I would like to purchase a German Rail Pass Flexi (nonconsecutive days) but I am too late to purchase online because I will be in Germany by the time the paper ticket arrives at my home in the U.S. Can I buy these in Germany when I arrive? The DB website does not provide information about this option. Previous forum topics mention this is possible, but I want to verify that this is up to date. I've also read elsewhere that you can only purchase the German Rail Passes outside of Germany. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8022 posts
Well, Rick Steves seems to think you can buy them in Germany: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/germany-rail-passes#germany
I'm fairly certain you can but just make sure you have your passport with you when you buy it so you can show that you live outside Germany.
Posted by
Green Bay
21164 posts
This page shows all the locations you can buy the pass (I believe).
https://www.bahn.com/en/offers/passes/german-rail-pass?dbkanal_007=teaserBlock_1-1_link_GermanRailPassEN
Scroll down to "Further Information" and click on "Aid Offices".
You can also send a question to their on-line contact page.
https://www.bahn.com/en/contact/online-contact-forms
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Here is a complete list of all the stations in Germany where the German Rail Pass is available:
Buying it in person at the counter is an ideal way to get instructions and get your questions answered.
You might be using the trains on 10 days in 20 (or 7 days in 14, or whatever) but this does not necessarily mean you need a flexi pass for 10 days (or 7 days.) Very often, fewer railpass days are needed because certain journeys are much cheaper to buy on the spot than using up a railpass day. I encourage you to share the exact journeys you have in mind so that we might advise you on your options.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you for your posts. I emailed DB yesterday, but have not received a reply, probably because it is the weekend.
From your posts, it looks like the Frankfurt airport has a DB desk that can sell me the Flexi pass.
I am looking at a 5-day nonconsecutive (Flexi) pass to accommodate the following trips within a 2 week period:
- Frankfurt-Stuttgart
- Stuttgart-Munich
- Munich-Nuremberg
- Nuremberg-Berlin
- Berlin-Frankfurt
My dates for these 5 trips are fixed.
In each of these cities, I and my 2 companions will be using S-bahn and U-bahn to visit sites. So, another option for me would be to just purchase the more expensive 14-day consecutive pass because I believe it covers S-bahn (not U-bahn) trips.
I appreciate any advice you might have. Basic decision is consecutive vs. Flexi pass. Consecutive is probably more expensive overall, but allows me freedom on the S-bahn without having to frequently purchase single S-bahn tickets.
Posted by
Green Bay
21164 posts
Assuming everyone is an adult (not youth or senior):
A single 15-day 2nd cl GRP is 452 EUR plus a Twin 15-day 2nd cl GRP is 769 EUR. 1221 EUR total
A single 5 of 15-day 2nd cl Flex GRP is 253 EUR plus a Twin 5 of 15-day 2nd cl Flex GRP is 430 EUR. 683 EUR total.
So you would be paying 538 EUR just to ride S-bahns (not U-bahns) in your 4 cities. Seems like you could buy multiday local passes that cover all public transport, S-bahns, U-bahns, trams, buses in those cities for a lot less.
Your dates are fixed. With 3 people and 5 long distance trips, your flex pass costs you an average of 45.50 EUR per person-trip. You could probably beat that buying Sparpreis nonrefundable tickets now.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks Sam. Looks like Flexi definitely beats Consecutive. My train travel dates are fixed, but I don't want to commit to exact times, as my crew needs a little more flexibility. I assume the Sparpreis nonrefundable tix would require me to commit to exact times. Am I correct in that assumption?
Posted by
Green Bay
21164 posts
Yes, they are like airline tickets.
FYI, a zone M (city of Munich) group day ticket is 17 EUR as long you travel together.
A TagesTicket (day ticket) for Nuremberg is 9 EUR for a week day or for Sat & Sun. A TagesTicket Plus (2 adults) is 13.30 EUR
A Berlin zone ABC group day ticket is 31 EUR includes Potsdam.
A Stuttgart group day ticket is 11.60 EUR for the city. More for additional zones.
Frankfurt also has group day tickets, price depends on distance traveled.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Munich-Nuremberg
For this journey the Bayern Ticket day pass for 3 adults is €42 = €14 each for this trip AND it includes all public transport within BOTH cities on the day of travel.
I believe the two 4-day GRPs in question total €65 less than the 5-day GRP's. Net savings = €23. Add whatever you save on inner-city public transport that day as well
The S-Bahn alone is probably not going to get you where you want to be without lots of walking.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you Sam and Russ. You both have been very helpful!