To contact me, simply send an email to thriftytravelmama at gmail dot com.
I also respond to telegrams, snail mail, and smoke signals. However, despite the chic factor, these methods are rather unreliable, so proceed at your own risk.
Thrifty Travel Mama
Thrifty Travel Mama 
Hello,How do you do? My name is Reina.I’m a high school student in Japan.I cannot enough to write English,but please excuse me.
I’m going to tell some children about “Pfand”.I want some photos about it,but I don’t have any photos shooting Pfand.So I ask you to permit that I use your photos.
If you permit me,please reply to my e-mail address.
Thank you for your time.See you.
Hello. I have enjoyed your site — very imformative. Quick question. My wife and I will be taking (hopefully) the City Night Line train from Paris to Munich the evening of 20 December — arriving the morning of the 21st at Munich’s Hautbahnhof. When will these reservations be available??? As you will note, the DB online reservation system only allows bookings up to the 14th of Dec.
I have been told that reservations/fares open up 90 days prior to the date of travel, but this does not seem to be the case — e.g., reservations for 15 December are still not eligible to be made as of today, 23 September.
What would you recommend. We are concerned that since our travel date is during the X-mas season, things might get a little tight.
Thank you for any insight or suggestions.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, You’re right that bookings generally cannot be made more than 90 days out. I did a quick search on bahn.de to see if I could replicate the problem you’re having. I’m not sure exactly why nothing beyond 14 December is allowed at this time. However, I was able to successfully select a CNL ticket from Paris to München Hbf on 13 December. If you live in Germany and can visit a DB service center, I would do that. If not, just keep checking back each day to see if the fares have been released yet. I hope that helps 🙂 If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Hi Matt (again!), I was checking something for a personal trip on DB today, and I noticed that they have not come out with the new timetable yet. Starting October 15, you will be able to book travel for dates on or after December 15. I am not sure the reason for the delay, but at least now when know when tickets will be available for purchase online.
Much thanks. Went on the DB site on the 15th and got our tickets. Appreciate your staying on this.
-Matt
You’re welcome! Enjoy Paris.. and Munich!
Hello! I found your blog through B’s Neighborhood. I love the way you have your blog set up and cannot wait to start exploring your posts! We are a family of 3 and have been traveling long term for the past 10 months. We started in California and are currently in Thailand. I look forward to getting to know you! Have a great day!
Hi!! Nice to meet you 🙂 Long term family travel – yay! I need to go and have a look at your blog. Thanks to B for the introduction 🙂
Oh my goodness this is the exact kind of blog I’m looking for! I’m so looking forward to travelling but its so hard to save! Cannot wait to make my own travel journal – that’s what led me to you x
Aww, what a sweet comment! I hope you find what you are looking for here, and I would love to see your journal when you’re done!
Hi thrifty travel mamma
Thanks for your perfect posts for our upcoming trip through Germany on CNL trains with two adults and kids aged 13 and 3. I’m wondering if you know if I need to include the three year old on our online booking if we plan to share a bed with him. I’d like to squeeze the 4 of us into a 3 bed sleeper compartment but that is not an option if I include the youngest in the booking search. The only option for sleepers is 2 separate compartments (2 x doubles). I don’t want any hassle once we get to the train if our toddler is not on the ticket. Appreciate your advice. Thanks!!
Hi Megs, I can’t say for sure since I haven’t tried it myself, but I think you should be okay to share a bed with the three year-old. On the CNL trains, you are mostly paying for the reservation of the bed for young children as the fare is generally nothing or next to nothing. It shouldn’t be a problem. But, you may want to send a quick email to Deutsche Bahn to confirm that though, just in case.
Hello, I am planning 5 mos in Freiburg (August to December 2015). I have a 13 year old who is currently homeschooled & a 15 year old who we plan on continuing his education via an online school to keep on track with his current high school. If we are there for only these months, will we run into problems not enrolling in german schools? We are also looking for a high level gymnastics training program for my 15 year old son who is a competitive gymnast in the US. I appreciate any brief response or comments.
Hi Kathleen,
Good question. I have not had any personal experience in trying to fight the homeschooling laws in Germany. All the news I hear, though, is rather grim. You may be able to get an exception made for you since it is only 4 months (the school year starts in September). When you get to Germany, you will have to register and obtain your Aufenhaltstitel. If it were me, I would bring along as much documentation as possible to this appointment. Bring something that shows your 15 year-old is already enrolled in an American school as well as anything else like his class schedule, a letter from the program’s director (if possible) stating why he should continue with his current course of study, etc. I would also put together something similar for your thirteen year-old with a homeschool name, schedule, etc. And, I would definitely do something to prove you are, indeed, leaving in December. If that fails, you could consider one of the private schools (I almost sent my son to the Freie Christliche Schule as it has a good reputation) or the Black Forest Academy. Beyond that, the only solution is to live just over the border in France :).
I’m sorry, I don’t know much about competitive gymnastics in Freiburg. I did find this Turnverein (gymnastics club), but you’ll have to call or email them to find out what level and if this is a good fit for him.
I hope that helps! Enjoy Freiburg!!
I’m so glad I’ve found you! I can’t wait to dig through your whole blog. We have lived overseas for 4 years now with our boys 8, 7 and 4. It’s so nice to see someone going through the same things I have to.
Hi Michelle! So nice to hear from another expat mama of 3 boys – how fun! Thanks for stopping by and hanging out :).
Hello. Terrific advice. Thank you. I have a question about Bahn card and partner option. I will be at a conference in Hagen soon, and my wife and children will not want to be bored by us researchers so they plan to take day trips (Bonn, for example).
Can they travel using Bahn card (purchased as my partner) even though I personally will not be accompanying them?
Hi Michael,
Yes, your wife and children can travel using the Bahncard without you. Once you have applied for it and received it, you do not need to travel together :). Your wife and children (if they are 6 or older) will need to carry their own Bahncards with them on the train, but they do not need your card to travel. I hope that helps!
Thank you very much for your quick reply.
We are looking forward to Germany.
You’re welcome – enjoy your trip!
Hi,
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Hi, We are traveling to Munich and then onto Portugal with our 16 month old boy. In Munich we are visiting friends and going to Garmich, Fussen etc by car. I was wondering if you know any places/stores etc that rents out car seats. We need it for a week. Want to avoid carrying in plane just for few days use. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks