All Questions
170
questions
104
votes
9
answers
31k
views
In Germany, what are you supposed to do if your train station doesn't have any working ticket machines?
I recently took a train to Munich from a tiny suburban station that only had a couple of ticket machines. At the time I was there one of the machines was broken, but I was able to get a ticket from ...
- 81.9k
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 ...
user63373
56
votes
2
answers
7k
views
What exactly is the Bahnhofsmission? What do they do and who uses their services?
I was changing trains at Frankfurt Hbf and it was a a bit cold outside (close to 0°C). I asked at the information desk if there was any heated waiting area, and they told me this was only available ...
- 57.6k
40
votes
3
answers
7k
views
German €9 ticket for trains: who's eligible, and what's the catch?
I saw that the German government is offering a special €9 train ticket for a month. I still have some doubts:
Is this as good as it sounds? No trick? No additional fee?
Are tourists allowed to buy ...
- 4,461
36
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How come I see two ICE trains scheduled for the same platform at the same time?
I'm traveling from point A to point B in Germany, by train (an ICE line to be exact). I have my ticket, which lists the origin and destination stations and the ICE train number.
So I go to the train ...
- 4,612
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 57.6k
31
votes
11
answers
11k
views
How manageable are <15 min connection times in Frankfurt Hbf?
I will be travelling from Lyon (France) to Dresden (Germany) and I was looking at several options. One of them is by train, but there are a fairly big number of connections, with rather short transit ...
- 413
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?
- 4,461
26
votes
5
answers
28k
views
Is it possible to buy the ticket on board in German train?
I was wondering if it's possible to buy the ticket on board. I have to get a train at the airport and even if everything goes very well it will be tight.
Can I buy it on board from the supervisor (or ...
- 32k
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 ...
- 1,693
23
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Got new credit card since booking DB ticket - how to provide ID on train?
Since booking two tickets on Deutsche Bahn a couple months ago, I've gotten a new debit card with a new number. The DB website stresses that an ID (credit or debit card used for the purchase, or ...
- 6,110
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 ...
- 1,656
21
votes
10
answers
6k
views
Is there any way to find the distance covered by a train in a particular rail route between two stations?
I frequently travel by trains in Europe, and have often wondered how much distance I have travelled in each trip. As far as I can see, the distance covered by trains between two railway stations is ...
- 1,375
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 ...
- 3,965