Deutschland ticket Summer/Autumn 2023

[Seehof]

There has already been a thread on this wonderful but difficult to understand/book/cancel ticket. Now that the dust has settled and a lot of experience has been learned what is the best way to buy one now and cancel it if one only needs it for a couple of weeks in the same month. I ask because I hope to be going to Frankfurt at the beginning of October for a week. I still am unsure and nervous of booking it. I do intend to do a lot of regional train travel if possible. Thank you.

 

[U-Bahnfreund]

The Mopla app (mopla.solutions) offers cancelling the subscription up to 24hrs before the end of the month and in the past offered a discount on the first month, not sure if still the case. You should look into that

 

[rvdborgt]

When ordering in the HVV switch app, you only pay the first month pro rata from the chosen start date until the end of the month. You still need to cancel before the 10th of the month. This means you can e.g. order a Deutschlandticket on the 9th to start on e.g. the 16th and then immediately cancel it, and you effectively have a Deutschlandticket for half a month.
More info here:

hvv Deutschlandticket - order now | hvv Deutschlandticket

Travel all over Germany for € 49 a month with the hvv Deutschlandticket.

www.hvv-deutschlandticket.de

For reasons unclear to me (since this is a breach of EU regulations) only payment by Paypal works if you live outside Germany. SEPA direct debit or credit cards don't work in that case.

 

[The exile]

For reasons unclear to me (since this is a breach of EU regulations) only payment by Paypal works if you live outside Germany. SEPA direct debit or credit cards don't work in that case.

Does that also apply to people who live outside of Germany but have a German bank account?

 

[rvdborgt]

Does that also apply to people who live outside of Germany but have a German bank account?

I don't know... maybe yes, maybe no.

 

[dutchflyer]

As I tried mine first on the HVV-app, which did not succeed (I now have it on a chipcard from ASEAG/AVV, very used to foreigners from nearby) I still get news from HVV and last week there was some announcement about wider payment options beside that P-pal.
I also have always understood one has to hold for at least 1 full month to be able to stop it, which to me seems very reasonable as such. I am now in my 4th month, but as a dutch citizen DE (plus that I have family there) is more closer by.
As always seat61 also has relevant news on how to do it.

 

[rvdborgt]

As I tried mine first on the HVV-app, which did not succeed (I now have it on a chipcard from ASEAG/AVV, very used to foreigners from nearby) I still get news from HVV and last week there was some announcement about wider payment options beside that P-pal.

That would be good news.

I also have always understood one has to hold for at least 1 full month to be able to stop it, which to me seems very reasonable as such.

Different providers seem to have different views/implementations. I was able to use the Deutschlandticket for the second half of August only, as described above. Of course, that may change.
Seat61 currently recommends ordering via VBN and its Fahrplaner app but that doesn't have the option to pay pro rata in your first month.

 

[Seehof]

Why do they make these things so complicated? Puts me right off and I am used to using my mobile/laptop for everything. I pity the ordinary person and I already know of two people who ended up paying for a month they did not want!!!!

 

[The exile]

Why do they make these things so complicated? Puts me right off and I am used to using my mobile/laptop for everything. I pity the ordinary person and I already know of two people who ended up paying for a month they did not want!!!!

Well, we are not exactly the market they’re aiming for. The idea is presumably - set up your DD and leave it running. At that price, it’s worth it for nearly everyone who ever goes anywhere. If the UK offered the equivalent, I wouldn’t think twice at £200-£300 per month - but the comparison between that and our season-ticket prices shows why it isn’t going to happen!

 

[Siebrand]

Seat61 currently recommends ordering via VBN and its Fahrplaner app but that doesn't have the option to pay pro rata in your first month.

I followed his recommendation, and used the Fahrplaner app. It had no issues with my foreign address and credit card. But yes, it only does full months, and you have to cancel before the 10th of the month. The order confirmation email had an easy link to cancel the ticket.

 

[DanNCL]

I got mine from the HVV app paying with PayPal, after trying unsuccessfully on both the DB and RMV apps first. The process to buy it on the HVV app was simple, one that UK operators could learn from when it comes to retailing rovers! Haven't yet cancelled it as I still haven't used it so can't report on what the cancellation process is like yet.

 

[rvdborgt]

I got mine from the HVV app paying with PayPal, after trying unsuccessfully on both the DB and RMV apps first. The process to buy it on the HVV app was simple, one that UK operators could learn from when it comes to retailing rovers! Haven't yet cancelled it as I still haven't used it so can't report on what the cancellation process is like yet.

Cancellation consists of tapping on the Cancel button (IIRC below the QR code) and confirming it with a second tap. Before confirming, you should see the last day of validity. Very easy.
Also see:

All your questions to do with the hvv Deutschlandticket and the answers | hvv Deutschlandticket

The conditions of carriage, how to order, switching over of your existing all-year season ticket to the new ticket and much, much more - you can find all you need to know about the hvv Deutschlandticket here.

www.hvv-deutschlandticket.de

 

[jonny5532]

I concur, have just successfully used the HVV Switch app Deutschlandticket for a trip spanning a month boundary, so only had to pay for a few days of Aug + the whole of September. I don't think my credit card worked so I ended up using PayPal, no problem, and cancelled a few days into September with the app assuring me that my ticket is still valid up to the end of September as expected.

It was accepted without issue by all the train ticket inspectors (who never actually asked for ID), as well on a few (but not all) ferries. I had a bike with me so had to buy a Fahrradtageskarte Nahverkehr (6eur) from the DB ticket machines on each day of travel, which was fine (except that half of Germany seems to want to take their bikes on the trains, so it got rather tight at times).

It was also accepted for border-crossing DB/CFL trains from Salzburg and to Luxembourg.

(also, I highly recommend the DB Navigator app for planning trips with lots of changes).

 

[cornishjohn]

It was accepted without issue by all the train ticket inspectors (who never actually asked for ID), as well on a few (but not all) ferries.

Hadn't thought to try it on any ferries - would you mind saying which ones?

Successfully and easily bought ours in the UK with a credit card via www.vrminfo.de. The ticket with them has a separate app to their timetable app, so be sure to install the right one.

Bus drivers just waved us on board. On-train inspectors often scanned but as above no ID checks. Haven't tried to cancel the ticket yet as we are going back soon.

 

[jonny5532]

Hadn't thought to try it on any ferries - would you mind saying which ones?

I crossed the Elbe twice, at Stadt Wehlen (accepted) and Rathen (not accepted) - it seems to only be ferries that are subsidised by the local transit authority on which it is valid. The ones on which it is not valid have very obvious signs (big red capital letters) to that effect, presumably fed up by people asking!

(it seemed a shame that the noisy diesel ferry was the subsidised one on which the apparently-climate-helping ticket was valid, but the silent river-powered one further along was not!).

Be aware (as you may already be) that I'm pretty sure you still need to cancel the ticket before the 10th each month, even if you want to use it for the remainder of the month, to avoid having to buy the following month as well.

 

[blackfive460]

Here's another recommendation for the HVV Switch app. Very straightforward and seems less complex than using the mo.pla website as long as you remember to cancel before the 10th of the month.

Off topic I know but the ferry across the Elbe at Rathen isn't included in the area day tickets either...

 

[30907]

Off topic I know but the ferry across the Elbe at Rathen isn't included in the area day tickets either...

I crossed the Elbe twice, at Stadt Wehlen (accepted) and Rathen (not accepted) - it seems to only be ferries that are subsidised by the local transit authority on which it is valid. The ones on which it is not valid have very obvious signs (big red capital letters) to that effect, presumably fed up by people asking!

IIRC the Kurort Rathen ferry is run by (and subsidised by) the spa - I wonder if the Verkehrsverbund couldn't agree terms with the owners?

The Elbe ferries in Hamburg are certainly also part of the local setup - another possibility might be the cross-Rhine ferries downstream of Mainz.

 

[cornishjohn]

The Elbe ferries in Hamburg are certainly also part of the local setup - another possibility might be the cross-Rhine ferries downstream of Mainz.

Membership or otherwise of the local Vehrkehrsverbund will be the thing.

Seems the St Goar and Oberwesel ferries do in fact take the ticket (footpassengers only, not in cars), but the Bingen ferry does not. Info about the Moselle ferries is much harder to find.

I'm quite intrigued by the note for the ICE1944 service that says "Deutschland-Ticket nicht gültig (Dresden Hbf - Riesa)" as being an ICE service I wouldn't expect it to be valid in the first place. (The service itself seems rather an odd loop from Dresden->Hannover->Mannheim. There are a few such each day.

Be aware (as you may already be) that I'm pretty sure you still need to cancel the ticket before the 10th each month, even if you want to use it for the remainder of the month, to avoid having to buy the following month as well.

Yes got that bit thanks. Not going back till next month - so we need to cancel before we go.

 

[duesselmartin]

Some IC and ICE lines have a duplicate RE number by regional agreement. Usually you find both running less than hourly thus creating an hourly pattern.

There is a small number oc IC trains that do accept the DeutschlandTicket on a section of its route.
The Hannover to Berchtesgaden IC gets an additional RE number from Freilassing with DeutschlandTicket accepted on that short section.

 

[30907]

I'm quite intrigued by the note for the ICE1944 service that says "Deutschland-Ticket nicht gültig (Dresden Hbf - Riesa)" as being an ICE service I wouldn't expect it to be valid in the first place.

Same note applies to IC trains - not sure why, as the other IC/ECs from Dresden don't have an equivalent note, and it's not an area where ICs have previously been opened up for regional traffic in the manner described by duesselmartin

(The service itself seems rather an odd loop from Dresden->Hannover->Mannheim. There are a few such each day..

Dreden-Hannover-NRW is a longstanding route; combining it with a NRW-Rhine Valley-wherever is a classic DB trick which reflects the fact that Germany is basically one vast XC network. Not sure it helps punctuality!

 

[The exile]

(it seemed a shame that the noisy diesel ferry was the subsidised one on which the apparently-climate-helping ticket was valid, but the silent river-powered one further along was not!).

True - but it also shows that the environmentally friendly one can run commercially as it has for centuries - while the polluting one can only survive with subsidies!

 

[The exile]

Forgive a “tech dinosaur” question - but does using the D-ticket require a live signal (ie data roaming enabled) every time you have to show it , or is it something that you download once (ie before you leave the uk or when on Wi-Fi) and is then available on the phone whenever you need it?

 

[paul_munich]

I took a screenshot of the QR code. I’ve never had any problems…

 

[Seehof]

I did the same - no problems. Which site did you use or are going to use? I will need another one soon.

 

[duesselmartin]

I took a screenshot of the QR code. I’ve never had any problems…

officially not allowed.

Whether you need a signal or not also depends on the app.
I personally open the ticket on the phone before I get on the train/bus to be sure to be sure.

 

[Seehof]

Whatever I have whatever it is (gig, theatre ticket etc) I always take a photo of it. Maybe I am too old fashioned and too nervous of modern technology. Surely, your ID is part of the ticket so how can they really object to a photo on your phone? Even now as I type this by the window in a cafe in York it took me ages even to get 4G!

 

[riceuten]

Whatever I have whatever it is (gig, theatre ticket etc) I always take a photo of it. Maybe I am too old fashioned and too nervous of modern technology. Surely, your ID is part of the ticket so how can they really object to a photo on your phone? Even now as I type this by the window in a cafe in York it took me ages even to get 4G!

Even for ordinary tickets on your phone or printed out on A4 plain paper you are supposed to provide ID for - I have never been asked for it.

 

[Gaelan]

Whatever I have whatever it is (gig, theatre ticket etc) I always take a photo of it. Maybe I am too old fashioned and too nervous of modern technology. Surely, your ID is part of the ticket so how can they really object to a photo on your phone? Even now as I type this by the window in a cafe in York it took me ages even to get 4G!

Screenshots are most likely to be prohibited when either:

• The staff don't have the ability to scan QR codes*, so they're solely inspecting the ticket visually - this is the case for busses in many areas
• Tickets are valid for unlimited journeys, so there's a risk of you buying one and sharing screenshots with all your friends (and they don't want to bother with checking ID)

In either case, there'll be technological measures to prohibit screenshots from working, either some sort of animated element so staff can tell a screenshot isn't the real thing, or (in the second case) a QR code that changes every time so scanners can reject outdated codes.

I'm not familiar enough with the Deutschlandticket to know whether either is the case here - obviously the unlimited journeys thing is a concern, but they could decide they don't care or mitigate it with other measures like ID.

*In the broad sense here, including Aztec codes and the like

 

[Seehof]

I take a photo not as an “instead of” but as a back up in case I cannot get the “live” original. I have lived in Germany and travelled there extensively and only once been asked for ID on a train. That was when someone rang the police and said there was a terrorist at Geislingen Steige station!

 

[blackfive460]

The FAQ for the HVV Switch app regarding using the D-Ticket states:

Will my Germany ticket also be displayed in the hvv switch app if I am offline?
Yes. As soon as your Germany ticket has been loaded into the hvv switch app, it will be displayed at any time, whether online or offline.

https://www.hvv.de/de/service/fragen-und-antworten/49-euro-ticket-deutschlandticket

Wird mein Deutschlandticket auch in der hvv switch-App angezeigt, wenn ich offline bin?
Ja. Sobald dein Deutschlandticket in der hvv switch App geladen wurde, wird es jederzeit, egal ob on- oder offline, angezeigt.