Booking a trip from Ashford to Cologne around Christmas - proves to be more tricky than first thought - different booking windows mean that it has to be booked in several stages. But its evident that Thalys and DB trains have very different prices which surprises me - first class on Thalys is a complete steal but is about £160 return on DB. Any reason why? I would have though competition would have evened it out.
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Why is DB more expensive than Thalys?
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Gerald Fiennes
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Sounds like a booking horizons thing to me. DB offer 'Europa Spezial' fares to/from Belgium on ICE trains but perhaps they haven't yet started selling these. Although the reservation window opens at 90 days, availability of cheaper fares can vary. Another option is to travel on SNCB to Liege, then get the ICE from there which will save you a few Euros as the SNCB domestic tariff is lower than the ICE international one. And if you're really into saving money for the Christmas fund, take the SNCB to Verviers Centrale, from which there is a two hourly stopping train to Aachen operated by ancient two car EMUs, then take a Regio-Express from there. This is much cheaper than all of the above but does take a little time (c. 3 hours Brux-Cologne).
My advice would be: if Thalys have some cheap fares, go for it!
My advice would be: if Thalys have some cheap fares, go for it!
I think you are talking about splitting the booking at Brussels and discussing the fares thence to Cologne?
The DB Advance fare to Cologne starts at EUR19 on the 10.25 train (which is the one with the Ashford connection) but EUR49 in first class.
Thalys is coming up at EUR25/39 which is better value in first because of the freebies, but you've got a 3 hour wait in Brussels outward.
This doesn't seem a huge difference to me - the DB fare will apply to a considerable range of destinations beyond Cologne (potentially right across Germany, I haven't checked for this particular service) - but if you're only going to Cologne that isn't an issue.
I suspect the £160 return is the open return, which is what RailEurope and so on will sell you. I checked for Weds 27 Nov outwards BTW, because of the booking horizon, on the DB and Thalys websites.
The London Special fare referred to by Gerald Fiennes can't be booked online from Ashford (I don't know if Eurostar would allow you to use a LS or Thalys London ticket to join there, as with their own tickets I believe?); tickets for after the timetable change in mid December won't be on sale until mid October.
However, they routinely start at EUR 59 in Standard and EUR109 in Standard Premier/DB First each way, and are almost always the cheapest option, especially going beyond Cologne. BTW There are comparable Cologne fares on the Thalys site, but these seem harder to get hold of.
It's not the advice I'd generally give, but with the restricted choice you have at Ashford, with destination Cologne, and with it being Christmas, I think booking Ashford-Brussels return as soon as you can, and the other two legs separately (DB out, Thalys back?) when they go on sale, might be your best bet.
The DB Advance fare to Cologne starts at EUR19 on the 10.25 train (which is the one with the Ashford connection) but EUR49 in first class.
Thalys is coming up at EUR25/39 which is better value in first because of the freebies, but you've got a 3 hour wait in Brussels outward.
This doesn't seem a huge difference to me - the DB fare will apply to a considerable range of destinations beyond Cologne (potentially right across Germany, I haven't checked for this particular service) - but if you're only going to Cologne that isn't an issue.
I suspect the £160 return is the open return, which is what RailEurope and so on will sell you. I checked for Weds 27 Nov outwards BTW, because of the booking horizon, on the DB and Thalys websites.
The London Special fare referred to by Gerald Fiennes can't be booked online from Ashford (I don't know if Eurostar would allow you to use a LS or Thalys London ticket to join there, as with their own tickets I believe?); tickets for after the timetable change in mid December won't be on sale until mid October.
However, they routinely start at EUR 59 in Standard and EUR109 in Standard Premier/DB First each way, and are almost always the cheapest option, especially going beyond Cologne. BTW There are comparable Cologne fares on the Thalys site, but these seem harder to get hold of.
It's not the advice I'd generally give, but with the restricted choice you have at Ashford, with destination Cologne, and with it being Christmas, I think booking Ashford-Brussels return as soon as you can, and the other two legs separately (DB out, Thalys back?) when they go on sale, might be your best bet.
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Gerald Fiennes
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Yes indeed 30907 I was talking about the Bruxelles-Cologne leg, a trip I do quite frequently now, so apologies for not making that clear.
I concur that London Spezial isn't valid from Ashford, which is a little crazy, but I suppose if it had to be renamed 'Ashford Spezial' it wouldn't have the same ring to it!
I concur that London Spezial isn't valid from Ashford, which is a little crazy, but I suppose if it had to be renamed 'Ashford Spezial' it wouldn't have the same ring to it!
@GeraldFiennes. I was actually answering the OP, myfault.
As to the Ashford Spezial (!) - Eurostar's FAQs has this:
Can I board the Eurostar from a different station?
If you have a ticket to travel from London St Pancras International you will be able to board the Eurostar from either Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations...If you wish to change stations once your booking has been made and your train does stop at Ebbsfleet or Ashford just check in for your journey at the station of your choice.
There's a similar one for alighting - it doesn't specify "Eurostar issued tickets only" but I'd advise the OP to check with Eurostar telesales and/or DBUK telesales) directly
As to the Ashford Spezial (!) - Eurostar's FAQs has this:
Can I board the Eurostar from a different station?
If you have a ticket to travel from London St Pancras International you will be able to board the Eurostar from either Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations...If you wish to change stations once your booking has been made and your train does stop at Ebbsfleet or Ashford just check in for your journey at the station of your choice.
There's a similar one for alighting - it doesn't specify "Eurostar issued tickets only" but I'd advise the OP to check with Eurostar telesales and/or DBUK telesales) directly
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