Ryanair or Bahn.de

Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:49 PM
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Ryanair or Bahn.de

Hello everyone,

I'd like your advice on getting from Bruges to Berlin. As a newbie to trip planning I had already booked Ryanair for my wife and me before knowing of these forums (or knowing much of anything). Our Brussels to Berlin itinerary is a convoluted travel schedule, but I chose it because at the time of booking I was only aware of RailEurope's price of $536 USD. Here is the Ryanair (146 euro) schedule:

25 Aug Bruges to Charleroi airport 1141-1526h
then to Dublin 1735-1810h
26 Aug Dublin to Berlin 0555-0900h
Ryanair total cost 146 euro
The idea was we'd eat and do a show in Dublin, then hang out at the airport until our flight to Berlin.

A poster on another thread thought I was crazy to do this because of the possibility of Ryanair cancelling. Another poster pointed me to bahn.de, which is offering a summer special from Brussels to Berlin for 59 euro each (was 39 euro, but those are sold out).

If I chose that, then I'd stay in Bruges one more day (60 euro). This schedule would be:
25 Aug stay one more day in Bruges (60 euro)
26 Aug 0451-0559 Bruges to Brussels nord
0633-1410 Brusses nord to Berlin Hbf

If I did this, I'd lose the 146 euros already paid to Ryanair, pay 60 euro for one more night in Bruges plus 120 euro for the 2 train tickets, miss a dinner/show in Dublin and get into Berlin 5 hours later than with Ryanair. (We are only spending one day in Berlin under either plan because friends are coming to take us to their home in Leipzig)

On the other hand, we wouldn't be traveling from 1441h Fri through 0900h Sat and wouldn't be worried about Ryanair cancellations, etc.

Certainly, if I'd known about the wonderful posters at the Fodors forums before I started planning our trip I would have known about the Bahn.de deal before booking with Ryan. But I am a latecomer (though a fortunate one) to the forums.

We have also booked a Ryanair flight from Venice to Brussels on 22 Aug. and I'd appreciate any ideas for back-up plans if Ryanair dumps on us.

This trip is to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and we are going to Rome, Florence, Venice, Bruges and Leipzig (via Dublin and Berlin if with Ryanair or via Berlin if with Bahn.de). We leave this Tuesday, 8 Aug.

Thanks.

Branton
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:52 PM
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Hi B,

Are you certain that Ryanair is going to cancel?

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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 03:36 PM
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Good question, Ira. No, in fact I would imagine they wouldn't. But, I'd like to know what experiences others have had with Ryanair and cancellations. I haven't been that successful in finding that out just by searching the forums. It could be my search technique.

Also, looking at the two itineraries and the costs, advantages of each, etc., what would you (and others) do?

Thanks.

Branton
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 05:34 PM
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As much as I love riding the rails and have done rail trips FAR more "convoluted" than yours I would stick with the Ryanair plan.

Ira is correct in assuming that Ryanair will not cancel your flights. I mean, what if the World came to an end or God forbid, a Fodorite was forced to take an organized tour?

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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 08:13 PM
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That Raileurope fare is insane. What did they promise for that money - first-class bridal suite with champagne and lobster?

Why would Ryanair cancel? Not to say that it can't happen - to any airline - that there's a snafu, but they fly thousands and thousands every day...

You've paid for it - check in early, watch your luggage weight, and fly Ryanair.

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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 11:08 PM
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Thanks for the replies. For now, I think we will stick with Ryanair. WallyKringen (and others), how early should we show up for check-in. Ryanair says the check-in closes 40 minutes before a flight.

Are there cases where people have been in the check-in line early, but the 40-minute cut-off came and then they couldn't get on the flight? Does Ryanair overbook? How long does it usually take to get throught the check-in line if you're not part of the European Union?

As an example, Ryanair uses Eurobus to get from Venice (P.le Roma) to the Treviso airport and their timetable indicates to take the 0930 bus to arrive at Treviso at 1040 for the 1220 flight to Brussels. Should we instead take the 0730 bus to arrive at Treviso at 0840?

Thanks again,

Branton
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 12:06 AM
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I think a train would be just as likely or more likely to be cancelled as a Ryanair flight. Ryanair flights do get cancelled rarely for the same rare reasons other flights get cancelled - freak weather being a major reason.

Ryanair staff generally are very brutal with cutting off check-in, regardless of whether you are in line. Just a few days ago, however, someone posted about seeing Ryanair staff show a bit of leeway. I wouldn't count on that happening to you, though. So the best plan is to be there two hours in advance. There's rarely a significant delay if you do that. In my experience with arriving two hours in advance, I'm checked in about 10-30 minutes later (and I'm not a EU citizen). In the Venice example you mention, I might go for the earlier bus if my schedule would be irretrievably ruined by missing the Ryanair flight at 1220. Even I, cautious as I am, would generally feel okay with a 1040 arrival, though, at the tiny airport of Treviso.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 12:27 AM
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I see that you have settled on air. Others might like to think of a night journey by train, which saves a hotel bill. Leave Bruges 2157, change at Brussels Midi 2250 to 2341, take a berth in a three berth sleeper compartment, single sex, with washbasin, have morning coffee and bun, arrive at Berlin main station 0811. Fares are 11 euros Bruges to Brussels, 104 Brussels to Berlin basic, 40 euros sleeper

And if Ryanair dumps on you (which is unlikely)
Venice Santa Lucia 1752, no catering, Milan 2055 to 2112, 1, 2 and 3 berth sleepers, crowded 6 berth couchettes, buffet car from 0620, Cologne 0842 to 0914, buffet car, Brussels Midi 1132
Venice Santa Lucia 1959, 1, 2 and 3 berth sleepers, crowded 6 berth couchettes, restaurant car, Paris Gare de Bercy 0823, metro or bus, Paris Gare du Nord 0955 buffet car, Brussels Midi 1120
The day journeys are long:
Venice Santa Lucia 0537, Venice Mestre 0548 to 0604, no catering, Milan 0855 to 0925, buffet car, Frankfurt airport 1451 to 1512, Cologne 1904 to 1914, buffet car, Brussels Midi 2132
Venice Santa Lucia 0652 not Sundays, no catering, Milan 1000 to 1025, Cisalpino buffet car train, Basel 1533 to 1620, no catering, Brussels Midi 2246

Ben Haines, London
[email protected]

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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 12:37 AM
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Are there cases where people have been in the check-in line early, but the 40-minute cut-off came and then they couldn't get on the flight? YES

Does Ryanair overbook? NO

How long does it usually take to get throught the check-in line if you're not part of the European Union? THE SAME AS IF YOU WERE PART OF THE EU

Normally if you take the bus that meets up with your flight you should be OK
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 01:16 AM
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Actually, now people who have EU passports can check in online with Ryanair, so EU people can check in faster than non-EU people.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 03:48 AM
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Virgin Express fly direct from Brussels International to Berlin Schoenefeld, but this is an evening flight. Cost quoted for 25th August is £47.84. There are so many low-cost airlines in Europe that it is difficult to keep up with them all. I use Skyscanner at www.skyscanner.net , but that only lists low-cost airlines and sometimes the traditional carriers can be as cheap.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 06:09 AM
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Hi, Branton.

Since you've already bought the tickets, stick with your original Ryanair plan.

For future reference, www.whichbudget.com is also a good search engine for budget airlines.

Also for future reference, never rely on Rail Europe for either timetables or fares. Their timetables are incomplete and their fares are much higher than those you can get by booking with a country's national rail company. The German national rail site, www.bahn.de, has timetables for most of Europe.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 06:21 AM
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Branton:

check-in at Charleroi has been very painless the 5 or so times I've done it.

re: venice, take the bus for your flight. We did that, we arrived in almost no time (early morning flight) and then had to wait for an eternity in a VERY crowded Treviso airport that does not have enough seating, particularly for people waiting to check in. You cannot check in more than 2 hours before your flight, so if you arrive at 8:40 (and you will probably actually arrive earliier than that, they build in a lot of time for traffic) then you will be sitting in a tiny stuffy room for at least an hour and a half, probably sitting on your suitcase. My most miserable ryanair airport experience.

And FWIW, we have flown ryanair from/to charleroi to Dublin, Shannon, Rome Ciampino, and Venice Treviso and have never had a cancellation or even a noticeable delay (i.e. more than 30 min or so). In fact, if everybody is there and checked in they will sometimes leave early! So don't stray too far!! (Not that it's possible to go TOO far in the Charleroi airport

Enjoy your night in Dublin and the rest of your anniversary trip !

Carrie
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 07:16 AM
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Hi, again. Since you'll be spending the night at the Dublin airport, check out www.sleepinginairports.net to read comments from others who have done the same.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 07:17 PM
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Thank-you, everyone, for your wonderful advice, which has eased my mind tremendously. I am amazed at the knowledge that comes through these forums and the willingness of so many to take the time to research items like alternative train schedules (thanks, ben_haines_london) and then give very specific and useful answers based on personal experience. WillTravel, alanRow, chartley, TimS and LSUvetgirl, the advice and links are great. I will keep them for future trips as well.

So, it seems I should stay with Ryanair since I've already booked it, take the "assigned" bus from Venice to Treviso, which is scheduled to arrive at Treviso at 10:40 for a 12:20 flight (rather than the earlier 7:30 to 8:40 bus), do the Brussels-Dublin-Berlin Ryanair flight since already booked, and sleep in the Dublin airport (a so-so experience according to TimS' excellent www.sleepinginairports.net link). If I've missed anything please let me know.

Thanks again,

Branton

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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 07:27 PM
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Be aware that Ryanair is very strict on luggage weight. Check its web site for the cost of extra weight.
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 06:37 AM
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Hi B,

As noted, get there **early** and watch your luggage weight.

The line closes 40 min before flight time. If you are not checked in, you won't get on the plane.

>..do the Brussels-Dublin-Berlin Ryanair flight ...<

A word of caution from a friend who just came back.

Ryanair is a point-to-point airline. If your Brussels/Dublin flight is late and you miss your Dublin/Berlin flight, Ryanair will not put you on the next available plane.

They will sell you another ticket.

This doesn't often happen.

Enjoy your visit.

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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 12:05 PM
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Thanks again,

I'll let you know how it went.

Branton
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