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EuroStar – London to Cologne
Summary
This post details my experiences using the EuroStar rail service between London and Brussels and its onward connections to Cologne.
As an over 60’s traveller, who’s niche travel likings are:
- solo travel;
- budget travel;
- travelling overland; and
- using local trains and buses
the EuroStar service provides an ideal gateway into Europe.
For easy reading the post is divided into a number of sections, each of which is directly selectable from the accompanying ‘Page Contents’ tag. Each section details a different aspect of my journey by EuroStar to Cologne.
Waiting at St Pancras International Station
It’s Mid September and I’m departing on an InterRail travel journey to Scandinavia.
I’m waiting at St Pancras International Station with passport and baggage check complete and am ready to board the 13.01 EuroStar to Brussels. However, it’s nowhere to be seen.
Third coffee of the day and eventually the announcer tells us that our EuroStar to Brussels will now depart 40 minutes late. So much for my 15 minute transfer window at Brussels to catch a connection to Cologne.
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Travelling to the Channel Tunnel
Its 13.40 and our EuroStar to Brussels qeventually leaves the station and dives straight into a series of tunnels underneath north London, prior to emerging into the eastern suburbs of the city.
Next, we glide across viaducts over Rainham Marshes and West Thurrock before descending beneath the Thames and emerging to the west of the post COVID abandoned Ebbsfleet EuroStar station.
Only thirty minutes out and we’re gliding towards the garden of England. Flying across the Medway estuary there’s not an oast house or country pub to be seen.
Soon we are out-racing juggernauts on the parallel M20, passing through another abandoned EuroStar station at Ashford and sailing past the Le Shuttle terminal at Cheriton.
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The Tunnel
Less than an hour from St Pancras and we’re already plunging beneath La Marche to echoing sounds and subdued lighting.
Next it’s Lille where we arrive some twenty five minutes late.
All hope of catching the 16.22 from Brussels has now evaporated – but hark, what is that message on the tannoy, apparently the gods have agreed to delay the 16.22’s departure to allow us delayed passengers to join.
A Fiasco in Brussels
Hurriedly out of the EuroStar train at Brussels, passengers everywhere rushing up the platform.
No access allowed to ‘Man in Seat 61’s’ secret tunnel to Platform 6 (Brussels Midi – a brief station guide (seat61.com)) so instead its onward with the crowd.
Soon we’re passing through a non existent security point, flowing down the stairs to the subterranean concourse and then up to platform 6.
Brilliant, I arrive just in time to see the back of the 16.22 as it departs from the platform.
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So much for the gods looking after us. I presume some must have made it though as there are just a few of us slower oldies looking forlornly at the tracks.
A quick glance at Google confirms it’s a 90 minute wait for the next train so it’s off to Starbucks for a much earned coffee and cheesecake.
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Arrival in Cologne
Some three hours later I’m finally standing outside Cologne station gazing at the Cathedral and looking for the my first night’s stay.
A cheap but convenient hostel, aptly named The ‘Station- Hostel for Backpackers’.
Again google leaps to the rescue. It’s only 200 metres away so all’s well that ends well.
In this case a private room with a view of the fire escape, an en-suite bathroom and a free towel thrown in, all for less than £50.
Find out more about the ‘Station Hostel for Backpackers’ Cologne
The escape has been made, Scandinavia here I come ………..
Further Information About Cologne
What Are The Other Top Attractions in Cologne
Buildings
- Great St. Martin Church (Groß Sankt Martin): A Romanesque-style church with a picturesque square tower. (Admission free)
- Cologne Opera (Oper Köln): A renowned venue for opera and ballet performances. (Programme and tickets here)
- RheinEnergieStadion: The home of FC Köln football club, provides stadium tours. (Stadium tour tickets here) (Event tickets here)
- Claudius Therme: A Roman-style thermal baths and sauna. (Ticket information)
Museums and Art Galleries
- Museum Ludwig: A modern art museum containing a collection of works by Picasso and Andy Warhol. (Tickets here)
- Wallraf-Richartz Museum: An art museum displaying a collection spanning from the Middle Ages to the present. (Tickets here)
- Romano-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum): A museum housing Roman artifacts, including the famous Dionysus mosaic. (Ticket information)
- Farina Fragrance Museum (Farina-Haus): It sets out the history of Eau de Cologne and explains its origins. (Tickets here)
- Cologne Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum): It sets out the history of chocolate making and also includes chocolate tastings. (Tickets here)
Parks, Gardens and Open Spaces
- Flora and Botanical Garden: A park with extensive greenhouses and gardens. (Admission free)
- Cologne Sculpture Park (Skulpturenpark Köln): Contains outdoor art installations in a peaceful park setting. (Admission free)
- Alter Markt: One of Cologne’s historic squares, often hosting events and festivals. (Public space – free)
Other Attractions
- Hohenzollern Bridge: Known for its “love locks” and panoramic views of the city centre and cathedral.(Public space – free)
- Cologne Zoo (Kölner Zoo): Contains a wide variety of animals, all set within beautifully landscaped enclosures. (Tickets here)
- Lindenthaler Tierpark: A small animal park, perfect for families. (Admission free)
- Cologne Cable Car (Kölner Seilbahn): This provides views across the River Rhine. (Ticket information)
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What Should You Eat While in Cologne
Bread Based Dishes
- Röggelchen: Small rye bread rolls, often used for sandwiches.
- Halve Hahn: A rye roll with cheese, usually Gouda, and garnished with onions and mustard.
- Mettbrötchen: A roll with raw minced pork, seasoned with onions, salt, and pepper.
- Hackepeter: Seasoned raw minced pork, often enjoyed as a spread on bread.
Soup Dishes
- Soljanka: A sour soup made with meat, vegetables, and pickles.
Blood Sausage based Dishes
- Flönz: Blood sausage, often enjoyed with sauerkraut or mustard.
- Kölsche Kaviar: A humorous name for blood sausage served with onions.
- ölsche Kaviar: “Heaven and Earth” – a dish featuring mashed potatoes, applesauce, and black pudding or blood sausage.
Other Meat based Dishes
- Hänchen in Senfsauce: Chicken in mustard sauce.
- Kotelett mit Sauerkraut: Pork chop with sauerkraut.
- Sülze: A meat jelly dish, typically served with vinegar and onions.
- Rheinischer Sauerbraten: Pot roast marinated in a sweet and sour sauce, often served with red cabbage and potato dumplings.
- Grünkohl mit Mettwurst: Kale cooked with smoked sausage, often served in winter.
- Döppekooche: A hearty potato casserole with bacon and onions.
- Spitzkohlrouladen: Cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice, often served with gravy.
Vegetable based Dishes
- Rievkooche: Fried potato cakes, served as a snack or side dish.
Desserts / Pastries
- Reibekuchen: Potato pancakes with applesauce or sour cream.
- Apfelkuchen: Apple cake.
Further Reading
Other Detailed Posts on my Travels from London to the Arctic Circle
Details of My Other Long Distance Overland Adventures
Useful Country Factsheets
Who Are Your Favourite Travel Writers
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