Deutsche Bahn, also known as DB or Bahn, is the largest railway operator and infrastructure owner in Germany and Europe. It offers a variety of tickets for domestic and international routes that can be booked online, at ticket counters, or via the DB Navigator app. But what if you need to cancel your Deutsche Bahn ticket after booking it? Here’s what you need to know about cancelling DB tickets.
Overview of Cancelling Deutsche Bahn Tickets
In general, Deutsche Bahn tickets are refundable before the scheduled departure with certain fees deducted. However, the exact cancellation policy depends on the fare type. DB offers several main ticket types – Flexpreis, Sparpreis, and Super Sparpreis. Flexpreis tickets are fully flexible and can be cancelled for free up to the day of departure. Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis tickets are cheaper but come with stricter cancellation policies. You’ll typically pay a 10-15 EUR cancellation fee per ticket. The closer you are to the travel date, the higher the cancellation fee.
It’s important to note that if you booked your ticket at a travel agency, tour operator or other third-party retailer, their own cancellation policies may apply instead of Deutsche Bahn’s standard policy. Always check the exact conditions when booking.
You can cancel DB tickets in several ways – online, via the DB Navigator app, at a ticket counter, or by calling the DB service hotline. Online and mobile cancellations are usually the quickest options. At a ticket counter, you may need to show identification.
Step-by-Step Guide to Online Cancellation
Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to cancel your Deutsche Bahn ticket purchase online:
- Go to bahn.de and log into your account or retrieve your booking via your booking reference number.
- Click on “My Travel Plans” and select your upcoming journey.
- Find the ticket(s) you want to cancel and click “Cancel ticket”.
- Review the cancellation information and tick the box to confirm you understand the conditions.
- Click “Cancel ticket” again to complete the cancellation.
- You will see a confirmation that your ticket has been cancelled. The refunded amount will be displayed.
And that’s it! The refund will be processed back to your original payment method within a few days. Keep in mind that the closer you are to departure, the higher the cancellation fee deducted from your refund.
Cancelling Via the DB Navigator App
You can also easily cancel Deutsche Bahn tickets right from the DB Navigator app for iOS or Android devices. Just follow these steps:
- Open the DB Navigator app and go to the “My Travel” section.
- Select your upcoming journey and tap on your ticket.
- Tap “Cancel ticket” and confirm you understand the conditions.
- Tap “Cancel ticket” again to confirm the cancellation.
- You will receive a notification that the cancellation was successful. The refund amount will be displayed.
As with online cancellation, any applicable cancellation fees will be deducted from the refunded amount based on the timing of your cancellation.
Cancelling at a Deutsche Bahn Ticket Counter
To cancel your Deutsche Bahn ticket at a train station ticket counter, follow this process:
- Locate a DB ticket counter at any major train station in Germany. Ask an agent for assistance cancelling your ticket.
- Present your ticket along with a valid photo ID.
- The agent will cancel your ticket in the system and inform you of any cancellation fee to be deducted.
- You will immediately receive the refunded amount in cash if you originally paid in cash.
- For credit card payments, the refund will be processed back to your card within a few days.
Always double check cancellations at the counter since agents manually handle transactions. Online and mobile cancellations are generally more reliable.
Cancelling Over the Phone
You can also call Deutsche Bahn’s customer service hotline to request cancellation over the phone:
- Call +49 (0)180 6 99 66 33 within Germany or +49 (0)69 790 790 790 when calling internationally.
- Select the prompts for ticket cancellations and provide your booking details.
- The agent will cancel your ticket after reviewing the conditions and fees.
- You will be notified of the cancellation and refunded amount.
Phone cancellations allow you to speak directly to an agent if you need help or have questions. However, call wait times may be longer than online options.
Key Factors That Affect Refund Amount
When cancelling a Deutsche Bahn ticket, the most important factors that determine your refund amount include:
- Type of ticket – Flexpreis has free cancellations, Sparpreis/Super Sparpreis have fees.
- Timing of cancellation – Fees are lower further from departure.
- Original fare amount – Fees are a percentage of the initial price.
- Method of payment – Cash vs. credit card refund speed varies.
Always check the specific cancellation and refund policy for your fare type before booking your ticket. This ensures you understand the amount you’ll receive if you need to cancel the ticket later on.
Flexpreis Tickets
Flexpreis tickets are the most expensive Deutsche Bahn fares but also the most flexible. You can cancel Flexpreis tickets for free up until the departure time with a full refund. This makes them a good choice if your travel plans may change and you want maximum flexibility.
Sparpreis Tickets
Sparpreis tickets can be cancelled with a fee of 15 EUR per ticket prior to the day of departure. This increases to 25 EUR per ticket if you cancel on the day of departure. You must cancel at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure to avoid forfeiting the full ticket amount.
Super Sparpreis Tickets
Super Sparpreis tickets have the strictest cancellation policy. You will be charged a 10 EUR cancellation fee per ticket if you cancel up to 1 day before departure. On the day of travel, the fee rises to 20 EUR per ticket. Cancelling after departure results in forfeiting the full ticket price.
Third-Party Retailers
If you booked through a third-party retailer like Trainline or Rail Europe instead of directly via Deutsche Bahn, their own policies apply. This may include higher cancellation fees, so always verify the specific conditions.
Cash vs. Credit Card Refunds
For cash payments, you’ll immediately receive the refunded amount in cash when cancelling at a ticket counter. For credit card payments, it takes 2-10 days to process the refund back to your card once cancelled online, in the app, or over the phone.
Other Refund Scenarios
There are a few other common scenarios where you may be able to get a full or partial refund on your Deutsche Bahn ticket:
Train Delays and Cancellations
If your train is delayed by 60+ minutes or cancelled altogether, without providing a replacement service, you are entitled to a partial or full refund of your ticket price as compensation.
Missed Connections
If you miss a connecting DB train due to a delayed incoming train, you can get compensation for the unused portion of your journey beyond the missed connection.
Illness or Inability to Travel
If you or a companion are unexpectedly ill or unable to travel on the booked date, DB may issue a one-time goodwill refund. However, this is not guaranteed under the standard conditions of carriage.
Error in Booking
If Deutsche Bahn makes an error in processing your booking, such as charging you twice incorrectly, you can obtain a full refund by contacting customer service and providing proof.
How to Get Refunds for Delays/Cancellations
To obtain compensation for train delays, cancellations, or missed connections, you will need to contact Deutsche Bahn customer service by one of these methods:
- Online form – Fill out the online claims form on bahn.de/en
- Customer service – Call +49 (0)180 6 99 66 33 within Germany
- Ticket counter – Speak to an agent at any DB station
Make sure to provide your full booking details, the train numbers affected, and the nature of the disruption. DB will verify if you are eligible for compensation based on their Conditions of Carriage and process any valid refund digitally or by mail.
Refunds in Case of Illness or Booking Error
Illness, injury or inability to travel are not covered reasons for refunds under Deutsche Bahn’s standard policy. However, you can call DB customer service and kindly request a one-time, goodwill refund:
- Explain your personal situation and inability to take the booked journey.
- If relevant, provide doctor’s notes or other supporting documents.
- Keep your tone polite when speaking to agents.
Similarly, for booking errors made by DB that lead to incorrect charges, contact customer service, provide proof of the error, and request the refund amount owed.
How Long Does it Take to Get Refunded?
Once you successfully cancel your Deutsche Bahn ticket, how long till you get your money back depends on the original payment method:
- Cash – Refund processed immediately at ticket counter.
- Credit card online – Takes 2-10 business days for refund to appear on statement.
- Credit card by phone/in-person – Up to 30 days for refund to process.
For delayed/cancelled train refunds, DB aims to process claims within 1 month of receiving your documentation. However, it may take longer during peak periods.
Key Tips for Cancelling Deutsche Bahn Tickets
Follow these tips when cancelling your Deutsche Bahn ticket to ensure a smooth process:
- Cancel as early as possible to limit fees – the closer to departure, the higher the charges.
- Double check fare rules before booking so you understand cancellation policy.
- Save your booking confirmation to easily access ticket details when cancelling.
- Cancel directly via DB online/app for quickest refund processing.
- Provide complete information when submitting claims for delays/cancellations.
Conclusion
Cancelling Deutsche Bahn tickets is possible in most cases, but your ability to get a refund and how much you’ll get back depends largely on the type of fare purchased. Flexpreis tickets offer the most flexibility with free cancellations, while Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis have set fees. Submit cancellation requests online for fastest processing, and allow 2-4 weeks for refunds to credit cards or delayed journey claims. With a structured approach, you can successfully cancel unwanted DB tickets and recover the maximum refund amount.