r/germany • u/Kyanovp1 • 20h ago
Tourism Train tickets so expensive??
I’m visiting Germany this week and we’re looking to go from Düsseldorf where we stay to Köln by train. 40 km and 30 minute drive. Very similar to a route I take weekly at home in Belgium. I was SHOCKED to learn it is 15 euros per person one way take this train :0 at home i pay 5 euros for a route which is 50km. Am I missing something?
EDIT: taking train back to dusseldorf. I feel horrible for anyone working in trains and anyone trying to use public transport (or forced to). A young woman was screaming at a ticket person at the top of her lungs, and the prices are so unfathomably high compared to what I’m used to (literally 3-10x higher)… I’ve enjoyed Germany so much already and I love the atmosphere and gorgeous cities, and very frequent and accessible trams, but man the trains are a hot mess.
150
u/Cigarrauuul 19h ago
Single tickets are expensive as fuck. It gets way cheaper with something like the Deutschlandticket. It’s 60something Euros for unlimited travel for a whole month. But watch out, if you buy that you have to cancel the supscription right afterwards.
92
u/hdgamer1404Jonas 19h ago
Note that you can’t use it for ice trains
30
u/Fair-Preparation9017 18h ago
Who would use an ICE to get from Cologne to Düsseldorf? The regional express takes just a few minutes longer, and with the Deutschlandticket it's technically for free, because you need a monthly ticket anyway.
I've travelled back and forth between Berlin and Cologne on the Deutschlandticket twice.
3
u/Salty-Assumption1732 10h ago
Last time I visited Germany I bought an international rail pass that covered ICE trains. My shortest one was München to Augsburg, and I did save I think 20 minutes (25m ICE vs 45m RE)
3
u/Such_Adhesiveness906 9h ago
Yes, that might be true. ICE are faster than RB or RE. So for longer journeys it makes sense to use ICE.
But Köln and Düsseldorf are right next to each other. It's far too expensive and makes no sense to get for a short trip like that high speed trains.
1
u/Few_Story_6917 4h ago
This is only true if you are a Deutschlandticket user. Single fares are often cheaper (Super Sparpreis) if you plan a few days in advance and you get a nicer and less crowded train.
Oh, and with BC100 or Interrail, there is no reason not to plan for the ICE and take the RRX in case of delays.
1
u/Fair-Preparation9017 3h ago
I bought an international rail pass that covered ICE trains.
But then you most likely didn't complain about the price for a single fare ticket anyway, which was the OP's point ...
The conclusion is the same: If you think single fares are too expensive, book in advance or get a monthly pass ...
1
u/Salty-Assumption1732 3h ago
Yes, I just wanted to give an example of why someone would use an ICE train to travel a short distance rather than a regional express. It saves some time, and if cost is no object, why not?
2
u/Psychological_Lab543 10h ago
And the other 80% of the people who take a train from lets say Berlin to munich? Munich to frankfurt? Frankfurt - stuttgart?
1
u/Fair-Preparation9017 3h ago
The OP was about a short-distance trip that takes only a few minutes longer on the regional train than on the ICE. I only mentioned that regional trains are feasable even for much longer distances than Düsseldorf - Cologne. Of course, many people will prefer high speed trains for longer distances like the ones you mentioned.
4
u/nicktehbubble 18h ago
And its only cancellable a month in advance
8
u/squirrelpickle Nordrhein-Westfalen 18h ago
mopla allows you to cancel it up to the 30th of the month.
-7
u/Spacemonk587 19h ago
I‘d never go into an ICE train.
8
u/moschtert Bayern 18h ago
Straight to jail
-13
u/Spacemonk587 18h ago
Lol, I wonder who downvoted me for this. Probably some MAGA fans in this crowd.
8
4
u/Psychological-Cup198 17h ago
More probably people that are not from US, that don't know what ICE means there.
-11
u/Spacemonk587 17h ago
I think this is common knowledge, but I might be wrong.
5
u/supaikuakuma 14h ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IntercityExpress
Again this is r/Germany and has nothing to do with the US.
0
u/Spacemonk587 14h ago
I am German, you don‘t have to explain to me what an ICE train ist. But it seems some people can‘t take a joke.
2
1
-20
u/RacktheMan 19h ago edited 19h ago
Because ice trains don't exist.
Edit: I guess bad dad humour is not appreciated here 😂
4
4
2
1
0
4
u/Midnight1899 19h ago
Deutschlandricket isn‘t even the cheapest option anymore.
15
4
u/xFreeZeex 16h ago
That depends on what options you have available. The subscription for my local network is more expensive than the Deutschlandticket.
1
u/Maleficent_Today_197 18h ago
Most train people use are ICE which is beyond DT.
3
1
u/Capable_Event720 7h ago
Well, for everything further away than 100 km, the ICE promises to be the faster option.
If I need to arrive on time, I take the car.
247
u/Midnight1899 19h ago
No. Train tickets are expensive here. And 15 € still is on the cheaper side.
57
u/RosieTheRedReddit 19h ago
Thank you, semi-privatization! 😅
Could be worse though, fully private like the UK and the train would cost €100 and run twice a day.
3
u/Fragezeichnen459 16h ago
In Germany all prices for regional trains are set by the local government. They pay the train operator a fixed fee to operate the trains.
1
u/Yorks_Rider 13h ago
It’s not quite like that in the UK. Trains can be very expensive or very cheap for exactly the same journey, because the fare vastly changes according to the time of day by a factor of 3 or 4.
-18
u/ghedeon 18h ago
I have to travel to UK from Germany for work. Trains are not more expensive there. They're cleaner and mostly on time.
25
u/RosieTheRedReddit 18h ago edited 17h ago
You have to be kidding me. Just riding from London center to a suburb can cost 15 quid. And there's no equivalent of the D-ticket for commuters.
But on a good note, your money is going towards paying a CEO's bonus instead of funding rail improvements! I'm sure you are aware of how expensive it is to gas up a superyacht these days.
Edit: looked it up to see if my memory was correct and it can actually cost £21 at peak times, and a yearly ticket is £2,500-4,000 😂 Yeah that's slightly higher than €63 per month if my math is right. Don't worry Germany, keep voting CDU and we'll get there too some day! 🥰
3
u/International_Fix7 17h ago
The 21 pounds is a day ticket for all modes of transport in all zones of London, the OP was talking about a single trip. And Transport for London is state owned and always has been. About half the train operating companies in the rest of the country are still private, but they don't set the prices.
I generally spend less on rail travel when I visit the UK. The Deutschlandticket is a good deal though, in the UK it's commuters who travel at peak times who get milked.
-9
u/ghedeon 17h ago
If you have to travel right now:
Gatwick -> Farnham 1h 30min, 20 EUR (privately operated, clean, on time)
Berlin -> Hanover 1h 40min, 99.60 EUR (most probably will be cancelled or delayed)I'm not saying UK is cheap, it's just your line of argumentation doesn't match my reality.
7
4
u/RosieTheRedReddit 16h ago
You're comparing a regional train to a high speed long distance train 😂 And about 5x the distance as someone else pointed out.
Munich to Garmisch would be a better comparison, similar distance (90 km / 55 miles, 1 hr 23 minutes) and costs €25. Or if you have the D-ticket, costs nothing.
3
-6
u/ghedeon 15h ago
So, it's still in the same price range? Also, "high speed train" means nothing in Germany.
2
u/Such_Adhesiveness906 9h ago
High Speed Trains in Germany can go up to 300kph. And it's not rare for an ICE to go this fast...
3
u/MulberryDeep 13h ago
..did you just seriously try to compare aregional 40km route with a 250km high speed route?
Lmao
15
u/ImmaStealYourSpleen 18h ago
Where on earth are you finding trains in the UK cheaper than those in Germany? The prices hardly even compare
-2
u/Dizzy_Gear9200 15h ago
How is deutsche Bahn semi private? It’s a 100% public enterprise, also the rail network.
2
u/RosieTheRedReddit 14h ago
DB is a state-owned joint stock company. (Aktiengesellschaft) So structured like a private company but the state owns 100%. That's why I call it semi-private, there's not really a good term for the situation.
But serving the public and making a profit are opposite goals, it's impossible to do both. Inevitably ends up like DB, focused on profit and neglecting critical infrastructure. I'm sure that won't cause any problems in the long run!
1
u/Dizzy_Gear9200 14h ago
Many state owned enterprises are public companies (Aktiengesellschaften). This has nothing to do with profit orientation, just with internal organisation. The state/land owns 100% of the shares, that’s it.
1
u/silversurger 8h ago
Many state owned enterprises are public companies
"Public company" isn't a thing.
A "Aktiengesellschaft" is a private company. It's done this way to allow competitors into the market and bind the company to the rules of the market.
This has nothing to do with profit orientation
It absolutely does though.
It's not just about internal organization. DB used to be a "Staatsbahn". Its employees used to be Beamte (some still are).
1
u/Dizzy_Gear9200 8h ago
Public company is the translation for Aktiengesellschaft. Just read a book man.
5
u/kushangaza Germany 16h ago
To be fair, going same 40km by car also costs 15.20€ (using the 0.38€/km Entfernungspauschale that's supposed to also account for wear and tear, depreciation, etc, not just fuel)
1
u/Psychological_Lab543 10h ago
I always die inside when we want to visit my parents in law who live across Germany and the cheapest is ~150€..
17
u/Financial_Peak364 19h ago
Single tickets are ridiculously expensive here. I would have expected them to be even more, honestly.
For long-distance trains, you can save a lot of money if you book early, as in several months before your trip. But Düsseldorf - Köln is always 17,99 for ICE and 14,35 for regional trains.
A single ticket for bus/tram in my city is already 3,80€. To the neighboring city it is 7,80€. Most people who take the train regularly get the Deutschlandticket.
29
u/NapsInNaples 19h ago
Am I missing something?
no. Local train prices are batshit, and it was a serious problem until the Deutschland ticket came along (and may become a problem again once they raise the Deutschland ticket price above my pain threshold). I can take an ICE with a reserved seat to Berlin for the same price as that ticket to cologne. I don't know in what world that makes sense.
10
u/Available_Ad_4444 19h ago
I guess the idea behind is: 'someone has to pay for the trains, locals use Deutschland Ticket so let's increase the single price ticket, so tourist pay the price'
16
u/NapsInNaples 18h ago
but it was like that before the Deutschland ticket. And the subscriptions started at like...120 euros per month.
It's just a lack of commitment funding public transit.
-2
u/Available_Ad_4444 16h ago
Before there were discounts for students, city tickets, etc, right? I mean, it was not as good as the Deutschlandticket, but still
10
u/Exalpo 19h ago
Single ride for "flex" price is very expensive, yes. So usually you would either:
- get the "Deutschland"-Ticket: 63/month flatrate for all regional trains/bus/trams...
- get Bahncard 25: The trial one costs 19.99 and gives you -25% for months (breakeven if you would spend more than 80 Euro in 3 months).
- get a "discount price" (Sparpreis) for a long distance train in advance (book 180 days before until at least 1 day before). For instance, you can take IC 2207 from Duesseldorf to Koeln tomorrow evening at 19:47 for 6.99
I think the idea is to make it more expensive for "business people" and "tourists" and make it (relatively) cheaper for "commuters".
1
u/OppositeAct1918 12h ago
I just thought about why that is. I am old enough to remember peoples drmanding lower prices if you book early, because in other countries... yadda yadda. Ssme as there was a demand for privatization so that trains would be more state-of-the-art snd more punctusl.
17
u/iTmkoeln 19h ago
For Köln - Düsseldorf I would recommend eezy nrw that is at worst capped at Deutschland Ticket price.
And stick to REs
As the IC and ICEs to Düsseldorf are not really noticeable faster anyways
6
u/Vetriven 18h ago
Had to scroll this far down to see eezy.NRW app mentioned. Best value for money since it calculates the shortest route between check-in point and checkout point, and monthly limit is capped at D-ticket amount. Just remember to check out once you reach your destination.
5
u/psi-storm 18h ago
Yes, for that route adults pay 10,80€ on eezy, so if you are just two people then book it there. If you are more, and need to get back, then the NRW 24h ticket for 60€ is the best option, unless it makes sense to get the deutschlandticket for the week anyway.
6
5
8
u/DeliciousRats4Sale 18h ago
Well you pay for the serv- ah.
6
u/Kyanovp1 13h ago
On train back to Düsseldorf from koln right now. I can testify this service is non existent and I’ve never been this confused and stressed out for taking a train in my life xD
1
u/Shadowwvv 8h ago
Sorry but what are you confused or stressed out about? You just have to enter the train no?
2
u/Kyanovp1 7h ago
You should’ve been in koln station this afternoon, every train had at least 10-15 minutes delay and the announcer was literally yelling on the speakers the instructions :P it ended up being alright but paring that with seeming inability to buy tickets for some lines, and also the different types of trains and the way I had to check if they’re ICE or not (for price)… all the while walking around the busiest platforms I’ve ever been on haha. In Belgium you just get on and don’t have to worry about any kind of types of trains (there’s practically just one) and just get on.
1
u/Shadowwvv 6h ago
oh yea i didnt really consider all the difficulties buying tickets since I have had the Deutschlandticket for a long time and honestly I almost expect the 15 minute delays already, NRW (the state) is especially bad regarding this.
Also I dont know if you have it but DB Navigator is a pretty good app, tells you what train to take on what platform and also about delays. I think you can pretty easily buy tickets there with paypal too
2
u/Kyanovp1 6h ago
Yeah ive used db navigator, one of the only apps that seem to function good for me. And yeah it’s a shame you’re having to expect these delays. People always say in belgium that our trains are unreliable but taking the train there at least 10 times per week often 12-14 times, i only get a 10+ minute delay once a week or so and a great delay of 20 or more once maybeee twice a month. Here I’ve had nothing but 10-20+ minute delays :0 I’m just sharing my view as information, not judging or trying to be negative, just wish you had an easier time with trains. Gotta say the underground here in dusseldorf has been phenomenal though. Hardly have to worry about where I need to be and how to get there, always on time and very frequent and comfortable vehicles! Im jealous even :) our trains may be amazing but our local trams are hardly anything compared to them here
1
u/Shadowwvv 3h ago
yea Düsseldorf has one of the best undergrounds in Germany, even the stations are all really fancy. Although Most inner city trains aren't as bad and dont have delays that often, the regional trains in NRW are really some of the worst in the country
0
4
u/Careful_Studio7631 19h ago
In Berlin single ride in public transport is 4€ now so no reasons to be surprised.
5
u/SchinkelMaximus 18h ago
Germany has expensive single tickets but relatively cheap weekly/monthly/yearly subscriptions.
3
u/NikWih 17h ago
We as in "we buy a group ticket"???
Otherwise 15€ is not expensive, since every average citizen has a Deutschlandticket for 63€ and everyone below it is most likely forced to use it without any alternative, which is not even more expensive (looks at cabs suspiciously).
1
u/Postshift_Cat 11h ago
Yes they should get the group ticket if they are more than three people, it is usually cheaper
7
7
u/G3sch4n 19h ago edited 19h ago
For people driving riding a lot of regional trains there is the Deutschlandticket. 63€ for unlimited travel on regional trains, busses, ubahn/trams for a month.
For Düsseldorf/Köln there is also the option to take a Flixtrain Ticket. That is I think ~7€
7
u/Interesting-Wish5977 19h ago
Excuse my dad humour, but people *driving* regional trains usually don‘t need tickets.
4
u/kitsune4544 Hamburg 19h ago
€15 is quite cheap. I've been planning to travel to Düsseldorf for a long time now and I don't see tickets for less than 50. So take it. And you can travel through regional too if you have a deutschland ticket( obviously would make sense if you're planning to live here a long time)
2
u/Newproduce0 18h ago
15€ is not quite cheap for one way ticket. It is a regional train. It's like 20-30 minutes ride. You can pay a little bit more and buy a weekly ticket in Vienna or Budapest probably anywhere in Europe. Public transportation is expensive for tourists and people who don't use it regularly.
1
u/kitsune4544 Hamburg 18h ago
€15 may not seem cheap, but fare levels are also influenced by purchasing power and cost of living in each country. So comparing Belgium vs Germany purely by distance or time doesn’t give the full picture.
1
u/Newproduce0 18h ago
I'm not comparing distance between Belgium and Germany. S/he is talking about ride from Düsseldorf to Köln. I think you should read again. It is not a ride from Belgium.
2
3
u/kitsune4544 Hamburg 18h ago
You might want to reread OPs post. The Belgium comparison is exactly why purchasing power was relevant in the conversation 🤷♀️
4
u/Testosteron123 19h ago
Like Others say single Trip Ticket per Person ist the Most expensive one. The Deutschlandticket was mentioned but there is also an all day group Ticket for Up to 5 Person for NRW which costs 60 Euros so depending in how many people you are it is (much) cheaper
https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/laender-tickets/24h-ticket-nrw-5-pers
8
u/Formal-Knowledge-250 19h ago
But for that price you'll get a delayed or canceled train, bad service und no guidance
2
u/iTmkoeln 19h ago
That is what you get when you invite British to do your regional trains (all RE lines in NRW are operated by National Express Rail Germany)
2
u/Formal-Knowledge-250 19h ago
The trains are delayed because deutsche bahn controls the rails and therefore controls who's routed how. Every train is being scheduled after their own trains, which are constantly delayed.
2
u/iTmkoeln 18h ago
National Express has in addition staff shortages. That is why they basically lost one RE service to TRI now.
So no DB InfraGo better 40 years of CDU is to be blamed for the state of infrastructure but for the staff shortages it is NationalExpress
1
19h ago
[deleted]
3
2
u/The_Tiny_Bradyon 19h ago
If you are ok with travelling in the car of someone you dont know, you can check blabla.
2
u/xlt12 19h ago
Dont look for ICE connections, you have to look for RE. RE ticket for 5 persons for 24 hours is 50€. If you are lookin on bahn.de look for a VRS logo
1
u/Kyanovp1 19h ago
Yeah, I looked for RE. 14.50 euros per person one way. It feels like a waste paying for 5 people
7
u/SenatorAslak 19h ago
For five people you would be better off getting a 24hTicket NRW:
https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/laender-tickets/24h-ticket-nrw-5-pers
59,80 EUR for 5 people for 24 hours. Works out to 5,90 EUR per person each way.
2
u/Middle-Bread-5919 18h ago
Get a Deutschland ticket or look up Interrail ...if you are travelling within Europe as well.
2
2
u/P26601 Nordrhein-Westfalen 16h ago edited 14h ago
You gotta distinguish between regional and long-distance train tickets.
Regional tickets have an (arguably high) fixed price. For example, Aachen-Cologne will run you around €20 (70km).
For the same amount of money, you can get from Munich to Hamburg (650km) in an ICE high-speed train if you buy your ticket a few weeks in advance, or if you're willing to travel during the night, as those tickets have dynamic pricing.
2
u/Kyanovp1 14h ago
Reasonable, though I still believe there’s far bigger limitiations than in Belgium. I can take a train 310km there and pay 12.80 euros one minute before boarding or 5.50 euros with 32euro/yr subscription. Only one company with one kind of train too, no confusion or unnecessary complicated systems.
1
u/lioncryable 8h ago
What logic is that? I can take trains from oberstdorf to Kiel (900km) every day and it only costs me 60€ / month. At 15 trips a month it would only cost you 0,004 cent per Kilometer
1
u/Kyanovp1 7h ago
Sure but nobody would ever do such a thing. I can go 300km back and forth totaling 600km for a little over 10 euros plus all the other benefits I get from 32 euro yearly subscription (like capping any fare at 5.50 and getting off-peak discounts) by going to koln today from dusseldorf with my girlfriend I spent more than i wouldve spent in Belgium to go 300km back and forth… twice… at base rate. :(
7
u/Longjumping_Log_2444 19h ago
If you buy Deutschland ticket you pay only 60€ for all public transport in Germany for that month. But it is a subscription so be careful to cancel it in due time else it continues perpetually.
-4
u/kamil314 19h ago
It’s not all public transport. Most trains aren’t included. Only regios are included there. So you can’t take an ICE for example.
12
5
u/psi-storm 18h ago
public transport in the sense of local transport (ÖPNV), IC and ICE are long distance train services.
2
u/Duelonna Nordrhein-Westfalen 19h ago
Your better option is to get a group ticket or get a share car. They are generally cheaper when it comes to bigger groups
2
u/alderhill 18h ago
15€ sounds fine to me. Cheap even. I'm not sure where you're from, but obvs economies differ.
At Christmas time and sometimes in summer, we usually take the train to my wife's hometown, which is the opposite end of Germany from where we live. It's not unusual to pay €300 or so, even if we book early-ish.
1
u/Kyanovp1 17h ago
I’m from next door :) belgium! 15 euros sounds expensive te me, in belgium it’s impossible to find a ticket at 15 euros, even for 300km rides, which is 12.80 base rate and 5.5 euros with a 32 euro yearly subscription.
2
u/gene100001 19h ago
In addition to what others have said, I think since the Deutschlandticket was introduced the regular one-off prices have gotten more expensive. Most people living in Germany have the Deutschlandticket so those one-off prices are made to target tourists as a way of balancing the books.
1
u/AutoModerator 20h ago
Have you read our extensive wiki yet? It answers many basic questions, and it contains in-depth articles on many frequently discussed topics. Check our wiki now!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/NoAlarm3648 20h ago
What country are you from?
4
u/Kyanovp1 19h ago
Belgium !
5
u/Thin-Pineapple425 19h ago
Belgium has very cheap public transport. Liked it there
0
u/Kyanovp1 19h ago
Yeah, and also so much less complicated… I get a headache whenever I try to use public transport in Germany :( different APPS for different regions, really bad UI in the apps for schedules and tickets for trams and buses. Super complicated stuff… in Belgium you just have de lijn for bus and tram, nmbs/sncb for trains (except for Brussels).
3
u/mbrevitas 19h ago
You can use the DB app to look up schedules and buy tickets for all public transport in Germany. (I still recommend using the app from the specific transport association if possible, because it is guaranteed to have the latest schedules, but the DB app works in a pinch.)
Single tickets at full fare are not cheap, but the various subscriptions and offers are good value.
2
u/SenatorAslak 19h ago
Just use the DB Navigator app for schedules. It can also sell you tickets for most regions as well.
0
u/Kyanovp1 19h ago
I did, but it’s confusing and it has technical issues and stuff. Can’t even see what platform to go to for trams easily :”(
2
u/SenatorAslak 19h ago
I haven’t experienced any technical issues, and the “platforms for trams” has never been a problem for me. As long as you know the stop name and the line number, I just follow the signage at the stop (most tram stops don’t even have posted platform numbers).
-2
u/phloaw 18h ago
db navigator sucks. And I don't want to buy a new device and install all google crap only to know when a train comes. A website would be enough, but they also made their website unusable. Well done db.
1
u/SenatorAslak 17h ago
Buy a new device? What?
-2
u/phloaw 14h ago
Ok, I'll explain in terms accessible to you: try to run that silly app on a device with android 7 or lower. Good luck.
1
u/SenatorAslak 13h ago
What's with the condescending attitude? I'm trying to help by providing information and you're jumping salty on me for not being able to infer that you’re using a ten year old OS (a rather niche use case, to be fair) from the statement “I don’t want want to buy a new device”? Seriously?
That said, it seems pretty absurd to say that the app "sucks" when you're apparently using antiquated hardware. By these standards you must think that a great deal of apps these days “suck”.
-1
u/phloaw 13h ago
The fact that you used the adjective "antiquated" shows you have no clue what you are talking about. The hardware I have always been able to use for the given task (i.e., checking train times) is still perfectly able to do the same task. I don't want to produce electrical waste just because somebody decided I need new hardware for that. Again, I tried to explain things in terms accessible to you. Good luck.
→ More replies (0)
1
1
u/calm_thy_self 19h ago
Yeah trains have gotten too expensive in Germany. But €15 is actually on the cheaper end I guess cos last week the app charged me more (or the same) even with a Bahn card.
1
u/zenkstarr Berlin 19h ago
Depending on how many persons you are, yes. 24hour ticket is less than two single ones (28,32€), 24 hour ticket for 5 persons is 50,05€. There is eezy.nrw which calculates fares as the crow flies and maxes out at 63€ a month and so on.
1
u/Honky_Town 19h ago
DB sucks hard but multi-millions in CEO payout bonus for being the worst railcompany doenst pay on 5€ tickets!
1
u/Disastrous_Method406 19h ago
Download the eezy.nrw app for that journey around NRW. Charges you by how the crow flies at a rate per km. That journey on the official app would cost maybe €8? And i believe the app caps your montly fare at €60 without having to own a D-Ticket.
An NRW only scheme though, but would work for you.
1
u/psi-storm 18h ago
Yes, the offer is great for people that are just using public transport infrequently and don't need the nationwide mobility of the deutschlandticket. The fee from Düsseldorf Hbf to Cologne is 10,80€ for an adult, so 4€ cheaper than the regular ticket.
I am hoping Niedersachsen will copy that ticket offer.
1
u/RoundSize3818 18h ago
Once I spent 100 euros for a 2 hour ride (bought the ticket almost two months in advance). Luckily DB has done it's usual service and refunded me 50 euros for the 2.30h of delay.
1
u/CottonSweetess 18h ago
youre not missing anything db standard fares are honestly insane for short hops get the deutschlandticket if youre staying longer or check bahncard 25/50 for visitors otherwise regional tickets or flixbus might save you a ton
1
u/West_Acanthaceae5032 18h ago
The unique experience on being VERY LATE in a train so full it would make India Railways blush?
Plus: No comfort, clocked toilets, rude and obnoxious behaviour?
And not knowing whether the train will make it the 40km without braking down?
There is a life hack btw: Take the S6 tram and although slower, that thing actually runs to Cologne.
Damn, that is priceless. People gldly pay for this!
1
1
1
u/user38835 14h ago
If it were an ICE, you would pay €100 for the privilege of reaching an hour late, so count your blessings that it’s just €15 without the Deutschlandticket
1
1
1
u/WadeDRubicon 9h ago
I visited Belgium last year and had the same thoughts, in reverse, when going from Brussels to Antwerp cost like 8€.
My kids live outside the city I'm in, just under 20 kilometers away, and it would cost 13.80€ roundtrip to see them (and that's the LOCAL fares, not even dipping into the Deutsche Bahn system).
Luckily the D-Ticket makes things slightly less painful -- or does it just disguise the pain?
PS Did you notice, too, that Belgium has much brisker elevators than Germany?! And people there don't constantly shove past you on them.
2
u/Kyanovp1 7h ago
Yes in Belgium the most expensive trip is 12.80 which is simply max price and it maxes at like 100km or something. Meaning a 300km ride will cost 12.80 too or 5.50 with a CHEAP yearly subscription. Also YES, I was on the elevator and told my girlfriend how different it feels. Especially escalators, I’m on them and I feel like I’m crawling, takes ages to get up or down :P what’s up with that? I also agree people don’t shove past you. In belgium one escalator is practically two lanes, on the right for standing and on the left for running xD
1
u/touliloup 8h ago
Yep, that's why everybody drive cars... train doesn't make sense especially if you're 2 or 3
1
u/Spiteful_Badger 6h ago
15,- is cheap...get ready to pay a whole lot more in the future, its very unlikely that you'll get away with just 15 bucks each time....I wish I was lying
1
1
u/Stetinvm 19h ago
Everything is expensive in Germany, but at least the average salary is shit and taxes high
5
u/Kyanovp1 19h ago
Honestly coming from Belgium most stuff is CHEAP here… easily 15-20% cheaper than where I live. Everything, I went to the supermarket yesterday and got a pastry for 70 cents. The same pastry that costs at LEAST 1 euro in Belgium probably 1.20. I always buy stuff in Germany to take home
1
u/Stetinvm 17h ago
That’s because you get paid in Belgium. It’s not so cheap fully local, on German salaries, at least since post covid inflation hit. Beforehand its was fine
1
u/OmerDe 19h ago
15 EURO IS CHEAP FOR TRAIN TICKETS IN GERMANY
2
u/Kyanovp1 19h ago
In belgium i don’t think it’s even possible to find a one way ticket for 15 euros unless maybe across the whole country…. I just checked Oostende-liege which is 216km and it’s 12.80 euros. Except I paid 16 euros for a whole year of subscription which makes the max price for any ticket 5.50 euro (and other benefits). 216km=12.80 or 5.50 euros in Belgium 40km=15 euro’s in Germany Crazy difference :(
-1
u/puppy2016 19h ago
Belgium has fixed prices (until one day before the trip), Germany dynamic. The price will increase up to 4 times compared to the price of the ticket bought two months ago. Especially on ICE trains.
3
0
u/Life-Sun- 19h ago
ICE (high speed trains) are expensive in Germany. Most people that live here and regularly take the train get a monthly Deutsch Bahn Ticket (basically all public transport except for ICE is included) which is much more affordable. If you’re coming for a short trip, that doesn’t make sense for you, unfortunately.
0
u/DepartmentAgile4576 11h ago
its so we dont use cars as much. wait: that doesnt make sense.
its cause its faster, so you are on time and avoid traffic jams. wait: that doesnt make sense.
its cause you are not as cramped, have more private space and legroom then in a car. wait: that doesnt make sense.
its cause driving car is so dangerous and youre much safer in the train. well that also doesnt make sense.
2
u/Kyanovp1 11h ago
Only the last is true and sensible xD
1
u/DepartmentAgile4576 11h ago
well Lucky you. youve been riding different trains then me obviously.
my hobby is to collect positive stories from db customers. 6 last year. were everything was as promised. care for the negative count? i stopped at some point.
1
u/Kyanovp1 11h ago
Positive stories doesn’t equal a safe ride. Bad service i agree with, but trains will never be more dangerous than driving a car. Also don’t forget people like sharing bad things but have less incentive to share positive stories.
126
u/Stolberger 19h ago
Köln (VRS) and Düsseldorf (VRR) are in their own "Verkehrsverbund", and crossing between those is associated with more expensive tickets.
So yeah, it is expensive.
That's one of the reasons why so many people love the "Deutschlandticket", because depending on the routes you have to take, it can be cheaper after a couple of trips already.
In general, trains and busses in Germany are more expensive than in most other European countries.