I'm looking at booking the below train ticket - is the 7 minute connection too short to make (assuming train is on time)?
Thu, August 17 2017
11:51 AM depart F-Flughafen Fernbf. (ICE 105)
1:27 PM arrive at Offenburg
1:34 PM depart from Offenburg (TER 87434)
2:04 PM arrive Strasbourg
Thanks for your thoughts!
Emily
Unfortunately, the Bahn websites does not give the track numbers in Offenburg for any of those trains this far in advance, but they will probably give them as the time approaches the train date. I think the ICE nomally comes in to the Offenburg station on track 1. According to the Bahn schedule for a few weeks from now, the ICE would arrive on track 1 and the SWE to Strasbourg would depart on track 4. That's a one platform change. I've made similar changes.
It looks like you are using RailEurope's schedule, since you give the train from Offenburg to Strasbourg as TER 87434 at 1:34 PM. The Bahn says the train to Strasbourg is SWE 87434 1:36, which would give you 2 more minutes.
In either case, the trains to Strasbourg leave hourly, so even it you miss the scheduled one, you only have to wait an hour for the next one.
But realistically, the time to change trains is not very dependent on the number of platforms but on the time to get off the train, find the stairs to the tunnel and go down the stairs, and the time to come out of the tunnel to the correct platform. Going between the stairs take very little time.
The main thing to remember is that this is not an aircraft, where you must remain seated until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Know the platform of the connection train. It will probably be posted on the Bahn site near train time. As the train comes into the station (or before), gather your things and proceed to the end of the car, or wherever the door is, and be prepared to get off when the train stops. Locate the stairs to the tunnel. A lot of people will be headed to it; follow the herd.
It's an easy transfer, don't sweat it.
If the DB website shows that connection you will do it. If your train is late the next SWE train is coming soon.
