Christmas is the most popular travel time of the year. Millions of people travel to their families to spend the holidays together. With the right planning, you can travel cheaply and stress-free by train even at Christmas. Here you'll find all the important tips for your Christmas journey.
Essential Tips for Christmas Travel
1. Book Early (6-8 weeks ahead)
Demand at Christmas is extremely high. Book at least 6-8 weeks in advance to get the best Saver fares. The earlier, the better!
2. Saver Fares at Christmas
Saver fares at low prices are available even at Christmas, but availability is limited. Early booking gives you the best chances.
3. Seat Reservation Recommended
Trains are often full at Christmas. A seat reservation (from €4.50) is strongly recommended, especially on long journeys.
4. Plan Buffer Time
Delays are more common at Christmas. Plan buffer time and avoid tight connections.
Best Booking Times for Christmas
Optimal: 8-12 weeks ahead
The best Saver fares and largest selection of connections are available when you book 8-12 weeks before Christmas. This is the ideal booking window.
Still possible: 4-6 weeks ahead
Up to 4-6 weeks before Christmas you can still find good deals, but selection becomes smaller and prices slowly rise.
Difficult: Less than 4 weeks
Less than 4 weeks before Christmas, Saver fares become very rare. Flex fares are often the only option and significantly more expensive (€50-150).
Christmas Prices: When is it Cheapest?
| Date | Demand | Prices | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 20-22 | Very High | Expensive | Book early! |
| December 23 | Highest | Very Expensive | Avoid if possible |
| December 24 | Medium | Cheaper | Good alternative |
| December 25 | Low | Cheap | Very good option |
| December 26 | Very High | Expensive | Book early! |
| December 27-30 | High | Medium | Good prices still possible |
Special Tips for Christmas Travel
Group Travel
From 6 people, you get group discounts. This can significantly reduce the cost per person, especially at Christmas.
Tip: Book group trips even earlier (10-12 weeks ahead) for the best prices.
Luggage
At Christmas, many travelers bring gifts. Plan enough time for luggage and use luggage storage at stations if needed.
Tip: Ship large gifts by parcel to reduce luggage.
Special Trains
Deutsche Bahn often offers additional connections (special trains) on popular routes at Christmas. These are usually announced 4-6 weeks in advance.
Tip: Subscribe to DB newsletters for early information.
BahnCard at Christmas
With the BahnCard, you get additional discounts on Saver fares even at Christmas. With multiple trips, the investment pays off quickly.
Tip: BahnCard 25 costs €62/year and saves more than the investment with 2-3 Christmas trips.
Conclusion: Stress-Free Christmas Travel
Christmas train travel doesn't have to be expensive or stressful. With the right planning and early booking, you can travel cheaply and relaxed even at Christmas.
The key tips: Book 6-8 weeks in advance, reserve seats, plan buffer time, and use group discounts or BahnCard. This way you'll arrive at your family's relaxed and affordably!