What is BahnCard 50?
The BahnCard 50 is a paid annual subscription service from Deutsche Bahn (DB) that acts as a discount loyalty card. Despite the number “50” in the name, it does not give you a 50% discount on every ticket. It is designed primarily for travelers who value flexibility over advance planning.
The Discount Structure (The Critical Distinction)
The most important feature to understand is the “Two-Tier” discount system:
- 50% Discount: Applies only to Flexpreis (Flexible Fares). These are tickets bought at the standard rate that allow you to take any train on the day of travel.
- 25% Discount: Applies to Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis (Saver Fares). These are cheaper, quota-limited tickets that bind you to a specific train.
- Note: This 25% discount is identical to the cheaper BahnCard 25. If you only buy Saver fares, the BahnCard 50 offers no extra financial benefit over the BahnCard 25.
Pricing & Variants
Breakdown for the BahnCard 50, organized by target group and price.
General Information
- Discount: Gives you 50% off Flexpreis (flexible fares) and 25% off Saver fares (Sparpreis/Super Sparpreis).
- Validity: All subscriptions are valid for 1 year and renew automatically, except for the Probe BahnCard (Trial) which is valid for 3 months.
Standard & Age-Based Options
BahnCard 50 (Standard)
- Target Group: Adults aged 27–64
- 2nd Class: €244.00
- 1st Class: €492.00
My BahnCard 50 (Youth)
- Target Group: Travelers aged 6–26
- 2nd Class: €79.90
- 1st Class: €241.00
- Note: Unlike the Jugend BahnCard 25, there is no specific “child” version of the BahnCard 50; children and youth under 27 use this card.
Senioren BahnCard 50 (Seniors)
- Target Group: Seniors aged 65+ (Proof of age required)
- 2nd Class: €122.00
- 1st Class: €241.00
Special Status & Trial Options
Ermäßigte BahnCard 50 (Reduced)
- Target Group: Travelers with a disability (GdB 70+), or those receiving a full disability pension.
- 2nd Class: €122.00
- 1st Class: €241.00
- Note: Proof of status is required.
Probe BahnCard 50 (Trial)
- Target Group: New users or short-term travelers
- 2nd Class: €76.90
- 1st Class: €152.00
- Validity: Valid for 3 months only.
- Important: This automatically converts to a regular 1-year subscription if not cancelled 4 weeks before expiration.
Special Mention: Winter Olympics Promo
Since it is currently January 2026, the Probe BahnCard Gold is available for purchase until February 5, 2026.
- Feature: Offers the standard trial benefits plus free travel on long-distance trains the day after a German athlete wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
- Price: Starts at €76.90 (same as the standard Trial card).
Operational Changes: Digital Only
Deutsche Bahn has discontinued physical plastic cards.
- App Required: You must use the DB Navigator App to display your card.
- The “No Battery” Risk: If your phone battery dies and you cannot show the digital card, you are treated as traveling without a ticket. You may be fined (double fare), though you can contest this later for a processing fee.
- ID Check: You must carry an official government photo ID (Passport/ID card) as conductors will verify your identity against the digital card.
Critical Contract Warnings (“The Subscription Trap”)
The BahnCard 50 is a legal subscription contract, not a one-time purchase.
- Auto-Renewal: Both the annual card and the 3-month Trial card automatically renew for another full year if not cancelled.
- Trial Conversion: If you buy the Trial card (€76.90) and do not cancel it, it converts into a full-price Classic subscription (€244).
- Cancellation Deadline: You must cancel 4 weeks before the end of the term. The best way to cancel is via the “Options” menu in your DB customer account to get a digital timestamp.
Is it Right for You?
- BUY IF: You travel spontaneously, cannot book weeks in advance, and frequently buy expensive Flexpreis tickets.
- DO NOT BUY IF: You always book weeks in advance to get Saver Fares. In this case, the BahnCard 25 (approx. €62.90) gives you the exact same discount for a fraction of the annual cost.
