Hi,

Before I book an alternative , i am looking for some advice please.

I am having difficulty booking the CNL train from Amsterdam to Munich on the DB website for a date in June.

I made many attempts just to be foiled at the last step with a message saying that an error occurred.
I checked with my banks regarding my credit cards ( even though I had already used one successfully for a ticket between Germany and Switzerland) and finally rang DB on their Uk contact number. I was told that there is night track-work happening but I should be able to catch it from Arnhem.

Before I push the button on this option, I need to know that I can get from Amsterdam to Arnhem. Maybe I am overthinking this but if the CNL cant run this route , wouldn't there be issue for normal trains? Would it be fine if I caught a 'daytime' train to Arnhem (i.e. before the night-works started)?

The train also stops at Utrecht but my DB advice didn't suggest catching the train there.

Can anyone who lives in The Netherlands or train experts shed any light or direct me to a website I can look at .

Thanks for any assistance

https://www.nsinternational.nl/en?ut...content=railcc

Try the NS International site (Dutch Railways International Ticketing) - if a phone number call - they will speak good English - ask them about Arnhem but there should be day trains to Arnhem or a bus substitute for sure and Arnhem is a neat city - check out the popular open-air museum on the edge of town.

You can also buy that ticket thru the NS Int'l site above.

Also try www.seat61.com for any info or updates on the train and for general info about night trains www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Maybe I am overthinking this but if the CNL cant run this route , wouldn't there be issue for normal trains?>

Right - obviously part of this busy track closed in evenings but in daytime probably running I'd bet but again I'd call NS Int'l for the definitive answer since the track work is in Holland.

I would fly anyway. Construction works are one more reason to fly.

But if you insist in taking the train - yes you can take a daytime train to Arnhem, have dinner in Arnhem, and board the night train. But you may spend 13 or 14 hours for a trip that takes 4 hours by plane (including all transfers).

I just checked the NS site for construction work. They do not yet list June, but most weekends there are problems getting to Germany. Either you take a local train to Arnhem or pick up a different CNL in Utrecht. Perhaps filling in your exact date will give you more information.

http://www.ns.nl/en/travel-informati...-on-the-tracks

Thanks Pal, Traveller and Hetismj2 for your advice and suggestions.

Pal, Thanks for your links. I had looked at Seat 61 but not thought to look for messages about construction works. I also followed your link to the Nl site but could only find a costlier alternative.

Traveller, the original reason for choosing the night train was a time/ cost convenience equation. I could travel city centre to city centre ( in a single sleeper) without losing time in either city for roughly the same price/ or less that what an additional nights accommodation would cost in Amsterdam. I checked for cheap flights but the sleeper train was still the best budgetary option.

Hetismj2, thanks for your links. I couldn't seem to connect to an English version for the dates I was looking at but looking at this weekend's work , it affects the Amsterdam - Munich route so will keep and eye out.

I had looked at the Utrecht option as it looks a lovely city and was on my list of places to visit one day. But I was getting the same messages from DB.

In the end , to ensure I had a sleeper, I booked the Arnhem - Munich leg and will follow up the Amsterdam - Arnhem leg closer to the date as I can always catch the local train.

Thanks once again for your help.

Liz

You surely will be able to get to Arnhem by train or bus in the day so yes it is best to put angst to rest and catch the train(s).

Like they say in Germany Have a "Gute Fahrt' - I love that greeting I've seen written on station walls - which means I think a Good Ride and not our version of Fahrt!

PalenQ, how droll.