I have heard that it is better to purchase train tickets earlier for the better price. At the end of our trip in Prague which is late September, we will be taking the train to Berlin. Should I buy them before we go to Prague online or purchase them after we arrive in Prague from the train station? Another friend said taking the bus is faster. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
From Prague to Berlin, look at prices on both the German rail (Bahn) website http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en and the Czech rail website https://www.cd.cz/eshop/default.aspx.
If you need help, here's Rick's tutorial on using the Bahn site http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/online-schedules and here's The Man In Seat 61's tutorial on using the Czech rail website http://www.seat61.com/websites/cd-eshop.htm
I haven't bought from Czech rail, but I know that from German rail, you will get an e-mail with a PDF that is your ticket. You print that out (it may say you need A4 paper, but 8.5 x 11 paper works fine). On the train, you need the printout along with the credit card you used to buy the ticket. They scan your ticket, swipe your credit card, and you're set.
From German rail, the price will definitely be much cheaper if you get a ticket early enough (cheaper fares can sell out) and can live with the restrictions (you must take the exact train you're ticketed for, and there are restrictions on exchanges and refunds). If you don't mind the full fare, on the other hand, you can buy at the station in Prague.
I highly recommend a seat reservation for this train. When I took the segment from Berlin to Dresden and back, it was very crowded and some people were sitting on their luggage in the aisle, but I just went to my reserved seat, stowed my bag, and relaxed.
Posted by
Green Bay
21145 posts
Right now, nonrefundable tickets are 19 EUR/person 2 months out from Deutsche Bahn. Same day price is 67.60 EUR.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I forgot to mention, when looking on the Bahn website, be sure to put the total number of people. For the train I took, full fare (Standard Fare) was €38, Saver Fare for one was €19, and Saver Fare for two was €29. So, on that one round trip from Berlin to Dresden, we saved €94 (€47 per person) by purchasing in advance!
Posted by
OP
Dayton, OR, USA
57 posts
Thanks for the above information! Usually we have had a rail pass or when I lived in Germany we would buy the weekend pass so I didn't think there was this difference but seems like there is a big difference!