I bought tickets for Europe train travel online, they have been printed out in PDF format. I'm wondering do they need to be validated somehow before the train leaves, and if so, how?
Posted by
Green Bay
19962 posts
No. They should have the carriage number and seat number on them. Board the train, take your seat, and show your ticket when the conductor comes by.
Of course, this will vary by country. Europe is made up of lots of different countries, each with their own train systems. where are you going?
Posted by
OP
9 posts
From France to Belgium, Brussels. From Brussels to Amsterdam. From Amsterdam to Berlin. And from Berlin to Warsaw. I've had a look at the tickets, and France - Belgium gives the seat and carriage, Brussels - Amsterdam gives class number only, Amsterdam - Berlin gives carriage number and seat numbers, and Berlin - Warsaw gives us track number.
Posted by
Green Bay
19962 posts
Is Brussels-Amsterdam on the Thalys train, or a series of connections on regional trains? If Thalys, you should have a carriage and seat number, as it is an all-reserved train. If regional trains, you should get on board and find a seat. If Berlin-Warsaw is the direct EC train, it shows "reservation compulsory Franfurt(Oder)-Warsaw". Check getting a seat reservation when you get to Berlin.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
It's an IC train. The ticket has a "valid date" and class but doesn't seem to specify the time, seat or carriage.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
The website also says the following:
Special information: Ticket valid for any conventional train on the requested route during the whole validity period of the ticket (for homeprinted tickets, the validity period is limited to the requested travel date). Not valid on high speed trains
.
Posted by
Green Bay
19962 posts
IC trains, (looks like you change trains in Antwerp and Rotterdam) are unreserved. Just grab a seat.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Does it matter which trains we get at those stations, as long as we continue on our route? Thanks for all the help thus far.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19086 posts
Any discounted (SparPreis) ticket from German Rail (Bahn) is for a specific train (date and time). That is for any express trains (ICE/IC/EC) on the ticket. Regional trains shown on SparPreis tickets are open as long as the train runs the same route that day (until 10 am the following day).
Standard (full fare) tickets are usable on any train of the same class on the same route for some period (I believe it's one month).
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
In Germany you will be required to produce the payment card you used to purchase the ticket (to stop people printing out multiple copies and sharing them among their buddies), so make sure you take it with you.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
I rang and asked about the train from Berlin HBF to Warsawa Centralna, it turns out we do have seats and a carriage number.