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One country pass France on an international train

  • May 5, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 93 views
S
Full steam ahead
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Hello fellow travellers,

I have a one country pass for France and I want to go from Karlsruhe to Dijon this Friday 9th of May. Initially, my plan was to travel to Mulhouse via Freiburg and Müllheim on regional trains using my Deutschland-Ticket. I have (cancellable) reservations for the 17:46 TGV Mulhouse-Dijon. 

But because of the strike situation, I fear that the TER Müllheim-Mulhouse might get cancelled (it often does) and I am looking for alternatives.

Is there a way to get on the TGV 15:12 Karlsruhe-Besançon (TGV) with my one country pass?

If I am looking on this page https://www.bahn.de/buchung/start?KL=2&ET=PASSZUSCHLAG I get three offers: a) 15€ Passzuschlag one country (“valid for the German section for users of a one-country pass except German Pass”)

b) 35€ Passzuschlag German Rail pass which clearly doesn’t apply

c) 19€ Passzuschlag Global pass which clearly doesn’t apply

In my understanding option a) could apply to my situation. The person at the DB desk told me it doesn’t apply but I am quite sure she didn’t really know.

 

Best answer by rvdborgt

So I can buy the 15€ Passzuschlag and that’s it? Or do I need an additional reservation from Strasbourg-Besançon (raileurope, 20€)?

If you're travelling Besançon-Karlsruhe in the direct train, then book that. Should also be €15. If it's another train, then it's an additional reservation.

What do I add into the mobile pass? Karlsruhe-Besançon or Strasbourg-Besançon?

That depends on which train(s) you are using.

It seems odd that with a Global Pass the price is 19€.

It is. Don't try to find logic.

7 replies

D
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • Danhiel
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • May 5, 2025

Hello ​@Sebastian Vetter 

Sorry, your One Country Pass is not valid in the TGV between Germany and France. You have to buy a regular or Saver/Supersaver ticket from Karlsruhe to Strasbourg and a reservation from Strasbourg to Besançon. Check if a Supersaver ticket from Karlsruhe to Besançon is cheaper.

I tried once in the opposite direction, I had a OCP for Germany and I bought a ticket from Strasbourg to Kehl. It was not accepted in the TGV and I had to buy a new ticket with a surcharge.

 

The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • May 5, 2025

Sorry, your One Country Pass is not valid in the TGV between Germany and France. [...]

I tried once in the opposite direction, I had a OCP for Germany and I bought a ticket from Strasbourg to Kehl. It was not accepted in the TGV and I had to buy a new ticket with a surcharge.

One Country Passes ARE accepted, but you need the correct ticket with them. A ticket to Kehl is not correct, because it is only valid in the regional trains.

The link mentioned above is the correct one and the price is indeed €15. It includes a reservation. BahnCard discount is also possible.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
S
Full steam ahead
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So I can buy the 15€ Passzuschlag and that’s it? Or do I need an additional reservation from Strasbourg-Besançon (raileurope, 20€)?

What do I add into the mobile pass? Karlsruhe-Besançon or Strasbourg-Besançon?

It seems odd that with a Global Pass the price is 19€.

Thank you

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • Answer
  • May 5, 2025

So I can buy the 15€ Passzuschlag and that’s it? Or do I need an additional reservation from Strasbourg-Besançon (raileurope, 20€)?

If you're travelling Besançon-Karlsruhe in the direct train, then book that. Should also be €15. If it's another train, then it's an additional reservation.

What do I add into the mobile pass? Karlsruhe-Besançon or Strasbourg-Besançon?

That depends on which train(s) you are using.

It seems odd that with a Global Pass the price is 19€.

It is. Don't try to find logic.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
D
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • Danhiel
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • May 5, 2025

I really don’t understand. It means that if you have a OTC for France you could travel in Germany for a cheaper price as usual. I made a test with Berlin - Strasbourg tomorrow. The Passzuschlag OCP costs 80 € with a City Ticket, a Super Sparpreis Ticket 156 € for the same train…

The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
S
Full steam ahead
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My plan is to take the direct TGV 15:12 Karlsruhe-Besançon. I will change onto TER from there to Dijon (no reservation needed, added separately into the railplanner).

So I guess, I get the 15€ One Country Passzuschlag and add Karlsruhe-Besançon manually into the planner (because it won’t let me activate a train starting in Germany)

Did I overlook something?

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • May 5, 2025

I really don’t understand. It means that if you have a OTC for France you could travel in Germany for a cheaper price as usual. I made a test with Berlin - Strasbourg tomorrow. The Passzuschlag OCP costs 80 € with a City Ticket, a Super Sparpreis Ticket 156 € for the same train…

Yes I did notice that the German prices don't seem to be full price, and then you can still get a BahnCard discount. Don't try to find any logic.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
D
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