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Questions tagged [deutsche-bahn]

Deutsche Bahn, often just "DB", the main German railway company.

56 votes
4 answers
11k views

What's the 2-minute timer on mobile Deutsche Bahn tickets?

A few days ago I purchased a single ticket from Cologne (Köln) to Aachen via the DB Navigator app. The ticket was valid for 6 hours after the purchase, however a timer started from 00:00 and stopped ...
user avatar
35 votes
4 answers
8k views

Board German train from next station

I have reserved a train ticket with seat reservation from Hamburg Hbf to Aachen on IC 2403. However, I would like to board the train at the next stop (Hamburg - Harburg). Would my reservation still be ...
smyslov's user avatar
  • 1,007
32 votes
3 answers
10k views

What are my rights when I have a Sparpreis ticket but can't board an overcrowded train?

A German Sparpreis-ticket is (for long-distance trains) only valid on the trains indicated on the ticket, but a seat reservation is optional. In case of overcrowding, a Sparpreis ticket holder can be ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 57.6k
30 votes
9 answers
8k views

Do trains travel at lower speed to establish time buffer for possible delays?

At first a disclaimer: I've no clue about how trains and train companies operate, so please forgive my naivety. I was wondering whether trains are always traveling at their highest possible speed (...
mu88's user avatar
  • 409
29 votes
7 answers
12k views

Overcrowded German trains

The recent spat between Greta Thunberg and German rail left me thinking: can you buy a ticket in a German train and not get a seat? Is that only for local or also long haul trains?
Quora Feans's user avatar
  • 4,461
26 votes
2 answers
7k views

Suddenly it's announced that my train won't go to my destination, is my Sparpreis ticket valid?

During the journey it was suddenly announced that my train won't go to my destination an I should change to another one. I had my Sparpreis ticket (first class with reservation). Is my ticket still ...
Abhishek's user avatar
  • 261
25 votes
4 answers
4k views

How can remove unnecessary connections using bahn.de?

I want to take a train from Paris to Berlin at night. I'm trying to book via bahn.de, but I've also looked at thetrainline.com. For next Wednesday, bahn.de offers me an option with connections in ...
njzk2's user avatar
  • 1,693
22 votes
2 answers
10k views

What does "Ruhebereich" (quiet zone) mean on German ICE trains?

From the word "Ruhebereich" I would expect very quiet surroundings, but it has not been my experience. Passengers have no reservations about carrying on conversations, and families show up ...
StrangerToKindness's user avatar
22 votes
3 answers
3k views

Is RailTeam's HOTNAT guarantee generally honoured in practice?

The RailTeam alliance of European rail operators offers a HOTNAT ("hop on the next available train") guarantee, stated as follows: Hop on the next available train » (HOTNAT) allows travelers to ...
Pont's user avatar
  • 3,008
21 votes
2 answers
6k views

What kinds of compensation can I get from Deutsche Bahn for canceled and late trains?

I recently traveled from the Basel area to Stuttgart for a weekend. I had round-trip tickets including (paid) bicycle reservations. At our first station change, we found that our EC train was ...
Kyralessa's user avatar
  • 3,965
20 votes
3 answers
7k views

If my 00:22 Deutsche Bahn train is cancelled and the following train is inconvenient, can I leave earlier?

Our DB ICE train was cancelled. It was already after midnight; the next available leaves at 1:30 AM and is inconvenient for us. My question is, since we can use other trains, can we take a train the ...
John's user avatar
  • 343
20 votes
4 answers
3k views

Identification on German trains

I am a student from South Africa travelling to Germany in around a month. I want to book my train tickets on the Deutsche Bahn website. Since I'm a bit hesitant to order tickets for delivery by mail (...
None's user avatar
  • 203
20 votes
2 answers
10k views

Is there Wi-Fi in the ICE trains in Germany?

I will travel from Frankfurt to Berlin by ICE and I wanted to ask if there is Wi-Fi in the trains and how much does it cost?
Dirty-flow's user avatar
  • 14.7k
19 votes
1 answer
3k views

Where can I buy the Egal-Wohin-Ticket?

In addition to the 9-Euro ticket, there is another interesting offer on the German railways - the Egal-Wohin-Ticket, a train ticket which allows one to travel between any two places in Germany for 40 ...
JohnEye's user avatar
  • 1,390
18 votes
2 answers
3k views

DB: Can I still use the return journey if I miss the outbound train?

I recently purchased a train ticket for a journey, and I noticed some conditions regarding the ticket's usage. It states that the ticket constitutes a continuous contract of carriage in each direction ...
med's user avatar
  • 183
18 votes
2 answers
5k views

Travelling with one e-ticket for two people through Dutch train stations

I purchased an e-ticket for two people from DB Bahn via a travel agency. We are travelling through two Dutch train stations. I know I have to scan it in at these stations. Since the ticket is for two ...
Melinda Walraven's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
10k views

How do DB seat numbers work?

When travelling on German DB trains with a seat reservation, you usually get a car number and a seat number. Seat numbers are integers unique within each car. Typically, these seat numbers are ...
O. R. Mapper's user avatar
  • 2,393
16 votes
3 answers
9k views

Are these Deutsche Bahn train seats side-by-side?

I booked two tickets on the direct Deutsche Bahn (ICE 93) train from Berlin to Vienna and the seat information is shown as - "Side-by-side seats Carriage 27, seats 13, 15". I would normally have ...
camden_kid's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
8k views

Free travel with S-Bahn with Deutsche Bahn Intercity Ticket

I am travelling to Munich from Budapest (Deutsche Bahn). Arriving at Munich Hauptbahnhof. Can I travel for free with S Bahn or U Bahn in the city (given that I have the Budapest ticket)?
Porcupine's user avatar
  • 904
16 votes
1 answer
6k views

Is it possible to book a specific seat on DB trains?

I'll be traveling on an ICE train next week and plan to work during the trip, so I'd really like to have a table to put a laptop on. However, when I go to bahn.de and try to book a place to sit, all I'...
JohnEye's user avatar
  • 1,390
16 votes
2 answers
5k views

Why was my Deutsche Bahn train "cancelled" and replaced by the same train, but a different number?

Last weekend, I had a ticket on ICE 276 from Frankfurt to Berlin. When I arrived at the station, I was informed that the train was cancelled, but I need not worry because a "replacement" train, ICE ...
a2xia's user avatar
  • 625
16 votes
1 answer
2k views

Deutsche Bahn: What does "Train not bookable until further notice" mean?

I am trying to book a train from Deutsche Bahn, that shows a message "Ticket not bookable until further notice" (in the English version of the website) in its listing. However, the button to book is ...
GoodDeeds's user avatar
  • 1,375
16 votes
1 answer
688 views

How do I parse the syntax of the route instruction on a German railway ticket?

With a Deutsche Bahn Flexpreis ticket, one can take any trains on the day of travel, but the route is still limited. The permitted route along which the ticket is valid is written on the ticket, but ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 57.6k
13 votes
5 answers
740 views

How can I get the best deal from DeutscheBahn when travelling to other countries in Europe from Frankfurt?

When I was in Frankfurt some time back, I was planning a budget weekend trip to European countries and for this I was trying to get a best deal for ICE trains out of DeutscheBahn. Out of all the ...
ishan's user avatar
  • 523
13 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is a card without name valid for Deutsche Bahn online tickets?

Deutsche Bahn requires travellers with online tickets to select some form of identification. For non-Europeans, the only practical option seems to be a credit card, and the website asks for the name ...
Max's user avatar
  • 6,641
13 votes
3 answers
6k views

Can I use German Rail Luggage Service to send luggage from Frankfurt Main Airport to Airbnb in Chemnitz?

Note, posted as an answer: Hermes does no longer transfer luggage from the airport or to the airport. They will only pick up or deliver to hotel or a private address. I want to use Bahn Gepaeckservice ...
user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
4k views

Deutsche Bahn: I lost my BahnCard 25. Can I get some kind of proof of purchase to show to the ticket inspectors?

Unfortunately, I lost my BahnCard 25 for 2017 (I still have the 2016 one, though). Can I get some kind of proof of purchase of the 2017 BahnCard in the ticket offices to show to the ticket inspector? ...
OMA's user avatar
  • 223
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do I need to have a paper copy on an online ticket between Amsterdam and Hanover?

I have bought a DB (German railways) online ticket for the international intercity train from Amsterdam to Berlin. The train is operated by DB in Germany and, I think, by a Dutch branch of DB in the ...
Anaphory's user avatar
  • 407
11 votes
3 answers
6k views

Does one need to buy tickets in advance for Deutsche Bahn train?

I want to take a train of the Deutsche Bahn from Cologne to Frankfurt. Do I need to book and order a ticket in advance (e.g. from their website: https://www.bahn.com/en/ ), or can I buy it at the ...
Triceratops's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
4k views

Deutsche Bahn (DB) Lounge Berlin

During my journey from Berlin to Amsterdam by train, I have an option of buying 1st class ticket at an additional cost of 10 Euros. This will give a better seat as well as access to DB Lounge. Is it ...
Travelling Juggernaut's user avatar

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