FLYGVA

I am going to move this thread from the Germany Forum to the European Train Travel forum,. where is from my points if view fits better.

There is a redirect

FLYGVA
co-moderator Germany Forum

bruce80

One note on "oversold" trains - actually (with a few exceptions), there is no such thing as "oversold" trains, as you may purchase (full fare) train tickets in Europe without seat reservations which are valid on any train of the given service category (like regional, IC or ICE) during several days (usually 2) for single trips or one month for return journeys. Hence, as many people appreciate the flexibility of those tickets, it is quite likely that more people will actually board a train than the number of abailable seats. This is particularly true when travelling on Fridays or Sundays. Of course, people will have to stand during the ride under such circumstances, both in first and second class.

Double- or multi-selling of seat reservations, however, has become a rare exception in the last few years. Hence, no matter whether you will buy first or second class, it is very advisable to book a seat reservation at a small charge (free for first class within Germany) when you buy the tickets, especially when you are travelling as a non-solo traveller and when you purchase tickets that are only valid on a specific train. Counting on a seat in the restaurant car is a bad idea, as others will have the same idea and, to be honest, it's bad style towards people who actually want to dine on the train.

Whenever you find your reserved seats occupied, try to politely ask the people sitting there to move away (after double and triple checking your reserved seat number, coach number, train number and date of travel). If they refuse, get a conductor to sort things out.

Non-NonRev

I think that most will understand the use of "oversold" was meant in the colloquial, not literal sense but it never hurts to remind that, unlike an airline, more people can have tickets than there are actual seats).

I was once traveling between Erfurt and Frankfurt when the train was taken out of service at Eisenach. We were put on the next train to Frankfurt, on which most of the 1.class seats were taken (I did find one of the last open seats). 2.class did overflow, with quite a few standing.

farci

I agree that first class is a worthwhile option in or to/from Germany on ICE (IC trains are another matter so check the DB timetable carefully). There are many savings fares which make it advantageous to a leisure traveller.

However travel in Denmark and NL on domestic trains is another matter. The carriages are a bit older and it's sometimes difficult to tell what you are paying for.

Fully endorse travelling 2nd and taking a meal or a beer in the German/CZ dining car which is nicely traditional with table cloths and excellent service

Palal

Just to clarify to those not familiar with how it works, some trains REQUIRE seat reservations, not just tickets to be able to travel (e.g. all of high-speed trains in Spain, Italy, France, UK).

jt82

At least for the UK this isn't accurate. That you get a seat reservation included when buying an advance ticket =/= a seat reservation is required

mosburger

Often the most pleasant 1st class upgrades in Germany are on the regional RE/RB/S-carriages where it mostly guarantees a seat even at rush hour.

I spent a layover in the Cologne/Duesseldorf area on my way to and back from China in June and bought the 1st class supplement for each of my train journeys except for one IC ticket Duesseldorf main station to Duesseldorf airport station.

It was rather pleasant and calming to be able to sit down in otherwise full trains and enjoy the views instead of standing in some doorway with the luggage. Highly recommend spending the few extra euros.

bruce80

Wouldn't count on that either - as regional trains tend to be extremely overcrowded during rush hour, many commuters choose to pay the extra euro for a first class monthly ticket for their commute - hence, I'm under the impression that regional trains are even more crowded than long distance trains during rush hour (outside of daily rush hours first class on those trains seems to be more or less empty). Just try to get onto the northbound RE1 or RE3 from Düsseldorf Central around 4pm - you'll hardly find enough standing room on those regional lines even in first class.

anc305

Can someone tell me if you are allowed to use the DB 1st class lounge in the arrival city. i.e Mainz - Cologne 1st class - Can I use the lounge at Cologne ? Also , Cologne - Amsterdam - can I use the NL lounge in AMS on arrival.

Thanks

bruce80

You can use the lounge in Cologne on arrival (basically, to access any DB Lounge, you only need a valid first class long distance ticket for the same day, no matter from where to where), but I'm not sure about Amsterdam. As the lounge there is quite small, they will probably not let you in after arrival. In general, lounge admission rules in Germany are more generous than in other European countries.

railways

Except that if you have a first class Interrail or Eurail pass, you won't be allowed into a DB Lounge, whereas in several other countries - Britain, Austria, for example - you will get lounge access.

liamvad

Where is the cheapest place to but rail tickets for journeys to Germany?

AlienInTheFatherland

I believe this site is your friend:

https://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml

LondonElite

From where?

LondonElite

Not to nitpick, but 79-19=60, not 50!