Trains make traveling throughout Europe hassle-free
***image1***With increased gas prices, dense traffic and often some tiring construction sites on Germany’s highways, many people are leaving their cars in the garage these days and taking the train.
More and more travelers are turning to the railroad for business and leisure travel because trains make traveling hassle-free. Special offers, family and group discounts as well as evening and night travel reductions help keep the cost of train-travel down.
There are plenty of ways for people to travel at reduced rates. It is important to look into different saving options when planning a trip.
Here is a breakdown of some train offers. There are, of course, many other products to choose from that are not listed here. The prices listed are for second-class travel only.
Eurail Global Passes
These passes are for unlimited travel in 20 different countries within Europe. There are several different kinds of Eurail passes and the prices range from €557 to about €1,340 for a ticket. These passes are a great way to see Europe and offer a lot of travel flexibility.
Savings fare 25, 50 (Sparpreis 25, 50)
German Rail offers discount fares for long-distance travel within Germany. There are two different discount structures, which are the Savings Fare 25 and Savings Fare 50. These fares offer 25 and 50 percent reductions off normal return fares, provided passengers restrict themselves to a particular travel day and train and that the start and return point are from and to the same station. Also, in order to obtain the Savings Fare 25, the ticket has to be purchased at least three days prior to traveling. The fare is only available for round trips.
Groups travel cheaper
Groups of five or more people travel cheaper when traveling
together. Just tell the ticket seller that you’re traveling as a group and take advantage of discount offers.
Groups & Save tickets are available at discount prices when purchased one hour, a week or even 14 days prior to departure. The price depends on how early the tickets are booked. The number of people is limited to 20 people per group.
Happy-Weekend-Ticket
This popular ticket is valid for groups up to five people traveling together and for parents traveling with their children, age 14 or under. This pass is valid from midnight until 3 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is €33 for the group.
Laender Tickets
If you would like to travel for an entire day on weekdays, the Laender, or federal state ticket, is great. You may travel from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. any day of the week (except for Saturdays) on local trains throughout different German states. Keep in mind that in some states, tickets are only valid on weekends and prices vary.
How to purchase train tickets?
Travelers can obtain tickets through the Internet, by phone, at a train station counter, through a travel agency, through a call center or from a vending machine.
Most German Rail tickets can be booked directly online with a major credit card.
Travel information
If you wish to receive information on the phone, call 01805-996633 and ask for an English-speaking German Rail agent. Information in English is also available at www.bahn.de.
***image2***Vending machines
Travelers can purchase tickets or reserve seats at vending machines, located inside train stations. The menu is available in English. Select your destination by date and departure time. It is important to know the track number where the train will leave from. The German word for track is “Gleis.”
Ticket checks
On German trains, tickets must not be stamped prior to departure. Attendants check tickets on the train and will stamp them there. If you own a BahnCard, always present it with your ticket. Attendants will help with connections and train information.
Seat reservations
During heavy traffic hours, the trains can get crowded. It is therefore highly recommended to reserve seats ahead of time on any longer trips and when traveling on EC, IC and ICE trains.
Prompt departures
Keep in mind that German trains usually arrive and depart right on time and don’t wait on travelers. Any possible delays are always announced over the loudspeaker at the train station and on display boards above the railway tracks.
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***image1***With increased gas prices, dense traffic and often some tiring construction sites on Germany’s highways, many people are leaving their cars in the garage these days and taking the train.
More and more travelers are turning to the railroad for business and leisure travel because trains make traveling hassle-free. Special offers, family and group discounts as well as evening and night travel reductions help keep the cost of train-travel down.
There are plenty of ways for people to travel at reduced rates. It is important to look into different saving options when planning a trip.
Here is a breakdown of some train offers. There are, of course, many other products to choose from that are not listed here. The prices listed are for second-class travel only.
Eurail Global Passes
These passes are for unlimited travel in 20 different countries within Europe. There are several different kinds of Eurail passes and the prices range from €557 to about €1,340 for a ticket. These passes are a great way to see Europe and offer a lot of travel flexibility.
Savings fare 25, 50 (Sparpreis 25, 50)
German Rail offers discount fares for long-distance travel within Germany. There are two different discount structures, which are the Savings Fare 25 and Savings Fare 50. These fares offer 25 and 50 percent reductions off normal return fares, provided passengers restrict themselves to a particular travel day and train and that the start and return point are from and to the same station. Also, in order to obtain the Savings Fare 25, the ticket has to be purchased at least three days prior to traveling. The fare is only available for round trips.
Groups travel cheaper
Groups of five or more people travel cheaper when traveling
together. Just tell the ticket seller that you’re traveling as a group and take advantage of discount offers.
Groups & Save tickets are available at discount prices when purchased one hour, a week or even 14 days prior to departure. The price depends on how early the tickets are booked. The number of people is limited to 20 people per group.
Happy-Weekend-Ticket
This popular ticket is valid for groups up to five people traveling together and for parents traveling with their children, age 14 or under. This pass is valid from midnight until 3 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is €33 for the group.
Laender Tickets
If you would like to travel for an entire day on weekdays, the Laender, or federal state ticket, is great. You may travel from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. any day of the week (except for Saturdays) on local trains throughout different German states. Keep in mind that in some states, tickets are only valid on weekends and prices vary.
How to purchase train tickets?
Travelers can obtain tickets through the Internet, by phone, at a train station counter, through a travel agency, through a call center or from a vending machine.
Most German Rail tickets can be booked directly online with a major credit card.
Travel information
If you wish to receive information on the phone, call 01805-996633 and ask for an English-speaking German Rail agent. Information in English is also available at www.bahn.de.
***image2***Vending machines
Travelers can purchase tickets or reserve seats at vending machines, located inside train stations. The menu is available in English. Select your destination by date and departure time. It is important to know the track number where the train will leave from. The German word for track is “Gleis.”
Ticket checks
On German trains, tickets must not be stamped prior to departure. Attendants check tickets on the train and will stamp them there. If you own a BahnCard, always present it with your ticket. Attendants will help with connections and train information.
Seat reservations
During heavy traffic hours, the trains can get crowded. It is therefore highly recommended to reserve seats ahead of time on any longer trips and when traveling on EC, IC and ICE trains.
Prompt departures
Keep in mind that German trains usually arrive and depart right on time and don’t wait on travelers. Any possible delays are always announced over the loudspeaker at the train station and on display boards above the railway tracks.