Buying train ticket at Frankfurt Airport

Posted by Elizabeth (Arvada, CO) on 04/27/14 11:13 PM

My husband and I are flying from SFO to Prague with a 2 1/2 hour layover in Frankfurt mid-morning on May 16th.
We need to buy replacement train tickets to use on a trip from Lesce-Bled to Stuttgart on June 3rd.
(We bought discounted tickets ahead of time from the DB Bahn website but unfortunately they were lost in the mail.)

Several Questions:
Do I have time to buy train tickets in Frankfurt?
Is there a place to buy the train tickets inside the Frankfurt airport or do I need to go to the train station next to the airport? (I was there in 2010 so I know the train station is fairly close.)
If I do decide to go outside the airport, how much time should I allow to buy the ticket & come back thru the airport screening?.......We will have carry on bags.

Also, is there a benefit to buying the tickets in Frankfurt or should we simply wait until we get to Prague?
If I do decide to buy the tickets in Prague - where is the best place to go to purchase them?
Thanks.

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

04/28/14 05:55 AM

19274 posts

I guess I don't understand. Why do you have to buy the tickets in Frankfurt airport? Are you expecting DB to make some allowance for the tickets that were lost in the mail?

I find I can get to the regional train station (it's the closest) in a little over half an hour after getting off the plane. But how long will it take to purchase tickets? What if there is a line at the Reisezentrum?

I've come into the regional station with just over 2 hours to check in and get to the gate in Terminal 1 and made it with time to spare and you don't have to check in, so theoretically, if everything goes your way, you'll have time. But you'll have to go through Schengen immigration both directions. What if there is a big line?

Do you really have 2½ hours, or is that the difference between when your flight is scheduled to land (not when you'll get off the plane) and when the other flight leaves (not when they want you boarded)? Is it really worth the risk?

Are you flying in and out of Terminal 1, or do you have to use the bus or tram to get to Terminal 1 and the regional station?

I notice that tickets from Lesce to Stuttgart can only be delived by mail. That's probably because the train changes number in Villach, which makes Lesce to Villach a separate segment, not bookable from the Bahn, online. I guess you don't want to try that (mail delivery) again.

However, the EC that leaves Lesce Bled at 10:02 gets to Villach, Austria in less than an hour, at 11:58. You can purchase a ticket online from the Bahn for Villach to Stuttgart and print it immediately as a .pdf file. Then all you have to do in Lesce Bled is buy the ticket to Villach.

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

04/28/14 05:35 PM

16895 posts

You could buy these tickets at any train station or some travel agencies that are handy during your trip, such as a travel agency in Prague that your guide can point out, near the old town.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

04/28/14 06:56 PM

32352 posts

Elizabeth,

I'd suggest just buying your tickets when you arrive in Prague or at least a day or two before you'll be travelling. As Laura mentioned, you can either buy these at the station or from local travel agents. The Guidebooks usually have listings for a few travel agents.

Posted by Elizabeth OP

Arvada, CO

04/28/14 08:54 PM

33 posts

Thanks for the advice.
I was thinking about "killing time'" during our layover by purchasing the tickets in Frankfurt and not wasting time in Prague when I could be sight seeing. But I now realize it's cutting it too close in Frankfurt. Last summer I literally ran through the Frankfurt airport trying to make a connection and I NEVER want to do that again.

So I will cheerfully buy my tickets in Prague and hope I can still receive the discounted rate.

I do appreciate your prompt replies.
I'm getting excited about our trip!!