June 13, 2025, 10:39 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Until now, parents with two children had to pay 10.40 euros for a joint seat reservation with Deutsche Bahn. This is set to change: Starting June 15, the so-called family reservation will no longer be available. A sample family would then have to pay for each member individually, totaling around 22 euros per trip. This is in addition to the ticket price and possibly a return trip. Find out why not only those directly affected see this as problematic at TRAVELBOOK.
Our author recently struck up a conversation with a gentleman on the platform, where yet another delayed Deutsche Bahn train was expected. Given the circumstances, he was reluctant to reveal his employer: DB. He often faces criticism for this–even from friends. This week was likely no different. The railway plans to eliminate family reservations as part of its latest schedule change. The reactions are loud–including from politicians. The measure could have far-reaching consequences.
Railway Criticized for Scrapping Family Reservations
Deutsche Bahn conducts a schedule change twice a year. These often involve changes to connections, travel times, and routes, along with price adjustments. This summer, seat reservations are affected. Solo travelers in second class will now pay 5.50 euros (up from 5.20 euros) and in first class 6.90 euros (up from 6.50 euros). Families, who previously paid a relatively low package price of 10.40 euros for sitting together, will now face the adjusted individual price for each family member.
“Given the current economic situation, we must make our offerings economically viable,” the railway explained. But for families, the situation is no less strained. As reported by “Tagesschau,” politicians from various parties are urging DB to reconsider and maintain family reservations. “Especially for families with children, summer vacations are increasingly becoming a luxury in times of high prices,” said Green Party parliamentary leader Katharina Dröge.
The Potential Impact of the Measure
For solo travelers, the price increase for seat reservations might not be a big deal. As an individual, you might get lucky and find a free seat without a reservation. But for groups of three, four, or five, it’s much harder. Families traveling by train rely on assigned seats. Without them, they might be forced to sit in separate cars. With small children, that’s not really feasible. Given the elimination of family reservations, many Germans might reconsider whether they want to indulge in this expensive option.
“Especially for family travel, costs compared to driving are a crucial decision factor,” states a press release from the passenger association Pro Bahn. The fear is that due to rising prices–and not necessarily increasing reliability–people will avoid traveling with Deutsche Bahn and opt for cars instead. That’s not environmentally friendly.
In response to a TRAVELBOOK inquiry, the railway argued that only five percent of long-distance travelers have used the family reservation so far. “The family reservation is largely booked by travel groups consisting of one adult with one child. This travel group has not benefited from the family reservation, as it only becomes cheaper than booking individual seat reservations for three or more people traveling together,” a DB spokesperson explained.
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Hope for a Reversal Remains
The railway is still holding on to its decision to abolish family reservations. But this may not be set in stone. Pro Bahn reminds us that the company reversed a short-lived new rule on canceling flexible tickets. This had meant worse conditions for customers–and here, massive external criticism apparently had an effect. In addition to the passenger association and politicians, Greenpeace and the German Social Welfare Association have also commented on the recent measure.