Germany’s national railway operator is extending its €99.99 family ticket beyond the summer season, giving eligible groups of up to five people a cheaper way to travel together.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is turning its summer family ticket promotion into a permanent offer from the start of November, after a strong response from travellers.
From October 26th, eligible groups will be able to book return long-distance train journeys for €99.99, with seat reservations included.
The offer could be particularly attractive for families planning longer trips across Germany – but whether it represents genuine savings depends on the route and when you book.
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What to know about the family ticket
The family ticket (Familienticket) will become a permanent part of DB’s range from November 1st, with tickets going on sale from October 26th.
Under the scheme, up to five people can travel together on DB long-distance services, including ICE trains, for €99.99 return or €59.99 one way.
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Seat reservations are included for all travellers, which is a notable perk after DB scrapped its separate family reservation option earlier this year.
There are some important conditions. To qualify, the group must include at least one child under the age of 14 and one or two travellers aged 15 or over.
But the group of passengers travelling together don’t have to be related.
Another thing worth bearing in mind when weighing up the value of the offer is that children aged up to and including 14 already travel free on long-distance trains when accompanied by an adult.
That means the ticket is likely to offer the best value on longer routes or more expensive last-minute journeys where two adult return tickets alone would cost more than €100.
Why is DB making the ticket permanent?
According to DB chief executive Evelyn Palla, the decision was driven by the success of the scheme during the summer holidays.
The company says the family ticket will be available with “very high availability” and there are no fixed limits on the number sold.
However, as with DB’s saver fares, the offer may disappear on particularly busy routes once demand becomes too high.
Families should also be aware that a ticket does not necessarily guarantee adjacent seats. If there are no neighbouring seats left on a train, travellers may need to accept separate reservations or choose a different train.
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