More trains, new connections, increased prices – Deutsche Bahn’s new winter timetable 2021/2022 has been in effect since December 12th and involves some adjustments. The most important changes and innovations at a glance.
The new Deutsche Bahn timetable has been in effect since Sunday, December 12th. Among other things, it includes an expansion of long-distance traffic, more ICE Sprinter connections and new night train connections with the ÖBB Night Jet. With the new timetable, however, traveling by train will also be more expensive – except for children and young travelers. Everything you need to know about the new timetable.
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More ICE sprinter connections
In the winter timetable 2021/2022 there are new sprinter routes with which the railways want to reduce the demand for domestic German flights.
Between Berlin and Cologne, for example, sprinters will drive three times a day in less than four hours, up to half an hour faster than before. It is also faster on the Düsseldorf-Cologne-Munich route and in the morning from Hamburg to Frankfurt Airport. On the Munich – Berlin route, there is an additional Sprinter connection in the evening at 8:00 p.m., with which travelers are in the capital four hours later.
More night trains
Those who prefer to travel at night can look forward to two new connections. A new Nightjet of the ÖBB runs without changing from Zurich via Cologne to Amsterdam and a daily Railjet from Vienna via Munich to Paris – and vice versa. More information on these connections and other train routes in Europe can be found here in a detailed overview.
More and faster direct connections in long-distance transport
The new Deutsche Bahn timetable also provides for new long-distance connections. There is a new IC connection between Münster and Frankfurt, which is offered every two hours. There are now direct routes to Bremerhaven – from Cologne via Münster and Bremen. Another direct connection is an ICE, which runs from Cologne via Bielefeld, Hanover and Berlin to Stralsund and Binz.
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On the route from Hamburg via Bremen to the Ruhr area, a majority of the IC trains will be replaced by ICE trains. In the evening in the direction of Dresden there are more offers from Berlin – the Intercity is supplemented by two ICE trains. In addition, Augsburg and Bamberg will be more closely linked to the ICE connections to Berlin. From Munich in the direction of Kassel, travelers can now book a new later connection in the evening that goes via Kassel to Hamburg. Trains run between Munich and Nuremberg every half hour until 8 p.m.
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No more buying tickets on the train from the conductor
In order to avoid unnecessary contacts in times of corona pandemic, tickets may no longer be purchased directly from the conductors from 2021 onwards. In return, travelers can book their tickets up to ten minutes after departure via the DB app – without additional fees.
Prices rise by almost two percent
More trains, new connections, but also higher prices. As part of this year’s timetable change, prices will rise by an average of 1.9 percent. Although the tickets at the so-called super saver price and saver prices are still available from 17.90 euros and 21.50 euros, respectively, the flex price and the prices for route season tickets increase by an average of 2.9 percent. Bahncards 25, 50 and 100 will also be 2.9 percent more expensive.
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It will be cheaper for children and young travelers
For young travelers, however, the new Deutsche Bahn timetable offers discounts: 15 to 26-year-olds can take advantage of the Young super saver price, which was previously only available as a special offer.
Deutsche Bahn passengers can now take up to four children aged up to and including 14 on the train free of charge. Unlike in the past, the family relationship no longer plays a role – however, an accompanying person is required who is older than 15 years. The prerequisite for taking them with you free of charge is that children aged 6 and over must be entered on the ticket of their companion. This is still not necessary for children under 6 years of age. Children under the age of 15 traveling alone pay half the regular ticket price.
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