ICE quiet zone rules

What the quiet zone is

• Where it is: Quiet zones (Ruhebereiche) are in selected compartments, in the ICE Lounges (the compartments behind the driver) or in entire cars. bahn.de
• What is not welcome: Mobile phone calls, ringtones and loud music, including through headphones, plus other noisy activities. bahn.de
• The phone zone: Areas marked with a mobile phone symbol (Handybereiche) have signal amplifiers, so you can take calls at your seat. If you need to call, sit there instead. bahn.de

DB describes the quiet zone as a request for consideration; its page lists no penalty for breaking it. The general terms of carriage require every passenger to behave so that others are not unduly disturbed.

Finding the right car and seat

• Check the car sequence: On the travel day the DB Navigator app shows in "Fahrtinformationen" where first and second class, the bistro, the family area and the quiet zone are. Platforms are divided into sections marked A to F, so you can wait at the right spot before the train arrives. bahn.de
• Family area is separate: Nearly all ICE trains have a family area in second class, usually in the middle of the train near the bistro, aimed mainly at kindergarten and primary-school children. Toddlers have their own compartment. DB does not call the family area a quiet zone, so expect more noise there. bahn.de
• Seat layout: Open-plan ICE cars have 4 seats per row in second class and 3 in first class; knee room is at least 80 cm in second class. bahn.de

Seat rules that cause arguments

• One seat per person: Each passenger may occupy only one seat. Toddler compartments, seats for BahnBonus Gold and Platinum members and priority seats for people with disabilities or reduced mobility must be vacated when needed by those groups. bahn.de
• Staff instructions: Passengers who ignore staff instructions or seriously disturb others can be excluded from carriage without a refund. bahn.de

FAQ

Can you talk on the phone in an ICE?

Yes, but not in the quiet zone. DB marks phone zones with a mobile phone symbol; they have signal amplifiers.

Are headphones allowed in the quiet zone?

DB lists loud music, including through headphones, among the things that are not welcome there.

How do I find the quiet zone on my train?

On the travel day open the train in the DB Navigator and look at the car sequence under Fahrtinformationen. It shows the quiet zone, family area and bistro.