Alcohol, smoking and food on German trains

Alcohol

• Long-distance trains: The Deutsche Bahn terms of carriage name no general alcohol ban for ICE, IC or EC trains. The only alcohol rule they contain is the one below for regional trains. bahn.de
• Regional trains: listed lines only: A general alcohol ban applies in regional trains (class C: IRE, RE, RB, S-Bahn and similar) only on the lines listed in the annex, which in the current terms are S-Bahn Hannover and parts of the Lower Saxony and Bremen network (for example Hannover to Bremen to Norddeich, Hannover to Hildesheim, Celle to Hannover). bahn.de
• What the ban means: You may not drink alcohol or carry it in opened containers. DB regional says opened alcohol stays outside and sealed bottles are fine. Breaking the ban can cost a contractual penalty of 40 euros (the annex to the terms lists 40 euros). regional.bahn.de

The terms above only cover DB trains. Other operators and transport associations publish their own rules; check the operator of your regional train.

Smoking and dining car

• No smoking, no vaping: Smoking is not allowed in trains, and that includes electric cigarettes. bahn.de
• Toilet smoke detectors: If smoking on the toilet sets off a smoke detector and causes an emergency stop or an unscheduled halt, the passenger owes 200 euros (they may prove lower damage). bahn.de
• Pets and the dining car: Animals are not allowed in cars with catering facilities, except guide dogs and marked assistance dogs. bahn.de

FAQ

Can you drink beer on a German ICE?

DB long-distance terms contain no alcohol ban. Behaviour that unduly disturbs other passengers can still get you excluded from the train.

Is there an alcohol ban on German regional trains?

Only on lines listed in the DB terms, mainly around Hannover and Bremen. There, opened alcohol is banned and a 40 euro penalty can apply.

Can I vape on a German train?

No. The DB terms ban smoking in trains and explicitly include electric cigarettes.