My mom and I are going to travel by train from Amsterdam to Koln June 15 and I would like to buy train tickets ASAP. I know it seems crazy to book this early, but June 15 is a holiday in Koln (Corpus Cristi...???), a Mosel Vally wine festival also begins that day, AND it's a holiday weekend for the Germans. Plus, with the World Cup going on, I don't think it can hurt to plan too early. I'm already having a bit of trouble getting my first choice hotels.
Can anyone steer my to a site (Engligh would be a HUGE plus!) that would allow me to book two tickets? Any advice or tips would be welcomed. I've never booked/reserved train tickets online before.
Many thanks!
TXgal

Hi TX,

I think that it is too early to purchase tickets. Usually, there is a 60 day window.

Go to www.bahn.de. Click English. Price is 48E.

Ira is correct about the booking window...usually no more than 60 days ahead.

Are you going to be in A-dam several days prior to your departure from there to Cologne? If so, I suspect, despite the holiday IN Cologne that doesn't mean there will be an influx of people from The Netherlands and you can probably wait to buy your tickets.

If you need to book them 60 days ahead that's no problem but you (and all those other folks who might be competing for seats) will have to wait until the booking window opens.

Hmmmmm- I just got on the site ira suggested and it seems to be letting me book. I'm at the step where I enter my CC info. I hope I'm not doing something wrong!!

When you book online, do you have the tickets sent (via snail mail) or do you prefer to print them out using Adobe? It's giving me both options. Thanks!

Okay- I think it's safe to book now Question- when I book, will I be printing out the tickets? Or will they be on hold for me. I guess what I'm asking is, how exactly does this work? TIA!

Topping...

Hi TX,

I just simulated booking your tickets.

The machine says, "OnlineTicket (for self printing) Not available for this connection".

If you were going the other way, you could save 20E and print your own ticket.

You can have your tickets mailed to you.

You might also want to consider buying your tickets through www.euraide.com. They have a US office, and will mail you your tickets for the same price as if you bought them in Germany + S&H.

PS,

You can also purchase your tickets at http://www.ns.nl/

You still can't print your ticket, but they will give you a code to enter at the ticket machines.

It's 4E more than from www.bahn.de.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Ira. The Euraide website is blocked from work ? ? ? So I can check it from home. I don't mind booking on banh.de, I just want to be able to have my tickets in hand. Last summer I wasted an hour at the ticket office in A'dam- didn't really know how to book online... I'd really like to have them reserved before we leave...and in my possession if possible.

Hi T,

>I'd really like to have them reserved before we leave...and in my possession if possible. <

In which case call Allen Wissenberg at
1 941-480-1555.

Ira- you are AWESOME! I'd buy you a drink if I could I will call tonight.