Originally Posted by magexpect
Here the difference:
IC is short for Intercity trains, direct trains between larger cities.
ICE is short for Intercity Europe, but they are special German highspeed trains easy recognizable as they are all white and are in appearance a modern version of the bullet trains in Japan. They usually request reservation or supplement to ride on them.
The equivalent of the German ICE are the TGV in France or the Pendolino in Italy.
The IC's are international trains, with modern carriages with AC as well except maybe in Italy and some in France. Except for some night trains, you don't need reservations.
ICE = "Intercity Express" (the prototypes were called "Intercity Experimental"). Most run only inside Germany, with some extensions to Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. They are indeed high-speed trains (up to 220 mph on some new, dedicated routes) and are all streamlined, like the TGV, and are painted white with a red stripe. They cost extra, but the supplement is included in the Eurailpass. Reservations cost 3 Euros for an entire trip, including transfers. (Why are you paying $11?). The Italian equivalent is the "Eurostar Italia," some of which are pendular trains.
The IC trains ("Intercity") are almost 100% intra-German; the international versions are called EC ("Eurocity"), but the Berlin-Amsterdam direct train is an IC. IC and German EC trains are also painted white with a red stripe. Some of the older second-class cars do not have air conditioning. They run at speeds up to 125 mph.
The all-IC, non-stop train from Berlin to Amsterdam goes via the most direct route. The ICE route should be an ICE Berlin to Duisburg and an ICE Duisburg to Amsterdam, but some connections could involve an IC/ICE change in Duisburg and maybe even changes in Hanover (unusual) and Duisburg. I suggest you check your schedules again. All the trains will have a "bistro" car with limited full meals, but the Berlin-Hanover ICE trains usually have full diners. If you're riding in first class you should be able to look out the front window, over the driver's shoulder, between Duisburg and Amsterdam - if the seats aren't all taken already. In any case, it's a pleasant trip; enjoy it!