UK to Malta by train & ferry, no airports, no flights... 

It's easy to reach Malta from London by train & ferry, and you get to see Italy on the way.  This page explains how to plan and book the journey.  Just take a mid-morning Eurostar to Paris and afternoon high-speed TGV to Milan on day 1, and stay overnight.  On day 2, take a morning high-speed train to Rome in just 2 hours 59 minutes.  Spend the afternoon exploring the Eternal City before boarding the overnight sleeper to Siracuse in Sicily.  The Rome to Sicily sleeper train really does go direct to Siracuse, it is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, one of the few places in Europe (or indeed the world) where train ferries still operate, an interesting experience in itself.  Day 3, spend the morning at leisure in Siracuse then transfer to the little town of Pozzallo in southern Sicily for the 90-minute evening ferry crossing to Valletta on Malta with Virtu Ferries, www.virtuferries.com.  Virtu Ferries operate fast catamarans from Sicily to Malta up to 6 days a week with up to 3 sailings per day, although dates and times vary.  Malta is one of the friendliest islands in the Mediterranean or anywhere else for that matter, and it's a great place for a week or two's holiday, with plenty to see and do.

Train times, fares & information...

London & Paris to Malta

Bus travel on Malta & Gozo

Useful country information

Hotels & accommodation on Malta

General information on train travel in Europe

Luggage   Taking your bike   Taking your dog

Sponsored links...

Useful country information

London to Valletta

	Write your own Malta Story...  As the Virtu Ferries fast ferry enters Valetta Harbour, you get a real sense of arrival...  Photo courtesy of David Smith

London ► Malta 

There are almost endless possible routes and trains between London and Sicily for the ferry to Malta, especially if you want to stop off in Paris, Switzerland, Florence, Rome or Naples on the way.  But here is the cheapest, quickest and most direct rain and ferry journey from the UK to Malta.  Feel free to take an extra day or two and stop off on the way, it makes no difference to the cost as each train is ticketed separately in any case.  You can browse more possible routes and trains from the UK to Italy on the London to Italy page.  For northbound journeys from Malta to London, click here.

Option 1:  Works most days, with an evening ferry from Pozzallo...

This option works on most dates all year round, typically 5 days a week in winter and 6 days a week in summer, when there's an evening ferry at around 19:30 or 21:00 from Pozzallo on Sicily to Valletta on Malta.  The journey takes 2 nights, 3 days which includes an afternoon in Rome and a day in Siracuse.

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:17 on Mondays-Fridays, 09:31 on Saturdays or 09:22 on Sundays, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:47.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon (2 stops on RER line D).  Why not take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed Paris-Italy TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 14:41 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:45.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps.  The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals.  What's the journey like?  See the Paris-Milan TGV video guide!

• Stay overnight in Milan.  Hotels in Milan.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Rome by Frecciarossa high-speed train.  These run every hour or better, so take any one you like, for example a Frecciarossa leaves Milan Centrale at 09:00 and arrives Rome Stazione Termini at 11:59.  A restaurant car is available serving affordable complete meals, drinks and snacks, and there are power sockets for laptops and mobiles.  Spend the afternoon exploring the Eternal City, left luggage is available at the station.

• Day 2, travel from Rome to Sicily by overnight sleeper train, leaving Rome Stazione Termini at 21:20 arriving Siracuse at 09:35 next morning (day 3).  This train has 4-berth Comfort couchettes and standard sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  What are Italian sleeper trains like?  Yes, this sleeper train really is direct from Rome to Sicily .  The train reaches Villa San Giovanni early next morning, and the train is shunted on board a ship and ferried across the Straits of Messina to reach Sicily.  The crossing itself takes about 30 minutes, and you can either remain in bed on board the train in the ferry's hold, or get out and go up on deck for some fresh air.  Travelling on both a train and a ship at the same time is an interesting experience!  Spend most of day 3 at leisure in Siracuse.

• Day 3 late afternoon or early evening, transfer the 40 miles from Siracuse to Pozzallo either by irregular local train, bus or taxi.  You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com.  On dates when the ferry sails at 19:30 there's usually a local train from Siracuse at 14:27 arriving Pozzallo at 15:36.  On dates when the ferry sails at 21:00 there's usually a local train from Siracuse at 17:54 arriving 18:47.  Alternatively, there are regular buses from Siracuse to Pozzallo or you could use a taxi all the way.  You check in at the Virtu Ferries office in Pozzallo town centre at least one hour before sailing time and they transfer you to the ferry a mile or two out of the town by minibus.

• Day 3 evening, sail from Pozzallo to Valletta on Malta with Virtu Ferries.  The ferry departure time from Pozzallo varies between 19:30 and 21:00, arriving Valletta between 21:00 and 22:30, check sailing dates and times at www.virtuferries.com.  The ferry has economy class and club class plus a cafe.  The crossing takes just 90 minutes, you sail into the wonderful Valletta harbour and arrive at the Valletta ferry terminal which is walking distance from Valletta city centre.

Option 2:  For days when there's a morning ferry from Pozzallo...

This option is almost a day faster than option 1, taking 2 nights and 2 days, but only works on certain dates when there's a morning ferry from Pozzallo around 09:15, and you don't get the leisure time in Rome or Siracuse.  So first check ferry times for the date you want to arrive in Malta at www.virtuferries.com.

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:12 on Mondays-Fridays, 09:31 on Saturdays or 09:22 on Sundays, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:47.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon (2 stops on RER line D).  Why not take an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed Paris-Italy TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon daily at 14:41 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:45.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Chambéry, Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps.  The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals.  What's the journey like?  See the Paris-Milan TGV video guide!

• Stay overnight in Milan.  Hotels in Milan.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:15 and arriving Naples Centrale at 12:55.  A restaurant car is available serving affordable complete meals, drinks and snacks, and there are power sockets for laptops and mobiles.

• Day 2, travel from Naples to Sicily by air-conditioned InterCity train, leaving Naples centrale at 13:55 arriving in Siracuse at 22:30.  Yes, all this InterCity train really is direct from Naples to Sicily (in fact, it starts in Rome).  The train reaches Villa San Giovanni at 18:05, and to reach Messina on Sicily, the whole train is shunted on board a ship and ferried across the Straits of Messina.  The crossing takes about 30 minutes, and you can either remain on board the train in the ferry's hold, or get out and go up on deck for some fresh air.  Travelling on both a train and a ship at the same time is an interesting experience!  The train has a refreshment trolley, but feel free to take your own picnic and bottle of wine for the journey.

• Stay overnight in Siracuse.  Hotels in Siracuse.

• Day 3 early morning, transfer the 40 miles from Siracuse to Pozzallo, either by irregular local train, bus or taxi.  You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com, but unfortunately there usually isn't a train or bus early enough, so you may have to take a taxi to Pozzallo.  You check in at the Virtu Ferries office in Pozzallo town centre at least one hour before sailing time and they transfer you to the ferry a mile or two out of the town by minibus.

• Day 3 morning, sail from Pozzallo in Sicily to Valletta on Malta with Virtu Ferries.  On dates when there's a morning ferry, it usually sails from Pozzallo at 09:15 and arrives in Valletta at 10:45, check sailing dates and times at www.virtuferries.com.  The ferry has economy class and club class plus a cafe.  The crossing takes just 90 minutes, and you arrive at the Valletta ferry terminal, walking distance from Valletta city centre.

...Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV.    Watch the video guide

2nd class seats...  See panorama photo.		The TGV to Milan at Paris Gare de Lyon...

Cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & hot dishes...		1st class seats...  See panorama photo.
Designer interiors... The Paris-Turin-Milan TGV trains now feature chic interiors by designer Christian Lacroix.  All seats have power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  In first class, you'll be offered a 3-course tray meal with wine served at your seat, although this is extra, not included in the fare.  The bar car sells Paris metro tickets, which can save time on your return.

The TGV crosses rural France at up to 186 mph...		...then slows right down through the Alpine foothills.

The TGV crosses the Alps via Chambéry and Modane, passing through the 13.6 km (8.5 mile) long Fréjus Rail Tunnel, also known less accurately as the Mont Cénis tunnel.  The tunnel transit takes just 7 minutes, during which the train enters Italy.  Opened in 1871, this the oldest of the large tunnels through the Alps, and was the longest tunnel in the world from 1871 until 1882 when the Gotthard tunnel opened on the Zurich-Milan route.

More mountains...		Now we're in Italy, leaving the Alps behind...

...Milan to Rome by Frecciarossa.  Frecciarossa information   Watch the video

These ETR500 Frecciarossa trains travel at up to 250 km/h (155 mph) on the new Italian high-speed network...		In the restaurant car, a 3-course lunch costs €32, a half bottle of wine €9, credit cards accepted.

First class on a Frecciarossa.  All seats have power sockets for laptops & mobiles.		Second class on a 'Frecciarossa'.  All seats have power sockets for laptops & mobiles.

...Rome to Siracuse by sleeper train...

A Comfort couchette car.  A good, economical choice.		A 4-berth Comfort couchette compartment in daytime mode.

Italian sleeping-car with 12 compartments, each useable as Single, Double or 3-berth.

Sleeper in evening/ morning mode.

Sleeper in night mode, set up as 2-berth.

...and Pozzallo to Malta by ferry...

Virtu Ferries fast catamaran entering Valetta Harbour from Sicily.  Photo courtesy of David Smith.

Malta ► London

Option 1:  On days when there's an early morning ferry from Malta...

You'll find an early morning ferry from Valletta to Pozzallo on most dates, typically at 05:00 or 06:45 or 07:00 up to 5 days a week in winter, 6 days a week in summer.  Check ferry times for your travel date at www.virtuferries.com.  The following itinerary works with this morning ferry, and gives you a day at leisure in Siracuse and a day at leisure in Rome.

• Day 1 morning, sail with Virtu Ferries from Valletta on Malta to Pozzallo on Sicily.  the ferry departure time from Valletta to Pozzallo varies between 05:00 & 07:00, check sailing dates & times at www.virtuferries.com.  Valletta ferry terminal is walking distance from Valletta city centre, there is a 1-hour check-in time for foot passengers.  The ferry has economy class and club class plus a cafe.  You sail out of Valletta's wonderful harbour into the Mediterranean and the crossing to Sicily takes just 90 minutes.

• Day 1, late morning, take a taxi from the ferry terminal to Pozzallo town centre and transfer the 40 miles from Pozzallo to Siracuse by irregular local train or bus.  There's usually a train from Pozzallo at 11:25 arriving Siracuse at 13:25, but check train times for your date of travel at www.trenitalia.com.  Alternatively, you can take a taxi all the way to Siracuse.  Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Siracuse.

• Day 1, travel from Sicily to Rome by sleeper train, leaving Siracuse daily at 19:10 and arriving Rome Stazione Termini at 07:10 next morning (day 2).  This train has 4-berth Comfort couchettes and sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  The train is ferried from Sicily to the mainland on a train ferry, an interesting experience!  What are Italian sleeper trains like?

• Day 2, spend the day at leisure in Rome, left luggage is available at the station, then catch an afternoon or evening Frecciarossa high-speed train from Rome to Milan.  These trains run every hour or better, for example there's one leaving Rome Stazione Termini at 18:00 and arriving Milan Centrale at 20:59.  A restaurant car is available serving affordable meals, drinks and snacks, and there are power sockets for laptops and mobiles.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  Hotels in Milan.

• Day 3, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed Paris-Italy TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 08:50 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:11.  There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks and light meals, and it's a scenic journey through the Alps via the Mont Cénis tunnel, Modane and Chambéry.  What's the journey like?  See the Paris-Milan TGV video guide.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).

• Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar.  On Mondays-Friday & Sunday, leave Paris Gare du Nord at 18:13 arriving London St Pancras at 19:39.  On Saturdays leave Paris Gare du Nord at 19:13, arriving London St Pancras at 20:39.

• Alternatively, if you don't mind an early start from Milan you can reach London earlier.  Day 3, travel from Milan or Turin to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi daily at 06:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:23.  There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks and light meals.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D.  Travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord daily at 15:13, arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.

Option 2:  On days when there's an afternoon ferry from Malta...

On some dates, especially in summer, you'll find an afternoon ferry from Malta to Pozzallo, usually sailing from Valletta at around 16:30.  The following itinerary works with this ferry, and is the fastest option, although you don't get any time in Siracuse or Rome unless you take an extra day or two.

• Day 1 afternoon, sail with Virtu Ferries from Valletta on Malta to Pozzallo on Sicily.  On many dates you'll find a 16:30 ferry from Malta arriving Pozzallo 18:00, but check sailing dates and times at www.virtuferries.com.  Valletta ferry terminal is walking distance from Valletta city centre, there is a 1-hour check-in time for foot passengers.  The ferry has economy class and club class plus a cafe.  You sail out of Valletta's wonderful harbour into the Mediterranean and the crossing to Sicily takes just 90 minutes.

• Day 1 evening, take a taxi from the ferry terminal to Pozzallo town centre and transfer the 40 miles from Pozzallo to Siracuse by irregular local train or bus.  You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com, but there's usually a train at 19:37 arriving Siracuse at 20:45.  Alternatively, you can take a taxi all the way to Siracuse.

• Stay overnight in Siracuse.  Hotels in Siracuse.

• Day 2, travel from Sicily to Naples by air-conditioned InterCity train, leaving Siracuse daily at 07:33 and arriving Naples Centrale at 16:05.  There's a refreshment trolley on board, but feel free to take your own picnic and beer or wine.

• Day 2, travel from Naples to Milan by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Naples Centrale at 18:00 and arriving Milan Centrale at 22:40.  A restaurant car is available serving affordable meals, drinks and snacks, and there are power sockets for laptops and mobiles.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  Hotels in Milan.

• Day 3, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed Paris-Italy TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 08:50 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:11.  There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks and light meals, and it's a scenic journey through the Alps via the Mont Cénis tunnel, Modane and Chambéry.  What's the journey like?  See the Paris-Milan TGV video guide.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).

• Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar.  On Mondays-Friday & Sunday, leave Paris Gare du Nord at 18:13 arriving London St Pancras at 19:39.  On Saturdays leave Paris Gare du Nord at 19:13, arriving London St Pancras at 20:39.

• Alternatively, if you don't mind an early start from Milan you can reach London earlier.  Day 3, travel from Milan or Turin to Paris by high-speed Paris-Italy TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi daily at 06:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:23.  There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks and light meals.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D.  Travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord daily at 15:13, arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.

How much does it cost?

Each train is ticketed separately, so you just need to add up the fare for each leg of the journey.

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £39 one-way, £69 return.  Book early for the cheapest fares as fares rise as departure approaches.

• Paris to Milan by TGV train starts at just £26 each way in 2nd class, £32 in 1st class.  Book early for the cheapest fares.

• If you use option 1, Milan to Rome by high-speed Frecciarossa train starts at just €9 with a Super-Economy fare with no refunds, no changes.  Rome to Siracuse by sleeper train costs from €35 with a Super-Economy fare in a Comfort couchette, or from €66 per person in a 2-bed sleeper.  Fares vary, so book early for the cheapest rates and look for the cheaper 'super-economy and economy fares.

• If you use option 2, Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa starts at €9 with a Super-Economy fare with no refunds, no changes.  Naples to Siracuse by InterCity train costs €51 full price, from €29 Super-Economy fare with no refunds, no changes.

• Siracuse to Pozzallo by local train costs around €5.  Taxi fare not known.

• www.virtuferries.com

How to buy tickets online...

You can book this trip online, and this is the cheapest way to arrange tickets as you don't pay any booking fees and can see all the cheap fares for yourself.  It involves 3 separate websites, so before jumping in, sketch out your itinerary, listing the date & time for each separate train you wish to book to avoid mistakes.  You can book the ferry a long way in advance, and you can also book your hotel accommodation well ahead, risk-free if you use a site such as www.booking.com with free cancellation.  Eurostar bookings open 120 days ahead, Paris-Milan TGV reservations usually open only 92 days ahead, but I recommend waiting until all train bookings are open so you can do a dry run on all the relevant websites to check times and availability before booking a non-refundable non-changeable Eurostar ticket.

• Step 1, check sailing times and dates for the ferry online at www.virtuferries.com and book the ferry ticket online.  Why start with the ferry?  Well, it only runs on certain days and sailing times vary, so it makes sense to start by checking ferry sailings, finding a suitable sailing on a specific date and then working backwards to book the trains as these run daily.

• Step 2, book Eurostar from London to Paris and back.  UK residents can do this online at www.raileurope.co.uk, or anyone from any country can book this at www.eurostar.com with print-at-home tickets.

• Step 3, book the TGV from Paris to Milan and back.  UK residents can stay on www.raileurope.co.uk after booking from London to Paris, simply click 'continue shopping' and book Paris to Milan.  Anyone from any country can book the Paris-Milan TGV at www.voyages-sncf.com with print-at-home tickets.

• Step 4, book all your Italian trains (Milan to Rome & Rome to Siracuse in option 1, Milan to Naples & Naples to Siracuse in option 2) online at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks especially when booking sleepers, but no booking fee, see this advice on how to use it).  Tickets can be collected at the station in Italy, or for Frecciarossa and InterCity trains it's 'ticketless', you simply quote your booking reference on board.  Pick a Economy or Super-Economy fare to save money, no refunds, limited or no changes, otherwise Base fare is full-price and flexible.  Note that Syracuse is recognised as 'Siracusa' even in the English version.  Tickets for the Siracuse-Pozzallo local train can be bought at the station when you get to Siracuse.

How to buy tickets by phone...

If booking online sounds a bit complicated, you can book by phone with two phone calls.

• It's probably best to start with the ferry journey.  First, visit the www.virtuferries.com to check on sailing times, days of the week, and dates.  Then call Viamare Travel on  020 8343 5810 to book.

• Then book the rail journey from London to Sicily.  You can book through a number of UK agencies, such as Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848, Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050.  Click here for a list of agencies.

Other ferries to Malta...

Although the suggested route above uses Virtu Ferries from Sicily, Grimaldi Ferries (www.grimaldi-lines.com) offer a good weekly ferry from Salerno to Valletta in Malta.  You can find information on train travel from the UK to Naples & Salerno to connect with this ship on the Italy page.  If you have any feedback on this or other ferries to Malta, please email me.

Palace Square, Valletta.  Brits will find many features familiar!		Victoria Gate, Valetta...

Malta's famous George Cross in Valletta's town museum, awarded to the whole island an its people during world war 2.		Valletta street scene.  Afficionados of the film 'Malta Story' may well recognise this corner from one of the scenes, it hasn't changed much!

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Bus travel in Malta & Gozo...

Bus information for Malta:  www.arriva.com.mt.  Bus route map:  www.maltabusroutes.com

Buses link Valletta with towns and villages all over Malta.  The Valletta bus station is immediately outside the city’s main gate, and it has both ticket machines and a ticket office.  International bus operator Arriva took over bus lines in Malta from July 2011, and the traditional routes numbers have all been changed.  Malta's traditional orange buses (many of them very old!) are sadly now being phased out and replaced by Arriva's modern buses in its own blue-and-cream colours.  The website for Malta bus information is now www.arriva.com.mt.  Fares are cheap, usually €2.20 for a ticket valid for 2 hours on any bus or series of buses, and buses run at least every half hour throughout the day on most routes.  You can buy tickets giving you unlimited bus travel all over Malta for 1 day (€2.60), or 7 days (€12).  There's a bus map at www.maltabusroutes.com.

As the buses used to be, just a few years ago...  Brightly-painted Maltese buses at Valletta bus station, just outside the city's main gate.  These wonderful old Maltese buses have now all been replaced by characterless modern buses in the standard Arriva blue.

Valletta to Gozo by bus & ferry...

Take Arriva bus number 41 or 42 from Valletta bus station to Cirkewwa ferry terminal, for the ferry to Gozo.  Bus 41/42 runs every 15 minutes throughout the day, journey time 1 hour 25 minutes, fare €2.20, see www.arriva.com.mt.  The Gozo Channel ferry (www.gozochannel.com) links Cirkewwa on Malta with Mgarr on Gozo every 45 minutes throughout the day, crossing time 25 minutes.  The fare is €4.65 each way, children aged from 3 to 12, €1.15.  Grey-painted Gozo buses link Mgarr with all main points on Gozo.

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The Thomas Cook European Timetable

The Thomas Cook European timetable has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  Published since 1873, it costs £14.99.  It's essential for any serious traveller and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Still not convinced you need one?  More information on what the Thomas Cook Timetable contains.  You can buy the latest monthly edition online at www.thomascookpublishing.com with worldwide delivery or buy it in person from selected UK branches of Thomas Cook (ask at the bureau de change), or from W H Smiths in Victoria station in London.  Or buy the twice-yearly independent traveller's edition with laminated cover from Amazon.co.uk:  Winter/Spring 2012/13 edition (Dec 2012 to June 2013) or (when available) Summer/Autumn 2013 edition (June to Dec 2013)

The Thomas Cook Rail Map of Europe is the best and most comprehensive map of train routes right across Europe, from Portugal in the west to Istanbul, Moscow & Ukraine in the east, from Finland in the north to Sicily & Crete in the south.  High speed & scenic routes are highlighted.  Highly recommended!  Buy online at www.amazon.co.uk (worldwide delivery).  See an extract from the map.

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Find hotels on Malta...

◄◄◄◄ Search all the main hotel booking sites at once... I'm a big fan of www.hotelscombined.com as it checks all the main hotel booking sites (Opodo, Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, AsiaRooms, LateRooms etc.) to find the widest choice of hotels & the cheapest rates.  Try it and see!

Other hotel sites worth trying...

• www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.

• www.booking.com is my own preferred hotel booking system (Hotels Combined being a search/comparison system).  It has a simple interface, a good selection in most countries worldwide, useful online customer reviews of each hotel, and decent prices, usually shown inclusive of unavoidable extras such as taxes (a pet hate of mine is systems that show one price, then charge you another!).

Backpacker hostels...

• www.hostelbookers.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelbookers offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

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Travel insurance & health card...

Get travel insurance, it's essential...

Never travel without insurance from a reliable travel insurer with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover loss of cash (up to a limit) & belongings, and cancellation. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year (I have an annual policy myself).  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, though, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, Seat61 gets a little commission if you buy through these links, and feedback from using insurance for rail & ferry travel is always welcome.

In the UK, use www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across major insurance companies.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65 (no age limit), see www.JustTravelCover.com.

        If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try Columbus Direct's other websites.

   If you live in the USA or Canada, try Travel Guard USA.

Get an EU health card, it's free...

If you're a UK citizen travelling in Europe, you should apply for a free European Health Insurance Card, which entitles you to free or reduced rate health care if you become ill or get injured in many European countries, under a reciprocal arrangement with the NHS.  This replaced the old E111 forms as from January 2006.  The EHIC card is available from www.ehic.org.uk.  It doesn't remove the need for travel insurance, though.

Get a spare credit card, designed for foreign travel with no currency exchange loading & low/no ATM fees

Taking out an extra credit card costs nothing, but if you keep it in a different part of your luggage you won't be left stranded if your wallet gets stolen.  In addition, some credit cards are better for overseas travel than others.  Martin Lewis's www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money explains which UK credit cards have the lowest currency exchange commission loadings when you buy something overseas, and the lowest cash withdrawal fees when you use an ATM abroad.

You can avoid ATM charges and expensive exchange rates with a Caxton FX euro currency Visa Card, or their multi-currency 'Global Traveller' Visa Card, see www.caxtonfx.com for info.

Get an international SIM card to save on mobile data and phone calls...

Mobile phones can cost a fortune to use abroad, and if you're not careful you can return home to find a huge bill.  Consider buying a global pre-paid SIM card for your mobile phone from www.Go-Sim.com, which can slash costs by up to 85%.  Go-Sim cuts call costs in 175 countries worldwide, and you can receive incoming calls and texts for free in 75 countries.  It's pay-as-you-go, so no nasty bills when you get home.  It also allows cheap data access for laptops & PDAs.  A Go-Sim account and any credit on it doesn't expire if it's not used between trips, unlike some others, so a Go-Sim phone number becomes your 'global phone number' for life.