We are trying to decide best route to get from Brugge to Vienna. We leave on a Sunday early afternoon and have until Monday afternoon to get to Vienna......take sleeper car or stop off along the way in Germany or Austria for an overnight? We have the 3-country rail pass - Benelux, Germany, Austria so that may also be a limitation. Thanks for your help. Andrea
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
The best connection is: - Brügge to Brussels Midi (52 mins)- Brussels Midi to Cologne by Thalys (2.15 hrs)- Cologne to Munich by ICE (4.30 hrs)- Munich to Vienna by EuroCity or Euro Night Line or CNL.You would get into Vienna at 5.55am. It might make sense to stay over somewhere near the train station in Munich, have breakfast at Viktualienmarkt the next morning and then take a day train to Vienna. It's a 4 hrs EuroCity connection.
Posted by
OP
Medford, Oregon
11 posts
Thank you for the help. I haven't figured out the train schedules yet. Any suggestions for places to stay in Munich near the train station?
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
389 posts
I trust Andreas as he lives there, but if I were making the plans from here I would choose to go Bruges ->Koln 16:02-19:45 and night train (with Couchette or Sleeper) Koln to Wien 20:18-8:40. That way you get a bit of rest and have plenty of time in each place. The only drawback to this plan is supplements on the Thayls and the night train. You could got to Koln earlier and have dinner, see the Cathedral (right next to the station) and get a few sites for your time and money.
Posted by
OP
Medford, Oregon
11 posts
Oh that's an option too. The cathedral is pretty in Koln. Is the Thalys supplement very expensive. How about a sleeper? Would I reserve that when I first arrive to Europe or do online?
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Linda's suggestion is actually also quite interesting. There are also connectins from Brussels to Cologne without Thalys, just on ICE. I don't know whether that's cheaper. Dinner in Cologne is a great idea as the city is made for food and beverages. And the cathedral is a must-see anyway. Plus it's right across from the train station. As boring as it sounds I'd suggest dinner at the Hyatt hotel as they're across the rhine river withing walking distance from the main train station (just across the bridge) and they offer you the most spectacular view of the Cologne skyline.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
389 posts
As to the reservations, if you can skip the Thalys and the 25E charge that would be great! The couchette reservation can be made when you get to Europe if you have a couple of days to a week before you want to go. It kind of depends on when you'll be there. August is very busy and any part of the week-end can be questionable. Since you have a set time schedule I'd make it as soon as you get to Europe. Any train station can do that for you.
Posted by
OP
Medford, Oregon
11 posts
Your answers are perfect, just what I was hoping for. Thank you so much for the suggestions.