Deutsche Bahn and Google are expanding their cooperation to include live information and travel planning for all long-distance trains in Google Maps. Google Maps users on Android and iOS have access to real-time information on departure and arrival times and live reports from around 800 daily ICE/IC/EC train journeys.
The real-time data from all long-distance trains is thus fed into Google Maps for Android and iOS. For example, the train number, planned times, tracks, intermediate stops and transfers are displayed. In addition to departure and arrival times, operational live messages such as track changes or information, for example in the event of severe weather-related restrictions, are highlighted directly in Google Maps.
Book tickets directly without searching again
However, travel planning only represents one aspect of the cooperation, another is the ticket purchase that is partially integrated into the app. This is not possible directly within Google Maps, but users receive a direct link to the Deutsche Bahn website or to the DB Navigator for the selected connection, if this is installed, and can select and book the appropriate train ticket there directly without the travel data to have to enter the search mask again.
Live data from rail operations with a matching ticket link directly to the Deutsche Bahn portals was first available at the end of 2020 for the Hamburger Verkehrsverbund together with Hamburger Hochbahn AG and is now also available for long-distance travel all of Germany available.
Deutsche Bahn wants to reach more customers
DB Fernverkehr boss Michael Peterson wants to gain more passengers with the expansion of digital services and strengthen the “climate-friendly rail”. In response to the announcement, he said: “We can use Google Maps to reach a large number of people in Germany who are not yet taking the train. There you can see how fast and comfortable DB long-distance transport is in direct comparison with other means of transport and you now receive the same live timetable as on our digital DB channels. “
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Integration of long-distance trains in Google Maps (Image: Deutsche Bahn)
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Integration of long-distance trains in Google Maps 
Google wants to integrate more partners
Google, on the other hand, emphasizes that Deutsche Bahn is a non-exclusive partnership. “After the start of these functions in Germany together with the Hochbahn for the Hamburger Verkehrsverbund, we are looking forward to expanding them with DB for long-distance transport and expanding them in the future with further partners,” said Marianne Stroehmann, Senior Industry Director Google Germany.
Before the end of this year, both companies want to work together on additional features for route planning with the railways as part of the partnership.