bluemorpho

I am starting to plan my trip for next year and have questions before I decide where I am
going other than Germany.

1. Can I buy a German railpass (DIEBAHN)at the Dresden station?

2. I want to travel to Budapest, Prague,
Dresden and Triberg. What would be the most economic rail pass to purchase for the above.

Thanks for your time and help in advance.

cigalechanta

He maybe still traveling. He was at the Boston GTG on Saturday.

gomiki

bluemorpho, cigale is correct. He was at the Boston GTG on Saturday and I believe leaves tomorrow for home. I would repost this in a few days. He is terrific .

gomiki

or just top it in a few days.

bluemorpho

Thank you cigalechanta and gomiki, I will repost.

Ingo

Hi cigelachanta and gomiki! Was great to meet you. Enjoyed the hugs and chats

I am back home and busy. Have some minutes, though, to respond to desperate Fodorites seeking advice, lol.

Hi bluemorpho!
1. Yes.
2. I think point-to-point tickets are most economical in this case. If you book tickets for the German leg of your trip in advance through www.bahn.de you can save plenty of money.

Or do you plan to visit other places in Germany? Or near those cities you mentioned?

Which airport will you fly into/out?

Ingo

bluemorpho

Hi Ingo,
Thanks for responding so quickly. Hope you had a great time on your trip.

I am in the early stages of planning. I
am not totally sure of where else I will
be going in Germany. I have always
wanted to visit the Black Forest and most of all, Dresden has always been a must do!

I really want to see Budapest but, it seems like such a long ride and not sure of cost. Do you know which rail pass would be best for Budapest? I want to travel from Budapest to Prague then to Germany any ideas?

One more thing, Is it true that the $800 allowed for souveniers doe not apply in Germany?

I appreciate you taking time out to answer.
Thanks

sanschag

> One more thing, Is it true that the $800 allowed for souveniers doe not apply in Germany?

Assuming you mean the $800 duty exemption, no that is not true. (It does apply.) It applies to everywhere aside from some Caribbean locations and US possessions (where it's $1600). If you bring back more than $800, I believe the duty is a fixed percentage up to a certain total amount. If the amount due is small, it's possible they won't bother to collect it. Check out www.customs.gov for details.

Paul

PalenQ

To my knowledge only 5- and 10-day German Railpasses are sold in Germany

For many the 4-day pass sold outside Germany (or actually 4- 6- 7- 8- 9-day passes) may make better sense

For some reason they seem to only sell the 5- and 10-day passes at DB main stations yet in U.S. at least you can buy any number of days from 4 thru 10 (flexipass good over a 1-month period)

Even for your German trains, if i have Triberg located correctly, you may look at the German Twin Pass - especially if buying full fare flexible tickets that can be used on any train. In any case it's easy to go to www.bahn.de and see the real prices in euros and then compare with the railpass prices. In the U.S. i recommend checking www.budgeteuropetravel.com for German pass prices and details and prices in $ and they will expertly answer any questions on their 800#. www.euraide.com is also a German rail specialist. Not sure if price for the 5- and 10-day passes sold in Germany is the same as dollar prices or more or less but check www.bahn.de - could be more due to fall of the dollar.

bluemorpho

Thanks to you both Sanschag and Palen Q.
I will keep notes of all your helpful input.

Thanks to all for your time and help.

PalenQ

depending on your travels to Budapest, Prague, etc. if you are doing several trains there you may look into the European East flexipass - it's good in Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia

Dresden is a cheap train ride from Czech border and if your return to Germany via Austria the pass may be a boon.

bluemorpho

Hi Palen Q

Thanks for the additional info.
It is always good to know that there
are so many informed Fodorites on
this site.

Thanks again and take care.