German Twin Rail Pass

When you have called Germany have you called when they are open? Remember that Germany is 7 hours ahead of Texas, unless you have already changed the clocks because Europe hasn't yet.

Be careful with Google translate from German to English. It sometimes gets the meaning of a sentence inverted, especially if it has to many negatives in it. For example "It is untrue to say you mustn't be unhelpful" is liable to end up as "You must be unhelpful".

Have you tried to reply to the address on the original e-mail? Or does it say "do not reply to this address"?

On the English-Language part of their website it says:

The Bahn hotline
(0049) 180 6 99 66 33 (charges apply: EUR 0.20 cents per call /landlines, EUR 0.60 cents per call/mobile phone)

Here you can book your ticket and get more information about fares & timetables as well as provide feedback and recieve information about additional services that Deutsche Bahn offers. Using keywords and key commands you have access to information around the clock.
Around the clock: questions about online ticket bookings
(0049) 180 6 10 11 11 (charges apply: EUR 0.20 cents per call /landlines, EUR 0.60 cents per call/mobile phone).

The online-service answers questions around the clock concerning booking your ticket via www.bahn.com. You can get more information about the online ticket here:

Have you tried these numbers?

Thank you Chris. Yes, I have tried both of those telephone numbers. The recording is in German. I have attempted multiple numbers, pressing 9 for English, pressing 1 for English, pressing 2 for English. etc. I reached an English recording once and appeared to be placed on hold (music playing) but then was disconnected. I have replied to the email on 3 different days but always received an automated email in return, which is in German.

I have tried all different times of the day, this morning at 6 a.m. Texas time. No success.

I just tried the first number (00491806996633)
First, there is a long recorded explanation about the train driver's strike this weekend, and where to find information about which trains are running. Then there is a menu about what sort of info you want. No "English" option. If you choose any option, you then get a sub-menu. You then get an announcement that all their personnel are busy with the strike queries, and cannot answer your question at the moment.

I then rang 00491806101111
This gave the same long explanation about the strike. Followed by the same announcement that everyone is busy.

I think they are a bit overwhelmed. Such strikes are virtually unknown in Germany. I suggest you try again on Monday or Tuesday.

I purchased the German Twin Pass in July and it was printed with incorrect promotional validity dates so I had to call them. Tip, create a google voice account, it's cheaper than calling from a landline. I dialed 491806996633 and pressed 9 for English. I was on hold for about 12 minutes and then routed to an English speaker who told me that they couldn't help me at that time due to no one from the online purchase department who spoke English being available, but someone would call me back the next day. A representative who spoke excellent English did phone me the next day and worked with me to resolve my issue (they ended up having me send the pass back for a refund, admitting the mistake, and I bought a full price pass online). During both my transactions, there was definitely a place on the website when you order to input the information for second passenger and their passport number. The pass you receive in the mail will have the primary person on the front and second person printed on the back. The first station you use the pass in has to validate the pass, done at the ticket counter not on the train, and they will check the passports then to match them to the ticket. If you have any other questions about the pass or what's it's like to use it, I'm happy to help, just PM me. I know it's stressful worrying about the investment and getting everything right. I found everyone involved with DB to be helpful and knowledgeable - even if their solution to my issue was somewhat frustrating. Good Luck!

While travelling on a DB train this past Spring, I explained to some Dutch travelers who I had just met that DB had screwed up our group reservation to the point that I had tickets for three seats that did not exist on the train (and we had bought non-refundable/non-changeable discounted tickets for that specific train). They remarked that DB only has problems four times during the year - Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter!

Thank you to all for your help with this. I really appreciate knowing the recording was inaccessible and I was not doing something incorrectly. As of today, I received an email from their customer service asking for specific information regarding the second traveller. Hopefully, this will resolve the problem. If not, I will be right back here seeking guidance!

Sounds like you're on the right track with the recent email. Point-to-point tickets that are delivered electronically work well on the DB site. But based on your feedback and others in this forum, I recommend that readers buy German Passes through Rick's US link, instead of having them mailed from Germany.