How to travel cheap by train in Germany?

10 smart tips for cheap train travel in Germany
  1. Book as early as possible. ...
  2. Book online or at vending machine. ...
  3. Select less popular travel days. ...
  4. Deselect ICE. ...
  5. Change to regional traffic. ...
  6. Switch off “Prefer fast connections” ...
  7. Choose alternative route. ...
  8. Don't bother with seat reservations.




The cheapest way to travel by train in Germany in 2026 is by utilizing the Deutschlandticket, a flat-rate monthly subscription costing roughly 63€. This ticket offers unlimited travel on all local and regional transport nationwide, including buses, trams, U-Bahns, and regional trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn). While it excludes high-speed ICE/IC trains, it is unbeatable for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind a slower pace. For those who need high-speed travel, the "gold standard" for saving money is booking Super Sparpreis (Super Saver) tickets at least 30 to 90 days in advance via the DB Navigator app, where fares can drop as low as 12.99€. Additionally, the BahnCard 25 is a worthwhile investment if you plan to take more than two long trips, as it provides a 25% discount even on already-discounted saver fares. Traveling during "off-peak" hours (mid-week or late evening) also significantly reduces costs. For groups, the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket allows unlimited regional travel for a day for up to five people at a fraction of the cost of individual tickets, making it ideal for families.

People Also Ask

With "saver fare" (a.k.a. "Sparpreis") discounts, you save 25?50 percent ? sometimes even up to 70 percent ? by buying a train ticket for pre-selected dates and times (group discount available, refund restrictions apply, and seats at each discounted rate are limited ? for best prices buy as early as possible; deals go ...

MORE DETAILS

Saver Fare (Sparpreis) – prices for one-way tickets in Germany start from €19 for short distances (up to 250 km). For longer distances prices start at €29 (Second Class) and €49 (First Class) Travel on the ICE is possible. Prices for two people traveling together start at €49 in Second Class.

MORE DETAILS

Rail passes are usually a great value in Germany, often saving money while allowing you to hop trains at your convenience. While it's possible to swing many point-to-point ticket discounts in Germany, a rail pass still makes sense for most visitors traveling by train in Germany.

MORE DETAILS

The 9-Euro-Ticket (German pronunciation: [?n???n '????o 't?k?t]) was a German scheme through which passengers could travel for 9 euros (€) per month on local and regional transport in all of Germany.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, it is often cheaper to buy train tickets online. In fact, Saver Fares—the most discounted Amtrak fares—almost always require that you purchase in advance, which is easiest to do online. In general, prices fluctuate based on availability and demand, but tend to spike as you get closer to your departure date.

MORE DETAILS

Deutsche Bahn (DB Navigator) The Deutsche Bahn Navigator is a must-have public transportation app for anyone traveling in Germany. It provides up-to-date information on train schedules, buses and trams. You can also use the app for ticket purchases and to check fares. The best part?

MORE DETAILS

Hbf – Hauptbahnhof, the main or central station of a town or city.

MORE DETAILS

Many visitors, especially those coming from Europe, travel to Germany by car or train. Many who come from other parts of the world also fly into one of Germany's major cities and then continue their journey by bus or train.

MORE DETAILS

Originally Answered: Why are German trains so expensive ? For the longest time, the Deutsche Bahn (German Railway) had a monopoly on inter city ground travel. That let them set the price at whatever rate they want. Although this company is 100% owned by the German state it's still a private company.

MORE DETAILS

With the BahnCard you can save 25 % on train fares to many European countries for cross-border travels (RailPlus). Please note: The discount is only applicable for the journey from Germany to some destinations of the participating countries, and back to Germany.

MORE DETAILS

Advance purchase tickets are cheaper rail fares which are sold prior to the day of travel, and, in some cases on the day of departure.

MORE DETAILS

Who can buy and use the ticket? Anyone, including non-German residents and tourists.

MORE DETAILS

The new 'Deutschlandticket', a flat-fee public transport card for regional trains and other forms of public transport, will be valid from May 1 onwards. Federal and local authorities have ironed out the final details of the ticket, which is the successor of the much-lauded 9-euro ticket.

MORE DETAILS