Euro 2024: How can I get to Berlin if I've been priced out of a flight?

Credit: AP

England football fans are expected to converge on Berlin in their tens of thousands ahead of Sunday's Euro 2024 final.

The Three Lions booked their spot in the showpiece event with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

But many wanting to travel to the German capital are facing a struggle to book flights amid soaring air fares.

Many flights are sold out and airlines with spare capacity are charging up to five times more to travel before the game compared with a week later.

Ryanair has confirmed all of its flights from UK airports to Berlin between Thursday and the final are sold out, while EasyJet has warned its direct flights are all but fully booked.

Seats on some flights have swelled by more than £800 compared to their typical rates for this time of year, with hotel prices also rocketing.

So, if flying to Berlin isn’t a viable option, how else could you travel to the German capital?

Drive

Driving to Berlin, while maybe not the preferred choice for many, will still get you there within a day.

After reaching Calais in northern France by ferry or Eurotunnel train, it takes about ten hours to drive to Berlin, passing cities such as Antwerp in Belgium, Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Dortmund and Hanover in Germany.

Those looking to car share could also benefit from checking the website BlaBlaCar in case anyone heading to Berlin offers space in their vehicle.

Semi-final goalscorers Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins celebrate. Credit: PA

Train

Travelling direct from London St Pancras to Berlin is possible.

The fastest route is by Eurostar to Brussels in Belgium, before taking two ICE (InterCity Express) trains first to Cologne, Germany and then on to Berlin.

But it is worth bearing in mind that many supporters already in Germany have complained about their journeys around the country being disrupted by unreliable train services.

England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates the win after the Euro 2024 semi-final match. Credit: PA

Coach

Arguably the cheapest way to reach Berlin would be by coach.

For example, FlixBus is offering a journey from London Victoria to Berlin via a Dover to Calais ferry crossing, and a change of coach in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, for £131, leaving at 8am on Saturday, arriving 21 hours and 55 minutes later at 6.55am on Sunday.

Flying, but...

If flying direct doesn't work, you could take up the option of a connecting flight from the UK to Berlin.

There is also better availability of flights to other cities near to Berlin - such as Prague, in the Czech Republic - although this is likely to mean a longer overall journey.

And if money is no object, the option of chartering a private jet could work. A jet for four people from Farnborough Airport, in Hampshire, costs around £11,220 if booked through PrivateFly, for instance.

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