I'm having a hard time figuring out which of the train rides I'm looking up via the Deutsche Bahn's website are rides covered by the Eurailpass. I am purchasing the 15 day 1st Class Saver Eurailpass and I understand that it covers rides on the "national" trains. However, when I get the results on the Deutsche Bahn's website, how can I tell whether it's a "national" train vs. a local train that doesn't fall under the Eurailpass? For example, I am planning to travel by train from Amsterdam Centraal to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf, and then from Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Koblenz Hbf to get to the Rhine Valley area. Likewise, I'm planning to travel by train from Bacharach to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf, and then Frankfurt(Main)Hbf to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Now, are any of those train rides on a "national" train covered under my Eurailpass? Or are they local trains that I have to purchase separately in addition to my Eurailpass? Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Rule of thumb: If a train or bus appears on the DB site, it's a national rail train or a bus operated by a national rail company. If it's a train operated by a private railroad (like the Circumvesuviana between Naples and Sorrento in Italy), it doesn't. All trains on your routes are national rail trains. Your pass is also valid on the S-Bahn (suburban metro railways) networks that Deutsche Bahn operates in major German cities. The S-Bahn can be recognized by its logo (white "S" on a green background). Your pass is NOT valid on U-Bahns (city subway trains) in Germany or on subway trains in cities in other countries.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I'm not sure what "they" mean by "local" trains. In Germany, regional trains (RE, RB) are run by DB subsidiaries for each German state (or Land), but they would be included in the pass. There are also private companies running regional trains as RE/RB under the Bahn, (like MRB on the Rhein or BOB in Bavaria) but these trains would also be included in the pass. There are a few private train lines in Germany, like the steam powered narrow gauge railroad that go through the Harz mountains and to the top of the Brocken. It's not included. . . . . . . ¶ In Italy, there is a private rail line, the Malpensa Express, from Milan's Malpensa airport into Milan and to Como. It's not included.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
11 posts
I really appreciate the quick response. Thanks much! :)