How to find your train at the station on the day of your travel and read the electronic board

You’re at the train station – where do you go?
Which train is yours? Which platform do you use? Do you have a seat reservation?  These questions cause a surprising amount of stress for first-time visitors. In Part 3 of our InterCity Train Guide, we show you exactly how to read the departure board so you’ll know where to find your train and where to wait for it on the platform.

InterCity Train Guide

Part 1: Buying Tickets 
Part 2: Reading Your Ticket 
Part 3: ✓ Finding Your Train (current)
Part 4: Riding the Train

Before You Leave the Hotel

✔ Verify today's departure time.
✔ Check for delays.
✔ Note the platform if it has been assigned.
✔ Know your coach number.
✔ Have your ticket ready before boarding.

As the train pulls into the station - detailed information regarding your reservation can now be found in the DB app

Step 1 — Find your train on the departure board

The main departure board shows all trains arriving and departing. The key information this gives you is the platform the train will be on and whether there is a delay.

Verify:

  • Train number
  • Departure time – check to see if it is on time or delayed
  • Destination – trains are listed by their final destination. If you get off or transfer like we did you will not see the intermediate stops here.
  • Platform/track – this is what you need to know
  • Once your platform/track is identified proceed to that platform/track 

🧳  Don’t be Surprised

If you are too early your train may not be listed yet – it might not show up until it is about 20 minutes before it departs

We had tickets on train #9590 with the ultimate destination of Paris East Station. Our tickets got off at Strasbourg.

Step 2 Proceed to the platform/track

🧳  Don’t be Surprised

Keep an eye on the departure board and/or the platform board for any track changes. It happens often.

The platform board describes the train configuration and tells you where to stand on the platform to meet the train.

This one is for an

  • ICE train #9590 to Paris East
  • Leaving on track 5
  • At 11:01.
  • The tickets indicate:
    •  car 23
    • seat numbers 101 and 103.

Back to the platform board:

    • When the train arrives car 23 will line up with area C on the platform.
    • Go stand in area C to wait for the train (in the photo you can see a sign in the distance saying A5.  Proceed to C5)
    • Cars 28 and 29 are first class.
    • Between car 28 and 25 is the food car. 

Step 3 Find your car

We photographed this train at another station because it provides a clearer example of how coach numbers are displayed. 

  • This one is Eurostar #9332
  • To Paris North
  • Car 15.

Using the example it would have said: 

  • ICE #9590
  • To Paris East
  • Car 23.

Step 4 Monitor the train progress on the electronic signage inside each car.

This photo shows the electronic board inside the train to keep the passengers updated on key information such as the next stop.

Split platforms

🧳  Don’t be Surprised:

Some platforms are intended to allow two trains to occupy one platform at the same time. In this situation the platform is split into virtual sections labeled A and B.  This photo shows platform 15b

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