en.Wedoany.com Reported - German Railway will launch a group care service for children traveling alone on long-distance trains in August 2026. The service, named "DB Junior-Express," is scheduled to depart on its first trip on August 21, 2026. Previously, children could travel alone on long-distance trains, but train attendants had no special obligation to care for them, with full responsibility resting on parents. The new service will be operated by external provider Proki Kinderevents, with two trained caregivers accompanying a group of up to 14 children throughout the journey.
According to German Railway, care begins with a handover at the departure station and ends when the designated person picks up the child at the destination and verifies their ID. This marks a key difference from ordinary solo travel, where children can only hope someone will be waiting at the end. During the journey, the group has continuous seating, with seat reservations included in the service. The railway also offers age-appropriate entertainment. In case of delays or disruptions, a back office will coordinate follow-up actions and notify pre-set emergency contacts.
The service initially covers only six direct routes: Munich to Cologne, Cologne to Munich, Frankfurt to Hamburg, Hamburg to Frankfurt, Berlin to Munich, and Munich to Berlin. Boarding or alighting midway is not allowed, and transfers are excluded. Operating hours are currently Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons, with the railway stating long-term plans to add more trips during holidays and festive periods.
The care service fee is 69 euros, in addition to purchasing a child ticket for the route. German Railway requires children to be travel-capable, including being in good health, able to handle their own luggage, use the restroom independently, and communicate in German or English, as well as demonstrate team adaptability. Children traveling involuntarily will not be accepted, and caregivers may refuse children who do not meet the conditions during handover.
According to German Railway, full cancellation or free rebooking (subject to availability) is possible up to 48 hours before departure; after that, the service fee is non-refundable, and separately purchased child tickets are subject to their respective fare rules. The service is expected to be bookable from August 12, 2026.
