My sister and I are going to be traveling in Germany for about two weeks. We are both under 28 and will be traveling on 6 days so think that the German rail pass is a good idea (the 7 day flexi pass). However, our first stop is in Salzburg and looking at the info from Rick Steves, it looks like he suggests that we buy a flexipass in person instead of having it being mailed to us. Our question is — can we buy a German rail pass in Salzburg? We know you can travel between Munich and Salzburg with the German rail pass but wanted to know if we can purchase the rail pass there. Thank you!
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
Hi, z. Welcome to the forum.
Your first "stop" might be Salzburg - but where are you flying into? If it's Munich, well, you can get the pass at MUC airport.
But before you do that... we normally encourage posters to share their itineraries before giving them a thumbs up on rail passes. If you'll share what those other 5 train journeys in Germany are, you will surely get some valuable advice. It's often the case that some journeys would be better done without the rail pass.... and that you might do fine with just a 3-day pass.
Posted by
836 posts
Agree with Russ, you'll likely get much better advice if you list where you plan to visit.
Also, "A beginner's guide to train travel in Germany" is worth digesting:
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-germany.htm
especially the section on " Deutschland ticket: Unlimited travel on regional transport for €49 a month"
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-germany.htm#Deutschlandticket
There is also a section on the 'German Rail pass':
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-germany.htm#Railpasses_for_Germany
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the valuable replies and links -- I will certainly take a look at them.
We first land in Amsterdam and stay a few days, and from there we fly to Salzberg. Our train days are as follows:
1. Salzberg to Munich
2. Munich to Fussen (we will be staying the night)
3. Fussen to Munich
4. Munich to Berlin
5. Berlin to Naumburg (Salle) (we have family in the area)
6. Naumburg to Berlin
And then we fly out from Berlin. The biggest cost is definitely Munich to Berlin -- we thought about taking the bus but would rather take the train.
If you think this would be better as a point to point trip please let me know!
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
The first 3 journeys can be done by regional train on local Bayern Ticket day passes for €36; the day pass also permits the use of trams, buses and subways within Munich and additional trains or buses you might need on those 3 days. €108 total. Very flexible day passes that you buy on the day of travel, minimal restrictions.
(2) 3-DAY German rail passes youth/flexi @ €162 ea. = €324 for the final 3 days.
Total = €432
Total for 7-day rail passes = €470
The last 3 journeys, which include long-distance, high-speed trains, can be bought as point-to-point tickets in advance online at a discount from DB (German Railways) - I don't have your travel dates, but you do, so look them up and see whether the prices for your dates are competitive with the 3-day GRP. They might be much cheaper, or might not... Keep in mind however that these are train-specific (must be used as scheduled) and non-refundable (though a voucher might be possible for a fee.) If you think you require flexibility, the 3-day GRPs would be best.
Provide your travel dates and desired travel hours if you'd like us to double-check pricing with you on those p2p tickets.
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
The GRP for the last 3 trips, if that's what you end up choosing, COULD be bought at some point during those times when you are at Munich's main station.
The Bavaria ticket day pass can be bought at Salzburg Hbf and at Munich and Füssen stations in Germany.
When you search for travel schedules on those first 3 trips by Bavaria ticket, you should click on the "only local transport" box - that will pull up schedules for only those trains that can be used with this day pass.
Bayern Ticket info: https://www.bahn.com/en/offers/regional/regional-day-ticket-for-bavaria