Deutsche Bahn, often simply called DB, is Germany’s national rail operator. Its trains serve the length and breadth of the country. Offering both high-speed, long-distance services as well as regional routes, traveling by train with DB is a super convenient way to get around Germany. Read on to learn about Deutsche Bahn tickets, trains, and the top destinations you can visit in Germany by train.
Find what you need
Your journey
DB map
DB operates ICE (high-speed), Intercity and Regional services across the whole of Germany. Take a look at our Deutsche Bahn (DB) network map.
Wide range of destinations
Deutsche Bahn run most of the passenger train services in Germany, so wherever you’re traveling, DB can help you get there. Whether you’re planning to explore Cologne, Berlin, Munich or even somewhere a little off the beaten track, try taking the train!
Most popular routes
Inspiration
Have a peek at our trains in Germany page! You’ll find info on some of our favorite cities and how to get to each one by train.
Top DB routes
Need some inspiration? Check out some of the most popular routes in Germany, all served by Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains.
Get inspired
Struggling to decide on your next vacation destination? Or want a bit more information about what to do once you get there? Use our travel blog to plan out your days (and nights)—and get the most out of your holiday.
How to buy DB tickets
Trainline makes it easy to buy DB tickets, whether it’s on our website or our app. Use our Journey Planner to compare prices, times and ticket types.
- Enter your origin and destination stations.
- Enter the dates you want to travel on and what time of day you’d like to travel, the number of passengers and their ages.
- Compare times and prices. You can also choose between different ticket classes.
- Select the tickets you’d like to purchase.
- Provide your name(s) and contact details.
- Pay for your tickets (in US Dollars, multiple payment options available).
- You’ll receive email confirmation of your purchase.
- You’ll then be able to access and download your e-tickets on the Trainline app or store them in your smartphone wallet.
How to get cheap DB tickets
If you're after cheap DB train tickets, we'll show you how you could bag yourself a bargain. By using one (or a combination) of the steps below, you could be on your way to more affordable train travel.
Book in advance
Train tickets for journeys within Germany can go on sale up to 12 months before travel, so it’s worth thinking ahead. Booking in advance can help you grab the cheapest tickets, as these tend to sell out quickly leaving only more expensive options available closer to your travel date.
Pick a specific time to travel
Flexible tickets come with more freedom around when you’re traveling, but you’ll pay for the privilege. If you’re looking for a cheaper way to explore Germany, think about buying a fixed-time Sparpreis or Super Sparpreis ticket.
Can I travel on DB trains with a Eurail Pass?
Score! You can use a Eurail Pass on DB trains across Germany. There are just a few extra steps depending on the type of train you’re traveling on – keep reading for more details.
High-speed trains (IC and ICE)
Seat reservations are optional on DB’s high-speed IC and ICE trains on routes in Germany. However, if you want to be guaranteed a seat on a specific train, we’d recommend you make a seat reservation.
On international ICE trains to/from Germany, reservations are mandatory between June 1 and August 31 (excluding ICE trains to Switzerland). On the Frankfurt to Paris and Stuttgart to Paris ICE routes, reservations are always mandatory.
Regional trains (RE, RB and IR)
Seat reservations are not required on regional trains operated by DB in Germany. That means you can add the journey to your Pass, hop on the train and get traveling!
Regional trains are a great option if you’re looking for slower travel, or a good alternative if the high-speed train you want to travel on has sold out.
Regional trains will show in journey planners as RE, RB or IR trains.
DB trains
DB operates 3 main train types: ICE (Intercity Express), IC (Intercity) and regional trains. Read on to discover more about each type of train, including what kind of amenities you can find on board.
ICE trains
Able to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, DB’s ICE trains cover the hugely popular long-distance routes across the country, serving major cities like Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt. You can also take an international ICE train to neighboring countries such as France and Austria, making it a great option if you’d like to city (or even country) hop!
On board, you can expect to find free WiFi, as well as quiet zones, family areas and even a restaurant car. ICE trains have Second Class and First Class cars, both of which are incredibly comfortable. In First Class, passengers are treated to more spacious seats, an at-seat food and drinks service, access to DB lounges (with a flexible ticket only) and more.
Intercity (IC)
Providing a similar service to the ICE trains, Intercity services also transport passengers between Germany’s major cities – just at a slower speed. You’ll get many of the same comforts on these trains, including the spacious seats. In fact, some Intercity trains also feature double-decker carriages, enabling them to carry more passengers per journey than ICE trains.
Regional Express (RE) and Regionalbahn (RB)
Regional Express and Regionalbahn trains connect towns and villages to major cities. If you’d like to explore some slightly different areas away from the beaten path, then regional trains are incredibly useful. Much like the Intercity trains, some of these services also feature double-decker carriages for extra space.
ICE trains - more information
ICE stands for Intercity Express. These are DB’s flagship high-speed trains, capable of speeds of up to 300km/h (186 mph). You’ll hear most people in Germany referring to them by their shortened ‘ICE’ moniker, pronounced ‘eet-ze-eh’.
Routes
ICE services run between all major cities in Germany, including Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Leipzig. The network also runs into neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and France.
Catering on board
ICE trains usually have a restaurant car (where you can have a sit-down meal) and a bistro-area where you can buy food to take back to your seat. You don’t have to reserve a seat in the restaurant car; simply find an unoccupied seat and sit down. If you’re in First Class, a member of staff will take orders at your seat, and you’ll be able to eat from the comfort of your seat.
Classes
There are two classes on board: First Class and Second Class. Like most trains in Europe, seating in First Class is arranged in a 2+1 formation, while Standard is arranged in a 2+2 formation. First Class seats are spacious, with more legroom. However, Second Class is also perfectly comfortable and usually provides excellent value for money.
If you're feeling hungry, Standard Class passengers can go to the restaurant car or café-bistro. First Class passengers benefit from the at-seat meal service.
There’s free WiFi available in both classes.
DB classes
Second Class
In Second Class on DB ICE and IC trains, you’ll get:
- Seats in a 2+2 formation
- Free WiFi (bandwidth limits apply)
- At-seat power outlets
- Access to the onboard restaurant car
First Class
In First Class on DB ICE and IC trains, you’ll enjoy:
- More legroom
- A quieter, more relaxed journey
- A 2+1 seat formation (instead of 2+2 as in Second Class)
- Seat reservations included (flexible tickets only)
- An at-seat meal service
- Access to DB lounges (flexible tickets only)
- Free unlimited WiFi
- At-seat power outlets
- Free digital magazines and newspapers
DB tickets
DB tickets are easy to understand. Whether you travel in First Class or Standard, there are three different types of ticket you can buy – Super Sparpreis, Sparpreis and Flexpreis. Check out our brief overview of each type below for more info.
Super Sparpreis (Super saver fare)
The Super Sparpreis, or Super save fare, is DB’s best value ticket type. You can only travel on the date, time and train specified on your ticket.
You can’t cancel or exchange a Super Sparpreis ticket.
Sparpreis (Saver fare)
The Sparpreis, or Saver fare ticket is another great option for cheap train travel on the DB network. You can only travel on the date, time and train specified on your ticket.
You can cancel or change your Sparpreis ticket. Changes or cancellations must be made before the departure date, and you’ll be charged a €10 fee. Refunds are issued as DB vouchers which are valid for 3 years.
There are also group saver tickets available, known as Sparpreis Gruppe, for groups of 6 or more passengers. You can find these in our Journey Planner when looking for tickets for 6 or more people.
Flexpreis (Flexible fare)
With a Deutsche Bahn Flexpreis ticket, you’ll have more freedom over when you can travel. Unlike a Super Sparpreis or Sparpreis ticket, with a Flexpreis ticket you’ll be able to travel on any train on the date specified on your ticket.
- For journeys under 100km: your ticket is valid on the day of travel only.
- For journeys over 100km: you must start your journey on the day indicated on the ticket, though you may stop somewhere and resume your journey at another time so long as your origin and destination stations are the same.
This ticket is refundable. You can cancel your ticket free of charge up to 8 days before the start date indicated on the ticket. It’ll cost €10 if you cancel your ticket 1-7 days before travel. Canceling on the specified day of departure costs €30.
All tickets
Children under 6 travel for free on DB trains. Children between 6 and 14 years old travel for free if they’re accompanied by someone 15 or older (up to 4 children per ticketholder). If traveling alone, children over 5 pay half the adult fare.
Super Sparpreis, Sparpreis and Flexpreis tickets are available up to 12 months before departure, depending on when the train timetables are confirmed. If there are no tickets available for your chosen departure date yet, keep checking back closer to the time!
DB stations
Learn about some of the largest and most popular stations served by DB trains in Germany.
Delays and cancellations
Useful information on what to do if your train is delayed or canceled.
What do I do if my train is delayed or canceled?
If your train is expected to be delayed, you may be able to use your ticket on other trains instead.
If your train is expected to be 20+ minutes late for a journey within Germany, you can:
- Use your ticket on the same route or a different route when possible
- Take a later train
- Use another train that does not need a reservation (you may need to buy a ticket for an alternative service and then apply for a refund).
If your train is expected to be at least 60+ minutes to your destination, you can:
- Decide not to travel and get a refund for your full ticket
- Get a refund for the unused portion of your ticket, if you’ve only completed part of a planned journey
- Get a refund for the whole ticket if you have traveled part of the way and then returned to your origin station due to the expected delay.
You can find full details of your rights as a passenger in the event of delays or cancellations on the DB website.
Compensation
DB offer compensation in the form of vouchers or cash refunds for delayed journeys. The amount of compensation is conditional on the length of delay – the rules are listed in the table below.
|
Delay length |
Compensation amount |
|
60+ minutes |
25% of a one-way ticket* |
|
120+ minutes |
50% of a one-way ticket* |
*Compensation under €4 will not be paid.
How do I check DB timetables?
There are plenty of ways to check when your DB service is departing.
Journey Planner
Use the Journey Planner at the top of the page to check train schedules. Simply search the route that you plan on taking (for instance, Berlin to Munich) and you’ll see all the trains due to depart on your chosen day of travel.
Our app
Download our app and you can add a DB journey to your 'favorites' list, so you can check the trains departing that day from the home screen at the click of a button!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Traveling with Deutsche Bahn? Find out everything you need to know about baggage allowance, pets and amenities on board Deutsche Bahn trains here.
What does Deutsche Bahn mean?
Who owns Deutsche Bahn?
What does ‘Hbf’ mean in German?
What countries does Deutsche Bahn operate in?
Is Deutsche Bahn the same as ICE?
Can I reserve a seat on a DB train after booking a ticket?
Can I use my Eurail Pass on Deutsche Bahn?
Can I get a refund on my Deutsche Bahn ticket?
Contact DB
Got a query about your Deutsche Bahn (DB) journey? Get in touch online.
Customer service enquiries
If you want to get in touch with our customer support team about a booking you've made with us, visit our help section.
Bookings, passenger rights and lost property
If you would like more information regarding DB bookings, passenger rights or services, then call DB on: +49 30 2970. Press 9 to speak to an English-speaking member of staff.
If you have questions about fares and timetables, call +49 30 311 682904.
To change a booking, you can call +49 61 727 613210.
For lost property, call +49 30 5860 20909.
For all calls, international calling fees may apply.