Rail Tickets in Europe

Posted by bka3mom on 05/08/17 08:04 PM

Hi There:
This will be our first time using the train to get around Europe this year.

My question is, using the DB App in looking at tickets shows that I can purchase tickets off the app. Why is it so important to purchase them before we go to Europe from you? Reason asking is that we generally do not make reservations in travel so that we are flexable to go where we want when we want. Is there a general pass that will let us navigate through Sept. & Oct. 2017? We are planning on going to from Munich to Vienna then onto Berlin and maybe Denmark.

I would really like so insight on this before we make any commitment to purchasing such large amounts on a pass.

Thank you,
Wendy

Posted by Michael Schneider

New Paltz, NY

05/08/17 08:10 PM

9109 posts

Why is it so important to purchase them before we go to Europe

High speed trains use airline style pricing. The sooner you book the cheaper the fare will be. You can usually purchase tickets and seat reservations last minute but you will be paying the highest fare. Using passes on high-speed trains can be problematic as the rail operators usually allow only a fixed amount of pass holders on each train.

Posted by Harold

New York, NY, USA

05/08/17 08:31 PM

11294 posts

To see what Michael is talking about, look at prices for tomorrow on your routes, and compare with prices for 3 months out. You'll see how much the prices can go up close to travel.

Before buying any pass, read this excellent summary of the issues from the rail guru The Man In Seat 61: https://seat61.com/Railpass-and-Eurail-pass-guide.htm#railpass-or-point-to-point-tickets

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

05/08/17 08:57 PM

16894 posts

For tickets that the DB sells (mostly touching Germany), you don't even have to look it up twice. Viewing a date in September will show you both the high and low fare, if they're already for sale. Most German tickets now go on sale 9 months in advance.

While some countries do restrict the number of rail pass travelers on fast, reserved trains, that's not the case in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Czech Republic, and some others. These daytime trains don't require reservations, so pass holders can always hop on and trains can't actually sell out.

You would have to pre-select which countries and how many days of travel you wanted a pass to cover. A Select Pass for Germany-Austria or Germany-Denmark starts from $206 per person for 4 days of 2nd-class travel within 2 months, then extra days $25-30 per person. A 3-country or 4-country version gets more expensive, since those only come in 1st class for adults. Many Vienna-Berlin trains will travel through the Czech Republic, but not all. Routes via Passau avoid the Czech Republic and take the same travel time (10.5 hours), or a Vienna-Munich night train with morning connection to Berlin would be another option using one rail pass travel day. Of course, you might prefer a flight for that long trip (see www.skyscanner.com) or might want to include a stop in Prague.

Posted by bka3mom OP

05/09/17 12:50 AM

2 posts

Thank you one & all for your advice. I really appreciate it. This makes it easier to decide.
Wendy