Just so you know next time: in Germany, once your train has an announced delay of more than 20 min, you are allowed to take any other train if you want to, including earlier ones. It's written on the PDF ticket, even if you have a Sparpreis one.
Does it have to be another ICE train? I was on the Eurostar recently and a guy got asked to leave as he had an ICE ticket and said his original train was delayed. The guard on the train told him it doesn't work that way as ICE are like Ryanair... Which I didn't really understand.
@@mr-nobody-on-youtube No, it doesn’t work with Eurostar, because Deutsche Bahn and Eurostar don’t sell each other’s tickets and have complete different tariff systems. Deutsche Bahn uses a classic tariff system Eurostar uses a Globalpreis system. Similar to how SNCF operates their TGV’s. They operate fairly isolated as an open access rail operator. Also the Eurostar uses mandatory reservations. It might have worked after visiting the ticket office, but even then I’m not sure the staff would be allowed to give a free ticket. It also wouldn’t work with for example a Flixtrain, for the same reasons.
@@mr-nobody-on-youtube that's the rule with DB Fernverkehr (in germany with ICE and IC services). In the entire EU you are allowed to take any other train if you are at least 60 minutes delayed without an surcharge. This was no problem on the Paris/Brussels to London Eurostar service until Brexit. So if you're delayed on the Eurostar service to London and miss your Eurostar (former Thalys) to Germany, you are allowed to use the ICE service to Germany. However, you do need your ticket to be stamped in order to prove you're delayed. You can do this at the conductor on board of your delayed train or in case of a delayed Eurostar train at the Eurostar desk on the main floor of Brussels South/Midi, or at the Eurostar check-in desk at the same station.
This video was so good I watched it twice :) I was in some of these places very recently too and it makes me think we really need a European Challenge mate! Great to see the guest appearances in this one btw. I really like the look of Berlin Hbf, especially with the S-Bahn running high above you, almost in the ceiling. Such a cool composition. I reckon I could spend a whole day there easily :) Oh and I almost got caught out by the Hamburg - Airport train split. I took my headphones off just in time for the announcement midway through the journey and scurried forward via the platform at the next station! This comment is too long already, but it needs to finish with 'The footrest ist kaput' :D
A European challenge would be cool! Something like Amsterdam (or some other capital city), to another big city either east/west or north/south (Milan, or Rome for example) using only local trains/non-high speed, and then see who can manage it the cheapest/quickest
Just a quick comment to say how much I enjoyed this video. I was aware that your pals with another RUclipsr who I follow, and curiosity got the better of me. Anyway, I’m glad to be on board for your future travel adventures. Keep up the good work!
just a quck note for others, lots of viewing points at hamburg airport but a great one is before you actually go through customs etc ( do not go through yet , go up 3 floors ) look up ,you'll see a maccy d's and something else on the very top you do not need to use these by the way but you go through here to the outside balcony .Fantastic sounds and sights of the apron and the runway ! well worth it if you have the time or even just turn up if nearby and you want something to do!
Thanks for a very interesting video. I have used the DB first class service at seat on a number of occasions, the most recent being April 2022. The procedure was/is to ask the conductor for what you want. She/he or a member of the restaurant car staff dealt with the order. On a recent ((October 2023 ) holiday in Austria there was service at seat for first class passengers. I used it extensively. It was provided by staff from the restaurant car coming fairly regularly to collect orders. in Switzerland, AT QUIETER TIMES, restaurant car staff go into the first class taking orders which will be brought to your seat.
Brilliant Scott, much prefer seeing these types of 'behind the scenes' videos as we get to see more of you and your honest travel style as you get up to 'cruising altitude.' Keep up the great work and brilliant to see your cat and son featuring in this video 👍🙂
Scott, that was epic! I have to say that this, is probably the only sponsor section I've watched from start to finish - Ye have a talent lad, brilliant!
Thanks Scott for compiling such a detailed and interesting trip report. BTW there was really heavy snowfall in Bavaria (during the time of your trip). Munich airport was closed for a couple of days and it was sometime before normal services could resume.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video, Scott, as I enjoy all your efforts. But this was special for me. I got to meet Jasper. What a great looking cat. He really had outstanding markings. And he did his own thing, sniffing out surroundings as you made us familiar with your new sponsors health supplement. He didn't even hog the camera. And so nice to meet Blair too. It may be Scott, Blair, Trains, Planes, Everything soon! Cheers for now!
I remember being on that exact platform in Berlin as a kid, just remember the train station being absolutely massive and getting fined for not having a ticket on board😂😂😂
Deutsche Bahn isn't anymore what it used to be. I'm pleased you noticed in time that the S-Bahn splits a few stations on. Me being a German didn't notice it when my son and I spend a long weekend in Hamburg and, of course, we were in the wrong part of the train. We made it just in time back to the airport but at check-in the little woman had problems with her computer terminal, she then went to the next one, tried and went back to the original terminal when we had luck and got our boarding card printed. On the way to the air plane my son suddenly was gone, the plonker decided to buy a last souvenir and when we got to the plane the stewardess had a right bloody moan at us.
Yes it was reported in Germany that in December only 52% of DB's ICE and ICs were punctual. DB may still be held in awe around the word (outside Germany) but one wonders for how long ?
@@alexmcwhirter6611 The with the delays of any train in Germany isn't just a recent problem but goes on for quite some time now. OK, the massive snowfall in Southern Germany and especially Munich is/was beyond the control of DB what is in their control is the investment or in this case the lack of it. And the most ridiculous thing is that the people at the top of DB are getting for the year 2023 a big bonus despite the mess DB is in
Around 20 years ago I got the wrong ticket, S-Bahn instead of DB. On-train inspector started giving me chops about it. It was around 11pm. How did I know, i put money in a machine and got a ticket. After intervention by an "older" german gentleman the inspector buggered off. Said gentleman then pointed out that this was my countries fault for privatising railways and the germans were copying them! Litte did we realise back then that it was all part of the EU/EC plan to bollocks everything up - now we all have trains that are expensive and crap - the manufactuers and operators all do well, but the passenger? No, we dont matter. F the people, look after big business. F the EU. And dont assume all Germans are pro EU - plenty of ordinary people have similare doubts about the benefits of Brussels.
It took ages to built that tunnel for the S1 line so that Hamburg-Airport could be linked to the train system. We live within the boundaries of Hamburg‘s public transport system. To get to the airport now all we have to do is take the bus from our village to the next town. The ticket we buy from the driver covers the entire journey. In town we have access to the train to Hamburg (a 25 to 50 minute ride, depending if it is a commuter train that stops everywhere or not) and then it is the S-Bahn. No more parking problems.
Just a small correction about Berlin Hbf. You are wrong about the layout. Yes, S-Bahn is just on the top level and U-Bahn on Level U1. But all other trains, from regional to international do use the top and the lowest level. It is a matter of direction. Top ist mostly in east- west dirction and the lowest is in north- south direction. Glad you had the chance to see northern germany with some snow. There are not many days like that in a year.
The next time you are waiting for a delayed train in Germany with a (Super)Sparpreis ticket. Whenever you are expected to be delayed by more than 20 minutes, you are free to take any other train to your destination. In this case, that Blue train from Prague towards Hamburg. Those trains do have great catering on board as well. Much better than the ICE’s.
I arrived in Frankfurt the same day you shot this and was bound for Koln. Our train was 45 minutes late picking us up at the Flughafen, and by the time we got to Koln Hauptbahnhof we were over 2 hours late due to the snow in Munich and delays with the rails as a result.
I think just being in Germany delays ICE trains. Or any train. Does not need bad weather to do that. Btw, they abolished free newspapers some time ago.
Doesn’t surprise me that fares between two small cities, Berlin and Edinburgh would be expensive: lack of competition! Next time fly out of the capital of Frankfurt
Thanks for this vlog which I found most interesting and informative, as ever. Have sent off for the AG1 travel kit. Will report back when I have given it a month's trial. Ever considered or done a trip to the Channel Islands. Scope for all travel means.
I got lost in this station ... and now I know why. I alighted a train from Amsterdam and was looking for the platform for my connecting U-Bahn (or S-Bahn, can't remember which) to the hotel. I struggled to find a destination board or a listing of how to get to the right platform. But, I stayed on my arrival platform and didn't go to whereever the main entrance boards are located. My ticket from Amsterdam included free onwards travel to a destination within the city public transport network. It was a similar ticket to your's, heavily discounted 1st class. No lounge access in Berlin, but did include lounge access in Amsterdam.
Great video, my kind of trip! I do like the ÖBB Euro City train delay excuse they always use; "this is due to an international rail delay"?! Always someone else's fault! 😂
Hahaha kaputt is spelled with two t in the end ;-) Interesting video, I love train travel. It is just relaxing to be rolled through the landscape while you can relax and look out. Sadly now as I came back to then homeland for Christmas all the snow was gone and now it is rainy, dull and damp. For that I don't really need to leave the Emerald Isle. Sad - I was so looking forward for going sledding. First time of about years and being able to bring the inner child out again, but sadly it wasn't meant to be. Anyway have a very happy Christmas Scott! (oh and btw - my fave eatery in Hamburg Haubtbahnhof is "Schweinske" on the top floor if you fancy Schnitzel. Nom nom!
I visit the German Christmas Markets every December and already look forward to travelling on Deutsch Bhan between the different German cities Munich and Cologne being my favourites
Great video, Berlin has changed so much since the has come down. I used to get the boat to Hamburg from harwich then drive back to southern Bavaria.I was stuck in Munich with the snowstorms no S Bahns and 25% of ICE trains running. I had to make my way up to Frankfurt and stay extra night to fly back.
Hi Scott! I hope you get to see this. Apologies for using this comment function to supply you with information but I thought it was appropriate given the routing you chose in your video: You like to travel to Germany every once in a while. If you plan on doing so in 2024 as well, please be aware of A) ongoing strikes by train conductors - and nobody can tell how much longer they will continue, and B) major renovations of the railway tracks over the whole year, affecting major connections. The route between Mannheim and Frankfurt is already blocked (buses are used as replacements), and many other lines will be affected later in the year. One I can remember is Berlin - Hamburg, the one you used in this video. Hope this helps!
Hello Scott, as always a great video from you with lots of information. Here is some helpful information for your next visit to Germany. If your DB train is more than 20 minutes late, you can take any long-distance train in your direction (e.g. trains from Berlin to Hamburg - Munich - Cologne and Frankfurt run every 30 minutes), regardless of whether you have a FelxTicket or a SupersparpreisTicket . Hope this helps you a little with the next train delay :-)) Greetings from Berlin
funnily enough I live in Berlin, and on the 18.12 flew to Edinburgh. decent price too. The S bahn lines are hell today, and the whole north south tunnel on the S Bahn shut down till mid feb. Flixtain offer decent priced trains from Berlin-Hamburg if you've ever tried.
We have 2 very dark orange walls in our living room and 2 cream walls. But I think that the shade of orange Easy Hotels is would be a bit much for a whole wall 😆
That snow messed up my journey home from Salzburg that weekend - I was meant to get a train from there to Munich for the flight to Dublin but had to resort to plan B by booking flights from Salzburg to Bristol and on to Belfast International (BFS). Just as well I got to Bayern Munich's game v Copenhagen a few nights earlier and didn't go for that game v Union Berlin.
There is usually service on a seat in the ICE 1st class, but currently the DB is also hit by a nationwide cold and flu wave with over 10% of the German population ill. Some trains are even canceled due to illness of the staff.
Best advice. All trains to the west and north also stops at Berlin Spandau Station. It has a much better shopping center and interesting city center. Berlin Hauptbahnhof is beautiful, but boring. It lies in the middle of nowhere.
I remember when I was working in Germany that you could set your watch by the how prompt the DB operated, in recent years when I’ve visited I never got a train that ran on time, since reunification the service has deteriorated badly , the excuse on the ice we caught (40 minutes late ) was vandalism on the line don’t know if they were trying to steal the copper wiring or someone chucked a bike on the line and our return journey was even more delayed but that another interesting story for another post
The newspapers (all in German) are usually in a hanger type thing near the doors of the carriages early in the morning there are usually a good selection if you are a German speaker (they usually have FAZ - from Frankfurt Süddeutscher - from Munich so the papers might have been in short supply Bild is published in Berlin so there should have been some there.) Remember there are NO Sunday newspapers in Germany in general.
though DB could have been having what I call a "DB moment" when the system goes down and the staff disappear My neighbour was on an ICE when the AC failed on board Her brother works for a German radio station and she phoned him up and she and several other passengers were interviewed live on the radio about it. Net result the DB staff appeared and offered water etc. LOL
@@davinnicode weirdly I have. hence the "in general" Locally we have / had a free "newspaper" called "OWL am Sonntag" there is / was more news in the adverting bundle we get than that. I think Welt does a Sunday edition at least they used to - though historically DB used to carry Welt Kompakt which seems to have stopped. When I travel we look for Süddeutsche and FAZ.
Scott does that drink stop the squits....😂😂😂😂😂....just finished your book read it in 3 days....brought back a few memories..... travelled from bham to benidorm by train in 1978...Spanish trains weren't that good back then..haha😂
I didn't realise the snow in the South affected train operations in the North too, but that's Deutsche Bahn for you. I'm sorry your train was delayed, but again, nothing new in Germany. I live in Berlin but was stuck in Munich for 5 days, there were no flights or trains. I saw many snow covered trains just sitting on tracks going nowhere. By the time I finally managed to fly back, the tram and S-Bahn in Munich were partly running, so were a few long distance trains but with severe delays, I was told. The funny thing, I've now seen lots of old DB ads from the 70's and 80's on RUclips "no matter the weather, we're still running" - and true, back in those days they had better maintenance and more staff to deal with the snow. BTW, that's true with the "you can get any train" rule. Even if you are booked on a normal train, you can take the next ICE if your train is more than 40 minutes late (unless you're using the discount 49 Euro Deutschland Ticket.) Not that ICE is always quicker - it often stops before reaching its destination! OK, enough moaning. Good luck next time.
9:10 Yes S-Bahn trains only stop at the high level, but both Intercity and regional trains can run through either the high or low level. For example, ICE trains starting/terminating in Berlin usually do so at Ostbahnhof, and to get there, they have to go through Hauptbahnhof high level. The DB app makes it very clear on which level your train will depart, so I agree it's hard to get lost, but if you assume every Intercity train will stop on the low level, you might be in for a bad surprise.
At Berlin hbf the upper level is for trains running east-west and the lowest (tief) level is for north-south. Having recently been there for a week's holiday to see the Christmas Markets, the U8 closure was well publicised in advance. There didn't seen to be room in your Easy Hotel room for a suitcase nor shelves for folded clothes
You're right Scott! Bavaria sure got slammed with it. I got snowbound in Munich having arrived the Friday night the biggest storm in twenty years hit, which was the same storm to mess up your ("the other Scott's" 😀) Berlin travel plans. I was supposed to take the train to Verona Tuesday morning. Didn't get out until Thursday. Duetsche Bahn's customer service was at its worst. I got to the Munich Central Station shortly after SIX o'clock Wednesday morning to be first in line for the ticket office's 7:00 AM opening. Finally, after waiting for an hour, someone came to the doors at seven fifteen. They opened the doors only enough to say they were not opening due to a lack of staff!!! I asked when they would open and was told they had no idea. This was four days after the storm hit. Way to go DB!!!
Looks like you had a good albeit delayed run to Hamburg that day. I was trying to get into and escape Munich airport. They got hit with 40-50cm of snow and shut down the city mid-day on Saturday; virtually no ICE trains were running south of Nürnberg that morning.
I missed something. Did you still land at Edinburgh and take a coach to Glasgow, or somewhere else; and they announced hotel accomodation? Video's getting better and better. Great channel. Worked for an airline? The nearest I got to Hamburg, or any German city, was driving / delivering a UK Bentley to Malmo in 2004 and taking the route just to the south then west of Hamburg (a few miles), stopping at a big service station parallel with the city, then staying the night at Kolding. I could have taken a ferry I think, directly north of Hamburg but I;m nervous of boats and hadn't planned ahead for it. Fantastic aerial motorway route from Kolding east all the way to Copenhagen across much open water.
9:14 if you are doing a "know all" re berlin hbf the top level is not just for the s bahn , trains leave here for switzerland po;and and the netherlands too. platforms 15 and 16 are s bahn , easy to spot as they have side electrical pick ups rail
Great video Scott..looks like you are getting back to cruising altitude..your Deutsche Bahn problems are par for the course these days..they are very often late or just cancelled..the result of under investment. Whatever happened to "vorsprung durch technik"? Keep up the good work.🎉
Just so you know next time: in Germany, once your train has an announced delay of more than 20 min, you are allowed to take any other train if you want to, including earlier ones. It's written on the PDF ticket, even if you have a Sparpreis one.
Does it have to be another ICE train? I was on the Eurostar recently and a guy got asked to leave as he had an ICE ticket and said his original train was delayed. The guard on the train told him it doesn't work that way as ICE are like Ryanair... Which I didn't really understand.
@@mr-nobody-on-youtube No, it doesn’t work with Eurostar, because Deutsche Bahn and Eurostar don’t sell each other’s tickets and have complete different tariff systems. Deutsche Bahn uses a classic tariff system Eurostar uses a Globalpreis system. Similar to how SNCF operates their TGV’s. They operate fairly isolated as an open access rail operator. Also the Eurostar uses mandatory reservations. It might have worked after visiting the ticket office, but even then I’m not sure the staff would be allowed to give a free ticket. It also wouldn’t work with for example a Flixtrain, for the same reasons.
@@mr-nobody-on-youtube Well I dont know the details but it probably should be a German train. Eurostar isn't German
@@mr-nobody-on-youtube that's the rule with DB Fernverkehr (in germany with ICE and IC services). In the entire EU you are allowed to take any other train if you are at least 60 minutes delayed without an surcharge. This was no problem on the Paris/Brussels to London Eurostar service until Brexit. So if you're delayed on the Eurostar service to London and miss your Eurostar (former Thalys) to Germany, you are allowed to use the ICE service to Germany. However, you do need your ticket to be stamped in order to prove you're delayed. You can do this at the conductor on board of your delayed train or in case of a delayed Eurostar train at the Eurostar desk on the main floor of Brussels South/Midi, or at the Eurostar check-in desk at the same station.
Yes, very funny to see how he watches the EC to Hamburg leave the station while his booked ICE is so much delayed.
Germany certainly has some fantastic railway stations!
Berlin Hauptbahnhof has to be the most spectacular of any modern station.
This video was so good I watched it twice :) I was in some of these places very recently too and it makes me think we really need a European Challenge mate! Great to see the guest appearances in this one btw. I really like the look of Berlin Hbf, especially with the S-Bahn running high above you, almost in the ceiling. Such a cool composition. I reckon I could spend a whole day there easily :) Oh and I almost got caught out by the Hamburg - Airport train split. I took my headphones off just in time for the announcement midway through the journey and scurried forward via the platform at the next station! This comment is too long already, but it needs to finish with 'The footrest ist kaput' :D
You should try a challenge to the point in Basel where 3 countries merge.
Steve! You will be getting lifted if you hang round any more railway stations.🥴
Challenge, a 'hoist a pint challenge' worthy of two world travelers!
A European challenge would be cool! Something like Amsterdam (or some other capital city), to another big city either east/west or north/south (Milan, or Rome for example) using only local trains/non-high speed, and then see who can manage it the cheapest/quickest
I remember as a kid in Berlin, (before the wall fell down) we used to get snow every flaming year.
I was no fan of snow, coz I kept slipping.
I love Hamburg HBF especially at Christmas when its decorated and then stepping out into the markets
🍟Thanks Great video.
Thanks for your support. It is greatly appreciated.
Seems like every RUclipsr drinks AG1 as part of their "daily routine". THey could at least give out different scripts!
Just a quick comment to say how much I enjoyed this video. I was aware that your pals with another RUclipsr who I follow, and curiosity got the better of me. Anyway, I’m glad to be on board for your future travel adventures. Keep up the good work!
First time i saw that Xmas tree at Berlin Hauptbahnhof in the flesh i marvelled at how long it must have taken to dress the thing.Astonishing.
Enjoyed the guest appearance from Jasper and Blair!
Superb video Scott. Inspirational. You’re making these trips look very straightforward. I’m sure they’re not.
Even your cat is a St Mirren fan! 😄
Food looked good,thank you for sharing 😊
I bet half the city of Glasgow appreciated the orange tones of the Easy Hotel lol 😂
Hamburg.My absolute favourite City anywhere in the World,also home to my German side FC St.Pauli.
Edinburgh. Always a quality destination.
A lot of those zug footrests are knackered ive noticed over my years of travelling around Germany.
Scott, I always thought of you as a sweet man. Now I know why. A guy who has a cat like Jasper is sweet and caring. 🖤😾
Thanks Scott, you’ve inspired me to do more railway traveling in Europe.
Wundervolle Reise, Herr Scott
just a quck note for others, lots of viewing points at hamburg airport but a great one is before you actually go through customs etc ( do not go through yet , go up 3 floors ) look up ,you'll see a maccy d's and something else on the very top you do not need to use these by the way but you go through here to the outside balcony .Fantastic sounds and sights of the apron and the runway ! well worth it if you have the time or even just turn up if nearby and you want something to do!
There are East-west inter city trains at the top of Hautbahnhof too, to Amsterdam, Poland etc,
Thanks for a very interesting video. I have used the DB first class service at seat on a number of occasions, the most recent being April 2022. The procedure was/is to ask the conductor for what you want. She/he or a member of the restaurant car staff dealt with the order. On a recent ((October 2023 ) holiday in Austria there was service at seat for first class passengers. I used it extensively. It was provided by staff from the restaurant car coming fairly regularly to collect orders. in Switzerland, AT QUIETER TIMES, restaurant car staff go into the first class taking orders which will be brought to your seat.
Brilliant Scott, much prefer seeing these types of 'behind the scenes' videos as we get to see more of you and your honest travel style as you get up to 'cruising altitude.' Keep up the great work and brilliant to see your cat and son featuring in this video 👍🙂
Scott needs some merch with a coffee cup and 'cruising altitude'. That's a mug I would buy!!!
Ha ha definitely Steve, I would myself 👍🙂
Scott, that was epic! I have to say that this, is probably the only sponsor section I've watched from start to finish - Ye have a talent lad, brilliant!
I respect your limitations on the love you have for us. Boundaries are healthy. 😉
That's the most tired I've ever seen you Scott. The energy drink is obviously doing you the world of good 😂😂
Thanks Scott for compiling such a detailed and interesting trip report. BTW there was really heavy snowfall in Bavaria (during the time of your trip). Munich airport was closed for a couple of days and it was sometime before normal services could resume.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video, Scott, as I enjoy all your efforts. But this was special for me. I got to meet Jasper. What a great looking cat.
He really had outstanding markings. And he did his own thing, sniffing out surroundings as you made us familiar with your new sponsors
health supplement. He didn't even hog the camera. And so nice to meet Blair too. It may be Scott, Blair, Trains, Planes, Everything soon!
Cheers for now!
Jesper doesn't care for AG1 green solution. He wisely prefers a steak or a burger beef patty. 🥩🍤🍤🍤🍤 Shrimp as well is probably Jasper's favorite food.
thanks the confident way you navigate is very impressive thanks again
Love this channel
I remember being on that exact platform in Berlin as a kid, just remember the train station being absolutely massive and getting fined for not having a ticket on board😂😂😂
Deutsche Bahn isn't anymore what it used to be.
I'm pleased you noticed in time that the S-Bahn splits a few stations on. Me being a German didn't notice it when my son and I spend a long weekend in Hamburg and, of course, we were in the wrong part of the train.
We made it just in time back to the airport but at check-in the little woman had problems with her computer terminal, she then went to the next one, tried and went back to the original terminal when we had luck and got our boarding card printed.
On the way to the air plane my son suddenly was gone, the plonker decided to buy a last souvenir and when we got to the plane the stewardess had a right bloody moan at us.
Yes it was reported in Germany that in December only 52% of DB's ICE and ICs were punctual. DB may still be held in awe around the word (outside Germany) but one wonders for how long ?
@@alexmcwhirter6611 The with the delays of any train in Germany isn't just a recent problem but goes on for quite some time now. OK, the massive snowfall in Southern Germany and especially Munich is/was beyond the control of DB what is in their control is the investment or in this case the lack of it. And the most ridiculous thing is that the people at the top of DB are getting for the year 2023 a big bonus despite the mess DB is in
Around 20 years ago I got the wrong ticket, S-Bahn instead of DB. On-train inspector started giving me chops about it. It was around 11pm. How did I know, i put money in a machine and got a ticket. After intervention by an "older" german gentleman the inspector buggered off. Said gentleman then pointed out that this was my countries fault for privatising railways and the germans were copying them! Litte did we realise back then that it was all part of the EU/EC plan to bollocks everything up - now we all have trains that are expensive and crap - the manufactuers and operators all do well, but the passenger? No, we dont matter. F the people, look after big business. F the EU. And dont assume all Germans are pro EU - plenty of ordinary people have similare doubts about the benefits of Brussels.
Rodney - you plonker!
It is even announced by the loudspeaker system.
It took ages to built that tunnel for the S1 line so that Hamburg-Airport could be linked to the train system. We live within the boundaries of Hamburg‘s public transport system. To get to the airport now all we have to do is take the bus from our village to the next town. The ticket we buy from the driver covers the entire journey. In town we have access to the train to Hamburg (a 25 to 50 minute ride, depending if it is a commuter train that stops everywhere or not) and then it is the S-Bahn. No more parking problems.
Just a small correction about Berlin Hbf. You are wrong about the layout. Yes, S-Bahn is just on the top level and U-Bahn on Level U1. But all other trains, from regional to international do use the top and the lowest level. It is a matter of direction. Top ist mostly in east- west dirction and the lowest is in north- south direction.
Glad you had the chance to see northern germany with some snow. There are not many days like that in a year.
The next time you are waiting for a delayed train in Germany with a (Super)Sparpreis ticket. Whenever you are expected to be delayed by more than 20 minutes, you are free to take any other train to your destination. In this case, that Blue train from Prague towards Hamburg. Those trains do have great catering on board as well. Much better than the ICE’s.
Very enjoyable thanks
great to meet you son - hello !!
I really liked the slower, more chatty style of this video - keep it up
Brilliant Vlog as always Scott keep up the good work
Where I live we have a bullrush pond which looks exactly like AG1... I think I'll give it a miss thank you...😂
I arrived in Frankfurt the same day you shot this and was bound for Koln. Our train was 45 minutes late picking us up at the Flughafen, and by the time we got to Koln Hauptbahnhof we were over 2 hours late due to the snow in Munich and delays with the rails as a result.
curryvurst with pommfrites mayonase and a stein . yes
I think just being in Germany delays ICE trains. Or any train. Does not need bad weather to do that. Btw, they abolished free newspapers some time ago.
Danke mine bruder.
Doesn’t surprise me that fares between two small cities, Berlin and Edinburgh would be expensive: lack of competition! Next time fly out of the capital of Frankfurt
Easyhotel is great! The one in Nice, France, also gives breakfast for a small cost. I highly recommend it!
excellent; thanks
Jasper is cute
Thanks for this vlog which I found most interesting and informative, as ever. Have sent off for the AG1 travel kit. Will report back when I have given it a month's trial. Ever considered or done a trip to the Channel Islands. Scope for all travel means.
Sankt Pauli, as The Clash once put it, “turning rebellion into money”.
I got lost in this station ... and now I know why. I alighted a train from Amsterdam and was looking for the platform for my connecting U-Bahn (or S-Bahn, can't remember which) to the hotel. I struggled to find a destination board or a listing of how to get to the right platform. But, I stayed on my arrival platform and didn't go to whereever the main entrance boards are located. My ticket from Amsterdam included free onwards travel to a destination within the city public transport network. It was a similar ticket to your's, heavily discounted 1st class. No lounge access in Berlin, but did include lounge access in Amsterdam.
Great video, my kind of trip! I do like the ÖBB Euro City train delay excuse they always use; "this is due to an international rail delay"?! Always someone else's fault! 😂
Of course it was a great idea. I live in Florida and for my 83rd birthday I'm going to be in Scotland and Glasgow I have a day trip set for Belfast.
Thanks Scott. Merry Christmas 😊
Hahaha kaputt is spelled with two t in the end ;-) Interesting video, I love train travel. It is just relaxing to be rolled through the landscape while you can relax and look out. Sadly now as I came back to then homeland for Christmas all the snow was gone and now it is rainy, dull and damp. For that I don't really need to leave the Emerald Isle. Sad - I was so looking forward for going sledding. First time of about years and being able to bring the inner child out again, but sadly it wasn't meant to be. Anyway have a very happy Christmas Scott! (oh and btw - my fave eatery in Hamburg Haubtbahnhof is "Schweinske" on the top floor if you fancy Schnitzel. Nom nom!
Brilliant vid and a few cameos!!
Really good video Scott . Best wishes to you and your family for Christmas and the new year . Looking forward to seeing your next videos 🌲🧑🎄☺️.
Easy hotel in Berlin seems like a nice place. 💜
It's more expensive than Scott made out
I visit the German Christmas Markets every December and already look forward to travelling on Deutsch Bhan between the different German cities Munich and Cologne being my favourites
Great video, Berlin has changed so much since the has come down. I used to get the boat to Hamburg from harwich then drive back to southern Bavaria.I was stuck in Munich with the snowstorms no S Bahns and 25% of ICE trains running. I had to make my way up to Frankfurt and stay extra night to fly back.
Hi Scott! I hope you get to see this. Apologies for using this comment function to supply you with information but I thought it was appropriate given the routing you chose in your video:
You like to travel to Germany every once in a while. If you plan on doing so in 2024 as well, please be aware of
A) ongoing strikes by train conductors - and nobody can tell how much longer they will continue, and
B) major renovations of the railway tracks over the whole year, affecting major connections. The route between Mannheim and Frankfurt is already blocked (buses are used as replacements), and many other lines will be affected later in the year. One I can remember is Berlin - Hamburg, the one you used in this video.
Hope this helps!
Have to say, having been to a number of German cities now, the transport is fantastic. Great prices, clean and (generally) on time.
Its nice to have the option of a cheap subscription too
I had a recent journey in first class on DB and I was offered at seat service. I wasn't offered any chocolate though
The average price of the EasyHotel in Berlin is £45-50. The cheapest price of £32 nowadays is only on some Sunday nights.
Nice to see German train toilets are just as bogging as those on British rollingstock.
Great vid... your reference to "toning down the orange" at the Glasgow easy hotel, my friend,think about that one, and why it`s been done
Never seen Hamburg airport so quiet last two trips been queuing from securing back to checkin
Happy holidays Scott
Hello Scott, as always a great video from you with lots of information. Here is some helpful information for your next visit to Germany. If your DB train is more than 20 minutes late, you can take any long-distance train in your direction (e.g. trains from Berlin to Hamburg - Munich - Cologne and Frankfurt run every 30 minutes), regardless of whether you have a FelxTicket or a SupersparpreisTicket . Hope this helps you a little with the next train delay :-))
Greetings from Berlin
Scott, I love your Videos Scott. You and Steve Marsh are natural. Keep going.
funnily enough I live in Berlin, and on the 18.12 flew to Edinburgh. decent price too. The S bahn lines are hell today, and the whole north south tunnel on the S Bahn shut down till mid feb.
Flixtain offer decent priced trains from Berlin-Hamburg if you've ever tried.
Loved the video I was happy to see jasper get on the act was he trying to trying to out stage you😊
We have 2 very dark orange walls in our living room and 2 cream walls. But I think that the shade of orange Easy Hotels is would be a bit much for a whole wall 😆
Nokia: Connecting people, Ceske drahy: But we connect places, too! :D
That snow messed up my journey home from Salzburg that weekend - I was meant to get a train from there to Munich for the flight to Dublin but had to resort to plan B by booking flights from Salzburg to Bristol and on to Belfast International (BFS).
Just as well I got to Bayern Munich's game v Copenhagen a few nights earlier and didn't go for that game v Union Berlin.
I don’t know why but I love hotel rooms like that, I stayed in something like that in Oslo last year
There is usually service on a seat in the ICE 1st class, but currently the DB is also hit by a nationwide cold and flu wave with over 10% of the German population ill. Some trains are even canceled due to illness of the staff.
"The shower was the most spacious part of the room" had me in fits of laughter. Was there a switch so you could turn the shower horizontal?
Best advice. All trains to the west and north also stops at Berlin Spandau Station. It has a much better shopping center and interesting city center. Berlin Hauptbahnhof is beautiful, but boring. It lies in the middle of nowhere.
I remember when I was working in Germany that you could set your watch by the how prompt the DB operated, in recent years when I’ve visited I never got a train that ran on time, since reunification the service has deteriorated badly , the excuse on the ice we caught (40 minutes late ) was vandalism on the line don’t know if they were trying to steal the copper wiring or someone chucked a bike on the line and our return journey was even more delayed but that another interesting story for another post
The newspapers (all in German)
are usually in a hanger type thing
near the doors of the carriages
early in the morning there are usually
a good selection if you are a German speaker
(they usually have FAZ - from Frankfurt
Süddeutscher - from Munich
so the papers might have been in short supply
Bild is published in Berlin
so there should have been some there.)
Remember there are NO Sunday newspapers
in Germany in general.
though DB could have been having
what I call a "DB moment"
when the system goes down
and the staff disappear
My neighbour was on an ICE
when the AC failed on board
Her brother works for a German radio station
and she phoned him up
and she and several other passengers
were interviewed live on the radio about it.
Net result the DB staff appeared and offered water
etc. LOL
@@johncrwarner so in „general“ there are no newspapers on Sundays! You ever heard of „Bild am Sonntag“? Probably not
@@davinnicode
weirdly I have.
hence the "in general"
Locally we have / had a free "newspaper"
called "OWL am Sonntag"
there is / was more news
in the adverting bundle we get than that.
I think Welt does a Sunday edition
at least they used to - though historically
DB used to carry Welt Kompakt
which seems to have stopped.
When I travel we look for Süddeutsche and FAZ.
AG one seems to be in a lot on You Tube channels. That is gotta be the smallest room for a hotel. As you said you are really only sleeping there.
And you left you’re towel next too the toilet wow 🎉
Surprised the Easy Hotel gave you a window. The one I stayed in didn’t… Never again.
Happy new year
Scott does that drink stop the squits....😂😂😂😂😂....just finished your book read it in 3 days....brought back a few memories..... travelled from bham to benidorm by train in 1978...Spanish trains weren't that good back then..haha😂
I didn't realise the snow in the South affected train operations in the North too, but that's Deutsche Bahn for you. I'm sorry your train was delayed, but again, nothing new in Germany. I live in Berlin but was stuck in Munich for 5 days, there were no flights or trains. I saw many snow covered trains just sitting on tracks going nowhere. By the time I finally managed to fly back, the tram and S-Bahn in Munich were partly running, so were a few long distance trains but with severe delays, I was told. The funny thing, I've now seen lots of old DB ads from the 70's and 80's on RUclips "no matter the weather, we're still running" - and true, back in those days they had better maintenance and more staff to deal with the snow. BTW, that's true with the "you can get any train" rule. Even if you are booked on a normal train, you can take the next ICE if your train is more than 40 minutes late (unless you're using the discount 49 Euro Deutschland Ticket.) Not that ICE is always quicker - it often stops before reaching its destination! OK, enough moaning. Good luck next time.
Berlin Hauptbahnhoff looks like something from Metropolis.
Your looking well
9:10 Yes S-Bahn trains only stop at the high level, but both Intercity and regional trains can run through either the high or low level. For example, ICE trains starting/terminating in Berlin usually do so at Ostbahnhof, and to get there, they have to go through Hauptbahnhof high level. The DB app makes it very clear on which level your train will depart, so I agree it's hard to get lost, but if you assume every Intercity train will stop on the low level, you might be in for a bad surprise.
At Berlin hbf the upper level is for trains running east-west and the lowest (tief) level is for north-south. Having recently been there for a week's holiday to see the Christmas Markets, the U8 closure was well publicised in advance. There didn't seen to be room in your Easy Hotel room for a suitcase nor shelves for folded clothes
You're right Scott! Bavaria sure got slammed with it. I got snowbound in Munich having arrived the Friday night the biggest storm in twenty years hit, which was the same storm to mess up your ("the other Scott's" 😀) Berlin travel plans. I was supposed to take the train to Verona Tuesday morning. Didn't get out until Thursday. Duetsche Bahn's customer service was at its worst. I got to the Munich Central Station shortly after SIX o'clock Wednesday morning to be first in line for the ticket office's 7:00 AM opening. Finally, after waiting for an hour, someone came to the doors at seven fifteen. They opened the doors only enough to say they were not opening due to a lack of staff!!! I asked when they would open and was told they had no idea. This was four days after the storm hit. Way to go DB!!!
Berlin hauptbanhof I think it’s the coolest station I’ve ever swe
Looks like you had a good albeit delayed run to Hamburg that day. I was trying to get into and escape Munich airport. They got hit with 40-50cm of snow and shut down the city mid-day on Saturday; virtually no ICE trains were running south of Nürnberg that morning.
Good stuff 👍Bit disappointing no service on 1st class ICE train journey.
I missed something. Did you still land at Edinburgh and take a coach to Glasgow, or somewhere else; and they announced hotel accomodation?
Video's getting better and better. Great channel. Worked for an airline?
The nearest I got to Hamburg, or any German city, was driving / delivering a UK Bentley to Malmo in 2004 and taking the route just to the south then west of Hamburg (a few miles), stopping at a big service station parallel with the city, then staying the night at Kolding. I could have taken a ferry I think, directly north of Hamburg but I;m nervous of boats and hadn't planned ahead for it.
Fantastic aerial motorway route from Kolding east all the way to Copenhagen across much open water.
He landed in Edinburgh as planned and got the coach to Glasgow as he lives in Paisley.
9:14 if you are doing a "know all" re berlin hbf the top level is not just for the s bahn , trains leave here for switzerland po;and and the netherlands too. platforms 15 and 16 are s bahn , easy to spot as they have side electrical pick ups rail
You can also do it with the train via Amsterdam and London
Great video Scott..looks like you are getting back to cruising altitude..your Deutsche Bahn problems are par for the course these days..they are very often late or just cancelled..the result of under investment. Whatever happened to "vorsprung durch technik"? Keep up the good work.🎉
11:35 The new DB Talgo train!!! 😁
that AG1 is way too expensive. £100 🤣🤣🤣
Not much nutrition in it. I don't believe there are many nutrients in that green drink.