Need to travel at short notice and don't have time to book weeks in advance? Don't worry - you can still travel affordably by train even with last-minute bookings. We'll show you how to find cheap tickets even shortly before departure.
Last-Minute: Key Facts at a Glance
- Flex-price always available - same price regardless of booking time
- Saver fares sometimes still available - especially on less frequented routes
- BahnCard discounts - also applicable to Flex-price tickets
- Flexible times - often cheaper outside peak hours
1. Flex-Price vs. Saver Fare for Last-Minute
For short-notice bookings, you have two options:
Flex-Price
- Always available, even on the day of travel
- Flexible cancellation up to shortly before departure
- Same price regardless of booking time
- More expensive than Saver fares (often 50-100% premium)
Saver Fare (when available)
- Cheapest option (from 17.90 EUR)
- Sometimes available even last-minute
- Train-specific, non-refundable (Super Saver)
- Not always available for last-minute
2. Tips for Cheap Last-Minute Tickets
Choose Flexible Times
Avoid peak hours (mornings 6-9 AM, evenings 4-7 PM) and popular routes. Early morning or late evening are often cheaper.
Consider Weekdays
Friday and Sunday evenings are usually more expensive. Monday to Thursday and Saturday are often cheaper for last-minute travel.
Use BahnCard
With BahnCard 25, 50, or 100, you receive discounts even on Flex-price tickets. For short-notice bookings, this can significantly reduce costs.
Compare Prices
Compare prices between DB and Omio. Sometimes you can find cheaper offers on Omio, especially for international connections.
Check Alternative Routes
Direct connections are often more expensive. Check connections with transfers - sometimes these are cheaper, even if the journey takes longer.
Use the DB Navigator App
The DB Navigator app shows you all available prices in real-time. Use push notifications for price alerts.
3. When Is Last-Minute Worth It?
Last-minute bookings are particularly worthwhile in the following situations:
- Business travel: Flex-price is often cheaper than flying or driving, especially with BahnCard discount
- Spontaneous trips: If you're flexible with time and route, you'll often find affordable options
- Less popular routes: On routes with low demand, Saver fares are often still available last-minute
- With BahnCard: The discounts on Flex-price tickets often make last-minute travel affordable
4. Compare Prices
Always compare prices between different providers:
- Deutsche Bahn (bahn.de): Official prices, all ticket types available
- Omio: Comparison platform, sometimes cheaper prices, especially for international connections
- DB Navigator App: Real-time prices, push notifications for price changes
5. BahnCard for Last-Minute
A BahnCard can significantly reduce costs even for last-minute bookings:
BahnCard 25
25% discount on Flex-price
62 EUR/year
Worthwhile from approx. 250 EUR annual spending
BahnCard 50
50% discount on Flex-price
255 EUR/year
Worthwhile from approx. 510 EUR annual spending
BahnCard 100
100% discount (free travel)
4,339 EUR/year
Unlimited travel
Tip: For frequent last-minute travel, a BahnCard can quickly pay off since you also receive discounts on Flex-price tickets.
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.
Sources & More Information:
- Deutsche Bahn – Official Deutsche Bahn website
- DB Navigator – Official DB Navigator App