Hey all, I am in need of any advice or suggestions in trying to help my friends who are visiting in January. They are going to be doing dissertation work in Bologna, then coming to visit me in Stuttgart towards the end of their trip. Dates aren't pinned down yet, but I can guess that the travel probably be taking place someone between January 18th and 24th, for a couple days. They really want to save money, but saving time is a factor as well. From some quick research it seems that using a RyanAir flight from BLQ to Dusseldorf at 29 Euro per person per way and then a "German Rail Ticket" to Stuttgart may be a good deal, but I have no idea what the discounts are for the GRT. Another option is the night train from Bologna to Munich then transfer to Stuttgart. Third option is a non-direct flight to Stuttgart. Am I missing any cheap or efficient way of getting from there to here? Any opinions on any of these options? Thanks!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Ryanair flies into Weeze which is 80km northwest of Dusseldorf and flights do not operate daily. It's a long train ride from Weeze to Stuttgart so the late arrival of the flight from Bologna wouldn't work. However, your friends could return to Bologna from Weeze. Booked well in advance on the German Rail site, you can get Sparpreis tickets as low as €29 for Weeze-Stuttgart, but the cheapest tickets are already gone for your dates. Booked well in advance on the German Rail site, Europa Spezial-Italien fares for Bologna-Stuttgart (one connection in Munich) during the day can be as low as €29, but the cheapest fares are already gone for your dates. My recommendation would be to take the CNL night train in at least one direction. Booked now on the German Rail site, you still can get Europa-Spezial Italien fares which include both legs (CNL train to Munich and IC train to Stuttgart).
Posted by
OP
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Yeah, I'm kind of frustrated that unfortunately they're really running out/have run out of time to get the good deals. One of them is a train nerd so I think the night train, if the book quickly enough, might be a good deal, although I don't know if they're getting cheap lodging in Bologna through the University to the point where the night train would save them money or not. Another reminder that I should start planning my train travel for spring/summer NOW so I can get those cheap tickets when they become available. Thanks for the advice!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You're welcome! While the night train might not save your friends money over cheap lodging in Bologna, it would give them more daytime hours with you. Looking ahead to spring/summer, to get the cheapest fares on the German Rail site, book well in advance (up to 92 days allowed).
Posted by
San Francisco
14800 posts
Hi, If your friends are not adverse to taking a night train, I myself would go with the CNL option from Bologna to Munich, as suggested above, have breakfast at the München Hbf, (numerous and various choices), then take the ICE to Stuttgart at 0728. Before 1000 you'll meet up with them at Stuttgart Hbf...very direct, very comfortable.