Has anyone from the U.S. experienced the change in the purchase of a DB Twin Rail Pass? For many, many years, I've purchased the ticket/pass online, because the pass can only be used by those outside Germany. And this year I've read on the DB website and the Rick Steves website that it now can only be purchased in Germany at a DB center. Does anyone know why the change in the Twin Pass? Or why they're now teamed with Eurail (whose prices are higher, btw)? I can find no information on the DB site as to cost for a Twin Pass. Nor can I find any information as to the cost of Senior passes (even if by purchasing on the Eurail site). We're flying into Munich on the 11th and have everything set except for the train tix. Any current info would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Thank you for posting your information that the GRP twin pass is still available in Germany. Things changed drastically a while ago, and the info at the DB site was unclear as to whether ANY GRP's at all were being sold in Germany. Everything except the GRP broschure seemed to link to Eurail - which made it seem like the brochure was wrong. Your comment encouraged me to revisit DB's GRP pages.
I can find no information on the DB site as to cost for a Twin Pass.
The DB's GRP pages now has this link, which pulls up a price table for all GRP's including the twin-pass:
Nor can I find any information as to the cost of Senior passes
I cannot remember ever seeing any senior passes for the GRP at any time. Eurail doesn't have senior discounts on their one-country pass for Germany either, though Eurail does sell senior passes online for other one country passes (like Benelux, technically speaking 3 countries AFAIK :)
I have bought a fair number of GRP twin-passes previously. The instructions for using the GRP's has changed over the years, so it might be a good thing that you can buy them after landing there and get all the current instructions for use from a counter person.
Does anyone know why the change in the Twin Pass?
Not really. It has always been a reasonably-priced choice for people who are planning at the last minute (and can't get cheap saver fares,) or who want to have a highly-flexible itinerary. Perhaps it turned from a money-maker to a money-loser in the eyes of DB during Covid (like discounts, coupons, and two-fer deals on most products and services did.) Who knows? Maybe the fact that the twin-pass can be bought only in Germany means that DB is merely fulfilling its promise to sell it for 2024 and killing it altogether for 2025.
These days there are many excellent alternatives to the GRP - day passes for example - and perhaps they would be right for you too. It just depends on your travel plans.
Have a nice trip.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you for all the wonderful info. Luckily, we have time to review all the options before departing the US.