Train seat reservation
#1
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Train seat reservation
Hi !
I'm slowly looking to book ahaed our trains for our trip in july. I've got some questions:
We will be 2 adults and 2 kids (4 and 8 years old)
1) with kids should we book first or second class ? I'm affraid that people will be disturb by kids in first class (dont get me wrong our kids can be quiet !)
2) When i choose to reserve seat on first class the system told me that they select only 2 seats (free tickets) and ask me to choose compartment type. When I select one ther's no way i can see which seats were reserved. Since only 2 free seats are select does it means that I will only got reservation for 2 seats ?
3) when I choose second class ticket (9 euros fee) they offer me those choices: any .
Open saloon Open saloon with table . Compartment . Parent-and-child compartment . Family cabin .
Which one should we choose ? Once again I cant sea seat number or disposition on the train.
Thanks !
I'm slowly looking to book ahaed our trains for our trip in july. I've got some questions:
We will be 2 adults and 2 kids (4 and 8 years old)
1) with kids should we book first or second class ? I'm affraid that people will be disturb by kids in first class (dont get me wrong our kids can be quiet !)
2) When i choose to reserve seat on first class the system told me that they select only 2 seats (free tickets) and ask me to choose compartment type. When I select one ther's no way i can see which seats were reserved. Since only 2 free seats are select does it means that I will only got reservation for 2 seats ?
3) when I choose second class ticket (9 euros fee) they offer me those choices: any .
Open saloon Open saloon with table . Compartment . Parent-and-child compartment . Family cabin .
Which one should we choose ? Once again I cant sea seat number or disposition on the train.
Thanks !
#2
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Family Cabin sounds perfect - what could be better- anyway check www.seat61.com for possible insights on this all or keep topping until some of our German rail experts chime in - for general info on German trains (1st vs 2nd class, etc) check also www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
I'd go for first class unless kids are yes loud - if not a much more relaxed ride - first class does attract business types however but there are usually Quiet Cars for them if they want total silence.
I'd go for first class unless kids are yes loud - if not a much more relaxed ride - first class does attract business types however but there are usually Quiet Cars for them if they want total silence.
#3
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If you book first class, you have two reservations free (for the adults), so you must add two more reservations (for a fee).
In the box "Total number of seats", choose "4" and the system will guide you through the process (maybe you are luck and a table with 4 seats is still available).
Of course, you can travel first class with kids. Why not?
However, first class does not offer family cabins which will be perfect for you. So, if you choose second class, tick the box "4 seats" and set "Total number of seats" to 4 and choose "family cabin". It will not show the seat plan, because you have no choice anyway.
In the box "Total number of seats", choose "4" and the system will guide you through the process (maybe you are luck and a table with 4 seats is still available).
Of course, you can travel first class with kids. Why not?
However, first class does not offer family cabins which will be perfect for you. So, if you choose second class, tick the box "4 seats" and set "Total number of seats" to 4 and choose "family cabin". It will not show the seat plan, because you have no choice anyway.
#7
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Many German trains now at least in 2nd class are quite full - in 2nd class I would reserve but not in first class. And they cost just a few euros per seat. I'd try to book the Family Cabins in any case
#11
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Thanks for those answers.
Finally we habve booked our first train ride. We have paid for seat reservations since we will be travelleing in a summer on a saturday. We really want to be seated together. We reserved our seat before seing all your answer so we haven't booked a family cabin. We have book a regulard cabin, open salon, with 3 seat and a table between us. That should be ok.
We could benifit some help for our next reservations :
1- Dresden-Nuremberg on tuesday july 19 + daytrip from Nuremberg
2- Nuremberg-Salzburg on saturday july 23 + daytrip to Berchestgaden
3- Salzburg-Munich on tuesday july 26
4- Munich-Cochem on saturday july 30 + 2-3 hours stop in Ulm.
Should we book ahed for those place or regional pass bought on site would be better ?
Finally we habve booked our first train ride. We have paid for seat reservations since we will be travelleing in a summer on a saturday. We really want to be seated together. We reserved our seat before seing all your answer so we haven't booked a family cabin. We have book a regulard cabin, open salon, with 3 seat and a table between us. That should be ok.
We could benifit some help for our next reservations :
1- Dresden-Nuremberg on tuesday july 19 + daytrip from Nuremberg
2- Nuremberg-Salzburg on saturday july 23 + daytrip to Berchestgaden
3- Salzburg-Munich on tuesday july 26
4- Munich-Cochem on saturday july 30 + 2-3 hours stop in Ulm.
Should we book ahed for those place or regional pass bought on site would be better ?
#12
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For Dresden-Nürnberg book tommorow morning - you should get tickets for 19€.
For Nürnberg-Salzburg book on April 23, for Salzburg-München on April 26 and for München-Cochem on April 30.
For the daytrips, yon may buy Länder-Tickets or regional tickets when you are there.
For Nürnberg-Salzburg book on April 23, for Salzburg-München on April 26 and for München-Cochem on April 30.
For the daytrips, yon may buy Länder-Tickets or regional tickets when you are there.
#13
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For Nürnberg-Salzburg book on April 23, for Salzburg-München on April 26>
Or you can use the Bavarian Lander Ticket on both of these train links- but if you can get a 19 euro or so fare then the faster trains will be not only faster but more comfy. But the regional trains with the Lander Ticket need no advance reservation or booking - just buy that pass at stations in Germany.
Or you can use the Bavarian Lander Ticket on both of these train links- but if you can get a 19 euro or so fare then the faster trains will be not only faster but more comfy. But the regional trains with the Lander Ticket need no advance reservation or booking - just buy that pass at stations in Germany.
#14
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I've made a dummy search for july 18 for the trip Dresde-Nuremberg. The only 19 euro tick is for the ICE that leave Dresen at 18:23. That's too late for us. That ICE also takes longer than regional trains.
All other departures (from 9 am) are on the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (52 euros for the whole family)
All other departures (from 9 am) are on the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (52 euros for the whole family)
#15
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The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket is a bargain for your family! Book it tommorrow, ASAP.
The system works like this:
The ticket sale starts exactly 90 days before travel date, at midnight. You can choose between different fares, but for certain fares, restrictions apply.
There are contingents for the cheap fares, so they sell out quickly (that has already happened for July 18 - it is now late afternoon of April 18 and the cheap tickets are already gone. They have been booked in the morning).
The system works like this:
The ticket sale starts exactly 90 days before travel date, at midnight. You can choose between different fares, but for certain fares, restrictions apply.
There are contingents for the cheap fares, so they sell out quickly (that has already happened for July 18 - it is now late afternoon of April 18 and the cheap tickets are already gone. They have been booked in the morning).
#16
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I don't know if I got the same thing but I can see 52 euro for all the july 18 departure. The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket seems to always be taht price.
One other option is to book Dresden-Nuremberg with a stop in Leipzig or Erfurt. Is any of those 2 place deserve a 3 hours stop ?
It would be Dresden- Leipzig IC then Leipzig-Erfurt ICE and Erfuurt-Nuremberg ICE. The cost would be 57 euro for the whole family (including seats réservations)
One other option is to book Dresden-Nuremberg with a stop in Leipzig or Erfurt. Is any of those 2 place deserve a 3 hours stop ?
It would be Dresden- Leipzig IC then Leipzig-Erfurt ICE and Erfuurt-Nuremberg ICE. The cost would be 57 euro for the whole family (including seats réservations)
#17
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Erfurt has a pretty Old Town, especially the Krämerbrücke - a bridge with houses on top. It is in walking distance from the train station. Erfurt would make a good break. Leipzig is very modern around the station, with a mix of socialist architecture and 1990ties shopping malls and office buildings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kr%C3%A4merbr%C3%BCcke
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kr%C3%A4merbr%C3%BCcke