Help with international booking

[Islineclear3_1]

5 of us (3 adults, a senior and a child of 16 years) intend to travel from London to Brussels via Eurostar in the summer and then transfer to another train to Koblenz. What is the best way of booking and getting a good deal? We will be returning in just under a week.

I am loathed to use a well known on-line 3rd party site and would prefer (if possible) to either get through tickets from London (via Eurostar) or direct with the train company that runs to Koblenz.

Can we get a train direct from Brussels (to Koblenz) or do we need to change at Cologne?

What are my options please?

 

[reb0118]

Can we get a train direct from Brussels (to Koblenz) or do we need to change at Cologne?

There are direct services from Brüssel Süd via Köln Hbf. to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. but IIRC they take the high speed line after Köln and avoid the scenic Rhine valley route via Koblenz.

You can get a London Spezial from DB online or from an agent such as Ffestiniog Travel.

 

[Chris999999]

London Spezial has now been renamed Sparpreis Europa London, but is the same. Buy direct from DB online.

Seat61 has all the details.

You will almost certainly need to change at Cologne, but this gives you the option of taking the scenic route along the side of the Rhine which is really worth doing.

 

[Gordon]

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Best place for German timetables is Bahn.de. Use the English version if you need to:

http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml

To get to Koblenz from Brussels you will always have to change in Köln so a journey from the UK to the Rhine valley is normally two changes , not too bad IMHO



.

 

[158801]

A slower way to get to Koblenz would be from Brussels to Luxembourg and then onto Koblenz from there.

Are you rail staff ?

 

[30907]

Almost certainly the Sparpreis Europa London will be your cheapest. 1058 from London works well.
You can extend the stopover in Brussels by a couple of hours if you want.

However, with 5 of you it might be economical to use a QuerDurchsLand or Schönes Wochenende group ticket (regional trains only) for Cologne to Koblenz and v.v.

There are through fares available London-Cologne on ES plus Thalys as well as ES plus ICE. They might be worth comparing with the DB price.
In addition, the ES plus ICE combination goes on sale as soon as the ES fare does - and they will apply senior discount on ES. All of £1 or so!

Easiest way to check is with the loco2.com site.

 

[306024]

A slower way to get to Koblenz would be from Brussels to Luxembourg and then onto Koblenz from there.

Quite a bit slower, but arguably prettier.

The high speed route will take you through Liege with its remarkable modern station architecture and Cologne with the bridge across the Rhine and the cathedral right outside the station.

Via Luxembourg you will pick up the train along the Moselle valley for the last part of your journey, which is just as scenic if not more so than the Rhine north of Koblenz.

The most scenic part of the Rhine valley is south of Koblenz towards Mainz.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll get the wife to look at all of these and do the research as she has more time than me

 

[Oscar]

In addition, the ES plus ICE combination goes on sale as soon as the ES fare does - and they will apply senior discount on ES.

Not as far as I'm aware. Normally bookings open:

ICE: 3 months before.
Europa Spezial London: 3 months before.
Eurostar: 6 months before.

 

[theageofthetra]

Would second the recommendation of going via Luxembourg. Did this route on a plandampf a few years ago and it was very scenic.

 

[30907]

Not as far as I'm aware. Normally bookings open:

ICE: 3 months before.
Europa Spezial London: 3 months before.
Eurostar: 6 months before.

On the ES site the Köln fare is currently available to 31 May. It is NOT tied to a specific ICE which is why the ICE booking horizon does not apply.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Would second the recommendation of going via Luxembourg. Did this route on a plandampf a few years ago and it was very scenic.

And a Rheinland Pfalz Länderticket for 5 people @EUR54 combined with Eurostar Any Belgian Station tickets would be an efficient and economical option.

Out one way, back the other?