Deutsche Bahn freezes ticket prices until May 2027

Deutsche Bahn has announced that it will freeze long-distance train ticket prices until May 2027. ProBahn doubts passengers will feel significant benefits. Here’s what you need to know:

Palla announces ticket price freeze

Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla has announced the national rail company will freeze the price of long-distance train tickets between May 1, 2026 and May 2027.

“From 1 May, we will keep ICE ticket prices stable for a year. We are providing certainty and stability. For everyone who wants to – and needs to – stay mobile,” Palla said in a press release.

Fuel prices continue to rise in Germany, prompting more people to opt for public transport.  Since April 1, fuel stations have been allowed to raise prices only once per day, but the regulation has increased retailers' petrol margins by five to six cents per litre, according to the Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics. 

So what does the Deutsche Bahn price freeze mean for passengers? Long-distance ticket prices won’t increase across the board. However, since Deutsche Bahn uses dynamic pricing for long-distance train tickets, prices will still vary depending on peak seasons and travel times. 

So, for the around 136 million passengers using Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services, it is still worth purchasing tickets well in advance to get the best price.

A first in Deutsche Bahn history

Deutsche Bahn typically announces long-distance ticket price increases and its new timetable every autumn. The new timetable normally takes effect from mid-December. 

But after taking on the CEO role in October 2025, one of Palla’s first decisions was to freeze prices for certain long-distance train tickets, namely Flex- and Sparpreis tickets.

The across-the-board price freeze goes a step further. Since beginning operations in 1994, Deutsche Bahn has never frozen its prices for the following year this early in the current year.

"A fresh start at Deutsche Bahn means taking on more responsibility and setting new priorities,” Palla said in the press release. “The top priority is to keep running, keep running, keep running – and ensure that people in Germany can continue to afford to travel. The railways are a source of stability in uncertain times.”

But Palla has also warned that major construction work on the track network means passengers should continue to expect delays. While passenger punctuality rates did improve slightly from 59,4 percent February to 60 percent March, passengers will have to wait until 2027 to see significant improvements.

ProBahn says price freeze is bare minimum

Meanwhile, passenger association ProBahn said Deutsche Bahn was giving but an inch while it continued to take a mile. ProBahn representative Detlef Neuß told Rheinische Post that Deutsche Bahn was not even in a position to justify a price rise when so many trains continue to be delayed or cancelled.

“Deutsche Bahn must reduce ticket prices, at least for a restricted period,” Neuß told the newspaper, adding that since dynamic pricing will still be in place, it remains to be seen how much passengers will actually benefit from the price freeze.