I'm creating an itinerary for my trip round Europe this autumn through the DB Bahn website for train timetables. However, on some journeys, these is a message at the bottom of some search results commenting on the trains. For example, on my journey from Milan to Nice, it says, 'runs not every day, 11. Oct until 13. Dec 2014 Sa, Su; not 15., 22. Nov; also 8. Dec'.
How am I supposed to know what days the train do run?
What does this even mean? Anyone know? Thanks
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19263 posts
Put the date you want on the Query webpage and see if the train shows up. You probably did that. That's why you found that train with that note.
I think it means that, from Oct 11 to 13 Dec, it only runs on Saturday and Sunday, but not Saturday the 15th and 22nd of Nov. It also runs on Monday, the 8th of Dec.
I think you are talking about the regional train from Ventimiglia to Nice. When it runs, on weekends, you have 35 min to catch it in Ventimiglia. On weekdays (exc Dec 8th), it doesn't run. They substitute an earlier train, and you only have 13 minutes. On the weekend days when it doesn't run (15th, 22nd), the substitute train gives you over an hour.
The earlier train has a note that it only runs M-F.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Okay thanks.
So as I am travelling on a Sunday, I should be fine for that journey?
Can you also make sense of this note on the search result regarding the night train from Krakow to Vienna on 4th October?
'runs not every day, 9. Sep until 10. Oct 2014'.
Would this mean it only runs weekends also?
There are a few notes on the search results like this one so I'm just curious.
Many thanks!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19263 posts
No, it doesn't say what days it runs, or what days it doesn't run. Apparently it does run on the 4th, and that's a Saturday. As long as you go on the day you planned, there is no reason to worry if the train runs on other days. If you want to change days, check the schedule again.
BTW, it would help if you gave a specific time and train number. I only see two overnight connections on Oct 4. Both say they don't run every day, but not between those dates.
OK, now I see those dates, for D 406, when I click on the train number, but not for the connection. Looks like it doesn't run from 21 Sep until (?) 1 Oct.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
388 posts
We have run into this issue before. Having contacted DB directly, they informed us that the route we were looking for was running despite the notes at the bottom. A general rule of thumb: if DB posts the train time, then that train will be running. If there is any doubt, you can always contact them directly. They are good about getting back. I hope this helps some.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
I checked it on the Czech website. The direct carriages from Krakow to Vienna run until October 11th. In Bohumin they will be connected to the train which goes from Warsaw to Vienna. In Breclav there will be another connecting and disconnecting (carriages to Budapest). All these trains will also go after October 11th but there will be no direct carriages between Krakow and Vienna.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19263 posts
The only difference I've found is that between 21 Sep and 1 Oct, TLK 403 arrives in Krakow 8 minutes later.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for all your help. Also does anyone have an idea of how much reservations are on these types of sleeper train? Just for a regular seat.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19263 posts
The Austrian Rail website (OEBB.at) shows the lowest price (presumably for just a seat) for a ticket from Vienna to Krakow as 49€ for an advance purchase, train specific, non-refundable ticket. A standard ticket (fully flexible) is 67,80€. Austrian Rail did not show an offering for the other direction. If you can find and negotiate the Polish Rail website, fares should be lower.
RailEurope only offers a ticket in a couchette for about $140.