Deutsche Bahn is letting some long-distance passengers cancel tickets free of charge as an extreme heat wave raises disruption risks across Germany’s rail network.
Deutsche Bahn is temporarily allowing some long-distance passengers to cancel tickets free of charge as an extreme heat wave puts extra strain on Germany’s rail network.
The measure applies to long-distance tickets booked by June 23, 2026, for travel through June 30, 2026. It comes as temperatures are reported to be rising above 40C in parts of Germany and as rail operators warn that heat can affect infrastructure and service reliability.
According to reporting gathered on Thursday, the change is a goodwill response to the risk of delays, cancellations and uncomfortable travel conditions during the heat wave. A separate major rail disruption earlier in the week also heightened concern about the network’s resilience.
What the policy covers
Passengers with eligible digital tickets can cancel online. Paper tickets must be returned at Deutsche Bahn sales points.
DB is also adding extra service staff and water supplies at major stations for travelers who still choose to travel.
Why DB is doing it
The company says extreme heat can stress rail infrastructure and operations, including switches, signals, overhead lines and air-conditioning. Those risks can slow trains, force timetable changes or trigger cancellations during the hottest days.
The policy is temporary and tied to the current heat wave. It is not a permanent change to DB’s ticket rules.
What happens next
The key question is whether Deutsche Bahn extends the arrangement if high temperatures continue beyond June 30. Further reporting will also show whether the heat wave produces specific delays or cancellations across the network.
,Revision note
Initial automated publication.