My husband and I will be in Basel,Swiss. on the 26th of Dec. (the end of a river cruise)
and we need to take a train to Munich. I can't seem to figure out how to purchase the
tickets prior to going over there. This will be the first time we've traveled independently
in Europe and we are excited and a little apprehensive. Could anyone out ther give me
some direction on how to purchase the tickets we need? Thanks!!

Hi sueken,

It's really very easy. Just go to the Swiss rail site at

www.rail.ch

Enter your information and get the schedules (use the calendar function -- or be sure to use the Europan date formula of day.month.year). Select your train, then buy online.

I believe that the schedules past mid-December won't be loaded until October. As soon as they're loaded, go online and buy the tickets. There are great discounts available when you buy about 89 days in advance, so it's worthwhile to get them.

Once you register and purchase your ticket, you'll get a pdf. Just print the pdf, and it's your ticket.

I've done this numerous times with the Swiss and the German train systems. It's easy.

Have fun!

s

Hi sueken,

presumably you are looking at the german railway site at

<<bahn.de english>>

if you input your date of travel you will discover that the timetable for 14.12.09 onwards hasn't been published yet, which is why you can't book your tickets.

wait a few weeks then try again.

regards, ann

Hi S,

You can also buy online at www.bahn.de, which could be simpler.

They offer 29E tickets (good luck grabbing one), 49E discounted tickets (more likely to get one) and full fare at 89E.

You can purchase and print your ticket online.

Thank you all so much for you directions on how to purchase the tickets we need. We are so excited for our trip, retired
a couple of years ago and now get to do the things we've been dreaming about!!

Thanks again, sueken

You could just purchase the tickets at the Basel train station. Check the schedule, pick a train and go.