How to book DB Saver and Flex fares

What are DB Saver and Flex fares?

DB's English site lists “Saver and flexible fares” among its ticket options. [6] The Saver fare is called Sparpreis in German, and DB sells Saver offers for ICE, IC and EC connections within Germany. [2]

As of 18 October 2026, the Saver fare page gives a starting price of EUR 21.99, while the English homepage advertises Saver fares from EUR 6.99 with ICE throughout Germany. [2] [6] The Saver fare page sets out the detailed conditions for Saver tickets, while the English homepage advertises the flexible fare in a youth offer. [2] [6] That offer gives a 20% discount to everyone under 27 on the regular flexible fare until 12 December, as of 18 October 2026. [6]

How do you book a DB Saver fare?

DB allows Saver tickets to be booked no more than 12 months before travel, subject to the June and December timetable changeovers. [2] The English homepage likewise advertises booking Saver fares up to 12 months in advance. [6]

Saver offers are sold for ICE, IC and EC connections within Germany. [2] If a journey needs local transport to or from the long-distance station, it can be included in the booking; the local leg may use RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn or non-DB trains and must be completed by 10:00 am the following day. [2]

BahnCard 25 and BahnCard 50 holders get a 25% discount on Saver fares, except on the City-Ticket. [2] A City-Ticket can be added for a fee that depends on the departure or destination stop. [2] It requires a stop in one of approximately 130 City-Ticket towns and cities and a local transport journey to or from the long-distance service within the City-Ticket area. [2] If only DB long-distance trains are needed and no local transfer in the City-Ticket area is required, the Saver fare is issued without a City-Ticket. [2]

Can you change or cancel a DB Saver fare?

Saver tickets can be changed or cancelled before the first day of validity. [2] DB charges a EUR 10 processing fee and issues a cancellation refund as a voucher valid for three years. [2] Tickets cannot be cancelled on or after the day of travel. [2]

If an outbound and return journey are booked on one ticket, both must be cancelled together; DB advises booking them separately if you are unsure about one of them. [2]

Instant cancellation is also available: a digital ticket can be cancelled free of charge before the first day of validity and within three hours (180 minutes) of purchase, whatever the offer's own conditions say, with a full refund. [2] To cancel, log in to My Bahn, open “My last bookings” or use the order search, then book a new ticket as usual. [2]

For change rules on flexible rail tickets, see the rail flexible ticket change rules.

Which train can you take with a DB Saver fare?

A Saver ticket is valid only on the service indicated on the ticket. [2] DB sells these offers for ICE, IC and EC connections within Germany. [2]

Where local transport is included in the booking, passengers are not restricted to a specific train on those local rail services, but the journey must be completed by 10:00 am the following day. [2] A Saver fare does not grant DB Lounge access. [2]

Exceptions and limits

• Children up to 5 travel free and do not need to be indicated when booking. [2] Children aged 6-14 travel free when accompanied by a person aged 15 or over, but must be indicated, and the ticket holder can bring up to four children per ticket. [2]
• With a City-Ticket, children aged 6-14 pay the children's fare for a single journey in the relevant transport association. [2] A child aged 6-14 travelling alone pays half the adult fare. [2]
• DB lists regional offers separately from Saver and flexible fares. [6] This guide covers long-distance Saver fares; regional and local transport fares are outside it.
• Instant cancellation requires a digital ticket and must be before the first day of validity and within three hours of purchase. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel a DB Saver fare after buying it?

Yes, before the first day of validity, for a EUR 10 processing fee, with the refund issued as a voucher valid for three years. A digital ticket can also be cancelled free within three hours of purchase and before the first day of validity. Cancellation is not possible on or after the day of travel. [2]

Can I take a different train with a DB Saver fare?

No. The ticket is valid only on the service indicated, and DB sells Saver offers for ICE, IC and EC connections within Germany. Local connecting trains included in the booking are not tied to a specific train, but the journey must be completed by 10:00 am the following day. [2]

Does a BahnCard reduce a DB Saver fare?

BahnCard 25 and BahnCard 50 holders get a 25% discount on Saver fares, excluding the City-Ticket. [2]

Is the City-Ticket included in a DB Saver fare?

It can be added for a fee depending on the departure or destination stop. It requires a stop in one of approximately 130 City-Ticket towns and cities and a local transport journey to or from the long-distance service within the City-Ticket area. If the booking only needs long-distance trains and no local transfer, the ticket is issued without a City-Ticket. [2]

How far ahead can I book a DB Saver fare?

Up to 12 months before travel, within the June and December timetable changeovers. DB's English homepage also advertises booking Saver fares up to 12 months in advance. [2] [6]

Related pages

Programme: BahnBonus. Rail guides: rail flexible ticket change rules and rail ticket validation guide. Glossary: frequent flyer terms.

Sources

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. This guide covers Deutsche Bahn long-distance Saver and flexible fares only; BahnBonus, other rail operators, and DB regional and local transport fares are not covered.

1. Deutsche Bahn saver fare page, checked 18 October 2026
2. Deutsche Bahn English homepage, checked 18 October 2026