Xmas trip to Germany

[Sniffer]

A few of us from work (who actually like each other) have decided to organise our own little Xmas doo and have organised a "road trip" to Germany. We are travelling out Friday Morning and arriving at Rheindalen later that day and returning on the Sunday afternoon. The intention is to visit a Christmas Market and I am looking for some advice from fellow Goaters. We are travelling by minibus but would like to get public transport to/from the market (on the Saturday) to allow the designated drivers the opportunity to have a couple of drinks. Can anyone therefore recommend a market we can easily get to/from using either buses or trains? Also are there any other good places to visit in the short time we are there? I have tried the BFG HIVE website but seem to be going round in circles.

 

[tommo9999]

Get the bus from JHQ to MG, then the train to Koln. Great Xmas market and travel per person will not cost much. Did it regularly when I was stationed there and it's a great day.

 

[techie_tubby]

Or train to Dus. Just back from the Market there and it's huuuuuuuuuuuuuge!! Train to Cologne from MG takes approx 1 hour and casts 13.50Euros per adult and are very regular until about 11pm. Train to Dus from MG are about every 10 minutes and only take half an hour and are about 10Euros return for an adult.

 

[Humble Scribe]

My top tip is to go to Baden Baden! They have a fabulous Crimbo Market and the casino in the evening is brill. Not sure about travel to and from Rheindhalen though but well worth the hassle if you can sort out the travel with DB.

 

[chiprafp]

Baden Baden is certainly an excellent place to visit!!

 

[techie_tubby]

Not sure about travel to and from Rheindhalen though but well worth the hassle if you can sort out the travel with DB.

It's between 3 and a half to 5 hours on the train depending on the connections and cost is between 75 and 9- euros return. If you where going to go down you'd be better off making a weekend of it.

 

[Stevienics]

Siegberg and Bonn are the most Christmassy without being the most Touristy/Turkish/Armenian (delete as required). Both are on the S Bahn.

 

[Humble Scribe]

Last year I flew from Dusseldorf to Berlin for the Christmas Market; absolutely bloody brilliant but make sure you take your thermals!

 

[Drill Bit]

Or trani to Dus. Just back from the Market there and it's huuuuuuuuuuuuuge!! Train to Cologne from MG takes approx 1 hour and casts 13.50Euros per adult and are very regular until about 11pm. Train to Dus from MG are about every 10 minutes and only take half an hour and are about 10Euros return for an adult.

Or a trani ey? I'm sure that may be how you like to ride mate.

 

[Sniffer]

Its all gone to rat poo!

Its all gone to rat poo!

Well... Best laid plans and all that. Just received a call today from Cassels House to say they have pulled the plug on our booking due to higher priority bookings. Which is a bit of a bummer as the ferry and the SIF minibus has been paid for. I think the ferry was a non refundable too.

So my next question Goaters is can anyone recommend a nice, or even not so nice, but cheap, alternative to Cassels House? There will be 9 of us on the visit.

 

[gemarriott]

Well... Best laid plans and all that. Just received a call today from Cassels House to say they have pulled the plug on our booking due to higher priority bookings. Which is a bit of a bummer as the ferry and the SIF minibus has been paid for. I think the ferry was a non refundable too.

So my next question Goaters is can anyone recommend a nice, or even not so nice, but cheap, alternative to Cassels House? There will be 9 of us on the visit.

Lots of good accommodation near Laabruch (weeze ) try Kevs pub, the alt weeze or go and try Kevelaer. All very reasonable price wise with good rail links

 

[Shugster]

You can sometimes get a German B+B for €40.

You need to decide where you're going first before you can look at digs.

 

[Sniffer]

Cheap digs will determine where we go I think. I have managed to find a hotel in Monchengladbach for £520 for 9 of us for 2 nights. With free brekkie and parking. Just need to run it by the others now

Would be a shame not to go for the sake of £50 or so.

 

[fatalbert]

A few of us from work (who actually like each other) have decided to organise our own little Xmas doo and have organised a "road trip" to Germany. We are travelling out Friday Morning and arriving at Rheindalen later that day and returning on the Sunday afternoon. The intention is to visit a Christmas Market and I am looking for some advice from fellow Goaters. We are travelling by minibus but would like to get public transport to/from the market (on the Saturday) to allow the designated drivers the opportunity to have a couple of drinks. Can anyone therefore recommend a market we can easily get to/from using either buses or trains? Also are there any other good places to visit in the short time we are there? I have tried the BFG HIVE website but seem to be going round in circles.

Buy a one day German Rail Länder Ticket and you and 4 friends can explore all the Christmas Markets in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for €36 (day ticket). I would recommend the markets at either Koeln or Duesseldorf. If you're at Rheindahlen already a good start point would be Moenchengladbach Hbf. http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/duesseldorf_christmas_market.php or http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/cologne_christmas_market.php

 

[fatalbert]

Well... Best laid plans and all that. Just received a call today from Cassels House to say they have pulled the plug on our booking due to higher priority bookings. Which is a bit of a bummer as the ferry and the SIF minibus has been paid for. I think the ferry was a non refundable too.

So my next question Goaters is can anyone recommend a nice, or even not so nice, but cheap, alternative to Cassels House? There will be 9 of us on the visit.

Try Javelin (Elmpt) Barracks (aka RAF Bruggen), they may have transit accommodation. Just a thought.