getting off in Austria on DB ticket?

[tony_mac]

it's a bit complicated, but I wish to get off a train early (in Austria), on a DB 'savings fare' ticket.

Is this likely to be a problem? Do they ever have ticket checks after you leave the train?
I will obviously have a ticket covering my entire journey, but I don't know if getting off early is allowed. ( I will rejoin my journey from the correct station the following day).

Does anyone familiar with DB rules, or Austrian stations (either Vienna, Linz or Salzburg), have any comments?
Thanks!

 

[gordonthemoron]

Unlike the UK, it is perfectly possible to stop short or join late a train on a DB savings ticket, the only proviso is that you travel on the train (date & train no) printed on your ticket. There are no ticket checks before boarding or after you get off.

However, there may be a problem for you restarting you journey the following day. If you have a Spar 25 or Spar 50 ticket (if they still exist) you are permitted to use any train during the validity of the ticket, however Spezial tickets are restricted to the trains noted on your ticket.

 

[tony_mac]

Thanks very much, that's what I needed to know!

I will definitely travel on the correct services - you can book 48hr stopovers, so I will just catch up with it the following day (on another ticket).

( The actual plan is a bit complicated, as I am trying to get long sections on one (1st class) ticket, and the shorter sections on another (2nd class). Because the longer journeys are usually the same price as short ones, it doesn't cost anything to duplicate the middle section of my journey. The start and end are both outside Germany, so it needs two tickets anyway. )

 

[gordonthemoron]

have you tried Austrian Railways, as they can sometimes work out cheaper?

 

[tony_mac]

yes, I did, thanks - they won't sell online for a ticket originating in Hungary, and only allow 12 hour stopovers.

 

[Railjet]

it's a bit complicated, but I wish to get off a train early (in Austria), on a DB 'savings fare' ticket.

Is this likely to be a problem? Do they ever have ticket checks after you leave the train?
I will obviously have a ticket covering my entire journey, but I don't know if getting off early is allowed. ( I will rejoin my journey from the correct station the following day).

Does anyone familiar with DB rules, or Austrian stations (either Vienna, Linz or Salzburg), have any comments?
Thanks!

Where are you going to/from? The best fares ex-Hungary are only available off-line and are better than DB fares - for example, Budapest - Munich one way first class for €45. (You can upgrade this on-train for €25 to Premium Class - a real bargain). But this doesn't work for break of journey.

As gordon says, no problem in stopping short.

 

[tony_mac]

I already bought the tickets - and I needed the stopovers.
I paid €80 for Budapest - Linz - Munich - Cologne (in First class, including reservations and postage).

I was wondering about Premium class - but I am not sure my German is up to discussing it with train staff!
Any idea if that is €25 per ticket, per day or per leg? (I have two Railjet legs on one ticket, on different days)

One of my reserved seats is a bit rubbish, I assume I can just find another one?

 

[Railjet]

The €25 Premium class supplement is valid on one train, any distance. Therefore, it would probably be best to upgrade on the longest leg of your journey. The friendly host/hostess brings you small hot and cold snacks throughout the journey, and plenty of drinks (including wine and beer), included in the supplement.

Don't worry about the language issue, just plonk yourself down in Premium, wait for the ticket inspector and say you want to pay the supplement. (Most people do it this way - only a few reserve in advance). If you do this from Budapest, you will probably get the pick of the seats (a few may be reserved); you can also now pay the supplement in euro instead of Hungarian forint.

The seats are very comfortable, and are mainly arranged in open compartments of 4. The opposite seats are offset, so there is plenty of legroom. Whenever I take this train (I only upgrade if doing the whole journey Budapest - Munich or vice versa), I have always had a compartment to myself.

Personally, I wouldn't upgrade for shorter legs, for example Budapest - Vienna or Vienna - Salzburg, but others do.

Regarding changing your seats - never a problem, just find a better unreserved one.

 

[tony_mac]

Thanks for all the advice; you persuaded me to go for the premium class supplement, and it was fantastic. The hostess really couldn't have been more helpful! and I did have a compartment to myself throughout the journey.

I did have a problem with my ticket, though. It doesn't look like the first part was printed on the ticket, so the Hungarian guard tried telling me that I was on the wrong train, on the wrong day. He was looking at the second leg of the journey which was printed on the ticket. I kept pointing at the (still attached) seat reservation, and saying, 'the other train is tomorrow'. After 3 or 4 times, he gave up, and also processed the upgrade - but he literally huffed the entire time he was doing it!

On the other hand, the Austrian guard who took over was happy with it, and also really friendly (as were all ÖBB staff that I encountered).