German Railway Passengers Can Access Fee-Free Ticket Cancellations Once More
Deutsche Bahn reintroduces free Flexi-fare cancellations, offers discounts
In a shift of policy, German Railways (DB) will allow passengers to cancel Flexi-fare tickets up to one day before travel without incurring charges, reversing a move implemented in December 2024 that introduced a ten-euro fee for cancellations eight days or less before travel.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, follows mounting customer requests and criticism from the passenger association Pro Bahn, who had criticized the previous policy.
DB is also introducing discounts as part of its summer campaign, starting from mid-June. Passengers who book Flexi-fare tickets more than 15 days in advance can save 28%, with tickets for short distances starting at 6.99 euros. For Bahncard holders, the prices drop even lower, reaching 5.24 euros.
Young travelers, seniors, and long-distance commuters are not left out, with additional offers in long-distance traffic. Bahncard 50 holders can take a companion along at a 50% discount on Flexi-fares and a 25% discount on Sparfares until September 30. This can save around 120 euros on a trip from Frankfurt to Munich.
Deutsche Bahn expects high demand during holiday periods. Bookings for the Ascension Day holiday on May 29 are nine percent higher than last year, as are bookings for Pentecost. The company anticipates particularly heavy travel between metropolises, with many trips scheduled from Frankfurt to Munich or Hamburg to Berlin.
Additionally, DB will introduce the Bahncard Business 25 Klima in July, priced at €34.99 for second class and €49.99 for first class. This offering, with its accompanying tax benefits, is aimed at attracting more business travelers.
These measures form part of an overall strategy to boost rail travel during the summer, leverage growing demand, and cater to diverse customer segments.
- The discounts offered by Deutsche Bahn as part of their summer campaign, including savings of up to 28% on Flexi-fare tickets for business travel, lifestyle improvements for young travelers and seniors with additional offers in long-distance traffic, and reduced prices for Bahncard holders in finance areas, aim to attract a diverse range of customers and increase overall rail travel.
- As Deutsche Bahn introduces free Flexi-fare cancellations, offers discounts, and launches the Bahncard Business 25 Klima in July, it is expected that lifestyle changes, business travel, and travel for leisure and pleasure will all see increased interest, especially during holiday periods, with high demand for routes such as Frankfurt to Munich and Hamburg to Berlin.
