christianmilano
Traveller
8 comments
Posted 13 years ago
Hi everyone!
I found that information about special supplements for German trains is different on the web sites of the Austrian (ÖBB) and German (DB) railways.
For example, let's take ICE 848 from Berlin to Köln, which I checked on both sites (8th May, departure 13:20).
On the ÖBB web site, it says: Subject to supplement.
On the DB web site, it does *not* say anything about supplements or reservations.
The same happens for almost every train in Germany, and for many international trains to and from Germany (e.g. Brussels-Köln with ICE 17). ÖBB site says subject to supplement, DB site does not. I asked at an Austrian ticket station, but the lady was unable to answer my question (Hm, yeah, strange). DB customer service sent me a useless, automatically generated reply, ignoring my question.
I am inclined to believe that the DB web site is correct, because, well, it's their own :) And it's in line with general information on the Interrail web site about supplements and reservations in Germany. However, I wonder why ÖBB would put such incorrect information on their site. (In fact, I thought, or hoped, that there was some kind of central European data base for train connections, which web sites of different rail companies just interface to, in order to eliminate such inconsistencies.)
In general, which sources are reliable when it comes to questions about supplements and reservations? Can I usually just trust the web site of a country's own rail company?
Thanks for your help!
Christian
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi Christian!
If you are travelling with InterRail I would recommend to have a look here at our forum/website for specific information regarding (not only) supplements/reservations. The websites of the different rail companies do not really provide much information regarding travel with InterRail.
What is important for you: You dont need a reservation/supplement for travelling with ICE trains. Only exception: International travels to/from France (10€ reservation).
The subject to supplement info on the ÖBB website is not relevant for travelling with InterRail, it only concerns standard rail tickets.
Flo 8)
nltrainer
Traveller
1405 comments
it varies-there is a site, where the national train companies/systems that take/sell IR are supposed to give the full info. Some do-some do not, some only half, incl. on which other''companies'' you can use the pass etc. But germany is quite good at it and can be trusted.
DE is quite a good country to use IR
-normal fares are quite high, so you save a lot
-excellent luxury trains, the ICE and EC and also an extensive network
NO supplmnts-execpt for the very, very few early mornign superfast ICE-SPRINTER-easy to avoid (you get a coffee, newsppr and some roll in it-that is why you pay more).
-as always nighttrains must be reserved, buit even that is easy to do-as passholder-on the [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] site.
-IR is also valid on nearly all the many local operators that run on various local lines all over the country
and-if you have a x days in y -pass, DE also offers an enormous range on local tickets for short excursions in between-also valid on local buses etc.