DB train fares often more expensive than advertised, says consumer agency

The Federal Association of Consumer Protection Agencies (vzbv) has called on Deutsche Bahn to make its pricing system more transparent and simpler, as super saver fares often fall short of advertised prices. 

DB super saver fares exceed price expectations

In a long-term study of long-distance train ticket prices in Germany, vzbv found that Deutsche Bahn’s pricing system can be quite confusing and unclear for travellers. 

Additionally, for second class travel between 7am and 7pm, the cheapest super saver fares are often more expensive than advertised prices in three out of four days studied. On these days, super saver fares were actually 15 to 157 percent higher than the price advertised by DB. 

The super saver fare is DB’s cheapest long-distance train ticket option, with prices heavily dependent on demand and booking time. “Those unfamiliar with Deutsche Bahn’s fare system are at a disadvantage,” said vzbv executive director Ramona Pop in a press release. 

“In the routes we examined, we found that advertised and observed prices for daytime journeys often differ. This can be frustrating for customers. Companies advertising particularly low prices should ensure that these are more frequently available during typical travel times,” said Pop.

According to vzbv, off-peak travel saves travellers the most when it comes to ticket prices. Booking around 12 weeks in advance and travelling at the beginning of the week or on Saturdays are also the best options. 

More transparent and simpler pricing system needed

The German consumer agency is concerned that if travellers find it difficult to navigate the pricing system or find price differences unfair, they will be less likely to travel by train, reports DIE ZEIT. “Neither politicians nor the railway board can want that,” said Pop. “Deutsche Bahn must make its pricing system simpler and more transparent so that more consumers will opt for train travel in the future."

In a response, DB claimed that the vzbv study has “significant methodological flaws”. The German rail company argues that the booking behaviour of consumers in the study was not an accurate representation of reality, as most passengers book well in advance. 

Other arguments made are that important connections, such as the Frankfurt-Berlin or Berlin-Munich routes, outside the study time frame (7am to 7pm) are not included, during which many affordable tickets are available. 

According to DB, there are currently “more discounted tickets available than ever before”, with multiple new deals and policies, such as the 99-euro family ticket, the last-minute ticket deal, the Flexpreis Young for under 27s and the free BahnCard25 for young people. 

The rail company also notes that while rising fuel prices have pushed up the costs of driving and flying, “train fares remain stable”.