From mid-June 2026, Deutsche Bahn is selling a flat-rate family ticket (Familienticket) for €99.99. For that price, up to two adults and up to four children aged 6 to 14 can travel together on any ICE, IC, or EC long-distance train within Germany. Seat reservations are included in the price.
How does the Familienticket work?
The ticket is valid for travel between late June and mid-September 2026. It covers the summer school holiday weeks across all German federal states. You can book it on the Deutsche Bahn website starting mid-June. The exact launch date has not yet been confirmed.
The Familienticket option only appears in the DB journey planner if you indicate that you are travelling with at least one child.
The ticket is train-bound (zuggünstig). This means you select a specific train connection at the time of booking. You must travel on the trains you booked.
Who can use the Familienticket?
The ticket covers:
- Up to 2 adults (aged 15 and older)
- Up to 4 children aged 6 to 14
Children under 6 travel free on Deutsche Bahn without a seat reservation. The adults in the group do not have to be the children’s parents. Any group composition works, provided at least one child aged 6 to 14 is included.
NOTE: Children aged 15 and older count as adults for this ticket. If the teenager in your group has turned 15, you will need to account for them as one of the two adult spots.
Which trains and routes are covered by the Familienticket?
The Familienticket is valid on all ICE, IC, and EC long-distance trains operated by Deutsche Bahn across Germany. There is no restriction on route length.
The ticket does not cover:
- Regional trains (Regionalexpress, Regionalbahn, S-Bahn)
- International journeys
- Trains operated by other rail companies
If your journey involves a regional train segment to reach a long-distance station, you will need a separate regional ticket for that part.
Why did Deutsche Bahn introduce the Familienticket?
Air travel costs for families have risen sharply. Deutsche Bahn is positioning the Familienticket as a direct alternative. It seeks to support families facing uncertainty in the current economic climate, while promoting travel by long-distance rail.
Deutsche Bahn has also frozen ticket prices until May 2027 and introduced a discount scheme for short-notice ICE and IC bookings.
