A lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, Brexit, the Royal Family, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin!
So let me start from the beginning.
My flight got cancelled.
Twice!
Flight to where you might ask?
To the UK my good man.
Try to keep up!
Anyway, I booked myself to the UK because …
I’ll tell you some other time.
Anyhoo.
I found myself going to Cologne / Köln.
On a Thursday night.
At midnight!
I had no plans to go to Cologne / Köln.
At midnight.
Or any other time!
Besides, I was supposed to be flying to England!
On Friday.
Three Fridays ago, to be exact!
I had booked with KLM since January, but a few weeks ago, they cancelled my flight!
No worries.
I’ll book another!
So I booked another flight.
With easyJet.
That got cancelled too!
On Tuesday!
Like the Tuesday – three (3) days before I was supposed to fly out!
It didn’t leave me with many options, so I decided to go by train.
With a “real” ticket!
As much as I adore €9.00 travel tickets through Germany, I don’t want to struggle, in order to get to the UK.
Please remember what I said above, for later in the post …
The price for this last-minute unaccounted-for-journey – €442 via Deutsch Bahn on a one-way first class train or €285 on a second class one-way train!
Far too dear!
And just like any sane person would, I thought sod it, I’ll travel by other means!
I would book a train from Germany to Belgium, with a connection via Cologne / Köln (first class), then take a train from Cologne / Köln to Brussels (also first class), a Flixbus from Brussels to London Victoria (paying for two seats instead of one), and finally a National Express coach / bus from London Victoria to Bristol (premium seating) instead!
The (new) price –
Ha! Ha! Ha!
If only!
I left Berlin on Thursday.
At midnight!
And arrived in Cologne / Köln in the early hours.
I was tired but quite relaxed.
Until the connecting train to Belgium.
And why?
My connecting train from Cologne / Köln to Brussels was 60 minutes late!
Sixty minutes!
It was a good thing I wasn’t going to the UK by Eurostar, ‘cos I would have missed it!
Gulp!
But why?
Why?
Yes, why?
Well, I needed to get to London, and the only connection that would fit within the time-frame I had, was via Flixbus.
Flixbus is cheap and breezy.
But they aren’t likely to wait!
I somehow caught the Flixbus by the skin of my teeth, and we journeyed on to Calais!
It’s been years since I’ve done Europe – UK by road, and many things have changed!
Firstly, even though I’ve been to 70+ countries, I’ve never actually gone through the Eurotunnel!
I’ve only gone above the water, by ship!
Secondly, scrutiny at the border was never this intense!
Once we got to the French Border, we all had to disembark and take EVERYTHING off the bus!
No probs.
Let’s do that.
We did that, then we all hopped back on the bus.
Five (5) minutes later, we reached the UK Border, and we all had to dismount and take EVERYTHING off the bus again!
Sigh!
Thankfully, everyone had their documents and passports in order, and we didn’t lose anyone!
Once that was sorted, we drove into these train-like wagons, and off we went.
There was quite a lot of swaying and jolting in the heat, and a few of us began to feel a little queasy!
There’s no where to go really, so some of us stood under the air shafts and hung around reading!
After going through the Eurotunnel, we were merrily on our way to London when something happened!
Some random car hit the side of our bus!
Thankfully, nobody was injured but that “small accident” caused one of the mirrors to be destroyed / fall off / break / I’m not really sure, as there was a bit of confusion!
Meanwhile, insurance info was exchanged, and the car driver went on his merry way.
However, we couldn’t!
Why?
No mirror!
The driver didn’t really know what to do.
No “real” information was forthcoming.
There were lots of frantic phone calls.
Then the police were called.
Yeah!
No!
This bus has to park on the grassy mode and is going nowhere!
Aaaah!
And we were so close too!
We were in Bexleyheath.
On the edge of Kent.
Otherwise known as Greater London!
With 80+ people on the bus, nobody really knew what to do.
So after a couple of hours waiting for the replacement bus, I booked a taxi out of there to London Victoria!
Obviously, I had missed my connection!
The connection that would have taken me from London to Bristol!
Ugh!
Luckily, I had the foresight to upgrade my transport from London Victoria to Bristol, via National Express just in case, so I was able to take the next available coach (bus), without paying even more.
I got to London Victoria Coach / Bus Station at 21:15 and was able to leave 15 minutes later!
I got to Bristol after midnight, took a taxi, and thankfully, was in my hotel by 00:30!
It’s been an exhausting journey, and I have no idea how the outcome will be coming back, but wish me luck, that my return journey will run smoothly!
See you in Germany!
The German National Tourist Board is a travel destination website for everything on Germany! Click Here!
For Berlin’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For the Cologne Tourist Board, Click Here!
Atout France / Explore France is the France Tourism Development Agency responsible for promoting France as a tourism destination. For more information, Click Here!
For the Calais Tourist Information Center, Click Here!
For the UK’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For Visit Kent, Click Here!
For more information on Bexleyheath, Click Here!
For London’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For more information on London Victoria Train Station, Click Here!
For Bristol’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For Bath’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For Belgium’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For Brussel’s official tourism website, Click Here!
For KLM – Royal Dutch Airlines, Click Here!
For easyJet, Click Here!
For FlixBus, Click Here!
For National Express (UK), Click Here!
For Eurotunnel, Click Here!
For Eurostar’s official website (rw/rest of the world), Click Here!
For Deutsche Bahn’s / DB official website, Click Here!
Here’s a FREE NOW (My Taxi) €7.00 discount link.
You’re welcome! Click Here!
What more do you need to know?
Follow The British Berliner on Twitter!
Tweet
Eek!
p.s If you’re booking hotels, houses and apartments, use this link to save 15% or more, for discounted stays from 4 April 2022 until 30 September 2022!
Booking.comThat’s it for now.
Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it lots.
All content will continue to remain free of charge but if you feel like buying me a cup of tea, I will graciously accept!
Cheers!
Don’t forget, please SHARE this post!
My flight got cancelled. Twice!
Tweet
If you want to keep up with reliable news on what’s going on around the world, you can follow me here.
If you’re interested in starting your own blog, here’s my link to a $25 or €25 discount in credit with any paid plan with WordPress. Don’t say that I don’t give you anything!
And book your luxury hotel for 2022 right here!
Don’t judge me!
This article is not sponsored but by all means, go ahead and use any of my links on the side bar!
It’s July!
Yay!
DISCLOSURE!
Please note that The British Berliner is a participant in affiliate programmes designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to World Nomads Travel Insurance & Booking.com
In short, there are two affiliate link companies connected to this post!
Every time one of these services is used, booked, and paid for via my link, I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!
A win-win for all!
Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.
I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond, WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!
So what are you waiting for?
Thanks a million!
See you in Berlin.
If you have any questions, send me a Tweet, talk to me on Facebook, find me on LinkedIn, make a comment below or send me an Email: victoria@thebritishberliner
If you like this post, please Share it! Tweet it! Or Like it!
So last weekend, I took my first hop journey with the €9.00 travel ticket through Germany!
To Görlitz!
OMG!
I know!
Because ANYONE can.
Travel ANYWHERE in Germany.
For just Nine Euros – €9.00!
Per month!
In June 2022!
In July 2022!
And in August 2022!
You.
Have.
Got.
To.
Be.
Joking!
Nope!
During the summer months of June, July, and August, you can buy a monthly ticket and use it to travel throughout Germany!
On any mode of public transport except for FliXTrains, FlixBus, ICE (intercity-express) trains, ICE Sprinter trains, IC (Intercity trains), Railjet (RJ) trains, Eurocity-Express (ECE) trains, EC (Eurocity) trains and RE56, RE17, and RE28 trains!
You can however, use the €9.00 travel ticket for any other public transportation such as the bus, tram, underground train (U-bahn), local city train (S-Bahn), and any regional train of your choice (Regional Bahn – RB and Regional Express – RE)!
Yeah!
Ha!
Obviously, The British Berliner used the 9-Euro-Ticket.
If you knew me at all, you wouldn’t be so surprised.
Duh!
In fact, to put the cherry on the cake, not only will I be in England and Spain, and concluding my quest of learning to drive!
But when I’m not doing the above, I will use every weekend to go to one different German city.
You heard that right.
EVERY WEEKEND!
Yikes!
I thought about this.
I could use the 9-Euro-Ticket to go anywhere in Germany, but you know what?
I don’t want to do that!
What I do want to do, is to go to interesting places that I’ve always wanted to visit, briefly passed through, or that some of my German friends thought would be a good fit for me!
Gulp!
In that wise, I’m going to the following places:
My first stop was Görlitz.
I’ve never been to Görlitz before, but the lovely people at Visit Görlitz offered to show me around, and they were fabulous!
Thank you!
If you follow me on social media, you would have already seen some of photographs, and all of the comments in the British-German forums.
Ouch!
I’ll write all about it next week!
Well.
I planned to take the 07:41 train to Görlitz, but I overslept!
Not only that, but I also missed the NEXT connection by 3 minutes!
Not to worry, we’ll take the following train.
Er.
In one hour.
Oops!
We eventually took the 10:41 train from Berlin-Lichtenberg to Cottbus, which was a dream!
The train arrived at 10:15, and was a double-decker, so there were plenty of seats for everyone!
On getting to Cottbus however, all hell let loose!
We had to switch trains on the opposite platform and had just five (5) minutes to do so!
But the new train only had one deck, and there were a gaggle of at least fifty (50) school kids who blocked up the doorway, and almost created mayhem!
Thankfully, we managed to get seats, but some people ended up sitting on the steps!
Best to ditch the suitcase, and leave as early as you can.
And don’t bring your bike, ‘cos you won’t get on!
Eek!
This is how the 9-Euro-Ticket works:
You do not have to be a Germany citizen to buy these tickets.
Anyone can benefit from this exceptional offer.
The €9.00 ticket will be available from most local transport providers through Germany, and you can buy this ticket right now.
I live in Berlin.
I bought my ticket a few weeks ago, via the app of the bvg.
In fact, I immediately bought tickets for June, July & August.
Just in case!
Obviously, you don’t have to do this but I did, so I wouldn’t forget, and find myself in some random part of Germany.
Without a ticket!
Gasp!
The 9-Euro-Ticket is available via channels such as: bvg.de, bahn.de, ticket machines, and ticket desks at most stations.
I highly recommend using the apps, as it’s easier to use and you have a choice of languages!
You can buy this ticket right now.
In fact, I bought mine a couple of weeks ago!
Customers who use local/regional transport will be able to buy it anywhere in Germany, via channels such as bahn.de and DB Navigator.
It will also be available from DB Reisezentrum (travel centre) staff and ticket machines at stations.
To buy, Click Here!
If you live in Berlin, use the bvg app, or Click Here!
Holders of a season ticket for local/regional transport will be credited, or refunded the difference between their season ticket price and the 9-Euro-Ticket price.
This does not apply to holders of a season ticket for long-distance transport and BahnCard 100 holders.
If you have a monthly / annual subscription, you will automatically receive notification from your local transport provider who, will give you information about the invoicing process.
They will either refund or reduce your bank order.
You won’t have to do a thing!
Yer having a laugh ain’t ya!
Don’t be greedy now.
Of course not!
The €9.00 ticket does not cover on-demand services (e.g. taxis at stations). These are supplementary local transport services that require a surcharge in addition to a normal fare.
Children under 6 always travel for free.
They do not need a ticket.
If you’re buying the “normal” full-fare train ticket, then children under 15, accompanied by a “normal” farepaying adult, travel for free!
However, for the special €9.00 offer, children aged 6-14 must also have their own 9-Euro-Ticket.
Sure.
But I wouldn`t recommend it!
The 9-Euro-Ticket does not normally include free bicycle transport.
You would have to buy an extra “normal” ticket for your bike, as bringing bicycles is subject to the relevant transport association regulations!
Please note: Trains are going to get very crowded in the June-August period, so it is not possible to guarantee that there will always be enough room on board for bicycles.
Best to leave it at home and hire a bike, at the location you’re going to!
More information about transporting bicycles is available in German. Click Here!
You don’t usually reserve a seat to use public transportation such as the bus, tram, underground train (U-bahn), local city train (S-Bahn), and regional trains, ‘cos people tend to just hop on, and go!
This summer will be no difference!
Leave early, stay cool, relaxed, and very flexible.
I’m sorry.
It’s €9.00 per month!
Prepare to travel with the great unwashed ‘cos it is not possible to reserve a seat!
Eek!
Haw! Haw!
Leave early, stay cool, relaxed, and very flexible.
It’s €9.00 per month!
What did you expect?
Prepare to either travel with the great unwashed or buy the “usual” first class ticket!
The 9-Euro-Ticket is only for travel in second class.
p.s. I travel first class myself these days, but for the summer, I’m going to be brave and travel with the hoi polloi!
Eek!
Yes, you certainly can!
You can use the 9-Euro-Ticket before starting, and after completing a trip, on a long-distance train.
However, you need a separate ticket for the long-distance part of your journey!
Nope!
BahnCard discounts cannot be used in conjunction with the 9-Euro-Ticket, as it works like a monthly ticket for local/regional transport.
Nope.
The City-Ticket is always part of a flexible or saver fare ticket for the outbound or return leg, of a long-distance journey.
But, if I were you, for the months of June, July and August, if it’s not a business trip or terribly important, I’d forget all that, and buy the €9.00 ticket instead!
Nope!
That’s the beauty of it.
You don’t don’t have to be resident in Germany to buy or use it.
It’s going to be fantastic for those who wish to visit Germany, travel through Germany, who can, or prefer to use public transport!
For more information, Click Here!
It’s going to be fantastic for those who wish to visit or travel through Germany, and who can, or prefer to use, public transport!
Let’s do it!
What more do you need to know?
Follow The British Berliner on Twitter!
Tweet
Eek!
p.s If you’re booking hotels, houses and apartments, use this link to save 15% or more, for discounted stays from 4 April 2022 until 30 September 2022!
Booking.comThat’s it for now.
Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it lots.
All content will continue to remain free of charge but if you feel like buying me a cup of tea, I will graciously accept!
Cheers!
Don’t forget, please SHARE this post!
A 9-Euro-Ticket to Görlitz!
Tweet
If you want to keep up with reliable news on what’s going on around the world, you can follow me here.
If you’re interested in starting your own blog, here’s my link to a $25 or €25 discount in credit with any paid plan with WordPress. Don’t say that I don’t give you anything!
And book your luxury hotel for 2022 right here!
Don’t judge me!
This article is not sponsored but by all means, go ahead and use any of my links on the side bar!
It’s June!
Yay!
DISCLOSURE!
Please note that The British Berliner is a participant in affiliate programmes designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to World Nomads Travel Insurance & Booking.com
In short, there are two affiliate link companies connected to this post!
Every time one of these services is used, booked, and paid for via my link, I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!
A win-win for all!
Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.
I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond, WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!
So what are you waiting for?
Thanks a million!
See you in Berlin.
If you have any questions, send me a Tweet, talk to me on Facebook, find me on LinkedIn, make a comment below or send me an Email: victoria@thebritishberliner
If you like this post, please Share it! Tweet it! Or Like it!
It’s June!
And you know what that means, don’t you?
Drum rolls please!
It means.
€9.00 travel tickets through Germany!
Yes!
Yes!
Yes!
It’s true!
Because ANYONE can.
Travel ANYWHERE in Germany.
For just Nine Euros – €9.00!
Per month!
In June 2022!
In July 2022!
And in August 2022!
But I don’t understand?
Let me be clear.
During the summer months of June, July, and August, you can buy a monthly ticket and use it to travel throughout Germany!
On any mode of public transport except for FliXTrains, FlixBus, ICE (intercity-express) trains, ICE Sprinter trains, IC (Intercity trains), Railjet (RJ) trains, Eurocity-Express (ECE) trains, EC (Eurocity) trains and RE56, RE17, and RE28 trains!
You can however, use the €9.00 travel ticket for any other public transportation such as the bus, tram, underground train (U-bahn), local city train (S-Bahn), and any regional train of your choice (Regional Bahn – RB and Regional Express – RE)!
Ra! Ra!
What next you ask?
Ha!
If you knew me at all, you wouldn’t ask.
Obviously, The British Berliner is going to use the 9-Euro-Ticket.
Duh!
In fact, I’m going to go even further.
In the next few months I’ll be in England and Spain, and concluding my quest of learning to drive!
But when I’m not doing the above, I will use every weekend to go to one different German city.
You heard that right.
EVERY WEEKEND!
Yikes!
I thought about this.
I could use the 9-Euro-Ticket to go anywhere in Germany, but you know what?
I don’t want to do that!
What I do want to do, is to go to interesting places that I’ve always wanted to visit, briefly passed through, or that some of my German friends thought would be a good fit for me!
Gulp!
In that wise, I’m going to the following places:
My first stop will be Görlitz.
I’ve never been to Görlitz before, but the lovely people at Visit Görlitz offered to show me around.
Wish me luck!
This is how the 9-Euro-Ticket works:
You do not have to be a Germany citizen to buy these tickets.
Anyone can benefit from this exceptional offer.
The €9.00 ticket will be available from most local transport providers through Germany, and you can buy this ticket right now.
I live in Berlin.
I bought my ticket a few weeks ago, via the app of the bvg.
In fact, I immediately bought tickets for June, July & August.
Just in case!
Obviously, you don’t have to do this but I did, so I wouldn’t forget, and find myself in some random part of Germany.
Without a ticket!
Gasp!
The 9-Euro-Ticket is available via channels such as: bvg.de, bahn.de, ticket machines, and ticket desks at most stations.
I highly recommend using the apps, as it’s easier to use and you have a choice of languages!
You can buy this ticket right now.
In fact, I bought mine a few week ago!
Customers who use local/regional transport will be able to buy it anywhere in Germany, via channels such as bahn.de and DB Navigator.
It will also be available from DB Reisezentrum (travel centre) staff and ticket machines at stations.
To buy, Click Here!
If you live in Berlin, use the bvg app, or Click Here!
Holders of a season ticket for local/regional transport will be credited, or refunded the difference between their season ticket price and the 9-Euro-Ticket price.
This does not apply to holders of a season ticket for long-distance transport and BahnCard 100 holders.
If you have a monthly / annual subscription, you will automatically receive notification from your local transport provider who, will give you information about the invoicing process.
They will either refund or reduce your bank order.
You won’t have to do a thing!
Yer having a laugh ain’t ya!
Don’t be greedy now.
Of course not!
The €9.00 ticket does not cover on-demand services (e.g. taxis at stations). These are supplementary local transport services that require a surcharge in addition to a normal fare.
Children under 6 always travel for free.
They do not need a ticket.
If you’re buying the “normal” full-fare train ticket, then children under 15, accompanied by a “normal” farepaying adult, travel for free!
However, for the special €9.00 offer, children aged 6-14 must also have their own 9-Euro-Ticket.
Sure.
But I wouldn`t recommend it!
The 9-Euro-Ticket does not normally include free bicycle transport.
You would have to buy an extra “normal” ticket for your bike, as bringing bicycles is subject to the relevant transport association regulations!
Please note: Trains are going to get very crowded in the June-August period, so it is not possible to guarantee that there will always be enough room on board for bicycles.
Best to leave it at home and hire a bike, at the location you’re going to!
More information about transporting bicycles is available in German. Click Here!
You don’t usually reserve a seat to use public transportation such as the bus, tram, underground train (U-bahn), local city train (S-Bahn), and regional trains, ‘cos people tend to just hop on, and go!
This summer will be no difference!
Leave early, stay cool, relaxed, and very flexible.
I’m sorry.
It’s €9.00 per month!
Prepare to travel with the great unwashed ‘cos it is not possible to reserve a seat!
Eek!
Haw! Haw!
Leave early, stay cool, relaxed, and very flexible.
It’s €9.00 per month!
What did you expect?
Prepare to either travel with the great unwashed or buy the “usual” first class ticket!
The 9-Euro-Ticket is only for travel in second class.
p.s. I travel first class myself these days, but for the summer, I’m going to be brave and travel with the hoi polloi!
Eek!
Yes, you certainly can!
You can use the 9-Euro-Ticket before starting, and after completing a trip, on a long-distance train.
However, you need a separate ticket for the long-distance part of your journey!
Nope!
BahnCard discounts cannot be used in conjunction with the 9-Euro-Ticket, as it works like a monthly ticket for local/regional transport.
Nope.
The City-Ticket is always part of a flexible or saver fare ticket for the outbound or return leg, of a long-distance journey.
But, if I were you, for the months of June, July and August, if it’s not a business trip or terribly important, I’d forget all that, and buy the €9.00 ticket instead!
Nope!
That’s the beauty of it.
You don’t don’t have to be resident in Germany to buy or use it.
It’s going to be fantastic for those who wish to visit Germany, travel through Germany, who can, or prefer to use public transport!
For more information, Click Here!
It’s going to be fantastic for those who wish to visit or travel through Germany, and who can, or prefer to use, public transport!
Let’s do it!
What more do you need to know?
Follow The British Berliner on Twitter!
Tweet
Eek!
p.s If you’re booking hotels, houses and apartments, use this link to save 15% or more, for discounted stays from 4 April 2022 until 30 September 2022!
Booking.comThat’s it for now.
Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it lots.
All content will continue to remain free of charge but if you feel like buying me a cup of tea, I will graciously accept!
Cheers!
Don’t forget, please SHARE this post!
Train hop journeys with a 9-Euro-Ticket. Oh yeah!
Tweet
If you want to keep up with reliable news on what’s going on around the world, you can follow me here.
If you’re interested in starting your own blog, here’s my link to a $25 or €25 discount in credit with any paid plan with WordPress. Don’t say that I don’t give you anything!
And book your luxury hotel for 2022 right here!
Don’t judge me!
This article is not sponsored but by all means, go ahead and use any of my links on the side bar!
It’s June!
Yay!
DISCLOSURE!
Please note that The British Berliner is a participant in affiliate programmes designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to World Nomads Travel Insurance & Booking.com
In short, there are two affiliate link companies connected to this post!
Every time one of these services is used, booked, and paid for via my link, I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!
A win-win for all!
Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.
I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond, WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!
So what are you waiting for?
Thanks a million!
See you in Berlin.
If you have any questions, send me a Tweet, talk to me on Facebook, find me on LinkedIn, make a comment below or send me an Email: victoria@thebritishberliner
If you like this post, please Share it! Tweet it! Or Like it!