how to read db train ticket
DB Navigator app Online ticket Book your ticket from the comfort of your home. For example, the ICE Berlin to Munich train gets you to your destination in just under 4 hours. I would be appreciated it if you have any suggestions or stories about such a case. Fr. ! But it literally means Enter. So you might hear something like, Bitte Einstigen (Please enter) The way it works is you pay for a discount card up front and then for every Saver or Flexible ticket you buy, you get that percentage off of the ticket. Before you travel, make sure to check www.bahn.com for possible timetable changes, or call +49 1806-99-66-33. If purchasing a 2nd class ticket, a seat reservation is an additional 4.00 Euros at the time of booking. While there is an English version of Deutsche Bahns website as well as English signage at train stations and on the trains, here are some German words to know that will help make navigating Deutsche Bahn a bit easier! Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. It will make stops in Wrzburg at 20:52, Aschaffenburg at 21:32, Frankfurt/M (Frankfurt am Main there are multiple Frankfurts in Germany) at 22:04, Kln Messe/Deutz at 23:37, and Dsseldorf at 23:58 with its final destination Dortmund at 0:49 the next morning. Bahn: usually refers to the railway, also means train. This makes it a bit confusing when trying to figure out if you should book in advance or not. However, if you do face a delay, missed connection, or cancelation, its important to know your rights and what youre entitled to going forward. Then just get off at your destination in Germany. As you can see, your German train ticket isnt nearly as intimidating as it seems at first glance. Tip: You may see the letters DB or something like DB Trains. DB stands for Deutsche Bahn and is often used interchangeably. Deutsche Bahn EuroCity, or Deutsche Bahn EC, is a train service connecting 2892 cities in Germany and neighboring countries. Exchange and refunds Passenger rights Read here about your rights as a passenger. Thanks in advance for your continued support! They are considered semi-high-speedlong-distance trains with a top speed of 135 mph (220 km/h). However, because there is just SO much information, I have decided to give you all the ESSENTIAL info and details here, in this German Train Tickets Explained article, but have sectioned it out into further posts if you would like to dive deeper into a particular topic and get all the nitty gritty details, like how to book a childs ticket, or buying a German Rail Pass. Rail Europe Erwachsener: adult (on mobile tickets, 'Erw' is used as an abbreviation of Erwachsener), Hin und Rckfahrt: outbound and inbound (return), Wagen: coach (on mobile tickets, 'Wg' is used as an abbreviation of Wagen). Almost all announcements at the train stations are done in German and English. Typically, the same trains arrive and depart from the same platform. means Adult, so in this example, the ticket is for one adult. Here are the full guidelines (only in German). Because there are only stops in major cities, trains can travel much more efficiently. Being able to properly read the Deutsche Bahn timetables is critical to booking the correct train. I think Deutsche Bahn should share this article on their website. I also personally find the trains to be clean and comfortable and easy enough to use. In addition to your train ticket, youll also get a bike ticket. Yes, many things in Germany are closed on Sundays, but the trains all run, regardless. Seat reservations arent necessarily tied directly to your ticket and can be reserved separately. Lets look at the below example train tickets in Germany. This section of the ticket lays out the type of fare (Super Saver), the type of train (for instance, IC/EC means InterCity/EuroCity), the departing city (Berlin), and the destination city (Praha, which is the German name for Prague). Look above by the luggage racks above the seats and youll see a number and your journey that youve reserved the seats for. The above timetables show every train departing and arriving through the entire day. The following field on your ticket represents the size of your party: The German word Erwachsener means Adult, so in this example, the ticket is for one adult. While IC trains are perfectly fine, they do tend to be on the older side and not as modern as ICE trains. If its March 6, 2021, the date will be written in Germany as 06.03.21 (date.month.year). Im Fahr Richtung: You most likely will hear something like Im Fahr Richtung on Links and that means that the door on the left will be the one to open for departure. seat number in bahn online ticket? - Train Travel Forum Its all about using common sense and being smart about the situation. And surprisingly, these are typically decently clean, all things considered! Registration comes from the Input the county but my home country is not in the selected drop down , So how can i do ? Seat reservations are optional on all ICE and IC trains. For example, it would say NUR-FRA if you have the seats reserved from Nuremberg to Frankfurt. However, if you get on in Frankfurt and are headed to Stuttgart, you can still sit in that seat because it is no longer reserved. Click Here for Booking Single and/or Return Journeys, Click Here If Needing the Germany Rail Pass, Click Here if buying a Land Regional Ticket, Picturesque and Beautiful German Villages and Towns You Must Visit, Your Essential Winter In Germany Packing List. Another really great option for someone who is planning on using the trains extensively while in Germany is to look into the BahnCard Discounts. They typically get on the train at a station and when theyve checked the whole train, they get off at the next German train station and get on another train to start checking all of those tickets. No reservation is needed beforehand. Additionally, you see whether your specific train route is busy depending on the time of day. You can almost think of the RE train as the local ICE train and the RB train as the local IC train. This is the most important part making sure you find your platform, the correct train, and your seat on the train (if youve reserved one). See The Different BahnCard Discounts Here. Just like with the food, you can purchase drinks on long distance trains and many RE trains as well. While there are many different kinds of trains in Germany, a quick way to (usually) discern between the two main types of trains in Germany is simply by their color. Maybe.maybe not. Once again, if youre scheduled to be on a regional train and the next available train is a high-speed train, youll need to buy a new ticket for the high-speed train and then retroactively apply to claim back the money (through this form). DB releases tickets for purchase 180 days in advance (about 6 months). If you are booking a German Rail Ticket, those are flat rate prices, so you can purchase at any time. However, it still has everything you need! There is also a chance that there wont be seats available if you attempt this method. Make sure to read this article from Deutsche Bahn so you know all your rights as a passenger. Its important to note that the Bahn card 25 and 50 can not be applied to these passes. One of my favorite things to do is stop at a backerei (in bigger train stations, there are typically shops to pop into) and grab some delicious German foods like a Bretzn, a salami baguette sandwich, a beer (or radler, for me! The German railway's online schedule is an invaluable tool for any European train traveler. Can you please assist me, I have booked DB ICE tickets online from Amsterdam to Stuttgart for travel in June. Booking information - Deutsche Bahn DB Navigator App. Again, each Region has slightly differing pricing, but here are a few quick examples: Baden-Wrttemberg-Ticket: Starts at 24 plus 7 per extra passenger (max. Deutsche Bahn ICE - Train Tickets, Prices, Schedule | Wanderu Reading my bahn train ticket Jump to bottom Posted by Janet (Menlo Park, CA, us) on 03/24/12 01:05 PM I am translating some German words, but trying to read what platform leaving paris Est is and then platform from Saarbrucken heading to Trier. Saturday/ Sunday Midnight-3am the following day, The prices listed here are for the normal BahnCards. Here is a breakdown of each part of the ticket, as indicated with a numbered call-out: Note that all Deutsche Bahn tickets on Wanderu are for first-come, first-serve seats, so you will not be given an assigned seat number. Deutsche Bahn IC train tickets - Search & book deals The ticket inspector will use this information to cross-reference your ticket with your ID card. 11, Pl. The Flex ticket allows you to choose your train, your destination, your times, etc without needing to specify it on the ticket. At bigger train stations, there are Deutsche Bahn employees stationed on almost every platform willing to help. Enter just the city name, unless you know the name of the specific station you want. That means being woken up constantly by people coming in and out! Additionally, you can find them at the Deutsche Bahn Information Center. If there is nothing lit up and written, its pretty safe that you can sit there and that the seat is not reserved. Lowest Prices. Get Details on All the Above Points in my Deutsche Bahn With Kids Article. Contacting Deutsche Bahn: You can reach us by phone or e-mail Erwachsener means adult in German. Deutsche Bahn | DB train tickets, map and timetables | Trainline / How UK train circumstances; Cheap pulling tickets; Live train per; Journey Planner; Season Tickets; Advance Ticket Alert; Group train notes; Split tickets; Flexi Season Travel If youre in need of some destination inspiration, check out our guide to . No, you MUST print it. Some people claim that they are cheapest around 3 months in advance, but this isnt always true, depending on the route and availability. For example, if I got the Bahn 50 Card, then I would pay a flat rate upfront (220 Euro for a whole year) and then for every Saver and Flex DB ticket I buy within that year, each ticket would be 50% off. You can make family reservations (with up to 5 people) which gives you a slight discount on the reservations. The final step to navigating German train travel is figuring out where to go and what to do in the train station! I find it much more relaxing, quite scenic, and stress-free. The first thing youll see when you get to the train station is the massive Departure Board near the entrance. for possible timetable changes, or call +49 1806-99-66-33. What that means is that if you know you want to leave on October 12th, but have a city tour in the morning, but you dont know exactly what time youll make it to the train station, this ticket allows for the flexibility to grab whatever train is running closest to the time that you simply arrive at the German train station. Hi Robert! I have a whole article on German Trains with Kids that has a bunch of information on how to book, tips for traveling with kids via trains, ways to save, and more. Spend less time sweating transportation and start plotting out the beer halls and beautiful cathedrals on your Euro-Trip bucket list. Each carriage also has a luggage rack for large pieces of luggage and storage space above each seat for smaller pieces of luggage. Night trains can be a great option when traveling long distances. However, if you are going a long distance, I always find it worth it to just go ahead and reserve my ticket when booking. For a train delayed more than 120 minutes, youre entitled to receive a 50% refund of the fare paid for a single journey. Its the same train (RB 58531) but from Monday through Friday, it departs from platform 19 and on Saturday and Sunday, it departs from platform 20. So, as the text indicates, Please dont bend the barcode!. For example, you may see a train that says Metronon or AG. These trains can still be booked just like any other regional trains (ie at Bahn.com or with the App, etc). Similar to airline alliances, many train companies in Europe have partnerships along certain routes. Due to the great train system in place, depending on the train you choose, they can be very fast getting you from one major city to another in just a matter of hours. HBF: Hauptbahnhof. Hi Philip! Depending on the origin and destination, a train ride may be faster (and even cheaper) than if you were to drive. While they will have similar amenities as ICE trains, it is hit or miss whether they have wifi. this just means that this train only operates either Monday through Friday or only on Saturday and Sunday. or Sa., So. Each regional train looks slightly different depending on the German state and whether the train is updated or not. Read on to learn about Deutsche Bahn tickets, trains, and the top destinations you can visit in Germany by train. If you dont catch the announcement, your first clue to a platform change will be the mass exodus of people this is usually a pretty good clue that somethings up! Green carriages indicate 2nd class, red carriages indicate the Bordrestaurant or Bordbistro, and yellow carriages indicate 1st class. Some trains are quite long but have short connections at the platform. Feel free to put it on top of other bags. There are different categories of train tickets depending on the type of train youre taking. A few things to know in general though: One way to save on family train travel in Germany is to look into the Land Tickets as well as the Day Land Ticket. The long distance trains in Germany are the ICE trains, which means Inter City Express and are some of the most well known German trains because of their speed (upwards of 300 kmh/ 180 mph), efficiency, and comfort. If you dont know German and you are on the wrong side of the train, you may end up traveling somewhere else. Here's how to use it: Start with a station-to-station search. Yes. There are 220v Power Outlets on all ICE trains. If you do plan to buy food on the train, I highly recommend the Currywurst so good! I cover all three of these train passes in detail in my European Rail Pass vs German Train Pass vs Interrail Pass Guide. Deutsche Bahn First Class The ideal train travel experience, travelling in First Class with Deutsche Bahn means you get to relax in large, comfortable seats and enjoy a bundle of great amenities. I mean this is the complete guide one should always refer to when looking for info. Seat numbers are integers unique within each car. Everything is done in military time so dont get confused when you see times such as 15:24 (3:24 pm) or 18:36 (6:36 pm). (See the full German train code list below .) The RB train stands for Regional Bahn. This is extremely similar to the RE train, but goes just a tad bit slower and not quite as far as the RE trains do. All other passenger names are contained in the QR code which the ticket inspector will scan. Deutsche Bahn tricks. : r/germany This makes it easier to see the time that trains are arriving and departing. Its important to note that Deutsche Bahn owns all of its train tracks meaning that its trains dont have to stop and pull over for other freight or incoming trains. Next, look around for a sign board (Wagenreihungsplan. Additionally, they usually only have a BordBistro and no restaurant option. Additionally, by revenue, Deutsche Bahn is the largest in the world. Theyre very similar to an airport lounge with sofas, coffee, newspapers, and food. Quick & Easy Booking Fast Customer Support About Deutsche Bahn EC Contact Deutsche Bahn EC Phone number: DE: +49 89 54 888 9725 Phone number: GB: +44 (0) 8718 80 80 66 Online support: DB Eurocity website Deutsche Bahn EC Amenities Beverage Meal Power outlet Quickview Deutsche Bahn EC train coverage What travelers are saying about Deutsche Bahn EC How to buy cheap train tickets in Germany Can I buy a train ticket at the train station? When you go to book, you will need to specify exactly what time you want for departure and will book a specific train. Youll get this on your App, online, or just get it at the station. That said, dont feel the need to run off to Staples your device should print the barcode to scale on your regular paper just fine. Below Ill walk you through exactly how to book a ticket, but for now, know that as you go through the booking process youll see these two ticket options: This ticket is going to be slightly more expensive than the saver fare because it allows for, well, more flexibility! Ive always found German trains to be extremely reliable (Germans often complain that they are often late or not on time.but theres a joke in Germany that if you are not 10 minutes early then you are late. If you book either the first row or last row in a carriage, youre usually able to store your suitcase behind your seat (there is a bit of a crack between the seat and the glass a perfect storage space for luggage!). However, you must buy a new ticket for the high-speed train and then retroactively apply to claim back the money (through this form). Additionally, when a train is pulling into a station, I never leave then to go get food or go the bathroom. I mean, especially, if it splits up in the middle of the night and you are sleeping. Hey, this was a super detailed and fantastic article. They dont have to be strapped into their car seats for hours on end and what kid doesnt just love trains in general? 11 = car (wagon) #11. If there were multiple people in your party, that number would be listed here, along with the word. The Zug (Train) Number, will be the number on the front of the train (it often will also be on the sides of the train, and for older trains, there may be a paper in the windows as well). In this sense, they arent traditional overnight trains (and theyre not very common). How to buy train tickets in Germany Buy train tickets in Germany: Deutsche Bahn travel tips What are the ICE, IC, and RE that I see while searching for train tickets? Offering both high-speed, long-distance services as well as regional routes, travelling by train with Deutsche Bahn is one of the most convenient ways to get around. The two photos above are taken from regional trains in Schleswig-Holstein. This is usually around 50% cheaper than DB. This allows you to travel around Europe affordably while seeing as many places as possible. Because these are running between international borders, its not uncommon to get a train from the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, etc. While I said that most trains are on time, it will occasionally happen that there are delays or just that you have a tight connection to begin with. You can travel on your original ticket no problem at all! Believe me, it is a few extra euros well spent!! Pl. Its available in multiple languages in app stores around the world. , which means Adults (plural). There are two Europe Rail Passes offered one for residents of the EU, Turkey, and Russia and one for individuals living outside the EU. The trains are all in chronological order. A seat reservation costs 4.00 Euros and can be booked either during your initial ticket booking or at a later date as a separate purchase. The advantage of buying a ticket at a Deutsche Bahn Travel Center is the can help you find a more empty train, optimize your train connection, etc. Many thanks! Buying German train tickets for someone else Do you have any suggestions or stories about trains splitting up at certain stations? Buying tickets for someone else on German trains is simple, but you'll need to be aware: only one passenger will be shown on German train tickets issued by Deutsche Bahn (DB). Schlafwagen: Sleeping Car DB Navigator: Book train tickets for local & long-distance trains Thanks a lot again. , and learn how to visit them by train for less than $400. However, this pass does NOT include local transportation, such as local buses, S-Bahns, etc, so when you start to calculate the total cost of transportation, you need to take this into consideration. 5 reviews 11 helpful votes DB Bahn ticket translation 14 years ago Save Good evening! Ok, so now that you know exactly what ticket you need to purchase, you need to know HOW to buy a train ticket in Germany. Below, you'll find answers to some frequently asked questions, a sample ticket in German, and a translated version of the ticket with specific call-outs for your reference. BAD DECISION! Children between the ages of 6 and 14 who are traveling with parents or grandparents travel free of charge. See all of the options, When booking, go to Advanced search options tick off the box for Take a bicycle. 56, 1 Fenster, Tisch, Nichtraucher". How do I change the DB tickets if the timetable changes On all regional and local trains, there are no designated seats. The following is a sample Deutsche Bahn ticket, like the kind you received via email upon purchase. Valid photo ID options include a passport, a government-issued ID or a Bahn Card. I always keep my luggage within my eyesight. They can still travel upwards of 200 kmh though, so they arent necessarily slow! There are multiple types of trains, varying ticket prices, and lots of secret hacks to make the process as smooth as possible. When Is the Best Time to Book Deutsche Bahb Train Tickets for Savings? German Train Tickets Explained: Understanding Deutsche Bahn, Quer-Durch-Land Ticket/ German Day Ticket. Along with a seat reservation, luggage storage is another question that comes to mind! In the above photo, there is a red vertical line going through all the trains. This section has all the specific details about your reservation: the date of the trip (11.01, or January 11th remember that in Europe, days and months are inverted, so that they read: DD.MM.YYYY). Add 7 Euro for each additional passenger (up to 5), Valid Mon-Fri 9am-3am the following day. When it comes to finding your seat on board the train, its quite simple. In true German fashion, the trains are almost ALWAYS on time (after all, one minute late is LATE! Before the 1st day of validity for outbound journeys: Free exchange or cancellation. Demystifying the 49 Euro Ticket (Germany Deutschland Ticket): A Step-by These are especially for travelers who want a quiet atmosphere on their journey. If your train fare allows access to the DB Lounge at the train station, Id highly recommend taking advantage of it. If purchasing a 1st class ticket, a seat reservation is included in the fare price if you select it at the time of booking. You may end up traveling to the wrong city. 2023. How can foreigners easily buy this Deutsche Bahn monthly ticket The main difference is the number of seats. You can read this in depth article on exact step by step instructions on buying train tickets in Germany for each type of individual ticket. By using this form, you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. These timetables are located on every platform. Payment options Ticket exchange Learn how to exchange your train ticket. continue driving on the same route or another route at the earliest opportunity, or, continue the journey at a later point in time if this can reduce the arrival delay at the destination station or. Day Land Ticket: Travel anywhere in Germany for up to 5 people for 70 Euro- the only downside is this is just for regional trains, so it could take you much longer than booking the more expensive tickets on the ICE trains. Wagon/ Coach Number: The seats we reserved will be on Wagon 23, Seats: (PL.) Since we travel in Germany with kids, we love taking the trains. And yes, this DOES include alcohol. On all Regional and Local Trains, seat reservations arent even possible, so you just have to find ones that are open. I prefer booking all of my tickets online as it is quick and easy. Track: Youll see Ive highlighted that this train departs on Gleis (track/platform) 22. Lastly, if your train is delayed more than 60 minutes, you can cancel the trip and have the full fare reimbursed. It tends to be much cheaper than booking through Germanys Deutsche Bahn website. Yes, absolutely! Yes. An S-bahn stands for Schnell Bahn and is a Suburban Train. You never know who could just snatch your suitcase and leave the train. #1 The HUGE price variation in Railjet tickets on German, Austrian & Hungarian State Railway sites, as well as Omio, Trainline & Rail Europe? When booking a Deutsche Bahn ticket online through their website, they show you all the train options for your route. The timetable information is listed both online and at the train stations. This will happen about 5-10 minutes before the train enters the station. RE (Regional-Express) RE trains are commonly confused with RB trains (see below). Ive been in them a few times and theyre a great way to relax from the hustle and bustle, especially if youre quite early to the station. The conductor will use the information in this section to cross-reference the ticket with your photo ID. Prices start as low as 24 Euro and then you add roughly between 6-8 Euro per next person up until the 4 or 5 person max is met. Its important to note that I took this photo at the Nrnberg main train station. Book the Family Compartments on long journeys. After a couple of clicks on Wanderu, youve scored a deal on a Deutsche Bahn train: The biggest rail operator in all of Europe, with 34,000 kilometers of railroad tracks that span from Vienna to Berlin to Amsterdam and Paris. Omio has recently become a favorite booking tool of mine. You can claim your refund here as well as free postage here. As I mentioned above, I mostly book and reserve all my tickets online. Most S-Bahns dont operate that far beyond the city limits. Tip: When we did the night train in Germany, we chose the normal 6 person berth compartment. Your train, carriage and seat numbers are located at the bottom of the mobile ticket. Oftentimes, these have the same routes as the RE trains but might make more stops at smaller villages that the RE train doesnt service. Therefore, if you plan on taking a night train, I cant recommend just booking a sleeper car enough. Deutsche Bahn Tickets from 19.90 Super Saver Tickets Deutsche Bahn are offering their Super Saver Tickets and you can book them 3 months in advance! 1,341,985. There are no amenities on these trains, including no seat reservations. A4 is the international standard for copy paper, as opposed to US Letter paper, which is slightly shorter and wider. This is the Main Train Station Most big cities will have a HBF and some will even have smaller stations, for example, if coming into Regensburg, there may be a stop at Regensburg Pruffening as well as Regensburg HBF, so youll want to pay attention For a train delayed more than 60 minutes, youre entitled to receive a 25% refund of the fare paid for a single journey. Our seat numbers are 42, 44, 46, 48 (2 Fenster means two seats by the window and 2 Gang. ICE (Intercity-Express) ICE trains are the fastest trains in Deutsche Bahns fleet! Is there any way to know when/where the train will split up? However, if it is less than a 15 Euro value, they wont even document it. Plus, it makes it more orderly getting a bunch of people on and off the train in a quick and timely manner. Your personal Deutsche Bahn customer account: Here you can manage your data, exchange or cancel your tickets, save itineraries and much more. Add a Comment. Even if all seats are taken, you can still ride the train (standing). Train Travel in Germany - The German Way & More Ugh, you knew snoozing through high school German while Frau Winkler taught verb conjugations would some day come back to haunt you. Heres a brief overview of the most popular types of DB trains. Rarely is it an issue finding seats on these trains, unless you hit one at high rush hour, or after a huge event (like Oktoberfest in Munich). You can see just how extensive it is in this Germany Train Map. Its seen as rude and impolite to immediately rush onto the train. There are so many different types of German rail tickets to choose from, so it can seem really overwhelming figuring out which is the best for you. Deutsche Bahn ICE trains are the fastest passenger services in Germany, reaching speeds of up to 200 mph as they travel between Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich.