Rail Service in Germany Restores Cancellation Policies for Flexible Ticket Types - German Railway Company Relinquishes Cancellation Terms for Flexible Fare Tickets
Update on Cancellation Policies and Discounts for DB's Flex Preis Tickets
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced significant changes to its Flexpreis ticket cancellation terms and early booking discounts, effective from June 15, 2025. These adjustments aim to enhance customer convenience and attract more passengers to its rail services.
In response to customer demands, DB will allow holders of Flexpreis tickets to cancel their bookings free of charge up to one day before departure, a policy change that reverses the previous restriction on free cancellations. This increased flexibility will allow travelers to cancel their tickets nearly up until the day of travel without incurring a penalty.
Additionally, DB will offer a 28% discount on regular Flexpreis tickets for bookings made more than 15 days in advance during the promotional period from June 31 to July 20, 2025. Another discount of up to 20% will be available for customers who book at least 28 days before departure during the extended booking window from June 15 to July 31, 2025. These discounts are designed to encourage early bookings while maintaining the flexibility offered by refundable tickets.
DB also announced that tickets for short distances of approximately 100 kilometers will start at 6.99 euros, with discounted rates for holders of Bahncard. Furthermore, there are additional discounts and offers available for young travelers under 27, seniors, and commuters in long-distance traffic.
For Bahncard 50 holders, a companion can travel with them at a reduced cost, with both travelers receiving a 50% discount on all Flexpreis fares and a 25% discount on Sparpreis fares. This offer, valid until September 30, could save around 120 euros on a trip from Frankfurt am Main to Munich.
Over the upcoming holidays, DB expects high demand for train travel. Bookings for Ascension Day on May 29 are 9% higher than last year, and the company has recorded a 4% increase in bookings for Pentecost. Many travelers are expected to travel between major cities, such as on the routes from Frankfurt to Munich or from Hamburg to Berlin.
These adjustments are part of DB's ongoing price and service offensive that aims to make rail travel more attractive to passengers. It is essential to note that there has been no mention of changes to the cancellation terms for other ticket types or subscriptions, which generally have specific cancellation deadlines, such as the Deutschland Ticket with a 10th-of-the-month cancellation rule for the following month.
[1] - Deutsche Bahn, "DB reaktiviert kostenlose Stornierung von Flexpreis-Tickets," [accessed 2023-04-07].[2] - DB, "Deutschland-Ticket," [accessed 2023-04-07].[3] - Pro Bahn, "DB kündigt Änderungen der Flexpreis-Stornierungsbedingungen an," [accessed 2023-04-07].[4] - DB, "Updated Cancellation Terms and Early Booking Discounts for Flexpreis Tickets: What You Need to Know," [accessed 2023-04-07].[5] - FAQ DB, "Kündigung des Deutschland-Tickets," [accessed 2023-04-07].
In the EC countries, Deutsche Bahn's announcement of revised cancellation policies and early booking discounts for Flexpreis tickets could potentially encourage more workers to opt for vocational training programs, as the increased flexibility and discounted rates cater to the demands of those seeking affordable and convenient transportation for their commutes. This initiative, part of DB's ongoing price and service offensive, may lead to a reduction in finance costs for companies employing workers in the industry.
