Rail pass question
Aug 27th, 2016, 02:09 AM
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Rail pass question
We have 5 day flexipasses. What is the cost to make a reservation? I was quoted 14-16e to do in advance here in the us but I thought I read somewhere on Fodors it is 4-5e.
Aug 27th, 2016, 04:14 AM
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<i>Rail pass question
Posted by: foolforfrance on Aug 27, 16 at 6:09am
We have 5 day flexipasses. What is the cost to make a reservation? I was quoted 14-16e to do in advance here in the us but I thought I read somewhere on Fodors it is 4-5e.</i>
The cost of reservations is normally 3 euros, in Europe. Exceptions would be on certain trains like the Thalys where you'll pay more. See http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm for an illustrated introduction to trains in Europe.
Posted by: foolforfrance on Aug 27, 16 at 6:09am
We have 5 day flexipasses. What is the cost to make a reservation? I was quoted 14-16e to do in advance here in the us but I thought I read somewhere on Fodors it is 4-5e.</i>
The cost of reservations is normally 3 euros, in Europe. Exceptions would be on certain trains like the Thalys where you'll pay more. See http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm for an illustrated introduction to trains in Europe.
Aug 27th, 2016, 05:05 AM
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You're traveling only within GERMANY, right? On a GERMAN RAIL flexipass, right? Here are the German reservation fees and info:
https://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/p...rvations.shtml
But I doubt you really need reservations. They are not possible on local/regional trains. Long distance train seats can be reserved, but outside of holiday periods there's usually no need.
https://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/p...rvations.shtml
But I doubt you really need reservations. They are not possible on local/regional trains. Long distance train seats can be reserved, but outside of holiday periods there's usually no need.
Aug 27th, 2016, 07:11 AM
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What class are you in - if first class forget about reservations IMe - in 2nd class like others say above just a few euros and I'd say if you see trains are crowded then make reservations. For lots of good stuff on German trains check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com.
check www.bahn.de/en- the German Railways official site - on some trains they indicate expected high ridership and advise reservations.
check www.bahn.de/en- the German Railways official site - on some trains they indicate expected high ridership and advise reservations.
Aug 27th, 2016, 09:07 AM
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There are countries where it costs more than 3-4 euro, that's for sure. In France, I believe it is 9 euro. In Germany, it is 4.5 euro. For those countries, you can do it yourself on their website. In Switzerland, I thought it was at least 5 euro. Of course, that's on high speed trains where you usually must have one.
If you do only want Germany, you can do it yourself on www.bahn.de, fairly easily (it is a little trickier on the French railsite, but not if you know what to check, just check "other countries Europe" for languages, then check that you are an Interrail passholder in type of pass (reservations same as for other passes).
On bahn.de, just check reservation only right on the front page when you select your cities and dates.
If you do only want Germany, you can do it yourself on www.bahn.de, fairly easily (it is a little trickier on the French railsite, but not if you know what to check, just check "other countries Europe" for languages, then check that you are an Interrail passholder in type of pass (reservations same as for other passes).
On bahn.de, just check reservation only right on the front page when you select your cities and dates.
Aug 27th, 2016, 09:11 AM
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PalenQ, I have learned so much from those sites. Thanks to you and several other Fodorites for steering me that way. Byron at budgeteruopetravel is wonderful. We are in first class. I will check the site to see if ridership is high that day.
I was most concerned about the Berlin-Munich train.....I think we are aiming for a 10:27a train on Sept 6. There is a large conference in Berlin:
IFA Berlin - Consumer Electronics Fair
2 - 7 September 2016
At the IFA, more than 1600 exhibitors present the latest developments in consumer electronics and home appliances. Visitors can take a close look at the new devices long before they hit the shelves.
I am guessing people will be leaving at all different times depending on their interest, but maybe not many by train unless they are staying on longer for a visit to Munich.
I was most concerned about the Berlin-Munich train.....I think we are aiming for a 10:27a train on Sept 6. There is a large conference in Berlin:
IFA Berlin - Consumer Electronics Fair
2 - 7 September 2016
At the IFA, more than 1600 exhibitors present the latest developments in consumer electronics and home appliances. Visitors can take a close look at the new devices long before they hit the shelves.
I am guessing people will be leaving at all different times depending on their interest, but maybe not many by train unless they are staying on longer for a visit to Munich.
Aug 27th, 2016, 09:37 AM
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fussgaenger-We are traveling in Germany on a 1st class Germany Rail Flexipass(a trip to Salzburg included in pass) and it looks like for the 3 of us in it would be 11.80e to make a family reservation (up to 5 persons). There is a cheaper "group" reservation of 2e but I am assuming that is over 5 persons.
I clicked on your link to see if there was an advisory on either the 10:27a or 11:30a trains for Sept. 6 and did not see anything. I was shocked at the individual ticket prices! It is no wonder that I should not have trouble finding a seat!
I clicked on your link to see if there was an advisory on either the 10:27a or 11:30a trains for Sept. 6 and did not see anything. I was shocked at the individual ticket prices! It is no wonder that I should not have trouble finding a seat!
Aug 27th, 2016, 12:52 PM
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I was shocked at the individual ticket prices! It is no wonder that I should not have trouble finding a seat!>
Well many folks in 2nd class are using discounted tickets and those tend to make trains more full -but in 1st class rarely - you can reserve all your trips at once at any German train station - if you miss the train you just lose the reservation fee- the beauty of a pass - valid on any train -discounted tickets are train specific and non-changeable.
You can also do as Christina says and book reservations online.
Christina - curious as to how you get the reservation if booked online - you get a code or something you can print out at home? In first class you should rarely have trouble getting reservations on site- and there are so so many trains too.
Well many folks in 2nd class are using discounted tickets and those tend to make trains more full -but in 1st class rarely - you can reserve all your trips at once at any German train station - if you miss the train you just lose the reservation fee- the beauty of a pass - valid on any train -discounted tickets are train specific and non-changeable.
You can also do as Christina says and book reservations online.
Christina - curious as to how you get the reservation if booked online - you get a code or something you can print out at home? In first class you should rarely have trouble getting reservations on site- and there are so so many trains too.
