In 2024, approximately 133,4 million passengers used Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services. At the same time, ticket prices are continuously rising, prompting many travelers to look for cheaper alternatives. A recent study shows that international rail companies often offer significantly lower prices for the same routes. A careful comparison of ticket prices can therefore result in significant savings.
The study highlights that prices for international train travel can vary significantly depending on the provider from which the tickets are purchased. For example, a round-trip ticket from Munich to Zagreb with Deutsche Bahn costs €184,98, while the Austrian Federal Railways charges only €92,70 for the same route – a saving of over 47 percent. Similar price advantages are available for trips to Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia. For example, tickets to Warsaw with PKP Intercity are around 39 percent cheaper than with Deutsche Bahn. For destinations such as Prague or Ljubljana, comparing prices with the national railway companies of the destination country can also lead to significant savings.
Anyone traveling to Italy over the Easter holidays should also pay attention to the providers there: With Trenitalia, a trip costs around 165,89 euros, while with Deutsche Bahn the same route costs 371,69 euros – a difference of over 44 percent.
Deutsche Bahn not always more expensive
However, there are also routes where Deutsche Bahn offers competitive or even cheaper fares. A trip from Berlin to Paris costs €139,99 with Deutsche Bahn, while the French railway company charges €233 for the same connection—a saving of almost 50 percent. A price advantage is also evident for trips to Austria: A round-trip ticket from Berlin to Vienna with Deutsche Bahn costs €279,98, while with Austrian Federal Railways it costs €366,10—almost a third more.
For trips to Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg, however, the ticket provider does not play a significant role, according to the study – the price differences there are marginal or non-existent.
Influence of exchange rates and payment methods
When booking tickets through foreign train companies, travelers should pay attention to their bank's exchange rates and potential fees. Some banks convert prices at unfavorable exchange rates, which can ultimately make tickets more expensive. Hidden surcharges in the exchange rate can also add up. Those with a multi-currency account can better control exchange fees, as the exchange is often made at a more favorable mid-market rate. Such accounts allow for targeted foreign currency conversion at favorable rates before purchasing tickets.
Deutsche Bahn is currently facing several structural and economic challenges. A loss of €2024 billion was recorded in the first half of 1,2. Strikes, infrastructure problems, adverse weather conditions, and extensive construction work were cited as the causes. Punctuality also left much to be desired: only around 62,7 percent of long-distance trains arrived on schedule. The decline in passenger numbers compared to previous years is also having a negative impact on revenue.
The company is now planning major cost-cutting measures. Approximately 30.000 jobs are to be eliminated over the next five years – particularly in administration. This is part of a comprehensive cost-cutting program to stabilize the economic situation and improve service quality.
Comparing ticket prices between Deutsche Bahn and international rail companies can be worthwhile for travelers. Depending on the route and provider, there can be considerable price differences. Payment methods and potential fees should also be considered. Despite some price advantages on selected routes, Deutsche Bahn is under considerable pressure overall – both economically and in terms of infrastructure. Whether the proposed reforms will take effect remains to be seen. In any case, the European rail market is increasingly emerging as a field in which national monopolies are being challenged by international competition.