I will be traveling from Amsterdam to Germany, with 3 stays in Germany (i.e., Bacharach, Baden-Baden area, Munich) and wondering if a rail pass makes sense. I can't figure out if I could use the German Rail Pass for the trip from Amsterdam to Germany---if I can, then a rail pass seems to make sense. Also, I will be traveling with my 23 year old son, who will be staying in Europe longer than I am to do some traveling on his own. Since I am only going to be traveling in Germany, but he is planning to travel to some other countries (he still is not clear where--e.g., Switzerland, maybe Poland), if I were to get a German Rail Pass and he had a Erail Global Pass, could both be used on the same trains in Germany on the days we are traveling together? Thanks for any input provided.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Both passes cover all the same trains within Germany. If you have a German Rail Pass, you need a ticket from Amsterdam to the border crossing point, usually at Emmerich when headed toward Cologne and the Rhine. A station agent should be able sell that to you at the same time as activating your pass(es), about €24.
However, with the current sale on the Eurail Global Pass, that's a better deal for you. You get 3 days in a month for $239, including Benelux, versus 3 days on the German Rail Pass for $233. Both are single adult rates. If you're 60 or older, then the Senior rate on the Global pass is $215.
Full-fare ticket cost slightly more than that on the fastest trains, but if you're willing to buy tickets for specific trains at least a few days ahead, you could get your total lower.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks! The information you provide is very helpful!
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Whether some kind of rail pass makes financial sense, depends on the availability of discounted tickets (Sparpreis) on your travelling days. For a random date mid-August I found tickets on the Bahn website for Amsterdam to Bacharach for EUR 44,90, Bacharach to Baden-Baden for EUR 19,90 and Baden-Baden to Munich for EUR 25,90, all for the fastest connections.