Deutsche Bahn train cancelled - how to change ticket?

[mangyiscute]

So last night I got an email saying that my journey from Dusseldorf to Brussels (changing in Cologne) has been cancelled - from what I can tell, the section that is cancelled is from Dusseldorf to Cologne, where we could obviously just get a different regional train, and still get the same ICE train from Cologne to Brussels.
However, I previously booked it with an IC train from Dusseldorf to Cologne, so it is restricted to that particular train.
Obviously, I'd most like to not change the tickets at all, and just get a different Dusseldorf to Cologne train, but I am not sure if this is allowed - can anyone advise if it is/isn't?
I'm not travelling until 14th August, so theres no rush, and the original plan was the 12:14 from Dusseldorf to Cologne and then the 13:42 from Cologne to Brussels

 

[Kreissignal]

If you have booked a ticket that is restricted to a particular train, and that train has been cancelled, then you can use a different train. See https://bahn.de/service/fahrplaene/benachrichtigungen-zur-reise/verspaetungsalarm_fahrplan (there doesn't appear to be an English version of this page, sorry…).

 

[k-c-p]

No need to rebook (even if a local train along you route is cancelled). Just take another train. If you want to be on the safe side pack a printout of thr email.

Usually, it suffices to tell the staff you are on their train, because train X was cancelled. If this was somewhere in the vicinity the usaly know. But if it was a train at thr other end of thr country, they might ask for some details .

To make a long story short: just print the mail and hop on another train (you can use any regional train or IC, EC, ICE that matches your route). The only services you cannot use are trains that require a reservation (like Thalys)

 

[mangyiscute]

Ok perfect, thanks for the advice

 

[ainsworth74]

Equally if you're going to be in Germany sometime before you need to travel (well, even just before will do to be fair) you could take it to a DB ticket office and they'll be able to rebook you onto whatever trains are needed (though as above you could just travel with the email proving the cancelation). In my experience you don't need to get much further than "Hello, my train has been cancell..." before they're gesturing for your ticket which they then hand back shortly afterwards with a new itinerary and, if relevant, seat reservations as well.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Equally if you're going to be in Germany sometime before you need to travel (well, even just before will do to be fair) you could take it to a DB ticket office and they'll be able to rebook you onto whatever trains are needed (though as above you could just travel with the email proving the cancelation). In my experience you don't need to get much further than "Hello, my train has been cancell..." before they're gesturing for your ticket which they then hand back shortly afterwards with a new itinerary and, if relevant, seat reservations as well.

Plus the magic "Zugbindung aufgehoben" stamp which turns your Sparpreis (Advance) into a Flexpreis (Anytime), just like we should do here.

 

[zero]

You don't need to do anything, just travel.

I believe you may even be allowed to take any DB train on that day to Brussels, at least that is what the email from DB implied when I had a DB train retimed by more than 20 minutes.

 

[rvdborgt]

You don't need to do anything, just travel.

I believe you may even be allowed to take any DB train on that day to Brussels, at least that is what the email from DB implied when I had a DB train retimed by more than 20 minutes.

Exactly. Only if you want replacement reservations (if you had any) for your new connection you can go to the ticket office (or call DB) and ask for them. They should be free of charge.

 

[mangyiscute]

That all sounds great - I think the Brussels leg is still fine, and that's the only bit with seat reservations, so we should be fine, but we'll be in Dusseldorf for a few days before so if I have spare time I definitely might try to see if i can get the tickets confirmed. Thanks all.

 

[dutchflyer]

Note that right now there are WORKs between DUS-K, for laying the final phase of 4 tracks and that may mean longer trip times and more cancelled trains-and do not put too much trust in what planners tell you the day before. Right now I am in DE-more south and ICE having 2hr+ delays are pretty common to see on the boards.
As printing pages away from home can be difficult to find -and even if possible quite expensive-do not bother. Chances that you even meet a conductor D-K are minimal.
You could even vary and take a direct train RE D-Aachen for some new views, but then your allocated seat K-BRU may have been taken-these vanish after 20 mins.