Buying a Deutsche Bahn ticket
Jul 18, 2011, 12:40 pm
#1
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Buying a Deutsche Bahn ticket
We decided to go to Amsterdam tomorrow and wanted to know if there is a price difference if we buy the ticket online tonight from the DB website or whether we buy it from the ticket machine tomorrow. We are not sure how early we want to go so it would be more convenient to buy at the train station. But if there is a price difference, we will pick a train tonight.
Please advise. Thanks.
Please advise. Thanks.
Jul 18, 2011, 1:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, IHG Plat, HH Silver, DB BahnComfort
Posts: 332
I think your only option will be the "normal" price. Most "Sparpreis" (discount) options on DB require a 3 day advance purchase. So, you should get the same price from the ticket machine as online. (Actually, the discount fares are also usually available from the ticket machines, although the online system occasionally finds connections which the machines don't find...)
Jul 20, 2011, 3:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Karlsruhe / Germany
Programs: BahnCard Comfort, Bahn Bonus, Enrich Blue
Posts: 327
Standard fares are the same whereever you buy them. The only advantages of online booking are: a) you don't have to bother with the ticket machine, b) a better chance to get hold of seat reservations if you want them.
Jul 22, 2011, 6:43 am
#9
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But b) doesn't necessarily hold true, as there are last-minute reservation contingents which only become available about one hour before the train's departure (the seats are usually located in coaches 21/31 for second and 28/38 for first class and marked by "ggf. freigeben"). So, if a train is heavily booked, chances may even be better if you only purchase a reservation 10 minutes before departure.
Jul 23, 2011, 7:52 am
#10
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The ticket machine was fast and easy. As for seat reservations, I need to sit facing forward and the reservations don't guarantee that at all. I haven't found a train in which I could not find my own seat easily. To pay nearly an extra ~$3.60 for a seat assignment? Not worth it IMHO.
Jul 23, 2011, 8:21 pm
#11
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Jul 24, 2011, 4:23 am
#12
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The ticket machine was fast and easy. As for seat reservations, I need to sit facing forward and the reservations don't guarantee that at all. I haven't found a train in which I could not find my own seat easily. To pay nearly an extra ~$3.60 for a seat assignment? Not worth it IMHO.
Jul 24, 2011, 8:08 pm
#13
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Even if the thread-opener may have taken his tour-ride, here is a hint for all people who wanna take a train from Germany to the Netherlands:
www.nshispeed.nl
This is the Dutch High Speed Rail System. Often tickets for the same train from Germany can be found cheaper here. Can be bought with normal CC.
www.nshispeed.nl
This is the Dutch High Speed Rail System. Often tickets for the same train from Germany can be found cheaper here. Can be bought with normal CC.
Aug 6, 2011, 4:55 pm
#14
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Even if the thread-opener may have taken his tour-ride, here is a hint for all people who wanna take a train from Germany to the Netherlands:
www.nshispeed.nl
This is the Dutch High Speed Rail System. Often tickets for the same train from Germany can be found cheaper here. Can be bought with normal CC.
www.nshispeed.nl
This is the Dutch High Speed Rail System. Often tickets for the same train from Germany can be found cheaper here. Can be bought with normal CC.
Aug 8, 2011, 7:10 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
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The prices are indeed cheaper. But let me ask this question: if I buy a ticket from this Dutch website from let's say Hagen to Schiphol, will I be able to print my tickets using the Deutche Bahn machines in Hagen? Will the DB machines even recognize that I made the purchase already?