Hello! Looking for some advice on number of questions that have come up while planning my upcoming travel - appreciate any insights folks out there may have...I am interested in booking a ticket via the Deutsche Bahn website, but am finding that the fare is not available - "standard fare, unknown tariff abroad". Am looking at a midday departure from Munich to Venice for a Sunday in October. So am wondering how much the fare is, what surcharges there may be for booking. Also curious what is 1st class vs 2nd class fare - and what is difference? Rick Steves I read advises 2nd class is perfectly suitable but I am still curious! Also, I had read there was a nonstop train at 11:31am, but I can't tell from looking at the info. From what I can see all the trains have either a 1 or a 2 in the column entitled "Chg." but I am not sure what this refers to. I wonder how I will be able to obtain the actual tickets - when I go through the transaction motions, tickets per mail is my only option (the other choices are grayed out) - is this snail mail? Is this reliable? Is there a way I can get them emailed and then print them? Also - is there a way I can request a seat facing forward? I get a bit ill when seated backwards. Lastly, any advice on compartment type? I am unfamiliar with what the choices mean.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32355 posts
Cristine, using an arbitrary date of Sunday, 10 Oct. there's a train departing Munich Hbf at 11:31, arriving Venezia S.L. at 18:40 (time 7H:09M, 1 change at Verona Porta Nuova, reservations compulsory). The abbreviation "Chg" refers to a change of trains with the number indicating how many changes there are, so the 11:31 departure is NOT "non-stop". I couldn't determine what the cost will be, but I wouldn't bother buying the tickets on the web. If you're going to be in Munich for a couple of days, my suggestion would be to buy them when you arrive there. ¶ You might try the EurAide office in the Munich Hbf, as they have excellent English-speaking staff, and should be able to provide the tickets. ¶ Hopefully Lee will see this post, as he has an excellent knowledge of the discounts that you might be able to obtain by purchasing tickets a few days in advance. ¶ Although you'll be travelling with seat reservations, I'm not sure if it's possible to specify only seats facing forward as the trains are different. Some will have compartments and some open seating. Hopefully someone here will have some suggestions on that. Happy travels!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19275 posts
German Rail discount tickets (in this case Europa-Spezial Italien) usually go from Germany to the first change of trains outside the country. In this case, you can get the discount tickets, from €39 pP, from Munich to Verona, where you change to Italian trains. Europa-Spezial tickets require at least a three day prepurchase, but the lowest priced tickets sell out. By them as soon as you can commit. Try putting "Munich Hbf" to "Verona Porta Nuova" into the Bahn site and see if you don't see the Savings fares. You should also be able to book online for delivery by email, but they can't guarentee which way the seat will be facing. Coaches get turned around . . . . . ¶ From Verona to Venice, the ticket is separate. The fare by Eurostar is about €18,50 2nd class; by regional train is probably half that. You can get it from the DB Reisezentrum in the Munich Hbf or you can get them in Verona. Many of the trains are regional and won't even have reservable seats.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
4 posts
thanks Ken & Lee - I appreciate your prompt & helpful replies! I checked the DB Bahn site and when I break the trip into 2 parts, I am able to see a fare of 59 Euros for the saver fare from Munich to Verona, but receive the same "fare not available" message when looking at the Verona to Venezia portion of the journey. As I should have enough time in Munich to get to the ticket office a few days before I leave to Venice I think I will with this suggestion, and maybe I'll even get lucky with getting a seat facing forward <grin> thanks again!
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
4 posts
one further question - I'd heard there were strict guidelines with respect to luggage taken aboard the train - I did not see any details on the DB Bahn site about this...what are the key points I should be aware of? I have one suitcase, bigger than a carryone by a size - so not giant. Will that be ok? thanks!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19275 posts
Strict luggage guidelines? For this train specifically? I know of no guidelines for trains in general, although you do have to put it on yourself. I always put my bag on the seat next to me. I suppose if the train were crowded, they would expect me to put it in the overhead rack, which will take something bigger than regulation carryon size. If the train is crowded, and your luggage is too big for the overhead rack, there is space at the end of the car.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Regarding stricter limits on luggage on trains - many of us have warned that packing light is EXTREMELY important when traveling by train. The stations often have many stairs to maneuver, you have to climb up and down steps to get in/out of most trains (some are even with the platform), etc. Maybe this is what you're referring to...and there's no skycap to check a bag for you............If it hasn't already been mentioned, your 'front-facing seat' can become a 'rear-facing seat' if your train makes a stop along the way - for instance, the engine might be taken off the front and a new one attached at the back, which is now the front...>>EDIT<< Yep, the ol' switcheroo has been mentioned ;-)
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
4 posts
thanks, All! I feel so much more confident & informed now.