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Questions related to Bahn card for year long usage

Posted by on

Hi all. I will be moving to Frankfurt, Germany next week and one of thing i was researching about was bahn cards. I will be working in Frankfurt, so mostly it is going to be a fix travel on a monthly pass but on weekends and vacations, i plan to explore within and all around Germany. So here are my questions which will help me decide if i need a bahn card:

  • Does the bahn cards apply on weekly/monthly passes ?
  • Is the bahn card applicable on extension tickets on weekly/monthly pass ?
  • Is it applicable on local/short distance tickets anywhere in Germany ?
  • Do i need to carry it everywhere or is the number is fine ?
  • Few months back i saw an offer on bahn 25 card where there was a special price of 19 euros. But when i tried to buy it, i was not able to proceed (didn't try that hard though). So are these offers for everybody or for German residence only ?
  • Lastly, i travel mostly by bus which is cheaper than anything. Do you think it would be beneficial for me in the long term to buy a bahn card and always book tickets with DB ?
Posted by
12040 posts

Unless the rules have changed since I had one, the Bahncard discount applies to any and all products sold by Deutsche Bahn, even saver fares. I'm not sure which passes you refer to, but if Deutsche Bahn sells them, then yes, the Bahncard discount should apply.

I don't know if residency in Germany is a requirement, but you shouldn't have trouble purchasing one when you arrive in the country.

You always need to show the card when you present your tickets. The conductor needs to verify that you are eligible for the discount you have purchased. And because the card has your picture on it, you can't share it with anyone (likewise, you can't borrow anyone else's card).

For the most part, buses complement rail service in Germany, but they're not a substitute. Rail is the primary means of public transportation between most towns and cities. Buses usually only cover transportation within towns and cities, or short trips between neighboring municipalities. With some exceptions, they don't provide long distance transportation across the country.

Posted by
2480 posts

Does the bahn cards apply on weekly/monthly passes ?

No. If you buy a monthly ticket for commuting its price will not be reduced by having a BahnCard.

Is it applicable on local/short distance tickets anywhere in Germany ?

Yes.

Few months back i saw an offer on bahn 25 card where there was a special price of 19 euros

That's a test offer which is good for three months only.

the Bahncard discount applies to any and all products sold by Deutsche Bahn, even saver fares.

Still true. A BahnCard gives you 25% discount on a Saver Fare

Lastly, i travel mostly by bus which is cheaper than anything. Do you think it would be beneficial for me in the long term to buy a bahn card and always book tickets with DB ?

Non one can answer that. There is an increasing number of long distance busses run by the Flixbus company (which has swallowed the last of its maior competitors recently). Prices vary between very cheap and DB-like, depending on times and booking level. In any case, travelling time by bus will be longer - often drastically - than by train.

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