I was basing it on the information on this page: https://www.bahn.com/en/offers/saver-fare although now that I look at it the prices are "from" ~€20. IIRC there was also a limit on train prices across Germany over the summer, I think I may have confused these two.

€70-90 intercity is still cheaper than £100 to get halfway across England, with prices going up from there. Particularly when you look at the distances travelled. Again, this is standard fare, first class is much more expensive.

While maybe not as cheap as I was saying, train travel most definitely is better and cheaper in Germany than the UK, in my experience. I was in Germany a couple months ago using the train to get around. The situation might be headed in the same direction, but it's far better over there.

For a specific example, Munich to Berlin takes 4-4.5 hours by train, compared to 5.5 hours driving, a distance of 590 km / 360 miles. The 4 hour route can be €70 euros, peak price is €170 while if you travel late in the day you can get it for just €17.90. Meanwhile, Bristol to Leeds is only 209 miles or 330 km, takes 3.5 hours by car or by train, but a train ticket will cost you £108.10 one way super off peak (after morning rush).

So I guess German trains can be as expensive as UK trains, but you get many more cheaper options than we do - all while covering greater distances with trains that are quicker than driving.