I'm attempting to buy two twin passes on the DB Bahn website. I select USA at the top to change the language to English. When I navigate through, reading all about the pass in English, and then want to purchase, the website switches to German.
Is that how it is? Is there a glitch? Or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks so much!
Libby
Great, thanks!
What kind of "Rail passes" are you looking for. Here is a page from the Bahn website that talks about German Rail passes. Sure looks like English to me.
If you are talking about using the actual ordering page, unless the recent change in the Euro has not been accounted for by US websites, it is usually less expensive to buy your German Rail passes from Rick. Be sure to account for currency exchange charges if you order online from the Bahn using your credit card. BTW, Rick gives a lot of bonuses, like a reduction on bag, guidebooks, etc in his travel shop plus some free handouts.
There is also a PDF file that will help with the translation of the ordering pages.
Lee, great advice, read too late.
It continually amazes me that I've been reading Rick's books for 11 years (this will be my third time taking basically the same trip - alone, w/ new hubby, now w/ kids), taking notes, highlighting, etc. and that I still "miss" things and screw up along the way. Oh well.
The PDF on the website is helpful, as is Google Translate.
Thanks guys - you are two of my favorites!
Oh, BTW, before you get a railpass, figure your itinerary, then look up the legs on the German Rail website. Look for Savings fares, which are advance purchase, date and train specific discounted tickets with limited refundability, starting at €29 pP (€19 pP for short trips, €9 pP less for co-travelers on the same ticket). Also, for short trips, see if Länder-Tickets (€26-€33 for up to 5 people) will work.
You might not need rail passes at all.
Short update - it was actually cheaper to buy from the DB website. Rick's "6 days in a month twin pass" price is $476 (so two would be $952). Using the DB website we spent $850, including conversion fees. So we saved $100 by using the DB website.
Totally luck on my part, but others might want to research.
US pass sellers have been slow to respond to the drop in the Euro, so the current price in Euro at the current exchange rate is less than the price when they converted into dollars. You can actually purchase Eurail passes in Euro on the Eurail website for less than you can get them there in Dollars.
However, this is not normally true. It is generally more expensive to buy passes in Europe or from Europe in Euro.
James, close. We bought the 2nd class tickets. On the chart you're looking at, Rick sells them for $238 per person, or $476 per twin pass. We bought two twin passes, which would have been $952 from Rick - but we paid $850.
