file a complain at ns (I assume), you'll get part returned. we had last week 2hr delay going to freiburg and my wife got 50% refunded

[@buncharted]

we booked direct through db - will look into it though! thank you!

[@dutchgamer842]

@@buncharted The ICE train is operated by DB and by NS, so you might need to check which one you had

[@Meppeler1971]

No food on a international train, I’ll find it not done… I wanted some day take a train to Berlin….. this is not a good promotion to this train track. 😜😜

[@buncharted]

😅😅😅

[@frankgeurts3912]

Airplane is 1 hour trip

[@Steven91637]

Why dont you just fly its better or you take the ICE Bullettrain.

[@Hensepens64]

Is no ICE (German high-speed train) direct to Berlin from Amsterdam? To Berlin via Hamburg? 😤🤔 And is it a VLOG? Ofcourse it is . I will no check definitely you Berlin VLOG. Berlin is great.

[@buncharted]

i think it's IC from amsterdam to berlin (so amsterdam to osnabruck for us, haha) and it was ICE on the trains we took inside of germany. so we got the full experience that day! and we LOVED berlin - we think our vlog next week captures that :)

[@wimschiphorst8541]

The problem was known. NS published this in the Dutch media. They also indicated that they would NOT take the detour route indicated by the German Railways. But the slow train from Hanover to Berlin. The time was therefore only 20 minutes longer. Was also communicated in the NS app.

[@Patrick-on2ty]

ic Amsterdam Berlin alle 2h

[@pmvdmeulen]

Why eat so little?

[@jwvhvt]

Everything is relative, and every person in the world will have an issue with the public transportation they are used to. At some point in the life of a Dutchie, he/she will use the train services outside The Netherlands. afterwards, they will never bitch and/or moan about the Dutch rail services again.... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SilverScroll]

Holy shit, the sheer amount of bad luck that had to accumulate for _all that_ to happen in a single trip... did you at least get your 50% refund for arriving 2 hours late?

[@buncharted]

i was due a refund???

[@SilverScroll]

@@buncharted Yes, actually - according to the European Passenger Rights Regulation for rail travel, if you arrive at least 1 hour late you are entitled to a 25% refund, and a 50% refund if you are at least 2 hours late. You do need to apply for it, though - DB allows you to do it via a passenger rights form (ask for it from train or station staff) or via the DB Navigator app if you have your booking loaded into it (tap "Edit booking" when viewing the booking - you may need to deactivate the filter to only show valid tickets for an old one to show up - and follow the prompts that allow you to submit a claim).

[@buncharted]

ah! that’s good to know!!

[@Bowwow30]

DB is so bad. Incredible for a country that got its shit together so well. Apart from the internet-quality, which is really bad too. Be glad you live in NL and not in Germany.

[@buncharted]

100%

[@nomirrors3552]

I'm heading from Berlin to Utrecht Friday, this is incredible timing. I was worried about food. And now I'm worried about my trip

[@buncharted]

bring snacks and report back :)

[@nomirrors3552]

@@buncharted Now I'm planning to talk to my local bakery and have them make a bunch of little brotchen sandwiches for us. Do you know if we can check on that track closure and see if it's still there? Would the DB office tell us?

[@buncharted]

@@nomirrors3552 we booked through DB and didn't get a notification about it ahead of time and our train status didn't clearly note it either. it probably would be a good idea to pop into the ticket office before leaving. someone else in the comments said the track won't be fixed until january!

[@nomirrors3552]

@@buncharted So on the day of the trip we went 2 hours early, just in case this was a problem. And there was a problem! We ended up going all the way to Dusseldorf to minimize transfers *(I have three kids) and from there we made our way to Utrecht. We met some lovely people on the way and we were amazed by the Utrecht train station. The art here is huge and inspiring. There was also an incident as we tried to leave the station. They hold you hostage... and the DB ticket had the QR code but it was too tiny for the machine to scan. In the end a guard let us through. I'm still trying to figure out this whole "ticket to leave" thing.

[@buncharted]

@@nomirrors3552 ha, we had trouble getting through the gates in rotterdam with the QR code. thankfully, it eventually worked, but it was not as smooth as getting through with an NS ticket!

[@molonlabe9068]

Why do you still travel with face masks?

[@buncharted]

they were required on german trains at the time