Just got off the phone with our daughter, who is in Germany for the summer with 2 other college students. They don't have usable internet right now (or maybe are heading out for the evening, who knows!) She asked about cheapest train tickets to get to Prague, Copenhagen, and other places from Berlin. I will do some research later but am on my way out the door myself, so I thought I would ask here first. Are there deals (group of 3, student discounts, etc.) that would help them get better prices on laast minute walk-up fares on the IC and ICE trains? Or should I just suggest they plan in advance and get the Sparpreis deals if they can find them? They have the next 7 weekends to travel around if they want. Thanks. I'll check back for responses in a few hours.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
safe landing!
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Tower to Lola: Time to land your helicopter & let your college student do her own planning. Posted with love from one who has been there.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
16241 posts
Bob, she is certainly capable (she took care of finding the apartment they are renting and getting herself there without my help) but she specifically asked for help with this when we talked this morning. (First conversation since she departed over a month ago, btw). They have very unreliable internet in the apartment and she is (understandably) not allowed to surf at work. And aparently they have plans for this evening so she couldn't hit an internet cafe until Saturday---by which time they would like to be already on their trip. Don't worry--I am not now and have never been a helicopter parent (this is our fourth). But when they ASK for help, I give it.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
16241 posts
OK, so I finished my chores and had time to take a look around bahn.de myself. It looks like the Probe Bahncard 25 "1+4" for 29 euros will be their best bet. I will email and have her look into that.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
It depends on how important last minute purchase is to them. Full fare from Berlin to Prague is 66,20€. With a Bahn 25 card it's just less than 50€/P. But you can buy it at time of travel. The Sparpreis is 39€ (and up), but you have to plan in advance.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
16241 posts
Thanks, Lee. It is last-minute travel they want-looking to get away from Berlin for the weekend, so that BahnCard deal will be more attractive to them than waiting several weeks to get the €39 price. They needed to figure it out today, which is why she asked for my help. And why I in turn asked for assistance. Still shaking my head at Bob's "helicopter" comment. . .
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
In addition to the 25% discount with the BahnCard 25, there is also, of course, the Schönes Wochenende Ticket for regional trains on weekend. It uses slower trains, and won't help for the segments in the Czech Republic or in Denmark, and it will help them get to the borders for less. There is also the Sachsen-Böhmen Ticket, which is a Länder-Ticket valid in the Land of Sachsen and in the Czech Republic as far as Pilsen.