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Debah Website

At the website that Rick Steves recommends for checking train times.

http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

If you search a train and it says change does that mean your physically have to get up and find another train or is your cart simply pulled again from the station by another train. I notice that some of the trains I search said 45 minutes transfer. I assumed that meanst I had to get off the train and get on another. Other searches just said I had to make a change. But I am not sure if I just stay on my car and wait for another train to pull me away or if I have to physically get up find a new train and board? Any clarificaton on this would be helpful.

Posted by
112 posts

If it says change, you are definitely needing to switch trains. The transfer time indicates layover, or in some cases an actual transfer between stations. If you click whatever link gets you more details, you can click the train number and see a display of the schedule for the train or trains on your journey. Also realize that even though two or more train numbers are listed, that doesn't necessarily mean a change of train, just that the number changes at a certain point.

Posted by
389 posts

Conor, Although waiting will give you lots of stories to tell it might put a crimp in your travels (My friend did this and met some local laughter, but had to stay in an unplanned city). I have been using http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/query.exe/en?L=profi& to make plans. It tells you where the change will need to take place and what track you need to find to do that. Like Airports those can change, but usually the same trains come in and go out every day like, well clock work, and they are made for easy travel.

Posted by
112 posts

The Deutsche Bahn and Belgian website work essentially the same. The information would appear to poll the same database so which one you use should make little difference. The Deutsche Bahn one has been around for years now, not sure about the Belgian one many people are now using.

Posted by
11 posts

Eric you said

"Also realize that even though two or more train numbers are listed, that doesn't necessarily mean a change of train, just that the number changes at a certain point."

Then how do you know if there is a change of train?

Posted by
112 posts

Ok. Example. I use the Deutsche Bahn website to search for a train from Wien to Bucuresti (Vienna to Bucharest, a route I've actually taken, though I boarded in Budapest.) I search for any given day for a train departing at 20:00 - the result is a few options, only one listed in the "CHG" column with 0. If there's a number in that column, you're making train changes. If you click on the route under the Station/Stop column, you will get more details below. The products column will then list train numbers, even though the route will not involve a change. You can read the comments that explains at which stop the train number changes. I would be happy to walk you through this if you need more clarification than I can provide in this limited message board. Send me a private message with an email address.

Posted by
11 posts

That would be helpful. I am still a bit lost. Tell me exactly what station your your leaving and what station your arriving. Also tell me what time you are departing and arriving at. IF we have identical search it would be easier to explain. Here is my email. [email protected] also have Aol: XjustXblazenX and MSN: [email protected] (on less frequently)

Posted by
11 posts

So if the train number is different in the column above it then your hopping trains?

Posted by
11 posts

Linda, Where on the website you gave me does it list the track number and is their way to reach that page from their home page. The address is a big long

Posted by
11 posts

Sorry about all the post. Linda, I know this is their home page, http://plannerint.b-rail.be. However, the version I accessed seem less detailed then yours. I am attempting to find a shorter web address to write down and the just access the more detailed page from navigating the homepage

Posted by
1167 posts

The track numbers are shown in the Platform column when you look at the Details for the trip. In general the trains are on time and very short connections are possible.