My wife and I are planning a 3-week trip throughout southern Germany in September of this year. We did this same location in 2019 but with only 2 towns and it was fairly easy to use the U-Bahn and DB trains. This time we are going to Munich, Berchtesgaden, Fussen (castles), Black Forest, and then probably to Zurich for the airline flight home. I've got my itinerary planned out, but how sure can I be of all the connections for trains, visits, and bus to all work out, so that we will end up being at the end of the itinerary on time for the flight home? Anyone have these types of thoughts/worries? I do know the DB trains and bus connections were great for us in 2019, but now we're doing more things...
Posted by
2393 posts
Well, you can't be sure.
If you've planned out all your stops and overnights and accounted for the time intervals accordingly, you should be fine. And, if something goes awry mid-trip, you'll just have to use your best spidey-senses to get yourself back on track.
Posted by
Paradise
6659 posts
how sure can I be of all the connections for trains, visits, and bus
to all work out, so that we will end up being at the end of the
itinerary on time for the flight home?
If you are requesting itinerary tips that will help ensure timely arrivals, you would need to lay out the specific individual journeys you've planned - the ones you are most concerned about, anyway; include dates, departure/arrival times, train type, etc. As long as that's not a problem for you, it's no problem for me to look them over.
Posted by
midwest
12 posts
I spentt 5 weeks in Germany this late fall traveling exclusively by rail. Currently deutsche bahn, DB has been having loads of scheduling issues stemming from personnel issues to track maintenance. I would hope that by fall many issues will be resolved. However, I would not book accommodations without a refund policy.
It seemed to be an inside joke about the German train schedule with the Germans. They will tell you that the Swiss trains will ALWAYS be on time, but rarely the German trains. Yes, I experienced delays and even cancellations. Patience and alternative schedules will keep you sane. Build in adequate transfer times in case your incoming train is late but the connection is on time.
Posted by
OP
40 posts
Thanks, yes we've been booking now, being careful to get cancelations within a day of arrival. I bought airline insurance from Allianz-the company that is listed in RS book. Been watching the DB situation very closely. BBC as well as some Germany tv stations that I've been watching give a bleak picture of the current situation. (I'm careful NOT to watch social media and facebook for news). Hopefully a deal that the railroad workers and the DB will work out soon. Germany is losing millions and millions each day, not only to tourism, but industry and trade. DB hauls alot of freight besides passengers.