Crowded Trains: How to Tell if Your Train Will Be Full

Traveling by train can be very relaxing. You don't have to worry about anything, you can do almost anything, and you have plenty of space. At least, that's the ideal scenario; unfortunately, the reality is often different. Trains are delayed or canceled, and as a result, the ones that are running are usually very crowded.

If you have a flexible schedule, you're in luck and can simply take the next train instead of cramming into the overcrowded one. But how do you find out how full a train will be before you're standing at the station and the train doors open in front of you?

The Deutsche Bahn provides capacity forecasts for IC and ICE trains in its app, the DB Navigator. These forecasts vary from 'low occupancy expected' to 'exceptionally high occupancy expected' - however, these are not real-time data but predictions. If a train becomes suddenly full, this information is relatively useless.

It's the same for other regional and local transport in Germany - there are no details on train capacity available through the DB app or website.

In a pilot project, the railway tested real-time occupancy displays in 2023 on selected regional routes, for example, in Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Berlin. Light sensors in the doors and along the track determined how full the trains actually were. However, this information was only visible to those waiting on the platform.

Some regional transport networks are trying to help by offering capacity forecasts through their respective apps. In NRW, for example, the occupancy forecast is available from VRS and VRR. Similar to Deutsche Bahn, capacity is shown as a small icon next to the connections. These are gathered from historical data, but sometimes also measured via light sensors at the doors, and in some cases, they aim to provide real-time data.

Other transport networks offering capacity forecasts include BVG in Berlin and MVV for local transport in Munich.

If your local transport network doesn't offer a capacity forecast yet, but you still don't want to miss out, Google might help. Through the Google Maps app, you can plan routes from your location or any other chosen point to your destination. There is always the option to select the category 'public transport.' Here, potential connections for the route are shown to you.

When you select a connection, the detailed view shows the occupancy situation. You can also provide information about the situation yourself. And there lies a drawback of this function; it relies partly on these reports from other travelers, which can therefore be inaccurate.

In the desktop version of Google Maps, this feature is not available. If you want to use it, it can only be done through the app.

If you have a train-bound ticket - such as a saver fare ticket - you are not allowed to take another connection if the occupancy is high.

Deutsche Bahn advises reserving a seat early instead. Since the occupancy may change and no reservations might be possible with exceptionally high demand, it is recommended to do this promptly.

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