Trip Planning: Information, advice and questions!

[Llama]

It should be a relatively easy trip from Phantasialand to EP but there are a few ways to make it easier. It looks like the majority of it will be via ICE train from Cologne to Offenburg, so as long as you're at the Cologne station at the right time you can take the regional train there from Brühl at any time prior to the connection. The regional trains run frequently and are generally very reliable so you can easily give yourself a lot of buffer time just to make sure you make all the connections. I would also recommend getting to Cologne a bit earlier to walk around the cathedral, it's directly outside the central station and is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen.

Also make sure to book a seat reservation for the ICE leg, it's only a few euros and that way you're guaranteed to have a spot to sit down. Cologne station is pretty big but the DB app will tell you which platform you'll depart from, and once on the platform they usually have signage matching the wagons to the platform areas so you'll even know exactly where to wait.

For additional info I can recommend the wonderful Man In Seat 61 page. More information than you'll ever need about the how-to of European train travel

 

[Benzin]

You wouldn't be bound to a specific bus, it just means you don't have to pull out cash to pay the fare for the final leg. I always book my entire journey to and from the hotels stop and the bus driver has barely ever glanced at the tickets, much less tried to check any of the details.

Generally when booking via Deutsche Bahn only long distance (IC/ICE/EC) trains have Zugbindung (literally "train committment") while regional and local trains do not. So if you book a ticket with a combo of ICE trains and regional or local transit you only have to make sure you catch the ICE train at the time specified on the ticket, and for the rest of the trip you can any train or bus at any time as long as it's on the same route and calendar day.

Ah perfect, we're in Baden-Baden anyway so regional is the option.

 

[Manchester1894]

Don't worry it's a doddle.

Download the DB app and you can track the journey whilst on the train using your location. Will tell you how many stops are left, what platform your changed are etc.

It's the leaving from PL to get to Koln on time that's giving me the jitters 1015 train. Reckon 8.30 ample time?

 

[RicketyCricket]

It's the leaving from PL to get to Koln on time that's giving me the jitters 1015 train. Reckon 8.30 ample time?

Yeah you'll be fine, go from Bruhl station and not Bruhl Mitte. Takes 15-20 mins.

Not sure if the shuttle bus from Phannyland to Bruhl will be running at that time though. Ask the hotel reception to book you a cab or it's a 45 min walk.

 

[Manchester1894]

Yeah you'll be fine, go from Bruhl station and not Bruhl Mitte. Takes 15-20 mins.

Not sure if the shuttle bus from Phannyland to Bruhl will be running at that time though. Ask the hotel reception to book you a cab or it's a 45 min walk.

Thanks.

 

[evilcod]

Is there anywhere online to see the prices for the cheaper food options on park and resort? There seems to be menus of the outrageously priced sit down options but nothing for the others.

 

[Skyscraper]

Is there anywhere online to see the prices for the cheaper food options on park and resort? There seems to be menus of the outrageously priced sit down options but nothing for the others.

All the hotel restaurants are pricey I'm afraid, the "cheapest" is La Romantica in Colosseo, the pizza restaurant (which I highly recommend- that was the only one I ate at as the others were above my price range). It's still not cheap, per se, but not as expensive as the others.

 

[KingNemesis]

Is there anywhere online to see the prices for the cheaper food options on park and resort? There seems to be menus of the outrageously priced sit down options but nothing for the others.

On park, your cheaper options basically equate to "quick service" options, aka kiosks as opposed to sit-down restaurants.

Although, iirc, Bamboe Baai wasn't terrible for pricing, Like €20pp, for a meal and drink.
What I tend to do (anywhere, not just EP) is go on Google Maps, find the restaurant and quite often is a Menu section where people have submitted photos themselves. Let's take Bamboe Baai as an example:



Obviously may not all have entries / photos of the menu or be fully up to date, but may help you with research of the places to get a rough idea

 

[Poisson]

FoodLoop was about £20 -25 per person for a main, dessert and a drink.

 

[Soprano187]

Are there places that only accept card?

Last year I took cash and it was taken everywhere, but I recently saw a vlog where they were ordering via a screen (Mak russian place) and wondered if they can’t be used with cash. Same question with the new barcode style ordering at places.

Thanks!

 

[Skyscraper]

As per an email to their newsletter subscribers, EasyJet have just announced three new destinations from Manchester Airport, one of which is Strasbourg. Just a 45-minute drive from Europa!

 

[Benzin]

As per an email to their newsletter subscribers, EasyJet have just announced three new destinations from Manchester Airport, one of which is Strasbourg. Just a 45-minute drive from Europa!

Things that would've been useful to me MONTHS ago.

 

[Skyscraper]

Things that would've been useful to me MONTHS ago.

Ditto! Will be handy for next time though, lol

 

[AT86]

As per an email to their newsletter subscribers, EasyJet have just announced three new destinations from Manchester Airport, one of which is Strasbourg. Just a 45-minute drive from Europa!

Great news. We flew Ryanair to Strasbourg back in 2015ish and it was super easy to get to EP - and it’s a great city for exploring too.

 

[Benzin]

Though looking at the site its only Nov-Jan currently flights on Friday & Sunday.

So not really much improvement.

 

[Matt N]

Is Strasbourg any closer/easier than Baden-Baden or Basel?

 

[IDB]

Though looking at the site its only Nov-Jan currently flights on Friday & Sunday.

So not really much improvement.

A handy route, but not yet quite practical unless you want a one day visit.

 

[Manchester1894]

Are there any water rides that rival a Valhalla/Stormforce 10 for soakings? Wanting to come prepared and also not ruin a new pair of trainers

 

[Skyscraper]

Are there any water rides that rival a Valhalla/Stormforce 10 for soakings? Wanting to come prepared and also not ruin a new pair of trainers

Fjord Rafting (rapids) and Poisedon (water coaster) both feature geysers that can get you soaked, so be mindful of those. I escaped Fjord Rafting's, but Poseidon's got me.

The wetness of Poisedon and Atlantica Supersplash's drops depends on where you're sat, the front of Poisedon is particularly wet.

 

[Manchester1894]

Fjord Rafting (rapids) and Poisedon (water coaster) both feature geysers that can get you soaked, so be mindful of those. I escaped Fjord Rafting's, but Poseidon's got me.

The wetness of Poisedon and Atlantica Supersplash's drops depends on where you're sat, the front of Poisedon is particularly wet.

Thank you.