This is a copy of my post from the Belrin thread, but thought it could be useful in this one too, given the title of the thread.
Bear in mind that Eurostar open their own bookings before DB open theirs. How well-filled a connecting Eurostar is seems to affect the price of the London Special tickets, so they don't always start at 59.
30907 said:
I'm not convinced about that - the price seems to depend on which train you use from Brussels to Cologne (and sometimes Cologne to Berlin).
I'd agree with latter - I've made a couple of trips this year using these tickets (London to Berlin for Warsaw and Dresden for Prague), both booked only a few weeks before travel. The key for me was to be on the first ICE of the day from Brussels. It didn't make any difference which Eurostar I travelled on. Trains beyond Cologne/Frankfurt were able to impact on the price, but I paid 59 on both occasions.
I have heard, but cannot verify, that DB only has a small allocation on each Eurostar, though...
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The Deustche Bahn Europa-Spezial tickets look good as well. I have got a fare from Hamburg to Stockholm with a 48 hour stop in Copenhagen for 49 and you get to go on the ICE 33 which goes on the ferry. There is a 39 fare between these cities as well although there's an extra change
Indeed, there are some good international deals to be had with DB.
This year, I've had Berlin to Warsaw for 29, with a break of journey at Franfurt(Oder) and Dresden to Prague for 19, both booked at relatively short notice.
A few days ago, I found availability (at just three weeks notice) of 43 fares from Dusseldorf to Milan, with an overnight stay in Switzerland. In the end, I opted for a modified itinerary, so paid 63, which was still very reasonable. I also purchased a 79 First Class ticket from Verona to Bremen.
These fares are outstanding value compared particularly with CrossCounty back home, who have effectively almost done away with advance purchase tickets. £141.50 standard class advance purchase singles at four weeks notice between York and Exeter! In these cases, DB got my custom, but CrossCountry didn't, which is slightly ironic, given the ownership of CrossCountry!
many thanks really helpful will check out was working on my own plan to try from Cologne to Leipzig, Dresden after that buy senior CZ card but diff arose unlikely local station perhaps not so unlikely sell card but pay one fare Praha and get nerw cards and proced from there....I know CZ wery very well from many years with camper vans since Communist era....and the rail system too.
