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Questions about bahn.de website (trains in Europe).
My H and I are trying to get an idea of prices for trains in Europe (multiple cities and countries). We're debating if it's cheaper to purchase ahead of time or just get point-to-point tickets at the stations when we arrive.
I've been checking the www.bahn.de website for schedules, prices, and such. I've noticed there's a column for "Savings Fares." For a few departures there are significantly cheaper prices listed in this section.
This is probably a stupid question, but what does this mean? Are these just limited-time-only discount deals that are offered for buying in advance? And do you think these prices will be cheaper than buying point-to-point when we arrive?
If it helps, here's an example:
Bamberg to Berlin on April 3; Departure 9:52am
Standard Fare: 76 Euro
Savings Fare: 29 Euro
Re: Questions about bahn.de website (trains in Europe).
Hi I have been using the Deutsche Bahn a lot when I lived in Germany. It can be a little confusing to read their website. They made a lot of changes when the CEO from an airline took over Deutsche Bahn and changed the price structure. If you book early you get MUCH better prices. Those are the saver prices you see. They are not always available, especially if you book last minute, then you will be stuck with the standard price.
There is also a Bahn Card available, which is valid for a year and reduces the standard price. It's worth it if you travel a lot and can't get the Saving Price.
Make sure you have the credit card you use to purchase your ticket with you and an ID when you travel with the Deutsche Bahn.
My favorite train is the ICE, it has AC, cell phone wagons, Internet Wagons, a restaurant, and is much faster and more comfortable than the EC.
Happy traveling.
It's cheaper to buy in advance. You may be able to still get saver fares closer to the travel dates, but they'll most likely be more than 29 EUR and there won't be as many options available.To get a feel for it, look at what spar-prices are for tomorrow or next week.
ETA: The previous poster mentioned the savings card. There are 3, one for 25%, 50% and 100%. The 100% most likely isn't worth it and the 50% one is only valid off full price tickets (so it won't work for the spar-tickets). The 25% will also give you a discount off of the spar tickets. This is the one we ended up going with when we bought our card. I think it's 58 EUR per person. Those discounts are only valid for the trains within Germany.
Also, the price shown is the price for all passengers that you inputed, (and if you put that you have a savings card that discount is included in the price you see), but it doesn't include price for the seat reservations which, if needed, is usually somewhere around 10-15 EUR (for the group).
DB releases the savings fares 92 days in advance. Get it while you can!
ETA: I don't think you can get a savings card (Bahncard) unless you have a bank account in Germany. I'm pretty sure you have to be a resident to get a bank account in Germany.
http://www.bahn.de/hilfe/view/pk/en/preisinfo.shtml
Thank you, everyone! I think I've been researching so much that I've begun to get overwhelmed and confused, so breaking it down for me was very helpful.
It looks like we can save a lot of money by booking in advance and we're fine with leaving at set times, so we'll snatch the savings fares up for Germany while we can!
I have one more question: Traveling (or anyone else who can answer), you mentioned we might need seat reservations... how do we know if we will? When we purchase the tickets online or when we arrive?
For Germany, if you are on an IC or ICE it's recommended if you are going second class on a popular route (that's knowledge from my travel agent days, not sure how valid it is now). I don't think the offer to reserve a seat will be given for the trains that don't have assigned seating. I believe most (if not all) IC/ICE trains have a section for open seating, but some trains just fill up more than others. I always try to make a seat reservation because I just like knowing I have a seat (plus I have a baby). Still, I've had to make changes at the last minute and wasn't able to reserve a seat. Even then, I might not find a seat immediately, but after a stop or two I can usually secure one. I just don't like to stand.
And I'm not 100% sure because it's been a few months since I've booked, but if you are getting all your tickets at once you might only have to pay for one big seat reservation.