I will have a weekend free when I would like to travel from Koln (Cologne, Germany) to Brugge (Bruges, Belgium). Any suggestions re the best way to get there on a Friday afternoon and back by Sunday night? I could probably take a train but I don't know how long it takes (or costs) and flights are often less expensive. Thanks much!
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
473 posts
The website for the German rail system is www.bahn.de, click on Internat. Guests at the top for English. The website for the Belgian rail system is www.b-rail.be/main/E.
Posted by
OP
Madison, WI, United States
3 posts
Thanks very much Rick!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Take the train. For timetables, go to www.bahn.de and click on "Internat. Guests" to view the site in English. Your cheapest way would be to book a Europa-Spezial fare (€19) on an ICE train from Koeln to Bruxelles well in advance on the bahn.de site. Then take an IC train from Bruxelles to Brugge (€12). Your connection time will be short so buy that ticket in Koeln.
For your return, buy a Brugge-Bruxelles ticket in Brugge and book a Europa-Spezial fare for Bruxelles-Koeln at bahn.de.
You can book the whole route in one shot at bahn.de, but then your total fare each way will be €48.20 rather than €31 (19+12).
Posted by
OP
Madison, WI, United States
3 posts
Thanks so much for the detail on the differences Tim.
Really appreciate it and I will purchase the tickets as you suggested.