Transferring on Germany trains
Jun 2nd, 2015, 12:20 PM
#1
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Transferring on Germany trains
Hello! Our trip is coming up quickly and I just had a quick question on some of our train trips in Germany. We have a train from Paris to Fussen with two transfers and from Munich to Berlin with one transfer. The transfers times seem really quick and it's a bit hard for me to decipher the ticket/gates well. Is transferring pretty easy/quick to find where to go and will we have enough time in between to get to our spot before the train leaves?
Example from Paris to Fussen:
Paris Est 13.06. ab 07:25
Stuttgart Hbf 13.06. an 11:04 7
Stuttgart Hbf 13.06. ab 11:12 16
Augsburg Hbf 13.06. an 12:53
Augsburg Hbf 13.06. ab 13:03
Füssen 13.06. an 14:55 3
Thanks for the help!
Example from Paris to Fussen:
Paris Est 13.06. ab 07:25
Stuttgart Hbf 13.06. an 11:04 7
Stuttgart Hbf 13.06. ab 11:12 16
Augsburg Hbf 13.06. an 12:53
Augsburg Hbf 13.06. ab 13:03
Füssen 13.06. an 14:55 3
Thanks for the help!
Jun 2nd, 2015, 12:47 PM
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Transfer in Stuttgart to train arrives on platform/Gleis # 7 = 8 minutes transfer time which should be OK in Stuttgart and new train leaves from platform # 16
Augsburg 10 minutes transfer time - does not say on which platform it comes in on but arrives in Fuessen on platform 3
should be OK transferring and I think if train is late you can take the next one even with a discounted ticket but not sure - I'd go to the ticket window and ask.
For lots of goodies on German trains check www.bahn.de/en - probably where those schedules came from and general info www.seat61.com (may have info about discounted tickets and transferrability with late arriving trains (and German trains are NOT always on time these days and may be on strike!); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
If trains are on time no problem connecting - if late position yourselves by the door and dash out before the maddening crowd!
Augsburg 10 minutes transfer time - does not say on which platform it comes in on but arrives in Fuessen on platform 3
should be OK transferring and I think if train is late you can take the next one even with a discounted ticket but not sure - I'd go to the ticket window and ask.
For lots of goodies on German trains check www.bahn.de/en - probably where those schedules came from and general info www.seat61.com (may have info about discounted tickets and transferrability with late arriving trains (and German trains are NOT always on time these days and may be on strike!); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
If trains are on time no problem connecting - if late position yourselves by the door and dash out before the maddening crowd!
Jun 2nd, 2015, 12:53 PM
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German Railways Site
Station/Stop Date Time Platform Products
Paris Est Sa, 13.06.15 dep 07:25 TGV 9571 TGV
Stuttgart Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 arr 11:04 platform 7
Transfer time 8 min.
Stuttgart Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 dep 11:12 platform 16 ICE 593 Intercity-Express
Augsburg Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 arr 12:53 platform 4
Transfer time 10 min.
Augsburg Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 dep 13:03 platform 9 Süd (south) RB 57346
Note be sure you have the train number as platforms can change - always check the train number of the train you are boarding to match the one on your ticket and confirm on overhead schedule sign on platforms and at entrance to them.
Like platform #9 - Sud - south - there could be two trains on that platform - one in the northern sector and one in the southern - again overhead signs will tell the train number and destinations of the train'
Pretty simple all in all.
Station/Stop Date Time Platform Products
Paris Est Sa, 13.06.15 dep 07:25 TGV 9571 TGV
Stuttgart Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 arr 11:04 platform 7
Transfer time 8 min.
Stuttgart Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 dep 11:12 platform 16 ICE 593 Intercity-Express
Augsburg Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 arr 12:53 platform 4
Transfer time 10 min.
Augsburg Hbf Sa, 13.06.15 dep 13:03 platform 9 Süd (south) RB 57346
Note be sure you have the train number as platforms can change - always check the train number of the train you are boarding to match the one on your ticket and confirm on overhead schedule sign on platforms and at entrance to them.
Like platform #9 - Sud - south - there could be two trains on that platform - one in the northern sector and one in the southern - again overhead signs will tell the train number and destinations of the train'
Pretty simple all in all.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 12:57 PM
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You can set up an itinerary with longer transfer times. Go to:
http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml
untick the box that says prefer fast connections
Click on the link for "further search options"
Under "connections" choose how much time you want between trains. If I'm on a long trip (from Basel to Dresden, for example), I want at least 15 or 20 minutes between connections in case there are train delays. Plus I hate the stress of worrying whether I'll make a tight connection.
If you've already got your tickets, then hope for the best.
http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml
untick the box that says prefer fast connections
Click on the link for "further search options"
Under "connections" choose how much time you want between trains. If I'm on a long trip (from Basel to Dresden, for example), I want at least 15 or 20 minutes between connections in case there are train delays. Plus I hate the stress of worrying whether I'll make a tight connection.
If you've already got your tickets, then hope for the best.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 02:20 PM
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Stuttgart is a terminus-style railway station. So transferring from one platform to any other can take some time when you are in the last car of the train from Paris and have to walk down the arrival platform to change tracks/platforms.
Augsburg is just an ordinary station on the main line, and there will be less walking even if you are in the first or last cars to get to the underpass.
As Pal explained, whenever you have directions like North/South with the track number, pay attention on the platform and follow the signs.
When you miss a long-distance to long-distance connection (ICE/IC/EC trains) with a saver ticket (restricted to specific trains) due to a late arrival, you will be able to take the next train. BUT: Do not just jump on the next train but see the service desk first (in your case, in Stuttgart). They will validate your ticket for the next train.
When you are supposed to connect to a regional train (like in Augsburg) but miss it, you do not need to make that trip to the service desk as even restricted saver tickets allow you to take any regional train on your specific date of travel.
Augsburg is just an ordinary station on the main line, and there will be less walking even if you are in the first or last cars to get to the underpass.
As Pal explained, whenever you have directions like North/South with the track number, pay attention on the platform and follow the signs.
When you miss a long-distance to long-distance connection (ICE/IC/EC trains) with a saver ticket (restricted to specific trains) due to a late arrival, you will be able to take the next train. BUT: Do not just jump on the next train but see the service desk first (in your case, in Stuttgart). They will validate your ticket for the next train.
When you are supposed to connect to a regional train (like in Augsburg) but miss it, you do not need to make that trip to the service desk as even restricted saver tickets allow you to take any regional train on your specific date of travel.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 06:54 PM
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Jumping in with some more train questions:
I have a four segment discounted DB Bahn ticket
1. S-bahn Munich ost to Munich Hbf
2. ICE to Bamberg
3. RE to Wuerzburg
4. ICE to Frankfurt
1. Can I take another S-bahn (even another number train) say to go early to allow more transfer time?
2. If I finish early in Bamberg can I take an earlier RE or even RB train to Wuerzburg and spend a bit of time there instead?
I have a four segment discounted DB Bahn ticket
1. S-bahn Munich ost to Munich Hbf
2. ICE to Bamberg
3. RE to Wuerzburg
4. ICE to Frankfurt
1. Can I take another S-bahn (even another number train) say to go early to allow more transfer time?
2. If I finish early in Bamberg can I take an earlier RE or even RB train to Wuerzburg and spend a bit of time there instead?
Jun 2nd, 2015, 08:37 PM
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Changing trains means stepping off one, walking to another train and stepping on. Literally just that!
You can do this even from platform 7 to platform 16 in 2 minutes.
The big risk is a delay to the arriving train, not you walking too slowly! But if there is a delay and you're on a through ticket, no worries, you are legally entitled to take a later onward train - of which there are plenty. So it's not life and death even if you miss it, there's another train within the hour.
You can do this even from platform 7 to platform 16 in 2 minutes.
The big risk is a delay to the arriving train, not you walking too slowly! But if there is a delay and you're on a through ticket, no worries, you are legally entitled to take a later onward train - of which there are plenty. So it's not life and death even if you miss it, there's another train within the hour.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 09:08 PM
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tom_mn.. Yes, and yes.
1. S-Bahn is a commuter train network. You have trains on the main crosstown section from Munich East to Munich Main station every 2-3 minutes during the day. And you can take any train you want with your ticket.
Nevertheless, unless your hotel is so close to Munich East that it is your next public transport stop, it may be more convenient to pay an extra €2.60 and take a subway or tram directly to Munich Main station.
2. Regional trains are (among other designations) labelled as RE or RB trains. So you can take any train as long as it runs on the DAY your otherwise restricted ticket is good for.
man..
While changing trains is no rocket science, it is not necessarily a "2 minute walk" at Stuttgart Main station. When you arrive on a TGV, which is a pretty long train, you have to walk down the entire platform #7, cross over to the other platforms at the "head" of the trains, and walk down platform #16 until you get to the right car. Which may again be the most distant. So it can be easily a 400m or 1/4 mile trek - which takes much more with luggage in tow than just 2 minutes.
1. S-Bahn is a commuter train network. You have trains on the main crosstown section from Munich East to Munich Main station every 2-3 minutes during the day. And you can take any train you want with your ticket.
Nevertheless, unless your hotel is so close to Munich East that it is your next public transport stop, it may be more convenient to pay an extra €2.60 and take a subway or tram directly to Munich Main station.
2. Regional trains are (among other designations) labelled as RE or RB trains. So you can take any train as long as it runs on the DAY your otherwise restricted ticket is good for.
man..
While changing trains is no rocket science, it is not necessarily a "2 minute walk" at Stuttgart Main station. When you arrive on a TGV, which is a pretty long train, you have to walk down the entire platform #7, cross over to the other platforms at the "head" of the trains, and walk down platform #16 until you get to the right car. Which may again be the most distant. So it can be easily a 400m or 1/4 mile trek - which takes much more with luggage in tow than just 2 minutes.
Jun 3rd, 2015, 04:17 AM
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Changing trains means stepping off one, walking to another train and stepping on. Literally just that!>
I agree with cowboy - it ain't always so easy - especially on crowded trains where you may have to wait a minute or so just to get off - Man in Seat 61 seems out of touch with German train stations.
I agree with cowboy - it ain't always so easy - especially on crowded trains where you may have to wait a minute or so just to get off - Man in Seat 61 seems out of touch with German train stations.
Jun 3rd, 2015, 05:06 AM
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Thanks, Cowboy. I would prefer to have more time from S-Bahn to Munich Hbf so will leave earlier. I think the 10 minutes transfer time given is too tight for someone who has never been to those stations before (Munich Hbf and S-Bahn tief). And yes, staying right near Munich Ost.
How tight is a 7 min connection in Wuerzburg? Platform 9 to 6? From a map I found it looks like a through station with a pedestrian subway connecting the platforms. It appears to be just one stairwell over.
How tight is a 7 min connection in Wuerzburg? Platform 9 to 6? From a map I found it looks like a through station with a pedestrian subway connecting the platforms. It appears to be just one stairwell over.
Jun 3rd, 2015, 10:58 AM
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The Munich station is huge and at first glance mind-boggling to find your platform and it is a station with two different stations in it - teh Starnberger Bahnhof is away from the main platforms - so yes leave as much time as possible to transfer in chaotic- well busy - stations. If you have to wait grab a coffee from a kiosk near the platform and chill.
Jun 6th, 2015, 03:50 AM
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tom_mn
10 minutes transfer is quite doable from the underground S-Bahn stop to the track for your ICE towards Bamberg as the latter departs from the main hall - and not from the annex stations which pal mentioned.
Nevertheless, as you said, it does not hurt to get there a bit earlier if you are not familiar with the layout.
At Munich East you can take ANY S-Bahn leaving from track 1-3 to get to Munich main station.
As tracks 1 and 2 are on the same platform, its easier to just go to that platform and take any next train (you can ignore the displayed final destinations).
You have escalators to get up to the platform on one side, and an elevator at the other.
At Munich main station, just follow signs (also in English) to "Long-distance trains".
It will take you two levels up by escalators, straight into the main hall.
At the beginning of the platform from which your ICE towards Bamberg departs, you will find a information where to find the respective car (in case you reserved a seat).
The car number is shown in correspondance to letters A-F - which are mounted overhead on the platforms.
As your ICE will probably start in Munich, the train should be there 10-15 minutes prior to departure. So you can take your time to find your car and get your stuff on board.
Würzburg is a through station with a fairly simple layout. 7 minutes are doable.
But if you miss the ICE to Frankfurt due to a delay of your RE from Bamberg, see either a conductor in the delayed RE or the "Service Point" at Würzburg station to get your ticket validated for the next ICE (in case you travel with a restricted saver fare ticket).
10 minutes transfer is quite doable from the underground S-Bahn stop to the track for your ICE towards Bamberg as the latter departs from the main hall - and not from the annex stations which pal mentioned.
Nevertheless, as you said, it does not hurt to get there a bit earlier if you are not familiar with the layout.
At Munich East you can take ANY S-Bahn leaving from track 1-3 to get to Munich main station.
As tracks 1 and 2 are on the same platform, its easier to just go to that platform and take any next train (you can ignore the displayed final destinations).
You have escalators to get up to the platform on one side, and an elevator at the other.
At Munich main station, just follow signs (also in English) to "Long-distance trains".
It will take you two levels up by escalators, straight into the main hall.
At the beginning of the platform from which your ICE towards Bamberg departs, you will find a information where to find the respective car (in case you reserved a seat).
The car number is shown in correspondance to letters A-F - which are mounted overhead on the platforms.
As your ICE will probably start in Munich, the train should be there 10-15 minutes prior to departure. So you can take your time to find your car and get your stuff on board.
Würzburg is a through station with a fairly simple layout. 7 minutes are doable.
But if you miss the ICE to Frankfurt due to a delay of your RE from Bamberg, see either a conductor in the delayed RE or the "Service Point" at Würzburg station to get your ticket validated for the next ICE (in case you travel with a restricted saver fare ticket).
Jun 6th, 2015, 06:34 AM
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Thanks, and yes we reserved seats since there are 5 of us and it was only 9 euros extra for both trains. And it is nice to get a table for a family to share food, books, maps.
Any idea where Wg. 23 would fall on a train? Head, tail, or somewhere in the middle?
Any idea where Wg. 23 would fall on a train? Head, tail, or somewhere in the middle?
Jun 6th, 2015, 08:12 AM
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numbers on train cars IME may not be consecutive and it would be strange I think to have a train with 23 cars on it- when you get to the platform there should be a diagram with the car number on it and where it should stop - position yourselves there for easy and quick bordering.
Jun 6th, 2015, 09:44 PM
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As pal wrote, on each platform there are displays with posters which show the location of the cars on the platform. They are designated in German as "Wagenstandanzeiger" which means car location designator.
Normally a single unit ICE has a dozen or so 12 cars.
When you get a car number in the 20s or 30s, it designates a double unit.
Which only means that you cannot cross-over along the full length of the entire train but only within each unit, e.g. between the cars with numbers in the 20s or the 30s, respectively. So, with reservations, you should not just hop on when you get to the platform, but walk down the platform till you get to your car, or at least the right unit.
Another reason to be at Munich main station a bit ahead of time, as your unit with car 23 might be the one more distant on the platform.
Normally a single unit ICE has a dozen or so 12 cars.
When you get a car number in the 20s or 30s, it designates a double unit.
Which only means that you cannot cross-over along the full length of the entire train but only within each unit, e.g. between the cars with numbers in the 20s or the 30s, respectively. So, with reservations, you should not just hop on when you get to the platform, but walk down the platform till you get to your car, or at least the right unit.
Another reason to be at Munich main station a bit ahead of time, as your unit with car 23 might be the one more distant on the platform.
Jun 7th, 2015, 08:53 AM
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Cowboy is a treasure trove of up-to-date info on German trains - especially good info aboutnot just hopping on and walking thru trains to your car - look at the make-up diagrams he talks about on platforms to know where to stand so you do not have to traipse down train aisles that may be IME at times partially blocked by luggage, etc. If you have a big bulky suitcase even on wheels you may have problems navigating cars if they are very full.
Jun 11th, 2015, 05:47 AM
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Thanks guys, forgot to check back until now. Amazing that they have dynamic wagon number information on the platforms, now just need to hope there is no rail strike end of July.
As a last comment, my early train ticket buying strategy worked well in 4 instances but not the Venice to Innsbruck train, and there is only one thru train that runs during the day and we needed to be on it. Complicating the matter is that the buying time frame is non-standard: Austrian trains sell tickets 180 days in advance, Trenitalia 120 days in advance, and bahn.com 90 days in advance. Tickets for Venice>>Innsbruck are sold on all three websites starting at different dates. The train is owned by the Austrians.
The 2 intra-Italy ones are now over double the price, saving 146 euros. The Innsbruck to Munich has doubled, saving 72 euros. Even though I just bought the German ticket mentioned above last week, it is already up 160 euros. So far so good.
But I missed the 180 day window for the Austrian system and missed the rock bottom discounted tickets. When Trenitalia came online 120 days in advance, the price was much higher that what I paid-- they never offered the lowest ticket. But then bahn.com came online with a ticket sale http://www.bahn.com/i/view/ITA/it/pr...aspezial.shtml and undercut what I paid by 45 euros. Who would have expected that bahn.com would offer the lowest price on an Austrian train between 2 points whose journey does not touch Germany? I didn't.
As a last comment, my early train ticket buying strategy worked well in 4 instances but not the Venice to Innsbruck train, and there is only one thru train that runs during the day and we needed to be on it. Complicating the matter is that the buying time frame is non-standard: Austrian trains sell tickets 180 days in advance, Trenitalia 120 days in advance, and bahn.com 90 days in advance. Tickets for Venice>>Innsbruck are sold on all three websites starting at different dates. The train is owned by the Austrians.
The 2 intra-Italy ones are now over double the price, saving 146 euros. The Innsbruck to Munich has doubled, saving 72 euros. Even though I just bought the German ticket mentioned above last week, it is already up 160 euros. So far so good.
But I missed the 180 day window for the Austrian system and missed the rock bottom discounted tickets. When Trenitalia came online 120 days in advance, the price was much higher that what I paid-- they never offered the lowest ticket. But then bahn.com came online with a ticket sale http://www.bahn.com/i/view/ITA/it/pr...aspezial.shtml and undercut what I paid by 45 euros. Who would have expected that bahn.com would offer the lowest price on an Austrian train between 2 points whose journey does not touch Germany? I didn't.
Jun 12th, 2015, 09:19 AM
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Who would have expected that bahn.com would offer the lowest price on an Austrian train between 2 points whose journey does not touch Germany? I didn't.>
Exactly - nice to know! Weird. Could it be a German train originating in Germany and going to an Austrian destination?
Exactly - nice to know! Weird. Could it be a German train originating in Germany and going to an Austrian destination?
