Deutsche Bahn is promoting a special, highly affordable summer family rate for the upcoming holidays. For a flat fee of €99.99, a whole family can travel both ways on long-distance trains, and this price includes seat reservations.
The airline is launching this special offer specifically for this difficult summer, according to the report from “Stern”. This move is aimed at responding to the high prices of gasoline and kerosene.
Bahn chief Evelyn Palla told the outlet that the goal is to ensure that everyone in Germany can still take a holiday, stressing that the summer vacation time, especially for children, cannot be lost. This new rate is valid for a maximum of five people, is bookable starting mid-June, and covers travel across all of Germany until the end of the Bavarian school holidays in mid-September.
This flat rate is part of a wider package of measures designed to cushion the effect of rising costs for German consumers. Speaking about the company’s role, Palla stated that “DB is an anchor of stability during the crisis”. She added that the company has “consciously decided” not to raise ticket prices over the next twelve months, providing planning certainty for many people. Furthermore, since May 9th, DB has also been selling last-minute tickets starting at €6.99, which allows them to sell remaining spots on their long-distance trains.
Amid this promotional effort, the Bahn is also asking passengers for patience. Palla cautioned that even with the new leadership, rail travel will not become more reliable immediately. Currently, punctuality on long-distance routes is below 60 percent, a significant drop compared to 2020, when eight out of ten ICE trains arrived on time. She admitted, “There isn’t one lever I can pull to instantly make us more punctual and everything run smoothly”. She noted that punctuality on long-distance trains has fallen year over year for five years. “We have to stop this downward trend. Only after that will things get better. This is part of a new honesty”.