Germany bids farewell to "sidewalk beer"... A ban on drinking alcohol comes into effect at about 5,700 train stations

Since today, Thursday (October 15, 2026), it is no longer permitted to consume beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages at train stations of the German railway company “Deutsche Bahn”.

The ban includes about 5,700 stations across Germany, including station halls and train platforms. In some cities, it may also include parts of the squares located in front of stations.

As for restaurants, cafes, and licensed establishments inside the stations, they remain excluded from the decision, and customers can continue to consume alcoholic beverages there.

The decision does not mean preventing travelers from buying or carrying alcoholic beverages with them. Carrying a closed bottle of beer or wine does not constitute a violation, but opening and drinking it inside the places covered by the ban is no longer permitted.

The decision does not include all trains, as drinking alcohol is still possible on some long-distance trains, and train restaurants continue to serve alcoholic beverages.

The ban is not entirely new to travelers in Germany, as similar rules were already in place at about 40 large stations, including stations in Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin.

According to Deutsche Bahn, previous experiences showed positive results, especially with regard to a decrease in quarrels and waste and an improvement in travelers and workers’ feelings of comfort and safety.

The company announced its plan to expand the ban last July, stressing that the goal is to provide a calmer and safer atmosphere at the stations. Deutsche Bahn President Evelyn Balla said that the company wants more order and safety, stressing the importance of protecting travelers and workers, especially with the recurrence of some accidents and quarrels related to excessive alcohol consumption.

Deutsche Bahn's security staff, in cooperation with the Federal Police where necessary, will monitor compliance with the new rules. Anyone caught consuming alcohol may be asked to stop or leave the station. In the event of a repeat violation or refusal to comply with security instructions, additional measures may be taken, up to and including preventing him from entering the station.

At the same time, the company stresses that it wants to implement the ban “with discretion and sensitivity,” and not in a strict manner in every case.

The impact of the decision may become clearer during football matches, festivals and major events, when stations become crowded and beer becomes, for many, part of the journey itself.