BahnCards at a Glance
BahnCard 25
€62.90
per year
on Flex and Saver fares
Best for:
Occasional travelers (2-4 trips/year)
Pays off:
from approx. €250 annual spending
- 25% discount on all fares
- Affordable entry option
- Also for children (€10/year)
- City ticket included
BahnCard 50
€255
per year
on Flex fares, 25% on Saver fares
Best for:
Regular travelers (monthly)
Pays off:
from approx. €500 annual spending (Flex)
- 50% on Flex fares
- 25% on Saver fares
- Maximum flexibility
- City ticket included
BahnCard 100
€4,550
per year (2nd class)
Free travel throughout Germany
Best for:
Frequent travelers & commuters
Pays off:
from approx. €15,000 annual spending
- Unlimited train travel
- 1st class: €7,830/year
- No reservation costs
- City ticket included
How to Calculate: Is the BahnCard Worth It?
The simple formula for BahnCard 25:
Annual spending × 0.25 > €62.90
= BahnCard 25 pays off from ~€252 annual spending
Example calculation: You travel Berlin-Munich 4× per year (Flex fare ca. €150 = €600/year).
- Savings with BC25: €600 × 25% = €150
- Minus card price: €150 - €62.90 = €87.10 saved
BahnCard 25 vs. 50: Which is Better?
The decision depends on your booking behavior:
- BahnCard 25: Better if you mainly book Saver fares (25% discount on already cheap tickets)
- BahnCard 50: Better if you need flexibility and often book last-minute (50% on Flex fares)
Tip: If you only book Saver fares, you'll benefit more from the cheaper BahnCard 25.
Trial BahnCard: Test First
Not sure? Deutsche Bahn offers a Trial BahnCard:
- Trial BahnCard 25: €19.90 for 3 months
- Trial BahnCard 50: €79.90 for 3 months
This lets you test whether the card is worthwhile before committing to a full year.
City Ticket: The Hidden Bonus
With every BahnCard, you get the City Ticket free with long-distance tickets. This means:
- Free travel by bus, subway, and S-Bahn in departure and destination cities
- Valid in over 130 German cities
- No separate ticket needed at the station
Notice: All information is provided without guarantee. Schedules and availability may change at any time. For current and binding information, please visit the official provider websites. This website is not affiliated with Deutsche Bahn AG or other railway companies.
Last update: December 2025
Sources & More Information:
- Deutsche Bahn – Official Deutsche Bahn website
- DB Navigator – Official DB Navigator App
- BahnCard Overview – Official BahnCard information
- BahnCard Prices – Current BahnCard prices