We Almost Missed the Train in Germany
- Adam Thompson
- Jan 16
- 4 min read
The Real Story of how we almost missed the train in Germany Riding Trains Across Europe (and How to Avoid Them)
This post documents the most common and costly train mistakes travelers make in Europe, based on real situations we experienced during our winter train trip across Europe-particularly in Germany, where train rules differ sharply from France, Spain, and the UK.
If you are planning a Europe winter itinerary by train, this guide exists so you don't have to learn these lessons the hard way.
This post supports the winter train trip across Europe master guide and the Europe Travel Logistics Hub, and should be read before booking your longer rail segments.
Why Train Mistakes Matter More Than You Expect
Train mistakes don't usually "ruin" a trip.
They quietly compound stress.
They happen when:
You're tired
It's cold
You're carrying luggage
You're navigating in a foreign language
You assume "a ticket = a seat"
On a multi-country winter Europe rail journey, small misunderstandings can quickly snowball.
Mistake #1: Assuming a Train Ticket Guarantees a Seat
Germany is Different (This is Critical)
In countries like Spain and France:
High-speed trains almost always include assigned seats
Your ticket = your seat
Boarding is orderly predictable
In Germany:
Many long-distance trains operate on open seating
Seat reservations are optional
Trains can be full even if tickets are valid
On our route, we boarded a German train with valid tickets and:
Found no adjacent seats
Eventually stood in the luggage area
Were unsure if we were even in the correct carriage
Key takeaway:
A valid ticket does not gurantee a seat on German trains.
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of how train travel works in Europe.
Mistake #2: Not Understanding Train Splitting and Car Reordering
When Half the Train Goes Somewhere Else
This is how we almost missed the train in Germany. On one German connection, we arrived on the platform early, watched the train pull in-and still nearly boarded the wrong section.
What can happen in Germany:
Trains split mid-route
Only certain car numbers continue to your destination
Digital signs may not update clearly
Platform announcements may be only in German
We had to:
Sprint down the platform
As other passengers (with broken German)
Board just before departure-still unsure
Key takeaway:
Always check:
Car numbers
Destination screens on the train itself
Platform signage-not just the app
This is a recurring issue discussed in Europe train booking mistakes forums for a reason.
Mistakes #3: Cutting transfers Too Close
Minimum Transfer Times Are Not Universal
A 10-minute transfer may work:
In small stations
On the same platform
With no luggage
It does not work reliably when:
Platform changes
Trains arrive late
Stations are large (Frankfurt, Munich, Paris)
You need food, bathrooms, or orientation
Our rule after learning the hard way:
15-20 minutes minimum for domestic transfers
40-60 minutes for international transfers
More in winter
This rule became non-negotiable for the rest of our Spain to UK train route.
Mistake #4: Over-trusting Apps Without Context
Trainline Is a Tool-Not an Authority
We relied heavily on Trainline to design our route-and it was invaluable.
But apps can't explain local rail culture.
Common pitfalls:
Apps don't warn you when seat reservations are optional-but-essential
Apps don't explain how crowded peak trains can be
Apps can't tell you when standing for 40 minutes is "normal"
Correct approach:
Use apps to design routes
Learn country-specific rules separately
Sanity-check long or complex connections
This distinction is explained further in Europe Travel Logistics Hub.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Energy and Daylight Constraints
Winter Changes Math
In winter:
It gets dark early (Edinburgh ~4:30pm)
Cold amplifies fatigue
Stress tolerance drops faster
We learned not to:
Stack multiple long travel days
Arrive late at night unnecessarily
Assume we'd "figure it out" on arrival
Better strategy:
One long travel day max in a row
Earlier arrivals when possible
Simpler connections over cheap ones
This directly improved our experience on our winter train trip across Europe.
Mistake #6: Assuming All Countries Work the Same Way
Europe is Not One System
Each country has its own rail philosophy:
France & Spain: structured, seat-based
Germany: flexible, capacity-based
UK: reservation-heavy + border control
Belgium: efficient, compact, predictable
Treating Europe as one system leads to:
False assumptions
Missed cues
Unnecessary stress
Understanding public transportation in Europe means learning where systems diverge-not just where they overlap.
The 7 Rules That Would Have Prevented Every Mistake
A ticket ≠ a seat (especially in Germany)
Always check car numbers on long trains
Pad transfers-especially in winter
Apps plan routes, not reality
Board early when possible
Watch what locals do
Energy management matters as much as timing
These rules now underpin how we approach Europe public transit systems in every city.
How This Fits the Bigger Trip
These lessons directly informed:
Our Europe train booking strategy
How we structured city stays
Why we favored certain routes and avoided others
This post connects directly to:
winter train trip across Europe (master guide)
How to book trains across Europe
Individual city guides (especially Germany and France)
Final Takeaway
European train travel is phenomenal-but it rewards informed humility.
The goal isn't perfection.
It's understanding the rules well enought that mistakes don't derail the journey.
If you're planning a Europe winter itinerary by train, learn from our near-misses. You'll travel calmer, faster and with far more confidence.
Continued Reading
winter train trip across Europe (full route + lessons)
How to book trains across Europe
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