Rail Strike: Your Rights & Alternatives | What to Do During a Strike?

Current Strike?

Check the current situation on the official Deutsche Bahn website. For announced strikes, DB usually informs passengers a few days in advance.

Current Alerts on bahn.de

What Would You Like to Do?

Your Passenger Rights During a Strike

Situation	Your Right	What to Do
Train cancelled (strike)	Full ticket refund	Request refund online or at travel centre
Train reservation	Lifted during strike	Any other train can be used
Delay > 60 min.	25% refund	Fill out passenger rights form
Delay > 120 min.	50% refund	Fill out passenger rights form
Hotel needed (overnight strike)	Reasonable costs	Keep receipts, request reimbursement

Alternatives During a Rail Strike

Long-distance Bus

FlixBus, BlaBlaBus

Affordable, many connections

Longer travel time, books up quickly during strikes

Rideshare

BlaBlaCar

Flexible, often cheap

Availability varies

Car Rental

Sixt, Europcar, etc.

Maximum flexibility

Expensive, parking challenges

Airplane

Lufthansa, Eurowings, etc.

Fast for long distances

Expensive, only practical for long routes

Rail Strike Checklist

Confirm the strike: Check on bahn.de if your train is affected Make a decision: Postpone your journey or use an alternative? If postponing: Cancel ticket for free or lift train reservation If using alternative: Book long-distance bus or rideshare early Keep receipts: For any potential refund claims

Typical Timeline of a Rail Strike

3-7 days before

Strike is announced

Union announces strike, media reports

1-2 days before

DB informs passengers

Emergency timetable published, free cancellation available

Strike day

Limited service

Only emergency timetable, many trains cancelled, train reservation lifted

Afterwards

Normal service resumes

Usually fully restored 1-2 days after strike ends, apply for refunds

Who Goes on Strike at Deutsche Bahn?

There are two unions at Deutsche Bahn that can call strikes:

GDL (German Train Drivers' Union): Primarily represents train drivers and conductors. GDL strikes directly affect train services.
EVG (Railway and Transport Union): Represents all job categories at the railway. EVG strikes can also affect services and infrastructure.

Tips for Commuters

As a commuter, you are particularly affected by strikes. These tips can help:

Prepare for working from home: Discuss remote work options with your employer for strike days
Form carpools: Exchange contact details with colleagues who travel similar routes
Use DB Streckenagent: The app notifies you about disruptions on your saved routes
Leave early: When trains do run, they are often overcrowded - earlier trains tend to be less busy

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
DB Passenger Rights – Official information on refunds
Current Alerts – Current disruptions and strikes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my ticket for free during a rail strike?

Yes, for announced strikes you can cancel your ticket free of charge up to one day before the strike - including Saver fare tickets. Refunds are processed via bahn.de or at DB travel centres.

Will I get my money back during a strike?

Yes, for strike-related train cancellations you are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price. Alternatively, you can use the ticket for a later journey.

Is my ticket valid on other days?

Yes, during strikes the train reservation requirement is lifted. You can use the same ticket on a different day or with a different train.

Do any trains run during a strike?

Usually yes, but with significant restrictions. Deutsche Bahn tries to maintain an emergency timetable, especially on major long-distance routes. Check the current situation on bahn.de.

Can I switch to long-distance buses during a strike?

Yes, long-distance buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) are a good alternative. However, prices rise quickly during announced strikes - book early.

How do I find out about a rail strike?

Deutsche Bahn informs passengers via bahn.de, the DB Navigator app, and by email/SMS (if you have notifications enabled). Media usually reports a few days in advance.

Rail Strike: What You Need to Know