I cannot get through to the English speaking phone no. they have posted on the bahn.de website. Does anyone know a different number to try? I'm calling 011 +44 8718 80 80 66. I also tried the German phone, but don't understand the automated directions. If you don't press a number, I think the directions just repeat in German. If you do press a number, you are prompted with more directions in German. Help!
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
You might try to call Euraide's number. You can find it with a Google search. They helped me book a ticket in person yesterday so they are still operating. Selling train tickets is what they do.
Posted by
California USA
4093 posts
We tried that number recently on 2 different weekends. Each time we got an operator who said that she didn't speak English. The first time we proceeded to ask her our "frage" in our limited German and she proceeded to help us in her limited English. The next weekend when we had another question we got someone who said that they would connect us to someone who spoke English but all she did was disconnected us... We ultimately decided to order our tickets online at the DB website knowing that this particular type of ticket has no refund possibility if we do not arrive in time via a US connecting flight to use the ticket. We felt that it was a gamble that we were willing to take. We too thought it was kind of odd that the DB website asks you to choose a phone number based on your language and then when you select the US or British flag, there has been no one there to help with your international question.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19272 posts
"Selling train tickets is what they do." For a $50 charge. Euraide's number is on their website, www.euraide.com (duh).
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33778 posts
Hi Gail I see you copied the number straight from their website. A couple of things you might try. You are actually dialling a helpline in the UK (London) which operated British office hours, so 8 hours after time in Portland. You say you could not get through. Do you mean you couldn't make the phone ring, or they never answered? An "0871" number in the UK is a premium rate number - the price is on the website. It is possible that a US phone can't dial it. I have looked on a website which finds alternatives and came up with 020 8339 4701 on http://www.saynoto0870.com/numbersearch.php . You don't need the + character. And drop the leading zero when dialing UK. So try 011 44 8718 808066 and also try 011 44 208339 4701. And, as said above, dial M-F 0900-2000 S-S 0900-1300 UK time, 0100-noon Portland time M-F. Best lucks...
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR, USA
9 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. In the end, I called the German line and figured I would just press 1 every time I had to make a choice. When someone answered I asked, "Sprechen Zie English?" and they transferred me to someone who did. So I was able to get the info I needed without the UK phone line. If I have to call again, i will try your directions! Thanks again.