I've flown within Europe but am unfamiliar with train travel.
Our point of entry is Amsterdam and I see a fast train to Frankfurt (if I'm reading it correctly). However Frankfurt is only a short stop before London. We want to avoid flying in Europe and will gladly sacrifice half a day to the train journey.
Can anyone give advice on the fastest route to get from Frankfurt to London via train?
Travel isn't until late April. Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?
Thanks!
Well, it's 6.5 hours with one change...likely in Brussels. Tickets will be less expensive if you buy them in advance but you're then committing to a specific train. Is there a specific reason you're flying into Amsterdam and heading to Frankfurt only briefly before heading to London? It's a bit of backtracking but if you've already purchased your air...
Yes, and right now, Deutsche Bahn is showing a Sparpreis Europa London ticket for as low as 70 EUR. You can't buy it until 90 days before your intended travel date.
all you need to know is here
http://www.seat61.com/Germany.htm#London%20to%20Frankfurt%20by%20train
Hi,
That route Frankfurt to London I've done by train plus the EuroStar but I broke it up by staying a night in Paris. Forget the flying option. I took the ICE train Frankfurt Hbf to Paris Est direct, walked over to Gare du Nord, stay the night at the hotel there, which had already been reserved.
The next morning ca prior to noon, took the EuroStar to London. That was the way I plan it, so book the EuroStar ticket early for the best price. EuroStar allows booking 120 days prior to depart. The ICE direct to Paris Est arrives at 1650.
The fastest route is by a Deutsche Bahn ICE train from Frankfurt to Brussels and then Eurostar from Brussels to London. If you intend to do this, book with Deutsche Bahn as soon as the tickets go on sale (usually 92 days before travel) as the cheap through tickets sell out fast. If you miss out on the cheap ones from Deutsche Bahn, look for separate prices for Frankfurt-Brussels on DB and Brussels-London by Eurostar, and also through Frankfurt-London fares on Eurostar. Either may be cheaper than the full fare from DB. (Apart from a higher fare, a disadvantage of buying a through ticket from Eurostar is that they can't reserve a seat for you on the ICE from Frankfurt to Brussels, although the trains rarely fill completely.)
Be aware that Eurostar services have a minimum 30-minute check-in time due to airport-style security. If booking separate tickets for the two legs, I would leave at least a 60 minute gap.
Also, make sure you get off at the right station in Brussels. The ICEs call at two large stations in Brussels, Noord/Nord and Zuid/Midi. Zuid/Midi is the second one and the one you take the Eurostar from.
Thanks for the links and insights.
Though I can't book the tickets yet , this helps a bunch!
