Exchanging or cancelling tickets or reservations (2024)

We have detailed information for you on how to change or cancel journeys. Simply select your ticket or reservation type in the list displayed below.

It is not possible to exchange booked tickets. However, you can cancel your purchased tickets and book a new trip.

Instant ticket cancellation

If you buy a ticket via int.bahn.de or the DB Navigator app, you can cancel it free of charge within a period of 12 hours (720 minutes) after purchase, in addition to the specific offer's terms and conditions. Payment will be refunded in full.

You can cancel the following long-distance offers (online/mobile) directly after booking. The ticket price will then be refunded:

  • Super saver fare, super saver fare for young people, super saver fare for senior citizens, super saver fare Europe, super saver fare Europe for young people
  • Saver fare, saver fare for young people, saver fare for senior citizens, saver fare Europe, saver fare Europe for young people
  • Flexible fares (normal, plus, business, Europe)
  • Group super saver fares (normal, Europe)
  • Group saver fares (normal, Europe)

An instant cancellation includes all of the additional services you book when buying your ticket, such as a seat reservation, a bicycle ticket, City mobil and ticket insurance.

It is not possible to cancel individual components of a ticket.

Offers booked via www.international-bahn.de are excluded from instant cancellation.

When ordering a BahnCard, the option of instant cancellation described here does not apply. This does not affect the right of cancellation that applies to our BahnCard 25 and 50 offers.

Further information about BahnCards is available here.

We will transfer the full payment to the means of payment that you originally used. Any vouchers you used for the booking will remain valid. It is not possible to issue refunds for eCoupons.

Via your customer account on int.bahn.de
Go to the "My tickets" section and open the ticket. Activate the instant cancellation and click "Cancel now". A window opens. In it, click the "Cancel now" button again. This completes the instant cancellation and you will see the successful cancellation ("Ticket cancelled") in your ticket.

Via your customer account in DB Navigator
Go to the "My tickets" section and open the ticket. Under "Further actions" > "To cancellation", activate the instant cancellation and click "Cancel". A window opens. In it, click the "Cancel" button again. This completes the instant cancellation and you will see the successful cancellation ("Ticket cancelled") in your ticket.

You can use the instant cancellation option within a period of 720 minutes or 12 hours after you book a ticket online.

Instant cancellation is possible only before the ticket's first day of validity.

Details: regular ticket cancellation process

Even if you have a train-specific ticket, you are entitled to the following if the train is expected to arrive at your destination with a delay of at least 20 minutes:

  • Continue your journey at the next possible opportunity using either the same route or a different one
  • Continue your journey at a later point in time if this reduces the delay in arriving at your destination station
  • Use a different train that does not require a reservation

This does not apply to trains which require mandatory reservations, e.g. night trains.

Using a more expensive train
If you have a ticket for use on a local transport service (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) but want to use a more expensive service (e.g. long-distance train such as an IC/EC or ICE), you can do so if you buy the necessary ticket or pay the difference/surcharge. You can then claim back the costs under your passenger rights.

This option is not available for tickets with substantial discounts (e.g. a weekend ticket for Germany, a regional day ticket).

Refunds
Please apply for your compensation under passenger rights online via your customer account in DB Navigator or on int.bahn.de. Simply download, complete and sign the passenger rights form, then send it to the address indicated on the form.
Important: Make sure you enclose your original ticket or a copy of your season ticket/BahnCard 100. We regret that we are otherwise unable to pay any compensation.

Super saver fare tickets are excluded from exchange and cancellation.

Exception: instant cancellation up to 12 hours after booking.

You can cancel your saver fare ticket online or via the DB Navigator app if you booked it via int.bahn.de or the app.
The value of the ticket, minus a processing fee, will be refunded in the form of an e-mail voucher that you can use to buy another DB product.

Note: In the case of saver fare tickets for return journeys, the first day of validity refers to the day of the outbound journey.

Charges


Saver fare tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.


Saver fare Europe tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.


Passenger rights


Even if you have a train-specific ticket, you are entitled to the following if the train is expected to arrive at your destination with a delay of at least 20 minutes:

  • Continue your journey at the next possible opportunity using either the same route or a different one.
  • Continue your journey at a later point in time if this reduces the delay in arriving at your destination station.
  • Use a different train that does not require a reservation

More about your passenger rights

Did you buy your saver fare ticket online or with your mobile phone but chose to have it delivered by post? You can use our dedicated form to cancel it. Please fill out this form and send it with your tickets to the address specified on the form, or drop it off at a DB Travel Centre. The date of the postmark is decisive.

If your ticket also includes a compulsory reservation, e.g. for a night train, please also submit the corresponding receipt.

The value of the ticket, minus a processing fee, will be refunded in the form of a voucher that you can use to buy another DB product.
In the case of saver fare tickets for return trips, the first day of validity refers to the day of the outbound journey.

Charges


Saver fare tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity*: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.


Saver fare Europe tickets

  • Up to one day before the first day of validity*: cancellation fee of EUR10, refund issued in the form of a voucher
  • Cancellation is no longer possible from the first day of validity.

*The date of the postmark is decisive.
Postage cannot be refunded.

Passenger rights


Even if you have a train-specific ticket, you are entitled to the following if the train is expected to arrive at your destination with a delay of at least 20 minutes:

  • Continue your journey at the next possible opportunity using either the same route or a different one.
  • Continue your journey at a later point in time if this reduces the delay in arriving at your destination station.
  • Use a different train that does not require a reservation

More about your passenger rights

Did you purchase your ticket from a ticket machine, by calling the travel service, at a DB Travel Centre or DB agency? Please present your ticket at a DB Travel Centre if you want to cancel it.

If your ticket also includes a compulsory reservation, e.g. for the night train, you must bring the corresponding seat reservation with you in addition to the ticket.

Group saver fare tickets booked online

  • Cancellation for the entire group is possible up to seven days before departure for a fee of EUR19 per group ticket.
  • No cancellation/exchange for individual travellers in the group.

Bookings made via your local DB sales point or by phone

Cancellation for the entire group

  • 14 or more days before the selected day of travel: free cancellation/exchange. No exchange afterwards.
  • Between 13 days and one day before departure: cancellation for the entire group is possible for a fee of EUR5 per person and ticket.

Cancellation for individual passengers

  • 14 or more days before the selected day of travel: free cancellation.
  • Between 13 days and one day before departure: cancellation is possible for a fee of EUR5 per person. The remaining group must consist of at least six people.

You can cancel your flexible fare or normal fare ticket online or via the DB Navigator app if you booked it via int.bahn.de or the app.

The value of the ticket, minus a processing fee, will be refunded to the means of payment you used to buy the ticket.

Charges


Before the first day of validity:
Free cancellation

On and after the first day of validity:

  • Exchange or cancellation of flexible fare tickets for long-distance transport (ICE, IC/EC) incurs a fee of EUR19
  • Cancellation of normal fare tickets on local transport (DB Regio, transport associations, NE/SEE) for a fee of EUR19

The fee is EUR19 for any connection that involves at least one long-distance train.

The validity period is printed on your ticket.
Postage cannot be refunded.

Deadlines


You can submit flexible fare or normal fare tickets for reimbursem*nt within these deadlines:

  • For journeys within Germany up to six months after expiry of your ticket's validity period
  • For cross-border journeys up to one month after expiry of the ticket's validity period


Changes to your travel plans?
The flexible fare does not restrict you to a specific train. Simply take the train that suits you best on the day your ticket is valid.

You can cancel the flexible fare plus free of charge until the end of the validity period, i.e. two days after the booked day of travel.

After that, you can cancel the ticket for a fee of EUR19.

These tickets are excluded from exchanges and cancellations.

These tickets are excluded from exchanges and cancellations.

The general terms and conditions of the individual offers apply. Most special offers are excluded from exchange and cancellation.

If you booked a ticket on www.international-bahn.de and want to call it up again or cancel your booking in line with the applicable terms and conditions, simply go to www.international-bahn.de/de/ordersearch.

If you want to change a booking in line with the applicable terms and conditions, please contact the relevant service centre and have your order number (must begin with "MCP-") to hand. You can find this number in the e-mail confirming your booking.

Service centre telephone number: +49 61 729-13731 (costs depend on the provider)

E-mail: service-international@bahn.de

Times:
8:00 am - 8:00 pm on Monday-Friday; 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Details on exchanging or cancelling seat reservations

The tariff excludes re-reservation of seats on long-distance services. This also applies to compulsory reservations (e.g. TGV)

If reserved seats could not be allocated, if allocated seats could not be held ready or if you were unable to use them due to a delay, you are entitled to a refund of the reservation fee paid.

You can also apply for a refund of the reservation fee informally at the Passenger Rights Service Centre, 60647 Frankfurt.

Exchanging or cancelling tickets or reservations (2024)

FAQs

Can I change my non-refundable airline ticket? ›

Some nonrefundable fares can be canceled or changed for a partial refund in the form of an airline flight voucher, but rarely can you receive cash or credit card reimbursem*nt for a canceled nonrefundable fare.

How to cancel an airline ticket without penalty? ›

Tip: Cancel in 24 hours to avoid fees

A simple way to change or cancel a flight without paying a fee is to do so within 24 hours of booking.

Can I cancel my flight ticket and get a refund? ›

Regardless whether you cancel your flight months in advance, or you miss it due to some unforeseen issue on the way to the airport, you have a right to the same refund of taxes and fees from the airline. This is because in either case, you have not used the flight and are therefore not liable to pay these costs.

Can I get 100% refund on train ticket cancellation? ›

If the train is marked as "CANCELLED" in Passenger Reservation System (PRS) due to breaches, floods, accidents etc., full refund is permissible in case the ticket is cancelled within three days of the scheduled departure of the train. In case of e-tickets, such cancellation can be done by the customer through Internet.

Can I change a flight I already booked? ›

You may change your refundable ticket without paying a change fee, provided all fare and ticket rules are met and seats are available. If the ticket price has increased since your original purchase, you will need to pay the difference in price between your original fare to your new fare.

Do I lose my money if I cancel a flight? ›

Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an e-credit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment.

How to cancel a flight ticket without cancellation charges? ›

The easiest way to avoid cancellation charges is to book refundable flight tickets.

Do you have to pay a cancellation fee to cancel a flight? ›

Airline ticket cancellation fees are deducted by the airline from the originally paid airfare amount after you cancel a reservation and apply for a refund. Therefore, the refund you receive equals the total amount you paid for the airline ticket less the applicable penalty.

How long before a flight can I cancel a refundable ticket? ›

You have 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket for a refund if you booked at least 2 days before departure. The 24-hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel the trip to get a refund.* Reservations booked as part of group block do not qualify for the 24-hour refund.

How to check if a flight ticket is refundable or not? ›

As long as you make sure that the 'refundable' filter on the flight search results page is selected and the 'non-refundable- filter is deselected, you'll know that all flights displayed are refundable. Some flights may be fully refundable, while others may require a charge by the airline in order to give you a refund.

Can you cancel a flight without a refund? ›

Here's a summary:Basic Economy Ticket: You cannot cancel or get a refund for Basic Economy tickets.Refundable Ticket: You can cancel a refundable ticket anytime before your flight and get a full refund.Nonrefundable Ticket: If you cancel a nonrefundable ticket, you will not get any money back.Award Ticket: Canceling an ...

How much money is returned after ticket cancellation? ›

If a confirmed ticket is cancelled within 48 hrs and up to 12 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charges shall be 25% of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in the above clause.

What are ticket cancellation charges? ›

If a confirmed ticket is cancelled within 48 hrs and up to 12 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charges shall be 25% of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in the above clause.

How do I cancel a ticket? ›

Cancellation Rules for Indian Railways Tickets

E-tickets can be cancelled through the IRCTC website, Mobile App or from any online portal from where you booked your ticket, whereas counter tickets need to be cancelled at any of the PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters.

Can we postpone non-refundable flight? ›

Non-refundable tickets: A non-refundable ticket might still allow you to make changes but this can have a fee attached to it. This fee is dependent on the airline and fare rules related to your ticket.

Can I make changes to a non-refundable ticket on American airlines? ›

Your ticket

A refundable ticket allows you to change or cancel your flight without a fee. A non-refundable ticket may cost less, but if you need to make changes you'll be charged a change fee and any difference in fare. If you buy a Basic Economy fare, changes are not allowed.

Are non-refundable event tickets legal? ›

Current through the 2023 Legislative Session. Section 22507 - Ticket price refunded if event canceled, postponed, or rescheduled (a) The ticket price of an event which is canceled shall be fully refunded to the purchaser by the ticket seller within 30 calendar days of the cancellation.

Can non-refundable tickets be rescheduled with United Airlines? ›

Non-Refundable Ticket

United does not charge any fees for flight changes; you will just be responsible for any difference in fare. For same-day changes, United charges up to $75, depending on destination and fare class.

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