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Edinburgh - Frankfurt with Eurail Pass

marcuslim

Hi, just wanted to check if anyone here has used the Eurail pass to travel from Edinburgh - Frankfurt/Mannheim

 

I am considering between 3 options

Option 1:

0540 - 0940 Edinburgh - London

(1h 24min transfer & check in)

1104 - 1405 London - Brussels

1425 - 1740 Brussels - Frankfurt

 

Option 2:

0540 - 0940 Edinburgh - London

(1h 51min transfer & check in)

1131 - 1453 London - Paris

1555 - 1826 Paris to Karlsruhe

1826 - 1958 Karlsruhe to Frankfurt

 

Option 3:

0540 - 0940 Edinburgh - London

(1h 51min transfer & check in)

1131 - 1453 London - Paris

1709 - 2059 Paris - Frankfurt

 

There will be extra seat reservations if I travel via Paris. I am keen to travel via Brussels, but am afraid of the “short’ transfer time given that I am travelling out of UK (security and customs check). I’m also quite afraid that the ICE train at Brussels would be delayed/cancelled as it seems quite common upon checking the train history.

 

What do you think? Which option would you choose? Let me know!

 

 

 

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Best answer by Hektor 1 March 2024, 19:01

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10 replies

Hektor
Rank

The transfer time in London is no problem at all; you just need to cross the street between the two stations. 

The time in Paris may be a problem with option 2 if you are completely unfamiliar with the situation in Paris (in fact it’s just a 10 minute walk but there may be a waiting to get out of the platform if you are at the wrong end of the train and you may need some time to orientate). But normally even this should work, too.

The mandatory reservation to Germany is 18 € via Paris and just 3 € via Bruxelles (mandatory reservation just from 1.6.). Normally, the control takes place in London. You may even do a seat reservation for the next ICE from Bruxelles at 16.23 (just in case) and it’s still cheaper than via Paris and you’d still have an earlier arrival. Personally, I’d go for this.

marcuslim

@Hektor Thanks for the reassurance! I was afraid that the checks in London may take too long till I miss the Eurostar train / the LNER train from Edinburgh gets delayed for some reason.

 

I am also planning the contingencies for strikes. In the event of strikes like the one recently, do I have to rebook a seat on Eurostar? Since I would definitely miss the train out of London due to LNER cancellations

 

Yes, it is definitely cheaper to go via Brussels. Are delays often for this train? I am not in a rush, but would just want to get to my accommodation by the end of the day since I am activating a travel day for this trip.

Hektor
Rank

@Hektor Thanks for the reassurance! I was afraid that the checks in London may take too long till I miss the Eurostar train / the LNER train from Edinburgh gets delayed for some reason.

You just need to be there at check in time. According to Eurostar, you should be there 60 minutes before, the gates do close 30 minutes before.

I am also planning the contingencies for strikes. In the event of strikes like the one recently, do I have to rebook a seat on Eurostar? Since I would definitely miss the train out of London due to LNER cancellations

Of course you need to rebook. But I wouldn’t worry too much about strikes. They won’t be announced the day before. 

Yes, it is definitely cheaper to go via Brussels. Are delays often for this train? I am not in a rush, but would just want to get to my accommodation by the end of the day since I am activating a travel day for this trip.

As written before: Invest 3 € for a second reservation for peace of mind if you wish to. Normally the connection should work but it’s a tight one. But as also written before: Even the next ICE is earlier in Frankfurt than your other options. 

N
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Userlevel 2
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That London connection doesn’t give you any time for delays or cancellations on the East Coast line (certainly a lot less time than I give that London connection). I’m not sure whether EuroStar let you move to a later train if you miss the connection but perhaps someone else knows? 

NewcastleTourists
R
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Userlevel 7
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I’m not sure whether EuroStar let you move to a later train if you miss the connection but perhaps someone else knows? 

They do.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
marcuslim

I’m not sure whether EuroStar let you move to a later train if you miss the connection but perhaps someone else knows? 

They do.

Thanks! So if I miss the connection at London due to delays/long queues at the station, I can get a seat at the next train without additional reservation cost? (provided that there is a seat)

marcuslim

That London connection doesn’t give you any time for delays or cancellations on the East Coast line (certainly a lot less time than I give that London connection). I’m not sure whether EuroStar let you move to a later train if you miss the connection but perhaps someone else knows? 

Yes! That’s what I am afraid of actually, do you think 1h is enough to pass through security and everything at the station?

R
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +9

That London connection doesn’t give you any time for delays or cancellations on the East Coast line (certainly a lot less time than I give that London connection). I’m not sure whether EuroStar let you move to a later train if you miss the connection but perhaps someone else knows? 

Yes! That’s what I am afraid of actually, do you think 1h is enough to pass through security and everything at the station?

From frequent Eurostar travellers, I've seen multiple reports that the best time to join the queue is 1 hour before departure time. If you join earlier, then you just make the queue longer and the waiting space more crowded since the previous train is still there and might not even have started boarding. If you join the queue later, then keep your eyes and ears open for signs and announcements about your train. Eurostar employees often try to find passengers in the queue for a train for which the check-in almost closes, to fast track them through security.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
marcuslim

@rvdborgt Okay, thank you! I guess I would probably go with the first option and transfer via Brussels.

N
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Userlevel 2
Badge +1

Because I was concerned about missing the connection between the North East Coast LNER train to Kings Cross and the EuroStar from St Pancras I contacted EuroStar for advice on what they would do for me should I be delayed arriving in London.  Their response is above. 

NewcastleTourists

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