Exchanging or cancelling tickets or reservations (2024)

We have detailed information for you on how to change or cancel journeys. Simply select your ticket or reservation type in the list displayed below.

It is not possible to exchange booked tickets. However, you can cancel your purchased tickets and book a new trip.

Instant ticket cancellation

If you buy a ticket via int.bahn.de or the DB Navigator app, you can cancel it free of charge within a period of 12 hours (720 minutes) after purchase, in addition to the specific offer's terms and conditions. Payment will be refunded in full.

You can cancel the following long-distance offers (online/mobile) directly after booking. The ticket price will then be refunded:

  • Super saver fare, super saver fare for young people, super saver fare for senior citizens, super saver fare Europe, super saver fare Europe for young people
  • Saver fare, saver fare for young people, saver fare for senior citizens, saver fare Europe, saver fare Europe for young people
  • Flexible fares (normal, plus, business, Europe)
  • Group super saver fares (normal, Europe)
  • Group saver fares (normal, Europe)

An instant cancellation includes all of the additional services you book when buying your ticket, such as a seat reservation, a bicycle ticket, City mobil and ticket insurance.

It is not possible to cancel individual components of a ticket.

Offers booked via www.international-bahn.de are excluded from instant cancellation.

When ordering a BahnCard, the option of instant cancellation described here does not apply. This does not affect the right of cancellation that applies to our BahnCard 25 and 50 offers.

Further information about BahnCards is available here.

We will transfer the full payment to the means of payment that you originally used. Any vouchers you used for the booking will remain valid. It is not possible to issue refunds for eCoupons.

Via your customer account on int.bahn.de
Go to the "My tickets" section and open the ticket. Activate the instant cancellation and click "Cancel now". A window opens. In it, click the "Cancel now" button again. This completes the instant cancellation and you will see the successful cancellation ("Ticket cancelled") in your ticket.

Via your customer account in DB Navigator
Go to the "My tickets" section and open the ticket. Under "Further actions" > "To cancellation", activate the instant cancellation and click "Cancel". A window opens. In it, click the "Cancel" button again. This completes the instant cancellation and you will see the successful cancellation ("Ticket cancelled") in your ticket.

You can use the instant cancellation option within a period of 720 minutes or 12 hours after you book a ticket online.

Instant cancellation is possible only before the ticket's first day of validity.

Details: regular ticket cancellation process

Even if you have a train-specific ticket, you are entitled to the following if the train is expected to arrive at your destination with a delay of at least 20 minutes:

  • Continue your journey at the next possible opportunity using either the same route or a different one
  • Continue your journey at a later point in time if this reduces the delay in arriving at your destination station
  • Use a different train that does not require a reservation

This does not apply to trains which require mandatory reservations, e.g. night trains.

Using a more expensive train
If you have a ticket for use on a local transport service (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) but want to use a more expensive service (e.g. long-distance train such as an IC/EC or ICE), you can do so if you buy the necessary ticket or pay the difference/surcharge. You can then claim back the costs under your passenger rights.

This option is not available for tickets with substantial discounts (e.g. a weekend ticket for Germany, a regional day ticket).

Refunds
Please apply for your compensation under passenger rights online via your customer account in DB Navigator or on int.bahn.de. Simply download, complete and sign the passenger rights form, then send it to the address indicated on the form.
Important: Make sure you enclose your original ticket or a copy of your season ticket/BahnCard 100. We regret that we are otherwise unable to pay any compensation.

Super saver fare tickets are excluded from exchange and cancellation.

Exception: instant cancellation up to 12 hours after booking.

You can cancel your saver fare ticket online or via the DB Navigator app if you booked it via int.bahn.de or the app.
The value of the ticket, minus a processing fee, will be refunded in the form of an e-mail voucher that you can use to buy another DB product.

Note: In the case of saver fare tickets for return journeys, the first day of validity refers to the day of the outbound journey.

Charges


Saver fare tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.


Saver fare Europe tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.


Passenger rights


Even if you have a train-specific ticket, you are entitled to the following if the train is expected to arrive at your destination with a delay of at least 20 minutes:

  • Continue your journey at the next possible opportunity using either the same route or a different one.
  • Continue your journey at a later point in time if this reduces the delay in arriving at your destination station.
  • Use a different train that does not require a reservation

More about your passenger rights

Did you buy your saver fare ticket online or with your mobile phone but chose to have it delivered by post? You can use our dedicated form to cancel it. Please fill out this form and send it with your tickets to the address specified on the form, or drop it off at a DB Travel Centre. The date of the postmark is decisive.

If your ticket also includes a compulsory reservation, e.g. for a night train, please also submit the corresponding receipt.

The value of the ticket, minus a processing fee, will be refunded in the form of a voucher that you can use to buy another DB product.
In the case of saver fare tickets for return trips, the first day of validity refers to the day of the outbound journey.

Charges


Saver fare tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity*: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.


Saver fare Europe tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity*: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.

*The date of the postmark is decisive.
Postage cannot be refunded.

Passenger rights


Even if you have a train-specific ticket, you are entitled to the following if the train is expected to arrive at your destination with a delay of at least 20 minutes:

  • Continue your journey at the next possible opportunity using either the same route or a different one.
  • Continue your journey at a later point in time if this reduces the delay in arriving at your destination station.
  • Use a different train that does not require a reservation

More about your passenger rights

Did you purchase your ticket from a ticket machine, by calling the travel service, at a DB Travel Centre or DB agency? Please present your ticket at a DB Travel Centre if you want to cancel it.

If your ticket also includes a compulsory reservation, e.g. for the night train, you must bring the corresponding seat reservation with you in addition to the ticket.

Group saver fare tickets booked online

  • Cancellation for the entire group is possible up to seven days before departure for a fee of EUR19 per group ticket.
  • No cancellation/exchange for individual travellers in the group.

Bookings made via your local DB sales point or by phone

Cancellation for the entire group

  • 14 or more days before the selected day of travel: free cancellation/exchange. No exchange afterwards.
  • Between 13 days and one day before departure: cancellation for the entire group is possible for a fee of EUR5 per person and ticket.

Cancellation for individual passengers

  • 14 or more days before the selected day of travel: free cancellation.
  • Between 13 days and one day before departure: cancellation is possible for a fee of EUR5 per person. The remaining group must consist of at least six people.

You can cancel your flexible fare or normal fare ticket online or via the DB Navigator app if you booked it via int.bahn.de or the app.

The value of the ticket, minus a processing fee, will be refunded to the means of payment you used to buy the ticket.

Charges


Before the first day of validity:
Free cancellation

On and after the first day of validity:

  • Exchange or cancellation of flexible fare tickets for long-distance transport (ICE, IC/EC) incurs a fee of EUR19
  • Cancellation of normal fare tickets on local transport (DB Regio, transport associations, NE/SEE) for a fee of EUR19

The fee is EUR19 for any connection that involves at least one long-distance train.

The validity period is printed on your ticket.
Postage cannot be refunded.

Deadlines


You can submit flexible fare or normal fare tickets for reimbursem*nt within these deadlines:

  • For journeys within Germany up to six months after expiry of your ticket's validity period
  • For cross-border journeys up to one month after expiry of the ticket's validity period


Changes to your travel plans?
The flexible fare does not restrict you to a specific train. Simply take the train that suits you best on the day your ticket is valid.

You can cancel the flexible fare plus free of charge until the end of the validity period, i.e. two days after the booked day of travel.

After that, you can cancel the ticket for a fee of EUR19.

These tickets are excluded from exchanges and cancellations.

These tickets are excluded from exchanges and cancellations.

The general terms and conditions of the individual offers apply. Most special offers are excluded from exchange and cancellation.

If you booked a ticket on www.international-bahn.de and want to call it up again or cancel your booking in line with the applicable terms and conditions, simply go to www.international-bahn.de/de/ordersearch.

If you want to change a booking in line with the applicable terms and conditions, please contact the relevant service centre and have your order number (must begin with "MCP-") to hand. You can find this number in the e-mail confirming your booking.

Service centre telephone number: +49 61 729-13731 (costs depend on the provider)

E-mail: service-international@bahn.de

Times:
8:00 am - 8:00 pm on Monday-Friday; 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Details on exchanging or cancelling seat reservations

The tariff excludes re-reservation of seats on long-distance services. This also applies to compulsory reservations (e.g. TGV)

If reserved seats could not be allocated, if allocated seats could not be held ready or if you were unable to use them due to a delay, you are entitled to a refund of the reservation fee paid.

You can also apply for a refund of the reservation fee informally at the Passenger Rights Service Centre, 60647 Frankfurt.

Exchanging or cancelling tickets or reservations (2024)

FAQs

What are valid reasons to cancel a flight and get a refund? ›

Covered reasons vary by policy and provider so be sure to read the covered reasons before purchasing a policy.
  • Injury or Illness. ...
  • Death. ...
  • Natural Disaster. ...
  • Acts of Terrorism/Evacuation. ...
  • Financial Default of the Travel Company.
  • Death or Hospitalization of Host.
  • Residence Damage. ...
  • Jury Duty or Military Deployment.

Can I cancel my flight ticket and get a refund? ›

if you cancel your booking, the refund amount depends on your flight's fare type, and the modification time window. Only taxes are refunded. Modification is done more than 72 hours before departure: No additional charges. Modification is done more than 48 hours before departure: No additional charges.

How can I cancel my flight without a cancellation fee? ›

The 24 Hour Cancellation Rule

Many airlines offer a 24-hour cooling-off period as a customer service policy, allowing you to cancel your flight, incurring no fees if you change your mind or otherwise need to cancel within 24 hours of booking. This policy typically applies to both refundable and non-refundable tickets.

Can I get 100% refund on train ticket cancellation? ›

If the train is marked as "CANCELLED" in Passenger Reservation System (PRS) due to breaches, floods, accidents etc., full refund is permissible in case the ticket is cancelled within three days of the scheduled departure of the train. In case of e-tickets, such cancellation can be done by the customer through Internet.

How can I change my flight without paying a fee? ›

The Department of Transportation has a long-standing policy that requires airlines to provide free changes to consumers within 24 hours of purchasing, so long as a ticket is bought at least seven days before a flight.

Can I change a flight I already booked? ›

You may change your refundable ticket without paying a change fee, provided all fare and ticket rules are met and seats are available. If the ticket price has increased since your original purchase, you will need to pay the difference in price between your original fare to your new fare.

How long before a flight can I cancel a refundable ticket? ›

Cancelling a Ticket Reservation or Purchase within 24 hours of Booking. For airline tickets that are purchased at least seven days before a flight's scheduled departure date and time, airlines are required to either: allow consumers to cancel their reservation and receive a full refund without a penalty for 24 hours, ...

What happens if you cancel a non-refundable flight? ›

#Non-refundable fares are just that – no refunds if you cancel. This fare type usually doesn't allow ticket changes, either. Basic economy and Light (or “l*te”) fares are almost always non-refundable.

What happens to my money if I cancel my flight? ›

24-Hour Rule: Many airlines allow full refunds if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, provided the booking was made well in advance of the departure date.

How long do you have to cancel a flight without penalty? ›

The 24-hour rule is a regulation from the US Department of Transportation that says airlines must offer either free 24-hour price hold (so you can lock in the price and purchase within 24 hours) or free cancellation for 24 hours.

Can I cancel a flight I just made? ›

Most airlines, including major ones, offer a 24-hour cancellation policy. This means if you cancel your booking within 24 hours of making it, you are typically entitled to a full refund without any cancellation charges, provided that the booking was made at least one week prior to the flight's departure date.

How many days before we can reschedule a flight ticket? ›

For domestic bookings, customers can make any changes or cancellations free of charge within 24 hours of booking, if booked at least 7 days before the travel dates.

How much refund will I get if I cancel my ticket? ›

If a confirmed ticket is cancelled within 48 hrs and up to 12 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charges shall be 25% of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in the above clause.

What is the cancellation charges for reservation ticket? ›

If a confirmed ticket is cancelled more than 48 hrs before the scheduled departure of the train, flat cancellation charges shall be deducted @ Rs.240/- for AC First Class/Executive Class, Rs.200/- for AC 2 Tier/First Class, Rs. 180 for AC 3 Tier/AC Chair car/ AC 3 Economy, Rs.120/- for Sleeper Class and Rs.60/- for ...

Will I get a refund for a confirmed ticket? ›

Yes, you can cancel your ticket on the date of the journey, up to 4 hours for confirmed tickets and up to 30 minutes for RAC/waitlisted tickets before the scheduled departure of the train.

What qualifies for a flight refund? ›

When do airlines need to issue a refund? Travelers are entitled to automatic refunds when their flights are canceled or significantly changed or if the airline fails to provide an extra service they purchased, like onboard Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment.

What is a covered reason to cancel a flight? ›

The most common covered reason is unforeseen illness, injury, or death of the traveler, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member. Other common covered reasons include terrorism, inclement weather, or a natural disaster, among others.

How do I get a reason for flight cancellation? ›

How To Find Out Why Your Flight Was Cancelled
  1. Look to the airline first for flight cancellation details.
  2. Check with the airport, which should have information on widespread issues.
  3. Use independent flight-tracking websites and apps.
  4. Scroll through social media and news stories online for large-scale events.
May 2, 2024

What are the types of cancellation reasons? ›

Cancellation Reason Types
  • Decline by screening.
  • Withdrawal.
  • Insured death.
  • Closed by Claim.
  • Cancelled by client.
  • Cancelled.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 5691

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.