Cologne to Karlsruhe 1/12/2023

[chrisp37]

We had booked the service departing Cologne at 18:55 on 1 December, arriving into Karlsruhe at 20.58. We had paid for a seat reservation. I've just been notified that that service is no longer running due to an alteration to the timetable, that my ticket can now be used on any train ("Zugbindung aufgehoben") and that I can transfer my seat reservation. All direct services on that day now take at least 3 hours instead of 2. In the "DB-Navigator" it tells me to select an alternative service, yet when I click on it I just get a message that no alternative services have been found. Anyone any idea what's going on? I have no idea how I am now meant to select an alternative service and transfer my seat reservation. Maybe I'll have to contact customer services but thought I would ask here.

 

[Gloster]

We had booked the service departing Cologne at 18:55 on 1 December, arriving into Karlsruhe at 20.58. We had paid for a seat reservation. I've just been notified that that service is no longer running due to an alteration to the timetable, that my ticket can now be used on any train ("Zugbindung aufgehoben") and that I can transfer my seat reservation. All direct services on that day now take at least 3 hours instead of 2. In the "DB-Navigator" it tells me to select an alternative service, yet when I click on it I just get a message that no alternative services have been found. Anyone any idea what's going on? I have no idea how I am now meant to select an alternative service and transfer my seat reservation. Maybe I'll have to contact customer services but thought I would ask here.

I haven‘t fully worked it out, but your train may still be running from Köln Messe instead of Hauptbahnhof, but with a different departure time.

EDIT: I can’t work this out. On the 17 November there is an 18.46 to Karlsruhe, but on 1 December there is nothing direct from either Hbf or Messe. What was the train number?

 

[k-c-p]

The highspeed line between Cologne and Frankfurt Airport will be closed 25.11.-1.12. for switch replacement works.

Some trains will be diverted along the Rhine (resulting in an additional hour of travel time).
Some Cologne-Basel trains will be cancelled

 

[chrisp37]

Ah. That explains it. What it doesn't explain is why the DB-Navigator won't allow me to select an alternative service and just presents me with the unhelpful message "no alternative services found". There *are* alternative services but they just take longer. I don't know how I go about transferring my seat reservation to one of those alternative services (there is one that arrives at the same time but departs around an hour earlier) using the app/Navigator, so I guess I will just have to contact customer services.

 

[306024]

Looks to me like you booked on ICE 203 18.55 Cologne to Basel.

My DB app shows this now starts Cologne Hbf at 17.49, but still gets to Karlsruhe at 20.58, which looks like what you have found too.

Chances are as this is the same train number that’s where your seat reservation is, but if you want to make sure you can book another seat reservation using the ÖBB app for €3.

 

[chrisp37]

Thanks. Yes, that's right. I hadn't spotted that both my original reservation and the alternative I have found are ICE 203 but you are correct. It's far from clear whether my seat reservation still applies. Unhelpfully, the email I received states that I can make a new seat reservation and apply for a refund for my old one (which suggests that my old one is no longer valid). I see that the DB website has a chat function that connects you to an actual human being if the chatbot can't help, so I think my best bet is to attempt that tomorrow during working hours.

 

[306024]

Sounds like the best idea. We complain about engineering work alterations here in the UK, but in my experience DB announce changes much nearer the day of the race.

 

[rvdborgt]

Chances are as this is the same train number that’s where your seat reservation is,

I'd also think so.

but if you want to make sure you can book another seat reservation using the ÖBB app for €3.

If it's 1st class, you can book reservations via ÖBB for free.

 

[dutchflyer]

The old-style DB-Navigator has ceased to work from 1/11=yesterday. Perhaps that may explain it delivers nothing? Have to install new version of app to get updates.
Also: times will be fancy, with then many more trains via the old classic Rhine Valley lines, expect cancellations and heavy delays-though in case you trust it to board a train without REServ, you may well even catch a much delayed earlier one.
Quito often delays, reroutings or cancellations on part of the route is only shown in the details of the travelplanner-which will happily show the planned/wished for times first!

 

[rvdborgt]

The old-style DB-Navigator has ceased to work from 1/11=yesterday.

Yesterday from about 16:00, there was a malfunction in various DB information systems, including the new DB Navigator app. However, it was reported on DSO that the old DB Navigator app was still working.