European Railroad Discussion > Berlin to London via rail

Has anyone recently made the trip from Berlin to London?  diebahn.com shows 11.5 hours travel with changes of trains in Amsterdam and Brussels.

Thank you,

John

DocJohn Wrote:
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> Has anyone recently made the trip from Berlin to
> London?  diebahn.com shows 11.5 hours travel with
> changes of trains in Amsterdam and Brussels.
>
> Thank you,
>
> John

The fastest and simplest way is to change trains in Cologne and Brussels. Amsterdam takes only ever-so-slightly longer, but the Berlin - Amsterdam route only has InterCity (rather than ICE) service and often no food or beverage on board. If you have a rail pass valid for Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, it doesn't really matter which route you take (though beware of extra-fare Thalys services between Cologne or Amsterdam and Brussels). However, if you are traveling without a rail pass the Cologne route will almost certainly be cheaper, as on this route the "Sparpreis Europa" ("Savings Fare Europe") to London is available beginning at 59 Euros.

If you have time and like taking the route less traveled, you can alternatively go by train from Berlin to Hoek van Holland (with connections in Amsterdam and Rotterdam) and from there by ferry to Harwich. There's both a daytime and overnight ferry, offering the possibility to save a night in a hotel. I've done it and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

The Man in Seat 61 website has excellent step-by-step instructions for planning and booking the Berlin to London trip. Click on the "Germany" link on the left side of his page.

It's a reasonable day trip, taking (perhaps) slightly less time than Los Angeles to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight.

Back in 2013 I started my London to Singapore trip with the Dutch Flyer service. London Liverpool Street Station to Harwich to Hoek van Holland and on to Amsterdam. A great service for the price, the Stena Line Ferries are very nice. 
More Images; https://flic.kr/s/aHsjNWfQSd



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/11/16 14:43 by GettingShort.

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