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The Daily Insight

Can you buy tickets on the train Germany?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on March 19, 2026

In ICE, IC and EC trains you can buy a ticket in the train without problem (but the ticket will be more expensive than if you bought it online or in the station, see below). For Deutsche-Bahn trains, the rules are explained in the Conditions of Carriage (in German).

Hereof, when can I buy train tickets in Germany?

Buy Train Tickets in Germany in Advance Tickets are sold at sparpreise (discount prices) from 3 months to 3 days prior to the travel date. Discounts can be up to 63 percent. Outside of those times, or once all the discount tickets are sold, tickets are sold at normalpreis (standard fare).

Secondly, can you buy ticket on train? It is no longer possible to buy the full range of tickets on board a train. Like all train companies*, you must buy a ticket before you board, or risk getting a penalty fare. Also, we now have more ticket vending machines at stations, and of course you can buy from one of our friendly faces at the ticket office.

Then, should I buy train tickets in advance Germany?

On-sale dates vary by country, route, and time of year, with most starting two to four months in advance of travel, and six months ahead for Germany and the Eurostar Chunnel train. In some areas (such as Switzerland and most eastern countries), advance-purchase deals either don't exist or aren't worth the hassle.

How much is a train ticket in Germany?

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.

Related Question Answers

Is public transport free in Germany?

Public transportation is not currently free in Germany, although this is something the government are considering as a way to help combat air pollution. It is, however, heavily subsidized, and the cost of the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses in major cities is very cheap compared to London, Paris, and Zurich.

How do I buy train tickets in Germany online?

How to book an online ticket
  1. Find the connection you want on bahn.com.
  2. Go to "Ticket & Reservation" and select the "Digital Ticket" option.
  3. You will receive your booked ticket digitally as a PDF download and by e-mail.
  4. Alternatively, you can download your ticket to your smartphone using the DB Navigator app.

How do I buy German train tickets?

Buy German train tickets online direct from DB at I recommend buying direct from Deutsche Bahn with all the cheap fares shown, no booking fees and print-at-home or show-on-smartphone tickets. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in and check or re-print your tickets at any time.

How much is a Eurorail pass?

A second-class 15-day ticket costs $870 USD (a value of $58 USD per trip) while the first-class ticket costs $1,085 USD (a value of $72 USD per trip). Unlimited (which Eurail calls “continuous”) passes can be bought for up to three months, allowing you unlimited travel in that time.

Are trains cheap in Germany?

Cheap Deutsche Bahn Tickets As the main train operating company in Germany, it is likely you will travel on a Deutsche Bahn train whilst in Germany. These types of ticket are determined on flexibility and demand of travel, so it is important that you book well in advance to get cheap train tickets.

Is the German Rail Pass worth it?

Rail pass rule of thumb If you are planning to travel on more than two ruinously expensive, long-distance, high-speed journeys (some combination of Cologne, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin or Hamburg), the pass is generally worth it.

What is a Flexpreis ticket?

Flexpreis. Flexpreis is normally a whole amount you should pay for a journey. This is like a open ticket. You can use any train in that particular day to travel. For example, you want to travel from Frankfurt Central Station to Munich Central Station at 18:54, but you have missed that train.

Do ICE trains have food?

You will typically find a Bordbistro or a Bordrestaurant on ICE trains, which offer meals like currywurst, salad, chili, rice dishes and desserts, along with an ample beverage service providing coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks and juice. In first class, you can even order food and drinks at your seat.

Is it cheaper to buy train tickets online or at the station?

So, no queuing at the ticket counter – the Advance On The Day ticket is an online-only transaction – plus there is no booking fee for using the website or the app. It's cheaper than either of the other options for tickets bought on the day of travel, the Anytime or Off-Peak tickets.

Is it cheaper to book a train ticket in advance?

Advance tickets are usually the cheapest way to travel by train, and generally go on sale 12 weeks before your date of travel. You have to travel on the train you're booked on, but you get a much cheaper price by foregoing flexible travel times. Full details on Advance tickets can be found here.

Should I buy Europe train tickets in advance?

When to buy European train tickets to get the best fare The good news is that you can generally get a decent discount on the full fare if you buy at least a month in advance. And booking a week in advance is almost always cheaper than booking on travel day.

When should I buy train tickets?

Always book early Cheap train tickets are usually released by train operators in advance of the journey. Normally, this is around 12 weeks in advance, as the timetable for any particular day is normally confirmed 12 weeks in advance.

Is Rail Europe legit?

Your tickets are perfectly legitimate and purchased at a fair price, unlike the ones you might have bought from Rail Europe. Rail Europe is a travel agency - not a rail road company. They rarely sell discount tickets and the tickets they do sell are marked up.

How do I book train tickets in Europe?

How Early To Book Tickets? To get the best price on tickets, it's advisable to book at least one month in advance. Most National Rail websites start selling tickets 60-90 days before departure. Eurostar tickets are on sale 180 days in advance, and you should snatch those babies up as soon as possible.

How far in advance can you book train tickets?

Typically, train companies release their Advance tickets 12 weeks before the departure date, although some go on sale as far as 24 weeks in Advance! Only a limited number of tickets will be available, so be quick to secure yours as the fare can rise as the date of travel gets nearer.

How do I book train tickets in France?

France Train Tickets: How to book tickets on the SNCF website (in French!)
  1. Step 1: Choose where and when you're going. The SNCF homepage.
  2. Step 2: Select your tickets. Now a page will open with options for the first half of your journey.
  3. Step 3: Payment.
  4. Step 4: Picking up your tickets.

How do you buy tickets online?

Step-by-step instructions how to buy tickets:
  1. Select an event.
  2. Select the number of tickets and the price, Add to cart.
  3. Fill in Payment Information and read Customer Summary.
  4. Pay with your credit card by 3D secure system or use PayPal.
  5. Print your e-tickets or collect your tickets in person in Via Musica shop.

How do you get on a train without a ticket?

You can be issued with an Unpaid Fare Notice (UFN) If staff on the train consider that your ticket is not valid and that a full fare should be charged you can pay immediately and then, if desired, complain to the train operating company to seek redress.

What happens if you get on the train without a ticket?

If you travel on a train without a ticket, you'll have to pay the full single fare or full return fare or, if appropriate, a penalty fare for your journey. You might be charged a penalty fare if you: Travel without a valid ticket. Continue your journey past your ticket destination.

How can I avoid buying a train ticket?

How do I avoid a Penalty Fare?
  1. To avoid paying a Penalty Fare, you must purchase a valid ticket to your destination for the class of travel you wish to use before starting your journey.
  2. If you are unable to do so, you must buy a Permit to Travel, or Promise to Pay from the machines that are provided at most stations.

How much does train cost?

You can expect an average train cost to be about $5,000,000 including both the engine train or locomotive, and the coaches used in the train. This would be if you were to buy used with about 20 cars attached to the engine.

Can you pay for train tickets by debit card?

Accepted contactless cards If your Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit or debit card shows the contactless payment symbol, you can use it to pay for your travel. You'll pay an Adult Opal fare.

How do online train tickets work?

Buying train tickets online is easy and quick. You can often print your train ticket out at home or at work, get them sent in the post to you, collect your tickets from the ticket machines at the station or even have your ticket delivered to your smartphone (where available).

How can I book train ticket by phone?

You can call us on 0871 244 1545* or 0333 202 2222. Our support team are available to take your call 7 days a week from 8am until 10pm.

How do I pre book train tickets?

Advance tickets are generally not available earlier than 12 weeks before the date of travel. Once train times are confirmed, Advance tickets will begin to appear in our Journey Planner. You will be able to find full details of availability and choose to buy them from your preferred retailer.

Why are trains so expensive in Germany?

ICE's have advantage of being the fastest trains in the Germany. So, their tickets are expensive compared to RE-bahn. If time is more valuable to you, then buy expensive ICE tickets else buy economical RE-bahn ticekts which takes some extra time than ICE to reach destination.

How do you get to Germany by train?

It's easy to travel from London to Germany by train. Take Eurostar from London to Brussels in just 2h00, switch to a Thalys or ICE high-speed train from Brussels to Cologne in 1h57, then take a luxurious ICE high-speed train from Cologne to Munich, Berlin or anywhere in Germany.

Are trains in Germany expensive?

Taking trains in Germany can be expensive, though most locals don't pay the full fare. For those traveling within Germany for a longer period of time, consider one of Deutsche Bahn's annual discount cards, which provide either 25%, 50%, or 100% off of the cost of all train tickets purchased within one year.

What is city ticket in Germany?

Free use of public transportation in cities in combination with a long-distance train ride (City-Ticket) is a service developed by the board of German public transport providers VDV and German Railway service operator Deutsche Bahn.

Can you eat on German trains?

Eating on German Trains Well, German trains have that covered, too, but you don't have to stop and you're still moving faster than by car. All ICE trains have a restaurant wagon where you can sit down and receive table service. It's not a Michelin-starred restaurant, but you can eat plenty well on the train.

How fast does ICE train go in Germany?

300km/h

How do you get a train in Europe?

Europe Train Travel: The Good and Bad
  1. Arrive in the Center of Town.
  2. No Long Check-In and Security Lines.
  3. No Luggage Limits/Fees.
  4. E-Tickets.
  5. Bring A Picnic (Don't Forget The Wine and Beer)
  6. A Vast Rail Network and Multiple Trains.
  7. Sleep On the Train and Extend Your Travel Time.
  8. Spontaneous Travel.

Can you drink on trains in Germany?

Unlike in many other countries, drinking alcohol and especially beer in public is not only legal but very common in Germany. But beware: in some public trains or buses, drinking alcohol is prohibited, so just watch out for signs.