Because you’re not buying your tickets way ahead, you need to buy DB tickets at least 1-2 months in advance and sometimes even earlier to have decent prices. If I look for DB tickets from Munich to Berlin for March 15, they will cost over 100 Euros usually but if I look for tickets from Munich to Berlin for September 5 for instance, they will cost around 40-45 Euros.
DB is always more expensive than FlixTrain. Added to this, you are trying to buy a ticket on the day, which I believe puts you automatically on the flex price bracket.
Because the Sparpreis is capped at latest 3 days to departure… Turn up and ride in an hour is like on a plane more expensive than planning ahead..
And the ICE is usually faster anyways, has a board restaurant. FLIX is utter garbage, you could not pay me to ride with them…
Ice: air con, new toilets, personel, board restaurant, family spaces, goes 300km/h, rather new trains, big company.
In case of train can not ride, other train available without more pay.
Flix train: no aircon, stinks like a shit hole, old DB trains from what feels like 1960, no business or family spaces, falls apart every 2nd train station, small company. Almost no personel on train, toilet is a literal hole in the train to the outside and dirt, beyond comprehension. If train can not ride, you are fucked and need to pay again. Also flixtrain only runs a few set times a day.
ICE tickets are priced based on how early you buy them.
But ignoring that, to price a low demand route and time cheaper also just simply makes no economic sense. If you’re going to run the train at all, and not cancel it, you need to charge as much as you can get away with.
ICE is the premium product, you would have to compare with Regional Trains. Also FlixTrain is cheap because they just use ancient waggons, usually old retired DB stock.
Same-day tickets are about double the price of usual booked tickets. If you booked a few weeks ago, this journey would only cost about 20€. The price system is dynamic and hard to explain, but always book earlier and use the “Super Sparpreis” through the Bestpreisfinder.
DB is always expensive when you buy last minute. Plus is that a sparpreis or flexpreis ticket? At some point you can only buy a flexticket if the train is departing soon. And the flexpreis ticket is always the same price.
Flix is a great option if you want to save money, they have a train on the route you want, and you don’t mind all the ways it sucks. Imo the biggest problem with Flix is if the train has a mechanical issue, you’re basically screwed. DB has plenty of issues, but if it’s an issue with the track, Flix will be even more problematic than DB and if DB has a mechanical issue, at least you can get another train.
I’ve used Flix as a student. It can be fine, but it can also screw you over way worse than DB.
Flix trains are usually slower, older locomotives pulling older DB cars that were refurbished. Like IC trains in most respects. If you want to compare, don’t compare to ICE, compare to IC/EC trains going the same route.
DB tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance. The pricing has little to do with expected demand: it’s calculated according to distance travelled and how far in advance you book.
Beyond that, Flixtrain (the only significant private operator that doesn’t use DB’s ticketing system) is a lower-quality service with older rolling stock and fewer options if something goes wrong and, for example, you miss a connection. It’s like flying with a budget airline: if the only thing you care about is the cost, then it’s great; but if you value comfort and flexibility, you’ll likely want the more expensive option.
And of course, while DB is currently notorious for delays, that’s mostly down to problems with the infrastructure — and it’s the exact same infrastructure Flixtrain has to use, so if the signals go down on the Essen-Berlin route, the Flixtrain will be delayed just as much as the ICE.
FlixTrain runs old stock with low personell and a simple price structure only on very high demand routes.
DB on the other hand runs newer trains with more amenities and they run trains the whole day so they have to subsidize the less economical trips across the board.
Just a different operating model.
If you book same day that’s the normal price if you book 3 months in advance it’s 17-35€ because of their pricing algorithm
Spontaneous flex rate booking.
Also, the product differs. Your choice, you are free to book what you prefer 🙂
Someone gotta pay, only deutsch bahn can be late, if you are late in booking your ticket, you better walk.
Because many people will still book DB rather than Flixtrain, even if it costs more.
Flixtrain only has a very limited number of routes they offer, which means that most people will check DB first. DB is forced to show Flixtrain routes as well, but unless you can do your whole journey on flixtrain, you carry the extra risk that comes with traveling with two providers: if either your DB or flixtrain is delayed and you miss your connection to the other ones train, you will not get your money back or allowed to travel with any other train (unless you booked DB flexpreis, which is way more expensive if you book ahead of time).
Many people that frequently travel by train have a Bahncard 25 or 50, which means they get doscounted prices, and/or collect and redeam BahnBonus points. Both gets you nothing on Flixtrain.
Then there is also comfort. I have taken a flixtrain twice so far, and i can tell you i will never again if there is any way around it. I have traveled on really shitty, old, slow regional trains, the ones where the windows let wind in and you had to manually open the doors by twisting and then holding very heavy levers, etc.. I have never had such a crammed, uncomfortable ride as with a Flixtrain. The seat itself was hard and very uncomfortable for a long ride. The width of the seat and amount of space to the row ahead of you is comparable to that in economy in a low budget airline on a short-range flight. There is not nearly enough space for luggage, either, like not enough for one suitcase per seat even.
The only thing Flixtrain has going for it is the price. And if price is your first priority, that is totally fine. But you need to realize that Flixtrain and DB, especially an ICE from DB, do not offer the same product.
I am still totally a fan of Flixbus, btw. I had the choice several times where i could choose between ab expensive DB ticket with multible train switches, or a direct cheaper Flixbus that took a bit longer, and picked the bus. It seems they also found and now supply “underserved” connections; like, there is a surprising number of cities you can get to direct from Heilbronn, a city with 130k city that is not connected to DBs long distance IC or ICE network. You can even book the seat next to yours for a low fee, if the bus is not close to sold out, to guarantee not having a seat neighbour, which is total luxury on a long trip.
Edit: for the DB price you display,it is also worth mentioning that this last-minute, that is likely the Flexpreis. If you can book just a bit earlier, chances are you can still Sparpreis, bit even Sparpreis is way cheaper if you book ahead. I just checked, and if you look for the exact connection you display, for next saturday, you can get an Extra Sparpreis Ticket for 59€, 29€ if you are 26 or younger. For saturday the 29th, it would be 35€, 24€ for 26 amd younger.
Since this is not mentioned, gonna point it out. Private services will always be cheaper than public services.
Public services have many (necessary and good IMHO) costs, such as operating non profitable routes, employee benefits and balancing their workload.
Private companies can shut down routes and fire staff and other such things to control costs.
This competition is good. We should not fall into a death spiral with private companies though. Once they kick out the public services they are going after profit, which consumers will pay.
I think the balance is healthy now. W, the consumers, have options. I would have chosen Flix when I was a student with limited funds, now that I have disposable income, I can prioritize other things.
Simple anwser: Take the Flixtrain and find out for yourself.
Die Differenz bezahlst du für die 28 Minuten weniger Reisezeit
I was visiting my brother in Germany this past July and we took flixtrain from Berlin to München. It was an absolute nightmare. They have no ac so in the summer you are being roasted, entire train smelt like body odor and people were literally dripping sweat, myself included. Train was super full, I would guess at least 50 years old, and the most uncomfortable seats imaginable. Do not recommend. Yeah ICE is expensive, but way faster and more comfortable. Definitely worth it imo.
It’s not a fair comparison
1. Comparing an ICE train with something akin to an IC/RE flixtrain with noticibly less comfort (than a comparable IC/RE) 2. A last minute ticket, that shits always more expensive
Flixtrains are the Ryanair of train providers. They have limited routes/service with super old stock trains. It’s like asking why a Lufthansa flight to Spain is more expensive than a Ryanair one. Both have the same flight time, so why don’t they cost the same….
104 Euro for a 4 hour train ride is just insane…
never plan anything important when taking the flixtrain. it‘s often hours too late or gets cancelled straight before the travel. it‘s cheap and i use it too, but it‘s risky.
the DB pricing model gives you really cheap ICE tickets if you buy them about 2 weeks in advance (or more), but they get really expensive if you want to buy them spontaneously on the day. That ticket could have easily been 35€ if you bought it 3 weeks ago.
Last minute booking is the worst price possible. Sparpreis if you booked weeks ago would be reasonable, even for first class on an ICE.
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DB has gotten very expensive since 2020
Because you’re not buying your tickets way ahead, you need to buy DB tickets at least 1-2 months in advance and sometimes even earlier to have decent prices. If I look for DB tickets from Munich to Berlin for March 15, they will cost over 100 Euros usually but if I look for tickets from Munich to Berlin for September 5 for instance, they will cost around 40-45 Euros.
DB is always more expensive than FlixTrain. Added to this, you are trying to buy a ticket on the day, which I believe puts you automatically on the flex price bracket.
Because the Sparpreis is capped at latest 3 days to departure… Turn up and ride in an hour is like on a plane more expensive than planning ahead..
And the ICE is usually faster anyways, has a board restaurant. FLIX is utter garbage, you could not pay me to ride with them…
Ice: air con, new toilets, personel, board restaurant, family spaces, goes 300km/h, rather new trains, big company.
In case of train can not ride, other train available without more pay.
Flix train: no aircon, stinks like a shit hole, old DB trains from what feels like 1960, no business or family spaces, falls apart every 2nd train station, small company. Almost no personel on train, toilet is a literal hole in the train to the outside and dirt, beyond comprehension. If train can not ride, you are fucked and need to pay again. Also flixtrain only runs a few set times a day.
ICE tickets are priced based on how early you buy them.
But ignoring that, to price a low demand route and time cheaper also just simply makes no economic sense. If you’re going to run the train at all, and not cancel it, you need to charge as much as you can get away with.
ICE is the premium product, you would have to compare with Regional Trains. Also FlixTrain is cheap because they just use ancient waggons, usually old retired DB stock.
Same-day tickets are about double the price of usual booked tickets. If you booked a few weeks ago, this journey would only cost about 20€. The price system is dynamic and hard to explain, but always book earlier and use the “Super Sparpreis” through the Bestpreisfinder.
DB is always expensive when you buy last minute. Plus is that a sparpreis or flexpreis ticket? At some point you can only buy a flexticket if the train is departing soon. And the flexpreis ticket is always the same price.
Flix is a great option if you want to save money, they have a train on the route you want, and you don’t mind all the ways it sucks. Imo the biggest problem with Flix is if the train has a mechanical issue, you’re basically screwed. DB has plenty of issues, but if it’s an issue with the track, Flix will be even more problematic than DB and if DB has a mechanical issue, at least you can get another train.
I’ve used Flix as a student. It can be fine, but it can also screw you over way worse than DB.
Flix trains are usually slower, older locomotives pulling older DB cars that were refurbished. Like IC trains in most respects. If you want to compare, don’t compare to ICE, compare to IC/EC trains going the same route.
DB tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance. The pricing has little to do with expected demand: it’s calculated according to distance travelled and how far in advance you book.
Beyond that, Flixtrain (the only significant private operator that doesn’t use DB’s ticketing system) is a lower-quality service with older rolling stock and fewer options if something goes wrong and, for example, you miss a connection. It’s like flying with a budget airline: if the only thing you care about is the cost, then it’s great; but if you value comfort and flexibility, you’ll likely want the more expensive option.
And of course, while DB is currently notorious for delays, that’s mostly down to problems with the infrastructure — and it’s the exact same infrastructure Flixtrain has to use, so if the signals go down on the Essen-Berlin route, the Flixtrain will be delayed just as much as the ICE.
FlixTrain runs old stock with low personell and a simple price structure only on very high demand routes.
DB on the other hand runs newer trains with more amenities and they run trains the whole day so they have to subsidize the less economical trips across the board.
Just a different operating model.
If you book same day that’s the normal price if you book 3 months in advance it’s 17-35€ because of their pricing algorithm
Spontaneous flex rate booking.
Also, the product differs. Your choice, you are free to book what you prefer 🙂
Someone gotta pay, only deutsch bahn can be late, if you are late in booking your ticket, you better walk.
Because many people will still book DB rather than Flixtrain, even if it costs more.
Flixtrain only has a very limited number of routes they offer, which means that most people will check DB first. DB is forced to show Flixtrain routes as well, but unless you can do your whole journey on flixtrain, you carry the extra risk that comes with traveling with two providers: if either your DB or flixtrain is delayed and you miss your connection to the other ones train, you will not get your money back or allowed to travel with any other train (unless you booked DB flexpreis, which is way more expensive if you book ahead of time).
Many people that frequently travel by train have a Bahncard 25 or 50, which means they get doscounted prices, and/or collect and redeam BahnBonus points. Both gets you nothing on Flixtrain.
Then there is also comfort. I have taken a flixtrain twice so far, and i can tell you i will never again if there is any way around it. I have traveled on really shitty, old, slow regional trains, the ones where the windows let wind in and you had to manually open the doors by twisting and then holding very heavy levers, etc.. I have never had such a crammed, uncomfortable ride as with a Flixtrain. The seat itself was hard and very uncomfortable for a long ride. The width of the seat and amount of space to the row ahead of you is comparable to that in economy in a low budget airline on a short-range flight. There is not nearly enough space for luggage, either, like not enough for one suitcase per seat even.
The only thing Flixtrain has going for it is the price. And if price is your first priority, that is totally fine. But you need to realize that Flixtrain and DB, especially an ICE from DB, do not offer the same product.
I am still totally a fan of Flixbus, btw. I had the choice several times where i could choose between ab expensive DB ticket with multible train switches, or a direct cheaper Flixbus that took a bit longer, and picked the bus. It seems they also found and now supply “underserved” connections; like, there is a surprising number of cities you can get to direct from Heilbronn, a city with 130k city that is not connected to DBs long distance IC or ICE network. You can even book the seat next to yours for a low fee, if the bus is not close to sold out, to guarantee not having a seat neighbour, which is total luxury on a long trip.
Edit: for the DB price you display,it is also worth mentioning that this last-minute, that is likely the Flexpreis. If you can book just a bit earlier, chances are you can still Sparpreis, bit even Sparpreis is way cheaper if you book ahead. I just checked, and if you look for the exact connection you display, for next saturday, you can get an Extra Sparpreis Ticket for 59€, 29€ if you are 26 or younger. For saturday the 29th, it would be 35€, 24€ for 26 amd younger.
Since this is not mentioned, gonna point it out. Private services will always be cheaper than public services.
Public services have many (necessary and good IMHO) costs, such as operating non profitable routes, employee benefits and balancing their workload.
Private companies can shut down routes and fire staff and other such things to control costs.
This competition is good. We should not fall into a death spiral with private companies though. Once they kick out the public services they are going after profit, which consumers will pay.
I think the balance is healthy now. W, the consumers, have options. I would have chosen Flix when I was a student with limited funds, now that I have disposable income, I can prioritize other things.
Simple anwser: Take the Flixtrain and find out for yourself.
Die Differenz bezahlst du für die 28 Minuten weniger Reisezeit
I was visiting my brother in Germany this past July and we took flixtrain from Berlin to München. It was an absolute nightmare. They have no ac so in the summer you are being roasted, entire train smelt like body odor and people were literally dripping sweat, myself included. Train was super full, I would guess at least 50 years old, and the most uncomfortable seats imaginable. Do not recommend. Yeah ICE is expensive, but way faster and more comfortable. Definitely worth it imo.
It’s not a fair comparison
1. Comparing an ICE train with something akin to an IC/RE flixtrain with noticibly less comfort (than a comparable IC/RE) 2. A last minute ticket, that shits always more expensive
Flixtrains are the Ryanair of train providers. They have limited routes/service with super old stock trains. It’s like asking why a Lufthansa flight to Spain is more expensive than a Ryanair one. Both have the same flight time, so why don’t they cost the same….
104 Euro for a 4 hour train ride is just insane…
never plan anything important when taking the flixtrain. it‘s often hours too late or gets cancelled straight before the travel. it‘s cheap and i use it too, but it‘s risky.
the DB pricing model gives you really cheap ICE tickets if you buy them about 2 weeks in advance (or more), but they get really expensive if you want to buy them spontaneously on the day. That ticket could have easily been 35€ if you bought it 3 weeks ago.
Last minute booking is the worst price possible. Sparpreis if you booked weeks ago would be reasonable, even for first class on an ICE.
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