Do I need to buy a rail pass for my wheelchair bound ten-year-old son? On the Deutsche Bahn site, there's something about having to have a government-issued ID card for the exemption, but a paragraph later, there is information about no ticket needed regardless of place of residence. Anyone with experience? Is this on all trains, including ICE or just locals?
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Robert, the wheelchair is free on all rail services by Deutsche Bahn. If your son has a government issued handicapped ID then he travels free of any charge on all trains EXCEPT IC, EC, ICE, CNL.
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
I don't think the US has government issued IDs for disabilities. The closest we have are placards for cars, but they don't have names on them. I thought it was an EU only benefit.
Posted by
Berlin, Germany
337 posts
A German handicapped ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis) grants you free use in non-local trains in a 50km radius around your permanent residence (SGB IX art 147 par (1) No. 5).