Bahn Delays

Check Deutsche Bahn train connections and real-time delay information using the db-vendo-client API.

Quick Start

To check if a train is on time:

import { createClient } from 'db-vendo-client';
import { profile as dbnavProfile } from 'db-vendo-client/p/dbnav/index.js';

const client = createClient(dbnavProfile, 'user-agent');
const { departures } = await client.departures('8098160', { // Berlin Hbf
  when: new Date(),
  duration: 60
});

departures.forEach(dep => {
  const delay = dep.delay ? Math.round(dep.delay / 60) : 0;
  console.log(`${dep.line.name}: ${delay} min delay`);
});

To find connections:

Use the bundled scripts/check-route.mjs script or the journeys() endpoint. See API Reference for details.

Common Tasks

1. Check Delays at a Station

Use the scripts/check-delays.mjs script to check upcoming departures:

node scripts/check-delays.mjs

Edit the script to change the station ID or duration.

2. Check Specific Route

Use scripts/check-route.mjs to check connections between two stations:

node scripts/check-route.mjs

3. Find Station ID

Use the locations() method:

const stations = await client.locations('München');
console.log(stations[0].id); // e.g., 8000261 for München Hbf

See Station IDs for common stations.

4. Check Ticket Prices

Use scripts/check-price.mjs to check ticket prices for routes:

node scripts/check-price.mjs

Or use the journeys() endpoint:

const { journeys } = await client.journeys(fromId, toId, {
  departure: new Date(),
  results: 3
});

journeys.forEach(j => {
  if (j.price) {
    console.log(`Price: ${j.price.amount} ${j.price.currency}`);
  }
});

With Bahncard discounts:

The skill supports Bahncard pricing. Specify loyalty card for discounted prices:

import { data as cards } from 'db-vendo-client/format/loyalty-cards.js';

const { journeys } = await client.journeys(fromId, toId, {
  departure: new Date(),
  results: 3,
  loyaltyCard: {
    type: cards.BAHNCARD,
    discount: 25,  // or 50
    class: 2       // 1st or 2nd class
  }
});

Note: Pricing is returned in EUR and may vary based on time, train type, Bahncard status, and availability.

5. Get Departure Board with Real-Time Data

const { departures } = await client.departures(stationId, {
  when: new Date(),
  duration: 60,
  remarks: true
});

departures.forEach(dep => {
  console.log(`${dep.line.name} to ${dep.direction}`);
  console.log(`Planned: ${dep.plannedWhen}`);
  console.log(`Actual: ${dep.when}`);
  console.log(`Delay: ${dep.delay ? Math.round(dep.delay/60) + ' min' : 'On time'}`);

  if (dep.cancelled) {
    console.log('⚠️ CANCELLED');
  }

  if (dep.remarks?.length > 0) {
    console.log(`Remarks: ${dep.remarks.length}`);
  }
});

Important Notes

1. •

   Use departures() for delays - The journeys() endpoint does NOT include real-time delays. Only departures() provides delay data.

2. •

   Delay is in seconds - Convert to minutes: Math.round(dep.delay / 60)

3. •

   null delay means on time - Not missing data

4. •

   Choose the right profile - See API Reference for profile comparison (dbnav recommended for most use cases)

5. •

   Respect rate limits - Use caching to avoid blocking

Understanding Delay Data

Each departure object contains:

• •plannedWhen - Scheduled departure time
• •when - Actual/prognosed departure time
• •delay - Delay in seconds (null if on time)
• •cancelled - True if service is cancelled
• •platform - Current platform (may differ from plannedPlatform)
• •remarks - Array of disruption information

Resources

scripts/

• •check-delays.mjs - Check upcoming departures with delay info for any station
• •check-route.mjs - Check connections between two specific stations

references/

• •api-reference.md - Complete db-vendo-client API documentation with examples
• •station-ids.md - Common Deutsche Bahn station IDs
• •bahn-schedule.md - Example schedule output with Vendo API info

Troubleshooting

No delay data returned?

• •Real-time delays may only be available closer to departure time
• •Some smaller stations may have limited real-time data
• •Try testing with a major station like Stuttgart Hbf (8000096)

Rate limit errors?

• •Add delays between requests
• •Use caching (consider cached-hafas-client wrapper)
• •Try a different profile (dbnav is more stable than db/dbweb)

Station not found?

• •Use locations() to search for the station name and get the correct ID
• •Check if you're using the 7-digit station ID, not the name