Buying rail tickets on the train: In the New Year, nothing works without the Internet

Created: 12/22/2021 Updated: 12/22/2021, 8:12 PM

From: Yasina Hipp

From 2022, tickets can no longer be bought from the train staff on Deutsche Bahn long-distance trains.

© picture alliance / dpa / Christophe Gateau

The turn of the year always brings about changes in companies.

This is also the case with Deutsche Bahn this year.

It's about buying tickets on the trains.

Berlin - Just before the doors close, quickly hop on the train and then buy a ticket for the journey from the train staff: That will be an end of the future for Deutsche Bahn.

Just a few days ago, the company announced that it would use more trains and, above all, faster trains, the so-called sprinters, in the future.

This should make traveling by train more and more a real alternative to flying in Germany - it should be able to avoid short-haul flights in particular.

From January 1st it will no longer be possible to buy tickets on the trains.

Deutsche Bahn: ticket purchase only via app or website

Previously, paper tickets could still be bought from the staff after the train had left, for an additional charge of 17 euros.

Rail customers will have to say goodbye to this regulation from the new year onwards.

As the Bavarian Consumer Center reports, tickets can only be purchased digitally via the app or the website.

And be careful: When purchasing, a deadline of ten minutes after departure applies, even in the event of delays.

Only severely disabled people should still be able to buy tickets from the train crew.

You will then receive an invoice that must be paid.

Deutsche Bahn: Sensitive penalties for driving without a ticket

For those who want to travel without a ticket, it will also be really expensive.

According to the railway traffic regulations, double the ticket price is due, but at least 60 euros.

If the going gets tough, Deutsche Bahn can charge double the flex price for the route.

This can be many times higher than, for example, the saver fare for the same route.

In addition to the tickets, the train staff currently also has to randomly check the 3G certificates of the train passengers.