Train connection and special fare

by Gemma
(London uk)

Ice train in a train station

What if I miss a connection on a special fare because my first train was late?

I am looking at booking a train journey for 2 of us to go from Berlin to Amsterdam in March. However, the special fares of €73 only give us a 5 minute connection time. If we change the connection time to longer then the price is no longer on special and full price its over €220!

In the UK if you miss your connecting train because the first one was delayed they have to allow you onto the next train as it was their fault you were delayed. We can not find any info on this on the internet and don't want to pay €73 only to end up paying a penalty fare on the day for not being on the right train. Does anyone know how it works?

Thanks

Comments for Train connection and special fare

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Mar 12, 2011

Update on missing a train
by: Rita

I know other travellers also wondered what to do if a connecting train is missed, here's the update.

When you have a Saver fare ticket., or any other ticket with seat reservation and you miss the connecting train because the first train was late, there are two options:

1) To continue the journey on the next ICE /IC train you need to contact staff at the DB service point at the train station. They will confirm the delay and make your ticket valid for the next ICE train to your destination.

2) You can use a Regional Express, or any other local train, without problems. These trains don't take reservations anyway, so your ticket is good.

Rita

Feb 02, 2011

thanks
by: Gemma

Thanks Rita I think we will book the train through to Amsterdam via Hilversum and if we miss the connection we will buy a ticket on the day to do the last bit.

Thanks
Gemma

Jan 30, 2011

DB special offers
by: Rita

For anyone wondering where to get these cheap tickets, go to the Deutsche Bahn website, type in your connection. If available you will get Super saver fare from as little as EUR 19,90. in the search results.

Rita

Jan 30, 2011

5 minutes connection time
by: Rita

Hi Gemma,

Jeez, this is tricky. I would say even if the train is in time, 5 minutes is very short.

When there are many other travellers leaving the train, with lots of baggage, it can take a few minutes to get off the train.
Perhaps you need to change platforms as well, meaning walking down stairs into a tunnel, walking up stairs on the platform you are going to leave.

Are you talking about the connection where you change trains in Hilversum?

Even if I could find out what the Deutsche Bahn policy is on this issue (missing a connection with a special price ticket), I don't know if this is valid for the connecting train in the Netherlands too.

If you mean the Berlin - Hilversum - Amsterdam connection, you could book a ticket Berlin to Hilversum. From Hilversum to Amsterdam it is not very far, you can buy a ticket which is only between 3 and 5 Euro per person.

Just to be on the safe side.

Rita

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