Connecting to long-distance trains (Germany)
Oct 5, 2015, 3:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Connecting to long-distance trains (Germany)
When booking a Sparpreis ticket that includes a short segment on S/U/RB/RE followed by a long-distance IC/EC/ICE, do you need to take the exact local train specified?
E.g. Schwabach to München via Nürnberg, or Frankfurt(M) Flughafen to Düsseldorf via Frankfurt Hbf (taking the S-Bahn from FRA to the local station)
The price is the same regardless of which local service you use, and obviously it's possible to specify the desired transfer time on the booking website, but if you want to travel to the connecting station earlier, would that be a problem - and how much earlier if it does become a problem - say my ticket is booked for 2 hours in Munich, can I then come 4 hours earlier and have 6 hours instead?
E.g. Schwabach to München via Nürnberg, or Frankfurt(M) Flughafen to Düsseldorf via Frankfurt Hbf (taking the S-Bahn from FRA to the local station)
The price is the same regardless of which local service you use, and obviously it's possible to specify the desired transfer time on the booking website, but if you want to travel to the connecting station earlier, would that be a problem - and how much earlier if it does become a problem - say my ticket is booked for 2 hours in Munich, can I then come 4 hours earlier and have 6 hours instead?
Last edited by :D!; Oct 5, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Oct 6, 2015, 9:18 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: GYD
Programs: Azerbaijan Airlines Gold, Turkish Miles and Smiles, IHG Plat
Posts: 663
When booking a Sparpreis ticket that includes a short segment on S/U/RB/RE followed by a long-distance IC/EC/ICE, do you need to take the exact local train specified?
E.g. Schwabach to München via Nürnberg, or Frankfurt(M) Flughafen to Düsseldorf via Frankfurt Hbf (taking the S-Bahn from FRA to the local station)
The price is the same regardless of which local service you use, and obviously it's possible to specify the desired transfer time on the booking website, but if you want to travel to the connecting station earlier, would that be a problem - and how much earlier if it does become a problem - say my ticket is booked for 2 hours in Munich, can I then come 4 hours earlier and have 6 hours instead?
E.g. Schwabach to München via Nürnberg, or Frankfurt(M) Flughafen to Düsseldorf via Frankfurt Hbf (taking the S-Bahn from FRA to the local station)
The price is the same regardless of which local service you use, and obviously it's possible to specify the desired transfer time on the booking website, but if you want to travel to the connecting station earlier, would that be a problem - and how much earlier if it does become a problem - say my ticket is booked for 2 hours in Munich, can I then come 4 hours earlier and have 6 hours instead?
Oct 6, 2015, 10:33 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: FB Platinum for Life
Posts: 1,019
When booking a Sparpreis ticket that includes a short segment on S/U/RB/RE followed by a long-distance IC/EC/ICE, do you need to take the exact local train specified?
E.g. Schwabach to München via Nürnberg, or Frankfurt(M) Flughafen to Düsseldorf via Frankfurt Hbf (taking the S-Bahn from FRA to the local station)
The price is the same regardless of which local service you use, and obviously it's possible to specify the desired transfer time on the booking website, but if you want to travel to the connecting station earlier, would that be a problem - and how much earlier if it does become a problem - say my ticket is booked for 2 hours in Munich, can I then come 4 hours earlier and have 6 hours instead?
E.g. Schwabach to München via Nürnberg, or Frankfurt(M) Flughafen to Düsseldorf via Frankfurt Hbf (taking the S-Bahn from FRA to the local station)
The price is the same regardless of which local service you use, and obviously it's possible to specify the desired transfer time on the booking website, but if you want to travel to the connecting station earlier, would that be a problem - and how much earlier if it does become a problem - say my ticket is booked for 2 hours in Munich, can I then come 4 hours earlier and have 6 hours instead?
Oct 11, 2015, 1:44 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, IHG Plat, HH Silver, DB BahnComfort
Posts: 332
KQ321 is exactly right.
One point, though, for the OP: You can certainly use any S, RB or RE train (also IRE, if one is offered). However, the U-Bahn in most German cities is not run by Deutsche Bahn, and a DB ticket is not valid for travel on the U-Bahn, streetcars or buses. Do be aware of this difference!
One point, though, for the OP: You can certainly use any S, RB or RE train (also IRE, if one is offered). However, the U-Bahn in most German cities is not run by Deutsche Bahn, and a DB ticket is not valid for travel on the U-Bahn, streetcars or buses. Do be aware of this difference!
Oct 11, 2015, 10:15 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
KQ321 is exactly right.
One point, though, for the OP: You can certainly use any S, RB or RE train (also IRE, if one is offered). However, the U-Bahn in most German cities is not run by Deutsche Bahn, and a DB ticket is not valid for travel on the U-Bahn, streetcars or buses. Do be aware of this difference!
One point, though, for the OP: You can certainly use any S, RB or RE train (also IRE, if one is offered). However, the U-Bahn in most German cities is not run by Deutsche Bahn, and a DB ticket is not valid for travel on the U-Bahn, streetcars or buses. Do be aware of this difference!
I forgot that I already asked a similar question (for the same trip) in the thread that I posted a few months ago, which you also replied to!
Any idea what time booking will open? I will be on an MR, and rather not bring my laptop - but I arrive in Germany on 13 Dec so need to get my tickets booked ASAP.
Oct 11, 2015, 11:38 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,026
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/bahncard/v...tyticket.shtml
Oct 11, 2015, 12:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: FB Platinum for Life
Posts: 1,019
Bookings normally open 90 days in advance. However, due to the annual timetable change on 13 December, DB bookings for that date onwards will open on 13 October this year.
I am not sure I understand the reference to a laptop - but note that you can purchase and use many DB tickets via a smartphone these days (ie: using the DB app). No need to use a laptop, nor to have access to a printer. (But, note that some tickets, such as Citynightline and some international itineraries, still require a self-print ticket).
Oct 13, 2015, 2:05 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Bookings normally open 90 days in advance. However, due to the annual timetable change on 13 December, DB bookings for that date onwards will open on 13 October this year.
I am on an MR right now and I didn't want to bring my laptop. I brought it anyway, but I didn't need to because the lounge has computers..
Last edited by :D!; Oct 13, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Oct 13, 2015, 9:05 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,590
DB London-Spezial tickets for travel from 13th December are not expected to be on sale until 23rd October. Great for planning Christmas travel arrangements!
EDIT: Today (14th Oct) the date sales open has been amended to 16th October.
EDIT: Today (14th Oct) the date sales open has been amended to 16th October.
Last edited by railways; Oct 14, 2015 at 6:49 am Reason: Change of date by DB
Oct 14, 2015, 6:11 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, IHG Plat, HH Silver, DB BahnComfort
Posts: 332
Actually, not exactly true. City tickets as part of DB Bahn travel are good on any mode of transport in the departure and destination city, for the cities that participate. This is clearly indicated on the ticket by the mention of "+City" on the routing.
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/bahncard/v...tyticket.shtml
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/bahncard/v...tyticket.shtml