Fancy getting a train to Germany!

[adrian29uk]

Eurostar Buys New Trains to Add Routes, Fend Off Deutsche Bahn - BusinessWeek

"Deutsche Bahn Test

Deutsche Bahn said Sept. 22 that it aims to begin a service linking the U.K. capital with cities in western Germany. To do so it must win authorization from Britain and France to operate non-standard trains via the 30-mile subsea link, and test run to demonstrate the safety case will be performed on Oct. 19."

Eurostar buys 10 trains from Siemens in £700m upgrade | Business | The Guardian

"Next weekend, German state-owned company Deutsche Bahn plans to test one of its high-speed trains on a run through the Channel Tunnel as it contemplates opening direct service between London and Germany."

 

[Vankleek Hill Seagull]

Excellent news. A nice little train trip to Munich for OktoberFest would be fun.

 

[The Large One]

Bet they've got toilets on them...

 

[Badger]

Bet they've got toilets on them...

Yeah and if you get off a stop early you'll have to pay a 500 Euro fine

 

[sten_super]

Excellent news. A nice little train trip to Munich for OktoberFest would be fun.

Can't see it being much cheaper than a flight though, to be honest. I paid £125 return for my flights to Munich last weekend, and the Eurostar to Brussels generally costs about that. The only exception may be the peak times, although it is likely DB would similarly increase their prices (in the past going for the opening weekend I have flown into Graz and got a train from there as it was cheaper than an air fare directly into Munich).

 

[adrian29uk]

If you can't stand flying like me this is perfect.
I think they will be running these trains through to the UK. It their high speed version of the french TGV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNIWAaC9tx4&feature=related

 

[Djmiles]

Can't see it being much cheaper than a flight though, to be honest. I paid £125 return for my flights to Munich last weekend, and the Eurostar to Brussels generally costs about that. The only exception may be the peak times, although it is likely DB would similarly increase their prices (in the past going for the opening weekend I have flown into Graz and got a train from there as it was cheaper than an air fare directly into Munich).

If you're paying £125 for a return to Brussels on Eurostar then you're being mugged! A return to Brussels is the same price as a return to paris, £69 return (Unless you are leaving it stupidly late to book it).

 

[Vankleek Hill Seagull]

Can't see it being much cheaper than a flight though, to be honest. I paid £125 return for my flights to Munich last weekend, and the Eurostar to Brussels generally costs about that. The only exception may be the peak times, although it is likely DB would similarly increase their prices (in the past going for the opening weekend I have flown into Graz and got a train from there as it was cheaper than an air fare directly into Munich).

I agree it might be more expensive, but I'm willing to pay a bit more for an unhurried and IMHO a more relaxed service on a train than have to dick around in an airport waiting for the plane, going through all that security palava, etc, etc.

I travel on VIA rail between Toronto and Montreal occasionally which takes about 4 1/2 hours. It goes from city centre to city centre, so I don't have to fight traffic to get to the airport. The carriages have areas at the end for storing luggage, the seats are comfortable and have plenty of leg room. There are no security checks to go through and for me is a more relaxing experience experience than the crap that comes with flying.

 

[sten_super]

If you're paying £125 for a return to Brussels on Eurostar then you're being mugged! A return to Brussels is the same price as a return to paris, £69 return (Unless you are leaving it stupidly late to book it).

Sorry, yes, should have put it into context; they are work trips, so generally peak time and relatively late being booked. It's a fair cop! Still not convinced they will be particularly cheap trips though, especially as you will have to change if you want to go beyond western Germany.

 

[Djmiles]

There are no security checks to go through and for me is a more relaxing experience experience than the crap that comes with flying.

There are checks, the only good thing about going by Eurostar is that you can take liquid etc with you, which is handy if all you want is a drink of water!

Took me 5 minutes to get from the ticket barrier to departure lounge at St Pancras last week. You wouldn't get through that quickly at an airport.

 

[Scotty Mac]

eurostar is a far more relaxing way to travel, until you get to france and the peasants are on strike

 

[Goring Gull]

I'll stick with the plane thanks - £49 Return to Hamburg next May

 

[Trigger]

I'll stick with the plane thanks - £49 Return to Hamburg next May

Don't tell me you've booked already?!!!

 

[philsussex]

Could do with the Eurostar adding decent destinations. I mean, who wants to go to France?

Amsterdam would be a great addition imo.

 

[7:18]

Could do with the Eurostar adding decent destinations. I mean, who wants to go to France?

Amsterdam would be a great addition imo.

and Switzerland

 

[Bob!]

Germany by Train £45

 

[turnstiler]

Taking train from Cologne to London next week - 118 euro return (could have been 90 something). Does have to change in Brussels though. 4 and a half hours and (hopefully) more relaxing than the flying process - let's wait and see...

 

[e77]

Say what will about the Germans, they know how to run a train service.

 

[philsussex]

Say what will about the Germans, they know how to run a train service.

They do a good sausage too

 

[e77]

They do a good sausage too

Nice beer.