How to book cheap train tickets on the FlixTrain websiteTo find and book cheap railway tickets on the official website FlixTrain, just fill out the search form and indicate:
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FlixTrain train company contacts |
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| Year of foundation | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| Main services | International and intercity train services in Germany, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland |
| Alliance | Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants in Europed, Mofair |
| Parent company | Flix SE |
| Sister company | FlixBus |
| Address | Flix SE Friedenheimer Brücke 16 80639 Munich Germany |
| Phones | +49 (0)30 300 137 300 |
| E-mail: | [email protected] |
| FlixTrain official website in English: | flixtrain.com |
FlixTrain Popular Routes
Hamburg — Berlin
Berlin — Hamburg
Berlin — Leipzig
Leipzig — Berlin
Berlin — Frankfurt
Dresden — Berlin
Frankfurt — Berlin
Berlin — Dresden
Berlin — Munich
Stuttgart — Berlin
Berlin — Hamburg
Berlin — Leipzig
Leipzig — Berlin
Berlin — Frankfurt
Dresden — Berlin
Frankfurt — Berlin
Berlin — Dresden
Berlin — Munich
Stuttgart — Berlin
Cologne — Berlin
Berlin — Cologne
Berlin — Stuttgart
Hamburg — Cologne
Cologne — Hamburg
Hanover — Berlin
Stuttgart — Frankfurt
Frankfurt — Stuttgart
Düsseldorf — Berlin
Vienna — Munich
Berlin — Cologne
Berlin — Stuttgart
Hamburg — Cologne
Cologne — Hamburg
Hanover — Berlin
Stuttgart — Frankfurt
Frankfurt — Stuttgart
Düsseldorf — Berlin
Vienna — Munich
FlixTrain Popular Destinations
| Berlin | Munich | Hamburg |
| Frankfurt | Stuttgart | Cologne |
| Düsseldorf | Dresden | Hanover |
| Leipzig | Dortmund | Freiburg |
| Karlsruhe | Mannheim | Essen |
| Heidelberg | Duisburg | Aachen |
| Kassel | Halle |
FlixTrain Railway Timetable
| Line | Route | KBS | Frequency | Rolling Stock |
| FLX 10 | (Basel Bad – Weil am Rhein – Freiburg Hauptbahnhof – Offenburg – Baden Baden – Karlsruhe – ) Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof – (Wiesloch-Walldorf – ) Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof – Mannheim Neu-Edingen/Friedrichsfeld – Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof – Frankfurt (Main) Süd – Fulda – (Bad Hersfeld – ) Eisenach – Gotha – Erfurt Hauptbahnhof – Halle (Saale) Hauptbahnhof – Berlin Südkreuz – Berlin Hauptbahnhof – (Berlin Gesundbrunnen) | 1240 1241 1243 1244 1246 1247 |
Up to 3x per day | Siemens ES64U2 + railway coaches |
| FLX 15 | Hamburg Hauptbahnhof – Hamburg-Harburg – (Lüneburg) – Hannover Hauptbahnhof – Göttingen – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Marburg – Gießen – Friedberg – Frankfurt (Main) West – (Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof) – (Mannheim Hauptbahnhof) – (Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof) – Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof | 1800 1802 1804 1805 1807 |
5x per week | |
| FLX 20 | Köln Hauptbahnhof – Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof – Duisburg Hauptbahnhof – Essen Hauptbahnhof – Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof – Münster (Westf) Hauptbahnhof – Osnabrück Hauptbahnhof – Hamburg-Harburg – Hamburg Hauptbahnhof | 1340 1341 1342 1343 |
Up to 2x per day | Siemens ES64U2 + railway coaches |
| FLX 30 | (Aachen Hauptbahnhof –) Köln Hauptbahnhof – (Neuss Hauptbahnhof) – Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof – Duisburg Hauptbahnhof – Essen Hauptbahnhof – Bochum Hauptbahnhof – Dortmund Hauptbahnhof – Hamm Hauptbahnhof – Gütersloh Hauptbahnhof – Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof – (Herford Bahnhof) – Hannover Hauptbahnhof – Stendal Hauptbahnhof – (Berlin-Spandau) – Berlin Hauptbahnhof (– Berlin Südkreuz – Lutherstadt Wittenberg – Leipzig Hauptbahnhof – Dresden-Neustadt – Dresden Hauptbahnhof) | 1230 1233 1235 1236 1239 |
Up to 2x per dey | Siemens ES64U2 + railway coaches |
| FLX 35 | Hamburg Hauptbahnhof – Berlin-Spandau – Berlin-Charlottenburg – Berlin Hauptbahnhof – Berlin Ostbahnhof – Berlin Südkreuz – Leipzig Hauptbahnhof | 1321 1326 1331 1356 1375 1358 1360 1361 1365 |
Up to 2x per day |
Baggage and hand baggage allowance on FlixTrain routes
FlixTrain, the German open-access railway operator, has established a comprehensive set of luggage policies to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for all passengers. These policies encompass various aspects of luggage, including carry-on and checked bags, special luggage, bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, and pets.
Carry-On Baggage
- FlixTrain Carry-On Bag: Each passenger is entitled to one carry-on bag with a maximum weight of 7 kg and dimensions not exceeding 30 cm x 18 cm x 42 cm.
- Stowage: For safety reasons, passengers must stow their carry-on bags either underneath their seat or in the overhead compartment above their seat.
- Valuables: Important valuables such as identification and electronics should be carried in the carry-on bag.
Checked Baggage
- FlixTrain Checked Bag: Passengers are allowed one checked bag with a maximum weight of 20 kg and dimensions not exceeding 50 cm x 30 cm x 80 cm.
- Responsibility: Passengers are responsible for handling their own luggage, including loading, unloading, and reloading it. Luggage should not be bulky or disruptive to the safety and order of the train.
- Labeling: FlixTrain strongly recommends labeling all luggage with the passenger’s name, address, and telephone number for easy identification.
- Lost Luggage: In case of lost luggage, passengers can fill out a Lost & Found form.
Additional Luggage
- FlixTrain Additional Luggage: Passengers can carry one additional piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg and dimensions not exceeding 50 cm x 30 cm x 80 cm. Due to limited space, it is advisable to book additional luggage in advance.
- Cost: The cost of additional luggage varies; passengers can refer to the price list for details.
- Booking: Additional luggage can be booked online during the booking process, at FlixShops, through official ticket resellers, or online after completing the ticket purchase via Manage My Booking.
Special Luggage
- Definition: Special luggage includes items that exceed standard luggage dimensions, such as large musical instruments and sports equipment.
- Acceptance: Special luggage is currently not allowed on FlixTrain.
Bicycles
- Bicycle Storage: Many FlixTrain rides offer reservable bicycle storage, typically located in coach number 1.
- Requirements: Bicycles must be of standard size, without additional attachments, and not exceed 20 kg (45 lbs).
- Cost: The cost of transporting each bicycle is 9 Euros, irrespective of travel duration or ticket price. Passengers should book bicycle slots early due to limited capacity.
- Booking: Tickets for bicycles must be booked alongside regular tickets, and availability will be indicated during passenger selection.
Strollers
- FlixTrain Strollers: Passengers can bring one stroller per passenger.
- Cost: Strollers are transported free of charge.
- Booking: Assembled strollers may require a reservation to park them. Passengers should call customer service 48 hours before departure to register strollers.
- Foldable Strollers: Foldable strollers should be stowed in a manner that does not affect other passengers.
Wheelchairs and Walking Aids
- Notification: Passengers with wheelchairs or walking aids should inform FlixTrain by phone no later than 36 hours before departure and specify if assistance is needed during boarding.
- Accessibility: Passengers with reduced mobility should consult FlixTrain’s Persons with Reduced Mobility page for information before their trip.
Pets
- Germany Regulations: In Germany, pets are allowed on FlixTrain, excluding connecting trips with FlixBus.
- Small Pets: Small pets up to the size of a house cat are permitted, provided they are not dangerous and are carried in suitable containers that do not disrupt others. Transporting pets on passenger seats is not allowed.
- Large Pets: Larger pets may be transported on the train if they are on a leash and wear a muzzle. A child’s travel ticket should be purchased for the pet.
- Service Animals: Service dogs travel for free with advance registration and presentation of an official/medical certificate.
- Sweden Regulations: In Sweden, pets are generally not allowed on FlixTrain, except for guide/companion dogs.
- Companion Dogs: Companion dogs can travel for free with advance registration and presentation of an official/medical certificate.
History of the FlixTrain company
FlixTrain is a prominent German open-access railway operator that specializes in long-distance rail services. It operates as a subsidiary of Flix SE, a comprehensive mobility company known for its ownership of the long-distance coach operator FlixBus. FlixTrain, a relatively new entrant in the rail transportation sector, has rapidly expanded its network and services since its inception.
- Founding and Early Investments: FlixTrain commenced its operations in Germany in 2018. The company attracted investments from key stakeholders, including HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, the European Investment Bank, growth equity firm General Atlantic, and technology investor Silver Lake.
- Strategic Partnerships: In 2017, FlixTrain entered into a partnership with Hamburg-Köln-Express (HKX), a fellow open-access operator. Subsequently, HKX services adopted the FlixTrain branding, consolidating the company’s presence in the market. The BahnTouristikExpress (BTE) also underwent rebranding as FlixTrain during this period. These moves were facilitated by the American Railroad Development Corporation (RDC), a key partner. However, in April 2020, FlixTrain and RDC decided to discontinue their partnership.
- Expansion into Sweden and France: Recognizing the liberalization of the European railway network in 2019, FlixTrain applied for track access in both Sweden and France. By mid-2022, the company had successfully launched services in Sweden and expanded its German network to encompass 70 domestic destinations. It also introduced a line terminating at the Swiss-German border station of Basel Badischer Bahnhof.
- Complaint Against State Aid: In December 2020, FlixTrain filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, contesting €5 billion in state aid provided by the German government to Deutsche Bahn. The company alleged improper procedure and the creation of anti-competitive conditions in the rail industry.
FlixTrain Services
- Inaugural Services: FlixTrain inaugurated its first service from Hamburg to Cologne on March 23, 2018, with scheduled services commencing the following day. In partnership with Leo Express, the company launched its initial Berlin to Stuttgart route on April 26 of the same year.
- Network Expansion: FlixTrain expanded its network significantly, adding seven new destinations at the start of a new timetable in December 2019. These additions included a Berlin to Stuttgart service, which also stopped at Leipzig, Halle (Saale), Erfurt, Gotha, Eisenach, and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Aachen was also incorporated into the network. The company planned to introduce a new Hamburg to Stuttgart service in the spring of 2020. Additionally, FlixTrain ventured outside Germany by launching services in Sweden in collaboration with Hector Rail in May 2021.
- COVID-19 Impact: FlixTrain, like many transportation providers, faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Services were temporarily suspended in March 2020 and again in October 2020. The suspension provided an opportunity for the company to overhaul its rolling stock. Operations resumed in May 2021.
- Continued Expansion: In 2021, FlixTrain expanded its services further, introducing routes such as Hamburg to Berlin to Leipzig and Munich to Augsburg to Würzburg to Aschaffenburg to Hanau to Frankfurt. The company also launched its first sleeper train between Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, catering to 16 additional cities and towns in its network.
- Recent Developments: In May 2022, FlixTrain announced the addition of three new routes and increased service frequency on existing routes, strengthening its position as a key player in Germany’s rail travel sector. Notably, the company launched its first cross-border service between Berlin and Basel in June 2022.
FlixTrain Rolling Stock
- Leasing Approach: FlixTrain typically leases rolling stock rather than owning it outright. Initially, the company sourced rolling stock from the BahnTouristikExpress (BTE). Talbot Services, based in Aachen, also provided rolling stock. FlixTrain has committed to using green electricity to power its trains.
- Rolling Stock Features: FlixTrain’s rolling stock primarily consists of refurbished locomotive-hauled UIC-standard passenger coaches pulled by 3rd generation Siemens EuroSprinter and Siemens Vectron locomotives. These coaches feature new seats, power sockets at each seat, Wi-Fi, and onboard entertainment systems.
- Russian Manufacturer Partnership: In early 2022, FlixTrain explored a partnership with Russian manufacturer Transmashholding (TMH) to acquire 65 sets of high-speed coaches capable of speeds up to 230 km/h. However, due to geopolitical developments, the proposed deal became unfeasible, leading the company to seek alternative options.
Future Expansion
FlixTrain has demonstrated its commitment to expanding its reach, both within Germany and internationally. It has pursued opportunities to enter the French market and applied to run international services connecting Germany with Dutch cities, indicating a continued focus on growth and innovation in the rail transportation sector.
