From June to August 2022, the 9-euro ticket, which will be on sale from May 23, 2022, will be valid, the introduction of which was finally decided by the Federal Council on May 20, 2022.
This means that users can make as many trips as they want in 2nd carriage class with all public transport throughout Germany for only 9 euros per month – however, this only applies to local and regional trains. The ticket is then not valid on long-distance buses and long-distance trains, such as ICE and IC trains.
Long journeys, for example to the popular holiday destinations on the Baltic Sea and North Sea, can therefore take much longer. We reveal how you can still travel relaxed.
These tips will help you relax even on longer train journeys
Bulky and heavy luggage
Large travel bags and suitcases, prams and bicycles can make some long train journeys difficult. That’s why Deutsche Bahn has set up an additional luggage service.
For as little as EUR 13.90 per piece of luggage, rail passengers with a valid ticket can have the Hermes courier service deliver it to their destination anywhere in Germany. The shipping time is 2 working days or 3 working days for shipping to the German North Sea islands and the island of Hiddensee.
Travel in peace
Many local and regional trains have carriages with quiet areas. You can recognize them by the crossed-out mobile phone and whisper symbols. In order to enable passengers in these departments to travel as quietly as possible, telephone calls, loud mobile phone ringing, listening to loud music (also with headphones) or other noisy activities are prohibited in these areas.
You can also choose a seat in the middle of the carriage for a quieter ride. The train wheels are usually located at the front and rear of the wagon. It is therefore often quieter in the middle of the wagon.
Travel with family
For families with children there are special group seats on many trains, which you can recognize from the colorful seat covers and wagon stickers with the inscription “Children’s Corner” to enable parents and children to sit together and also to keep children who love to play busy for the duration of the journey. The tables in these areas are often printed with game motifs, for example search or labyrinth games.
Choose longer connections
Since many travelers prefer trips that are as fast as possible without additional changes, these are often overcrowded. In addition, due to the pandemic, there is currently an obligation to wear a mask on Deutsche Bahn trains.
For a more comfortable journey, you can therefore also consider longer connections with transfer and waiting times to avoid overcrowded trains and to be able to take off the mask during breaks outside the trains to take a deep breath.
At the ticket machine, on the Deutsche Bahn website or in the DB Navigator app, you can deactivate the search filter for the fastest connection under “Information on the connection” and have longer alternatives displayed.
The right travel time
When planning your train journey, take into account times of the day, weekdays and public holidays when the trains could be particularly busy, as well as upcoming holiday periods.
For a relaxed journey, avoid commuting hours such as between 6am and 8am and between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays. An increased number of guests can also be expected for train journeys on weekends, long weekends with bridge and public holidays or during holiday periods.