I notice that we could save a fair amount on a short travel segment from Germany into Switzerland using the "Happy Weekend" option for the German portion (our Swiss cards will cover the Swiss part).

The DB website offers the option of purchasing them online for $30 Euro. The option of the special fare comes up when searching for the travel segment and not marking the "fast trains" box.

So...I'm wondering if I were to attempt to buy this online would it be good for any regional trains all day long for Saturday travel or would the online option just give us the special price for that particular segment that I had searched? Hope I've made that clear??!

I wouldn't mind the regional train as it only is 15-20 minutes longer than the fast trains and saves us a bit. But, I don't want to choose which regional train beforehand. So, if I do the online purchase I would want it to cover the whole day and we could decide on the schedule once we get there.

Hoping that someone has done this previously and can fill me in on the details. Thanks

>would it be good for any regional trains all day long for Saturday travel

YES

If you are only traveling in Bavaria, the Bayern ticket is a better deal and also valid on Saturdays. 24 euros and valid for all regional trains in Bavaria all day for up to 5 people.

Peep is right. In fact, I believe all German "states" have some version of a daily ticket. NRW has a "happy day" ticket that functions very similarly.

The plus of the Schönes Wochenend ticket is that you can travel across states, ie. from Bavaria to Baden-W, on all regional trains that day.

DeeDee - you can simply buy online and not worry about being committed to any particular Regional train - there are no reservations anyway on those trains.

If you want to save a little more, I believe most train stations have machines where you can buy the ticket (it doesn't sell out or anything) and often you get a discount on that ticket for paying with a card at the machine. I can get it for 28 EUROS if I go to the station and pay at the machine. Just a little tip, I know it is only 2 EUROS...

Thank you all for helping with this.

We will be in Baden-Württemberg area, so I don't think the Bayern ticket would apply??

Woyzeck, thanks for the information about buying the Happy Weekend ticket in Germany. I will do that, now that I know they are not limited and save a few more Euros getting them there.

I think we will need to have a German ticket agent "validate" our Swiss cards before we board train anyway. Thanks for your help!

You will have to sign the ticket and show ID if asked. If you are unwilling to sign a 40 Euro penalty applies. ;-). It is a new policy to keep people from selling the ticket after use.