Has anyone bought train tickets at the Hbf in Berlin to go first class to Prague?
If so, can this be done at a window or is everything machine?

We had problems in German rail stations with machines and no one to help us. Some stations required one line for ticket and one line for seat reservations. I hate to be frustrated and give up - any advice is appreciated.

I recommend that while you are out and about in Berlin just stop in any DB train station. i.e. Potsdamer Platz or Alexander Platz, and buy your ticket a day or 2 in advance of your travel. That way you won't be stressed, with luggage in tow, on the actual day of travel. Hbf is now the major station in Berlin so they will have a staffed ticket office.

The Hbf just opened, so I've never been there - just Zoo and Ost.

You can buy tickets online at www.bahn.de and print them yourself. Look for the Europa-Spezial fare (E29 and E39). Sorry, I don't know if one is 2nd class and one is 1st class or if both are 2nd class and the higher fare means the cheaper tickets are gone.

J62 Your idea sounds good and I will try it. The Hbf in Berlin is Zoo.
Thanks.

>The Hbf in Berlin is Zoo

Not any more.

Yes. The day before. At the window. No problem at all.

The Europa-Spezial ticket is described in detail (in German only) on the bahn website under Surf&Rail International. It is only in 2nd class, but it is for EuroCity (EC) trains. ECs are nice in 2nd class. The tickets cost €29 while available, then €39. If you use the Bahn query page, you will find the fare shown under savings fares. The tickets can only be purchased online for self print.

The trains on which these tickets are offered leave Berlin Hbf tief at 13:42, 15:42, and 17:42 and take about 5 hours.

Berlin Hbf is a brand new station, just opened a few months ago, and is east to Zoo.

Sorry, that should be the Hauptbahnhof is east *OF* Zoo Bahnhof. The new Hbf is actually at the site of the old Lehrter Bahnhof. It is near the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, and Potsdamer Platz.

If you have any (valid) concerns about your ability to buy tickets and not be understood/unable to use the machines or whatever AND the Euraide office is still located at the Zoo Station then go THERE (to Euraide)and buy the tickets.

We rode the train from berlin-prague first class, the train was vintage WW2 era, filthy and broken down with a waiter that looked like SGT. Shultz. The train back from prague to berlin was clean, had a great bar/dining car, completely different experience.

What train did you ride from Berlin to Prague? Was it a Eurocity (EC), or some regional train.

Every EC I have ever been on in Germany has been clean and modern.

The Europa-Spezial tickets have to be purchased ONLINE three days prior to travel, and they are either self printed, or mailed and take up to 3 working days for delivery. I don't know if Euraide can handle this requirement. If you go to EurAide, you might have to pay €54 for a ticket you can get online for €29.

By the way, every DB counter clerk I have ever encountered at a major German station has spoken perfect English.

Just don't expect any DB clerk to speak to you in Italian. Half the country still seems steamed about the Fringes suspension.