IMEX in Frankfurt provides thousands of international event professionals the chance to connect and keep up with the latest events trends. This year one of the biggest topics under the spotlight will be sustainability, as the trade show challenges the industry to make more a positive impact through their events.
With travel contributing up to 80% of an events carbon footprint, it makes sense for event professionals to switch from planes to trains when attending and the good news is, that as IMEX takes place at Messe Frankfurt in Germany, it’s easily reachable by train.
If you’re travelling from the UK, leaving London St Pancras International, with a short change in Brussels, the journey takes just five and half hours. Not bad when you compare this to the the total travel time when flying due to early check-in times.
Complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets at all seats on both the Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn’s ICE trains means you won’t loose a working day, with many event profs using the time to confirm meetings, fine-tune presentations and, on the way back, schedule follow-up appointments. It’s also a great opportunity to start your networking early and meet up with others attending the show.
Alternatively, why not just sit back and take in the views and embrace a slower, more immersive way of travel, arriving rested and ready to go.
London St Pancras International – Frankfurt (Main) Haupt Bahnhof
Leg one: Monday to Friday there are three morning trains a day, going from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi, where you need to change. These leave at 07.04 arriving in Brussels at 10:05, 09.01 London to Brussels at 12.05 or 11.04 London to Brussels at 14.05.
Tickets for the first leg of the journey range from £78 return for a standard seat and £140 for a return Standard premium seat.
Leg two: Change at Brussels Midi onto a high-speed ICE3 train to Frankfurt, reserving a seat on the top deck for the best views. These leave at 10.25 arriving in Frankfurt 13.31, 12.25 arriving 15.31 or 14.25 arriving 17.40. There is a 20-minute change time so it’s advisable to familiarise yourself with Brussels Midi station before you start your journey, but it’s really very easy with just a short walk through the station (look out for the Tintin mural on the way). The system knows whether a connection is acceptable or too tight so there’s no need to stress. You’re also protected by the Railteam Promise, so if the Eurostar is delayed you can travel on later onwards trains at no extra charge.
Tickets from Brussels to Frankfurt start at Euro 18.90 each way in 2nd class and Euro 59.90 in 1st class.
Frankfurt (Main) Haupt Bahnhof to London St Pancras International
Reversing the journey, there are three trains leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 06.28 arriving Brussels 09.35, 08.16 arriving 11.35 or 10.26 arriving 13.25. Change at Brussels onto Eurostar, departing 10.56 arriving London St Pancras 11.57, 12.52 arriving 13.57 or 14.52 arriving 17.47.
All these tickets can be booked through Raileurope.com or thetrainline.com. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, sometimes more. Fares are dynamic (like air fares) so for the cheapest prices book early. We also recommend booking your return journey (especially for Eurostar) when you book the outward journey to avoid increasing the cost. Business Premier is the most flexible ticket for work trips and comes with dedicated fast-track ticket gates and access to the Lounges.
If you fancy combining the trip with a meeting in Brussels we recommend the Pullman Hotel Brussels which is located in the station itself.
Carbon savings compared to flying:
Taking a train to Frankfurt produces 13.5kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) compared with a flight to Frankfurt expending 132.9kg of CO2, giving a total carbon saving of 119.4kg each way.
Train ticket prices and train times were correct at the time of writing. Please check prior to booking.
Carbon calculations were made using Eco Passengers methodology which allows you to search train routes. Calculations don’t cover the whole global warming impact of the flight such as the additional climate effects of other GHG emissions.