Eurostar to Cologne

[YorkshireBear]

Not sure that it actually works like that, and the next available seat might not be for some time.....

It might not be for some time. I have never struggled with Kate Eurostars before but that was only at Brussels.

As it goes my next few trips I've allowed longer connections to try avoid using it!

 

[urpert]

For the sake of going to the ticket office, when planning a large group trip for which I was responsible, I felt the extra reassurance was worth it. I also work near York station ticket office and commute through it so it wasn't a hardship!

I’m amazed they understood what you were asking for. Might try the Peterborough ticket office next time I have a E* connection.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I’m amazed they understood what you were asking for. Might try the Peterborough ticket office next time I have a E* connection.

Took a little while but we got there. The second time (when I had to make changes as EMR cancelled all the services after I booked them) he was very knowledgeable.

 

[mad_rich]

Rather than trying to buy tickets to London CIV, I’ve taken to using Interrail for trips from UK to the continent. I usually need a peak journey from Newcastle to London.

A 4 day pass + two Eurostar supplements comes to about £280 2nd/ £355 1st. That is effectively a price cap on reaching anywhere in Europe (albeit you need to add supplements for TGVs etc and night trains etc.). There’s not many places you can’t reach in two days. .

 

[bspahh]

Rather than trying to buy tickets to London CIV, I’ve taken to using Interrail for trips from UK to the continent. I usually need a peak journey from Newcastle to London.

A 4 day pass + two Eurostar supplements comes to about £280 2nd/ £355 1st. That is effectively a price cap on reaching anywhere in Europe (albeit you need to add supplements for TGVs etc and night trains etc.). There’s not many places you can’t reach in two days. .

How do you find the availability of Eurostar seats with an Inter Rail ticket? How far in advance do you book, and do you get a choice of convenient trains?

 

[mad_rich]

How do you find the availability of Eurostar seats with an Inter Rail ticket? How far in advance do you book, and do you get a choice of convenient trains?

Availability can be a bit unpredictable, and I haven't always managed to book my preferred train, but you can check before buying the pass if you know your dates. I've found that sometimes it opens up again closer to departure.

It's also worth knowing that you can change your reservation via Manage Booking on the Eurostar website for €10 or 15 I think. (Subject to availability of course)

You can search here: https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#TravelWish

 

[TheSmiths82]

I am thinking of going to Cologne again next year but I am not sure if I want to spend another night in London (spent too much time in London lately), how do you go about booking CIV tickets? I would it be simply Manchester Piccadilly to Euston CIV? I have developed quite a lot of train travel anxiety over the past couple of years with anything involving connections yet ten years ago I would think nothing of catching four trains to Barcelona from Manchester.

 

[bspahh]

I am thinking of going to Cologne again next year but I am not sure if I want to spend another night in London (spent too much time in London lately), how do you go about booking CIV tickets? I would it be simply Manchester Piccadilly to Euston CIV? I have developed quite a lot of train travel anxiety over the past couple of years with anything involving connections yet ten years ago I would think nothing of catching four trains to Barcelona from Manchester.

You can get them from the Tickets link at the top of this page. Search for LNE as the destination (London International (for Eurostar)(LNE)

 

[TheSmiths82]

You can get them from the Tickets link at the top of this page. Search for LNE as the destination (London International (for Eurostar)(LNE)

Brilliant thanks, it isn't actually that expensive either. Am I right in thinking if I book that, and my train is say three hours later getting into London I can then catch a later Eurostar? What would I need to book the journey the other way round? E.g Brussels to London LNE?

 

[mad_rich]

Brilliant thanks, it isn't actually that expensive either. Am I right in thinking if I book that, and my train is say three hours later getting into London I can then catch a later Eurostar? What would I need to book the journey the other way round? E.g Brussels to London LNE?

You're protected on Brussels-London because it's an international journey. That's why your onward connection from London should be booked from London CIV, because that makes it an international journey.

Make sure you leave a legal connection time between trains. You won't be protected if you haven't.

In practice, you don't really need London CIV at all. In practice, the train companies will generally put you on the next train anyway, as long as you've left enough time and you have proof of the delay. CIV gives you a bit more of a cast iron protection though.

 

[TheSmiths82]

You're protected on Brussels-London because it's an international journey. That's why your onward connection from London should be booked from London CIV, because that makes it an international journey.

Make sure you leave a legal connection time between trains. You won't be protected if you haven't.

In practice, you don't really need London CIV at all. In practice, the train companies will generally put you on the next train anyway, as long as you've left enough time and you have proof of the delay. CIV gives you a bit more of a cast iron protection though.

Thanks, I wish I had known that five years ago when my Eurostar was three hours late and I missed the train back to Manchester, I ended up on the Megabus as I couldn't afford £100 for a new train ticket, I didn't even bother speaking to Virgin as I was too tired/shattered. I now also I know I can get a cheap London North Western ticket but I didn't know that at the time.