what to do if d bahn ticket hasn't arrived

From whom did you order the pass (ETBD, RailEurope, Eurail)?

Note: this is a community bulletin board attached to Rick's website, not a contact for his business. If you ordered the pass from Rick, call 425-771-8303.

Is this a German Rail Pass or a Eurail Flexipass?

Hi I bought the ticket from the Deutches bahn website-

If it hasn't arrived, you get on the plane and go. Don't waste your time on this site. You should be on the phone to dbahn asking that question.

I can't find it on the DB website now, but it used to be possible to purchase German Rail passes in Germany at Reisezentrums in certain Bahnhofs. You would have to prove you were not a resident of Europe, Turkey, or Russia. You can get a refund of unused passes when you get back. There is a 15% penalty for a refund, but they should wave that when you show them you purchased a replacement.

Hi I have asked them and they say to buy a new pass- I don't see why they can't just cancel the one that hasn't arrived and give me another when I arrive. This doesn't sound like German efficiency to me- If I had known I could buy a pass when I got there I would have waited- Anyway thanks- still trying to decide whether I want to give up days in Bgaden for two days in Berlin- Hadn't meant to go to Berlin at first but I love Cold war history and starting to get intrigued with the idea of going

You cannot cancel a rail pass (or most train tickets) that has not arrived by mail. A rail pass is like cash (holding all its value in one piece of paper) and cannot be refunded (usually 85% within one year from the date of issue) unless you return the physical document (unvalidated and unused); see also http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-help/rail-faq. No country has any automated system to track pass usage. Similarly, a traditional train ticket, printed on special ticket stock (versus one that you print at home from a PDF) also cannot be replaced if lost.

This issue with mail delivery from Germany has been reported to us several times, which is one reason that I don't recommend purchasing passes that way. (Passes purchased through our Rail Europe link are delivered by UPS 2-day air within the USA, which is more traceable if delays occur.) If the delayed pass reaches you eventually, then you can follow the refund procedure as Lee mentioned. You can buy a German Rail Pass at most German train stations.

"...doesn't sound like German efficiency...." You mean that vaunted Lesitungsfähigkeit? When you get over there using the train system in Germany, you may just find out what it means today given the problems confronted by DB. Listen to the loudspeaker how often they ask for understanding (Wir bitten um Verständnis). I ordered a Pass from Eurail, no shipping charge, back in March, which arrived exactly a week later. Usually, I give it a month.

Thanks guys- Guess I'm just naiive-thought everything ran smoothly over there- but the feedback helps and I'm memorizing Bitten Sie um verstandlig Thanks Fred

It's possible that the German rail system was very prompt and efficient in mailing your ticket. However it was then at the mercy of various postal systems and I suspect that's where the delay is.

If I read your post correctly, you purchased a ticket and not a Rail pass? For future reference for trips in Germany, Italy or France you might consider online purchase of tickets using www.capitainetrain.com. That will allow you to print the tickets at home and not rely on the the postal system. If your ticket doesn't arrive in the mail tomorrow, you could always purchase another from that website (since you're going to have to buy another ticket anyway).

Yes. snail from Europe can take 3 weeks or more. If you really want something, have them express it via DHL, UPS for FedEx. Its the only reliable way these days.

I used the DB site for tickets for my Sept. trip last year. I was able to print the tickets right away from my computer. I am assuming that you weren't able to do this because it was a pass?

Hi,

My hope is that you don't hear that " Bitte, wir bitten um Verständnis" applying to you, in which case you have lucked out. Still,
listen closely... it is most likely happening to some other person standing on another platform.

Ken,

unless he has edited the original posting, it was a flexipass he ordered.