Overview
The RE 5 is not a train that announces itself with fanfare, and that is rather the point. It runs a straightforward regional line between Friedrichshafen Stadt and Stuttgart, carrying commuters, students, day-trippers and the occasional patient traveller happy to swap speed for scenery.
There is no first-class glamour here, no dining car theatrics. What you get instead is an honest cross-country run that climbs out of a lakeside town and works its way up towards a major city, taking in a broad slice of countryside along the way.
If you want a lesson in how much can change in a single train journey, from lake air to rolling hills to the edges of a large urban centre, this is a useful and unpretentious way to see it.
Key facts
| From | Friedrichshafen Stadt |
|---|---|
| To | Stuttgart |
| Operator | DB Regio AG |
The route and the character of the journey
Starting at Friedrichshafen Stadt, the train pulls away from the shore and begins a gradual transition inland. The early stretch tends to feel open and calm, with the kind of soft light and wide skies you get near large bodies of water.
As the route continues towards Stuttgart, the landscape shifts into more rolling, undulating terrain, with fields, small settlements and patches of woodland passing the window. It is not a dramatic alpine spectacle, but a steady, changing patchwork that rewards those who actually look up from their phone.
By the time the train approaches Stuttgart, the surroundings become noticeably more built-up, with denser housing, industrial edges and the general hum of a city drawing near. The journey therefore works almost like a short documentary on how a regional landscape gradually becomes an urban one.
Timetable and how to book
Services on the RE 5 vary according to season, day of the week and demand, so there is no single fixed pattern that applies all year round. The sensible approach is to check current departures directly with DB Regio AG before travelling.
Because this is a regional service operated within a structured regional network, tickets and schedules are generally straightforward to find through the operator's usual booking channels. Avoid relying on old timetables or word of mouth, since regional services are the ones most likely to be adjusted seasonally.
If your journey depends on a connection at either end, build in some flexibility. Regional trains of this kind are reliable workhorses, but they are not immune to the usual pressures of a busy rail network.
Fares and classes
As with fares, exact prices are not something to guess at here — check directly with DB Regio AG for current options, discounts and any regional travel passes that might apply within the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart area.
In terms of classes, a regional service like the RE 5 typically distinguishes between standard seating and a slightly more comfortable second option, rather than offering the kind of first-class luxury associated with long-distance intercity trains.
The difference tends to be about comfort and space rather than any dramatic change in facilities: a bit more room, perhaps quieter surroundings, but the same windows and the same view. Nobody chooses this train for opulence; they choose it for the practicality of getting from a lakeside town to a major city without fuss.
Which side to sit for the best views
Because the route moves from open, lake-influenced surroundings near Friedrichshafen Stadt into more textured, hilly countryside en route to Stuttgart, it is worth choosing a seat that faces outward rather than one hemmed in by luggage racks or partitions.
There is no single 'correct' side that guarantees the best view for the entire journey, since the landscape changes character more than once along the route. Instead, aim for a window seat generally, and be ready to enjoy different types of scenery at different stages rather than expecting one dominant vista throughout.
Travellers who prioritise scenery over convenience might also consider travelling at a time of day when natural light is best, since regional trains like this rely on daylight rather than any special illumination to show off the passing landscape.
The onboard experience
Expect the standard, functional comfort of a modern regional train: panoramic-style windows that let in plenty of light, reasonably comfortable seating, and enough space to store a bag without wrestling for room.
Catering, where available, is likely to be limited compared with long-distance services, so it is worth bringing your own food and drink if you would rather not depend on onboard options. This is a practical regional workhorse, not a train built around hospitality.
The atmosphere tends to reflect its passengers: a mix of commuters, students and travellers heading somewhere specific, rather than tourists settling in for a scenic spectacle. That said, the changing landscape outside the window means even a functional journey can feel quietly rewarding.
Best time of year to travel
The character of this journey shifts with the seasons, as you would expect from a route that spends time near open water before moving through farmland and hills.
In warmer months, the lakeside start tends to feel especially pleasant, with long daylight hours making the transition from open landscape to rolling countryside easy to watch unfold. Fields and woodland along the way often appear at their most vivid.
In colder months, the same route can take on a starker, quieter beauty, with bare trees and muted colours giving the journey a different mood. Either way, the shifting scenery means the RE 5 rarely feels exactly the same trip twice.
Onward connections from Stuttgart
Arriving into Stuttgart, travellers generally find themselves well placed to continue onward, since the city functions as a significant hub within the wider regional and national rail network.
From here, it is usually possible to connect onward to other regional services or longer-distance trains, depending on your final destination. As always, check current connections and timings directly with the operator rather than assuming a fixed pattern.
For those arriving from Friedrichshafen Stadt, Stuttgart can serve as a natural point to either conclude a leisurely regional trip or to pick up the pace again on a faster onward service.
A short history and context note
Regional rail links between smaller towns near lakes and larger inland cities have long played an important role in connecting everyday life to major economic centres, and this corridor is no exception.
Over different eras, the operation of such regional services has evolved considerably, from earlier generations of regional trains to the more modern regional rail model now run under DB Regio AG.
The RE 5 fits within that broader tradition: unglamorous perhaps, but a steady thread linking a lakeside community to a major city, much as similar regional lines have done for generations.
Common questions
- Do I need to book in advance for the RE 5?
- Booking requirements and availability can vary, so it is best to check directly with DB Regio AG rather than assume a fixed system applies year-round.
- Is there a first-class option on this train?
- Regional services like the RE 5 typically offer a standard and a slightly more comfortable second option rather than a full first-class experience, though you should confirm exact class arrangements with the operator.
- Which side of the train has the best views?
- There is no single best side for the whole journey, since the landscape changes from open, lake-influenced scenery near Friedrichshafen Stadt to rolling countryside further along the route. A general window seat is your best bet.
- Is catering available on board?
- Onboard catering is likely to be limited, in keeping with typical regional services, so bringing your own refreshments is a sensible precaution.
- What's the best time of year to take this journey?
- Warmer months tend to highlight the open, lakeside start of the route, while colder months bring a quieter, starker beauty to the countryside sections. Both offer a different but worthwhile experience.
On the map
Sources & method
- OpenStreetMap route=train (ODbL) — route
See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.