German Rail Pass and Seat Reservations
 

Hello all,

I am wondering, while planning my trip to Germany from the US, whether I can reserve seats on a DB train after I have purchased a Rail Pass (twin, second class). If so, how do I do this through the DB website? It seems as though you sometimes have to purchase a ticket on their site when trying to reserve a seat while at other times you can reserve without a ticket. I want to purchase the Rail Pass and then reserve seats but I don't want to pay twice by having to purchase an additional ticket at the time of seat reservation!! I am specifically concerned with ICE trains running between Cologne and Amsterdam and then from Amsterdam to Frankfort. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

D.B.

Get your seat reservations for a specific train at the station prior to departure (minutes-to-days ahead).

Much MUCH cheaper that way, and forces you to immerse yourself (just a little bit anyway) in the culture.

MvK

Not sure about these international trains, but have absolutely no problem buying just the seat reservations on IC/ICE trains within Germany on bahn.de.

FrankfOrt is the capital of Kentuky. I don't think German Rail goes there. There is, however, a city in Germany called Frankfurt.

I tried to get seat reservations for a mock Frankfurt-Amsterdam train, and I couldn't do it. Only with ticket purchase.

However, I could get seat reservations only <b>on the exact same train, same day</b> if I were only going to Cologne.

So, I think the answer is you can't do it for Germany-Netherlands trains.

As MvK says, you can wait until you get to Germany to make your reservations. However, if you'll feel more at ease having made them from home, call the DB Call Centre. Dial 011 (US international access code) + 49 (country code for Germany) + 1805 996633.

I have a more general question about seat reservations and German rail passes.

My understanding is that reservations are not required on all trains, but if you don't get them, you might be left standing for hours on end in some cases. Is there any way to gauge this ahead of time - to know whether or not you are on a route and time where reservations are necessary to avoid standing?

Hello Doc:

Here is a thread that you may find helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34969967
Gradyghost

Hi Dr,

Before buying railpasses, enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com and click &quot;only if it saves money&quot;.

I don't think that you can buy reservations online for international routes.

((I))

Hi WT,

&gt;Is there any way to gauge this ahead of time - to know whether or not you are on a route and time where reservations are necessary to avoid standing?&lt;

In general, you will want reservations for weekends and holidays.

What are your routes?

((I))

I see that some trains on bahn.de has the comment &quot;Reservations Recommended&quot;. That may be a clue.

But of course, for relatively short ride, standing may not be that horrible.

A few years ago, on the day after Christmas, a Wednesday, my wife and I rode an ICE from FRA to Karlsruhe. When we got on, the train was packed. I did notice, however, that most of the seats were not reserved. I could have made reservations at the time we bought the tickets. We had to stand for half an hour. As the train arrived in Mannheim, people got up to get off, and we found seats the rest of the way.

That was one of only two times in 7 years and 175 connections that I have ever had to stand on a German train. The other time was on a regional train; no reservations were possible.

A few years later, I was on the same train in March. When I bought my ticket, I asked the man if I should get a reservation. He replied that it was my choice. I opted not to, and I was one of four people in the car (2nd cl.)

I never get reservations. I think if you really feel you need them, you can get them when you arrive in Germany at &euro;3 apiece. That's about $8 per person for both trips.

Reservations for use with a railpass are often difficult and expensive to get from over here before you go, particularly for some night trains. This is really something that those considering railpasses should nail down before they commit to a pass.

I had a RailPass and went to AMS Centraal Station about 1-1/2 hours before my hoped for train to Frankfurt. It was all booked, so I had to take the next one, about an hour later. To be on the safe side, allow more than a couple hours.

canterbury, that is a good point. I think I'll reserve any trains for which I really want a certain time, even if it means the money is wasted in those instances.

If you are leaving K&ouml;ln on the same day you arrive (by air), having a reservation in advance might not help if the flight is late and you miss the train. If you arrive before the day of departure, you can get your reservations (to K&ouml;ln and to Frankfurt) on the day you arrive.

If you really want to waste money, RailEurope sells the $4 (&euro;3) reservations for these trains for $11 each, plus shipping.

There are two cities in Germany named Frankfurt. One is on the Oder River near the Polish border. The other is Frankfurt am Main, normally called Frankfurt a/M.

Reservations on German trains are normally a waste of money, even when paying only &euro;3 (~$4) in Germany. If you are traveling on a Friday or a Sunday afternoon/evening and really must, then a reservation might be a good idea.

Reservations are only required on CityNightLine, NachtZug, and Thalys in Germany.

&gt;&gt;Reservations are only required on CityNightLine, NachtZug, and Thalys in Germany.&lt;&lt;

Certain high speed ICE connections, called ICE Sprinters, going between Frankfurt (a.M.), Berlin, Hamburg, K&ouml;ln, and Munich require reservations. These reservations cost &euro;11 in 2. cl., &euro;16 in 1. cl.

Presuming it's not a train that actually requires reservations, does a German first-class pass mean a greater likelihood of less-crowded cars?

I have heard people claim that to be true, but because I have not ridden in 1st class since 1987, I can't confirm it. In seven years, I have only been in one &quot;reservable&quot; train that was crowded in 2nd class.