We are leaving for Germany in a day and are going to be there for a couple weeks. We bought a 1st class flexipass and are wondering with the Martin Luther anniversary going on if we would need to make seat reservations for the days we plan to travel. In Rick Steves guidebook it mentioned that with first class pass, reservations weren't necessary, but if you bought a ticket you could choose a seat. Since we just have a flexipass I don't know how I would do that or if just don't even need to worry about it. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
Green Bay
20159 posts
A first class seat reservation will cost you 5.90 EUR per seat on a given itinerary. So if you did change trains along the way, that price would include the reservation for both legs. You can buy anytime up to the departure time. First class is seldom full, but if you have a large group that must sit together, or a special seat you like on the train, like 2 seats across a table, it could be a good idea. Of course if you wait until the last minute, what you want may not be available.
ICE trains have an electronic sign above seats that have been reserved and showing between which stations the reservation is for. That way when you board, you'll know which seats have been reserved, as they may start for stations that train has not got to yet. So you could sit there if you were getting off at that or a station before. They go blank 15 minutes after the train departs that station, meaning the reservation expires if the person who makes it is a no-show, or just decides to sit somewhere else.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Awesome Sam!!
My wife wants to know where to go reserve the seat?
I have Skype credit for calling so I could call German numbers if needed.
Brad
Posted by
Green Bay
20159 posts
Start here. http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
So enter the "from" and "to" boxes, the date and the approximate time you want to travel, check 1st class. Then at the bottom of the page next to the "search" button, you'll see "seat only (no ticket)". Click on that and you will get a list of trains at various times. details show the route, location of train changes if any, even a map of the route and station information. Pick a train and go to the payment page. Some trains will even give you a map of the carriages and show which seats are available.