Hillian1
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Just to chip into the price argument there is an annual German DB pass which can be used across the ENTIRE German network at ANYTIME. It's cost is a mere 4000 euros which is approx £3500. Yes you have read this correctly, £3500 to travel all over Germany, at any time, for 12 months. Goes without saying the trains are nicer, run on time and run every day of the year. As John Rotten once said "ever get the feeling you've been had?"
"BahnCard 100 - Just hop on the next train: BahnCard 100 offers 12 months travel on all DB services. It only costs EUR 4,090.00 for second class and EUR 6,890.00 for first class."
http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/prices/germany/bahncard.shtml
At any time on any provider, or do the Germans only have one?
Sounds too good to be true.