We ordered train tickets online today for our trip in December. In switching from the DB Bahn site to the OBB site, we got our dates mixed up! So, the SparSchiene tickets we purchased from Vienna to Prague are two days later than what we need! (purchased 6Dec and needed 4Dec!) From the online ticket confirmation email, it appears that we can cancel the tickets but would only get a very small portion of the ticket price back. Do we just need to chalk this up as a learning mistake and buy new tickets? Or could exchange the tickets for the difference in cost once in Vienna? Thanks!
Posted by
San Diego, CA
638 posts
Are you given the option of exchanging the tickets? If not I would at least try to get part of the money back. Peruse the website to see if that's the case.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Stacie, In the same situation, I'd probably go to a ticket office as soon as you arrive in Vienna to see if they can change the date and re-issue the tickets. There may be a charge, but that's likely the simplest and easiest way to take care of the problem. Good luck and happy travels!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Buy replacement tickets now, before the price goes any higher. I'm trying to find the information about returning discount tickets on the OeBB website, but in the meantime, if it's anything like Bahn tickets, you can return discount tickets for a refund, less a penalty, 15€ for the Bahn, up to the day before that validity date of the ticket. The tickets are not exchangeable; you can only return them for a partial refund and then buy new tickets at whatever the going price is. To get a discount, you must buy the new tickets up to 3 days before travel. If you wait until you get to Austria, it might be too late to get a refund, and by then the price of replacement tickets could be much higher. You can only buy the discounted tickets online.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5510 posts
What Lee said. These fares are discounted for a reason and I doubt you will get much, if any, money back. Just buy new tix now for the correct dates before those sell out.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
According to the Handbook for Travel on Austrian Rail, section B.1.6.9, (online in German), Sparschiene Tickets are never refundable. Nothing is said about the possibility of exchange, but in another paragraph, it says that the tickets are can only be used for the day of validity and the specified train; both are shown on the ticket.