We will be buying a train ticket for a 3 pm departure, but are concerned that we may miss the connection would the same ticket still be good if we catch the next train about 1-2 hrs later?. Not sure how strict the conductors are, hopefully they are reasonable with foreign tourists who are not that familiar with bus and train travel.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11177 posts
If you are found to not have the correct ticket, expect to be fined. "I didn't know" or "I'm a tourist" does not get you off.
Depending on the type of train and ticket it MIGHT be valid for a later departure.....
If you provide the specifics of your situation, someone on the forum can probably give you a definitive answer
Posted by
Germany
268 posts
If it is a saver fare, you should not expect any leniency (except if you missed a connection due to the delay of another train on the same ticket). Saver fares are bound to specific long-distance trains. Not saying that conductors never bend the rules in favor of the passenger, but most of the time, they will do what their employer expects them to do.
Flexpreis tickets, DB tickets for regional trains, and state passes (like the Bayern ticket) are flexible, however.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
It would a train from Koblenz to Frankfurt. Perhaps it is best to simply buy the ticket when we get to the station, and not in advance.
Posted by
Paradise
6637 posts
It's good that you asked...Ticketing in Germany can be tricky, especially along the Rhine. I've seen a lot of people buy a lot of useless tickets online.
If you want the freedom to travel when you are ready, you probably do NOT want to get one of those pre-purchased saver fare tickets.
I'd be happy to help with your ticketing for this day - but first about what you're doing that day... What's your plan? I read from your other posts that you are doing outings from FRANKFURT - is that what this day is? If so, you will probably have to take the train FROM Frankfurt to Koblenz (or somewhere else) in the first place. It's very possible that you need a DAY PASS to cover both trips - not two (or more) point-to-point tickets. So... let us know! Day of the week, time of day, number of persons...
(And if this is a Rhine cruise day, we can help with getting that done too!)
Posted by
Green Bay
20084 posts
According to this thread, looks like the OP is coming from the K-D dock.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/koblenz-distance-between-train-station-and-k-k-ferry-dock
Yes, there is an optimal ticket strategy that will maintain flexibility and be low priced. Just give the exact plan and times you are looking at.
Posted by
San Francisco
14507 posts
Don't expect a break just because you are a foreign tourist. Why should "they" do that? Some are understanding, a few may even chew you out. I had that happen twice, one of those times I was technically in the wrong.
On this last trip in May, I just could not find my ticket going from A to B in Schleswig-Holstein but I had the receipt, which was proof that I did buy a ticket and wasn't a Schwarzfahrer (riding w/o a ticket). I was prepared to pay for a new ticket since I thought why should the controller believe me.
Looking at the receipt she accepted as valid as valid and concluded that I must have left the ticket in the DB machine when I was gathering up the documents, ie ticket and receipt. You get a receipt from the DB machine when you pay with a credit card. Ironically, when I got up moving to the door as my stop approached, I saw the ticket on the floor, never had that happen before.
Of course, the controller was at the far end of the coach.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Koblenz to Frankfurt (airport or main station?): There are frequent regional connections available. Connections using express trains are less frequent and often no faster.
If you purchase tickets for a regional train you are not constrained to that particular train (if you purchase full fare tickets for an express train connection you are similarly not constrained). You have all day to complete the connection, and you can make stopovers. It's only Savings Fare tickets on express trains (ICE/IC/EC) that are train specific.
The regional fare from Koblenz to Frankfurt is 28,40€ per person (56,80€ for 2). It is a flexipreis fare, and, according to the Bahn is "Unrestricted choice of trains on day of travel". You can get the same flexibility with a 30€ (for 2) Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket, which you can purchase at the Koblenz Hbf. That will get you to Mainz. From Mainz, an RMV (local Frankfurt metro) ticket, purchasable in the Mainz Hbf, will get you to the airport for 4,90€/P or to the Hbf for 8,50€/P.