can I buy a Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (Mainz to Heidelberg) a day prior and still get the 68 euros for 4 persons rate, or is this something I need to buy in advance? same for the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket for 52 eruos. could I even buy these day of at the ticket window? do I need to validate these? or are they date specific when yoy buy them? thanks, Elaine
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
They are both available on the day of travel or earlier if you wish for a specific date. Ticket machines sell them too. They do not need to be validated, though they may require a signature.
There are often better day pass choices offered by local transit authorities. Post your other journeys here to see what might be available. Include passenger ages for the best advice.
For Mainz-Heidelberg on a weekday you can save a little off the QdL ticket by traveling there via Mannheim; use a Rheinland-Pfalz ticket (€39/4 adults to reach Mannheim + a VRN (local transit authority) "Tagesticket" (day pass) for 4 (€21.60) for Mannheim-Heidelberg. The Tagesticket is available from machines in Mannheim.
All of these day passes are valid on regional trains only.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Quer-durchs-Land and Schönes-Wochenende tickets (as well as Länder tickets) are available from ticket automats or counters (for an extra 2€) any time. You can purchase them right before you travel. (I always do.) Note that if you purchase them in advance, they will be only be valid for the date printed on them. If you change your mind, you can't use the ticket for a different date.
Other than to save time, about the only reason I can see to purchase these tickets in advance would be if you will be traveling from outside Germany into Germany on a direct train and don't want to get off at the first station to buy your Länder ticket (these tickets might be available from the conductor on the train). A Länder ticket example would be if traveling from Prague to Rothenburg odT on a connection using the ALX from Prague to Schwandorf. You could buy a Czech ticket from Prague to Furth im Wald and from Furth use a Bayern-Ticket that was purchased in advance.
Posted by
OP
washington, dc
395 posts
thanks. we will wait until we get to Mainz. We are a family of 4 with two 15 yr olds. Flying into FRA, training to Mainz on day 1 (sat). Day 2 (sun) train to ?? and taking KD Rhine boat ride to Boppard or other. Day 3 train Mainz to Heidelberg. Day 4 train to FRA. We might flip sun/mon depending on weather, etc. I will wait and buy my tickets day of (at a ticket window, so I don't mess it up). We are basing out of Mainz (vs. Booppard, etc.) b/c of using points at Mainz hotel. Plus, as we also want to go to Heidelburg, it seemed like a good base. thanks, Elaine