Tickets for children
Deutsche Bahn's ticket prices for children are based on the children's age and who they are accompanying.
Children aged 0-5
Children aged up to and including 5 always travel for free within Germany, and they do not need a ticket. This is also the case if they are not travelling with parents or grandparents. To ensure that your children get a place on board the train, you can purchase a seat reservation for them as well.
Free travel for children to destinations in countries bordering Germany
Adults with a ticket for cross-border travel to Switzerland or Austria can take a child/grandchild aged 0-5 free of charge (i.e. the child must accompany the parent/grandparent). It is not possible to add children on the adult's ticket once the journey has started.
Children aged 6-14
Children aged 6 to 14 travel for free if accompanying their own parents or grandparents. When the adult is buying their own ticket, they must specify any children/grandchildren and write their names on the ticket.
Different terms and conditions may apply for people using regional tickets.
Free travel for children to destinations in countries bordering Germany
Adults with a ticket for cross-border travel to Switzerland or Austria can take a child/grandchild aged 6-14 free of charge (i.e. the child must accompany the parent/grandparent). Children must be included on the adult's ticket.
Online and mobile phone tickets are available for groups of 5 people (max. 4 children).
DB family ticket
Families with several children aged 6 to 14 can buy a DB family ticket.
This ticket and the accompanying reservations can be booked in a DB Travel Centre or by phone from DB's travel service (+49 30 2970 - prices vary by provider). It is possible to reserve up to 8 seats for children, which means that up to 10 people can enjoy hassle-free travel with Deutsche Bahn.
Children aged 15 and over
Children aged 15 and over pay the full fare price.
Children travelling alone
Children travelling by themselves get a discount of 50%. This ticket must be booked separately. The child's online ticket must always be bought separately from the ticket of an adult they are accompanying, and it names the child as the sole person travelling.
Seat reservations for children
When reserving seats, please indicate the full number of children accompanying you. It is possible to make family reservations (up to 5 children, max. 2 adults and up to 3 children) via the online travel information function in the "Ticket and reservation" section of the booking process. If you are travelling with small children, you can select the toddler section as your train compartment type.