Schipol airport to Osnabruck train

[NorEast]

I'm making this journey after a flight, so don't know quite what time I'll get through border security. Does anyone know if there's a ticket I can get which doesn't tie me to particular trains? Thanks!

 

[6PAN]

I suggest a Flexpreis Europa ticket from DB which costs €80.70 second class one way. If you want to reserve a seat that would be €5.50.

 

[rvdborgt]

No need to buy a Flexpreis in advance though. There may still be cheaper options once you know which train you can catch.

 

[NorEast]

Thanks both! I can board these trains even if I don't have a seat reservation? Can stand for part of the journey if needs-be

 

[Bemined]

For the ICE trains between NL and DE seat reservations are only mandatory during the summer period, which has ended for this year already so until June 25 next year reservations are optional.

 

[6PAN]

I have looked in more detail and note that the price of the Flexpreis Europa ticket seems to vary according to the date and time of travel, which is rather confusing as the conditions state that it is valid on any train on the booked date. Maybe someone else can clarify?

As an alternative there is a Normalpreis Europa ticket for €56.80, this is valid on any local train so ICs etc. in the Netherlands and RE/RB services in Germany - but NOT on ICEs. This appears to be the cheapest fully flexible option although at the expense of a slightly longer journey time.

 

[AdamWW]

I have looked in more detail and note that the price of the Flexpreis Europa ticket seems to vary according to the date and time of travel, which is rather confusing as the conditions state that it is valid on any train on the booked date. Maybe someone else can clarify?

I think that's how it works. Somewhat oddly as you can presumably buy a ticket without reservation and then reserve on another train if you want.

Perhaps not as bad as the UK system where a train can be "sold out" in standard class but you can buy a ticket for another train that day and then use the sold out one.

 

[6PAN]

I think that's how it works. Somewhat oddly as you can presumably buy a ticket without reservation and then reserve on another train if you want.

Perhaps not as bad as the UK system where a train can be "sold out" in standard class but you can buy a ticket for another train that day and then use the sold out one.

So presumably there is nothing to stop you buying a Flexpreis ticket for the cheapest train on a specific day and then using it on one which would have been more expensive?

 

[AdamWW]

So presumably there is nothing to stop you buying a Flexpreis ticket for the cheapest train on a specific day and then using it on one which would have been more expensive?

I'm pretty sure a Flexpreis is valid on any train on the day of validity, so yes.
But you won't have to look hard to find someone who is more knowledgeable on such matters than me.