EUROPA-PARK: TRIP PLANNINGThis thread is designed to assist anybody looking at booking a short break to Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. The advice and information topic has been created following requests from a number of people.
Park InformationEuropa-Park is one of the biggest theme parks in the world, and is currently its most visited seasonal theme park - that is, a park which is closed for part of the year. In general, Europa-Park opens for the main season at the end of March and closes at the end of October, although these dates, much like parks in the UK, can vary depending on school holidays and dates of religious festivals. For the 2012 season, the park opens on 31st March and closes on 4th November. It then re-opens for the Winter season on 1st December and closes again on 6th January 2013. Please note, that during the Winter season, some rides are closed.
When visiting the park, you should consider a minimum of 2 full days on the theme park. However, 3 days is recommended. This will allow you sufficient time to use hotel facilities such as the included hotel gyms, swimming pools and spas, together with all of the 56 rides and attractions (of which 11 are rollercoasters) and many, many shows. There is also a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.
The park opens during the summer season from 9:00am. Park close is decided on the day depending on how busy it is. This can vary any time up to 9:00pm. Information boards are updated around the park, staff on roller skates carry signs with the latest close time, and it can also be found on the top right of the Europa-Park Website - this is updated after lunch every day. During the winter season, the park opens from 11:00am and closes from 7:00pm.
Travel to Europa-Park from BritainFlights: London Gatwick - Basel/Mulhouse with Easyjet.
London Stansted - Karlsruhe/Baden with Ryanair.
London Heathrow - Basel/Mulhouse with British Airways.
Manchester - Basel/Mulhouse with Easyjet.
Edinburgh - Basel/Mulhouse with Easyjet.
Prices vary for flights, depending on when you book. With Easyjet and Ryanair flights, please note you will have to add prices on for luggage.Flight Transfers to Europa-Park:Costs for transfers to Europa-Park vary, but start around €20pp each way, depending on how many people are sharing the shuttle. However, they are very reliable and will time to suit your flight. You can also use rail services, although this can often be more complicated for not much less money. Journey time from either airport is around 1 hour.
Trains from the UK to Europa-ParkYou can travel with Eurostar and high speed TGV train from London to Strasbourg in around 6 hours. Costs vary, but you should use the Eurostar website and input your destination as Strasbourg. From Strasbourg, you should purchase a “Europass 24 hour” ticket from the blue ticket machines. This will cost you around €8 per person and will be valid for all onward travel between Strasbourg and Europa-Park. Take a train from Strasbourg to Offenburg, then change onto a train to Ringsheim (destination usually Basel SBB). From Ringsheim, take a short bus ride and alight at either Europa-Park Hotel Resort or Europa-Park Main Entrance. Bus times from Ringsheim railway station to Europa-Park can be found here.
Accommodation at Europa-Park:There is an unprecedented range of accommodation for visiting Europa-Park. There are 5 on site hotels, all of which are a similar price, and each offers a unique theme style. There is also a Camp Resort, where you can stay in a more rustic environment, in a log cabin, tipi or chuck wagon with centrally located toilet and wash facilities. A Camp site is also available, for caravans, camper vans and tents. There is also a small resort Guest House. Off resort, there are dozens of B&B/guest houses/hotels in the village of Rust, a very short walk from the park entrance. For a guide to booking, see below.
Resort Hotel Resort Prices 2012 Prices shown for B&B.Hotel Colosseo, Hotel Bell Rock & Hotel Santa IsabelBased on 4 sharing In a 4-bed room: €69.50pppn = £57.00pppn
Based on 6 sharing in a 6-bed room: €61.50pppn = £49.00pppn
Hotel Castillo Alcazar & Hotel El AndaluzBased on 4 sharing in a 4-bed room: €66.50pppn = £55.00pppn
Based on 5 sharing in a 5-bed room: €58.50pppn = £47.00pppn
Camp Resort Prices 2012 Prices shown for B&B. Cheaper prices available without breakfast.
Based on 4 in a 4-bed or 6 in a 6-bed log cabin: €32.50pppn = £26.00pppn
Based on 4 in a 4-bed or 6 in a 6-bed tipi: €28.50pppn = £23.00pppn
Based on 4 in a 4-bed Chuck Wagon: €32.50pppn = £26.00pppn
Based on a single tent, without car: €13.00per tent per night = £11.00per tent per night.
Caravans and Camper Vans are subject to an additional charge per 24-hours.
Please note that all accommodation in the Tipi Village requires your own sleeping bag. Pillows and a bottom sheet are provided in Tipi/Chuck Wagon/Log Cabin.
To view all the official resort accommodation, or to book, visit here. Please book well in advance, as often, accommodation is passed to third parties for sale - such as Expedia.
Off Resort
http://www.booking.com Search Europa-Park.
Park TicketsView all prices, and book 1 or 2-day passes. here. For 3-day passes, you can book these as part of a hotel package or on the day at the park. 1, 2 and 3-day passes are also available from Attractiontix, although Attractiontix do not represent best value. For additional days (I.e. 4-day passes), this can be bought at the resort hotels. You may wish to consider an Annual Pass if you are visiting for 4+ days.
Hotel Guests get Early Ride Time on selected rides from 8:30-9:00am.
Here's a quick guide on how to go about booking resort accommodation at EP.The person booking the accommodation will find that no money is taken from your account at the time of booking. A credit/debit card number must be given, which is used in the case of a no show. You are free to cancel the reservation at any time up to 5 days before the stay. Unusually for a major resort, there is no charge for cancellation.
Unlike say, Alton Towers, prices for Europa-Park accommodation are set for the season and do not change (aside from New Years Eve).
You should as quickly as possible, once you have decided to stay on resort. Europa's hotels run at 96% occupancy through the season and they are likely to be fully booked by the time you visit!
If you have any questions about any aspect of your trip to Europa-Park, please ask in this thread!
All prices shown in Pounds are subject to change depending on the exchange rate.