One Family Ticket Now Covers Five People Anywhere in Germany

Deutsche Bahn has made its family ticket permanent. It is bookable again from October 26 for travel from November 1, and for 99.99 euros up to five people can make a second-class round trip anywhere in Germany, with seat reservations included. Separately, from October 21 monthly and student monthly passes for long-distance trains bought without a subscription cost 25 percent less.

The 2027 timetable takes effect December 13, 2026, and tickets went on sale October 14. DB says prices are supposed to remain stable. Berlin to Hamburg returns to a train every 30 minutes, the Berlin to Stuttgart Sprinter runs three times daily in each direction instead of once, and a daily Eurocity serves Warsaw, including Saturdays. From December 19, two ICE pairs per day link Berlin directly with Regensburg, Passau, Linz and Vienna.

Construction cuts the other way. Throughout 2027 only three ICE trains per direction between Berlin and Hanover can run within two hours, and detours add about 80 minutes, bringing Berlin to Cologne to roughly 5.5 hours. Work on the Frankfurt to Erfurt line removes the Berlin to Frankfurt Sprinters for part of the year, and there will be no long-distance trains between Rostock and Schwerin from May 15 to at least July 30.

The takeaway for rail travelers is to check specific routes before booking. The headline deals favor families and commuters, while some of the most popular fast services will be slower for much of the year.

Sources: Berlin Spectator, Voyages d’Affaires