Markets and strategy

At the heart of DB Long-Distance’s long-term strategy lies a focus on growing volume sold with the aim of driving the shift toward climate-friendly rail transport. In addition to connecting regions, the further development of offers focuses on more international services and more ICE Sprinter and transfer-free direct connections in Germany.

At the same time, the framework conditions in the long-distance market have changed significantly due to rising costs, inflation and changes in travel behavior, for example as a result of working from home and the Germany-Ticket. 2025 was also characterized by a tense operational situation resulting in particular from numerous infrastructure disruptions and a high level of construction activity. DB Long-Distance is implementing a comprehensive restructuring program in order to ensure an attractive and economically viable product range in the future under the changed framework conditions. The focus is on improving profitability and achieving a noticeably better customer experience, for example through improved cleanliness on trains and more reliable on-board catering. Additional new vehicles are being used to stabilize operations, while more resilient operating concepts are intended to help ensure punctuality. However, a noticeable improvement in punctuality is largely dependent on a modernized and efficient infrastructure.

In 2025, DB Long-Distance made progress in numerous areas with a focus on modernization, digitalization, quality assurance and sustainability.

• DB Long-Distance is pressing ahead with the targeted modernization and expansion of its vehicle fleet. An important milestone was achieved with the arrival of the first ICE L in September 2025 and its deployment since mid-December 2025. The ICE L has step-free access, a modern interior design and larger multi-purpose areas. A further 15 ICE 3neo vehicles were accepted. In order to further expand the ICE 3neo’s international area of operation, up to 32 trains will have the necessary technical equipment installed by 2031 to allow them to serve France and Poland in addition to Belgium and the Netherlands. Following successful approval, it will then be possible to run the ICE between Berlin and Warsaw for the first time. At the same time, the necessary maintenance capacities are to be ensured. Construction of the new ICE depot Dortmund-Port began in fall 2025.
• Improved processes are intended to provide all long-distance trains with high-quality equipment and at competitive costs. In order to further increase vehicle availability and quality, the digitalization and optimization of production is continuing, for example through the use of camera detection. Work also continued on projects aimed at improving processes in traffic control centers and maintenance depots in the long term, thereby contributing to increasing reliability, punctuality and vehicle availability. Employee qualification and retention in operational and service-critical positions also continue to play an important role.
• The offer was further optimized in 2025 by increasing frequencies, shortening travel times and extending routes. Since the schedule change in December 2025, DB Long-Distance has connected 21 German cities every half-hour. Sprinter services and international connections have also been expanded. The vehicle availability and comfort of the ICE fleet are to be increased in the long term through the expansion and continuous modernization of the fleet. In order to continuously improve the travel experience, the DB Navigator and bahn.de sales channels, among others, were made more accessible in 2025. At the same time, the modernization of lounges and travel centers continues. The third travel center with a new, innovative concept was opened in Hamburg. Additional locations are being converted.
• Sustainability is a matter of course for DB Long-Distance: since 2018, DB Long-Distance trains in Germany have been running on 100 % eco-power on all electrified lines. Our new maintenance depots operate in a more climate-friendly manner, including through the use of geothermal and photovoltaic systems. In order to inspire companies to travel in a climate-friendly manner by rail, the Climate Cup was launched in 2025 as a competition for bahn.business customers using a gamified approach. These activities are supplemented by further measures for more sustainability, such as the CO₂e disclosure on bahn.de and in the BahnBonus app.