I am staying in Munster this summer for 2 weeks (family). As a side trip, I want to travel with my 9 year old to Copenhagen for 4 days. We have hotel reservations at the Square in Copenhagen but haven't made reservations on the train. Plane prices are tipping 800 euros!!

So, I figured that once there I would get more accurate & more complete info at the station than off the Deutsche Bahn website. I also thought I could purchase a family discount card to reduce cost.

Opinions? Thoughts? Guidance? Thanks!

Steph

The Bahn website has very up-to-date and accurate information as a rule. Not sure what your question is...you should be able to get prices off that site now so you can plan accordingly. I am certain they'll be cheaper than airfare.

No, actually, there are no prices posted yet "unavailable". Train times vary from 7-11 hours for the trip with 3-4 train changes.

People on the forum always seem to offer tips, advice & opinions, so I guess I was just going to see who chirps in. But, the question really is "Am I getting to Copenhagen the best way?" and "Is it advisable to wait to buy tickets?". Thanks.

I've taken the train from Bochum (about an hour south of Munster) to Copenhagen and only had to change trains once--in Hamburg. The main reason for the train change is you have to go to a smaller train that fits on a ship for a fairly brief trip over the sea. The train can be very crowded. First class is worth it if you can afford it--you're right up front, literally just a seat or two behind the driver/engineer and you get a great view. You're also less likely to be crammed in like sardines.
Have a wonderful time in Munster! Have you been there before? During our five months in Germany this past winter, we spent a lot of time in Munsterland. The "water castles" nearby are very attractive. Along Route 58, south of Munster, are several charming small towns (Ludinghausen, for example) great bike paths, and a beautiful rose garden in Senden. Munster itself has some great shopping, historic sites, cafes, and a few pleasant restaurants.
Osnabruck, northeast of Munster, is a large base for British forces, so you can pick up a British station on the radio.
There is a German web site that shows you brief videos of various places in Munsterland. I posted about it earlier and will call it up and "top" it for you.

Thanks for the info on the trains! Yes we've been there often. My cousins live there and in Koln. One even owns a bar/kneipe called Litfass on Dahlweg. So we even get to drink free!! Gotta love family. Steph.

Hello StephW,
I also took a look at Bahn.de and found mostly connections with changing trains (in Hamburg) only once.
The reason the wwwsite won't give you prices is because you ride will also be outside Germany. Somehow the system can't work the complete prices out that way.

If you give us the date and time of your travel and how many people ( guess two adults - but how many and how old are the kids) I can get you a total price.
Note, children up to their 15th birthday travel for free with their parents/grandparents on the bahn - but there may be some charge for the Danish part of the travel.

Since I'm living in Koeln: The only Litfass I know (and like) is on Zuelpicherstrasse. Is that it?

Kascha:

You are most kind. One adult & One child (9 years old). From Munster Hauptbahnhof to Copenhagen. I read about the child fare but wasn't sure if I needed to purchase a child pass to get it free (like the French!). Travelling from Sunday to Thursday if that matters. An idea on price would be great.

The bar Litfass is in Munster not Koln. My cousin owns it. My other cousin works part in Munster part in Koln doing concert promotions there.

Thank you. Steph

Hello there,
today I got a chance to go to the station and ask for the price of the train travel:
The return ticket Muenster - Copenhagen is 173 Euro for you (including your child) plus 10,40 Euro for the seat reservations.

This price is for the connections on the IC-/EC-trains with changing the train once in Hamburg. Travel time is about 7 hours.

This fare is normally for one adult (your child goes for free) if you buy the ticket at least a day before you travel. Less than one day in advance the ticket will cost 185 Euro. Important: When you buy your ticket you do have to tell them there's a child with you - it has to be noted on the ticket.

I hope you will have a great time in Germany! Kascha

Vielen vielen danke!

Topping this, in the context of my other thread about a friend contemplating a trip to Muenster area (along with Madrid - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34468891)

What are some of the best things to do/see in a 100 kn radius around Muenster?

It's encouraging that Ben Haines and BTilke both know the area!

But would love to hear from StephW as well, since you may have been there more recently than others.

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex, in addition to seeing Muenster itself (we were there again only a few weeks ago), which has a very attractive old town, one of most pleasant drives in that area is along route 58. You will pass several charming small towns. It's also the heart of the "water castle" area, with several interesting small to medium size castles. There are terrific bike trails, mostly flat, including bike lanes along most of route 58 so you don't have to worry about "interacting" with cars. Muenster has my favorite German Christmas market, it feels the most authentic and least touristy of all the markets we've been to and has some very high quality merchandise for sale both in the market itself and in the stores in the old town. However, parking around the train station can be dodgy. There is plenty of parking available, but it's tricky to find the entrances to the parking lots--even our German relatives who go there regularly--get confused. One nice, typical restaurant in Muenster is Kiepenkerl (pea pod).
About an hour south of Muenster, in the Bochum/Essen/Dusseldorf area is the small medieval town of Hattingen. A delight totally off the tourist path. A gourmet restaurant in Hattingen is Diergardt's; their web site http://diergardt.com/dkg/Diergardts_..._t_raeume.html (a bit long, but it should paste ok)