Germany Transportation Tips by Weissdorn Top 5 Page for this destination

Special Offers to Neighbouring Euro-Cities

Discount Prices to European Metropoles
To compete with the airlines, the Bahn AG is offering discount prices for neighbouring metropoles. You can go to Paris for as little as 39 Euro one way, or Vienna for 29 Euro, or Venice for 19 Euro. The Europe Specials offer special deals to Copenhagen, Vienna, Linz, Strassburg, Paris (with the TVG), Florence, Pisa, Venice, Rome, and Naples.
Restrictions: 3 days pre-departure booking online, no refunds, no changing trains on your way to your destination.

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Type: Train

Taking your Bike on the Train

My first trip to Germany was as a high-school student on a bicylce, and I will never forget how, one day, we covered an incredible distance by taking our bikes on the train.
It used to be rather uncomplicated, you just bought an extra ticket for your bike. But ever since the Bahn A.G. privatised, everything about the Bahn is complicated. So, I will try to cover most of the details here.
These days, you not only have to have an extra ticket for your bicycle (Fahrradkarte) , you also have to have a reservation for it, too (Stellplatzreservierung) . When you buy the ticket for your bike, the reservation for it is free. If you also want a set reservation for you on the train, you only have to pay 3 Euro, if you have already bought a bike ticket.
When you get the ticket, there is a number printed on it. This is for the wagon number and the bike "parking place" number for your bike. Ask the platform attendent where you should stand, to make getting on the train easier for you.
Don't forget, you always have to book a bike ticket at least a day ahead of time, if not on the net, at least at the local train station.
For express trains, a bike ticket costs 8 Euro.
For regional trains, a bike ticket only costs 3 Euro .

If you want help in booking your bike/train tour through Germany, contact the ADFC (General German Bicycle Club). They will be happy to help you plan your bicycle through Germany.

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Phone: (0049-1805) 151415 low cost

Type: Train

Train Fare Savings for Europeans

InterRail and EuroDomino

Just want to see Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and you're not from overseas? Try the InterRail / EuroDomino Pass.

EuroDomino is the right choice if you want a 3-8 day train trip, divided in two classes: >25 and <25 years of age. European residents under the age of 25 can get a 3 day unlimited German rail pass for the 1st class for as little as 139 Euro.

A 16 day pass for unlimited travel in these countries is only 275 Euro (195 Euro for those under 25); and a 22 day pass for unlimited travel in these countries is only 396 Euro (286 Euro for those > 25). A one month pass for all zones, including all European countries except for Iceland and the countries in the former Soviet Union only costs 546 Euro (385 for those > 25).

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Other Contact: Fax: (0049-2241) 947799

Phone: (0049-2241) 947777

Type: Train

Last Minute Surf & Rail Bargins

Are you a bargin hunter? Than you might find the deal you're looking for from the Bahn AG by visiting the Surf & Rail site. It's the bargin basement assortment of cheap rail travel to major cities. Here are the conditions:

1) Only valid for online registered bookings at the Website
2) You are able to travel to some other European cities, such as Amsterdam and Zurich.
3) The trick is, you can only book the ticket 3 days ahead of time.
4) Unless otherwise stated, the price is 19 Euro one way.
5) Only valid for 2nd class.
6) Tickets are for ICE, EC/IC trains.
7) No refund, no return.
8) No children's discounts, or other additional discounts.
9) No train hopping to other destinations.
10) Valid for a month after purchase.
11) Supplies are extremely limited, so book three days in advance and not the night before.

Seat reservations are highly recommended - cost 3 Euro extra!

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Phone: +49-1805-996633 14 ct/Min.

Type: Train

The More the Merrier

Weekend or not, if you are travelling as a group with at least 6 people (2 kids = 1 adult). This is valid for any destination in Germany, and any travel class, and any type of train. The only restriction is that you purchase online and at least 14 days ahead of time.

Even if you can't book that far in advance, you can still get 50% discount for groups if you book online, and if you book up to 7 days in advance, you can save 60%.

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Other Contact: Fax: (0049-2241) 947799

Phone: (0049-800) 1507090 toll-free

Type: Train

German State-wide Train Tickets

Just visiting one or two German States? You can buy a daily ticket for all of the trains in the German state for unlimited use for the whole day for up to 5 people. They call these Laendertickets . They only cost from 18 - 27 Euro, depending on which state they are valid for.

Rules & Restrictions

1) They are only valid for one weekday (Monday - Friday)
2) You can only board the train between 9 a.m. until 3 a.m. of the following day
3) They are valid for 5 adults
4) There are no limits to the number of your own (grand)children under 15 years of age
5) They are only valid for 2nd class.
6) They are only valid for InterRegioExpress, RegionalExpress, RegionalBahn, or S-Bahn trains (no IC, ICE trains, or buses, or trams)
7) The price is cheaper if you book online or buy from the station vending machine. Buying in the ticket office or on the train costs extra.

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Other Contact: Fax: (0049-2241) 947799

Phone: (0049-800) 1507090 toll-free

Type: Train

Rental Car Budget Tips

A car is still one of the most versatile and economical forms of transportation in Europe.
First of all, if you are going to rent a car, I recommend that you choose the most economical diesel you can find. At the moment fuel costs 4.49 US$ per gallon for gasoline (1.03 €/liter) and 3.74 US$ per gallon for diesel (0.93 €/liter), which is mid-range-priced compared to the rest of Europe.

I recommend something like a VW Lupo turbo diesel, because it will offer you the following advantages:

- It only consumes 3-4 liters / 100 km, despite how fast you drive it.
- You can drive up to 170 kmph on the Autobahn (106 mph)
- You can park it in any small space in the city.
- It's in the lower day price range on the agency list.

Shop in Internet before you you rent your car in Germany. Seldom are the package prices from your travel agent less than the ones you book yourself.

Remember, the longer period you book, the better your choices will be, and the more you will save.

Here are some good addresses for shopping and comparing. Sometimes a major rental agency will have a better prices than no-names, because it depends on the length of your trip (in days and in kilometers).

Links:
http://n-tv.mietwagenmarkt.de
http://www.autovermietung.de/standard/findlocation.php
http://billiger-mietwagen.de
http://www.mietwagenmarkt.de/

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Type: Car/Motor Home

Non-Europeans Save with the Eurail Pass

The Bahn AG changed the rules, and now you are allowed to purchase a Eurail Pass in Germany. You are no longer forced to buy one before you leave Germany. You do have to present a valid passport when you purchase one in Germany, as the Eurail Pass is still for non-European residents only. There are three diffent time periods you can get one for: 15 days, 1, 2 or 3 months. Eurail Passes have the advantage that they are for the 1st class. Youth Passes are half-price (limited to people between the ages of 12-26). Adult saver passes are available, which means if you book at least 2 of them together with a friend or spouse you also save. There are also special bonus discounts for Eurail Pass holders in Germany.

They have 4 different kinds of Eurail Passes:
- Eurail Global Pass for unlimited travel in Continental Europe (outside the UK and Ireland)
- Eurail Select Pass for unlimited travel in 3-5 countries of your choice (cheaper)
- Eurail Regional Pass for unlimited travel in a certain region (such as if you want to do the Alps the Germany-Austria or Germany-Switzerland Pass)
- Eurail National Pass for unlimited travel in one particular country.

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Type: Train

Website: http://www.eurail.com

Halfprice for Early Birds

All you have to do to save 50% on regular train tickets, is to make up your mind at least 3 days ahead of time, where you want to go, and you have to include at least the whole weekend at your destination.

Sounds a bit complicated, but it's simple. Figure out a week ahead of time, where you want to go, and figure in a weekend stay. For example, plan to go from Frankfurt to Munich on Friday, and return back to Frankfurt, or go elsewhere on Monday. Then you can save 50% over regular fare, if you book online and use your credit card.

If you book without a weekend in between then you only get a 25% discount.

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Phone: +49-1805-996633 14 ct/Min.

Type: Train

Website: http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml

New Permanent Budget Price for 2008

The Bahn AG has changed their budget prices for 2008. Now you can purchase one-way tickets for as little as 29 Euro. Depending on the route, you pay in 10 Euro increments (29, 39, 49, 59, and 69 Euro).

Here are the conditions:
1) The price depends on the route (Check at the website first)
2) Price is valid until 12.31.2008
3) Tickets only available online.
4) You can book up to 3 months to 3 days prior to departure.
5) There's a limited number of tickets
6) You can't buy it on the train
7) You can't use other Bahn discounts
8) It's only valid for 2nd class
9) Night trips cost a little extra
10) Careful, the return trip could be more expense!
11) You can get a refund.
12) If you miss your train, you can take the next one.
13) You can use ICE's IC's and other trains
14) It's only valid for Germany

Seat reservations for an additional 3 Euro are encouraged!

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Phone: +49-1805-996633 14 ct/Min.

Type: Train

Website: http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml