Real-time online train station platform signs

  • 3 August 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 398 views

Dear friends: Hello everyone!  Very happy to meet all of you.  This is the first time I travel by train. Since there are many trains to be changed and the adjacent times are relatively close, is there any app that can tell you the instructions for changing stations in advance, for example: it takes a few minutes to change the number of cars at several platforms.  ?


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Maybe-sometimes, this really differs an enormous lot per country. AND-late min changes are always, always possible. The best method to find IF it is there and HOW to access-is via google and follow links or use the national railplanner of the country you are in and check what it can deliver-. We often here recommend that of bahn.com-as it is far better as the app, covers most countries and often updated-but it will give THIS info-and only the planned and not the last minute (which happens very, very often there) for its home base, Germany.

And further: most modern trenes in West-Eur will also show this info on screens IN the trains just before it arrives at a stop with connections-or it may be recorded-probably then only in he local language. IF it is a very modern system it may even have some app-most modern young people seem unable to think of ways out of that, it seems

Userlevel 7
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Dear friends: Hello everyone!  Very happy to meet all of you.  This is the first time I travel by train. Since there are many trains to be changed and the adjacent times are relatively close, is there any app that can tell you the instructions for changing stations in advance, for example: it takes a few minutes to change the number of cars at several platforms.  ?

Hello Yana Lyu

 

The best option for real time information is to install the respective applications of the (national) railway companies. If you travel in Germany, download DB navigator. In Austria the ÖBB app, in Belgium the NMBS/SNCB app, the SNCF-connect app in France,…

In some countries real time information is also provided via google maps, if you tap on a station, like here in Belgium.

Should you doubt which apps to install, just ask here. We’ll be glad to help.

Instructions to change at stations are a bit more difficult, since every station is different. Usually you have to walk down the steps, or go via the platform towards the main building and find the right platform for the right train. In most countries this is very well done. With some exception of more rural stations, but there’s usually a paper stating which train leaves from which platform. Only for Eurostar there are some restrictions (passport check, security check).

In some countries there are gates at the platform, where you need to scan your QR code (like the big stations in Paris, the UK or in a lot of Dutch stations). But this goes always well. Usually there’s some staff to help you as well, if you have questions.

If you still feel a bit anxious about changing trains, you can take a look at google maps. The maps of the biggest stations are visible if you zoom in enough. If you don’t find it on google maps, use open street map. It’s more up to date and detailed to make you acquinted with the station lay out.

Happy to help you, and have a nice trip!

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