Germans not driving less despite expensive fuel - Fuel price hikes push Germans toward trains—but cars still dominate

Rising fuel prices have started to change how people travel in Germany. While more passengers are booking long-distance trains, car use remains steady. The shift appears uneven, with rail seeing a boost but road traffic holding firm so far.

Deutsche Bahn has recorded a noticeable rise in long-distance train bookings. Compared to the same period last year, reservations have climbed by up to 10% on certain days. The increase comes as fuel costs push drivers to consider alternatives, though no specific routes show the highest growth.

Meanwhile, car-sharing provider Miles reports no significant uptick in demand linked to higher petrol and diesel prices. Traffic data from TomTom also shows no major drop in driving activity. In fact, road use has edged up slightly, possibly due to seasonal travel patterns. For regional rail, the picture remains unclear. Experts caution that it is too soon to determine whether fuel prices are driving more passengers to local trains.

The latest figures suggest fuel costs are pushing some travellers toward long-distance rail. Yet, driving habits have not shifted noticeably, and car-sharing demand remains flat. Whether this trend continues will depend on how fuel prices evolve in the coming months.