ICE 4 (Hamburg – Frankfurt)

ICE line 4 is a Sprinter service of DB Fernverkehr AG connecting Hamburg-Altona with Frankfurt am Main four times daily via Hamburg and Hanover.

Updated 2026-10-28 · rev 5

Profile

Concept kind: Rail line
Last extension: Fahrplanwechsel Dezember 2025: Ausbau auf vier Zugpaare täglich; ein Zuglauf bis Flensburg, im Sommer einzelne Fahrten bis Padborg (Dänemark)
Termini: Hamburg-Altona – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
Structure: Sprinterlinie über die Ausbaustrecke Hamburg–Hannover und die Schnellfahrstrecke Hannover–Würzburg nach Fulda, weiter über die Ausbaustrecke nach Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen
Maximum speed: bis zu 280 km/h (ICE 1) bzw. 250 km/h (ICE 4)
Status: In Betrieb
Operator: DB Fernverkehr AG
Owner: Deutsche Bahn AG (Betreiber: DB Fernverkehr AG)
Depots: ICE-Werk Hamburg-Eidelstedt (ICE-1-Triebzüge)
Rolling stock: ICE 1, ICE 4
Headway: viermal täglich je Richtung (Sprinter)

Overview

ICE line 4 has operated since the timetable change in December 2025 as a Sprinter service between Hamburg-Altona and Frankfurt am Main via Hamburg, Hanover and Fulda. It runs four times daily in each direction and calls at only a few intermediate stops; one train path runs through to Flensburg, and in summer individual services continue to Padborg (Denmark). Trains of the ICE 1 and ICE 4 series are used. Line number 4 must not be confused with the identically named ICE 4 multiple unit (Class 412).

Operator

The operator is DB Fernverkehr (DB Long-Distance Transport).

History

Line 4 operates as a Sprinter service between Hamburg and Frankfurt Airport. At the timetable change in December 2025 the service was expanded to four train pairs daily; one train path runs through to Flensburg, and in summer individual services continue on to Padborg. Line number 4 must not be confused with the identically named ICE 4 series.