VRR Border Zones

[Oxalin]

I'm currently in the final stages of planning a trip to Germany. On one day, I'm intending to do quite a bit of travelling around the VRR region and have determined my best bet is the 24-StundenTicket at Price Level C, which I believe covers the entire VRR region with unlimited travel for the day. However, it has raised a couple of questions that I'm having difficulty finding an answer for on the VRR website.

1) Are there any time restrictions? The website doesn't seem to mention any but I've been caught out before in other parts of Germany.

2) Can this ticket be bought on the day from a machine at the station? Everything seems to suggest yes, but that was also the case for a VRS region day ticket a couple of years ago and I couldn't find it on the machine anywhere!

3) What does "VRR tariff is valid on all lines only in transition. CombiTickets do not apply." mean on the tariff zone map? For one part of the day I need to travel from Dortmund Hbf to Wuppertal-Oberbarmen and various journey planners recommend a route changing at Schwerte (Ruhr). Only problem is that Schwerte is technically in a Westfalen Tarif Zone, albeit marked as above on the VRR map. My initial interpretation was that the ticket would only be valid if I transited through the zone without changing train, but now I'm not so sure. The VRR website gives next to no detail on this phrasing as far as I can find. It's not the end of the world if I can't travel via Schwerte as it'll just extend the day by half an hour or so, but I'd prefer to keep it if possible.

Hopefully someone on here has a little more knowledge of the fare system in this area than I do!

 

[The exile]

From previous experience the wording on the Schwerte section means that the ticket is valid for journeys via Schwerte but not to or from Schwerte. Effectively meaningless as almost impossible to police - but keeps the various powers that be happy.
EDIT: I think it’s more generous than that -VRR tariff applies except for journeys wholly within the grey area(s)

 

[Oxalin]

From previous experience the wording on the Schwerte section means that the ticket is valid for journeys via Schwerte but not to or from Schwerte. Effectively meaningless as almost impossible to police - but keeps the various powers that be happy.

Thanks - I think that's about how I'd interpreted it, although still not too clear on how it applies where the journey requires a change at Schwerte...

EDIT: I think it’s more generous than that -VRR tariff applies except for journeys wholly within the grey area(s)

Whereas this is far more generous and would mean it's definitely OK to change trains, given Dortmund and Wuppertal are both well within the VRR proper!

 

[The exile]

Thanks - I think that's about how I'd interpreted it, although still not too clear on how it applies where the journey requires a change at Schwerte...

Whereas this is far more generous and would mean it's definitely OK to change trains, given Dortmund and Wuppertal are both well within the VRR proper!

Whatever - with a Preisstufe C ticket you’re absolutely fine. Would / Might be different with an “A”

 

[DanielB]

1) Are there any time restrictions? The website doesn't seem to mention any but I've been caught out before in other parts of Germany.

AFAIK not

2) Can this ticket be bought on the day from a machine at the station? Everything seems to suggest yes, but that was also the case for a VRS region day ticket a couple of years ago and I couldn't find it on the machine anywhere!

Yes, though on DB ticket machines you might need to select something like "regional offers" first. But on VRR ticket machines it is quite straightforward in my (limited) experience.

The only issue that recently reached the media: though VRR fares are valid until Arnhem in the Netherlands on the RE19, the QR code won't open the gates at that station.

 

[rvdborgt]

The only issue that recently reached the media: though VRR fares are valid until Arnhem in the Netherlands on the RE19, the QR code won't open the gates at that station.

Then just press the "i" button on the information column and say that the gate doesn't like your international ticket. Then they'll open it remotely no questions asked. Always works for me.

 

[Mike395]

Then just press the "i" button on the information column and say that the gate doesn't like your international ticket. Then they'll open it remotely no questions asked. Always works for me.

Or in the case of one visit to Zaandam earlier this year 'our control centre can't open these gates remotely, just use the emergency plunger and let yourself out'.

But yes - never had an issue in NL using the info poles if I get stuck.

 

[U-Bahnfreund]

1) no it's a 24 hour ticket. It's valid 24 hours from the point of validation. That's the time restriction.

2) Dortmund Hbf has green VRR Ticket machines (or the local DSW21 ones) where you can buy the ticket, and it'll be either valid from purchase or after punching it in the Entwerter, the machine and the ticket will tell you which.

3) Kreis Unna is effectively part of VRR in all but name. Don't worry and just change in Schwerte if you like.

 

[Golghar]

The only issue that recently reached the media: though VRR fares are valid until Arnhem in the Netherlands on the RE19, the QR code won't open the gates at that station.

Last time I was on a train from Düsseldorf to Arnhem the conductor went through the train handing out pieces of paper with the QR-code for exiting at Arnhem printed on them.