I am trying to plan a trip for my high school/college kids.They will travel from Bruges to Trier, Germany, stopping in Luxembourg City for a few hours of sightseeing. I assume they will need to go to Brussels to catch a train to Luxembourg. I am having trouble deciphering the Benelux train website. I can't figure out which stations I should choose. Also, would it be beneficial to buy the tickets early (there are 4 traveling together, so saving money would be very helpful)? They will be traveling on December 17. In Luxembourg, which station would be the most convenient for them to get off and see the city for a few hours? Thanks for any help!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
As Steve says, use the German Rail site for timetables. After you get summary timetables for Brugge-Trier, click on the arrow to the left of each departure time to see the connecting points.
Yes, they will have to travel via Brussels to get from Bruges to Luxembourg City. The only mainline train station in Luxembourg City is Luxembourg Gare.
There are no advance discount fares for the types of trains they will be taking. They can easily buy their tickets as they go.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Bruges only has one train station. Brussels has three, but most NMBS (Belgian rail) trains pass through all three stations and the same ticket covers all of them. I'm pretty sure Luxembourg City only has one station as well.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The German Rail site recommends connecting at Bruxelles-Midi.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
I would suggest a City Tour of Luxembourg. It is not expensive and well worth it.
If I recall Trier has only the one train station and within walking distance to Porta Nigra ( I walked and was 64 then). Very interesting town.
Posted by
OP
Bend, OR
576 posts
Thanks for any help you can give me on Luxembourg, JB! And Steve, Tim and Tom, thanks so much for your help. Let me make sure I have this right: They travel from Bruges to Bruxelles-Midi to Luxembourg Gare. Then they travel on to Trier. Is there any price advantage of buying the whole trip at once, or would it work just as well to buy tickets separately for each leg of the journey? Again, thank you so much for helping me give my kids accurate directions!
Posted by
Freedonia
16283 posts
Be aware, the Luxembourg City hop on/hop off bus only runs on weekends that time of year.
Posted by
OP
Bend, OR
576 posts
Does anyone know who exactly qualifies for a "Benelux Youth" discount? The Benelux train site defines youth as "travelers aged 12-25", but doesn't clarify if they need to actually be from the Benelux countries. The IC fare difference is 21.60 EUR compared to 33.20 EUR, which would be a lovely savings if they were actually qualified.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I think that anyone 12-25 qualifies, not just residents of one of the Benelux countries.