sockboy

This train passes through several stations in Austria, (including Reutte). Would I have to pay a supplement for the Austria portion of the trip, if I am using a day on my German railpass?? The Bayern ticket info specifically states that this route (the Ausserfernbahn) IS included in their day pass, but I can find so such information for the German rail pass. Is this train operated by Germany or Austria or both?

Thanks!

Patrick

A perfect question to email to RailEurope on their website. They always respond within 24 hours and answer specific questions like that.

sockboy

Thanks Patrick, I didn't even think of that. I will report back what they say, so that it will be "on record" for anyone else considering this route!

Russ

I've used the Bayern ticket on this route myself - a beautiful ride. I suggest that you reduce your German railpass by one day and just purchase a Bayern ticket for the journey instead - it'll likely be cheaper than adding a day to your pass(es).

sockboy

Thanks,

I just got a reply from Rail Europe, and they confirmed that all of the Austrian towns on this route are "border towns".

I am going to be arriving from the Kempten direction into Reutte, staying a couple of nights, and then leaving from Reutte to Munich via Garmish. For the leg to Munich I am definitely going to use the Bayern pass, but I want to use an "IC" train on my arrival day. The Bayern isn't valid on IC is it?

Looking at the schedule, there is an "ALX" train from Buchloe to Kempten. I can't find a deffinition of this train. Does anyone know what train this is? Can it be used by a rail pass? Another question for raileurope . . .

Russ - is the entire trip on this route very scenic? I have heard that the Reutte to Garmisch part is. What about the Kempten to Reutte? I have considered arriving via Fussen instead.

Thanks again!

PalQ

"Alex" train: "Munchen-Kempten-Obertsdorf. Jointly operated by EuroTHURBO GmbH and Regentalbahn AG" - Thomas Cook Timetable. Thus not a DB train. my guess is that German Railpasses are valid but not sure. am waiting your new response from RailEurope. Note: an hour earlier or later than the few daily Alex trains are DB regional trains you certainly can use.

sockboy

I have sent off the email PalQ, so we will see. I am going to have to get me that Thomas Cook Timetable . . .

Yes I did see the regular trains as well - of course it is always nice to have more options!

Russ

sockboy:

ALX stands for Ällgaeu (the region it passes through)-Express. The Bayern ticket and weekend ticket are both valid - I suspect that the Germanrail pass is too as it is on all the other regional train equipment. You can look at some pix of the trains here:
http://www.alexpress.de/alexpress/sh....asp?IDPage=82

As I recall, the trip becomes less mountainous as you approach Kempten, but Allgaeu is generally a wonderfully scenic train ride too.

Fuessen lies at the very end of a train line from the north. http://www.alexpress.de/alexpress/sh...p?IDPage=82You cannot go anywhere "via" Fussen by train. However, there is a bus between Fuessen and Reutte with several departures throughout the day.

sockboy

Got the email from Rail-Europe, and indeed the ALX train is valid on the German rail pass. If I take this instead of an IC train, I COULD use a Bayern ticket for this trip instead of a day on my rail pass.

Thanks for the links Russ. I did realise I'd have to take a bus from Fussen to Reutte. Looking at the schedules though, it isn't much faster to take the train to Fussen, then the bus, as it is to take the train the "long way round" right to Reutte - so I think I'll do that and enjoy some scenery!