mcmouse

Traveling by train from Mainz to Bruges and I am having a problem locating the correct connections. Any help would be appreciated...the lowest price 1-way ticket would be my choice. Thank you

adrienne

Here's the web site to use for tickets:

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

It looks like you'd go Mainz to Frankfurt to Brussels to Bruges.

You'll have to look for fares since they change depending on when you're traveling.

PalenQ

Mainz to Koblenz; Koblenz to Cologne and then Thalys trains Cologne to Brussels, change to local train to Bruges is another route that mauy be a bit cheaper - anyway for lots on European trains I always spotlight these fine sites- www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com (good info on discounted tickets you may score at www.bahn.de/en; and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

check www.thalys.com also for Cologne to Bruges fares.

PalenQ

Both routes - Mainza-Koblenz-Cologne-Bruges take about the same time but the Koblenz route, on full fare is 20 euros cheaper - 89 euros vs 109 euros via Frankfurt but the Koblenz route is oh so more pretty as the rail tracks right along the famed Rhine Gorge between Mainz and Koblenz, one of the most scenic rail rides in Germany - thru old wine towns and by ruined castles and the iconic Lorelei Cliff, etc.

The route via Frankfurt goes by a high-speed rail route on which you see nothing of the Rhine nor not much at all - about all rail tunnels or wind blocks lining the tracks IME

so take the prettier and cheaper and just as quick route thru the Rhine Gorge IMO.

And if doing any other rail trips in Germany or Belgium or Netherlands then by all means look at the Germany-Benelux railpass that lets you hop on virtually any train anytimne - just one full fare trip like this at 89 euros can go a long way to making the pass pay off.

That said you can also nab online discounts from www.bahn.de if you book far in advance and are OK with a train-specific ticket that cannot be changed nor refunded - as low as 29 or 39 euros to Brussels via German ICE trains Cologne to Brussels.

mcmouse

adrienne and PalenQ, thank you both for your helpful information.

PalenQ

Are you doing a Rhine cruise whilst in Mainz? If not you could incorporate a Rhine boat ride with the day you go to Bruges - just take a train to Rudesheim and hop on the boat for a few hours and get off at Boppard - train station a few blocks from K-D boat dock and go onto to Bruges.

Better to do these boat trips as a leisurely day out - easily done as they have frequent services - www.k-d.com for schedules.

PalenQ

And there is yet another rail option route to Bruges from Mainz - take a train (or boat) to Koblenz and then take trains via Cochem up the Mosel Valley to Trier and Luxembourg and onto to Brussels - longer for sure but very very pretty along parts of the Mosel and through the Ardennes in Belgium - may be the cheapest full fare ticket route as could be the shortest distance wise but not time-wise.

mcmouse

Thank you for the Mosel suggestion, as that may be the way we will go.

PalenQ

Luxembourg City is worth a few-hour stop en route if going that way - physically one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe because a deep gorge bisects the city - otherwise fairly ho-hum but a novelty place anyway - the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.