Using the DB App or website to purchase tickets from the USA

It definitely works from the US. What is the problem you’re encountering?

When I’ve tried to purchase tickets everything is ok but the credit card is rejected. Checked with the bank and everything was good on their end.

Even tried different cards.

Which trains are you trying to book?

Maybe book on the website, where you can use paypal. One issue you may encounter is that European payment processors have higher standards for cardholder-not-present transactions than most US banks have. Have you got 3D secure active?

Perhaps by trying a different browser, e.g. Safari instead of Google Chrome, it will work for you. I had that problem a few years ago and switched from GC to Safari.

Info: DB accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, AirPlus and Diners Club.

Source in German:
https://www.bahn.de/faq/welche-kreditkarten-werden-akzeptiert

Some credit cards may have certain security procedures which are not supported.

Maybe try to pay via Paypal?

I bought some tickets a couple days ago from the states. I used google chrome on a computer, and it was a Visa credit card. When I made the purchase, the DB website indicated a failure. Shortly after I got a notification from my bank indicating possible fraud, and I indicated "yes" to allow. Then I went back to the DB website and re-purchased the tickets. Then it went through fine. They emailed me the receipt and pdf. It's also in my app on my phone.

Try the app versus the website. I have never had a problem with the app in US or Europe. I have had issues with some browsers in the US. This also happens with other Euro-based websites.

I don't understand this, but if I recall correctly, I tried to enter a credit card in a DB website (or another German website maybe?), and it didn't accept it. I was using a laptop, Firefox browser, and Spectrum Cable for my internet. I set my cellphone to wifi hotspot, connected the laptop to it, and then the card went through. Might be worth a try. My cellphone hotspot would be a different I/P address...

Over the last couple of weeks, I've purchased 4 long-distance train tickets on the Deutsche Bahn (DB) website. I have a registered account with DB, but I have not "permanently" linked a payment method to the account. While visiting the U.S., I was successful in purchasing all tickets with a Canadian-based credit card; each purchase required two-factor authentication for security. Inspecting the DB app on my mobile phone shows I have all 4 train tickets ready to go.

(I had similar success in the spring of 2024 when I purchased 9 long-distance tickets on the DB website. Last year and this year, I used the Firefox browser and no VPN.)

Thank you all for your help. The problem was resolved by working with my financial institution’s fraud prevention group. They gave me a short timeframe to complete the transactions which went through without any problems.

Paypal worked for me with no problems.

What kind of tickets were you trying to buy? The only tickets that you should buy in advance are (Savings Fare/Sparpreis) tickets for long distance trains (ICE/IC/EC) that come with a discount. All others, buy in Germany. Other than those advance purchase tickets, there is no price advantage to buying tickets in advance and some disadvantages (regional passes, once purchased, are non-changeable, non-refundable.

Note: I once bought full fare long distance train tickets when I was arriving at FRA just before train time and, if the flight was early, and I might have made the train, I didn't want to spend time buying tickets (the flight was not early; I missed the train).

CharlieK, I'm glad you solved the problem! Thanks for the update.

One thing I wanted to mention, though, is to make sure you download the app (DB Navigator) even if are buying the tickets on the website. The app will be helpful once you are there, as you can check the status of trains and tracks, and also receive updates by push notification if the train is late, or has moved to a different track.