🇩🇪 GERMAN DIARY

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A practical newsletter for expats, immigrants, and newcomers navigating bureaucracy, work, housing, and everyday life in Germany. Written from NRW, every Saturday.

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Written from Germany

Extreme Heat Warning Across Germany This Week

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Jun 25, 2026

Deutsche Bahn Summer 2026: Every Discount Expats Need to Know

Germany has one of Europe's best train networks — but only if you know how to use it cheaply. With Deutsche Bahn (DB) rolling out summer 2026 promotions, here's everything you need to know to travel smart and save serious money.The Deutschlandticket: €58/month for Everything LocalThe Deutschlandticket remains Germany's biggest transport bargain at €58/month. It covers all regional trains, S-Bahns, U-Bahns, trams, and buses nationwide — but NOT ICE or IC long-distance trains. Buy it monthly with no lock-in via your local transport provider or directly through the DB app.BahnCard 25: Save 25% on Every Long-Distance JourneyThe BahnCard 25 costs €62.90/year (2nd class) and gives you 25% off all DB long-distance tickets permanently. If you travel more than 3-4 times per year by ICE, it pays for itself immediately. The BahnCard 50 (€264/year) halves every ticket price. Both are available through the DB website.Sparpreis Tickets: Book 90 Days Ahead, Save Up to 70%DB releases Sparpreis (sale) tickets 90 days before departure. Prices start as low as €17.90 for ICE trains. Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your travel date and check DB Navigator or bahn.de immediately. These sell out fast, especially for popular routes like Frankfurt–Berlin or Munich–Hamburg.Group Tickets: Cheap Travel with 3+ PeopleFor regional travel, Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (€46 for up to 5 people) covers all regional trains across Germany for one full day. Perfect for day trips. Valid on weekdays after 9am and all day on weekends. An absolute bargain if you're travelling with family or friends.The DB App: Download It Before You GoThe DB Navigator app is essential for expat life in Germany. Book tickets, check real-time delays, get platform info, and store your Deutschlandticket digitally. Download it before your first train journey. Pro tip: save your home and work station as favorites for instant timetable access.🚆 Travelling somewhere fun this summer? Reply and let me know — I might feature it in the next issue.

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Jun 23, 2026