Need help deciphering Die Bahn schedule
 

I want to travel from Koln Hbf to Wurzburg Hbf on October 15, 2006. We would prefer an early and short trip such as the one leaving at 8:00 and arrving at 10:26. My question concerns the schedule. It says the departure time from Koln is 8:00, arrives at Koln Messe/Deutz at 8:02 and next to that it says - Walk (10min). Next it states it leaves at 8:12 from Koln Messe/Deutz Gl.11-12 on an ICE.

So, do we have to get off the train 2 minutes after it leaves at another station then walk to another track at that station to catch the ICE?

Could we just start out at the Koln Messe/Deutz and skip all of the on/off stuff? If so, can you tell me where the station is?

Also, do I need reservations for the ICE?

Hope this not too silly a question, but I'm a bit confused. Thanks for your help. Barb

Yes, you should just start out at Koln Messe/Deutz. It's just across the Rhine from the Hbf.

you can see a map at www.viamichelin.com - just zoom in to the Cologne city center.

J62, Thanks for the warp speed response. Do I need a reservation for the ICE or can we just show up and buy the tickets? Barb

Reservations aren't necessary, but when you get on the train, check the window of the compartments for the seats that ARE reserved....and don't sit in those seats.
Yes, you can just show up and buy the tickets, or, if it is a busy train/time, you can get reserved seats a day or so ahead, if you want to.

If reservations were either required or recommended, bahn.de would indicate it. So just show up and buy your ticket.

Now I am the one who is confused.

Why don't you go to the Köln main station and take the train from there to Mainz that leaves at 8:15 and arrives in Mainz at 9:43.

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There are no changes enroute and it gets there about 45 minutes before the time you state.

The German web site says nothing about an extra charge or a seat reservation.
On the earlier trains it does.

Oh boy. Scratch the above response. It was intended for elsewhere. How it got onto your post is beyond me.

I did not mean to send to your thread. It is entirely inappropriate. My apologies.

Now where the train to Wurzburg is concerned, I looked at the fine print on the German web site and there is no indication that you need a reservation.

October the 15th is a Saturday, so my guess is that you do not.

However, a little closer to the actual date, I would check the web site again just to make sure.

Right now there is nothing showing that requires a reservation.

Again my apologies for the mixup and the erroneous post. Not something I like to find out I did!!

times like this we all wish Fodors had a "delete this post button", hey bob?

done the same thing myself a few times - usually when I'm in a really bad mood and fire off a nasty response I wish I'd kept to myself.

Thanks to everyone for your help. We will start out at Koln Messe/Deutz and probably buy our tickets the day before when we arrive at the Koln station. Bob, I went back to the website and couldn't find your route. When I came back to Fodor's to question it you had already fessed up. I guess you are trying to keep me on my toes! By the way October 15th is a Sunday, hope this doesn't make a difference. Appreciate all of you. Barb