DB train ticket purchase issue

E-tickets normally are available, whether you register or not. I'm sure of that, because I used to forget my password in the beginning, so I bought a couple of tickets without registering. I received them all the usual way, as e-tickets to print out myself.

I think the problem is that this is an international train, and the system can't handle this.

I've never heard of a place where they "hold" your ticket. ... Can you just buy the ticket after you've arrived in Germany?

I could try to buy the ticket in Germany but I'm guessing it will be much cheaper if I buy it well in advance.

I did get an email address and someone from DB responded saying I could call them, purchase the ticket over the phone, and they will hold the ticket at a station.

Alright, if that's what they said, then that's what you should do. ... I remember that I always had to go to the station to buy any tickets for an international train. They wouldn't even give you a price for an international ticket online. It seems that you can buy some of them online now, but not all of them (especially not for the night trains).

The issue here is that it's a Hungarian train - if it were a German-run City Night Line, you'd get an e-ticket whether international or internal.

Yes, just call them and ask to collect the tickets. There are cheap fares on this train if you pre-book, from €39 for a couchette. I used it earlier this year, and had a private single-berth sleeper with washbasin and light breakfast included all to myself for €139, en route from London to Budapest, Belgrade & Montenegro..

Good to know, thanks.

The other option is to go to Budapest from Innsbruck on a RJ night train but it's not nearly as good a deal and doesn't appear to have couchettes.