In May, we are travelling for the first time by train. We are departing from Gare de l’Est to Munich. We have a connection in Mannheim. Our concern is the tight connection of 14 minutes. We are concerned about finding the platform for the departure in Mannheim to Munich. Any advise on getting platform information before the day of our train trip. We are unable to find it on any website.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
Posted by
Green Bay
20143 posts
14 minutes is an eternity. Go to www.bahn.com and look up your date and train time leaving Paris. Click on "show details" it will show the track numbers of the trains.
Just looking at May 15, I see the TGV arriving on track 3 and the ICE connection departing on Track 5. If that is the case, you collect your luggage and move toward the door as they announce Mannheim and the train starts slowing down. as soon as the train stops, exit the door. If you are the one standing by the door, push the green button to open the door. Otherwise, someone behind you will reach over and open it. Go down the stairway to the under-track passageway, walk about 50 feet to the stairway marked "Gleis 5". Go up the stairs and locate the train composition board it it will show where all the carriages will stop, sections A through E. Go to that approximate location. Your connecting train will arrive in a few minutes, and after people get off, you get on.
Here is a diagram of the track level at Mannheim Hbf. It has escalators. 4 island platforms with a track on each side and the station side platform with 1 track. Tracks numbered 1 to 10 with no 6.
https://www.img-bahn.de/s3/prod/v/img/stInfoPlan/8000244.pdf
This whole process should take a couple of minutes. When you get off your TGV, you might take an extra minute to look on the yellow train sheet that Gleis 5 is indeed your track. At track 5, you will also see overhead electronic signs telling you the next train is going to Munich.
Posted by
Washington DC
27152 posts
The destination of the second train may appear only as "München". I don't know whether they try to squeeze the English on departure boards.
Posted by
OP
Canada
2 posts
Sounds good, thank you for your assistance. Looking forward to the train trip.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4879 posts
Sue, we took that train last year and it was exactly as Sam said. 14 minutes was more than ample time, even with my mobility problems ( I need to use a cane).
Since you will be travelling over lunch, may I suggest that you purchase some kind of picnic lunch to bring with you? We bought cheese and fruit , bottled water, and a bottle of wine at a market near our hotel the evening before, then bought sandwiches at the train station. Had a lovely mini feast while watching the scenery pass by.