We want to travel by train from Heidelberg to Paris. When I put in the info for travel dates etc. I can never get a return trip. For example we want to travel May 28th and return on the 29th.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
Did you check "outward and return journey"?
When you put in the dates and times, it will first offer you a choice of outward trips. You have to choose one before it will show you the choice of return trips.
I had no problem finding outward trips on May 28 with a May 29 return.
Start with this webpage. If you are starting on the Bahn.de home page, click "further options".
If, for some reason, the radio button for "outward and return" is checked but it only shows a row to enter the date and time for "outward journey", click "single ride", then click "outward and return" again. It should show you a row to enter the date and time of the return journey.
Posted by
OP
Heidelberg
2 posts
Ok so when I go to the website I select outward and return. Then I select the outward and on to the return. I select one also but when the total price page comes up it says Europa Special and return journey no longer available.
Is it just easier to go down to the station and buy the tickets that way?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
So you could find a return connection, just not at the price (Europa-Spezial) you wanted. Those is a popular trains, and your looking for tickets less than three weeks out, the lowest fares have already been sold. Where it said, "Return ticket no longer available", it was referring to that fare on that specific train. I was able to find reduced fares on all of the trains I checked. Try some different trains.
I found a connection leaving Heidelberg at 9:13, arriving Paris at 12:46, returning at 9:09, Heidelberg at 12:45. The best Europa-Spezial fare left is €276 (full fare is €372). Trains later on Saturday had very few discounted fares.
Some specials are only available for online purchase. Others can be purchased at the counter for a surcharge. You might find that only full fare can be purchased at a counter. Nevertheless, if the lowest fares are sold out online, I think they are sold out, period.
As Andreas mentioned, you might try some other routes. The trains going through Mannheim are coming from (going to) Frankfurt. You might have more luck (more options, like trains from Munich or Stuttgart) using Karlsruhe or Strasbourg as your start. Of course, then you have to get a full fare ticket to Karlsruhe or Strasbourg.