Train: DB vs OEBB

[Alberto]

Trying to book train returning from Italy, so trip Rovereto -> Pinneberg, on Sunday 3.11

Never mind if I travel alone (adult, DB BahnCard 25), DB and OEBB give me very different prices: 227eur vs 222eur,

[Alberto]

....but as soon as I add my 14yo, the price difference between OEBB and DB explodes, for the very same trip:
in fact, adding the 14yo the DB does not change (why?????), and for the OEBB increases:

instead of 227 and 227eur, it becomes 227 and 361eur

What's wrong...?

[Franklan]

Whoa, a 13h train trip with a 14yo... That sounds like the horror to me (and the kid).

What about taking the Austrian night train NJ 40420 from Inssbruck to Hamburg, starting 20:44 on Sunday and arriving 08:47 on Monday morning? Double cabin with 2 beds and your own separate toilet for 209.80€ ? Including Breakfast?

You have to figure out how to get from HH HBF to Pineberg, and how to get to Innsbruck on that Sunday, though.

Innsbruck-Hamburg.png (473.82 KiB) Viewed 270 times

[snowingagain]

Accompanying children 5 to 14 are free on DB. This was fab, we had 3. Not sure how the split works with OEBB. If we got a sleeper within DE we just had to pay for the extra beds.

[sam]

Are you planning on going away again any time soon? As that €222 ticket isn't far off the cost of a 4 day in one month (€283) or 5 day in two months interrail pass (one outward and one inward home country journey allowed, not necessarily in that order).

[Alberto]

Are you planning on going away again any time soon? As that €222 ticket isn't far off the cost of a 4 day in one month (€283) or 5 day in two months interrail pass (one outward and one inward home country journey allowed, not necessarily in that order).

Thanks for mentioning this, definitely will Look Intro it

[Alberto]

Whoa, a 13h train trip with a 14yo... That sounds like the horror to me (and the kid).

What about taking the Austrian night train NJ 40420 from Inssbruck to Hamburg, starting 20:44 on Sunday and arriving 08:47 on Monday morning? Double cabin with 2 beds and your own separate toilet for 209.80€ ? Including Breakfast?

You have to figure out how to get from HH HBF to Pineberg, and how to get to Innsbruck on that Sunday, though.

Innsbruck-Hamburg.png

Thanks for mentioning this, will Look into it.
But every time I checked the night train, the price differential was always very large, thats why we never did it.
But days are crucial: we must be back in Hamburg (well, Pinneberg) latest Sunday night, because the Monday is school.

[Alberto]

Whoa, a 13h train trip with a 14yo... That sounds like the horror to me (and the kid).

Done it many times. I find it actually surprisingly pleasant. Combination of Netflix, books, podcasts, sleeping, snacking, repeat...

What about taking the Austrian night train NJ 40420 from Inssbruck to Hamburg, starting 20:44 on Sunday and arriving 08:47 on Monday morning? Double cabin with 2 beds and your own separate toilet for 209.80€ ? Including Breakfast?

You have to figure out how to get from HH HBF to Pineberg, and how to get to Innsbruck on that Sunday, though.

I looked at it some more. Definitely arriving Monday morning is too late, she would be missing school, so no thanks. And indeed it's much less expensive than I thought, because she's not 15 yet otherwise price would go much higher. BTW the other 2 segments, Hamburg ->Pinneberg, and to Innsbruck are well served.

[Franklan]

I looked at it some more. Definitely arriving Monday morning is too late...

Thank you for letting the forum know. I now see that arriving at Monday morning does not work out because he/she needs to be at school that very Monday morning.

Feel free to let people know how it worked out once it has happened.

[Alberto]

Are you planning on going away again any time soon? As that €222 ticket isn't far off the cost of a 4 day in one month (€283) or 5 day in two months interrail pass (one outward and one inward home country journey allowed, not necessarily in that order).

Just looked more into this.
The Interrail includes only TWO trips in "home" country. This means only one return trip to Italy to visit my mum. Not great. Besides (and here I could not yet find confirmation unfortunately), I presume fast trains, IC ICE EC are not included, which makes it a very poor option (with fast trains it's already a 12hr trip, say 14hr including the usual delays...). And unlike "normal" tickets, I expect it does not include children at zero extra cost.

[sam]

ICE is included in interrail. Freccorossa, TGV etc also included but you have to get a compulsory reservation (even Eurostar but the reservation fee is €30!). The real advantage is you can change your travel plans.

Yes, you are limited to the one outward and one inward leg. To stop it being used as a cheaper alternative to BC100/ a domestic season ticket!

[Alberto]

OK, I booked.
We go by train as usual, Pinneberg 6:35 -> Rovereto 18:17, ca 95eur the 2 of us.
But the return train was expensive, and had zillions of changes, some very tight, so we actually flight Bozen -> Hamburg, 2hr. I have my own reasons why I tend to avoid flying but sometimes it's just the choice. Flight 378eur the 2 of us. Plus time, cost, and hassle for the local train in Italy.
Pity not bringing the bicycle this time around, but at least I can take the usual many jam jars for Oma.
Still a mistery why the hell OEBB and DB give very different prices for the same stuff.

[HEM]

We go by train as usual, Pinneberg 6:35 -> Rovereto 18:17,

Don't bet on that arrival time!

[Alberto]

We go by train as usual, Pinneberg 6:35 -> Rovereto 18:17,

Don't bet on that arrival time!

Sure I won't, thanks.
But by now I have enough experience with travels, so I should actually know well...
On one occasion, I took the DB train in Hamburg straight after working night shift, it departed with 90min delay. By the time we got to Munich it recovered some of the lost time, but even with the best connection we were going to reach destination the following day, with an overnight stay in between. DB paid for a luxus hotel in Munich for us. It was kind of a weird fun adventure.