Comments on: Exploring Germany: Rail passes for local train services

By: hidden europe

hidden europe — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 09:22:54 +0000

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Hello Vivienne

Direct trains from Amsterdam to Berlin runs every two hours. Here is the new schedule, applicable from 9 Dec:

from AMS Centraal at 07.02, 09.02, 11.02, 13.02 and 15.02. The journey takes 6.5 hours.

Book online three months in advance (via NS-HiSpeed or DB) and the one-way fare will be €39. Tickets for these trains for travel on or after 9 Dec go on sale on 16 Oct (subject to the normal three month rule).

It will NOT be cheaper to take a Dutch local train to the border, and then join the Amsterdam to Berlin train there.

Hope this helps.
Susanne and Nicky
editors
hidden europe magazine

By: Viviene urquhart

Viviene urquhart — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:40:04 +0000

Hi, could you help please, we are 2 ladies travelling from amsterdam to berlin in 2013, would it be cheaper to travel to the border of netherlands/ german and catch a german train from there? I seem to remember reading this somewhere but cann’t find it again. If it is what would be time table and cost, thanks in advance.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:30:42 +0000

I am planning to travel in Europe for two weeks at the end of November and trying to find out the most cost effective method of travelling. The route I want to take is roughly Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Berlin, Frankfurt, Geneva. I will be flying in to Europe from South Africa, and it seems the best may be to get a return ticket to Frankfurt, as it does not require any layovers in other countries.

I have looked at flights between cities, but they are not very cheap. I had wanted to use a rail pass but there is no eurail ticket for the 4 countries that I want to visit!

Can you offer any advice?

Thanks

Angela

By: hidden europe

hidden europe — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:32:03 +0000

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No, Daniel, if you’ve opted for a German cheap discount train fare (one that requires you to nominate and stick to a specific train), and if you then miss your train then you have to book a new ticket. Specific exceptions apply – as for example for travellers making a long train journey across Europe and thus using many trains. Many European operators collaborate in an alliance called Railteam. If one operator’s train is late, then of course other operators in the Railteam alliance will still honour your onward train ticket.

But the case you cite is clearly different. You choose to fly. But if your incoming flight is late, then expect no mercy from the rail operator. You really will have to buy a new ticket. That’s one reason why we have, so often here on Eurocheapo, emphasised that for flight to rail connections you really need to allow three or four hours leeway. Land, go have a coffee, meditate (reflecting perhaps on why flying is nowadays so awful), allow your soul to catch up with you and only then head for the train.

Best of course not to book tickets tied to specific trains on the same day as a flight arrival. There are often good value local passes, as we said in our original post. These don’t need to be prebooked, and you are not committed to using specific trains.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:03:10 +0000

Here’s a new question: If I buy a discounted German rail ticket ahead of time, and miss my train, what can I do? Can I use it on a later train? I’m flying into Germany, then want to catch a train, but flights can of course be delayed.
Thanks!

By: hidden europe

hidden europe — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 08:39:02 +0000

Yes, Wael
If you google “Mitfahrer Bahn” you find a number of sites that do just that.
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By: Wael

Wael — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 08:12:33 +0000

Hey Hidden Europe,

Thanks so much for your constructive answer buddy. I still have one request left 🙂 Is there a forum or a group where i can contact people to share with me the fees of the slow train?

Best,

Wael

By: hidden europe

hidden europe — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 05:26:49 +0000

Two options (for Wael above)

Overnight bus, run by Deutsche Touring €25 one way (per person): takes 7 hrs

Slow train, using Schönes-Wochenende Ticket €40 one way (ticket valid for group of up to five people travelling together): takes 8 hours

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:35:36 +0000

Go to bahn.de and see what you can find. If you know what time you want to travel, and can buy now, you’ll save a bit. I see fares as low as 59 Euros, although most are 79 to 99. Or since it’s a Sunday, check this out: http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/prices/germany/happy_weekend_ticket.shtml
Note that that’s only good for slow trains.

By: Wael

Wael — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:44:42 +0000

Hey Guys,

I need to go from Frankfurt to Hamburg in July 22nd and i’m looking of course for the cheapest way to make it.

Can you advise please?

Many thanks!

Wael