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HELP! How to Buy and Use the Probe BahnCard 25 on the DB Website?

Posted by on

Hi Everyone-

I have a few questions about the Probe BahnCard 25:

I have quite a few trains to book throughout Germany. In addition, can I use this card to purchase tickets from Paris to Frankfurt, and from Cologne back to Paris?

1) Am I able to purchase a Probe BahnCard 25 outside of Germany? I am in Canada,

2) How do I book the train tickets in advance if I am able to purchase the Probe BahnCard 25? The drop downs available don't include "Probe BahnCard" as an option. Would I just use BahnCard 25? How does DB know I have a "probe BahnCard 25"? Is there something i need to show at the station to validate my discount? Like an actual card? I am so confused. :(

3) I am travelling with my husband and we will be together the entire time. Do I need to purchase 2 ProbeBahn 25 Cards?

4) How would I cancel the subscription? I know they say 6 weeks in advance of its end date, but being from Canada, is there an e-mail I send? Or a letter I need to write? if so, what would the address be?

5) With all train tickets, do we need to validate? If so, how do I do this? Is there a machine to validate? Or do we get our tickets validated at a Customer Service kiosk, showing the Train Personnel...or no validation required at all?

You help would be ever so appreciated!! I am looking to hopefully book tickets today to benefit from the 25% off discounts!

With love from Canada,

Thank you!!

Posted by
2481 posts

1) Simply register and order on the ticket booking site (there is a link to BahnCard services); pay using a CC. But you can buy it at any maior train station as well.

2)

Would I just use BahnCard 25?

yes

How does DB know I have a "probe BahnCard 25"?

You have to show it to the conductor. You don't need it for booking, neither
online nor at a ticket window.

3)

Do I need to purchase 2 ProbeBahn 25 Cards?

yes

4) How would I cancel the subscription?

By sending an email to [email protected]

5) Never for long distance tickets and regular local train tickets (for Verbund
tickets, a Bahncard is useless anyway).

Posted by
56 posts

This is how I bought them online.

Visit www.bahn.de change to language of choice
Search for a train
Start the checkout.
Will be offered the Bahn Card. Choose the one you want. We chose he My Bahncard Probe 25 for 3 months.
Go through Bahn Card checkout and setup.
When payment screen comes up use Credit Card.
Once you are complete with the Bahn Card purchase then abandon the train ticket purchase.

We bought 5 Bahncards this way for 5 people.

Posted by
11 posts

Thank you for your response, sla019!

A few follow-up questions:

1) Where would DB send my Probe Card to? My home address in Canada? Could I just show the preliminary one or I need the actual one to show the train personnel? Other forums I've read say it is a must to have a German address? And others say it's still possible to buy as a tourist.

2) I can't seem to purchase a BahnCard in English...the only link I can find for purchasing them on the DB site is in German. Even when you change the site to English, the option to purchase disappears for some reason??

I am guessing it's because this is geared toward residents and not tourists...I just want the discounts...! :(

Thanks for your help.

Posted by
11 posts

Keith -
I see you are in the US! Have you traveled to Germany with the Bahn Cards already and you were able to cancel them appropriately without having to pay the full subscription? Did they send the cards to your home address in the states??

Please tell me how you did so...I am desperate lol

Thanks for your help!

Posted by
2481 posts

I can't seem to purchase a BahnCard in English...the only link I can find for purchasing them on the DB site is in German.

Do it the way described by Keith. (just don't order the "MY BahnCard Probe", which is for people under 27 yo; the correct label is "Probe Bahncard 25"). The BC will be sent to you by mail.

Alternativly, if you buy at the station (»Reisezentrum«) you will be handed over a provisional BC which is valid 2 months; that's probably longer than you will stay in Germany.

Other forums I've read say it is a must to have a German address?

That used to be true 10 years ago.

Posted by
56 posts

They will be sent to your home, but we are using them from our phones via the DB Navigator App.

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