Deutsche Bahn to ban alcohol in train stations

Deutsche Bahn has announced that it will ban alcohol in train stations across Germany. What are the new rules, and will you still be able to enjoy that Feierabendbier on the Regio?

DB to ban alcohol in 5.400 train stations

It will soon be forbidden to drink alcohol in train stations and on platforms across Germany, national rail operator Deutsche Bahn has announced. Passengers will still be able to drink alcohol at bars and cafes located in train stations.

Certain major train stations across Germany, such as Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt, already have an alcohol consumption ban in place. Now, Deutsche Bahn will seek permission from local authorities to gradually expand the ban. If all goes to plan, it will be enforced at all 5.400 stations from October 15, 2026.

According to the dpa, anyone caught consuming alcohol risks being thrown out of the train station, and those caught breaking the rules multiple times risk a station ban. However, passengers will still be permitted to carry closed alcoholic beverages in train stations, and will still be able to bring their own alcohol to drink on Deutsche Bahn trains.

DB says alcohol ban will improve security

“We want more order and security in our train stations and on trains,” Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla told the dpa.  Deutsche Bahn employee safety has been an increasing concern since February, when a passenger assaulted a ticket controller, who died from his injuries around 24 hours later.

According to recent figures from the Federal Interior Ministry, 1.630 Deutsche Bahn employees were attacked at work in the first five months of 2026. 622 cases involved bodily harm, 175 involved dangerous bodily harm and 661 involved threats.

Since taking on the CEO role in October 2025, Palla has announced several measures which the company hopes will improve the passenger experience, such as a 50-million-euro investment to improve delay updates, a ticket price freeze until May 2027 and multiple new night train routes.

But Deutsche Bahn still faces great obstacles when it comes to improving security and reliability for everyone. While passenger numbers increased from 1,507 million to 2,429 million between 1994 and 2024, the federal government halved funding between 1994 and 2014. Funding has since increased but is now only slightly above 1994 levels.