When does booking open?

Up to 12 months ahead, within the published timetable. Sales are rolling, day by day, but stop at the end of the current timetable until DB releases the next one. DB does not publish a time of day for releases. Seat reservations follow the same 12 months, starting after the June and December timetable changes. Most international routes are bookable 6 months ahead.

On bahn.de, int.bahn.de (in English) or the DB Navigator app. Visitors from abroad can book online, and an account is optional for a single purchase.

Trains rarely run out of seats, but the cheap saver fares are limited and prices rise as they go. DB publishes no figure for how fast they sell.

Can I cancel or change?

Super Sparpreis: no cancellation or exchange. Sparpreis: 10 euros until the day before travel, refunded as a voucher. Flexpreis: free until the day before, 30 euros from the travel day. Any digital ticket can be cancelled free within 3 hours of buying.

Nationwide, Germany

Deutsche Bahn tickets and Sparpreis fares: how far ahead to book

Up to 12 months before travel, but only as far as the published timetable. Tickets for the timetable starting 13 December 2026 went on sale on 14 October 2026.

When does booking open?: Up to 12 months ahead, within the published timetable. Sales are rolling, day by day, but stop at the end of the current timetable until DB releases the next one. DB does not publish a time of day for releases. Seat reservations follow the same 12 months, starting after the June and December timetable changes. Most international routes are bookable 6 months ahead.
How far ahead is that?: Up to 12 months ahead.
Where do I book?: On bahn.de, int.bahn.de (in English) or the DB Navigator app. Visitors from abroad can book online, and an account is optional for a single purchase.
Does it sell out?: Trains rarely run out of seats, but the cheap saver fares are limited and prices rise as they go. DB publishes no figure for how fast they sell.
Can I cancel or change?: Super Sparpreis: no cancellation or exchange. Sparpreis: 10 euros until the day before travel, refunded as a voucher. Flexpreis: free until the day before, 30 euros from the travel day. Any digital ticket can be cancelled free within 3 hours of buying.

Checked 15 October 2026

How to book

Super Sparpreis starts at 6.99 euros and Sparpreis at 21.99 euros in second class (29.99 euros in first). Both are valid only on the train you book. A BahnCard 25 or 50 takes 25% off saver fares.

Saver fares do not include a seat. A reservation costs 5.50 euros in second class and 6.90 euros in first.

Children up to 5 travel free. Children aged 6 to 14 travel free with a passenger aged 15 or over, up to 4 children per ticket.

If it’s sold out

Use the Bestpreissuche (best-price search) on bahn.de or in the app to see the cheapest fare at other times or on other days. Or buy a Flexpreis ticket instead.

Regional trains are not quota-limited: the Deutschland-Ticket and regional day tickets cover them.

Booking for a group

Groups of 6 or more can book Super Sparpreis Gruppe, from 8.99 euros per person in second class and 22.99 euros in first, with seat reservations included. Book online, in the DB Navigator app (up to 99 people) or at a DB travel centre.

A group booking can be cancelled or reduced free until 30 days before travel, then for 10 euros per person until the day before. One main traveller is named; a name change costs 15 euros per direction.

DB's German group page says group fares can be booked up to 12 months ahead, but its English timetable page mentions shorter windows for group bookings. Check the booking screen for your date.

Good to know

Book as soon as your dates are firm: saver fares are cheapest when a timetable first opens.
Free children still need a family seat reservation (4.90 euros in second class) if you want to sit together.
Reserve seats for Friday and Sunday travel, when trains are busiest.
Use the free 3-hour cancellation window to fix a mistake.

Sources

Deutsche Bahn: Sparpreis (official, German): Tickets can be booked up to 12 months ahead; valid only on the booked train; from 21.99 euros in second class.
Deutsche Bahn: new timetable (official): Advance sales for the new timetable start on 14 October; the new timetable applies from 13 December.
Deutsche Bahn: super saver fare (official): From 6.99 euros, only on the service shown, bookable up to 12 months ahead.
Deutsche Bahn: exchange and cancellation (official, German): Super Sparpreis cannot be cancelled; Sparpreis costs 10 euros to cancel until the day before; Flexpreis is free until the day before.
Deutsche Bahn: seat reservation (official): 5.50 euros in second class, 6.90 euros in first; up to 12 months ahead after the June and December timetable changes.
Deutsche Bahn: Super Sparpreis Gruppe (official, German): From 6 people, from 8.99 euros each, seats included, up to 12 months ahead, free cancellation until 30 days before.

Checked on 15 October 2026. Booking rules change; the official site has the last word.