Hi there!
We are trying to book a side trip for our stay in Paris this coming November. I am trying to book three tickets from Paris to Cologne outbound on Sunday November 9 returning Tuesday November 11 using Eurostar. However I am seeing absolutely no trains at all available for that entire weekend and most of the week after.
Is it because it's sold out or am I too early?
According to the Eurostar website for travel between France and Germany
Due to operational restrictions on the Eurostar network, we've had to make changes to our schedule
From what I find on the Eurostar app, there are no trains scheduled between Paris and Cologne from November 8 to 11 in either direction.
I don't know if they are doing track work during that time or if they may possibly add trains back on the schedule.
You may want to look for non Eurostar transportation unless you can alter your dates.
Thanks for the information. That certainly explains it!!
Even Paris to Brussels seems to be an issue in November, which could be a bigger issue. From Brussels to Cologne, there are plenty of options using DB Ice trains, but Eurostar is about the only game for Paris/Brussels.
Oddly, I am seeing Paris-Brussels tickets for your time, but requiring a change in Lille, and arriving at Brussels Centraal first. This supports the idea that there is likely maintenance work for Eurostar all along the route.
You can still do it, But booking Paris/Brussels on either Eurostar or Ouigo, Then an Ice train for the Brussels/Cologne route. The number of trains do seem limited, and the trip will take 5-6 hours.
SNCB International also shows the same option, but also suggests Paris to Mannheim/Mannheim to Cologne in 6 hours.
It's a holiday weekend and they're probably taking advantage of it for engineering works.
What is your target destination in Germany?
If it's the Rhine valley, you can travel to Koblenz via Luxembourg.
November is still some time away. Trains do not sell out weeks in advance. If they would, they'd be useless.
Eurostar normally does not just shut down completely for a whole weekend. But what is possible is that part of the HSL is going to be closed for maintenance, and that requires rerouting trains. And they are probably still working that out.
No mention of that weekend on the Eurostar engineering work schedule, and the dates are not open for sale.
The following weekend Eurostar are running a limited service to Germany, but omitting the call at Cologne Hbf.
That suggests your problem is DB engineering work at Cologne.
That following weekend a change will be needed somewhere to reach Cologne.
There will in due course be announced a way to make the journey, which in theory may require a rail replacement bus somewhere in Germany.
In essence you are too soon.
I can buy a direct ticket from Paris Est to the main Cologne Bahnhof on 8 NOV. There are several direct choices, or another option with a change in Bruxelles. That's per the DB website/app. Return is the same. You could also look at Paris Est - Saarbrucken - Cologne.
