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The Deutsche Bahn (DB) has implemented a new schedule, bringing a mix of expanded international connections, adjustments to domestic routes, and increased ticket prices. These changes, effective as of December 15, 2024, aim to enhance cross-border travel while addressing ongoing challenges within Germany’s rail network.
Expanded International Connections
Deutsche Bahn’s new timetable places a strong emphasis on international travel, with over 330 daily routes now connecting Germany to 12 neighboring countries. Among the highlights is a new direct ICE service between Berlin and Paris. This eight-hour journey, starting from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, passes through Frankfurt Süd, Karlsruhe, and Strasbourg before reaching Paris Est. The daily connection marks a significant step in DB’s effort to bolster European connectivity.
Other new routes include daily direct trains from Munich and Stuttgart to Amsterdam and expanded services between Munich and Zurich. Additional connections to cities such as Krakow, Venice, and Bologna are also planned for the coming months, particularly during the summer. These improvements aim to meet growing demand for seamless international rail travel, positioning DB as a key player in European mobility.
Enhancements to Domestic Routes
While the focus is on international expansion, Deutsche Bahn has introduced several changes to its domestic offerings. The high-speed “Sprinter” service between Berlin and Frankfurt am Main now includes six additional trains, reducing travel times to just four hours by bypassing intermediate stops. Other adjustments include new direct connections between Berlin and Saarbrücken and additional services linking Rostock, Leipzig, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart starting in March.
Berlin and Switzerland will also benefit from a new ICE night connection, complementing DB’s existing collaboration with Austrian Federal Railways for overnight travel. However, the broader domestic network continues to grapple with infrastructure issues, including aging tracks and ongoing construction projects. A notable example is the upcoming overhaul of the Hamburg-Berlin route, set to begin in August 2025 and last until 2026, necessitating extensive detours for passenger and freight traffic.
Ticket Price Adjustments
The new schedule brings price increases for several ticket categories. Flexpreis tickets, which allow flexible travel on a given day, are now 5.9 percent more expensive on average. The BahnCard 100, offering unlimited travel for a year, has seen an average price hike of 6.6 percent. These changes mean second-class BahnCard 100 holders will now pay €4,899 annually, while first-class users face a cost of €7,999.
Other affected categories include bike transportation fees in long-distance trains and commuter season tickets. However, DB has maintained entry-level prices for Sparpreis tickets and preserved current rates for BahnCards 25 and 50. Notably, passengers can once again purchase Sparpreis tickets at counters without providing an email address, following criticism from consumer advocacy groups.
Additional Changes for Passengers
Aside from the schedule updates, Deutsche Bahn has made other modifications to enhance passenger experience. Beginning February, DB’s onboard dining services will replace draft beer with an expanded selection of bottled options. A pilot program introducing cashless payments exclusively on six ICE routes will also launch between February and May, allowing passengers to pay via card only.
Meanwhile, plans to remove traditional white station schedules showing train arrival times have been paused after backlash from passenger organizations. These schedules will remain available for now, ensuring continued convenience for travelers accustomed to this system.
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges
Despite these enhancements, Deutsche Bahn continues to face significant challenges in maintaining its infrastructure. The completion of the Riedbahn modernization between Frankfurt and Mannheim marks progress, but larger projects loom. For example, the Emmerich-Oberhausen corridor in North Rhine-Westphalia is slated for a comprehensive upgrade starting in 2025.
As these efforts unfold, Deutsche Bahn’s ambitious plans for the future are tempered by ongoing staffing shortages and operational delays. Nevertheless, the new schedule represents a step toward improving both the domestic and international rail experience for passengers across Europe.
