Train Travel FAQ

Most long-distance trains (ICE, IC, Nightjet) have on-board toilets, including accessible ones on newer stock. Regional trains often do too, but on short rural routes an onboard toilet is not guaranteed. Larger stations and most ICE stops have free station toilets for about 1 euro.

German tap water is drinkable almost everywhere, including major stations. On board, tap water is technically safe but most trains only sell bottled drinks. Bring an empty bottle: many stations have Trinkwasserbrunnen or Refill-stations where you can refill for free.

Quiet zones (Ruhebereich) in ICE first class and some second-class carriages forbid phone calls. Elsewhere phone calls are tolerated but considered rude — switch to silent mode and take long calls in the bistro car or vestibules between carriages.

No — putting feet on the seat is considered rude and in some regions may trigger a fine. It also damages the upholstery and creates extra cleaning work. If you want to stretch out, book a seat in the family area or a quiet zone with more space.

You can take as much hand luggage as you can carry yourself in one trip. There is no weight or piece limit for suitcases, backpacks or bags. Only bicycles, e-bikes, skis and similar items need a separate ticket — and they cannot block aisles or doorways.

Reserve at bahn.de, the DB Navigator app, or at any DB ticket machine. A seat reservation on ICE/IC costs 4.50 EUR per person per journey. First-class tickets often include a free reservation; Saver fares sometimes include one too. Reservations open up to 6 months ahead.

Yes. Small dogs in a carrier (max 70x50x30 cm) travel free. Larger dogs need a child-fare ticket (about half the standard Flexpreis) and must be leashed and muzzled on long-distance trains. Service dogs accompanying disabled passengers travel free without a muzzle.

Yes. On regional trains you usually just buy a bicycle ticket from the transport association (often 4-6 EUR). On ICE and IC long-distance trains you need a 9 EUR bicycle ticket including a mandatory reservation. Folding bikes travel free when folded.

Children under 6 travel free when accompanied by a parent or grandparent and do not need their own ticket. Children aged 6 to 14 travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, otherwise they get a child ticket. From 15, full adult fares apply.

Yes — the official DB Navigator app is free on iOS and Android. You can buy tickets, get live platform info, plan connections and store tickets on your phone. Some features like seat reservations or BahnCard discounts are easier to manage in the app than at a machine.

For Nightjet and European night trains, a reservation is mandatory because every ticket includes a specific berth (seat, couchette or sleeper). You cannot board without a reservation, and you cannot just hop on the next night train with a flexible ticket — book ahead.

Yes. From a 60-minute delay at your destination you get 25% of the ticket price back; from 120 minutes, 50%. Apply online at bahn.de/fahrgastrechte, by post, or at a DB Travel Centre — usually within a year of travel. Keep your ticket until the refund arrives.

It depends on how often you ride. At 63 EUR per month it pays for itself if you regularly commute or travel regional trains even a few times a week. For occasional long-distance travel, single ICE/IC tickets are cheaper. Use our break-even calculator for your pattern.

Mostly yes — modern ICE and IC trains have wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets and ramps. Some older regional trains still have steps. Book Deutsche Bahn’s mobility service at least 24 hours ahead (free, 0800 5 99 66 33) so staff with ramps are ready at your stations.

Yellow departure boards and blue arrival boards in every station show the current platform. The DB Navigator app shows live platform info plus push alerts when platforms change. Listen for announcements in German and English — last-minute changes are common at large hubs.

Yes — ICE and most IC trains have free Wi-Fi. Connect to "WIFIonICE" or "DB-WIFI", accept the terms in your browser and you can browse for the duration of the journey. The connection is fine for messaging and email, but streaming can be patchy in tunnels and rural areas.

Flexpreis is the full-price flexible ticket: travel on any train that day, refundable. Sparpreis is the cheap advance fare: tied to one specific train, no refunds but exchangeable for a fee. Super-Sparpreis is even cheaper but completely non-exchangeable. Pick Flex if your plans might change.

Yes — strollers travel free on all German trains. Most ICE and IC trains have designated family areas with extra space. Regional trains usually have a designated stroller/bike spot near the doors. Fold the stroller when the train is crowded to keep aisles clear.

Yes. Children under 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult or grandparent. The BahnCard 100 and most saver fares include free travel for up to 4 children with the cardholder. The "Familienkarte" (annual) lets one adult bring up to 4 children at a discount.

If you miss your connection because the first train was delayed, take the next train for free — even without a reservation. Tell the conductor on the first train so the binding on your ticket is lifted. Use the DB Navigator app to find the next available connection.