Eurorail pass on Deutches Bahn supplement price question?

Question

I am planning on trip to germany this fall and we planning on getting one of the passes available for the train. There seems to be a large number of different types of passes available especially if we are going to cross in to Austria or Switzerland. These passes seem to be a very good price, and also seem to be limited to people not from Europe (at least in the pricing). So I am guessing they are similiar but slightly different than the Bahn card that Germans themsleves use.

My questions are, I see references to "suppliments" required for ICE and ICE Sprinter trains (the fast trains). Any idea what the cost of the suppliment is? Also suppliments required for for the night trains (any idea on cost if you already have the pass)? And additional fees if you make a reservation (I assume you would do this at the bahnhof or?).

The difference between first class and second class when buying the pass isn't huge like it is with airlines, but is the upgrade worth it

Answer 1

If you are on a tight budget, travel in a group and want to do it supercheap email me your travel plans. I might be able to work something out that is cheaper than the Eurail pass.

As a rule the rail companies do not loose any money when they sell this pass. Quite a number of people would pay less for their travels if they used the cheapest method of travel available out of bus, train and plane tickets instead of buying a Eurail pass.

As for the rest of your questions, check out

http://www.seat61.com/

http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu...

Answer 2

I am not sure about ICE and ICE Sprinters, I do know that there is a 4 Euro fee to get a reservation on one of these trains.

For overnight trains the supplement varies by the kind of accomodations.  The old fashioned Couchette is 20 Euro, the new Liegewagon (much nicer) is 30.  A sleeping car is much more, I've never done it.  Between Couchette and Liegewagon you don't have a choice - as they generally have one kind or another on the train.

Consider the German Rail passes.  They are less expensive than the Eurail passes, and they cover transportation over the borders into Salzburg Austria and someplace in Switzerland.     They can be very inexpensive if you are doing limited travel in Austria/Switzerland. And there is no supplement for ICE trains for that pass - though you still pay for a reservation if you make one.

I don't consider First class worth it.  Your mileage may vary, though.

Check out Rick Steves' site for more on train passes.