Wow, Skirted a Bahn Train Fine.. barely

I hope you thanked him.

Did that really happen?
In this case you had so much luck because selling a ticket which you need now on the train from a conductor is forbidden since 2022.

Even if you did not like the look and the behavior of the conductor it was the most friendly move he could make.

Your self-reflection pointing out the reason is hopefully useful for other travellers.

I like to point out one thing more important for tourists - even if it is not related to your case here:
If you buy a local public transport ticket in Germany - always check if it needs to be validated, e. g. by an extra time stamp. One example is Berln where paper tickets need an extra validation.

Yup. True story. In fact, I didn't have the exact change so he just waved his hand, rolled his eyes and walked away after handing me my new pass.

He had a little printer which printed out the ticket. We were literally 2 minutes from getting off the train in Trier.

I know I didn't validate it. Maybe I didn't have to, I don't know. He didn't say anything about it. We bought it in Luxembourg.

The one thing in Germany that many forget to do, is write the names of everyone on the ticket if you have purchased any kind of group ticket, like the day tickets or Länder tickets.
You had luck not to get fined.

Ms. Joe - I'm curious about the "write your names on the ticket in Germany" I see commented on often. What if one is buying all the tickets through the DB app? Does it just log your input names to show when they come through asking to view them? That had been my plan while we travel around Germany in late June.

I know I didn't validate it. Maybe I didn't have to, I don't know.

In general, most tickets you buy in Germany are timed and have the starting time printed on them. Those tickets don't have to be "validated", actually "cancelled" or "de-valued".

It's only tickets that people buy in bulk and use later when they travel that are not dated and have to be validated with the starting date to prevent someone from using the ticket twice. Tickets that don't need to be cancelled are wider and don't fit in the machines. Tickets that need to be validated are narrow, so they can be inserted in the "cancelling" machines on the platform. Tickets that do need to be cancelled have "Hier entwertet" printed on one edge with arrows (triangle) on the end where it is to be inserted in the machine.

When you buy tickets from a ticket automat in Germany, usually, while it is printing, the screen will display the number of "printings" - in German, of course. I don't remember the exact wording, so I'm not going to show it here, but, if I remember, it has the number in numerals (1,2,3, ...), so you can read that.

One remark: For day trip to Luxemburg from Trier you should have just bought a return ticket. That would have saved you having to rush buying tickets on the way back. And you can buy tickets ahead of time, and from other stations than the one your trip starts from...

You may be right. I bought them from the kiosk in both stations. Are those tied to specific trains? I never validated anything. The conductor didn't say anything.

Question: f I I miss a connection on a DB train, say from Strasbourg to Heidelberg, especially if my first train is running late, can I just take the next train without risking a fine? Same question applies to any trip where a train change is required and the connection time is only 10 minutes or so.

Catching long-distance trains (IC, ICE, EC, etc.) on a saver fare ticke...

• If there is a deviation in the train schedule (like a delay) that prevents you from catching your connecting train, then yes, you can board the next train.

• Small delays that would not interfere with making the connection do not offer the same option. If your scheduled layover is 25 minutes, and you end up with a 15-minute layover because your first train was 10 minutes late, then no...

Catching regional trains (RE, RB, etc.)

• Delays are generally irrelevant. Your ticket allows you to ride these at any time you wish along the specified route.

• BUT... If there's a high-speed train scheduled AFTER your regional train, you need to stay on schedule for that train. Only if DB forces you to miss an earlier train can you choose to board a later high-speed train.

That is one reason why I would never purchase a paper ticket in Germany. It's so easy to buy tickets on the DB app. And more importantly, if you are running late, there is a rule that says that you have 10 minutes after the train leaves the station to buy the tickets on your app.

You can now book the digital ticket flexibly up to 10 minutes after your long-distance train (ICE and IC/EC) has departed, even if there is a delay, on int.bahn.de or in the DB Navigator app.

I agree with Mardee. The DB and SBB apps are extremely convenient and easy.

Scott, glad it all worked out OK.

For future travelers, fully agree with the comments about using public transportation apps rather than paper tickets.