Deutsche Bahn has launched a brand-new flat-rate ticket for families travelling across Germany this summer — the DB Summer Familienticket — and at €99.99 for up to five people on ICE trains, it is one of the best-value rail deals the national operator has ever offered.
If you are living in Germany with children and planning a summer trip, here is everything you need to know before booking.
What Is the DB Summer Familienticket?
The DB Summer Familienticket is a new, fixed-price rail ticket introduced by Deutsche Bahn for the 2026 summer holiday period. For a single flat fee of €99.99, a family group of up to five people can travel on Deutsche Bahn's long-distance network — including ICE, IC, and EC trains — anywhere within Germany, with seat reservations already included.
It is designed specifically for families: at least one child must be in the travelling group, which makes it distinct from other DB flat-rate products.
How Much Does the DB Summer Familienticket Cost?
The ticket costs €99.99 in total — not per person. That single price covers the complete journey (outbound and return) for your whole group, including all seat reservations.
For context, a single adult ICE return ticket from Hamburg to Munich alone can cost upwards of €150 in peak season. For a family of four, this ticket represents a significant saving on long-distance train travel during the summer. See our cost of living in Germany guide for more on budgeting your life in Germany.
Who Can Use the Familienticket?
The ticket is valid for up to 5 people total, with the following composition rules:
- Up to 2 adults (aged 15 and over)
- Up to 4 children aged 6–14
- At least 1 child must travel — adults cannot use this ticket without a child
- Children under 6 travel for free and do not count toward the 5-person limit
This means a single parent travelling with three children, or two parents with two or three children, are all valid combinations. The ticket is not available to adult-only groups.
Which Trains Does It Cover?
The Familienticket is valid on Deutsche Bahn's Fernverkehr (long-distance) network:
- ICE (InterCity-Express)
- IC (InterCity)
- EC (EuroCity trains on domestic German routes)
It is not valid for journeys into other European countries, even on trains that cross borders. It is also not valid on regional trains (RE, RB) operated by third-party operators — though those trains are generally covered by the Deutschlandticket if you hold one.
There are no route restrictions within Germany: whether you are travelling from Berlin to Munich, Hamburg to Stuttgart, or Cologne to Dresden, a single ticket covers the journey.
When Is It Valid?
The Summer Familienticket is available for travel during the German school summer holidays in 2026. Bookings open in mid-June 2026, and the ticket is valid for travel until mid-September 2026 — when Bavaria's summer holidays end, marking the close of the national summer holiday window.
If you are planning a summer trip, the best time to visit Germany for fewer crowds is early or late in the holiday period, before mid-July and after late August.
What Is and Isn't Included?
Included:
- Travel on ICE, IC, and EC trains anywhere in Germany
- Seat reservations for up to 5 people (a saving of around €5.90 per person per journey)
- Return journey (both outbound and return legs in one ticket)
Not included:
- International routes
- Regional train travel (RE/RB)
- First class (standard class only)
- Food, drinks, or onboard upgrades
How to Book the DB Summer Familienticket
The ticket must be booked in advance — it is not available as a walk-up purchase at the station.
You can buy it through:
- bahn.de — Deutsche Bahn's official website
- The DB Navigator app — iOS and Android
Bookings open in mid-June 2026. Given the strong demand expected for a ticket at this price point, booking as early as possible on the opening day is advisable.
Is It Worth It?
For families making even a single long-distance return trip during the summer holidays, the answer is almost certainly yes.
A comparable ICE return journey for two adults and two children booked at standard prices could easily cost €300–€400 in summer. At €99.99 flat, the Familienticket saves that group around €200 or more — and the included seat reservations remove the usual added cost of securing a seat on busy summer trains.
The main limitation is the advance-booking requirement and the summer-only window. If your travel plans are flexible enough to commit to specific outbound and return dates, the value is exceptional.
Trip Ideas for Families
Looking for inspiration on where to go? A few popular family-friendly destinations reachable by ICE from most major German cities:
- Munich — beaches at the Isar, the Deutsches Museum, and the English Garden. See our free things to do in Munich guide.
- Hamburg — the Miniatur Wunderland, the harbour, and Planten un Blomen park.
- Berlin — the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Tiergarten, and the Natural History Museum.
- Nuremberg — the Playmobil FunPark and the city's medieval old town.
- Cologne — the Chocolate Museum and the Rhine waterfront.
The DB Summer Familienticket makes all of these accessible for under €100 return — a compelling deal for any family spending the summer in Germany.