When searching on the German website, it is important to distinguish between the route itself and the fare conditions. Two tickets for similar travel times may offer different levels of flexibility, so the comparison goes beyond just the price.
Read the fare details before paying
On the DB website, check the stations, route sections and fare name. Find out whether the fare is linked to a specific long-distance train, and what the change rules are. Do not select a discount card in the settings if the passenger does not have one. If necessary, check seat reservations separately from the ticket: these are not always the same service.
Use your journey details
Save your e-ticket and view your route in DB Navigator or on the website. Before departure, check for any changes and the carriage order, if available. A delay does not mean that any alternative transport is automatically permitted without further clarification. For non-standard situations, refer to the rules specific to your ticket.
See also: Deutschlandticket: which trains to check before boarding; RegioJet: how to check your ticket, class and mode of transport.
Official sources
Deutsche Bahn: tickets and terms and conditions. Please check current services, prices and terms and conditions for your specific date; photographs are for illustrative purposes only and do not confirm the composition of a specific service.
Image details
- ICE 4 at Nuremberg Hbf.jpg — Superalbs; CC BY-SA 4.0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
- J41 306 Speisewagen ICE 4, Bistroseite.jpg — Falk2; CC BY-SA 4.0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
Questions and Answers
What is a train-specific booking?
A restriction on the use of a fare to a specific service on the relevant route; details can be found in the ticket terms and conditions.
Are the ticket and seat reservation one and the same?
Not always. Check both elements in the summary.
Can I specify a BahnCard without the physical card?
No. The selected discount must match the passenger’s documents.
Where can I keep track of changes?
In your DB journey details and on the up-to-date station display.