Going to Stockholm by train

[jon0844]

Until the outcome of the BA crisis is known, I am going to have to investigate an alternative way to get to Stockholm next week for Christmas (and back).

We have BA flights to Arlanda on the 23rd (out) and 29th (return) and there's a good chance we'll not be flying. A refund is no good, and other airlines have already jacked up the prices by crazy amounts.

Therefore, I am looking at going by train. I've been on the DB Bahn site and it's a little confusing when you need to include a night train - as they can't be booked in one go.

It will be for two people;

Hatfield > St Pancras (nice and easy)
St Pancras to Brussels (Eurostar)
Brussels to Cologne (Thalys)
Cologne to Copenhagen (Night train)
Copenhagen to Stockholm (X2000)

We would look to go out on the 22nd (or 21st if necessary) and come back on the 29th (or 30th if necessary). Price is an obvious factor, although we should get our money back on BA quite easily.

If anyone can find the info, offer any advice or anything else - I'd really appreciate it.

 

[gordonthemoron]

unfortunately, there are no cheap fares from DB between London and Hamburg or Cologne

I'd try booking St.P to Cologne with Eurostar (may have to phone), Cologne-Copenhagen with DB website or their branch in Surbiton and Copenhagen-Stockholm with the Swedish Railway website.

All of your journeys (except the first) are cross border so are CIV valid which means that you can catch the next train if you miss a connection. You can get CIV tickets from Hatfield to St.P (which may be cheaper than normal) by phoning E* Domestic Sales in Ashford.

 

[Chester025]

You may find this useful site useful: http://www.seat61.com/Sweden.htm#via Cologne

 

[paul1609]

Until the outcome of the BA crisis is known, I am going to have to investigate an alternative way to get to Stockholm next week for Christmas (and back).

We have BA flights to Arlanda on the 23rd (out) and 29th (return) and there's a good chance we'll not be flying. A refund is no good, and other airlines have already jacked up the prices by crazy amounts.

Therefore, I am looking at going by train. I've been on the DB Bahn site and it's a little confusing when you need to include a night train - as they can't be booked in one go.

It will be for two people;

Hatfield > St Pancras (nice and easy)
St Pancras to Brussels (Eurostar)
Brussels to Cologne (Thalys)
Cologne to Copenhagen (Night train)
Copenhagen to Stockholm (X2000)

We would look to go out on the 22nd (or 21st if necessary) and come back on the 29th (or 30th if necessary). Price is an obvious factor, although we should get our money back on BA quite easily.

If anyone can find the info, offer any advice or anything else - I'd really appreciate it.

I'd suggest flying to Copenhagen there are about 4 airlines that fly there and continuing by train. I reckon youd be looking at about 6 hours total and the connections in Copenhagen are easy.

You've got to be a real diehard to go the whole way by train.

 

[jon0844]

Yes, it looks like we'll be able to get a cheap(ish) flight with Norwegian Air to Copenhagen and train from there. All in, it will be about 700 (400 for the flight, 300 for the train). Not ideal, but we can then rebook our existing BA tickets for anytime over the next 12 months - so we've got paid for tickets for another trip.

Or, we'll wake up tomorrow and find it's all been resolved!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[tony_mac]

Flying Lufthansa from Birmingham via Munich comes in at around £270 pp.
+the fare to Birmingham!