Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: olaftab on August 30, 2024, 01:06:30 PM
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Whilst the main CL thread is weighed down with deep football strategy, sectarian politics and doubtful poster credentials I thought we could do with a separate thread on travel tips and advice for our away games. So please nothing on here other than trains, planes, boats and beds. (maybe pubs and bars for those who are always thirsty ;) )
So as I said travel wise on the other thread:
Leipzig: Flight to Berlin, train to Leipzig. Ryanair and Easyjet both fly there direct from Birmingham
Young Boys: Flight to Zurich, train to Berne. Swiss air direct from BHX and also connections via Eurowings.
Nice: Flight to Nice, short train journey to Monaco. Easyjet direct from Luton and other airports.
Brugge: Eurostar to Brussels and onward connection to Brugge.
Would welcome more/better suggestions?
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If anyone books a hotel for the final any time before the second leg of the semi, I will personally hunt them down and tut.
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If anyone books a hotel for the final any time before the second leg of the semi, I will personally hunt them down and tut.
Thanks for the reminder.
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You can just as easily fly to Geneva for Berne . Lovely drive along the lake then shoot straight up .
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You can just as easily fly to Geneva for Berne . Lovely drive along the lake then shoot straight up .
The Swiss police might take a dim view of shooting straight up.
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You can just as easily fly to Geneva for Berne . Lovely drive along the lake then shoot straight up .
The Swiss police might take a dim view of shooting straight up.
On the contrary, needle-exchange programmes were implemented in Switzerland over 20 years ago.
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And shooting galleries (I think).
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
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Will the club do hospitality packages for these away games?
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I liked reading Bruges from Lille, it reminded me of the words Brian Little which I never tire of reading.
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Anyone know what time tomorrow the match date details are announced
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Anyone know what time tomorrow the match date details are announced
Not that I’m sneaking online at a buddhist retreat centre or anything (it’s a reunion not a retreat ok?! 🙈)
It seems like no one knows. Google leads to https://www.thenational.scot/sport/24551557.celtics-champions-league-fixtures-dates-will-confirmed/#
Which says no one knows. I wish we did as I’d then know when to get online tomorrow!!
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No sign of any time anywhere I can find.
The athletic says
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/champions-league-draw-live-updates-format-time-fixtures/mz3me1z04Qqb/
“ The match calendar for the 2024-25 Champions League will be released on Saturday August 31.”
Mind you maybe not the most reliable source/ journalist (Luke Brown, Managing Editor, Global Live) as it also says
“Aston Villa, competing in the tournament for the first time since 1982-83, have also been drawn against Bundesliga champions Leverkusen in a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final, and will also play 2017 champions Juventus”
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
Yes, Seb_AVFC Belgian based poster mentioned Lille to Brugge route but I have not found any direct trains. Mostly two connections. Transfer to Lille Flanders is not an issue though as it’s 5 minutes walk towards the centre on the same road as Euro station.
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
Yes, Seb_AVFC Belgian based poster mentioned Lille to Brugge route but I have not found any direct trains. Mostly two connections. Transfer to Lille Flanders is not an issue though as it’s 5 minutes walk towards the centre on the same road as Euro station.
True, schlepped that a few times back and to the hotel in Lille last year.
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Unless you want to be in a brilliant pub/square/fountain packed full of Villa you'd do as well staying in Ghent, half an hour from Bruges and the best drinking city in Europe.
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No sign of any time anywhere I can find.
The athletic says
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/champions-league-draw-live-updates-format-time-fixtures/mz3me1z04Qqb/
“ The match calendar for the 2024-25 Champions League will be released on Saturday August 31.”
Mind you maybe not the most reliable source/ journalist (Luke Brown, Managing Editor, Global Live) as it also says
“Aston Villa, competing in the tournament for the first time since 1982-83, have also been drawn against Bundesliga champions Leverkusen in a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final, and will also play 2017 champions Juventus”
Ha, they probably enter a macro in their article for ${bundesliga_champions} and no one in their right mind would ever think that it would be replaced with anything other than Bayern :)
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Hoping I can get a ticket booked flight to Zurich, KLM from Brum. Out early Tuesday return late Wednesday.
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Hoping I can get a ticket booked flight to Zurich, KLM from Brum. Out early Tuesday return late Wednesday.
I'm holding off until they announce ticket details. I've got 4 aways so should be alright but I'm sure Heck will throw a spanner in those works at some point.
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Pleased with the Leipzig game as that was the week I was looking at to spend in Berlin.
8)
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Seems to be the case that the Eurostar to Brussels also includes travel on local trains onward to Brugges.
Can’t wait
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
Yes, Seb_AVFC Belgian based poster mentioned Lille to Brugge route but I have not found any direct trains. Mostly two connections. Transfer to Lille Flanders is not an issue though as it’s 5 minutes walk towards the centre on the same road as Euro station.
Yes, you will need to switch trains in Kortrijk. The travel time will be about the same. Trains from and to Brussels can get crowdy on week days, that's why I prefer the Lille option. Train from Brussels to Bruges is included in your Eurostar ticket, if you choose the Lille route it's 14 euro single fare.
I live 15 minutes away from Bruges, so if anyone got a question just shoot or drop me a DM.
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Cheers Seb. The “Any Station” deal from Eurostar is good.
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Best website for info on trains around Europe is The Man in Seat 61.
The link below takes you to the page for London => Brussels => Bruges.
https://www.seat61.com/Belgium#london-to-brussels-by-train
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Best website for info on trains around Europe is The Man in Seat 61.
The link below takes you to the page for London => Brussels => Bruges.
https://www.seat61.com/Belgium#london-to-brussels-by-train
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Flying into Geneva from Manchester on the Monday and taking the rattler up to Bern. Looks like a lovely route. Most expensive flights of the lot unfortunately.
Looked at the EuroStar for Bruge, but it was saying 6:50 hours with the changes from St Pancras. Add in the 2 hours down to Euston and I could fly transatlantic quicker! Manchester have some good flights out to Brussels so doing that on the Tuesday.
We're going via Munich from Manchester for Leipzig and then getting an internal flight from there. About £244 a go on that one.
Nice is looking a lot cheaper. Just not sure whether to stay there and train it. Probably be a lot cheaper!
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I stopped in Nice while Interrailing and got a train to Monaco and it was dead straightforward.
I was served in Macdonalds in Nice by one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life, but that’s another story. Sigh…
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
Yes, Seb_AVFC Belgian based poster mentioned Lille to Brugge route but I have not found any direct trains. Mostly two connections. Transfer to Lille Flanders is not an issue though as it’s 5 minutes walk towards the centre on the same road as Euro station.
Yes, you will need to switch trains in Kortrijk. The travel time will be about the same. Trains from and to Brussels can get crowdy on week days, that's why I prefer the Lille option. Train from Brussels to Bruges is included in your Eurostar ticket, if you choose the Lille route it's 14 euro single fare.
I live 15 minutes away from Bruges, so if anyone got a question just shoot or drop me a DM.
Hi Seb. Is the station in Brussels that the Eurostar arrives into the same one for the train to Bruges?
Might have a couple of pints in Brussels on the Tuesday before heading to Bruges.
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
Yes, Seb_AVFC Belgian based poster mentioned Lille to Brugge route but I have not found any direct trains. Mostly two connections. Transfer to Lille Flanders is not an issue though as it’s 5 minutes walk towards the centre on the same road as Euro station.
Yes, you will need to switch trains in Kortrijk. The travel time will be about the same. Trains from and to Brussels can get crowdy on week days, that's why I prefer the Lille option. Train from Brussels to Bruges is included in your Eurostar ticket, if you choose the Lille route it's 14 euro single fare.
I live 15 minutes away from Bruges, so if anyone got a question just shoot or drop me a DM.
Hi Seb. Is the station in Brussels that the Eurostar arrives into the same one for the train to Bruges?
Might have a couple of pints in Brussels on the Tuesday before heading to Bruges.
Eurostar comes into Brussels at Bruxelles Midi.
Trains from Brussels to Bruges depart from a few main train stations across Brussels as the mainline interconnecting track runs right through the city. These are Bruxelles-Nord (Brussels North), Bruxelles-Central (Brussels Central), and Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels South).
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Montreux is a nice little stop off on the way to Berne for anyone flying into Geneva . Go to the lake front and see the Freddie Mercury statue . It's a nice spot.
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Thanks for this olaftab.
I think someone said the other day you can get a direct train to Bruges from Lille so don’t have to go as far as Brussels though you would need to transfer between stations in Lille.
Eurostar tickets to/from Brussels-Midi cover you to any station in Belgium for free as long as you travel on the same day :)
EDIT: just noticed a few other people mention this. Ah well, it's still true.
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Just booked Eurostar for Bruges, was great for Lille.
Booked the 8:52am one back though meaning an early start from Bruges to Brussels the day after the game but saves hanging around as we'll have been there from Tuesday morning anyway.
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UEFA have announced revised away ticket price caps.
Starting with the 2024/25 season, the maximum ticket prices for away fans will be €60 in the UEFA Champions League, €40 in the UEFA Europa League and €20 in the UEFA Conference League. This will be further reduced in the 2025/26 season to a maximum price of €50 in the UEFA Champions League, €35 in the UEFA Europa League and still €20 in the UEFA Conference League.
https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0291-1bc23dc1c2a0-e94b3c009a2a-1000--uefa-announces-reduced-ticket-prices-caps-for-visiting-f/ (https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0291-1bc23dc1c2a0-e94b3c009a2a-1000--uefa-announces-reduced-ticket-prices-caps-for-visiting-f/)
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Rome2Rio app for local bus times and routes?
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Taking a chance on getting match tickets, I have booked the following:
Berne: KLM from BHX to Zurich, train to Berne
Brugge: Eurostar to Brussels and onwards
Leipzig: KLM from BHX to Berlin, train to Leipzig
Monaco: KLM from BHX to Nice, train to Monte Carlo
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Taking a chance on getting match tickets, I have booked the following:
Berne: KLM from BHX to Zurich, train to Berne
Brugge: Eurostar to Brussels and onwards
Leipzig: KLM from BHX to Berlin, train to Leipzig
Monaco: KLM from BHX to Nice, train to Monte Carlo
For Leipzig is that going the day before the game and includes a stop-over in Amsterdam?
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No. Early morning (06:15) flight arrives in Berlin around 13:30. The Leipzig game KO is 21:00.
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What's everyone thinking about acceptance criteria/chances of getting tickets for these group games?
Considering Ajax and Lille were around 2,600 allocation and I just about crept in for both with Season Ticket and all Euro home games, I'm not too confident of getting any, with Leipzig looking likely to be the highest allocation, but still less than Ajax or Lille?
I did a bit of digging of past recent seasons away fan allocation, and this is what I found:
RB Leipzig - Red Bull Arena - 2,261 allocation
Club Brugge - Jan Breydel Stadium - 1,592 allocation
Young Boys - Wankdorf Stadium - 1,663 allocation
Monaco - Stade Louis II - 1.200 allocation
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I'm reckoning my chances of getting a ticket for Brugges is somewhere about zilch.
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Monaco's capacity is lower than the last time English teams went, so likely to be around 900 judging by recent games there.
Young Boys is variable, but should be nearer 1,800.
Brugge varies a bit too, but I've seen most allocations around 1,470.
Leipzig is 2,261.
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I assume it will be based on last year's European aways. Season ticket holder + 7 (so 1070 points?). Then maybe 5, 3 etc. Switzerland is quite an expensive one travel wise so some may bow out.
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Will they include Hibs?
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No. Early morning (06:15) flight arrives in Berlin around 13:30. The Leipzig game KO is 21:00.
Jeez how long’s the bloody flight? Is Ryanair now making passengers manually flap the wings?
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Bought Eurostar tickets to Bruges via Brussels. Won't get a ticket through the club so will just have to see how things go out there. Mostar worked out alright but I doubt being waved into the away end despite not having a ticket there will happen in a more modern stadium.
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No. Early morning (06:15) flight arrives in Berlin around 13:30. The Leipzig game KO is 21:00.
Jeez how long’s the bloody flight? Is Ryanair now making passengers manually flap the wings?
The trouble with KLM is changing at Amsterdam. But you can get anywhere from Birmingham that way.
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Why is the allocation for brugge only 2k , daint the shit have 10k when they played them ?
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Why is the allocation for brugge only 2k , daint the shit have 10k when they played them ?
It appears they had 5k in the ground. Suppose the obvious answer is more home fans will want to see us and other CL teams than what was a 2nd Div team at the time.
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True
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Blues had 6,000 last time, Newcastle were only given 1,470
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The club have said that tickets allocation will be based on ST + last season's Conference League games. They didn't count the Hibs game last season except for the Warsaw game as it was only a qualifier so I doubt they'll bring that forward. Given that Mostar was only 490, there's also no reason for them to do so. Everyone who went to every full game is guaranteed a ticket.
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Having just been in the south of France on holiday Nice is the place to go for Monaco. Really lovely city, great old town with loads of bars. I watched the Arsenal game there. And you can get the train to Monaco so easily, takes about 20 minutes. I know people living in the Midlands (I live in Somerset so its my local airport) don't necessarily think about it but have a look at flights from Bristol airport out there with Easyjet. I just had a quick look. They only fly on a Tuesday and a Saturday at that time of year but could be an option for some who fancy a bit of a holiday in a very nice part of the world. Easyjet also fly to Geneva from Bristol for the Young Boys game and for Bruges they fly from there to Amsterdam from where a train should be easy enough. Feel like I'm advertising Bristol airport but when I read people are going from Luton and Manchester its definitely worth looking at. Nice little airport, very hassle free, and must be just as close as those other airports to Birmingham. Happy travels, European aways not doable for me but very jealous of those of you that get to go. UTV
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Bristol airport was well used last season for the European aways. My plane to Amsterdam both times was 70% Villa
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Blose were a massive club at the time. And they packed out the Sty at the weekend despite being in the third tier. They're a credit to their borough.
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Bristol is the first airport I look for now despite Brum being closer. Just back from Tenerife there, breezed through security, no hassles. Silver parking really easy. Will use again.
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Bristol is the first airport I look for now despite Brum being closer. Just back from Tenerife there, brewed through security, no hassles. Silver parking really easy. Will use again.
Ill drink to that.
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Bristol is the first airport I look for now despite Brum being closer. Just back from Tenerife there, brewed through security, no hassles. Silver parking really easy. Will use again.
Ill drink to that.
At yeast he got to go on holiday.
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Bristol is the first airport I look for now despite Brum being closer. Just back from Tenerife there, brewed through security, no hassles. Silver parking really easy. Will use again.
credit where credit is due
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Bristol is the first airport I look for now despite Brum being closer. Just back from Tenerife there, brewed through security, no hassles. Silver parking really easy. Will use again.
Ill drink to that.
It's ideal for short hops.
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Bristol is the first airport I look for now despite Brum being closer. Just back from Tenerife there, brewed through security, no hassles. Silver parking really easy. Will use again.
Ill drink to that.
It's ideal for short hops.
And it's barley any further than Manchester Airport.
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Alé alé alé...
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He has security down to a tea.
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BHX is ok now but pay the £5 for fast track. Cracking regional airport. Nr1 Lounge also good value .
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Lol, just edited. Did have a couple airport beers in fairness.
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Booked flights to Nice - £110 return from Heathrow with BA. That’s cheaper than the Eurostar return we booked for Bruges.
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Booked flights to Nice - £110 return from Heathrow with BA. That’s cheaper than the Eurostar return we booked for Bruges.
That’s good. I paid £173 from BHX with KLM so the cost and time for travel to LHR just about squares the circle.
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If I can get tickets will go to the Bruges game, it’s only a two hour drive for me now.
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If I can get tickets will go to the Bruges game, it’s only a two hour drive for me now.
That’ll be a bonus!
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I hope everyone was fine travelling to Switzerland and enjoyed the experience. Wishing you a very safe and pleasant journey back and please share any things on how it was travelling.
Up The Villa!
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Looking to book for Leipzig. What’s everyone doing? Flight to Berlin then the train? Plan Monday to Wednesday
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Looking to book for Leipzig. What’s everyone doing? Flight to Berlin then the train? Plan Monday to Wednesday
I'm just looking at the same. I like the look of the flights from Gatwick.
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When we went to Leipzig for the friendly a few seasons ago - stayed in Berlin and then took the train to Leipzig
For travel to the ground from the town centre, there is a tram to the ground, although it is a fair walk to the away end, and then lots of steps up to the turnstiles to enter the ground, you need to be fairly fit to climb them - hopefully they have improved the stadium as it was just a concrete bowl, and needed a few quid spending on it to bring it up to date.
The only issue was trying to get back to Berlin after the game, as they cancelled the trains so had to wait a few hours to get a train back, so you will need to check the train timetable to ensure that you can get back to Berlin - if not could be worth booking a nights stay in Leipzig.
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Looking to book for Leipzig. What’s everyone doing? Flight to Berlin then the train? Plan Monday to Wednesday
Flying KLM from Brum to Berlin, train to Leipzig, over night there return next day.
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Very useful info sid60😊
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Looking to book for Leipzig. What’s everyone doing? Flight to Berlin then the train? Plan Monday to Wednesday
Flying KLM from Brum to Berlin, train to Leipzig, over night there return next day.
Flying Monday. Returning Wednesday.
Flying Easyjet. Gatwick - Berlin £100 return. Over night in Berlin. Train to Leipzig. Over night in Leipzig.
Booked a coach to take me from Leipzig hbf to Berlin airport for the bargain price of £9.00 in order to make my 10.25 flight out of Berlin back to Gatwick. Job Done.