Kandace_York

Hi, we're a family of four heading to Europe later this spring. I've booked tickets from Frankfurt to Offenburg, but I'm not sure whether we should reserve our seats. It's an early trip, departing at 5:50am, so I'm guessing (but am not sure) that the train won't be too filled. Because it's so early, the kids *might* want a compartment or at least a table where they'll have something to lay against to sleep.

I was also wondering about the compartments. At the Bahn website I read that the compartments have six seats. Because we are only four people, if we find an unreserved compartment is it still OK that we sit there?

Thanks for your feedback. Just trying to have my ducks in a row for this trip.

traveller1959

We need the exact date of travelling to answer your question.

Cowboy1968

That 5:50am ICE is in fact a night train (NOT a sleeper train, though) that originates at 12:30am in Hamburg and goes all the way South to Chur in Switzerland.
When trains get really full, you will see an "R" icon in the itinerary, i.e. reservations recommended.
Whether or not that specific train will be crowded, no one will know for sure.

Personally I find the (somewhat) reclining seats in the open saloon part of the car better to sleep in than compartments.
But you can sit in any seat that is not reserved.

Kandace_York

I'm hesitant to put exact travel dates on the web, but it's a Monday in late spring, and it's not during a half-term or public holiday in either Germany or France.

Cowboy1968, thanks for the tip; I'll check that out. I'm thinking maybe we should reserve our seats just to be safe. It's an extra 36 Euros round-trip but it might be worthwhile.

Thanks.

traveller1959

Monday morning might be a little tighter because many people start their working week then. South of Karlsruhe, things will get relaxed, but if you want to sleep and you want to sit side by side as a family, with a reservation you will be on the safe side.

As Cowboy said, compartments are not good for sleeping - in the open cars you can better stretch your legs and recline your seats. And less disturbance by other passengers.

PalenQ

German trains are getting fuller and fuller due to discounted tickets that sold far in advance lets the railways do a better job of matching train make-up to the actual number of folks expected - not carrying empty seats around like before (my theory only).

To get 4 seats together with a table in between book a block two by two seats with table in between - seats come in rows of two on each side of aisle in 2nd class - some face each other to make natural blocks of four

compartments are 3-4 seats on one side of the compartment and 3-4 on the other side so again book and yes you can book 4 seats in a 6-seat compartment.

If boarding without reservations make sure empty seats will not be occupied further down the line - might want to ask conductor when comes by.

Personally I would avoid that night train as IME those type of trains may be full with folks with stuff all over the place, etc when you board - but I guess many should also get off. For lots of great info on German trains check www.seat61.com - terrific info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

First-class tickets also come discounted so if not much more than 2nd class go for it - usually ample empty seats and easier to book 4 together.

I too prefer open-seating cars rather than more rigid seating in compartments when you have 6 legs fighting for floor space sometimes.

PalenQ

I'm hesitant to put exact travel dates on the web, but it's a Monday in late spring>

why - can't figure that out but then some German rail experts may be able to research better than a novice? curious as to why that is classified info?

Anyway why take a 5:50am train? There are so so many trains that would be nicer for the kiddos at least - again I've been on trains that run thru the night and by that time it could look like a refugee camp with people asleep everywhere with bags, etc all over, etc.

I would avoid that train.

quokka

@Pal: They want the early train because they plan a long and well-filled day trip - I remember their earlier threads. This looks non-negotiable.

@Kandace: If you want four seats together then definitely reserve. Monday morning can be full with weekend commuters. At this hour people who are going to work some distance away will already fill the trains, in addition to the night travellers who are already on board. Finding an entirely empty and unreserved compartment upon boarding is highly unlikely.

Kandace_York

Why would I not want to put exact travel dates on the web? Why WOULD I publicly share the exact dates my whole family will be away from our house and belongings? Sorry, but that just seems to be such common sense that I'm puzzled anyone would question it.

Thanks for the info about the train. Unfortunately, we need a train that will have a connection from Offenburg to Ringsheim, with plenty of time to spare, so the teens can be at Europa-Park by the time before opens at 9am. It *looks* like we can order the Europa-Park Kombitickets online in advance (admission + round-trip rail/bus fare), but in case we can't for some reason and need to get them from the machines/counters at the Offenburg station, I need to build in ample time to do that.

I appreciate your feedback. I think I will go ahead and reserve our seats ahead of time.

neckervd

May be your kids will be sleepy during their whole stay at Europapark if they have to get up around 4am

Kandace_York

I realize it's not ideal, but our hotel is right by the Hauptbahnhof so I figure that they can sleep to Offenburg and then have time for a quick breakfast before they catch the next train to Ringsheim.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. You did convince me to reserve our seats, and I'm glad -- many of the table/four-seat combinations, and most of the compartments, were already sold out.

Fingers crossed...

PalenQ

OK I understand! Hope all works well!

Cheers!