Aachen
Aachen
Lorded over by the UNESCO-listed octagonal Aachen Cathedral, the spa town of Aachen, Germany, overflows with gushing mineral springs and 1000-year-old ruins. Follow in the regal footsteps of Emperor Charlemagne with a soak in Carolus Thermal Baths’ therapeutic waters or see the world's smallest newspaper at the International Newspaper Museum. Then relax over coffee and delicious Printen gingerbread.
Aachen - Travel Eurostar
For the smoothest, most stress-free route to Aachen, hop on the Eurostar from London’s spectacular St Pancras International. It's easy to reach Aachen with Eurostar; simply change at Brussels and travel on to Aachen with our partner, Thalys.
-
Hello to 186mph
From St Pancras International, our home in the heart of London, the high-speed Eurostar will whisk you to Brussels Midi in a mere 1h 51.
-
Change at Brussels Midi
You just need to change platforms at Brussels Midi. The typical journey time of 4 hours from London allows time for you to change in Brussels, but this is intended as guidance only. We'll give you more precise times when you book your ticket.
Before you go, find out more about reaching our London station and what to expect when you get there.
Alternatively you might like to check out our other UK stations:
-
Ebbsfleet International
Located just a few minutes from Junction 2 of the M25 and the Bluewater shopping centre, this stunning new station in Kent is easily accessible for people all over the South East.
Journey times from Ebbsfleet International are approximately 10 minutes shorter than those from St Pancras International.
-
Ashford International, Kent
We're also still running services to and from our other trusty Kent station, Ashford International. For full details check our timetables.
Journey times from Ashford International are approximately 30 minutes shorter than those from St Pancras International.
-
Brussels-Midi
Brussels-Midi is Eurostar's end destination in Brussels. It is one of Belgium's busiest train stations and the main hub for international train travel.
Hauptbahnhof Aachen
Aachen's main station is a 20-minute walk from the main square in the historic city centre. Hop on a bus to Aachen’s iconic Elisenbrunnen fountain, in the centre, or take a taxi if you have heavy luggage.
Tread Lightly
Read about our environmental initiative here, and in the meantime here’s a way for you to Tread Lightly yourself when you arrive in Aachen.
In Aachen you can go green and pick up a Welcome Ticket. Ideal for a weekend break in Aachen, it allows unlimited transport on Aachen’s buses and trams and only costs €13 for three days.
Connecting trains to the Continent from across the UK
We’ve joined forces with 9 train companies across the UK to bring High Speed Europe to people all over the country. Travel from your regional station all the way to your Continental destination on just one fare. Click here to find out more.
Eurostar Tips
These are our absolute favourites. If you'd like to share your Aachen tips with us, just click on "Submit top tip".
-
Go culture crazy
Culture vultures make a beeline for Aachen's opulent Town Hall to glimpse Rethel frescoes, vaulted ceilings, and the Cathedral Treasury (Domschatzkammer) for glittering jewels. Immerse yourself in Goya sketches and watercolours at Aachen's palatial Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum.
-
Stop for a bite
When hunger strikes, pause at a cosy Gasthof (inn) for steaming Sauerbraten (braised beef) with a refreshing Pils or Kölsch beer. After dusk, hear the Aachen Symphony Orchestra play at Aachen Theater, or listen to live jazz in the hole-in-the-wall bars in and around the triangular Marktplatz.
-
Sweet nothings
Visit the Bäckerei Klein bakery to stock up on Aachen’s traditional biscuits - delicious Printen can be hard or soft and are made with rich spices, herbs or nuts. Some are decorated with icing; others are covered with tempting chocolate. At the bakery you can also see how they're made and buy enough to take home.
Where: Aachener Printenbäckerei Klein, Franzstrasse 91, Aachen, +49 (0) 241 474350
-
Healing waters
Spa town Aachen has the hottest springs north of the Alps so if drinking mulled Glühwein wine at Aachen’s traditional Christmas markets doesn’t warm you up, a trip to a spa will definitely do the trick. At Aachen’s Carolus Thermal Baths you can live like a Roman with a relaxing soak in the column-lined pools, or go bubbly in the Jacuzzis. A whole day of pampering will cost you under €30.
Where: Stadtgarten/Passstrasse 79, 52070 Aachen, +49 (0) 241 1 82 740
-
Day tripping
The Eifel region surrounding Aachen is a patchwork of dense woodland, steep valleys, extinct volcanoes and crater lakes. It is peppered with dinky villages like Monschau, crammed with onion-domed churches, conical towers and gabled houses spattered with flower-filled window-boxes. Feeling fit? Clamber to the 747m summit of Hohe Acht for sweeping views over the countryside.
Your Tips
These are your insider tips. If you'd like to share your Aachen tips with us, just click on "Submit top tip".
-
Time to relax
The best place for coffee and Printen cookies is Alt Aachener Kaffeestuben where the wood-panelled walls are decorated with baking moulds. David Ardell, Liverpool
-
Aachener Dom
The octagonal turrets and dome on the outside of the Aachener Dom are fantastic but make sure you look inside to see the gold-tiled mosaic floor, glass chapel and Charlemagne's white marble throne. Paula Jonston, Barking
- Aachen
from £280
You save from £72
.gif)