German Rail strike

Just follow up the messages of workers' union GDL because it is a GDL strike.
Translation with DeepL recommended.

If I hear something new I will post it in this thread.

Thanks. Things do not look good right now.

You are flying into Berlin. Are you flying out of Munich or Frankfurt? Flixbus has service to both those cities. You could make extended stays in a couple major cities focusing more on cultural sights than Christmas Markets. There might be a few near towns that could be reached by taxi or local transportation for day trips. It would not be ideal for us but I think we could enjoy ourselves.

We are going 28 November but more than half our time will be on a Viking Cruise. My wife is more fond of the cruises than I, but it could turn out a better choice if there is a strike. For our one long leg we have reservations on a Flixbus.

Thank you MarkK.

Always welcome. These strikes are a hazzle for every traveller, so let us try to help each other with early and correct information.

wjcorba,

I am in a similar situation as you, leaving tomorrow (11/29) to Frankfurt and returning on 12/12 from Berlin. I have already purchased my ICE train tickets, three of them, but have also purchased FLIX Bus tickets as a backup, the cost was minimal, around $40.

For regional transportation, Dresden-Gorlitz, Erfurt-Weimar, etc, I have the D-ticket. During the last train strike, I looked on-line and the local trains were operating. Will use the D-ticket for local transportation in Frankfurt, Dresden, and Berlin.

It appears from the press reports that another strike is likely in the near future. It is helpful getting updates from those in Germany, on the current situation.

I looked on-line and the local trains were operating.

Unfortunately, that's a bit too bold a statement. It is true that local transport is less affected by the strike than long-distance transport, because the GDL union is primarily striking DB and only a few of the non-DB carriers, but the GDL makes no distinction between local and long-distance transport and strikes both DB companies. So it depends on which carrier operates the route you want to travel. Dresden-Görlitz, for example, is operated by Trilex, which is not on strike. Erfurt-Weimar, otoh, is operated by DB Regio, and that's where it gets difficult: if 30% of the trains run, that will be a great success. Unfortunately, you may also have bad luck with Dresden-Görlitz if there is a switch tower on the line that is manned by GDL members.

Thanks so much for the clarification. Direct news and clarity direct from Germans is MOST helpful and so timely. A friend recommended this forum and I’m so glad she did. Thanks again.

We ended up cancelling our German trip. The massive strike today and yesterday would have made our visits to Bavarian and Black Forest towns a nightmare. I sent an email to DB and hope they’ll refund our 1 pre-paid discounted trip from Berlin to Munich. Hoping to see Germany at Christmas next year.

I have 2 tickets to a Bach concert at the Freiburg Munster on 10 Dec in the evening. If anyone can use them, please let me know. I hate to see them go to waste.

Thanks for the previous comments. Happy holidays, everyone.

sent an email to DB and hope they’ll refund our 1 pre-paid discounted trip

Provided you have booked your ticket on the DB website or app, it is much easier to cancel it there. Your ticket will then be refunded to the CC you paid with.

Unfortunately it was a super saver (or whatever they call it) and could not be cancelled on line.

Perhaps it is worth checking this again on the DB website. Cancellation due to a strike is only possible from the first day of validity of the ticket.

However, if a Super Sparpreis ticket is not valid on one of the strike days, there is no legal entitlement to a refund. In this case, it is actually better to write an email and ask for goodwill, as you have done.

During a strike do the local trains run or are all cancelled?

That depends on the carrier. The GDL union is striking DB, Transdev and a few smaller carriers. These will only run limited services at best, if at all (maximum 20% of trains). Trains of other carriers will run if no switch tower on their route is manned by GDL straff.

Sla019 is wrong.

You cannot get a refund to the credit card that purchased the ticket, only a credit or bank transfer. I tried both the App and website for the refund of a cancelled train.

Sla019 is wrong.
You cannot get a refund to the credit card that purchased the ticket, only a credit or bank transfer.

Sla019 is not wrong, cf. the refunding conditions on the DB web site:

"Wenn Sie das Ticket per Kreditkarte bezahlt haben, erhalten Sie eine Gutschrift über den Betrag (ggf. abzüglich Bearbeitungsentgelt) auf die Kreditkarte, mit der Sie das Ticket gezahlt haben."

"If you paid for the ticket by credit card, you will receive a credit note for the amount (minus any processing fee) on the credit card with which you paid for the ticket."

[Edit: English version here (scroll down to "Flexible fare, booked online" or "Saver fare, booked online", resp.). ]

For which day was your Super Saver ticket valid? If not for the day of the strike, you will not be offered a refund on the DB website, as this type of ticket is generally non-refundable. If for the day of the strike, it may very well be possible for them to process the exceptional refund of non-refundable tickets manually and determine how to make the refund.

Yes, the ticket was for Friday, Dec 8, day of strike. Train was cancelled.

When requesting a refund on app or website, logged into my account, you have only two options for a refund: credit voucher or bank transfer.

No, you had only that two options because of the type of ticket you have, as explained above.
As for the general rule, I have quoted it above, and if you don't believe it, you may prosecute Deutsche Bahn for making a false statement.

Have you ever received a refund to a credit card?

Of course; I'm travelling by train at least once a week, and I have had all kinds of experiences with DB, and by no means only good ones

If done manually, how do you submit it?

There is a "Passenger rights" form.

If you don’t know, just say you don’t know!!!!

I'm sorry, I know, and I dare say, obviously unlike you.

It appears you deleted your earlier post I was referencing????

No, I didn't.

Sla019

Have a nice day!!!!!!

Hopeful this report that this will be the last strike of the year is true!

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/angry-germans-endure-last-train-121813572.html