Deutsche Bahn: travel across Germany!

Luggage on board Deutsche Bahn trains: everything you need to know

Travelling with luggage on Deutsche Bahn is simple and convenient. You can bring for free:

• ✔️ One hand luggage item (bag, backpack, small suitcase).
• ✔️ One larger piece of luggage (large suitcase, travel bag).

No fees, no weight restrictions

Unlike air travel, there are no extra fees for luggage and no reservation or weighing is required before departure.

⚠️ Rules to follow

Deutsche Bahn nevertheless specifies that:

• ✔️ You must be able to carry and handle your own luggage.
• ✔️ Your luggage must not obstruct the aisles or inconvenience other passengers.
• ✔️ It must be placed in the designated areas (luggage racks, shelves, under your seat).

For more details, check the official Deutsche Bahn website.

Travelling with children on board Deutsche Bahn trains

🧒 Can children travel alone?

On Deutsche Bahn, children can travel alone under certain conditions:

• ✔️ Under 6 years old: A child under 6 cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by an adult.
• ✔️ 6 to 14 years old: A child aged 6 to 14 can travel alone with parental authorisation or if enrolled in the "Kids on Tour" programme.

🚆 "Kids on Tour": an escort service

Deutsche Bahn offers an escort programme for children travelling alone on certain long-distance lines: "Kids on Tour".

This service works:

• ✔️ Only for families who are members of the German Red Cross (DRK).
• ✔️ On certain ICE and IC lines (Fridays and Sundays).
• ✔️ With a mandatory reservation, at a special rate.

This programme is similar to SNCF's Junior & Cie service, but with more restrictive conditions.

🎟️ Free tickets for children

Children **under 14 travel free** on board Deutsche Bahn trains, but only if accompanied by a parent or grandparent. Their ticket must be registered when booking the adult ticket.

On the other hand, if a child **aged 6 to 14 travels alone**, they must pay the standard fare for their ticket.

Seat reservation and selection on board Deutsche Bahn trains

It is possible to reserve a seat before travelling with Deutsche Bahn, especially on long-distance trains.

Included or paid reservation?

Seat reservation is automatically included in certain cases:

• ✔️ 1st class on ICE and IC/EC trains: Reservation is free and included in the ticket.
• ✔️ Night trains (certain routes): Automatic reservation of a seat or berth.

However, for travellers in 2nd class, reservation is optional and paid. Its cost is:

• 💰 €4.90 for a 2nd class reservation.
• 💰 €5.90 for a 1st class reservation if not included with the ticket.

🚉 Reservation on regional trains (DB Regio)

Regional trains (DB Regio) generally do not offer seat reservation. Seats are freely assigned to passengers on a first come, first served basis.

📌 Where to reserve your seat?

You can reserve your seat:

• ✔️ When purchasing your ticket on the official Deutsche Bahn website.
• ✔️ Via the DB Navigator app.
• ✔️ At station kiosks or Deutsche Bahn ticket counters.

If you want more comfort, it's recommended to book in advance, especially during busy periods.

Travelling with a pet on board Deutsche Bahn trains

🐾 Small animals (under 10 kg): free travel

Good news for your four-legged companion: small animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) can travel for free on board Deutsche Bahn trains.

Conditions to respect:

• ✔️ The animal must be carried in a closed carrier or bag.
• ✔️ It must not bother other passengers.

🐕 Dogs and larger animals: paid ticket

If your dog or animal is too big to be carried in a carrier:

• ✔️ It must travel on a leash and with a muzzle.
• ✔️ It must have a ticket at the child fare for long-distance journeys.
• ✔️ It does not have a reserved seat and must stay at its owner's feet.

📌 Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free, without restriction.

For this you can contact Deutsche Bahn here!

To travel with Deutsche Bahn, the simplest solution is surely to book your ticket online.

To do so, go to the Deutsche Bahn website.

All you have to do is enter your route and departure dates to select the journey that suits you.

You can pay for your ticket by bank transfer, PayPal or credit card.

You can also buy your journey via the Deutsche Bahn app available on Android and iOS, or on the Tictactrip app, also available!

Finally, if you're already in Germany, it's also possible to get your ticket directly at the station.

Plus, the kiosks are also available in French. Indeed, Deutsche Bahn isn't (yet) 100% digital, rest assured!

And yes, you can still book and buy your tickets at the station (the old-fashioned way). 😊

Need to cancel or change your trip to Germany, more specifically your Deutsche Bahn Paris–Stuttgart ticket? No problem, Deutsche Bahn has thought of you too.

To do so, go to this link.

On this page you'll find all the information to get a refund or exchange your DB train ticket.

You can notably read that it's possible to get compensation in the event of a delay, and that it's possible to cancel your ticket (though this cancellation depends on the type of ticket chosen!).

Comfort on board Deutsche Bahn trains

📶 Wi-Fi and power outlets

ICE trains and some Intercity (IC) trains offer free Wi-Fi for all passengers. Network quality may vary depending on the area crossed.

Power outlets are available:

• ✔️ At every seat in 1st and 2nd class on ICE trains.
• ✔️ In 1st class and partially in 2nd class on IC trains.
• ❌ Not guaranteed on DB Regio trains (regional trains).

🔇 Quiet zones

For a more peaceful journey, ICE trains and some IC trains offer quiet zones, ideal for resting or working without disturbances.

🍽️ 1st class services

If you travel in 1st class, you benefit from several advantages:

• ✔️ At-seat catering service with a selection of meals and drinks.
• ✔️ Free newspapers and magazines in paper or digital format.
• ✔️ Access to DB Lounges in certain stations, offering drinks and relaxation areas.

These services add extra comfort to your journey, ideal for long-distance trips.

🚆 Deutsche Bahn BahnCard: Save on your trips

If you travel regularly by train in Germany, the BahnCard lets you save on the price of your tickets.

Deutsche Bahn offers three discount cards, offering up to 100% off standard fares:

💳 The different types of BahnCard

• BahnCard 25: 25% discount on Flexpreis and Sparpreis tickets.

  💰 Price: €59.90/year in 2nd class and €121/year in 1st class.

  ✅ Ideal for occasional travellers.

• BahnCard 50: 50% discount on Flexpreis tickets and 25% on Sparpreis tickets.

  💰 Price: €244/year in 2nd class and €492/year in 1st class.

  ✅ Profitable for frequent travellers.

• BahnCard 100: Travel unlimited on the entire Deutsche Bahn network.

  💰 Price: €4,339/year in 2nd class and €7,356/year in 1st class.

  ✅ Ideal for people using the train daily.

📌 Good to know

• The BahnCard 25 and 50 are only valid on long-distance trains (ICE, IC, EC), unless otherwise stated.
• The Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis offers also allow you to get discounted tickets, even without a BahnCard.
• Special promotions are regularly offered by Deutsche Bahn.

To check current rates and find out more, visit the official Deutsche Bahn website.

🎟️ The different types of Deutsche Bahn tickets

Just like SNCF in France, the German railway company Deutsche Bahn offers several types of tickets suited to all travellers.

Tickets for ICE and long-distance trains

If you travel on an ICE or a long-distance train (Intercity (IC) or Eurocity (EC)), you'll be able to choose between several classes and fares:

• First class: More space, comfortable seats, access to DB Lounge lounges, at-seat service on certain trains.
• Second class: More affordable, ideal for classic journeys.

What's more, you can choose between different fares:

• Super Sparpreis: The cheapest ticket, but non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
• Sparpreis: Discounted ticket, exchangeable for a fee.
• Flexpreis: Flexible fare, allowing you to take any train on the day of travel.

💡 Good to know: If you have a BahnCard, you can benefit from attractive discounts on these tickets!

Tickets for regional trains (DB Regio)

For regional trains (RE, RB, IRE and S-Bahn), tickets work differently:

• Flat fare depending on distance and region.
• Tickets often valid all day for a certain zone.
• Options such as the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket or the Länder-Ticket (a ticket valid for several people within a specific region).

Paper ticket or e-ticket?

When booking on the Deutsche Bahn website, you have two options:

• Electronic ticket (e-ticket): to download to your smartphone or print.
• Paper ticket: If you choose postal delivery, a fee of €4.90 applies.

With all these options, you're sure to find the ticket that fits your journey! 😊

Deutsche Bahn has adapted and now offers facilities enabling easier access for people with reduced mobility.

In major German stations, there's no longer an issue. Almost all ICE trains are easily accessible and equipped with seats and toilets for wheelchair users.

Please note that on regional trains this isn't always yet the case. It's therefore best to ask in advance by contacting Deutsche Bahn.

For more information, go here.

If you ever need to contact Deutsche Bahn, you can go here.

There you'll find the email and phone contacts of Deutsche Bahn, depending on your country.

Handy, isn't it?

Boarding Deutsche Bahn trains: What you need to know

To travel with Deutsche Bahn, you must have a valid ticket.

Do you need to validate your ticket?

Ticket validation depends on the type of train:

• ICE, IC and EC trains: No validation needed. An electronic or printed ticket is enough.
• Regional trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn): Some paper tickets bought at the station must be validated before boarding at a dedicated machine.

It's recommended to always check the instructions on your ticket to avoid a fine in the event of an inspection.

Is ID required?

If you're travelling with a named ticket, such as one purchased with a BahnCard discount, you may be asked for proof of identity during a ticket check.

When should you arrive at the station?

• Long-distance trains (ICE, IC, EC): Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before to have time to find your platform and carriage.
• Regional trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn): These trains often run with open access, but it's better to be on time so you don't miss it.

Little language bonus

Do you know how to say "thank you" in German?

"Danke"!