A train journey from Leipzig to Hanover
The double-decker IC of Deutsche Bahn.
In addition to the ICE, there is another train category that belongs to the so-called "long-distance transport" - the Intercity (IC). I would like to introduce you to one of its connections with the modern "IC2" in this blog.
The InterCity (IC) to the right of the ICE (InterCityExpress).
Leipzig-Hanover timetable
In the 2025 timetable, this connection runs every hour. The departure time of 12:38 is easy to remember. Trains always depart 38 minutes after the hour, sometimes 40 or 42 minutes, but 38 is the most common. Arrival is usually 23 minutes past the hour in Hanover, after a journey time of just under 3 hours.
Journey time: between 2:41 hours and 2:45 hours.
First train: 05:40
Last train: 20:38
Exceptions: for the connections at 09:38 and 15:38 you have to change trains in Magdeburg
From time to time there are also additional trains, so that on rare occasions there is even a half-hourly service between Leipzig and Hanover. Recently, trains have sometimes also been running as ICEs, but this does not change the journey time.
The train stops en route in Halle, Köthen, Magdeburg, Helmstedt and Braunschweig and continues either to Cologne or Bremen and Norddeich Mole. However, the intermediate stops may vary on different days of the week or due to construction work. Look here on the Deutsche Bahn website for connections and you will receive precise information for your journey.
RCC11903 Route of the IC2440 from Dresden via Leipzig to Hanover and Cologne
RCC11911 A map shows the current position while travelling
If you would like to drive this connection in the opposite direction, then I have a blog for you here.
Tickets
Cheapest ticket: 17.90 EUR. Subject to availability (you usually have to book in advance.
Flex price = standard price: 75 EUR. (always available)
You can buy tickets buy here. Savings fares are often still available a few days before departure, and there are also other savings fare categories between EUR 20 and EUR 70. Tickets can be conveniently printed out at home when booking online or saved in the app and shown on your mobile phone.
Discounts are available with Bahncard 25 (25% discount on everything) and Bahncard 50 (50% discount on the Flex fare and 25% discount on saver fares).
Reservation/Interrail
It is possible to reserve a seat, but this is not a must. This means you can also travel here free of charge with Interrail. The optional reservation costs EUR 5.20 per person and is (also available individually) here possible. Simply click on "Seat only" when selecting the cities below. In my experience, however, the train is never too full.
The journey and equipment of the IC2
In my opinion, the IC of the "2" series (i.e. IC2) is the most comfortable IC, perhaps even the most comfortable long-distance train in Germany. However, this only applies when it is not full and unfortunately it runs very slowly. It is a double-decker train and has 1st and 2nd class seating carriages.
You can move between the floors via a staircase.
A sign shows which pitch numbers are where.
In 2nd class there are 2 seats on each side of the aisle, in 1st class there are 2 on one side and 1 on the other (i.e. 2+1 seating) and the seats are made of leather and are significantly wider.
1st class lower floor.
1st class 4-seater with fixed table.
1st class two seats.
2nd class lower floor.
2nd class upper floor.
I particularly like the 4-seater seats with a fixed table in the centre.
2nd class, 4-seater with fixed table, upper floor - my personal favourite place!
However, the 2-seater seats also have a small table that can be folded out from the chair in front. I actually always prefer to sit upstairs.
Fold-out table at every seat.
There is also a WC for wheelchair users and barrier-free access (low-floor boarding). The train is therefore completely barrier-free!
Barrier-free bathroom is located on the lower floor.
Barrier-free WC.
The train has a family area and offers excellent facilities for carrying bicycles or bulky luggage.
Sufficient parking spaces for bicycles or pushchairs in the basement.
Toddler area with play corner.
Seating area for families.
The IC now also has WLAN. Unfortunately, there is no dining car, but at least there is an on-board bistro with snacks at reasonable prices. This is certainly not an adequate substitute. In addition, the IC trains only travel at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, so they are not really fast. In my opinion, however, this is bearable, as IC trains are intended to make as many direct connections as possible. This means that the train stops more often and in cities that are not too big. The ICE, on the other hand, should, in my opinion, travel faster and not stop so often.
And please don't forget: Pay attention to waste separation!
The journey takes you through the green centre of Germany. It starts in Leipzig, the largest city in Saxony and, since the end of 2019, once again with over 600,000 inhabitants. Here you can travel comfortably by S-Bahn to the main station through the Cit-Tunnel or, for example, get off directly at the market square.
InterCity ready to depart in the direction of Hanover and Cologne.
Saxony-Anhalt is not considered to be as densely populated, you also cross the Elbe here.
The journey is relatively slow (I usually travel at 120 km/h). However, it is still the fastest connection on the Leipzig-Hanover route.
In the end, I arrive on time at Hanover main station, the capital of Lower Saxony.
Two class 2 InterCity trains at Hanover main station.
Here are a few more pictures of the main station there, it was quite full on the day I was travelling. Here, for example, you have a connection to Bremen or (as in my case) to Hamburg. The train itself stands here for 23 minutes and then continues to Cologne main station.
The huge double-decker carriage on the platform.
Stairs lead down to the other platforms.
There are shops under the platforms. You have to go this way if you need to change platforms.
Stairs, escalators and lifts take you back up to the track level.
If you change trains there, you can continue your journey on the next train. Incidentally, the television tower is in the background.
Conclusion
The train is definitely one of those that I look forward to boarding. What's more, it has excellent punctuality. It has never been late by an order of magnitude when I have travelled on it. On arrival in Dresden, he was even about 4 minutes early once. However, it must also be said that it stops in Magdeburg, for example, for 9 minutes, so it can also compensate for a slight delay. Nevertheless, the comfort is really excellent and more pleasant than any car journey.
Tickets and reservations as well as BahnCards can be buy here. If you use these booking links for your trips, we receive a small commission and can provide free content like this one. The price remains the same, of course. If you liked my blog, please feel free to recommend us or leave more interesting travel reports from around the world. If you have any questions, please write a comment below the travelogue.
If you would like to stay overnight in Hanover, then best look here. I've never been in Hanover for any length of time, so unfortunately I can't recommend a hotel/hostel. For me, the journey continues to Hamburg: you can read about this trip here.
Important links
Timetable / Journey time approx. 2:45 hours: German railway
Buy train tickets. Price depends on date of travel and train class, from EUR 17.90: German railway
Book a hotel in Leipzig and Hanover: Booking.com
InterRail - a train ticket for the whole of Europe: InterRail
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