Deutsche Bahn reports over 15,000 station approaches in first month of alcohol ban

Enforcement figures

Deutsche Bahn says its security staff have approached more than 15,000 people carrying or drinking alcohol at its stations since the nationwide ban began. A company spokesperson told the Funke media group that in most cases those approached were understanding, putting the bottle away or leaving the station. The spokesperson described the usual reaction this way.

“The people approached are understanding and put the bottle away or leave the station.”

Removals from stations have happened only in isolated cases, according to the company. The federal police are called in only when a dispute or a passenger's resistance requires it. Deutsche Bahn presents these figures as evidence that the first month has gone well.

Scope of the ban

Since 15 October 2026, drinking beer, wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages has been banned in station halls and on platforms across Germany. Restaurants and catering outlets at stations are exempt, so drinks can still be consumed there. The rule covers drinking only, so carrying sealed bottles and cans is not affected. Trains are generally exempt, and the on-board bistros of long-distance trains even sell alcohol themselves. Enforcement is carried out by DB Sicherheit teams during their routine patrols.

Earlier rules in North Rhine-Westphalia

The nationwide rule followed a narrower ban in North Rhine-Westphalia. Since May 2026, drinking has been banned at the main stations in Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund and Münster. Signs announcing the rules hang in stations, and security teams check whether they are followed. The stated aims are less litter, fewer conflicts and better protection for rail staff and passengers, as well as less violence. The company says the rules have led to less rubbish and fewer conflicts for travellers and staff.

Public support and doubts

The spokesperson cited a representative survey in which 80 percent of respondents back the alcohol ban. A separate survey that Deutsche Bahn published on its website, with 3,200 participants, found 79 percent in favour and 9 percent opposed. The two figures come from different surveys, and sample sizes are reported only for the online poll. The online survey therefore records opposition at 9 percent alongside the majority support.

Representative survey: support80%

Online poll: support79%

Online poll: opposed9%

Representative survey: support

80 %

Online poll: support

79 %

Online poll: opposed

9 %

Data from the article text

Staffing and the first-month picture

Deutsche Bahn says it has raised its security staff from 4,500 to 5,000 over the past year. The 15,000 figure counts approaches made since the nationwide rule began, rather than fines or expulsions. Removals from stations have been isolated, according to the company. Thousands are still carrying alcoholic drinks through stations, stern reports, even as the company points to less litter.