In November, I'm off to a conference in Berlin for a few days. It finishes at 5pm Friday, and I'm bumbling around looking for return options. I don't think there are any relevant overnight services - at least I can't find any - so I guess my options are an extra night in Berlin, or ICE back to Koln, a cheap hotel there and then Koln-Brussels-London on the Saturday. Also, I seem to remember something on Twitter about Koln-Brussels having a really bad patch on reliability, so how much time would be advisable to budget for in Brussels? (I'm more than happy to budget for generous connections and spend an hour or so in Brussels, than panic about missed connections). Any advice gratefully received!
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Eurostar connections Berlin-London
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Triddle
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The first thing to note is that, in my experience, Eurostar are great when it comes to putting you on the next available service if DB has caused you to be late - even if you turn up the next morning/midday because delays meant you had to have an overnight stop in Cologne or Brussels.
As regards reliability of Berlin to Cologne and Cologne to Brussels: I used to do this trip regularly, and I think I only once didn't have a delay between Berlin and Cologne, although it was usually less than 20 minutes and just meant added stress making the connection at Cologne (ie running between platforms).
Since DB's ICE to Brussels is usually scheduled to arrive at least 90mins before Eurostar departure, you already have a built in buffer there, and Eurostar are great at rushing late passengers through security etc to get them on board (have been delayed for a few minutes on a Eurostar in Brussels a few times to allow late boarders). So usually this leg is stress free, at least as far as making the connection goes.
If you're going further than London, it's definitely worth considering an overnight in Cologne or Brussels. It makes the trip a lot more relaxed (unless you enjoy sitting on trains all day long, of course, which many here seem to), and both are great cities to spend a pleasant evening in. You can add a stopover in Cologne (or anywhere else) in your Berlin-Brussels ticket, but it's also worth comparing prices with two tickets (B-K, K-Brussels).
Finally, DB International now has a small contingent of 'through' tickets to London which aren't actually through tickets, but two different tickets. Doesn't look like it's worth going down this route (see https://jonworth.eu/how-to-use-deut...s-for-train-trips-between-germany-and-london/) and I just get the DB and the Eurostar tickets separately nowadays.
PS As ever, the Man in Seat 61 does an excellent guide to this kind of journey: https://www.seat61.com/Germany.htm#london-to-berlin-by-train
As regards reliability of Berlin to Cologne and Cologne to Brussels: I used to do this trip regularly, and I think I only once didn't have a delay between Berlin and Cologne, although it was usually less than 20 minutes and just meant added stress making the connection at Cologne (ie running between platforms).
Since DB's ICE to Brussels is usually scheduled to arrive at least 90mins before Eurostar departure, you already have a built in buffer there, and Eurostar are great at rushing late passengers through security etc to get them on board (have been delayed for a few minutes on a Eurostar in Brussels a few times to allow late boarders). So usually this leg is stress free, at least as far as making the connection goes.
If you're going further than London, it's definitely worth considering an overnight in Cologne or Brussels. It makes the trip a lot more relaxed (unless you enjoy sitting on trains all day long, of course, which many here seem to), and both are great cities to spend a pleasant evening in. You can add a stopover in Cologne (or anywhere else) in your Berlin-Brussels ticket, but it's also worth comparing prices with two tickets (B-K, K-Brussels).
Finally, DB International now has a small contingent of 'through' tickets to London which aren't actually through tickets, but two different tickets. Doesn't look like it's worth going down this route (see https://jonworth.eu/how-to-use-deut...s-for-train-trips-between-germany-and-london/) and I just get the DB and the Eurostar tickets separately nowadays.
PS As ever, the Man in Seat 61 does an excellent guide to this kind of journey: https://www.seat61.com/Germany.htm#london-to-berlin-by-train
dutchflyer
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There is a seats-only (normal daytime ICE) overnight train Berlin-to somewhere in Rhein/Ruhr, perhaps Köln-not for everyoneś taste, and I think not nights sat/sun. And arrives before 6.00-all the time I read that Brits consider this too early.
IF there are not at that time things like a ´ḿesse´ (tradefair) or other public crowd-drawer, then hotels in DE can be pretty cheap for what you get. IF you feeling really british; Premier now also has some hotels there, incl a brand new next to DUS HBF (stayed there last week, single, less as 50€)
Many HTLs in DUS offer their guests a ticket for free local travel-the whole VRR area, which stretches quite far, incl. into Nederland. NOT Premier though, but f.e. BAHN HTL or CVMJ-both also close to station. Or the chain of InterCity Hotels, linked to DB
IF there are not at that time things like a ´ḿesse´ (tradefair) or other public crowd-drawer, then hotels in DE can be pretty cheap for what you get. IF you feeling really british; Premier now also has some hotels there, incl a brand new next to DUS HBF (stayed there last week, single, less as 50€)
Many HTLs in DUS offer their guests a ticket for free local travel-the whole VRR area, which stretches quite far, incl. into Nederland. NOT Premier though, but f.e. BAHN HTL or CVMJ-both also close to station. Or the chain of InterCity Hotels, linked to DB
Triddle
Member
I think Premier Inn have a couple of hotels in Cologne city centre now.
And while it doesn't help the OP, there are plans to re-introduce not one, but two Berlin-Brussels sleepers, but who knows when. Apparently it's difficult to impossible to get hold of rolling stock for night trains (ie couchettes, sleepers etc)
That's great - took a look at Trainline and there's a direct 22.59 Berlin - Koln (arr 06.57). There are ways to do it faster with changes, so I guess this one takes a roundabout route; if I'm going to nap on board then directness is a boon!
I once did London-Berlin and back by train, though it is a long time ago now.
On the outward journey I stayed overnight in Koln, but on the return I did a sleeper train from Berlin to Paris, then Eurostar from Paris.
Someone here will know if the Berlin to Paris sleeper still exists.
The last version was run by Russian Railways and was suspended even before recent events
You are very brave - it stops everywhere (via Magdeburg, the pre-1989 route) so undisturbed sleep is unlikely
, even more so on a Friday night.PS If you are going out by rail too, and travelling from further afield than London, cost out an Interrail 4-day pass.
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In the Deutsche Bahn route planner if you click "Further options", you can add 1 or 2 stopovers, so that you can stop off en route, and still get seat reservations. The journey can be on one or two days.
It is worth paying a little more to get a flexible fare, so that you can change your itinerary.
Even if you have a fare which isn't flexible, and there is a delay or cancellation so you miss a connection, make sure that you get your ticket endorsed by a conductor or ticket office. Then you can use different trains and possibly claim compensation for the delay.
It is worth paying a little more to get a flexible fare, so that you can change your itinerary.
Even if you have a fare which isn't flexible, and there is a delay or cancellation so you miss a connection, make sure that you get your ticket endorsed by a conductor or ticket office. Then you can use different trains and possibly claim compensation for the delay.
DanielB
Member
Do keep in mind however that Cologne to Brussels is operated with ICE-3M units. Currently there are severe issues with availability of those ICE-3M sets. I believe only one is available for the Brussels service and there are no spare sets available (passengers from the Netherlands even have to change in Emmerich on several services).
If only one is working to/from Brussels they will have to cancel half the trains. 2 can do the 2-hourly Brussels-Düren shuttle.
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DanielB
Member
Yes I was wrong: the status 2 weeks ago was that only 8 ICE-3M sets were available (out of 16). Four of them were in use for Brussels - Frankfurt, two for Amsterdam - Basel and two as a shuttle Amsterdam - Düsseldorf.
But as mentioned before, even more sets have failed in the mean time as services from the Netherlands mostly only run until Emmerich now. Brussels - Frankfurt is also shortened to Brussels - Köln when not enough sets are available.
(There are strong rumours that NS has rented a set of I11 carriages from NMBS to run a replacement service, making more ICE-3M available for international through services, but that might be something for a new topic)
But as mentioned before, even more sets have failed in the mean time as services from the Netherlands mostly only run until Emmerich now. Brussels - Frankfurt is also shortened to Brussels - Köln when not enough sets are available.
(There are strong rumours that NS has rented a set of I11 carriages from NMBS to run a replacement service, making more ICE-3M available for international through services, but that might be something for a new topic)
I'd be interested to know if this is causing any short notice cancellations on the Brussels-Cologne route, as someone doing this journey in a couple of weeks then coming back a week later?
Quite concerning as I've already had to rebook once from Thalys to DB (paying 3x as much for the privilege!), as Thalys are also cancelling trains "Due to rolling stock problems caused by the recent high temperatures".
DON'T DO IT!!! Semi-joking. At least only do it with your eyes open. We did Eurostar - Koln - Berlin and didn't really enjoy the experience. The connection in Brussels was messy - we were j-u-s-t in time - the ICE to Koln WAS held but they didn't tell anyone so everyone piled onto the nearest carriage and then had to walk through with luggage. The train then c-r-a-w-l-e-d to Koln and so we missed the connection. As others have observed, re-booking was relatively painless but having been told to go to "the far end of platform 2" and done so (having checked the departures board) we didn't hear the announcement that the Berlin train had been moved to Platform 1 and there was nothing on the departures board until too late. We then re-booked again onto a third Berlin train which got us there 30 mins later than advertised (and obviously much, much later than plan A... Yes, we've claimed for compensation). We decided to fly back using some airmiles I've accrued through work travel.
Lessons:
1. we should have organised our own connections with more wriggle-room. Sounds like this is on your radar already
2. listen to announcements closely when your train is due
3. luggage for two for 10 or so days is quite a lot to lug between multiple trains, especially if timing is tight
Lessons:
1. we should have organised our own connections with more wriggle-room. Sounds like this is on your radar already
2. listen to announcements closely when your train is due
3. luggage for two for 10 or so days is quite a lot to lug between multiple trains, especially if timing is tight
DanielB
Member
I'd advise to keep an eye on the DB journey planner, especially for your trip back. Haven't heard of the situation significantly worsening regarding ICE-3M availability, but looking back I do see some cancellations at NL - D services relying on the same pool of rolling stock.
In case the train back to Brussels is cancelled (or potentially very late), just try to get to a DB station as soon as practical. My experience is that when you're at risk of missing a connection they just provide you with a stamp cancelling the mandatory use of the specific booked train. (Back then, this enabled me to take a train an hour earlier securing the connection onto the last ICE to the Netherlands)
In case the train back to Brussels is cancelled (or potentially very late), just try to get to a DB station as soon as practical. My experience is that when you're at risk of missing a connection they just provide you with a stamp cancelling the mandatory use of the specific booked train. (Back then, this enabled me to take a train an hour earlier securing the connection onto the last ICE to the Netherlands)
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