Please sign in to post.

Berlin-Dresden-Berlin: DB Train Questions

Posted by (California, USA) on

Guten Morgen, Alle:

The good news is that I booked a second-class ticket from Berlin to Dresden, roundtrip, on the dates and times that I wanted; i.e., non rush-hour, express (EC). I made every rookie mistake possible in booking the reservation, but at least I have something.

Part of the problem was that my credit card company, unbeknownst to me, kept canceling the charge with a fraud alert. Another problem was a bit of confusion on my part on terminology, "return journey" vs my customary "roundtrip." When I was looking at prices, I though "Hindfahrt" was 29 Euros and "Ruckfahrt" was 69 Euros. With my credit card frustration, I did not totally realize that the 69 was cumulative.

(*Can you tell I have been practicing German?)

  1. My question: The second-class, round-trip ticket costs 49 Euros. The first-class, round-trip ticket costs 69 Euros. Can I upgrade at the Hbf or on the train?

  2. Would I just pay the 20 Euro difference, or does DB charge you to upgrade?

  3. If I now proceed to book at seat in second class for 9 Euros, would I then lose the 9 Euros or would they apply it to the 69 Euro cost. i.e., 69 less what I paid - 49 plus 9. Roughly I would pay out 11 Euros extra.

I will see what my new forum friends tell me, but I just may leave myself in second class and make a seat reservation. I to have a small suitcase that practically fits under my legs.

  1. Question: Picking a Seat. I am not into saloons/bars or food and the compartments look stuffy, so tell me what just a plain train seat with a window view is called.

  2. Question: Left or Right Side. Assuming I am lucky enough to get a window seat, facing forward, both outbound and inbound, would I get a better, more interesting view on the left side or right side of the train.

Vielen Dank.

Posted by
27648 posts

I can assure you that most of us have a similar tale to tell about some aspect of our travels. I haven't had a problem with pre-booked train tickets for the simple reason that I buy my tickets on site (quite often paying more for the privilege). I have, however, put myself in more than one hotel that was a very long walk from the nearest food source if you don't count train-station snack bars. We all live and learn.

The good news is that most of us are totally happy with second class seating on trains. I believe you'll be very comfortable.

I can't help with your seating questions, but I'm sure someone will come along soon who can.

Edited to add: "Window" = fenster in German. "Aisle" = gang. This information is from the Loco2 website, which may have other useful information for you.

The Seat61 website is the best overall source of information on European trains. Fascinating, but budget some time to read it. Scroll down on the webpage I've linked to for information on specific types of German trains.

If you hope to see the Historic Green Vault in Dresden (hours worth of beautiful objects), be aware that a timed ticket is required. So far, no one has reported being unable to get one for the same day, but I'd make that my first stop in Dresden in case there's a wait.

Posted by
268 posts

Just to make sure I got this right: You already have a ticket from Berlin to Dresden and back for 49 Euros, correct? This has to be a saver fare, i.e. a non-flexible ticket. You cannot change this into a first class ticket (except by cancelling it for a fee and buying a new one). By the way, roundtrip tickets are not cheaper than two individual ones. As a single traveller, and outside of rush hour traffic, a reservation might not be needed; but for peace of mind, I would probably buy one, too.

Cannot help you with the views on that route. Not sure about the terminology Deutsche Bahn uses in English, but the choice would be between compartments and open-plan coach (?), i.e. seats left and right of an aisle, like in an airplane. You can also choose between window and aisle seats. Seats in the train restaurant cannot be reserved, so that should not be an issue.

Posted by
4160 posts

A " Saloon " Carriage , has nothing to do with bars or food , it is the European ( regardless of language ) term for an open seating carriage , similar to those trains in the USA

Posted by
14795 posts

Hi,

Just so you have the correct info here: "Hinfahrt" means where you are going to, outbound (if you prefer).

"Rückfahrt" is the return journey.

"Hin und zurück" is round trip

"Platzkarte" or "Sitzreservierung" means a seat reservation.

Posted by
91 posts

Thank you, all. Once again, I have something booked.

Acraven: Thank you. I did know fenster meant window, but I never would have guessed "gang" meant aisle. I had seen gang on German menus as in three-course/gang meals.. I did go over to Seat61, and that helped out. They actually show where the window is and which direction a passenger would be sitting in relation to the window. The DB site does not give as much pictorial info. Your Historic Green Vault advice is duly noted.

Chris: Yes, I do have a booked round-trip ticket for 49 Euros. I also just booked the seats for 9 Euros.

Steve: I did get a chuckle out of what you said a saloon car was. My choices when I booked tonight were: any, saloon, saloon with tables, compartments. I clicked on "saloon," and it came back showing it was a "coach" seat.

You do know the old, wild west had saloons...and there I was picturing a bunch of fist-fighting drunks!

As I close -- I will tell you that my outbound train to Dresden did provide a seat map and I was able to pick a seat. The return trip, Dresden to Berlin, did not provide a seat map. It looks like the computer assigned a window seat to me. All should be well

Thanks again.

Posted by
14795 posts

Hi,

The word "Gang" also means "hallway" aside from "aisle" eg., ."WC am Gang" or "WC auf der Flur" means toilet is in the hallway.

In the case of a three course meal, the plural of "Gang" is used..."Gänge"....that would be: "drei Gänge."

Posted by
268 posts

Oh, I was not aware you used the German version - bahn.de can be switched to English.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.