Hello,
Has anyone on this forum done this day trip? Should you purchase tickets in advance? From what station do you depart/arrive? What is recommended to see in Aachen? Is that the best day trip city in Germany from Brussels?
Thank you
Posted by
Green Bay
21218 posts
Aachen is certainly the closest German city from Brussels with departures from Brussels Midi. 19.90 EUR each way for Sparpreis nonrefundable tickets bought well in advance (like 30 days), or 41 EUR Flexpreis on ICE direct trains. Takes about 1 1/4 hours. Also there is an hourly departure on IC train with a connection in Welkenraedt in 2 hours costing 27.80 EUR anytime fare. Those trains also stop at Brussels Centraal and Brussels Nord. Arrival for all is Aachen Hbf.
There are also direct Thalys trains for a bit more money.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33991 posts
I prefer Trier to Aachen, but I prefer Luxembourg to both - but then it isn't in Germany.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7936 posts
This is a very practical daytrip. I actually went to Cologne for a few days, and didn't get off in Aachen. They are not similar cities, but I'll note that there is more to do in Cologne. I emphasize the need to buy in advance to get the best possible price (specific train, non-changeable ticket, print-at-home tickets.) I'm sure it was a coincidence, but for reasons not explained, on the trip home, our German train was (?) taken out of service (?), and we had to move to a Belgian train (head-to-tail, on the same track) at a small station after Aachen. You want to avoid mass times at the Cathedral, but do pay for the treasury visit, it's worth it.