Another German train question
 

Hi all- I thought I had all of the train travel figured out but just ran into another situation. . If I buy an advance ticket from Dusseldorf Flughafen to Heidelberg Bhf there is one option of riding the S-Bahn from Dusseldorf airport to Dusseldorf Bhf then catching a direct ICE train from the Dusseldorf Bhf to the Heidelberg Bhf. There is a 12 minute connection in Dusseldorf. If my flight landed earlier than expected at Dusseldorf can I buy a separate S-bahn ticket for an earlier S-Bahn that goes from the Dusseldorf airport to the Dusseldorf Bhf then get on the same ICE that my advance ticket is for (with no penalty)? I would feel more comfortable getting to the Dusseldorf Bhf earlier so the connection wouldn't be so tight. Many thanks for your help...

((B))

Yes you can do what you propose. DB doesn't care if you miss part or all of your itinerary.

I do this as well.

Land! Buy a ticket to the train station! Use your pre-bought ticket on the next ICE. You do not need a seat reservation to ride. Pick any unreserved seat.

Travelforbeer:

You don¨t even have to buy an extra ticket. The "Zugbindung" (restriction to specific trains) is compulsory only for long-distance trains.

Generally you can take any local (S-Bahn or RE) train from DUS to Düsseldorf Hbf.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy your trip.

Phil.

Sparky, Dukey, and Phil,

Vielen Dank!

((B))

Phil is right. Use any local or regional train from DUS to D'dorf Hbf. (Note that whenever you do this, you must travel the exact same route - taking an alternative route, if one exists, is not permitted, and it's just like riding without a ticket - you can be cited.) The only trains you must ride exactly as scheduled (with an advance-sale savings fare ticket, that is) are the high-speed (long distance) IC, ICE, EC etc. trains.

Fussgaenger, Vielen Dank!

((B))