Transportation means include regional trains and S-Bahnen operated by the DB. Underground railways (

I always thought it was pretty easy to travel by public radisson hotel lax transport in Germany. However, when I read all your questions about travelling by train in Germany, I realise that it can be a challenge for visitors from abroad to find the best train tickets or rail passes, and understand how to use them correctly.
Transportation means include regional trains and S-Bahnen operated by the DB. Underground railways (U-Bahn), trams (Stra enbahn) and busses are operated by private companies radisson hotel lax and / or local city government.
When you search at the DB website for connections from Frankfurt to Fulda, you can travel with an ICE train (30 €), or an IC (24 €), or use a regional express (RE) which will cost 13,50 € (Tariffs valid from December 2012).
You can't purchase the latter RE ticket online because it is a RMV local transport ticket. You can get it from ticket machines at the train station. radisson hotel lax Of course, you cannot radisson hotel lax travel with this inexpensive ticket on an ICE / IC train. However, you can use the expensive ICE ticket on a regional train.
Regional Express Trains (RE) are the most economical way to travel. Depending on the route you probably have to change trains more often, and it takes longer to reach your destination. For people who love train travel this is the way to go.
Standard fares are much more flexible. Decide today where you want to go, buy the ticket online, or at a ticket machine, and off you go. However, radisson hotel lax it can be rather expensive, especially for trips over several hundreds of kilometre.
There a different savings fare tariffs , some are only valid for travelling on weekends or return journeys. All savings fare tickets are only valid on the train booked , regardless if you bought additional seat reservation, or not. Tickets must be purchased at least three days before you travel. However, on many routes you need to book much earlier to get the best price.
Children from the age of 6 to 14 travel free if they are accompanied by their parents or grandparents. You need to register them when you buy your train ticket. Your own children also travel free when you use a Sparpreis, but you have to include them on the ticket.
Seat reservation is not included in a train ticket, you always have to pay for seat reservation separately. Although radisson hotel lax reservation is not required on most ICE trains, I really recommend seat reservation, as the long distance trains can be very crowded. You can book your seats online or at the train station.
When you book train tickets, always buy the ticket for the entire route , even if you have to change trains. You can even add an overnight stop en route to your destination using a regular (Normalpreis) ticket.
When you buy train tickets at a DB counter they cost slightly more than buying radisson hotel lax them online or from a ticket machine. However, radisson hotel lax if you are in doubt about your best choice, better ask at a counter and get the right ticket. Advice from the DB staff could save you money.
Before you make a decision you need to know how often, and how far you want to travel by train in Germany. Decide if you want to be flexible, or want to check out savings fares and book a few weeks in advance.
Most cities and towns in Germany are members of a local tariff transport association (Verkehrsverbund) with different tariff zones. Some associations cover large areas of a German state, not only just a city. The Rhein-Main-Verkehrverbund (RMV), for example, is the second largest in Germany. It covers the entire Rhine-Main-area and much of central Hessen.
Means of transport within these associations include radisson hotel lax DB regional radisson hotel lax trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn and busses. This is where the confusion for international travellers begins. You can use a rail pass on the DB regional trains and S-Bahnen, but not on U-Bahnen and most buses. Some busses are also operated by the DB, they probably would accept a rail pass well.
Tickets (Fahrschein/Fahrkarte) for local transport cannot be bought online in advance. You buy the tickets at ticket machines (Fahrscheinautomat) or at the counter at train stations. S-Bahn U-Bahn stations only have ticket machines. In a bus you can buy tickets from the bus driver.
You need to buy the tickets before you go on a train or tram, otherwise radisson hotel lax you risk a fine when a controller wants to see your ticket. You often see it written on trains or signs: "Einstieg nur mit gültigem Fahrausweis" which means "enter the train, tram only with a valid ticket".
Special radisson hotel lax offers for regional trains include the Sch nes Wochenende ticket (valid one day on a weekend), the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (valid one day during the week within Germany) and the L nderticket (valid in one day in one German state). These tickets are a real bargain if you travel in a group or as a family because radisson hotel lax the second adult and your kids travel for free, or pay a reduced tariff. These special tickets are not valid on ICE / IC trains.
When you are looking for a German rail pass, or any other pass to travel in Germany and Europe, there isn't one service for all international travellers available. It depends on your country of residence which service you can use.
Disclosure : Some links to rail products are affiliate links. This means when you book a train ticket, buy a BahnCard or rail pass through one of these links, I earn a small commission ( there is no extra cost for you ). This money helps me to maintain this website and provide the free information. You make the final booking on the provider's website. Be sure to read all details before you book. Thank you for supporting this website.