How can I get to Berlin for the Euro 2024 final?
The PA news agency identifies six ways to get to the city in time for the big match.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England football fans wanting to be in Berlin for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final have limited and expensive direct-flight options, but there are a number of other ways to reach the German capital.
Here the PA news agency identifies six possible alternative routes to get to the city in time for the big match.
All times are local.
– Drive
Driving means once supporters reach mainland Europe, they are not at the mercy of airlines, train operators or other transport providers.
After reaching Calais in northern France by ferry or Eurotunnel train, it takes about 10 hours to drive to Berlin, passing cities such as Antwerp in Belgium, Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Dortmund and Hanover in Germany.
P&O Ferries has sailings from £91 on Saturday, while the cost of petrol for the journey from Calais to Berlin would be about £95.
It may be worth keeping an eye on car-sharing website BlaBlaCar in case anyone heading to Berlin offers space in their vehicle.
– Train
It is possible to reach Berlin by rail from London St Pancras.
The fastest route is by Eurostar to Brussels, Belgium, take an ICE train to Cologne, Germany and another ICE service to Berlin.
This can be done on Saturday, leaving St Pancras at 8.16am and arriving in Berlin nine hours and 46 minutes later at 7.02pm, at a cost of £350 on booking website Trainline.
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.
– Coach
Coach travel is possibly the cheapest way to reach Berlin for those without a car.
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.
– Indirect flight
There are many options to take connecting flights from the UK to Berlin.
EasyJet’s Worldwide service is selling a trip from Gatwick to Berlin via Olbia, Italy, on Saturday for £292.
It departs Gatwick at 1pm, arriving in Berlin eight hours and 35 minutes later at 10.35pm.
– A flight to another city
Flights between the UK and Berlin are in high demand, but there is better availability of flights to other cities in the region.
Wizz Air is selling seats on a flight from Luton to Prague, in the Czech Republic, on Saturday, departing at 6.15pm and arriving at 9.15pm.
After an overnight stay, supporters could take a train to Berlin on Sunday, departing at 6.28am and arriving at 10.42am, costing £53 on Trainline and leaving plenty of time to soak up the pre-match atmosphere.
This would mean a total journey time of 15 hours and 27 minutes.
– Chartering a flight
If money is no object, chartering a private jet for four people from Farnborough airport, Hampshire costs about £11,220 if booked through PrivateFly.