Flinkster
Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, offering app-based vehicle rental at German train stations and partner-network locations across five European countries to consumers, business customers, and BahnCard holders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersFrankfort, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Flinkster does
Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG (Germany's state-owned railway company), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. Founded in 2001 as DB Carsharing and rebranded to Flinkster, the company operates a network of vehicles positioned primarily at Deutsche Bahn train stations across more than 200 German cities and municipalities, with partner-network extensions into the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. The service targets individual consumers, business customers (Flinkster for Business), and Deutsche Bahn BahnCard holders, offering multimodal connectivity between rail travel and road transport.
The core technology platform consists of a smartphone app (iOS and Android) and web portal that enable self-service registration, vehicle search and booking, and digital vehicle access via personal PIN or biometric authentication (fingerprint/FaceID). The fleet primarily comprises Volkswagen vehicles (VW Polo, VW Golf Variant, VW T-Roc) equipped with onboard carsharing units (OBU) providing Bluetooth-based digital locking, GPS positioning, smoke detection, and damage sensors. Following a 2024 migration to the MOQO platform, Flinkster has consolidated its technology infrastructure on a partner-operated system designed to accelerate third-party partner integration. The platform is augmented by an OMQ-powered AI chatbot for customer support knowledge retrieval.
Flinkster's revenue model is purely transactional with no subscription fees beyond a one-time EUR 8.90 registration fee (waived for BahnCard holders). Income is generated from time-based rental fees (EUR 5.90-6.90 per hour, daily caps of EUR 59-69), distance charges (EUR 0.35/km), booking fees (EUR 1.90), and an optional Plus-Schutz damage protection add-on (EUR 14.90 per booking reducing deductible from EUR 1,500 to EUR 300). Pricing is uniform nationwide. The company is funded entirely by its parent Deutsche Bahn AG and does not have independent external capital, external investors, or public financial disclosures.
Flinkster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Flinkster
- Legal name
- Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH
- Website
- https://flinkster.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, offering app-based vehicle rental at German train stations and partner-network locations across five European countries to consumers, business customers, and BahnCard holders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Flinkster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Station-based Carsharing Services
- NAICS
- Taxi and Limousine Service (4853)
- SIC
- Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Round-Trip Carsharing (Station-Based) (TLAFAMAA)
Keywords
Where Flinkster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frankfort
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Flinkster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vehicle rental fees: Time-based (hourly/daily) and distance-based rental fees. Customers pay per booking based on vehicle class, duration, and kilometers driven. Plus a booking fee per transaction.
- Weekend and weekly tariffs: Special weekend rates (Sa/So) and weekly packages (e.g., 7 days for 249-299 EUR with 100 free km).
- Plus-Schutz insurance: Optional damage protection package reducing deductible, charged per booking at 14.90 EUR.
- Registration fees: One-time registration fee: 8.90 EUR for standard customers, free for BahnCard holders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | VW Polo (Small class): 5.90 EUR/hour, max 59 EUR/day, max 49 EUR Sat/Sun, 129 EUR weekend rate (Fri 7:00 - Mon 7:00), 249 EUR/week with 100 free km (summer deal). Optional 14.90 EUR Plus-Schutz. |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | VW Golf Variant (Compact class): 6.90 EUR/hour, max 69 EUR/day, max 59 EUR Sat/Sun, 149 EUR weekend rate, 299 EUR/week with 100 free km (summer deal). |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | VW T-Roc (Compact class): Hourly and daily rates similar to Golf Variant. |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Registration fee: 8.90 EUR standard, free for BahnCard holders. |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Flinkster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Flinkster operates a station-based carsharing service with vehicles positioned primarily at train stations across Germany. Customers register and book vehicles via the Flinkster app or website, then access cars using a personal PIN or biometric authentication, with the physical key stored in the glove compartment. The service includes time-based (hourly, daily, weekend, weekly) and distance-based pricing, optional Plus-Schutz damage protection, and is integrated with Deutsche Bahn's rail network for seamless multimodal travel.
Product overview
Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, offering vehicles primarily located at train stations across Germany. The core offering consists of the Flinkster Carsharing platform accessible via the Flinkster App (iOS/Android), which enables customers to search, book, and access vehicles using smartphone-based PIN or biometric authentication. The product portfolio includes Flinkster for Business (corporate carsharing with multi-user account management), the Flinkster Partner-Netzwerk (partner network extending vehicle availability through third-party carsharing providers), and add-on services such as Flinkster Plus-Schutz (deductible reduction insurance), the seasonal Sommerdeal package, and specialized tariffs like the BahnCard-Tarif for Deutsche Bahn customers. The fleet primarily features Volkswagen vehicles (VW Polo, VW Golf Variant, VW T-Roc) equipped with onboard carsharing technology including GPS tracking, damage sensors, and digital access systems. The 2024 platform migration to MOQO infrastructure improved the customer experience and partner integration capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Flinkster Carsharing (Station-Based) Station-based carsharing service where customers book and return vehicles at fixed locations, primarily positioned at train stations across Germany. Vehicles are opened via the Flinkster app with PIN or biometric authentication, and the key is retrieved from a holder in the glove compartment. Fleet includes VW Polo (small), VW Golf Variant, and VW T-Roc (compact) with navigation, climate control, and parking assistance as standard.
- Flinkster App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling vehicle search, reservation, opening via PIN or biometric authentication (fingerprint/FaceID), booking management, and customer service access. The app serves as the primary digital touchpoint for both individual and business customers.
- Flinkster for Business Corporate carsharing program providing flexible mobility for business trips with multi-user account management, cost control, expense management simplification, and 24/7 availability via app or web portal. Designed for companies, freelancers, and self-employed professionals as an alternative to maintaining a company fleet.
- Flinkster Partner-Netzwerk Network of regional carsharing partners across Germany accessible through the Flinkster app without additional registration. Extends vehicle availability beyond Flinkster's own fleet, including Ford Carsharing, Jetzt Mobil, Sheepersharing, meiaudo CarSharing, Prima-Share, EVLdrive, OberSchwabenMobil, Carsharing Passau, VCD Aschaffenburg, CarSharing Erlangen, Coburg Flitzer, Gemeindewerke Wendelstein, eShare.one, Autoparat, Bodenseemobil, SOLIX, and AlpsGo (Italy).
Quantifiable outcome
- Stiftung Warentest grade 1.7 (Very Good) - Testsieger 2015 and 2020
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Flinkster
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Flinkster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability1 record
Feature4 records
Flinkster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Daimler / Car2Gocore2014/15 partnership combined Flinkster station-based carsharing with Car2Go free-floating. Created largest German carsharing network with 7,000+ vehicles and 1,000+ stations. Partnership ended but established market leadership.
- Ford / Ford-Händler Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH (FHD)core2013 partnership launched Ford Carsharing as Germany's first nationwide automaker carsharing program. Ford vehicles and dealers integrated into Flinkster network.
- MOQO (Digital Mobility Solutions GmbH)coreSystem provider partnership for carsharing platform technology. MOQO provides the underlying platform infrastructure for Flinkster's app, website, and booking system. Since 2024, Flinkster transitioned to MOQO system after 23+ years on previous platform, enabling improved customer experience and faster partner integration.
- Ford CarsharingcoreGermany's first nationwide automaker carsharing partnership. Ford vehicles available through Flinkster app alongside own fleet. Extends coverage through Ford dealer network.
- Jetzt MobilminorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
- SheepersharingminorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
- meiaudo CarSharingminorRegional carsharing partner (Ökobil e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
- Prima-ShareminorRegional carsharing partner (Schröder rent a car) available through Flinkster app.
- EVLdriveminorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
- OberSchwabenMobilminorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
- Carsharing PassauminorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
- VCD AschaffenburgminorRegional carsharing partner (Kreisverband Aschaffenburg-Miltenberg e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
- CarSharing ErlangenminorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
- Coburg FlitzerminorRegional carsharing partner (SÜC Energie und H2O GmbH) available through Flinkster app.
- Gemeindewerke WendelsteinminorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
- eShare.oneminorRegional carsharing partner (Next eShare.one GmbH) available through Flinkster app.
- AutoparatminorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
- BodenseemobilminorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
- SOLIXminorRegional carsharing partner (SOLIX) available through Flinkster app.
- AlpsGominorItalian carsharing partner operating in Italy, extending Flinkster coverage beyond German-speaking countries.
- ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V.)coreADAC members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration. Promotional partnership targeting automobile club members for carsharing services.
- AvD (Automobilclub von Deutschland)minorAvD members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
- VCD (Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V.)minorVCD members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
- ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V.)minorADFC members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
- VVS (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart GmbH)minorVVS and Polygo subscribers receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
- VRN (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar)minorVRN subscribers receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
- Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn)coreBikesharing service of Deutsche Bahn integrated as complementary mobility option. Complete mobility chain from rail to bike to carsharing for seamless multimodal travel.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Flinkster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Zipcar (Avis Budget Group): Zipcar is the largest carsharing operator in North America and operates in select European markets. Comparable to Flinkster on the round-trip station-based carsharing model and the consumer/B2B subscription-based short-term rental business, but operates primarily outside of Germany.
- Enterprise CarShare: Enterprise CarShare is the carsharing arm of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, operating across multiple countries including Germany. Broader incumbent with deep fleet and operational capabilities, competing in both station-based and free-floating carsharing with corporate and university customers.
Others
- Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn): Call a Bike is Deutsche Bahn's bikesharing service, operated by the same parent (Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH) as Flinkster. Comparable as a complementary shared-mobility service within the same DB multimodal ecosystem, often used together with Flinkster for first/last-mile connections.
- MOQO (Digital Mobility Solutions GmbH): MOQO is the platform technology partner for Flinkster since 2024, providing the underlying carsharing SaaS infrastructure. Comparable as an enabling technology provider for station-based and free-floating carsharing operators across Europe, including multiple of Flinkster's regional partners.
Direct peers
- Cambio Carsharing: Cambio is a leading station-based carsharing provider in Germany and Belgium, with a strong footprint in cities like Hamburg, Cologne, and Aachen. Comparable to Flinkster on round-trip station-based carsharing for both private and business customers.
- teilAuto: teilAuto is a German station-based carsharing cooperative with a long history, founded in 1992. Comparable to Flinkster on the station-based, cooperative-led carsharing model and the focus on regional German cities.
- Share Now: Share Now is the largest free-floating carsharing operator in Germany, formed from the merger of car2go and DriveNow. Directly comparable to Flinkster on product category (carsharing), target customer (urban individuals and businesses), and geography (German urban centers), but competes on a one-way, free-floating model versus Flinkster's station-based model.
- Stadtmobil: Stadtmobil is one of Germany's largest station-based carsharing cooperatives, operating in multiple German cities. Closest direct peer to Flinkster on the station-based, round-trip carsharing model and the multimodal urban customer base.
- Ford Carsharing (Ford Auto Service GmbH): Ford Carsharing is Germany's first nationwide automaker-branded carsharing service, integrated within the Flinkster app. Comparable to Flinkster on station-based carsharing, German geography, and the multimodal customer base, with Flinkster's app providing access.
- Sixt Share: Sixt Share is Sixt SE's free-floating carsharing service operating in major German cities. Directly comparable on product (short-term car rental with app-based access), business model (per-minute carsharing), and customer base (urban German consumers and corporate clients).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Flinkster social profiles
Digital presenceFlinkster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Flinkster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Flinkster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Flinkster M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Flinkster
What does Flinkster do?
Flinkster operates a station-based carsharing service with vehicles positioned primarily at train stations across Germany. Customers register and book vehicles via the Flinkster app or website, then access cars using a personal PIN or biometric authentication, with the physical key stored in the glove compartment. The service includes time-based (hourly, daily, weekend, weekly) and distance-based pricing, optional Plus-Schutz damage protection, and is integrated with Deutsche Bahn's rail network for seamless multimodal travel.
Is Flinkster a public or private company?
Flinkster is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Flinkster founded?
Flinkster was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Flinkster based?
Flinkster is headquartered in Frankfort, United States, in the North America region.
How does Flinkster make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Vehicle rental fees are the primary driver. The others are weekend and weekly tariffs, plus-Schutz insurance and registration fees.
Who are Flinkster's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Zipcar (Avis Budget Group) and Enterprise CarShare. Others are Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn) and MOQO (Digital Mobility Solutions GmbH). Direct peers are Cambio Carsharing, teilAuto, Share Now, Stadtmobil, Ford Carsharing (Ford Auto Service GmbH) and Sixt Share.
Does Flinkster have an API?
No public API is recorded for Flinkster.
What industry is Flinkster in?
Flinkster's product category is Station-based Carsharing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAMAA, Round-Trip Carsharing (Station-Based). Its NAICS code is 4853 and its SIC code is 7510.