I have a good understanding of the Deutschland ticket and how i can purchase one as a tourist but i was wondering how it actually works when you want to ride a train. Do i just need the ticket to ride of the DT trains or would i actually have to get an official ticket for my destination but not be charged for it with my DT ticket as proof? Also i read if i have a non DT train such as a Ice train in my route, i will only be partially charged, how does that work also?
thanks
Rick
There is nothing to do but board the train and ride. Show your D-Ticket to train personnel when asked.
You may ride only the regional trains (RE, RB, S- and others.) ICE, ICE, EC and other long-distance trains are excluded and you will be fined for using them. There are no "DT" trains - just a variety of regional train types for which the D-Ticket is valid.
The only thing you need is to make sure that your cell phone has enough power so that you can actually show the ticket (copies etc. are no longer accepted, as there has been large-scale fraud in the past). Sometimes there is also a conductor who has had a bad breakfast and wants to see your passport along with the ticket (officially the DT is only valid in combination with an ID), so don't bury it in your suitcase.
Also i read if i have a non DT train such as a Ice train in my route, i will only be partially charged, how does that work also?
Please don't board a long-distance train (ICE, IC, EC) with just the DT. This will result in a hefty fine (€60) and a subsequent ticket purchase at the expensive standard fare.
What you can do, however, is to specify that you have a DT when booking in DB Navigator. You will then receive a ticket for the ICE portion only. However, you will then have two different tickets and your connection is not protected. The usual workaround is to book the ticket from the last stop of the regional train before changing trains. Example: You are traveling from Salzburg to Berlin, namely from Salzburg to Munich with the DT, from Munich Hbf to Berlin with a train-specific saver fare. You will book the ticket to Berlin from Munich Ost, the last station before Munich Hbf. If your train from Salzburg arrives late in Munich, you are still entitled to continue your journey on another ICE train.
Just a further comment on sla019's suggestion for ensuring you can use a later ICE train than the one you booked:
"...book the ticket from the last stop of the regional train before changing trains."
This will work. In the example provided, booking a ticket from München Ost to Berlin - instead of from Munich's main station - means you will pay something extra for the regional train that covers the München Ost > main station segment. Might be €5 or €10. But now that you have a connection in between two paid segments, you are guaranteed the right to a later train on the ICE route in the event your regional train arrives too late (a right that the D-Ticket does not provide.)
The other thing you can do of course, without changing your ticketing at all, is get to your departure station early and leave on an EARLIER regional train. Doing this will likely add 30 - 60 minutes of additional time cushion. Check the schedules from your departure point to the station where you change trains in advance to see what kind of layover time an earlier train will provide you. Regional train travel is totally flexible. Sticking with the example... if the schedule you booked says your regional train is scheduled to leave Salzburg at 9:00, you can leave on any earlier regional train heading to Munich that you wish - whether that's 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 or 7:30 or whatever. Doing it this way pretty much guarantees you will make your scheduled ICE train and will not result in any additional ticket costs; the D-Ticket covers your regional train trip entirely (all the way to Munich in this example.)
Remember too that your DT is good on all the S Bahn, U Bahn, and busses, and some ferries. Using the DB app it will be found under "Journeys" at the bottom of your phone. Just call it up and show it to the conductor when asked.
Depending on where you buy the ticket, and your ability with whatever phone you have, you may be able to load the ticket to your "Wallet", like Google Wallet. By having it in wallet, you do not need a signal or wi-fi for your cellphone to pull up. (The DB app may have the ability to pull up a ticket without the app functioning as well)
EDIT: Note that you are supposed to present the DT with your ID (Passport), so have it available. I would say that most conductors do not bother with an ID check, but mine was asked for a number of times.
By having it in wallet, you do not need a signal or wi-fi for your cellphone to pull up
None of the major carriers' apps require a permament Internet connection; the ticket is stored in the app.
wants to see your passport along with the ticket
I'm asked by about 1 in 3 train conductors for my passport with the D-Ticket.
Last year they asked for our ID with our tickets, and we used our state drivers license which they accepted. This year they only glanced at our tickets without asking for any ID.
