cherylforeurope

Okay, having some serious doubts about this. Will be traveling by train from Berchtesgaden-Salzburg-Hallstatt-Vienna-Budapest-Prague.
Am worried about finding the right train, platform, car, etc. Have been doing research online to familarize myself with the signs, language, etc. and it's only making me more nervous...any tips would be greatly appreciated.

logos999

Nobody will tear off your head. Most people understand English. Timetables are everywhere. Signs are in latin alphabet. There is always another train to your destination. Don't do any more research on the internet. You are not going to die in Europe ;-) Relax.

TexasAggie

Don't worry about trains too much, especially in Germany. The German rail system is incredibly user friendly.

I did ok as a 16 year old speaking almost no German!!

I'd suggest you get a phrasebook and learn a few German words and a few Czech words. Words like "train station", "where does this train go", "what track will my train be arriving on", etc.

You will be fine The train system is MUCH easier than trying to drive... then you really do need to know enough of the language to read the signs (while other drivers race past you going 100 km per hour ;-))

FainaAgain

If I'd worry about getting on the right train, I'd write down the destination on a piece of paper and show it to everybody who looks more or less working at the station. They will point. I think writing is much better then speaking because of maybe the accent.

The right car is not as important as the right train. Once you're on, you can walk from car to car if the conductor thinks you can't sit there.

You are not the only one to worry, they are used to it. Don't let it prevent you from traveling.

suze

I sympathize with the anxiety but you'll be fine. Train travel is intimidating at first. But then you learn and get savvy.

I have not traveled as extensively as you are proposing. That said, I like the idea of having your destination written down as Faina suggests above. Or showing your ticket to someone working at the train station or your fellow travelers with a questioning look on your face (I am assuming you don't speak the local language). I've had a member of the station cleaning crew escort me to the proper train and car before!

If you're purchasing a ticket at the station you *may* find an English speaking clerk who will direct you to the correct platform.

I also agree with Faina about the car on the train. Just get on... as long as you're on the correct train, you can walk from car to car. Another small hint is that 1st class and 2nd class are usually written on the outside of the cars in different colros, so you can at least board in the correct class.

Lastly, take a single smallish suitcase on wheels so you can more easily dash thru stations, up and down escalators, stairs, aisle of the train, etc.

suze

Another word of comfort, I think this is a situation where internet research may be making things worse for you. Too much information syndrome.

I have done trains solo from Geneva to Venice and back. Geneva to Venice and onto Paris (both overnight in sleeper cabins). These were not pre-arranged but booked at the train stations a few days before travel. Quite honestly I don't even remember how I did it. Point being, it couldn't have been all that difficult or I probably would remember better!

theilian

If you are too worried, check out the German and Austrian rail websites.
They give you all information regarding trains including train numberand platform number.

Austria: http://www.oebb.at/vip8/oebb/en/

Germany:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Brazilnut

Cheryl,

Relax! I do not speak German nor Tcheck, and travelled by train from Berlin to Prague, then on to Vienna, Zurich, Luzern and back into Germany (to Freiburg), without any problem. Do what it was suggested here: write your train number and destination on a paper and show people when in doubt.

aggiemom

Don't worry Cheryl! I am extremely challenged when it comes to finding my way around but I found the German trains very very easy. At the platforms, which are all well-marked, there is a diagram of the train you are waiting for - exactly how many cars, which way it comes into the station, which way it leaves, which cars are first, second, food, etc.

They have schedules handy at every station and each train has the number of the train painted on it.

I don't know about the other countries but truly, you will catch on. Just remember, on German trains (I don't know about other countries) YOU must open the door when the train pulls into the station. I learned that the hard way as Mom and I waited to get off at Cochem (waiting for the door to open) and pretty soon, we were leaving Cochem behind! But we found our way back. Don't worry, just have a great trip!!

cherylforeurope

Thats the kind of thing I'm looking for..I wouldn't have known I had to open the door myself! Thanks!

logos999

Push the green button, labeled "Open", "Öffnen", "Ouvrir la porte", don't pull the red lever labeled "Notbremse", "Frein d'urgence", "Emergency break" and you'll be fine.

LoveItaly

Hi cherylforeurope, I agree with Suze about information overload.

The first time we went to Italy for two months with a room reservation for only the first night there and a rental car reservation and a pathetic knowledge of Italian would never have happened if the web had been around then. Good grief, it would have scared the holy heck out of me.

In fact when we arrived at Milpensa Airport we had no clue how to get into Milan. Somehow found out there was a shuttle bus.

Grabbed a taxi at the central train station after arriving in Milan and had my Italian already to impress him with but, OMG, he only spoke French. Too funny!

Three days later we picked up the rental car and away we went for two months.

Sometimes cherylforeuope we forget that travellers didn't have all the information that they have now and they managed just fine.

Europeans are polite and generally kind people. And Europe has had travellers forever. You will be amazed how everything falls into place.

Faina's idea is a good one, do write the information on a paper or in a small notebook.

Have a wonderful trip, and do know that everything will fall into place once you are in Europe. Best wishes to you.

MaureenB

You'll be fine. Sounds like a great trip. Just allow plenty of time when you arrive at the station, check the board for your departure platform, and off you go. Have fun!

L84SKY

The hardest part of your journey will be Berchtesgaden to Salzburg. By the time you're ready to go to Hallstatt you'll be a pro.
Most people have been lost or confused while traveling and in a busy train station someone will help you. Just take a long breath and repeat, "this is part of the experience of travel".
Anywhere you go, people are generally nice and willing to help.
If it's a long journey bring your own lunch. Train food isn't that great.

TransitBuddie

You won't have a problem. The German trains are easier to use than Amtrak. There is always a large board telling which track/platform you should go to. Just remember which train number you're traveling on and it'll be fine. A lot of people speak English.

I took the train in China without any problem, and I didn't know how to speak any Chinese or know how to read any characters (except for the numbers and my destination city).

Have fun in Europe and Bon Voyage.

aschie30

True about information overload but I sense an overriding fear on your part to make a mistake. Everyone has made mistakes when traveling - nothing you can't recover from. I think if you relax and maybe allow yourself some room for error, you might find the whole experience easier than you originally anticipated.

Also, why have doubts? If millions of non-German speaking people can get around on the trains every year, then why can't you?

CharlieB

Actually your first train trip will be the easiest! Berchestgaden is a tiny station at the end of a spur line, and 90% of departures go only to Salzburg. There will be 1-3 trains per hour going to Salzburg and most if not all will depart from platform 1. Once you arrive in Salzburg (end of the line) take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Salzburg station and you won't have any problem when you depart.

suze

As the very first reply poster said... "there's always another train". Seriously, remembering that takes the edge off (and a glass of wine once you're on the train doesn't hurt either!).

kenderina

Just don't worry !! In little villages stations only have one or two platforms and it's probable your train is the only one running there at that hour.
And in big cities, the signs use to be also in English along with the country language (German, in your case).

BabsB

Hi cherylforeurope, We found that it was much less stressful if we did not have to catch a train at a particular time because we had reservations. The days we walked up to the ticket booth, purchased our tickets and asked the ticket person to write down the track number and time were a breeze. We never had to wait for the train more than 10-15 minutes. Also, as other posters have mentioned, trains typically run frequently and you can always catch the next one. We made the mistake of getting off at the wrong station once. We immediately realized it, so we just sat down and waited for the next train. No big deal, plus I needed the rest!