Exeter to Köln with E*

[starrymarkb]

I've been trying to get a quote for a return trip from Exeter to Köln on eurostar.com for outbound on the 19th July and Return on the 22nd without success.

I have no problem getting a price for the outbound but when I try and find a return the website tells me there are no seats available on that day and dumps me back to the home page. I tried a couple of days around thinking I could have a day sightseeing after Amphi but every day returned the same result.

Is it possible to book a return trip on this route without splitting* on any date or would I be looking at flying from Heathrow (no flights from Bristol) to Düsseldorf and train from there?

*if I did need to split, is it possible to get CIV tickets even if booking a DB Londonspecial?

 

[gordonthemoron]

yes, you can get CIV tickets from Exeter to St Pancras (London International) by phoning E* Domestic Sales, or possibly from your local station, if you purchase a DB London Spezial

 

[Oscar]

I would recommend looking at the SNCB website for Eurostar-Thalys tickets from 49€ or the DB website for London-Spezial tickets from 59€ and then, as mentioned above, a ticket to London Estar (CIV) from Eurostar Domestic Sales.

 

[starrymarkb]

Unfortunately this seems to be a non starter. A Euro High Save EXD-London International is being quoted at £120 (when Thalys is giving €118 London to Köln). E* were quoting £75 for outbound leg as a through ticket EXD-Köln Hbf but I can't get it to quote a return...

Think it might be coach to LHR and BA from there.

 

[Oscar]

Try tickets to London Estar (CIV) - they will probably be much cheaper than tickets to London International.

 

[lj9090]

It's a tricky fare to find because it's Lndon and not London. From BRFares:

3410 EXETER ST DAVIDS EXD
9934 LNDON ESTAR CIV LOE

EOS EURO STD SINGLE ◊ ✠VIA TAUNTON FIRST GREAT WESTERN YES £35.00 £17.50
EOS EURO STD SINGLE ◊ ✠VIA HONITON UNKNOWN YES £20.10 £10.05
EVS EURO HIGH SVR S US ◊ ✠VIA HONITON UNKNOWN YES £10.60 £5.30

You'll have to phone up Eurostar domestic to purchase these, and this doesn't need to be done at the same time as the E* booking. They're posted out FOC with no booking fee. and as they come on larger ELGAR stock include a seperate white ticket for the underground portion.
Railcard discounts are available too, if applicable.

 

[30907]

It looks to me also as if Advance fares on FGW are late being released compared with (say) EC - maybe to do with the customary summer holiday timetable alterations? - meaning that only non-train-specific fares show up.