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Train Travel and DB Bahn booking question

Posted by on

So we are planning a trip in July of 2019 and beginning to understand the nuance to train travel in Germany. One issue I'm confused about is that according to many sites, you can generally book train tickets 180 days out but on the DB Bahn site I can't check anything later than December 8th which is about 60. It references some timetable.

When we traveled in England, I was able to get a feel for prices at the far end of booking and we got great deals on trains to Edinburgh as we booked the day they went on sale almost 6 months out.

If anyone could clarify, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thinking of Berlin to Prague, Prague to Munich, and Munich to Berlin with side travel out of those main centers.

Thanks

Posted by
6637 posts

You will be able to see travel information at the DB site for December 9 and onward starting on October 16.

Posted by
2332 posts

New time tables will be in effect from 9th december. Trains will be bookable from 16th october.

Posted by
19092 posts

If the time tables are every six months and the next on comes out for that time period starting Dec. 9, then it will only be for the time period ending June 8. Since he wants to book for July, he will have to wait for the following time schedule, which should come out around April 16.

That would apply to tickets for those longer trips between "main centers", but for side travel local tickets and regional passes should do find and don't need advance purchase.

Posted by
2332 posts

Since he wants to book for July, he will have to wait for the following time schedule, which should come out around April 16.

My experience seems to be different. There may be minor adjustments in the summer schedules, but I never had a problem with advanced booking (e.g. last march, I booked a ticket for a trip in july). OK - let's try in in a week ... ;)

Posted by
19092 posts

I never had a problem with advanced booking

Maybe that's because you are in Germany and can go to a DB ticket counter. It's not that easy from this side of the Atlantic. I just tried DB, RailEurope, and Trainline for January 9, 2019 (equivalent of July 9 in April, 2019). None of those sites would sell me tickets online - DB doesn't allow me to select a date beyond Dec. 8, RailEurope told me it's too early to book for that date, and Trainline could only offer Flixbus.

Posted by
14507 posts

I have had no problems with advanced booking re DB trains. I just time it exactly 92 days out to book the ICE connection. By July 2019 I'll be back in Germany again. That's the currant plan. .

Posted by
20081 posts

Fred, try booking a train on DB 90 days from today now. Tell us your magical way of avoiding this message.

Your input is not inside the timetable period between 10.12.17 and 08.12.18.

Of course, in a couple of days, per previous posts, you will be able to.

Posted by
14507 posts

I don't use DB English language site to book so I don't know what it says exactly in English. When I book in advance of the 92 days, and get the message to that effect, then I count the exact number of days so that it lines up 92 days prior to departure...no problems.

Posted by
19092 posts

As of yesterday (Oct 16), the new Bahn schedule is out for the next year! (In the past it's only been 6 months at a time.) So now you can see the schedule through Dec. 14, 2019.

However, online ticket purchase is still only possible ~180 days in advance, so tickets for July 2019 won't be on sale until January, 2019.

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