The track actually got a bit smoother when we entered Germany; I think we got onto track designed for high speed trains. Looks like we’ll even arrive a few minutes early!
DB trains: should I be concerned?
- Thread starter Jupiter
- Start date
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Jullecaster
Tele-Afflicted
I love how they already know about the delay from Frankfurt onwards three hours before. Probably something completely trivial and random but they‘re powerless to stop it…
What I thought was interesting was that they predicted we’d arrive 1 minute late but we actually arrived about 6 minutes earlyI love how they already know about the delay from Frankfurt onwards three hours before. Probably something completely trivial and random but they‘re powerless to stop it…
Luck is holding:
Bob Womack
Friend of Leo's
Speaking of DB Trains.
Bob
Bob
Well here we go…
Stuff’s hitting the fan today…
Original itinerary is cacked; the updated one they gave me was already broken when they handed it over…
First leg train is 1/2hr late, and gradually getting later
We’ll take that one to Frankfurt airport and then improvise I guess.
Luckily no plans in Ghent tonight except checking into the hotel
.
All part of the experience!
Original itinerary is cacked; the updated one they gave me was already broken when they handed it over…
First leg train is 1/2hr late, and gradually getting later
We’ll take that one to Frankfurt airport and then improvise I guess.
Luckily no plans in Ghent tonight except checking into the hotel
.All part of the experience!
Coolin our jets at the Frankfurt airport station for 2 hours I guess
DB app is cruelly sending me notifications for trains that were missed or cancelled 
Looks like we’re going to Köln!
I’m tempted to go back into the Netherlands and catch a train from there
I’m tempted to go back into the Netherlands and catch a train from there
RomanS
Poster Extraordinaire
That's DB standard procedure; the DB app also allows you to buy and reserve seats on trains that have been cancelled for the foreseeable future...DB app is cruelly sending me notifications for trains that were missed or cancelled
41144
Friend of Leo's
Personally, trains inside Germany can be iffy, but compared to UK beyond fault ! ... But the ones between Germany and the rest of Europe have always been reliable and highly comfortable to use.
Engine Swap
Poster Extraordinaire
Last year, I was in NOLA and ironically, I was waiting for a streetcar that never came. Waiting with me was a guy from Germany and he was lamenting the decline in the German rail system.
This train to Brussels was scheduled for 15:41
Ten minutes before it arrived, they changed it to 15:51.
At 15:49 they changed it to 16:01
Ever since then, every 10 minutes they’ve pushed it back
Ten minutes before it arrived, they changed it to 15:51.
At 15:49 they changed it to 16:01
Ever since then, every 10 minutes they’ve pushed it back
Whew, pandemonium when the train finally arrived! People crammed in like it was the last boat off the Titanic.
When I (re)-booked this one, I insisted on reserved seats in spite of the eye rolls at the counter, and that was my best move of the day. As it was, I had to kick a guy out of my seat…
We left the station about 10 minutes ago and there are still people wandering the aisles looking for seats.
When I (re)-booked this one, I insisted on reserved seats in spite of the eye rolls at the counter, and that was my best move of the day. As it was, I had to kick a guy out of my seat…
We left the station about 10 minutes ago and there are still people wandering the aisles looking for seats.
Rustbucket
Poster Extraordinaire
I have limited but positive experience on DB trains. My anecdotal advice is to book tickets with actual reserved seats as opposed to an open seating ticket. Otherwise, you might end up drinking beer on the floor hobo style like me and my two buddies. 
JohnnyThul
Tele-Afflicted
I quit my job, because i could not bear the stress with the trains here anymore. People don't realise how stressful commuting by train is. You never know what will happen, information flow is a disaster and 9 out of 10 times trains were late on my way to work.
Pure horror.
Commuting by car, even in traffic jams is so much easier on your nerves. But too expensive for me.
I started with train ride of 48km one way taking 70 minutes and ended after 10 years with the same way taking up to 120 minutes. I lost so much time, it's ridiculous....
I can tell you, having travelled the whole of Europe by train, German train system is by far the worst, even in Albania ( beautiful country!!!!) trains were more reliable than in Germany.
First rule travelling in Europe by train is: get as fast out of Germany, as possible, then its a breeze.
Now I got a new job and can ride there by bicycle. I still cannot believe what a lucky bastid I am, having so much more time and less stress.
I haven't used public transport in 6 months now, and I feel like living the life.
Deutsche Bahn owes me big time.....
Pure horror.
Commuting by car, even in traffic jams is so much easier on your nerves. But too expensive for me.
I started with train ride of 48km one way taking 70 minutes and ended after 10 years with the same way taking up to 120 minutes. I lost so much time, it's ridiculous....
I can tell you, having travelled the whole of Europe by train, German train system is by far the worst, even in Albania ( beautiful country!!!!) trains were more reliable than in Germany.
First rule travelling in Europe by train is: get as fast out of Germany, as possible, then its a breeze.
Now I got a new job and can ride there by bicycle. I still cannot believe what a lucky bastid I am, having so much more time and less stress.
I haven't used public transport in 6 months now, and I feel like living the life.
Deutsche Bahn owes me big time.....
RomanS
Poster Extraordinaire
Thing is, if your train is cancelled (which is not uncommon with DB), the reservation doesn't transfer to a new/replacement ticket, and you won't get a refund for the reservation fee, either; plus, their online booking system will gladly sell you a reservation for a train that is not currently in service (weather, maintenance work on the line...); and yep, no refund in that case, either...I have limited but positive experience on DB trains. My anecdotal advice is to book tickets with actual reserved seats as opposed to an open seating ticket. Otherwise, you might end up drinking beer on the floor hobo style like me and my two buddies.
Actually, my experience was that when my original itinerary went out the window, they stamped my my ticket and said I could get on any trains; I asked for reserved seats and they did it. Which was HUGE on the Köln to Brussels leg, cuz that was packed. Maybe it helps to speak English
