short train connection times in germany

8 minutes is more than enough time.

Thanks so much...does this hold true for "moderate luggage"?..no more than 1-2 bags each..and is there designated luggage holds? is the price differential worth to ride in 1st class?

No luggage compartments nowadays, you keep it with you. The transfer will be down some stairs, a few metres walk and up stairs again. There might be elevators.

An important tip is to know your train stop (by time, and by keeping up with the stops immediately previous to yours), and being ready - with your bags - and standing at the end of your rail car for a quick departure. Waiting until the train has stopped to stand up, collect your luggage, and make your way to the exit could result in you missing your stop! Your trains will only remain in the station for perhaps 2 minutes, then off they go...so be ready to get off one train, then get on the next, quickly. Having said that, 8m is fine. Have fun! EDIT: If you haven't traveled in Europe, or it's been awhile, this may be of help (notice the above-the-seat luggage racks): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AxtbifeoBY&list=ECDA1849C66C2A6D62 (that link probably didn't work - they haven't in a while - so you may have to Copy & Paste) And where the heck is 'Kolberg, Germany'?!? DBahn takes me to Poland...

Roxanne, Are you sure it's Kolberg? Or, is it Coburg near Hof? The former city of Kolberg was in Pomerania (Hinter Pommern), which is now part of Poland as pointed out. Ten years ago I passed through that city on the train to Gdansk (Danzig).

Thanks for all the help...Yes, I made an error (1st one ever)...Going to Koblenz..

I forgot to add some lagniappe - here's a station diagram from 2008 (Wikipedia); according to DBahn, your transfer is probably between gleis 5 and 11; they're actually next to each other (!) but you may have to get there via underground tunnel. Not far, though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saarbrücken_Hbf_Gleisplan_2008.gif. BTW, I've made 3 errors ;-)

Hi, You're not going to Coburg nor Kolberg! With "lightish luggage" you'll make it going from track 5 to 11. As recommended, be prepared to open that train door (is it the ICE from Paris? You push the button) once the train stops and head downstairs in the direction of track 11. You'll probably be on the departure platform before the 9 mins is up. Personally, I would have gone Paris-Frankfurt, then transfer to Koblenz. I don't like cutting it that close with luggage. On the Paris-Frankfurt route or vice versa, I 've experienced it more than once where the whole train is informed in German, English, French that everyone had to get off at Saarbrücken for mechanical reasons, as they say, (aus technischen Gründen) to board a train waiting on the opposite platform. It becomes a jam up.

I am a litte concerned about our short times..we will be watching the stops, up and ready to push the button. Yes, its the ICE from Paris. I was going to do Frankfurt, then connect to Koblenz but there were very short connection times in the middle of that route also. I saw no direct at the times we were able to go. Its a done decision,Ive booked to take advantage of the 50% super saver fare. The good news , if we miss the connection, its a weekend so I think DB has weekend fares for groups of 5 that we can use to rebuy to get to Koblenz. Wish us luck!

Hi, I am well familiar the Paris-Saarbrücken-Frankfurt route on the ICE. On the ICE ca. 3 mins or so prior to arrival, the announcement is made in English and German (that's all) that the next stop is Saarbrücken Hbf. That's when you see people edging towards the doors with luggage in tow. Since this leg is in 1st class, then it's alot easier...few people in the crush to exit. Only once on the ICE can I remember that the announcement of the next stop was not made in English after hearing it in German, ie., it's always done in both languages. That exception was last summer the ICE Berlin-Munich with changing in Jena. If you didn't change in Jena, you wouldn't get into Munich until 1.5 hrs after the arrival of the Jena-Munich ICE. So I got off in Jena. BTW, you'll do fine !