Senior Discounts

Rarely. From our experience the discounts primarily are limited to EU pensioners (retirees). The exception has been in Spain where we received discounts for everything. And, we may have received a discount in Amsterdam. Memory is a little foggy on that one.

We have gotten only two, one at the Carlisle train station and one at the Tubingen strain station. I often ask, but it seldom happens.

German Rail sells the BahnCard (BahnCard 25, BahnCard 50, and BahnCard 100), which gives 25%, 50%, and 100% discounts on ticket purchases respectively. BahnCards are sold for 2nd or 1st class. About the only one short term tourists could make use of is the 2nd BahnCard 25, which costs 39€ for a person 60 and over. At 122€ for seniors, the Bahncard 50 would be more difficult to amortize, particularly in light of the other discounts and regional passes available. One thing to remember about the BahnCard is that it is a subscription, which automatically renews itself each year, so unless you plan on going back every year, you must be prepared to cancel the subscription in writing. As for attractions, on my last trip, I bought senior entrance tickets for at least two, maybe three, places. In all cases, the discounted prices for seniors was clearly posted. They are in German, but senior was "Senior" and sometimes it's "Rentner", for pensioner. As for whether these discounts are only supposed to be for "EU Pensioners", I don't know? I always use (not very good) German when buying tickets. Do they think I am a German Rentner?

The only place where I've seen seniors discounts clearly limited to EU citizens is Italy. Mostly in places which have received substantial funds from the EU to support restoration efforts. I do see seniors discounts frequently in museums and such in Germany. There, citizenship is not an issue. Can't comment on the other countries on your list.

Heh, sometimes they charge more! Last month I purchased rail tickets on SBB for upcoming trip. At first the price seemed to 46 chf total, but after registering and going through the final purchase hoops, the price had gone to 59 chf. I thought the supersaver price went up during the purchase process, but after printing out the receipt, I figured out what happened. When I registered I entered our ages, mine, of extreme decrepitude, and my wife's, a sleek young thing. She got the supersaver fare and I got the Senior discount off of the not-so-supersaver fare. Cruising the DB site, looks like the same thing can happen there if you are not careful.

I never ask because I think it is inappropriate of me, having sufficient means to travel that far, to ask a hardworking businessperson to give me a discount.

Hal, Maybe not really pertinent to your question but I have gotten a senior discount in Germany and Austria on tour buses, such as HoHo and another German company in Potsdam (forgot the name), even though I told the young lady in German my age but that I didn't live there. She said it didn't matter, didn't ask for any ID indicating proof of age, and sold me a discounted senior ticket for that bus tour.

Thanks one and all for your suggestions, advice, information and input. Seems as if its an if, maybe, maybe not, definitely not, could be kind of situation!

It's always good to ask. I asked somewhat facetiously when buying a train ticket in Belgium this summer - and it turned out there was a substantial one and I got it! Sometimes I've gotten a discount even though I wasn't the "right" nationality. It seemed to depend on the good will of the ticket-seller. I've only been asked for proof-of-age a couple of times. I guess they figure if you admit to being old enough, you are entitled. Sometimes the age may be 50 or 55.

You didn't ask about France, but FYI prices are 25% less for 60 and over on the French national RR system.