Swiss travelers using the Deutsche Bahn (DB) are facing a significant surcharge when paying for onboard bistro purchases with Swiss francs, according to reports surfacing this week. The practice, which adds a substantial markup to prices when converted from euros, has drawn criticism and comparisons to historical currency exchange practices employed by Swiss tourism destinations.
The issue came to light with reports from passengers documenting the price discrepancies in the ICE train’s bistro car. While prices are listed in both euros and Swiss francs, the exchange rate used by DB appears to be unfavorable to Swiss customers, effectively adding a hidden fee for using their local currency. A report in bote.ch detailed the experience, noting the “saftigen Aufschlag” (juicy surcharge) applied to purchases made in francs.
The practice has prompted questions about fairness and transparency, with some observers noting a parallel to past instances where Swiss tourist destinations were accused of exploiting exchange rates with European visitors. Aargauer Zeitung questioned whether DB was mirroring these earlier practices.
The situation is particularly sensitive given ongoing concerns about the Deutsche Bahn’s overall performance. Vincent Ducrot, CEO of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), recently expressed his concerns about the state of the DB, telling the Tagesspiegel in September 2024 that the German rail system was “not in a good condition.” Ducrot too stated that SBB has begun stopping significantly delayed German trains at the Swiss border in Basel to prevent disruptions to its own service, prioritizing a “good service” for its customers.
While Ducrot’s comments focused on punctuality and infrastructure issues, the currency exchange practice adds another layer of frustration for Swiss travelers. The SBB, in contrast, does not impose similar surcharges on passengers from Euro countries, highlighting a difference in approach to cross-border transactions.
The Deutsche Bahn has not yet issued a public statement addressing the specific complaints regarding the bistro currency exchange rates. The company is currently grappling with broader challenges including aging infrastructure, budget constraints, and persistent delays, issues that have also drawn criticism from within Germany and neighboring countries.
The Swiss Federal Railways continues to maintain its policy of halting delayed German trains at the border, a measure intended to protect the reliability of its own network. No immediate changes to this policy have been announced, and the DB has not indicated any plans to alter its currency exchange practices in the bistro cars.