Originally Posted by
theenpati
Wow, that doesn't sound too good.
We're going on to Bari, Italy (BRI). There's a non-stop from CGN for 32 USD (including all taxes/fees) on TUIfly. There are no non-stops from FRA to BRI, and it's considerably more expensive to fly from there on LH or AlItalia. Nothing from HHN either.
We get in early Sunday morning (around 7am). If it's like the U.S., maybe there will be fewer train travelers at that time?
I travel DUS - Frankfurt somestimes three times a week and this includes the portion between CGN and FRA. If you travel 8 am or 6 pm there are plenty of commuters on these trains, no doubt. However - refrain from entering a coach close to the elvator to the platform but go to one of the far ends of this train - even at those times of the day no problem. Not being able to reserve a seat means that 75% of the seats are taken. There are always 25% of the seats available for passengers without reservations. I) would have no concerns at all on a Sunday morning.
If you make reservations and miss your train, no problem. The 56 Euro fare is an open ticket and you can use every train and there are high speed connections -9 and -32 minutes past the hour. BTW: 56 Euro is 2nd Class, 88 Euro is 1st Class. Tickets on the train cost (as far as I recollect) 3 Euro extra. Your can check everything on
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/internatio...l_guests.shtml