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BahnBonus Statuslevel

Wenn Sie viel mit der Bahn unterwegs sind, bringt Ihnen Ihre Anmeldung zu BahnBonus jetzt noch mehr: Denn durch das Sammeln von Statuspunkten können Sie eines unserer BahnBonus Statuslevel erreichen und von vielen attraktiven Vorteilen profitieren.

• Sammeln Sie Statuspunkte bei jedem Fahrkarten- und BahnCard Kauf  und erhalten Sie einen Statuspunkt pro einem Euro Umsatz
• Jedes der drei Statuslevel Silber ,  Gold  und Platin bietet Ihnen unterschiedliche, exklusive Vorteile
• Die Statuslevel haben eine Gültigkeit von 12 Monaten
• Alle Statusvorteile sind digital und einfach in der BahnBonus App einlösbar
• Neu: Geschäftlich punkten, persönlich profitieren: wir übernehmen den geldwerten, steuerpflichtigen Vorteil

BahnBonus App laden

Nur mit der BahnBonus App können Sie all Ihre Statusvorteile wie beispielsweise den Zugang zur DB Lounge oder den exklusiven Sitzplatzbereich im Zug nutzen. Hier haben Sie auch Ihren Punktestand und Ihr Statuslevel immer im Blick und Ihre digitale BahnBonus Karte griffbereit.

• Mehr zur BahnBonus App Weitere Informationen: Mehr zur BahnBonus App

Vorteile je Statuslevel im Überblick

(1) Bis zu 4-mal täglich nutzbar.

(2) Im ICE/IC speziell gekennzeichneter Bereich, der ohne Reservierung nach Verfügbarkeit spontan genutzt werden kann.

(3) Informationen zur DB Lounge inklusive Zutrittsbestimmungen .

(4) Sitzplätze, die nach Verfügbarkeit ausschließlich für Kund:innen mit Statuslevel Platin reservierbar sind.

(5) Exklusive Kontaktmöglichkeiten für Statuskund:innen via Telefon oder E-Mail.

(6) Aus dem Level Platin kann höchstens eine Zurückstufung in das Level Silber erfolgen.

Die BahnBonus Statuslevel im Detail

ab 1.500 Statuspunkten​

ab 2.500 Statuspunkten

ab 6.000 Statuspunkten

Weitere Informationen zu den BahnBonus Statusleveln

Voraussetzung, um ein statuslevel zu erreichen.

Die Anmeldung zu BahnBonus und das Sammeln von Statuspunkten ist die Voraussetzung, um eines der drei Statuslevel zu erreichen. Statuspunkte können Sie bei  Fahrkarten- und BahnCard Käufen  sammeln. Eine BahnCard ist nicht erforderlich, um ein Statuslevel zu erreichen.

Die Statusvorteile nutzen

Die Statusvorteile können Sie ausschließlich über die BahnBonus App* nutzen, z.B. in der DB Lounge durch einfaches Abscannen des hinterlegten Codes. Daneben gibt es auch Leistungen, die Sie durch Zeigen der digitalen BahnBonus Karte oder durch Links einlösen können.

*Zur Nutzung der BahnBonus App benötigen Sie bei iOS Version 15.0 oder höher; bei Android benötigen Sie Version 8.0 oder höher.

Gültigkeit der Statuslevel

Ihr Statuslevel ist ab Erreichen der jeweiligen Punkteschwelle 12 Monate gültig. Sollte Ihr Statuspunktestand in dieser Zeit unter die Punkteschwelle fallen, bleiben Sie trotzdem in Ihrem Statuslevel. Entscheidend ist der Punktestand am Ende der Statuslaufzeit. Wenn Sie zum Ende des Statuslaufzeit die Punkteschwelle des jeweiligen Levels wieder erreicht haben, bekommen Sie das Statuslevel für weitere 12 Monate. Wie lange Ihr Statuslevel noch gültig ist, sehen Sie jederzeit in der BahnBonus App oder im eingeloggten Bereich auf bahn.de bzw. im DB Navigator.

Upgrade in das nächste Statuslevel

Bei einem Upgrade aktualisiert sich Ihr Statuslevel automatisch. Sie erhalten die Vorteile des höheren Statuslevels also direkt mit Erreichen der Punkteschwelle. Ungenutzte Vorteile des etwaigen vorigen Levels verfallen. Die Laufzeit für das neue Level beträgt ab diesem Zeitpunkt erneut zwölf Monate.​

Noch Fragen?

Der BahnBonus Service hilft Ihnen weiter!

Telefon:  030 2970  (Mo bis So von 6 bis 23 Uhr)

E-Mail:  [email protected]

• FAQ: Antworten auf häufig gestellte Fragen zu BahnBonus Weitere Informationen: FAQ: Antworten auf häufig gestellte Fragen zu BahnBonus

Your COMPLETE Guide to Using the Deutsche Bahn in Germany

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!

One of the greatest things about living in Europe is the ease at which one can travel nearly the entire continents without a car. But before you can go and hop on any train, you need to know the ins and outs of using the Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s most powerful train service. You will be hard pressed to find another train in Germany which offers high speed trains throughout the entire country as DB is the ONLY option. So, please allow me to give you some tips for using the Deutsche Bahn in Germany!

In case you’re interested, PIN IT FOR LATER!!

Tips for Traveling to Germany

How to AVOID Looking Like a Tourist in Europe

100 Signs You’ve Lived in Germany For Too Long!

Learning how to use the Deutsche Bahn can be quite stressful, but having tips from a local on how to use the railways services always helps. From secret train deals to helpful suggestions, I’ve included a lot of vital information for the German rail system based for beginners on my personal experience as an expat living in Germany. Hopefully, you’ll find these train tips useful and help save you time and money while traveling in Germany! 

Types of Trains in Germany

First and foremost, you should know there are two types of trains by which you can travel in and around Germany which are the ICE & RB trains, but there are also variations of the regional trains. The following list excludes all other non-Deutsche Bahn trains.

• ICE – Germany’s high-speed train and it the fastest and most comfortable way to travel. This is for long distance travel between destinations like Munich to Berlin, Munich to Frankfurt etc. They are also used for traveling to other countries, but you can find more about traveling Europe by train using the Interrail pass or Eurail pass here.
• Discount tickets are not accepted
• Seat Reservations are possible
• Wifi on board
• Food & beverages on board
• Train restaurant
• Regional Trains – (Regio-DB or RB) slower trains which connect you to smaller cities within Germany and tend to be painted red. These trains are noted by all abbreviations other than “ICE”.
• Discount tickets accepted
• Seat Reservation only possible in First Class
• No Train Restaurant
• Stop in every.single.station
• RE (Regional Express) lines are for slightly longer distances than the RB. You can travel throughout the entire country using only RE lines, but it will take you a while. RE trains are also painted red.
• IC (Inter City) trains – IC trains are between the RE and ICE trains.  They are typically mostly white with red stripes, like the ICE trains, and they are generally faster than the RE trains.

Buying a Ticket and Booking Tickets Online

There are three ways in which you can purchase your ticket. You can either head straight for the nearest train station, find a ticket machine or the ticket counter and purchase your ticket, OR you can book online .

How to Use the Deutsche Bahn Ticket Machine

Every train station in Germany has red Deutsche Bahn ticket machines, where you can simply pick your language, choose the date of travel, your destinations and what kind of ticket you would like. Then pay for your ticket and print the schedule and the ticket.

Each state in Germany offers a special discount ticket . For example, in Bavaria, that ticket is called the “Bayern Ticket” , which allows up to 5 travelers to ride the rails with one ticket. The ticket is a standard price of 23 € for one person and increases by 5 € per person. Seems like a lot of money, but when you divide the total cost by the number of people in your party, it’s can help making traveling in Germany more affordable! You don’t have to break the bank when using public transportation in Germany!

• ALL PASSENGERS must sign the ticket!
• The ticket is good for 24 hours as many times as you want
• The ticket is ONLY VALID for any and all regional trains (NO ICE TRAINS!)
• The ticket is also valid for SOME city buses & S-bahns

**Hint: If you are traveling alone, look for people standing near the ticket machine asking if you’re headed towards Munich , Nuremberg , Frankfurt or Berlin. Generally these people are looking for people to share a ticket with!

Booking a Ticket Online

Head on over to Bahn.de , type in your destination, the day and time you prefer to travel, the type of train you prefer to travel with (ICE or Regional) and how many people are in your party. A list of train options will appear and you can check out the different prices, types of trains and changing times. Consider looking for an earlier or later train time to get the best deals (Bayern Ticket excluded).You will first choose your outward journey ticket and if you plan to return to a destination, you’ll click the “return journey” button.

You can make seat reservations for German high-speed (ICE) and night trains with the Deutsche Bahn up to 3 months in advance. You will need a reservation for sleeping accommodation on most night trains. Making a seat reservation for ICE trains are optional, but not required, however, during peak seasons, generally from May to September, it is highly recommended to reserve a seat to ensure you have a seat. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself standing until a free seat opens up.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to make an online reservation on trains traveling internationally to and from Germany . For those reservations, you will need to either call the Deutsche Bahn (+49 180 699 6633) or preferably going to an international ticket office located at all larger German train stations. 

After purchasing your ticket, you can either have the ticket mailed directly to you via Post (for an extra fee), download the ticket yourself and print it or to your phone as a QR code.If you book a ticket online, you will also need to choose how you will be identified on the train when the conductor checks your ticket (which can be your passport or your credit card).

You MUST travel with your chosen ID otherwise you risk paying for a new ticket and a fine, or being kicked off the train!

• The earlier you book, the better the deal you get.
• CHECK the notification box to receive updates about any changes to your train!!
• Pay attention to transfer times if you need to change trains. Give yourself enough time to get from one track to another! (Especially in larger cities!!)
• Booking a regular ticket implies that you have a specific time and train, which means you CAN NOT take any train you wish.
• There are first and second class options (You CAN NOT sit in first class without a first class ticket)
• Should one of your trains be cancelled (which can happen if there are union strikes), the restriction is revoked but you MUST have a train staff member confirm this before embarking on the train.

Understanding Your German Train ticket

How to Save Money Using the Deutsche Bahn!!

We have already discussed the special discount tickets (above). Now it’s time to talk about other ways to save money on the Deutsche Bahn!

If you plan to stay in Germany for a couple of months and travel extensively, you should consider the option of a German ‘ Bahncard ’. There are trial deals for a 3 month period and allows you to save 25% or 50% off the normal ticket price in addition to using local transport in combination with your tickets (only in combination, this is not meant for everyday public transport within cities).

You can also consider going the extra mile and purchasing the 3 month trail for the Bahn 100 card , which allows you to “pay once and travel with Deutsche Bahn wherever you like, whenever you like and as often as you like – without having to buy tickets for each trip”.

Deutsche Bahn App

For the most up-to-date info, download the user-friendly Deutsche Bahn App for free. You can search all Deutsche Bahn trains as well as private train times, including buses, U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahns (Cable Cars).

Other Helpful Tips for Using the Deutsche Bahn

If you’re a first time traveler to Germany, you need to learn about the possibility of your train being cancelled or rearranged due to the reoccurring strikes and protests between the employees of Deutsche Bahn and the company. This is an annual thing which results in many delays and frustrated travelers.

Before traveling, be sure to check your wagon arrangement in advance. You can do this by going straight to the train station and looking for the big YELLOW POSTER , next to the train platforms which has the regular schedule of the train. However, should your train be cancelled, looking in advance will not help.

If you booked your ticket online and if you checked the box to receive notifications to your email if changes to your train should occur (which you should have done as mentioned above!), you will receive an email if changes, delays or cancellations have been made regarding your booking!

Worst case scenario, head to the train station at least an hour early, check with the Deutsche Bahn help desk and speak to a member of staff who can help you out!

Navigating the Train Station

Every town and city has a ‘ Bahnhof ‘ (train station) while in larger cities they have a ‘ Hauptbahnhof ‘ (Main Train Station).

For the smaller Bahnhof stations, they will generally be quite empty and you will be hard pressed to find a member of staff to help you! Should you need help, try finding a local who *might* be able to help you. Otherwise, simply look for TV monitors with updated train info (usually at the platform) or look for the yellow or white posters for schedule plans.

For the large Hauptbahnhof, these are generally open 24 hours and finding a member of staff is easy. There will be a big Departures/Arrivals board as soon as you walk into a station with all the most updated train info.

Should your train be delayed, announcements will be made over the microphone, but considering you likely don’t speak German, simply head to your platform or back to the main Departures/Arrivals board and look for a highlighted note at the top of the board.

Train Station Vocabulary You Should Know!

• Arrivals –  die Ankunft
• Departures – die Abfahrt
• Arrival Time – Ankunftszeit
• Departure Time – Abfahrtszeit
• Schedule or timetable – der Fahrplan
• Train ticket – der Fahrschein
• Track or platform – das Gleis
• Later – Sp äter 
• Earlier – Früher

More train vocabulary

Finding Your Seat with Class!

Once you have reached your platform, look for the compartment you will be seated on. If you bought your ticket and printed it out online, your ticket will tell you which wagon and which seat you will be. If. for example, your ticket says that you are in Wagon 23, simply look for the train layout board, which will tell you exactly how your train should look. Then you know to go to sections A, B, C, D… and so on. ( Understanding Your German Train Ticket ).

The trains are clearly marked with a big 1 or 2 on the outside, as well as before each compartment to indicate which wagons are specifically First Class and Second Class . If you do reserve seats on the ICE train, your seats will be clearly marked on an electronic display above the seat. If the display is blank, there is no active seat reservation and you can sit there.

If you will be traveling on the Regional Trains, assigned seating is not possible. So, you can sit wherever you would like in Second Class, UNLESS you specifically bought a ticket to sit in First Class.

Dealing With Luggage on Board

Let’s admit it, traveling with luggage is the worst part of traveling and trains don’t make it any better.

Both regional and ICE trains have *some* overhead space, but this is really only for small bags and suitcases. Large suitcases CAN be squeezed above, but I would ONLY recommend this if there is absolutely no other option.

For ICE trains, there is always a luggage compartment/rack where you can stow your luggage, but it is mixed with luggage from other passengers and it is not always visible from your seat in order to keep an eye on your belongings. Store your luggage there at your own risk. However, if you are so lucky to find seats which are not occupied near the entrance doors to the wagon, you can find extra space behind the seats and plop down. I highly recommend this. Otherwise, if the train is not full, you can put your small luggage on the seat next to you and the suitcase in the foot space.

If you are on Regional trains, there are no luggage compartments/racks, so you will need to have your luggage on the seat next to you, or if your suitcases are too large, I recommend sitting either in a 4-person section where there is plenty of leg room, if the train is not crowded or head to the bike wagon and sit on a pull down chair where there is plenty of room for your luggage.

Other Rail Passes

The DeutscheBahn has a similar rail pass to the Eurailpass, but for only travel within Germany, called the German Rail Pass . With the purchase of the German Rail Pass, you can avoid the hassle of buying tickets and save money! However, should you be interested in the German Rail Pass, you’ll need to pop over to a DB ticket window at any Hauptbahnhof to purchase them and make reservations. (If you so not make reservations during peak season, you risk not having a seat on board.) Tickets for a second-class ticket, (for travel on any 5 days in a month) start at $191 (for travelers under the age of 25). While for an adult ticket with the German Rail Pass begins at $319. (Prices may vary.)

Please keep in mind that these special rail passes must be purchased in advance and typically come with many restrictions. For example, a Eurailpass can ONLY be purchased in North America PRIOR to arriving in Germany. If you would like to travel to Germany’s neighboring countries, for a fee, you can get an extension for the German Rail Pass which will allow travel to neighboring countries, however, Austria and Switzerland have their own special rail passes.

Final Tips for Riding the Trains

• Try not to book trains that are during high peak hours where people are commuting to/from work, usually between 7-9am and again around 4-6pm. This is when the trains are at their fullest, and many times, STANDING ROOM ONLY!
• Don’t be surprised if somewhere along the way, if you’re heading to the big cities, you have to stand wherever you can.

If you’re interested in visiting Germany and are looking for more information, I highly recommend using the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide! Without these guides, I would be lost! This is my travel Bible!

For more posts about traveling in Germany/Europe:

Your ESSENTIAL Guide to Europe

An Expats Guide to Living in Germany

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Replies to Your COMPLETE Guide to Using the Deutsche Bahn in Germany

Yes! I really needed this post. 🙂 We’re headed to Germany (Cologne) next week and will likely be using DB. Super useful post. Thank you for sharing on #weekendwanderlust.

Oh good! Hope this helps! Have fun!

This is great. Germany is high on my list. Great tip on the special discount ticket. Pinning for later! #WeekendWanderlust.

I’m hoping that our next European trip will be to Germany. When we go, I know that we will definitely be riding the rails. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking when I’m unfamiliar with a system — and in a foreign language, too — so this guide will be helpful.

Glad I can be of service! I know exactly how you feel because getting used to the German system took me a while to get comfortable too!

Number one on my husband’s travel wish list is a return to Bavaria – I’ve never been – so this will be helpful when we do. Bookmarking this – thanks for sharing!

Whoa, this is VERY good info, am going to bookmark this post for future reference. Incidentally, a fellow travel blogger from Malaysia will be travelling to Berlin next month, I will share this post with her for her info. Thanks, cheers! 🙂

Hope she can find it useful!

Great guide, it is the only way to get around Germany besides renting a car. We spent three weeks exploring the divergent sides of Germany and snapped over 5k in photos! It is truly a beautiful country to visit.

Couldn’t agree more!! Sounds like you had a wonderful visit! ??

Headed to Germany for 2nd time, I will be using the rails a lot, just to remind me, I was a bit apprehensive on getting on the train that stopped at the platform I was on, If I remember correctly the destination of the train is above the engine car. And the Train number is beside the door of the car you are getting on? I know it is posted on the platform sign indicating Train number, when it arrives, delay time, etc.. I plan buying a Bayern ticket and traveling the country side of lower Germany.

Thanks for the info, great site

So if you’re worried, just remember if you’re buying a Bayern ticket, even if you get on the wrong regional train, you can hop off and on to another however many times you need. However, train numbers are always on the platform sign and usually on the outside of the train it tells you where it’s going. Have fun!

Great job, thanks!

Thanks for the post! Very helpful as we are heading to Germany in a couple weeks. Can you explain the different reserved seating options – “compartment, open saloon, and open saloon with table”. Thanks!

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German Train Tickets Explained: Understanding Deutsche Bahn

[This post may contain affiliate links where we earn a small commission.  Please see our disclosure for more information and thank you for supporting our site so we can continue to bring you awesome content for your travel inspiration!]

Train travel in Germany is one of my favorite and preferred ways of travel in Germany and getting around. In true German fashion, the trains are almost ALWAYS on time (after all, one minute late is LATE!), they are clean, comfortable, and after you know a few ins and outs, they are actually extremely easy and straightforward to use.

This “How To Travel By Train in Germany Comprehensive Guide” is going to walk you step by step through everything you’ll need to know about the Deutsche Bahn train system in Germany. I’ll explain the differences of the train types in Germany, compare the Eurail vs the German Rail tickets, show you exactly where and how to buy train tickets in Germany , and give you tried and true tips on how to make your rail travel on the Germany railway stressfree, affordable, and fun!

However, because there is just SO much information, I have decided to give you all the ESSENTIAL info and details here, in this German Train Tickets Explained article, but have sectioned it out into further posts if you would like to dive deeper into a particular topic and get all the nitty gritty details, like how to book a child’s ticket, or buying a German Rail Pass . And, as always, you can use the Table of Contents to jump around to the sections that you need most.

Tip: You may see the letters “DB” or something like “DB Trains.” DB stands for Deutsche Bahn and is often used interchangeably.

See What Offers And Deals Deutsche Bahn Is Offering Right Now  

You Might Also Be Interested in Reading:

• What is the Germany Rail Pass and Is it Worth It?
• Step By Step Tutorial On Buying German Train Tickets (Online, in the App, and In Person)
• Germany by Train With Kids

Types of Trains in Germany

I want to start with describing the different German trains because this will sometimes influence the tickets you will get (and will help you understand the types of tickets when we get to that as well) 

While there are many different kinds of trains in Germany, a quick way to (usually) discern between the two main types of trains in Germany is simply by their color.

• Red means local trains in Germany
• White means Long Distance

This is actually important to remember, because we’ll talk later on about certain train fares that only permit travel on the local trains in Germany, like the Bayern Pass .

Need Specific Advice on What German Trains To Take? Join Our Fantastic Traveling in Bavaria Facebook Group!

Long Distance Trains

ICE Trains 

The long distance trains in Germany are the ICE trains, which means “Inter City Express” and are some of the most well known German trains because of their speed (upwards of 300 kmh/ 180 mph), efficiency, and comfort. The ICE train in Germany (said like I.C.E, not the word “Ice”) can jet you around to most major cities within Germany in just a matter of hours! For example, the ICE Berlin to Munich train gets you to your destination in just under 4 hours.

Quite similar to the ICE trains, the “Inter City” trains are still long distance trains, just not AS fast (hence the lack of the word “express”). They can still travel upwards of 200 kmh though, so they aren’t necessarily slow! The IC trains often travel on the same lines as the ICE but may make a few more stops at some additional towns along the way.

EC trains stand for “Euro City.” These are essentially like the DB IC trains, where they are long distance, but these ones may cross borders. For example, you may travel on an EC Munich to Salzburg train.

Germany Regional Trains

The RE train stands for “Regional Express” which is a local (regional) train that goes to smaller towns and villages. As an “Express” train, these trains are still quite efficient at traveling around Germany quickly.

The RB train stands for “Regional Bahn.” This is extremely similar to the RE train, but goes just a tad bit slower and not quite as far as the RE trains do. Oftentimes, these have the same routes as the RE trains but might make more stops at smaller villages that the RE train doesn’t service. For example, where I used to live in Parsberg, a small Bavarian village, I would take either the RE or RB trains to go to Regensburg.   The RE only made about 1 or 2 stops along the way, where the RB made closer to 5, at some of the smaller villages along the same track.

You can almost think of the RE train as the local ICE train and the RB train as the local IC train.

Other Regional Trains

There are often other trains that are operated by private companies. For example, you may see a train that says “Metronon” or “AG.” These trains can still be booked just like any other regional trains (ie at Bahn.com or with the App, etc)

Night Trains

Night trains can be a great option when traveling long distances. These routes typically run on the ICE, IC, and EC trains.  

Tip : When we did the night train in Germany, we chose the normal 6 person berth compartment.  BAD DECISION! First, we were cramped in a hot compartment with 6 people. Second, because you are in there with a full room, you can’t pull the seats out to lay down on, so you have to attempt to sleep sitting up, similar to on a plane. Finally, every time the train comes to a new stop, the conductor has to come through each compartment and check for new travelers to validate tickets.  That means being woken up constantly by people coming in and out!

Therefore, if you plan on taking a night train, I can’t recommend just booking a sleeper car enough.  Believe me, it is a few extra euros well spent!!

Sbahn and Ubahn Trains

In many big cities in Germany, you will also see Sbahn and Ubahns. If you buy a “Land Ticket” (see below) then local transportation, such as the S-bahns, are covered in your ticket price.  However, if you buy a Saver or Flex ticket, typically that does not also include the local transportation as well. 

• An S-bahn stands for “Schnell Bahn” and is a Suburban Train. The S-Bahn can go both above and underground the city.
• An U-Bahn is an “Underground Train” which is like a Subway and is all underground the city center, which is often faster, especially if going across town.

German Train Fares

There are so many different types of German rail tickets to choose from, so it can seem really overwhelming figuring out which is the best for you. If you are a tourist traveling in Germany, here are some of the most common DB train passes and tickets to consider. 

Flex and Saver Fare Tickets

If you are going to just be traveling a few times on the DB trains, then looking for individual tickets may be your best option.  I use this option a lot when I am just booking one-off tickets or round-trip tickets occasionally.  If you are planning on a ton of train travel in Germany, I would NOT recommend this type of DB ticket. 

Below I’ll walk you through exactly how to book a ticket, but for now, know that as you go through the booking process you’ll see these two ticket options:

Flex Fare DB Tickets (Flexpreis):

This ticket is going to be slightly more expensive than the saver fare because it allows for, well, more flexibility! The Flex ticket allows you to choose your train, your destination, your times, etc without needing to specify it on the ticket. What that means is that if you know you want to leave on October 12th, but have a city tour in the morning, but you don’t know exactly what time you’ll make it to the train station, this ticket allows for the flexibility to grab whatever train is running closest to the time that you simply arrive at the German train station.

With the flex ticket, you can also hop on and off at stopovers along the route if you so choose, since your ticket is not tied to a certain time or train For example, if you are traveling from Nuremberg to Munich and when your train stops in Regensburg you realize how beautiful it looks, you can hop off and go explore for a bit, come back at a later time and continue on to Munich when you so please!

Saver (Sparen) Tickets

These tickets are going to be cheaper than the Flexpreis DB Tickets. When you go to book, you will need to specify exactly what time you want for departure and will book a specific train.

Tip : If you have the BahnCard 25 and 50 you actually can save 25% on Saver Tickets ( more on the BahnCard below)

Booking Tickets FAQS:

How Far in Advance Can You Book Deutsche Bahn Train Tickets?

DB releases tickets for purchase 180 days in advance (about 6 months).

When Is the Best Time to Book Deutsche Bahb Train Tickets for Savings?

Many people will say that around 3 months before departure, you might see some good deals, but I find this hit or miss. These prices will adjust according to demand, so if it is peak travel season/times, you might actually be better off booking in advance.  I also find that last minute bookings are typically much more expensive than if you were to book 3 months out. 

Regional Land Tickets (Länder-Ticket)

One of my biggest tips to travelers is to first look into a “Land Ticket” first. These tickets are just for one particular state per ticket. For example, we use the Bayern Ticket all the time and it takes us anywhere we want to go in, well, Bavaria!

Here are the different states that offer their own regional tickets:

• Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket
• Hessen Ticket
• Niedersachsen-Ticket
• Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket
• Sachsen-Ticket
• Thüringen-Ticket
• Sachsen-Anhalt-Ticket
• Saarland-Ticket
• Stadt Land Meer Ticket 
• Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket
• Bayern Pass
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern-Ticket

See The Details and Prices on the Regional Tickets on the DB Site Here

Each state of Germany is going to have slightly different “rules” and the prices vary, but in general, here is what to roughly expect from a “Land Ticket”:

• These are Day Passes that are good from 9am-3am the following morning. If it is the weekend or a public holiday, then you can start using the ticket at any time in the morning.
• The tickets are good for almost all regional public transportation (that includes regional trains, S-Bahns, U-Bahns, trams, buses) in that German State but does EXCLUDE long distance trains, such as ICE, IC and EC trains.
• You can have up to 4 or 5 people on a ticket (Depending on which State/ Region ticket you need) which is a huge money saver for groups and families.
• Prices start as low as 24 Euro and then you add roughly between 6-8 Euro per next person up until the 4 or 5 person max is met.
• Bayern Pass : Starts at €25 plus EUR 7 per extra passenger (max. 5 total) for second class tickets
• Brandenburg-Berlin Pass : €33 for up to 5 passengers
• Baden-Württemberg-Ticket: Starts at €24 plus 7 per extra passenger (max. 5 total) for second class tickets

Some examples of how to use these tickets would be:

• Bayern Pass: Travel from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle starting at 25 Euro
• Saxony Pass: Take the train from Dresden to Konigstein to the stunning Bastei bridge starting at 24 Euro
• Baden-Württemberg-Ticket: Take the train from Stuttgart to Lake Constance starting at 24 EUR

Quer-Durch-Land Ticket/ German Day Ticket

 Click Here To See the German Day Ticket

The DB Germany Day Ticket is extremely similar to the above “Land Tickets” except that it covers all of Germany by train.  This may sound like a fantastic steal, except remember you are limited to Regional Trains, which are slower than ICE.  For example, on an ICE train from Munich to Frankfurt, it normally only takes about 3 hours/45 minutes but on the regional trains, it can be closer to 6 hours. 

• Ticket good for up to 5 people
• Starts at 42 Euro for one ticket.  Add 7 Euro for each additional passenger (up to 5) 
• Valid Mon-Fri 9am-3am the following day.  Saturday/ Sunday Midnight-3am the following day

View the Quer-Durch Land Ticket Here

The German Rail Pass

The German Rail Pass Ticket is a flat rate ticket that covers unlimited train travel within Germany and you can choose differing tickets that allows you to book anywhere from 4-10 train tickets within one month.  This is particularly good for people doing longer trips and are using the Deutsche Bahn trains as a frequent mode of transportation between further locations.

The ticket covers all ICE, IC, RB, and RE trains. However, this pass does NOT include local transportation, such as local buses, S-Bahns, etc, so when you start to calculate the total cost of transportation, you need to take this into consideration.

A frequently confused ticket with the Deutsche Bahn German Rail Pass is the Eurail Pass.  Simply put, the DB Rail Pass is for people who are not European residents (IE: Coming from America) and the Eurail Pass is for Europeans.  

There is also the Interrail Pass, which gives you a set amount of days, but is good for numerous countries.

So, which one of the train passes is the best one for you?  I cover all three of these train passes in detail in my European Rail Pass vs German Train Pass vs Interrail Pass Guide.  

Is the German Rail Pass worth it?

If you are traveling long distances in Germany for more than 4 days in a month, then yes, the DB Rail Pass can absolutely be worth it. 

Deutsche Bahn Discount Cards

Another really great option for someone who is planning on using the trains extensively while in Germany is to look into the BahnCard Discounts .  The way it works is you pay for a discount card up front and then for every Saver or Flexible ticket you buy, you get that percentage off of the ticket. These are great options for people living in Germany and wanting to save money on frequent train travel in Germany.

• The prices listed here are for the normal BahnCards.  However, there are several different options, including ones for 26 years and younger (great for young, Backpackers in Germany), seniors, etc. See all of the options here 

For example, if I got the Bahn 50 Card, then I would pay a flat rate upfront (220 Euro for a whole year) and then for every Saver and Flex DB ticket I buy within that year, each ticket would be 50% off.

Click Here To See the BahnCard Options  

There are several DB Discount Card Options that all use the same methodology as described above:

• Bahn25: €55.70/ year and get 25% off all Saver and Flex Tickets.  Great for the occasional traveler
• Bahn50 : €220 / year and get 50% off all Saver and Flex Tickets.  Ideal for regular travelers
• Bahn100 : €4,027/ year and get 100% off all Saver and Flex Tickets.  Perfect for frequent travelers

NEW: Trial Deutsche Bahn Discount Tickets (great option for people visiting Germany )

This is a fantastic option for short term travelers as you can choose a trial period of only 3 months for any of the above mentioned Discount Cards.  Prices start at only €17.90!

See The Different BahnCard Discounts Here

Booking Train Tickets in Germany

booking german trains

Ok, so now that you know exactly what ticket you need to purchase, you need to know HOW to buy a train ticket in Germany. booking German trains is actually pretty straightforward once you know exactly what ticket you’ll be needing. Here are the three main ways to book a Deutsche Bahn train ticket.

You can read this in depth article on exact step by step instructions on buying train tickets in Germany for each type of individual ticket.

• Online: If you are booking the Germany Pass or a Single Ticket, then this is probably your best option. Simply go to Bahn.com and it is pretty straight forward. Click Here for Booking Single and/or Return Journeys  Click Here If Needing the Germany Rail Pass  Click Here if buying a Land Regional Ticket
• In the App: Once you have the APP (“DB Navigator”) installed, it’s a very user friendly App. I like this option because all your tickets are saved conveniently in the App for easy use on the trains. The App also gives you up to date timetables and also helps navigate the local (cities) public transportation as well.  Note: I have yet to figure out how to buy the German Rail Pass on the App
• Buy Them At A German Train Station: Larger stations often have an actual ticketing office, which is nice if you have questions (but will cost about 2-3 extra Euros for in person booking services).  At all the train stations, you’ll also find kiosks on the platforms. You can choose English on them that way you can easily navigate to what you need. 

Can You Buy Tickets on The Train In Germany

Yes and No. If you are traveling on Long Distance (ICE, IC) trains, then technically you can, but they are going to be quite expensive. You’ll need to find a conductor (either standing on the platform or walk around until you find one on board) to request a ticket. There is also a chance that there won’t be seats available if you attempt this method. 

If you are traveling on a Regional Ticket or on local transport then you must have a ticket pre-purchased. Not having a ticket will cost you a high fine for “Black Riding” the train.

Other Places For Booking German Trains

Omio has recently become a favorite booking tool of mine.  It’s a really easy to use interface, is great when booking trains that cross borders (it can get really confusing using all the different country’s train systems when figuring out trips like a Munich to Prague train or Berlin to Paris train. Omio is kind of like the Expedia of train tickets, where it finds the best ticket options for you to then choose from. 

Click Here To See What Omio Prices Look Like

What are German Trains Like?

The German train system is phenomenal. You can see just how extensive it is in this Germany Train Map .

I’ve always found German trains to be extremely reliable (Germans often complain that they are often late or not on time….but there’s a joke in Germany that if you are not 10 minutes early then you are late.  So, what a German considers “not on time” doesn’t always line up with my own definition.) 

Due to the great train system in place, depending on the train you choose, they can be very fast getting you from one major city to another in just a matter of hours.

I also personally find the trains to be clean and comfortable and easy enough to use.

While you can’t always get to the most off the beaten path destinations, it is actually quite shocking just how far and what small towns a DB train will get you to. Depending on the origin and destination, a train ride may be faster (and even cheaper) than if you were to drive. It’s also the perfect alternative for travelers who may be a bit squeamish about driving in Germany . 

FAQs about Germain Trains

Can you eat on german trains.

Yes, absolutely! Most ICE, IC, and EC trains will have some sort of food coach on board. On the shorter, regional trains, there are often workers who walk by with a cart selling small snack items (like chips) and beverages (coffee, beer, etc). One of my favorite things to do is stop at a backerei (in bigger train stations, there are typically shops to pop into) and grab some delicious German foods like a Bretz’n, a salami baguette sandwich, a beer (or radler , for me!), etc to then enjoy it on the train trip.

Can you drink on German trains?

Yes. Food and drink are absolutely permissible on German trains. Just like with the food, you can purchase drinks on long distance trains and many RE trains as well. RB trains don’t always have someone selling items, since these journeys are much shorter. And yes, this DOES include alcohol. Tip : Stop at a store and grab a beer at the train station first, they are significantly cheaper than purchasing on board.

Are there bathrooms on German trains?

Yes. And surprisingly, these are typically decently clean, all things considered!

Do ICE trains have power outlets?

Yes.  There are 220v Power Outlets on all ICE trains. (Bring a converter if you have 110v electronics).  There is also WIFI on ICE trains as well. 

Do trains run on Sunday in Germany?

Absolutely.  Yes, many things in Germany are closed on Sundays, but the trains all run, regardless.

Is there WiFi on German trains?

DB has been working hard at getting WIFI on trains.  As of right now, you should be able to get free WIFI on all ICE and IC trains.  They are still currently working to expand the WIFI networks to the Regional and Local Trains.

Do they check tickets on German trains?

Not EVERY single train has a ticket checker on it.  But, you don’t know when there will be one.  They typically get on the train at a station and when they’ve checked the whole train, they get off at the next German train station and get on another train to start checking all of those tickets.  I’ve been on journies where nobody has come for hours to check tickets and I’ve been on ones that had one stop where I get checked.  Moral of the story? Always have your ticket purchased (and time-stamped, if need be)

Can I sit anywhere on a train?

It depends on the train.  On all regional and local trains, there are no designated seats.  However, on ICE and IC there may be.  I go over that in the section below on “Reservations and Seats.”

What does HBF mean in German?

Hauptbahnhof.  A Bahnhof is a “train station” and a Hauptbahnhof is a town’s “Main Train Station” 

Can I take a bike on a German train?

Germans LOVE their bikes, so yes, you can bring your bike on.  However, you’ll need to make sure you purchase a bike ticket with your main ticket.

• When booking, go to  “Advanced search options” tick off the box for “Take a bicycle”
• If it is an ICE/ICE train, then the coach number that holds bikes will be on your ticket.  If it is a Regional Train, you may have to look for the bike symbol on the train itself at the station.  
• In addition to your train ticket, you’ll also get a bike ticket.  You must attach this to your bike on the train

Will Deutsche Bahn Conductors Speak English

Maybe….maybe not.  I always say that I never expect anyone to ever speak English in Germany.  That being said, many people do and if the person checking your ticket doesn’t speak English and there is an issue, chances are, a friendly person nearby does that will step in to help.  

Is it cheaper to buy train tickets in advance in Germany?

If you are booking a Land Ticket (IE: The Bayern Pass) you actually book this the day of your travel.  You’ll get this on your App, online, or just get it at the station.

If you are booking a Saver or Flex Fare (for example, an ICE train), they are released 6 months in advance.  Some people claim that they are cheapest around 3 months in advance, but this isn’t always true, depending on the route and availability.

If you are booking a German Rail Ticket, those are flat rate prices, so you can purchase at any time.

How fast do German ICE trains go?

ICE trains in Germany can get up to 300/kmh (186 mph).

Are S Bahn and U Bahn tickets the same?

No. the S-Bahn typically runs above ground (can run underground as well though) and the UBahn is like a subway.  However, they almost always are covered on the same public transportation ticket for the city you are visiting. 

Reservations and Finding Your Seat

Seat reservations are optional on all ICE and IC trains.  Even if all seats are taken, you can still ride the train (standing).  However, if you are going a long distance, I always find it worth it to just go ahead and reserve my ticket when booking.  Sure, there are times when it wasn’t necessary, but for only a few extra Euros, I like to know that I have a place to call my own for a few hours. 

On all Regional and Local Trains, seat reservations aren’t even possible, so you just have to find ones that are open.  Rarely is it an issue finding seats on these trains, unless you hit one at high rush hour, or after a huge event (like Oktoberfest in Munich ).  Even then, just wait a few stops and it usually clears out.

Note: They are actually adding the feature to book seats on some regional trains now, but they aren’t for every journey.  You can see if it’s an option when booking, and will only cost 1 Euro for a seat reservation.

Can I reserve a seat on a train after booking?

Yes. Seat reservations aren’t necessarily tied directly to your ticket and can be reserved separately.  Back on the DB website, you can go back to the original search page where you put in your destination and click “Seat Reservation Only”  and from there you can reserve your seat(s).

How do you know where to sit on a train/ How do you know if a seat is reserved on a train?

First, find your platform.

First, you’ll need to know what track (Gleis) your train will be on. 

• You can see this number on your ticket or
• There are electronic boards in almost all the train stations, find the destination of your journey (or look for the train number that is on your ticket) and there will be a platform number

Second, Figure Out Your Wagon (Train Car)

On most Regional and Local Trains , you can sit anywhere you want except for the front car that says “1” (First Class), unless you have a first-class ticket, which pretty much nobody needs anyways on local trains.

For long journey (ICE/ IC) trains , if you have a printed ticket, it will say  Zug:                    Wagon:                Sitzplatz:

In English, that is Train/ Car/ Seat and there will be a number after each.  These numbers are what you will look for on the trains.

The Zug (Train) Number, will be the number on the front of the train (it often will also be on the sides of the train, and for older trains, there may be a paper in the windows as well)

Wagon : Each train car will have a number on it.  Some trains are quite long but have short connections at the platform.  I’ve made the mistake of just getting on the train and then wandering through each car until I found the right one, but that is a pain with luggage!

• Therefore, when you get to the platform, look up and you should see letters (A,B,C….).
• Next, look around for a sign board (Wagenreihungsplan ) that has pictographs of the trains.  On here, it will show exactly what letter of the platform you need to be on.  So, if you are on Wagon 23, find this on the board and it will show what letter to be under when the train arrives

Third, Find Your Seat

Sitzplatz: Once you are on the correct wagon (train car) then you’ll need to find your seat.  Look above by the luggage racks above the seats and you’ll see a number and your journey that you’ve reserved the seats for.  For example, it would say “NUR-FRA” if you have the seats reserved from Nuremberg to Frankfurt. 

If there is nothing lit up and written, it’s pretty safe that you can sit there and that the seat is not reserved.  You can also sit in the seat before or after that portion of the reserved ticket.

In 6 Person Compartment Cars: If you are booked in a 6 person compartment within the train car, then the reservations will typically be on the door to these little “rooms”

Tip : You may see “ggf. reserviert” and that basically means that a seat MAY be reserved….therefore just sit somewhere else just in case. 

Let’s look at the below example train tickets in Germany.

The top portion is your actual ticket.  Highlighted is the information that you’ll need if you reserved your seats.

Track : You’ll see I’ve highlighted that this train departs on Gleis (track/platform) 22

Reservation : Under Product/ Reservierung you can see that:

• Train Number: This train will be on the ICE Train 827 and that we have 4 seats (Sitzplatz) reserved.  
• Wagon/ Coach Number: The seats we reserved will be on Wagon 23
• Seats: (PL.) Our seat numbers are 42, 44, 46, 48 (2 Fenster means two seats by the window and 2 Gang. means 2 seats on the aisle).  It is in the “Grossraum” meaning it is not in a private or 6 person compartment

Where To Store Luggage

On the ICE/IC trains there are often small overhead luggage racks for hand bags.  At the ends of the individual cars, there are metal racks that you can stack your big luggage onto.  Feel free to put it on top of other bags.  If this area is full, look in the connecting cars (often by the bathroom), as there is sometimes extra baggage room out there, but then you can’t keep an eye on it, not that I have ever had an issue with safety. 

Traveling With Children on the German Trains

Since we travel in Germany with kids, we love taking the trains.  But just as importantly, THEY love taking the trains!  They don’t have to be strapped into their car seats for hours on end and what kid doesn’t just love trains in general?

I have a whole article on German Trains with Kids that has a bunch of information on how to book, tips for traveling with kids via trains, ways to save, and more. A few things to know in general though:

• Children under 5 are always free (but still need their information on your booking- details on how to do this in the DB Kids article). Kids up to 14 are free unless it is on a Land Ticket (like the Bayern Pass)
• You can make family reservations (with up to 5 people) which gives you a slight discount on the reservations. If you have more than 5 people, inquire about the DB Family Card.  In order to do both of these though, you need to contact Deutsche Bahn for booking. 
• Book the Family Compartments on long journeys.  There are specific cabins that are especially for families, but they need to be booked early.
• Some ICE trains have childcare!

One way to save on family train travel in Germany is to look into the Land Tickets as well as the Day Land Ticket.  

• Land Ticket: Travel up to 5 people in one particular state on a group ticket (see above)
• Day Land Ticket: Travel anywhere in Germany for up to 5 people for 70 Euro- the only downside is this is just for regional trains, so it could take you much longer than booking the more expensive tickets on the ICE trains. 

Get Details on All the Above Points in my Deutsche Bahn With Kids Article

Tips For Taking the Deutsche Bahn

• Arrive early.   This way you can ensure you know just which platform and area to be at without stressing
• Be Patient.   If you arrive early to a platform and it doesn’t have your train up on the boards yet, be patient and it should show no less than 5 minutes before your train arrives
• Be Flexible.  With that being said, platforms can change.  Therefore, keep a frequent eye on the boards in case you need to make a last minute change
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help.   Most platform attendants speak basic English and chances are good that someone nearby will as well.  Don’t hesitate to ask “Sprechen Sie English?” to both DB workers as well as other travelers if you are confused about anything.  If you want to double-check that you are, in fact, waiting at the right platform for the right destination or aren’t sure about which cabin to board, I promise, people are very nice and helpful (even if they look stoic and serious!) in Germany.
• Bring Your Own Food/Drinks On Board .  As mentioned earlier, grab some food at the HBF, which is typically going to be better and cheaper than buying on board. 
• Be Quiet! Germans are very quiet people.  You can almost always quickly spot the Americans, not from looks, but because you can clearly hear them!  Talk in quiet voices on all the trains.  If you have kids, have stuff to keep them busy so they are not loud as well.
• Wear Your Running Shoes.  This is kind of a joke….kind of.  While I said that most trains are on time, it will occasionally happen that there are delays or just that you have a tight connection to begin with. I have been seen many-a-times to be running through the German train station to get to my next train on time!
• Choose Your Luggage Wisely. I’m a big believer in backpacks for all travel in general, but I know not everyone else can get on board with that.  However, if you are planning on doing a lot of train travel, strongly consider the type of bag you will have for numerous reasons.  First, it is hard to wheel a huge suitcase through the train aisles.  Second, not all train stations have elevators.  Therefore, you may be staring at a lot of stairs to lug that luggage up and down on!

Deutsche Bahn Lost and Found

In case you lose something while on the train, there is a lost and found, but it is a bit of a hassle.  They will only look for your item for up to 4 weeks and only if it was less than a 15 Euro Value item. 

• First, you need to report your item ASAP.  However, if it is less than a 15 Euro value, they won’t even document it.  To report a lost item you can: – Call +49 30 586 020 909 to report it – Go into larger stations that have DB offices – Go to Bahn.de>Services> Reporting a Loss
• If your item is found, you will have to pay a 5 Euro Handling Fee or a 20-35 Euro Postage Fee to ship to you

Common Abbreviations and Phrases You Should Know 

Bahnhof : This just simply means “Train Station” HBF: Hauptbahnhof. This is the “Main Train Station” Most big cities will have a “HBF” and some will even have smaller stations, for example, if coming into Regensburg, there may be a stop at Regensburg Pruffening as well as Regensburg HBF, so you’ll want to pay attention Fahrkarte : Ticket Gleis: Track.  You may see “Gl” on your ticket Bahnsteig: Platform Reserviert: Reserved Schlafwagen: Sleeping Car Einsteigen: Kind of like when you were a kid and would yell “All Aboard!!!” But it literally means “Enter.” So you might hear something like, “Bitte Einstigen” (Please enter) Nacshte Halt: The next stop is…. Im Fahr Richtung: You most likely will hear something like “Im Fahr Richtung on Links” and that means that the door on the left will be the one to open for departure.

Related posts:

LeAnna Brown; Germany Travel Expert

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United Airlines Passengers Can Now Extend Their Trip With Deutsche Bahn Tickets

• United Airlines passengers flying between Germany and the US can now combine their train journey to Frankfurt Airport with their transatlantic flight using a single ticket, providing additional protection and convenience.
• The partnership between Star Alliance carrier and Deutsche Bahn allows customers to seamlessly combine flights with rail travel and other transport options, offering convenient transitions between airports, train stations, and ports.
• Passengers originating in Germany will enjoy a simplified travel experience with the ability to receive boarding passes for both train and flight journeys when checking in, as well as access to dedicated check-in facilities and Deutsche Bahn lounges. United's MileagePlus members will also earn miles for rail travel.

Beginning tomorrow (November 22nd), passengers flying United Airlines between Germany and the US have additional connection opinions. The Star Alliance carrier is partnering with Deutsche Bahn to allow United passengers traveling via Frankfurt Airport to combine their train journey with the transatlantic flight and any connecting flights in the US under one single ticket.

A seamless, single ticket

The announcement is the next step in the partnership between Star Alliance carriers and the German rail operator. The alliance announced last year that it was extending single ticket bookings to all its member airlines flying out of Frankfurt, and this week will mark the official entrance of US-based United Airlines. Home carrier Lufthansa has long had a similar arrangement with the railways.

Want to know more about sustainability in aviation ?

The "Intermodal Partnership" model allows customers to combine flights with rail travel, buses, ferries, and other transport options across the entire alliance. This provides passengers additional protection in the case of missed connections, enables the accumulation of loyalty points across modes of transport, and creates convenient transitions between airports, train stations, and ports. Stefan Kreuzpaintner, Senior Vice President of Network, Alliances & Partnerships at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, noted how this new expansion increases transatlantic and domestic connectivity:

“Connecting amazing places on both sides of the Atlantic has never been so easy. Together with our partners, we have consistently expanded our intermodal services in recent years in many European countries.

"In Germany, Lufthansa offers a rail alternative to every domestic feeder flight to Frankfurt. This new partnership is another milestone in the successful Lufthansa Express Rail programme. It offers travellers to and from the USA a convenient, comfortable journey – a real premium product.”

The carrier connects Frankfurt to several of its hubs in the United States, including New York/Newark, Chicago, Washington, Houston, Denver, and San Francisco.

Convenient, covered connections

The single ticket principle allows travelers originating in Germany a simplified experience with additional flexibility, including the ability to receive boarding passes for train journeys and flights when checking in. Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport , the passengers can use a dedicated AiRail check-in facility near the platforms to save time and reduce the distance they need to travel with luggage. First and business class passengers are also eligible to access Deutsche Bahn lounges throughout their journeys.

Find out more about Which Airlines have Intermodal Partnerships Frequent flyers will also get a boost under the new arrangement. The airline confirmed today that United's MileagePlus frequent flyer program members will earn miles for rail travel on a combined rail and flight ticket. All passengers will receive special protection in case of delays or cancellations, as the connections are covered on the single ticket. Renato Ramos, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Star Alliance, expressed their excitement that United Airlines is coming onboard with the initiative:

"We are thrilled to see our innovative Intermodal Partnership Model extend to a significant member of Star Alliance - United Airlines.

"Initiatives like these foster greater collaboration among modes of transport, providing enhanced convenience and flexibility for customers. This marks another step towards a seamlessly integrated travel ecosystem, aligning with our collective vision for the Alliance. ”

The increased connectivity between air and rail operators has met with positive customer feedback. France, which introduced a domestic flight ban, has done quite well with its Air-Rail connection services. The single ticket is also bound to simplify travel, especially for US-based travelers who previously had to purchase tickets for onward travel individually and self-transfer upon arrival.

Where does it cover?

The arrangement will include 25 cities across Germany and Basel in Switzerland. Beginning tomorrow, services will be available to the following stations:

• ZWS Stuttgart HBF
• ZMU Munich HBF
• KJR Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden
• QFB Freiburg
• QWU Würzburg
• ZAQ Nuremberg
• QDU Düsseldorf HBF
• QKL Cologne/Bonn, Cologne HBF
• XHJ Aachen HBF
• DTZ Dortmund HBF
• MKF Munster
• ZPE Osnabrück
• KWQ Kassel Wilhelmshöhe
• ZEU Göttingen
• QPP Berlin HBF
• ZVR Hannover HBF
• ZMB Hamburg HBF
• XIT Leipzig HBF
• XIR Dresden
• MHJ Mannheim
• ZPY Siegburg/Bonn
• AGY Augsburg

A final station is set to come online next month when Wolfsburg (ZQU) joins the program.

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United partners with lufthansa and deutsche bahn for rail connections in frankfurt.

United passengers can now combine rail tickets from 25 destinations with transatlantic flights out of Frankfurt

by Fergus Cole

November 27, 2023

Photo: Deutsche Bahn train. Courtesy of Daniel Abadia

Passengers flying with United Airlines to Frankfurt can now purchase rail connections in Germany through a new agreement with Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn.

Starting on Wednesday, November 22, the ‘Intermodal Partnership’ expansion allows United passengers flying out of Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to book rail connections to Frankfurt from 25 different locations across Germany and from Basel in Switzerland. This means they can now purchase a single combined fare for their flight and rail connection, simplifying their travel arrangements.

Photo: United Airlines, Boeing 767-300ER. Courtesy of Fraport – Frankfurt Airport

Under the terms of the agreement, passengers will receive a boarding pass for both their rail journey and their flight when checking in and will get priority baggage handling in the AiRail check-in area at Frankfurt Airport.

Meanwhile, United MileagePlus members can earn miles for their rail journey and flight, and eligible members can use Deutsche Bahn’s various lounges across Germany. Customers will also be protected should they miss their connecting flight due to rail delays or breakdowns.

The integrated rail and air tickets will be available on transatlantic flights to United’s hubs at New York/Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Washington (IAD), Houston (IAH), Denver (DEN), and San Francisco (SFO), as well as to connecting destinations on United’s network throughout the Americas.

The 25 eligible rail stations with Deutsch Bahn connections to Frankfurt include major destinations across Germany, such as Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg, and many more regional cities and towns, as well as Basel, Switzerland.

Photo: Courtesy of Fraport – Frankfurt Airport Terminal 2

“We are excited to announce our new partnership with Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United. “This new collaboration will offer our customers even greater travel choice and flexibility, allowing convenient connections between 25 cities across Germany and the United States with just one convenient transfer at Frankfurt Airport, all on a single ticket.”

The agreement with Deutsche Bahn is the latest expansion of Star Alliance’s Intermodal Partnership model, launched in July 2022. The model attempts to enhance the travel experience and offer seamless connections to Star Alliance carriers, of which Lufthansa is also a member, by combining airfares and routes with rail, bus, and ferry systems.

The model aims to facilitate enhanced convenience for passengers and allows them greater opportunity to earn miles and rewards by linking frequent flyer programs, such as United’s Mileage Plus, to the intermodal transport links.

Photo: Courtesy of Fraport – Frankfurt Airport

“We are thrilled to see our innovative Intermodal Partnership Model extend to a significant member of Star Alliance – United Airlines,” said Renato Ramos, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Star Alliance. “Initiatives like this foster greater collaboration among modes of transport, providing enhanced convenience and flexibility for customers. This marks another step towards a seamlessly integrated travel ecosystem, aligning with our collective vision for the Alliance.”

Stefan Kreuzpaintner, Senior Vice President of Network, Alliances, and Partnerships at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: “Connecting amazing places on both sides of the Atlantic has never been so easy. Together with our partners, we have consistently expanded our intermodal services in recent years in many European countries.

“In Germany, Lufthansa offers a rail alternative to every domestic feeder flight to Frankfurt. This new partnership is another milestone in the successful Lufthansa Express Rail program. It offers travelers to and from the USA a convenient, comfortable journey – a real premium product.”

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Eurail: the flat rate for travelling Europe by rail

Do you live outside Europe, Russia or Turkey? The Eurail Pass lets you explore 10,000 destinations throughout Europe and travel to 40,000 different stations by train. You can either explore a single country intensively or travel through several countries by train.

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Eurail one country pass, eurail global pass, german rail pass: the rail flat rate for germany.

Discover the whole of Germany by train. The German Rail Pass gives you unlimited travel on German trains and on some routes in Italy, Belgium and Austria.

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