Deutsche Bahn Passenger Rights

Know your rights when travelling with the Deutsche Bahn. Many people do not realize that they may be able to request reimbursement in the case of a delay. If you miss a connection due to even a 5 minute delay, you may be eligible for as much as 50% of the cost of your tickets. The following link will direct you to the appropriate form: Fahrgastrechte bei der Deutschen Bahn

I learned about this the hard way. We had planned an overnight train ride from Freiburg to Budapest with stops in Munich and Salzburg. The train from Freiburg to Munich had approximately an hour delay, which meant we missed our train to Salzburg. In theory, the Deutsche Bahn is responsible for finding and paying for a reasonably priced hotel and a taxi ride to get to that hotel, in addition to reimbursing a portion of the travel costs. Unfortunately, it was the night of the Football Champions League Munich vs. Manchester United; in other words, every single hotel and hostel was fully booked within 50 km of the city. Although the Deutsche Bahn was still obligated to find us accommodation, they didn't. They also refused to give us internet access and would not pay for a locker for our belongings. So we had to "sleep" on the ground in the cold train station that night.

At the end of my trip, when I returned from Münster to Freiburg, there was also a delay. I had to change connections in Düsseldorf and I was expected to arrive in Freiburg at 15:59. Due to the delay of the first train, I knew I wasn't able to make my connection in Düsseldorf. So I was given a new route: From Münster to Cologne, then to Mannheim and then to Freiburg. I arrived in Freiburg at 16:59, exactly an hour late, which means I was eligible for a 25% reimbursement on my ticket. I was also lucky enough to see the Cologne Cathedral, in the 1880s the tallest building in the world, which sits right outside of the main train station.

If a delay of even 1 minute causes you to be more than an hour late to your destination, then send in this form (Fahrgastrechte bei der Deutschen Bahn) along with a copy of your tickets and any additional proof of your arrival time in order to receive a 25% compensation on the costs of your tickets (excluding tickets valued at 4 euros or less). If you arrive at least 1 hour and 30 minutes after your expected arrival time, then you will receive a 50% reimbursement.

And have a nice, safe trip with or without the Deutsche Bahn.