Train Ticket Errors

It is extremely unlikely this would be any problem on using rail tickets. They are not like airlines tickets.

Train tickets rarely even include names, although it's becoming more common with e-ticketing, to avoid people just photocopying them. It should not be an issue, just as it hasn't been over the years with rail passes (which are personal and require ID).

Thanks for the feedback it makes me feel better. I thought they might not let us on the train.

There is no one checking tickets before boarding trains in the locations you describe. Again, train travel is not like air travel. You just get on the train and later, sometimes hours later or never, a conductor will come around (while the train is moving!) to check tickets.

Sometimes, a conductor will check tickets, but he will use a little machine to read the barcodes. You'll be fine.

I just left Switzerland. I bought print at home etickets. They asked for Identification on the train Zurich to Luzern and Bern to Lausanne.

If they do check IDs and the name is close, you'll be fine.

There is no similarity between board a plane in the US (that is your background) and train travel in Europe. Anyone can get on a train. One exception -- tickets are checked with light security at the head of the platform in Spain. When tickets are checked they are checking for a valid ticket and sometimes want the credit card used to purchase the tickets. You are not being checked against the TSA no fly list where exact name and birth date have to match. The reason you are not getting a response is because it is not a big deal and there is nothing to change or correct because it doesn't make any difference.

Just took TGV Bordeaux to Hendiaye no one checked anything

Some years ago, I somehow lost the physical ticket that I had purchased. I learned a hard lesson - there is no master computer with a record of the transaction. The ticket is all there is. Lose the ticket, you have to either pay again or leave the train. So, the ticket should be guarded carefully. But no one on the 50-60 trains we have taken in France, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia has ever asked for ID.

there is no master computer with a record of the transaction. The ticket is all there is. Lose the ticket, you have to either pay again or leave the train.

For most of European carriers that's not true any more provided you have booked online. Take the example of DB: if you register you can look up your bookings from everywhere and print them again. If you have the app you can also download the ticket to your cell phone. Whether printed or electronic ticket - your ID will be checked regularly.

When I lost the ticket, I was in Croatia. DB is a modern service, but many parts of Europe are less so. In 2 years, this is likely to be upgraded. My advice stands - better to not lose the physical ticket.