German Railways Eliminates Family Seating Reservation
By Maddie Marks
Get ready for a pocket-padding increase in costs if you're planning a trip with the German Railway. Starting this Sunday, even the little ones will need their own Resy for a ride.
The German Railway is giving the middle finger to your wallet by upping the costs for reserving seats. Sadly, the family reservation will no longer be an option with the updated schedule kicking off next Sunday. In the future, every passenger – yes, budding travelers included – will have to dish out cash for their seat reservation.
On top of that, a second-class reservation will see a 30-cent hike, setting you back 5.50 euros. First-class seats will now cost 6.90 euros instead of the initial 6.50 euros.
Deutsch Bahn: Family Trip Price Doubles
A family with two children will now have to fork over 22 euros instead of the earlier 10.40 euros for a family reservation in the future. That's a whopping 44 euros for a round trip! But fear not, a reservation is not required for theDIY adventure. However, if you want to keep your kiddos close on a train ride without the stress, you'll need to shell out for a reservation.
Environment-friendly transport buffs voiced their criticism over the cancelation of the family reservation. The eco-friendly transportation club VCD urged the railway to hang onto this option. "Families with children rely on reserved seats," said the federal chairwoman Kerstin Haarmann. "They're now facing an indirect price increase. Just half a year after the last ticket hike in December."
Despite the unpleasant news of increased costs, Deutsche Bahn remains an affordable transportation option for families. Kiddos under the age of 6 can travel for free and don't need a ticket of their own. Children between 6 and 14 travel gratis when accompanied by someone 15 or over. Up to four children are allowed per ticket! Lone wolf kids under discounted fares in Solo Mode.
Behind the Curtain
Deutsche Bahn is nixing the family reservation and increasing the cost for seat reservations as part of broader efforts to adjust its pricing strategy[1][2]. The company hasn't publicly detailed the specific motivations behind these changes, but it's reasonable to infer that they constitute part of its response to financial pressures or operational challenges. The decision to abolish family reservations and raise prices may serve as a means of generating additional revenue to overcome these pressures[2][3]. As criticism mounts, it's clear that the price hikes have not been without controversy[3].
The Deutsche Bahn's decision to revoke the family reservation and increase seat reservation costs is a move that will significantly impact lifestyle and finance, as a family trip now costs nearly double. For instance, a round trip for a family with two children will cost 22 euros compared to the previous 10.40 euros. On the positive side, Deutsche Bahn still offers affordable travel for children under 6, and those between 6 and 14 can travel free with an accompaniment, making it a viable option for budget-conscious business travelers and families wanting a pocket-friendly journey.
