German Rail Hikes Seat Reservations for Families and Groups on Long-Distance Trains
Rail Company in Germany Hikes Cost for Family Seat Booking Reservation - German rail company Deutsche Bahn raises cost for family seat booking reservations
Look out, families and groups! German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) just announced some major changes to seat reservation pricing on long-distance trains, effective June 15th. Let's break it down and uncover what that means for your next train adventure.
The Deets on Chair Reservations
Remember the good ol' days when the Family Reservation option (Familienreservierung) let you save big bucks and reserve seats for up to five peeps (including kiddo(s)) for as low as €10.40 in seconds or €13 in first class? Welp, tout après-midi that's a thing of the past. Now, each individual must cough up the standard rate if they wanna reserve their spot.
What Changed?
- Bye-Bye Family Reservation: Say a heartfelt adieu to the affordable group booking because it's time to say hello to paying for every seat individually.
- Reservation Raises: The price to reserve a second-class seat goes up from €5.20 to €5.50, and first-class seats from €6.50 to €6.90.
- No Minors Exemption: In the past, the little munchkins under 14 could travel for free but seat reservation was optional. Now, families gotcha' back, everybody pays standard rates.
- Sticker Shock: Previously, a family of four paid €10.40 for a family reservation; now, they'll shell out €22 in second class. That's a whole 165% increase!
Can't Cope? Here's the Impact:
- Budget Buster: Families and groups need to buckle up for higher costs, particularly during peak travel times.
- Rail Travel Aversion: Consumer groups and politicos cried foul, claiming the policy could drive families towards car travel instead of trains.
- Equity Questions: The new policy raises concerns for those reliant on affordable public transportation, especially for essential and fun trips.
Naysayers Speaketh:
- Politicos United: Both CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary leaders threw punches against the change, arguing it's hard on wallets and could discourage family travel.
- Timing Conundrum: Critics point out the bad timing, noting the price hike coincides with peak holiday periods –not cool.
- Government Stance: The Federal Ministry of Transport ain't keen on interfering with Deutsche Bahn’s pricing decisions, although they're concerned the timing might send the wrong message about family-friendly transport.
What's Still on the Table:
- Kiddos Under 14: The good news: Little ones under 14 can still tag along on Deutsche Bahn long-distance trains for free (no seat reservation required).
- New Group Discounts? Oh nope!: No new group or family-specific reservation discounts have been announced to replace the discontinued family reservation option.
- Consider Alternatives: Want to keep costs low? Try traveling during off-peak times, catch a regional train with no reservations required, or explore alternate modes of transport.
To Sum Things Up:
| Feature | Before June 15, 2025 | From June 15, 2025 ||-----------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|| Family Reservation Option | Yes (€10.40/€13) | No || Seat Reservation Fee/person | €5.20/€6.50 | €5.50/€6.90 || Children Seat Reservation | Optional | Paid || Children Travel Free | Yes (without reservation)| Yes (without reservation)|
In conclusion, the scrapping of discounted family seat reservation rates and the hike in individual reservation fees means families and groups must dig deeper into their pockets for a seat on Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance trains. This move has been met with strong criticism from consumers and politicos, who think it makes train travel for families less attractive and affordable. Toodles to your comfortable train journeys!
- Despite the increased seat reservation prices for families and groups on long-distance trains in EC countries, children under 14 can still travel for free without a seat reservation.
- The elimination of family reservation discounts and raise in individual seat reservation fees might lead some families to reconsider their travel choices, potentially leaning more towards car travel or other modes of transport.
