Berlin Hbf station guide

I want to go from Berlin to...

      Select your destination... Somewhere else in Germany... Aix en Provence Alicante Amsterdam Andorra Athens Avignon Barcelona Basel (Basle) Belgrade Bern (Berne) Bologna Bratislava Brno Brussels Bruges (Brugge) Budapest Bucharest Cannes Český Krumlov Cologne Copenhagen Dublin & Ireland Dubrovnik Dusseldorf Faro & the Algarve Florence Frankfurt Gdansk Geneva Gothenburg Gdynia Hamburg Helsinki Innsbruck Interlaken Istanbul Karlovy Vary Kosice Krakow Kyiv & Ukraine Lausanne Linz Lisbon Ljubljana London & UK Luxembourg Luzern (Lucerne) Lviv Lyon Madrid Malaga Malmo Marseille Milan Monte Carlo Montenegro - Podgorica, Bar Montreux Moscow Munich Naples Nice Oslo Paris Poprad-Tatry Porto Prague Riga Rijeka Rome St Moritz St Petersburg Salzburg San Sebastian Seville Sofia Split Stockholm Strasbourg Szczecin (Stettin) Tallinn Thessaloniki Valencia Venice Verona Vienna Vilnius Warsaw Wroclaw Zagan (Poland) Zagreb Zermatt Zurich

      Click here if your journey starts in another city

      Berlin Hbf station guide

      Recommended hotels in Berlin

This page explains how to travel by train from Berlin to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.

Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets.  They answer all the usual questions, such as "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?".  How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

European train travel FAQ

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Berlin to other destinations in Germany

• Berlin to any destination in Germany

  Buy tickets from Berlin Hbf to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, except when the mid-December timetable change shortens this.  More about when booking opens.

  With just a handful of exceptions, German domestic trains are never reservation compulsory so you can always just turn up, buy a ticket and get on the next train without a reservation - although you will usually have to pay the more expensive Flexpreis on the day of travel.

  However, if you pre-book there are cheap advance-purchase Sparpreis (savings) fares for €19.90, €29.90, €39.90 etc. for long-distance journeys, so buy in advance if you want to save money.

  A seat reservation is usually optional for a small extra charge, €5.20 in 2nd class, €6.50 in 1st class, per seat - if you don't want one you can sit in any unreserved seat.  You can choose your seat from a seating plan when booking a German IC or ICE train.

  You print your own tickets (on A4 paper but U.S. Letter size is fine) or you can show it on your laptop or phone.  Tickets can also be sent to any address worldwide for a small fee.

  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.

• Lo-cost Flixtrains to Hamburg, Düsseldorf & Cologne

  In addition to the regular service provided by DB, competing lo-cost operator Flixtrain offers a handful of trains per day from Cologne & Düsseldorf to Osnabrück, Hamburg & Berlin.  Flixtrains have one class of seating with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's no catering.

  Fares start at  €9.99 and vary like air fares.  If you need to travel at short notice, Flixtrain can be a lot cheaper than using DB.

  Book at www.flixtrain.com.

• About train travel in Germany

  See the train travel in Germany page for a beginner's guide to train travel in Germany, including how to buy tickets online or by phone and an explanation of the Deutschland Ticket, Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket and Lander tickets.

Berlin to Munich from €17.50.  See the video

• There's now no excuse for flying between Berlin & Munich!

  A new section of high-speed line opened in 2017 cutting the Berlin to Munich train journey to as little as 3h50 by luxurious ICE train, city centre to city centre with no check-in time to add.  As fast as flying but less hassle and more comfortable.

  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  1st class passengers have food & drink orders taken & served at their seat.

• Fares start at €17.50 in 2nd class or €26.40 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.  The Flexpreis is €155 if you buy on the day.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, less than this when the mid-December timetable change intervenes.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

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Berlin to London & UK

Option 1, Berlin to London by high-speed train & Eurostar

• Take a high-speed ICE train from Berlin to Cologne & Brussels, then take Eurostar to London.

  See the London to Germany page for train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

  You can buy Berlin to London rail tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

• Buy onward tickets from London to other British towns & cities at www.thetrainline.com.

  You collect tickets from the self-service ticket machines or in many cases you can print them out or show it on your phone.

  If you're booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train leaves from St Pancras, Kings Cross or Euston, I'd allow at least 1 hour between Eurostar arrival and any onward train to allow for delay, even though it only takes 5 minutes to walk across the road to Kings Cross or 10 minutes to walk to Euston.  I'd allow 90 minutes if booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train goes from Paddington, Waterloo or Liverpool Street as then you'll need to change stations by Underground or taxi.

Option 2, Berlin to London using a Berlin-Brussels sleeper train.

• Take the European Sleeper from Berlin to Brussels 3 times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, then a Eurostar to London.

  See the European Sleeper page for Berlin to London times, fares & tickets.

• Or take the Nightjet sleeper from Berlin to Brussels on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, then a Eurostar to London.

  See the London to Germany page for times, fares & how to buy tickets.

Option 3, Berlin to London via the Hoek van Holland-Harwich ferry - the ferry alternative

• Take a Intercity train from Berlin to Amsterdam, then travel overnight from Amsterdam to London, sleeping in a cosy private cabin on the Hoek van Holland - Harwich ferry with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  Inexpensive, comfortable and a chance to see Amsterdam on the way.

• Or you can take the European Sleeper overnight from Berlin to Rotterdam, hop on the metro to Hoek van Holland and take the daytime ferry from Hoek to Harwich for a train to London arriving in the evening.

• See the London to Germany page for times, fares & how to buy tickets.

The ferry is a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo.  360º photo.  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

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Berlin to Dublin & Ireland

Option 1, Berlin to Dublin via London & Holyhead - daily departures

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to London by high-speed train & Eurostar, see the London-Germany page for times, fares, how to buy tickets.

• Stay overnight in London, see suggested hotels near St Pancras.

• Day 2, travel from London Euston to Dublin on the morning train & ferry service, arriving Dublin Ferryport 17:25, see details here.

  It's only a 10 minute walk between St Pancras & Euston stations.  Rail & Sail is an inexpensive, fun and interesting way to go, see an illustrated account of the journey.  By all means stop off in London for longer if you like.

Option 2, Berlin to Dublin via Paris & Cherbourg - several times a week

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed train on any departure you like, as shown below.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend changing Transfer time from Normal to minimum 30 minutes.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the stations.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Dublin by train & ferry, see the Paris to Dublin section for details.

  You take a morning train from Paris St Lazare to Cherbourg & an overnight ferry to Dublin as shown in the Paris to Dublin section, arriving in the morning on Day 3.

  Irish Ferries sails Cherbourg-Dublin several times a week.  Book the ferry at www.irishferries.com, then add a train connection using www.thetrainline.com.

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Berlin to Paris from €39.90

Option 1, Berlin to Paris in a day

• You can travel from Berlin to Paris by superb German ICE high-speed train & French TGV Duplex with cafe-bar or restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, city centre to city centre through the countryside, for example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 07:26 by ICE, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:54.

  Berlin Hbf depart 08:29 by ICE, change Karlsruhe onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:18.

  Berlin Hbf depart 11:26 by ICE, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:43.

  Berlin Hbf depart 12:30 by ICE, change Karlsruhe onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:15.

  Berlin Hbf depart 13:26 by ICE, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:54.

• NEW!  Direct Berlin-Paris ICE starts 16 December 2024:  A direct Berlin-Paris ICE3 train will leave Berlin Hbf at 11:54 every day, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:55.

  The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.

• Fares start at €45.99 in 2nd class or €56.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to give a robust connection, the times shown above include this.

  Click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.  The journeys via Karlsruhe also go via Frankfurt.  First try with length of stay zero, then try again with length of stay 30 minutes.

  In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change and an actual price shown in €.

  Ignore journeys with 2 or 3 changes.  Also ignore journeys shown as Determine price, these are journeys which involve a non-DB train such as a Eurostar or a couple of specific TGVs run solely by SNCF and not in co-operation with DB.  DB cannot sell through tickets for such journeys so you may not be protected if there's a delay and missed connection, and they're likely to be more expensive.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Incidentally, I recommend booking with DB at int.bahn.de over rather than with French Railways www.sncf-connect.com for two reasons:

  First, the German system prices the whole journey from €39.90 even if you have to change trains.  The French system can't do this, it'll apply a price from €39.90 to the Karlsruhe-Paris train, then add a separate fare, perhaps another €40 for the Berlin-Karlsruhe connection.

  Second, bahn.de applies more generous German child age limits, under 6 free, under 15 child rate.  In addition, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare.  If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate and there's no kids-go-free deal.  So if you have children, buy from the Germans!

• If you'd prefer the slightly faster route with 1 change at Cologne onto a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train, use www.raileurope.com instead, easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  This has a connection to both Eurostar's and DB's ticketing systems, so can book both trains at the cheapest prices as one transaction with print-at-home tickets.

  To get this route, I recommend clicking More options and entering Cologne (any station) as a via station.  You can leave duration zero.  You'll get two separate tickets either side of Cologne, but the connection in Cologne is covered by Railteam HOTNAT if there's a delay.

  Alternatively, you can of course book a Berlin-Cologne train at int.bahn.de then book a Cologne to Paris Eurostar train separately at www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  For example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 07:45 by ICE, change at Cologne Hbf onto Eurostar (formerly Thalys), arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 16:05.

  Berlin Hbf depart 11:45 by ICE, change at Cologne Hbf onto Eurostar (formerly Thalys), arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 20:05.

Option 2, Berlin to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - the time-effective option

• A Nightjet sleeper leaves Berlin Hbf at 20:18 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:24.

  Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 8 November 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.

  From 15 December 2024 onwards, the days of running will change to Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and two ordinary seats cars.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 3, Berlin to Paris by high-speed train with an overnight stop - also a time-effective option

• You can travel from Berlin to Paris time-effectively by train without having to fly.  This breaks up the trip nicely. 

• Day 1, take the 17:26 ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Mannheim arriving 22:27.

  By all means book an earlier train, they leave regularly.

• Stay overnight in Mannheim.  Inexpensive hotels just outside the station with great reviews include the Station Hotel, Mannheim InterCity Hotel & the Hotel Kurpfalzstuben.

• Day 2, take a morning ICE train from Mannheim to Paris.  On Mondays-Fridays the 06:40 from Mannheim arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:52, with breakfast on board.  On Saturdays a 07:40 arrives Paris Gare de l'Est 10:52.  On Sundays a 07:37 arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:38.

  By all means have leisurely breakfast and take a later train, for example there's an 09:40 from Mannheim on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 12:52.

• Fares from Berlin to Paris start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Berlin to Paris at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  To get the overnight stop at Mannheim, click Stopovers and enter Mannheim Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours.  Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Mannheim.  Obviously, look for 1-change options in the search results.

  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show on your laptop or phone.

• Alternatively, stop overnight in Cologne.

  Step 1, travel from Berlin to Cologne by ICE train in as little as 4 hours from €27.90, booked at int.bahn.de.

  You can leave as late as 19:45 arriving after midnight, but I'd take an earlier train and have a pleasant evening in Cologne.

  In Cologne, the cathedral is right next to the station, for dinner try the excellent Brauhaus Sion (www.brauhaus-sion.de), 8 minutes walk from Cologne Hbf, see walking map, or the Malzmuehle restaurant (www.muehlenkoelsch.de), 17 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.

  Stay overnight in Cologne.  The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

  Step 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) in 3h21 from €35 booked at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

  You can leave Cologne Hbf at 06:44 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 10:05, or leave Cologne Hbf at 08:44 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05

Option 4, Berlin to Paris with an overnight stop in Amsterdam

• This is a round-about route, but Amsterdam is such a great place for a stopover and the journey so easy & convenient, it's worth considering.  The stations are all incredibly central, you can stroll from Amsterdam Centraal to most city centre hotels.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal by InterCity train in 5h52.  You can leave Berlin as late as 16:06, see the Berlin to Amsterdam timetable here.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Stay overnight in Amsterdam.

  Suggested hotels with good or great review include The Park Plaza Victoria Hotel is across the road from Amsterdam Centraal station and gets great reviews.  Other mid-range hotels include the Hotel Luxer, 7 minutes walk from the station & Hotel Sebastians, 10 minutes walk from the station.  Cheaper hotels include the fun floating boat hotel AmiciA, just 15 minutes walk from the station.  If you want to push the boat out, the top end famous Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is 10 minutes walk from the station. 

  Incidentally, there's no reason why you can't do the journey in one day if you like, with a few hours in Amsterdam.  But an overnight stop breaks up the trip nicely.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) in 3h20.

  There is a departure every couple of hours through the day, if you caught the first departure at 06:15 you could reach central Paris as early as 09:35.  The trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Berlin to Strasbourg

Option 1, Berlin to Strasbourg by sleeper

• A Nightjet sleeper train links Berlin with Strasbourg en route to Paris, 3 times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.  For details, see the Berlin to Paris section above.  The sleeper arrives in Strasbourg at 05:44.

Option 2, Berlin to Strasbourg by daytime trains

• You can travel from Berlin to Strasbourg in around 6h30 with just 1 change, using a high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi from Berlin Hbf to Mannheim or Frankfurt, then another ICE or a TGV Duplex to Strasbourg.

  NEW!  Direct Berlin-Strasbourg ICE from 16 December 2024:  A direct Berlin-Strasbourg (-Paris) ICE3 train will start running from 16 December, leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:54 every day and arriving Strasbourg at 17:53.  This should become bookable from 16 October, more details will be posted then.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  Tip:  Look for 1-change journeys with a cheap fare shown, from €42.90 upwards.

• Tip:  It's possible to travel more cheaply, with more frequent departures, using a direct Berlin-Offenburg ICE train then a regional train from Offenburg to Strasbourg.

  The catch?  Bahn.de only shows an expensive €162 full-flex fare for these useful 1-change journeys.

  The solution?  Split the booking!  First check Berlin to Strasbourg times via Offenburg at int.bahn.de, by clicking Stopovers and entering Offenburg as a via station.  You should see departures every 2 hours with 1 change.

  Then use int.bahn.de to book Berlin-Offenburg on the train you want with advance-purchase Sparpreis fares from €17.50.

  Then use int.bahn.de again to buy a fixed-price full-flex ticket from Offenburg to Strasbourg for €11, good for any Offenburg-Strasbourg regional train that day.  Easy when you know!

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Berlin to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Nice & other cities in France

Option 1, using the direct TGV from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence & Marseille - recommended, avoids having to cross Paris!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Frankfurt by ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:00 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 12:56.

  From 16 July 2024 onwards, travel from Berlin to Mannheim by ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:29 and arriving Mannheim 13:53.

  The ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Frankfurt to France by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence 21:31 & Marseille St Charles 21:46.

  From 16 July 2024 to 14 December this TGV starts from Mannheim at 14:39, arrival times unchanged.

  This impressive double-deck TGV Duplex runs direct from Frankfurt to Lyon & the South of France every day, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

• Step 3, stay overnight in Marseille and continue to Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan or Toulouse next day.

• Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Book from Berlin to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  In theory you can take a later train from Berlin, but you don't want to miss the one train per day from Germany to Marseille because of a 10 minute delay so I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes so you get the trains I suggest above.

  If you're going beyond Marseille (for example, to Nice, Montpellier or Perpignan), book onward French trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).

Option 2, Berlin to Lyon & the South of France via Paris

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Paris as shown above.

• Cross Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris.  You may need to stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare de l'ESt & Gare de Lyon.

• Step 2, take an onward train from Paris to Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice or anywhere in France.

  Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking for French trains open up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Option 3, Berlin to Lyon & the South of France using the Berlin-Basel Nightjet sleeper train

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Basel SBB by Nightjet sleeper train as shown in the Berlin to Switzerland section, leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:51 and arriving Basel SBB at 07:20.  Book this at www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

• Step 2, take a Swiss domestic train to Geneva and a TER regional train to Lyon Part Dieu, arriving around 13:34.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Step 3, take an onward train to Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan, also booked at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com.

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Berlin to Brussels & Bruges from €27.90

Option 1, Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper - a time-effective option, 3 times a week

• A sleeper train links Berlin & Brussels on Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday nights, see the European Sleeper page.

Option 2, Berlin to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train - another time-effective option, 3 times a week

• A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 20:18 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:56.

  Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 8 November 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.

  From 15 December 2024 onwards, the days of running will change to Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 3, Berlin to Brussels by high-speed train - the daytime option, every day

• High-speed ICE2 trains link Berlin and Cologne every hour in 4h19, connecting with ICE3 trains from Cologne to Brussels Midi in just 1h55.  These superb German ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times vary, but for example:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:56 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 13:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:56 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 15:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:57 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 17:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 12:56 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 19:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:56 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 21:35.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €43.90 in 1st class.

  Prices vary like air fares, so  book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  You can book from Berlin to Brussels, Bruges or any station in Belgium.

  Tip:  Click Stopovers and enter Brussel Noord as a stopover with length of stay zero. This removes Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains from the search results as these don't call here, leaving only DB-run ICE trains on which DB can sell through tickets at inclusive prices.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  Look for journeys with just 1 change.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  You can also book at www.thetrainline.com which can also book journeys using Eurostar (formerly Thalys) between Cologne & Brussels - however, I'd stick with the through ticketing and through pricing offered by German Railways' ICE trains.  You print your ticket on A4 paper (US Letter size paper is fine) or show on your phone following their instructions.

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Berlin to Amsterdam from €37.90

Option 1, Berlin to Amsterdam by Intercity train - the daytime option

• Comfortable InterCity trains link Berlin Hbf and Amsterdam Centraal every 2 hours, city centre to city centre in 5h52, see the timetable here.

  A flight would take the best part of 5 hours, centre to centre, with airport hassle and nothing to see.  The trains have plenty of space for luggage and a bistro car, so treat yourself to a meal and a beer or two as you roll across Europe.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• See the Berlin to Amsterdam InterCity train page for timetable, photos and information including photos of the things to look out for from the train on the way.  It's an interesting ride!

Option 2, Berlin to Amsterdam by European Sleeper - the time-effective overnight option, 3 times a week

• A sleeper train links Berlin & Amsterdam on Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday nights, see the European Sleeper page.

The European Sleeper, arrived at Amsterdam Centraal.  This is a 5-berth couchette car, beyond is a stainless-steel sleeping-car.

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Berlin to Luxembourg from €37.90

Option 1, Berlin to Luxembourg by daytime trains

• Berlin to Luxembourg takes between 7h45 and 8h30 by train.

  The last leg from Koblenz to Luxembourg is very scenic, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the left hand side when going west from Koblenz (the train leaves Koblenz station heading north before turning west).

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  To avoid travel by bus, click Stopovers and enter Igel as a stopover with length of stay zero.  The trains call at Igel, the buses don't!

  Tip:  In the search results you'll see departures at 08:57 & 10:56 with only 1 change, these are ideal.  Otherwise pick a 2-change option.  Avoid journeys involving 3 changes or anything marked bus.

Option 2, Berlin to Luxembourg using the Berlin-Koblenz Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Koblenz by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:18 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Koblenz Hbf at 05:45.

  Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 8 November 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.

  From 15 December 2024 onwards, the days of running will change to Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Koblenz to Luxembourg by regional train, leaving Koblenz Hbf at 06:03 and arriving Luxembourg at 08:23.

  This modern double-deck regional train has no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a very scenic ride, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the left hand side when going west from Koblenz (the train leaves Koblenz station heading north before turning west).  If the sleeper is late, there's another train an hour later with a change at Trier.

  The fares is a fixed-price at €31.50 in 2nd class or €53.40 in 1st class, good for any train that day.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop

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Berlin to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from €37.90

Option 1, Berlin to Switzerland by sleeper train - the time-effective option

• An excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 21:01 every night, arriving Basel SBB at 07:20 & Zurich HB at 09:05 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Tip:  The bar at the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes the best VIP waiting room when catching a sleeper train at Berlin Hbf.

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

• Book this train at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Tip:  At www.raileurope.com, this train may be listed in the search results twice, once as seats, once as couchettes/sleepers.  Choose the latter!

• Change in Basel for Luzern, Bern, Interlaken, Lausanne, Geneva.  Change in Zurich for Lugano, Chur, St Moritz, Davos, Klosters.

  Buy onward tickets within Switzerland at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $) or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF).  You print your own ticket.

  Tip:  If you wait until 60 days or less before your travel date, you may find Supersaver fares available for longer Swiss domestic journeys (for example, Basel-Geneva), saving up to 70% off the regular flexible fare.  Supersaver fares commit you to a specific train, so I'd allow at least an hour between the Nightjet arrival and an onward train.

Option 2, Berlin to Switzerland by daytime train

• Comfortable German ICE trains link Berlin Hbf with Basel SBB every 2 hours between 04:30 and 16:30, with connections for cities all over Switzerland.  Some of these ICE trains continue beyond Basel to Bern & Interlaken or sometimes Zurich.

  These ICE trains have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Most of these trains are now of the ICE4 type.  More about ICE trains.

  Berlin-Basel takes 7h20 centre to centre, Berlin to Bern 8h27, Berlin to Zurich 8h34, a chill-out journey with a good book and perhaps lunch in the restaurant car.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  You can book from Berlin to almost any station in Switzerland for an inclusive price.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  In the search results, look for trains marked ICE with 0 changes if going to Basel, Zurich, Bern or Interlaken, or ideally just 1 change if going beyond those stations.

Option 3, Berlin to Switzerland with overnight stop in Frankfurt - a time-effective option

• Day 1, take any train you like from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in around 4 hours.  You can leave Berlin as late as 19:26 by ICE train arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 22:56, but by all means take an earlier train.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have stayed at and can recommend.  There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 2, take any morning train you like from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Basel, Zurich or anywhere in Switzerland.  If you are an early riser, the 05:49 (05:05 some dates) ICE train will get you to Zurich HB at 10:00 - but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later departure!

• Fares from Berlin to Switzerland start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  You can book from Berlin to almost any station in Switzerland for an inclusive price.

  To get the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours.  Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Frankfurt.

  If you find this too tricky, simply book Berlin-Frankfurt then Frankfurt to anywhere in Switzerland as two separate journeys, but one ticket with a stopover is usually cheaper.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Verona or Venice from €49.90

Option 1, Berlin to Venice by evening ICE to Munich & Nightjet sleeper train - the most time-effective option.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:12 arriving Munich Hbf 22:01.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about ICE trains.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Personally, I'd take the earlier 16:04 ICE (they run regularly through the day) to allow time for dinner in Munich.

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Transfer from Munich Hbf to Munich Ost by frequent S-Bahn train, taking 8 minutes.

  Tip:  For a beer or two whilst waiting for your sleeper (or for a meal if you've allowed time for dinner), try the Haidhauser-Augustiner Bavarian restaurant, (www.haidhauser-augustiner.de) just 5 minutes walk from Munich Ost, see walking map.  Feedback appreciated.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Ost at 23:54 and arriving at Venice Santa Lucia 08:34.

  Important: This sleeper train is cancelled from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025 due to work in the Tauern Tunnel in Austria.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, tips, photos & video.

  The train rumbles across the causeway over the lagoon and arrives at Venice Santa Lucia in central Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Berlin to Venice in a single day from €49.90 - the daytime option with great scenery

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:28 arriving Munich Hbf at 11:03.

  These superb German ICE trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), they have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICE trains.

  Tip:  Consider booking the earlier & faster 06:00 ICE from Berlin Hbf arriving Munich Hbf at 10:02, for a more robust connection in Munich and a chance to stretch your legs or even walk to the cathedral and the Marienplatz, 15 minutes walk from the station.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Venice by railjet, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:33 & arriving Verona P. Nuova 16:58 & Venice S. Lucia 18:25.

  This swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels via the mountains of the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here then speeds across the Italian plain before rolling over the causeway across the lagoon into central Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

• Fares from Berlin to Venice start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  If you'd like the earlier 06:00 from Berlin Mondays-Saturdays, simply adjust Transfer time from normal to minimum 35 minutes.

Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice by new generation railjet.  Photos courtesy of @SimplyRailway.  Interior photos courtesy of ÖBB.

Option 3, Berlin to Venice  with overnight stop in Munich - as option 2, but with an overnight stop.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich on an early-evening ICE high-speed train in as little as 3h58.

  You can leave Berlin Hbf as late as 20:04 arriving Munich Hbf at 00:01, but by all means book an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Munich.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a restaurant car for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two in the evening, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Venice by railjet, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:33 & arriving Verona P. Nuova 16:58 & Venice S. Lucia 18:25.

  This Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels via the lovely scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here, speeds across the Italian plain then rolls over the causeway across the lagoon to arrive in central Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

  There's also a 07:34 EuroCity train from Munich Hbf to Verona every day, extended to Venice on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:25, change at Verona on weekdays.  Or take the 09:34 railjet from Munich Hbf arriving Venice 16:40, although this requires a change of train in Verona on all days.

• Fares from Berlin to Venice start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 14 hours.

  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey with 1 change marked ICE, RJ and an arrival in Venice at 18:25.  Adjust the length of stay and departure time to get the train you want from Berlin to Munich.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Florence, Rome, Milan, Verona or anywhere else Italy from €39.90

Option 1, Berlin to Italy using the Nightjet sleeper train from Munich to Milan, Bologna, Florence or Rome - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin Hbf at 14:29 and arriving Munich Hbf at 19:03.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE.  Personally, I'd book the earlier 12:05 or 12:28 ICE from Berlin and have dinner in Munich:  For Bavarian food and a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

  Fares start at €17.50 in 2nd class or €26.40 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Italy by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 20:10, one portion for Verona P. Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38, La Spezia 11:10, another portion for Bologna Centrale 05:36, Florence SMN 06:42 & Rome Tiburtina 11:05.

  Important: This sleeper train is cancelled from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025 due to work in the Tauern Tunnel in Austria.

  The Milan, Genoa & La Spezia portion of this Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  From 10 September 2024, the Bologna, Florence & Rome portion of this train becomes a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

  Fares start at €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, take an onward train from Rome to Naples, Rome to Sicily or Milan to Ancona (for example), allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Rome or Milan, ideally more.  Book the onward Italian ticket separately at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, recognisees English place-names) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).

Option 2, Berlin to Florence or Rome in a single day - the daytime option with great scenery

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:28 and arriving Munich Hbf at 11:03. 

  ICE trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE.

  Tip:  Consider taking the earlier & faster 06:00 ICE from Berlin Hbf arriving Munich Hbf at 10:02 for a more robust connection in Munich with a chance to stretch your legs or even walk to the cathedral and the Marienplatz, 15 minutes walk from the station.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Verona by railjet, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:33 and arriving Verona P. Nuova at 16:58.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.   It meanders through the mountains of the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video.

• Step 3, travel from Verona to Florence or Rome by high-speed Frecciarossa, leaving Verona P. Nuova at 17:52 arriving Florence SMN 19:24 & Rome Termini 21:10.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona in case of delay.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Verona starts at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

  Verona to Florence starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Verona to Rome starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Go to www.raileurope.com.  This connects to both the German and Italian ticket systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place.  You can pay in €, £ or $.  There's a small booking fee.  Anyone from any country can book this way.

  Important tip:  Before running the enquiry, you must click More options and enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  This ensures a robust connection and it ensure Raileurope.com correctly splits the booking at Verona.

• How to buy tickets, advanced

  This should make no difference to the price, it involves more work.  First book from Berlin to Verona Porta Nuova at the German Railways website int.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  Tip:  If you'd like the earlier 06:00 from Berlin Mondays-Saturdays, simply adjust Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes.

  Then book from Verona Porta Nuova to Florence or Rome at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, prices in €, £ or $, small booking fee), www.italiarail.com (easy to use, prices in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, you'll need to use Italian language place names and it has a few other quirks so see this advice on using it).  Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 3, Berlin to Italy via the Brenner Pass with overnight stop in Munich - as option 2 but with an overnight stop

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Munich on any ICE high-speed train you like in as little as 3h58.

  You can leave Berlin Hbf as late as 20:04 arriving 00:01 on most days, but by all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a restaurant car for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two in the evening, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Verona by railjet train thorough the Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  Trains leave Munich Hbf every 2 hours or so taking 5h25, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  There's an 07:34 EuroCity to Verona P. Nuova which extends direct to Venice Santa Lucia on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:25.

  There's an 09:34 railjet to Verona P. Nuova & Bologna, usually extended to Rimini from late May to early September.

  There's an 11:33 railjet to Verona P. Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia, arriving 18:25.

• Day 2, allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona or Bologna, then take an onward Italian train to anywhere you like in Italy.  Verona P. Nuova to Florence SMN takes just 2h35, Verona P. Nuova to Rome Termini as little as 2h50 if you choose a direct train.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Verona or Bologna starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Verona or Bologna to Florence starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Verona to Rome starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class, Bologna to Rome starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book from Berlin to Verona or (if using a direct train) Bologna or Venice at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.

  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, adjusting the departure time and length of stay in Munich as necessary to get the trains you want.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Step 2, buy onward tickets from Verona to Florence, Rome, Milan or Naples separately at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to change in Verona in case of any delay.  Booking for Italian trains opens up to 4 months ahead.

  Alternatively, you can book all of these trains together in one place at www.raileurope.com, just add each train to your basket and pay at the end when you check out.  Plain English, prices in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone, the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless.

Option 4, Berlin to Italy using the Berlin-Zurich Nightjet sleeper train, then a scenic ride through the Alps

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:01 and arriving Zurich HB at 09:05 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Look for the train marked NJ (Nightjet) with 0 changes.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

  Tip:  The bar at the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes the best VIP waiting room when catching a sleeper train at Berlin Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 10:33 and arriving Milan Centrale at 13:50.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels through the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard route, with great views of various Swiss & Italian lakes, passing through the World's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

• Step 3, travel from Milan Centrale to Florence SMN, Rome Termini or Naples Centrale by high-speed Frecciarossa, or take the hourly fast train to Verona & Venice Santa Lucia.  For example, you'd reach Florence SMN 17:04, Rome Termini 18:40 or Venice Santa Lucia 17:47.

• Buy tickets from Zurich to anywhere in Italy at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, prices in €, £ or $, small booking fee), or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, prices in €, $ or £, they'll refund their €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, you'll need to use Italian language place names and it has a few other quirks so see this advice on using it).

  All these websites connect directly to the Italian Trenitalia booking system and all are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 5, Berlin to Italy by daytime trains via Switzerland - also a scenic ride, in a day or with overnight stop

• You can also travel from Germany to Italy via Switzerland.

• Step 1, use int.bahn.de to book from Berlin Hbf to Basel SBB with fares from €37.90 upwards.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Step 2, book an onward journey from Basel to Florence, Venice, Rome or wherever at www.thetrainline.com (easiest, means you can buy all your tickets together in one place, small booking fee) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names).  I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Basel or Zurich.

• Berlin to Milan via Basel or Zurich is an all-day train ride.  If you'd prefer to split it over 2 days with an overnight stop in Basel, no problem.

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Berlin to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain from €79

Option 1, Berlin to Spain using the Berlin-Paris Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - the time-effective option

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by Nightjet sleeper leaves Berlin Hbf at 20:18 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:24.

  Important update 2024:  ÖBB have given up trying to run this train from 12 August to 8 November 2024, due to the amount of trackwork.

  From 15 December 2024 onwards, the days of running will change to Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and two ordinary seats cars.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Have lunch in Paris, perhaps at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:27.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  See advice about sometimes getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga & other destinations in Spain.

  Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up).  You print your own ticket.  Booking opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.

Option 2, Berlin to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by train.

  From 15 December 2024 a direct ICE3 train leaves Berlin Hbf at 11:54 every day and arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:55.

  The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.

  Until 14 December you leave Berlin Hbf at 11:26, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:43.

  You travel from Berlin to Frankfurt by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, then Frankfurt to Paris by impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar.  Both trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  I'd change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes for a more robust connection, so that a 20 minute delay doesn't mean a missed connection and 2 hour late arrival.  I'd also click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf as a via station.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

  From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Tip:  See advice about sometimes getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga, Seville and so on by high-speed train.

  Until 14 December 2024:

  A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.

  For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station.  Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.

  From 15 December 2024:

  For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.

  Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

  For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:10, Seville Santa Justa 21:25.

  For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:45.

  For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

  All these trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up).  You print your own ticket.

  Booking opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

Option 3, Berlin to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Marseille

• This avoids crossing Paris, with high-quality high-speed trains throughout.  If you've time to spend 24h in Marseille do so, it's a great city!

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Marseille, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:00 by ICE train to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf then the direct high-speed TGV Duplex to Marseille St Charles arriving 21:46.  From 16 July 2024 onwards you'll need to leave Berlin Hbf at 08:29 and pick up the TGV in Mannheim.

  Both the ICE & TGV Duplex have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The ICE has a restaurant car, the TGV Duplex a cafe-bar.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Berlin to Marseille at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  You don't want to miss the one train per day from Germany to Marseille because of a 10 minute delay so I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes so you get the trains I suggest above.

• Stay overnight in Marseille:  Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Spain by AVE S100, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:04, arriving Barcelona Sants 12:38 & Madrid Atocha 15:45.

  This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Look out for Béziers cathedral on the right, colonies of flamingos on the étangs in southern France, the Fort de Salses on the right approaching Perpignan and great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees.  More about AVE S100 & this journey.

  Fares from Marseille to Barcelona start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Fares from Marseille to Madrid start at €44 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or using Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Day 2, take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante or from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Malaga.

  A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:35 every day, arriving Cordoba 18:34 & Malaga Maria Zambrano 19:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:30 daily except Saturdays arriving Seville Santa Justa at 19:03.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Madrid Atocha at 18:00 arriving Seville Santa Justa at 20:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 20:05 every day, arriving Granada 23:36.

  AVE & Euromed trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up).  You print your own ticket.

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona or Madrid.

Option 4, Berlin to Paris by high-speed train, French sleeper train to the Spanish border & onward Spanish trains

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris, leaving Berlin Hbf at 07:26 by ICE train, changing at Karlsruhe onto an impressive 320 km/h TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:54.  Later departures are possible, but with less robust connections.

  Both trains have catering, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats.  Have a leisurely dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Step 2, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:40.  Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving around 14:00.

  See the Paris to Barcelona by sleeper train page for full details, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations next morning.

  For Madrid:  AVE S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35.

  For Cordoba, Seville, Malaga:  Take the direct AVE S103 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:15 arriving Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano late evening.  Fares start at around €45.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  A Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:02 and Alicante at 21:34.  Fares start from €23.

  Check Spanish train times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see my advice before using it).  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Barcelona.

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Berlin to San Sebastian

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed train in a single day from €39.90, as shown in the Berlin to Paris section above.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews:  Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the station, 4-star);  Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk from station, 3-star);  La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star);  Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 10:11 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.

  An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 11:47.

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

  Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.75.

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away.  Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara.  Check times at www.euskotren.eus.  More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.

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Berlin to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed train in a single day, as shown in the Berlin to Paris section.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

  From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

  This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, see an account of the sights to see from the train on the way.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These websites connect to both SNCF and Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy tickets for both trains together in one place.

  Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Until 14 December 2024, leave Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  From 15 December 2024, leave Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.  Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

  Fares start at €38 in standard class or €45 in comfort class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These websites connect to both SNCF and Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy tickets for both trains together in one place.

  Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.

• Stay overnight in Madrid.  The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.

• Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.

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Berlin to Andorra

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed ICE, leaving Berlin Hbf at 07:26, changing trains at Mannheim & arriving Paris Est at 16:54.

  Fares start from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Before running the enquiry, I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to avoid risky 10-minute connections when you've onward connections in Paris.  And always allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper.

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

  Tip:  I recommend dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to either Toulouse or  by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:40 arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 06:30 or Andorre-l'Hospitalet at 09:42.  Exact times may vary.

  The train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats.  More about Intercités de Nuit.

  Fares start at €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €60 in a 1st class couchette.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  The Paris-L'Hospitalet night train should run daily all year, but there are occasional dates or periods when it doesn't run due to track work, so check for your date of travel.  It also has an annoying habit of opening late for booking, less than the expected 4 months ahead, so don't be too impatient.  If it's not running to l'Hospitalet on your date of travel, check the night train from Paris to Toulouse.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

  Tip:  If getting off in Toulouse, I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel, a few minutes walk from the station.

• Step 3 if you go via Toulouse (slower, longer road journey, but cheaper):  Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus.

  A bus run by Andbus (Andbus.net) typically leaves Toulouse at 09:45, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 14:00.  Check current times at Andbus.net or Omio.com, I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.

  The bus leaves from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routière (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station.  Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right.  The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.

  Book the bus at Andbus.net or Omio.com.  The fare is €36 one-way.

• Step 3 if you go via l'Hospitalet (fastest, more rail & less road, but with expense of a taxi):  Enjoy the scenic train ride into the Pyrenees to l'Hospitalet, then travel from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella by road, see the London to Andorra page for taxi details.

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Berlin to Vienna from €37.90

Option 1, Berlin to Vienna by ICE train - a leisurely daytime option with restaurant car

• Two superb German ICE trains link Berlin with Vienna every day:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:04 by ICE Berolina, arriving Vienna Hbf 17:47.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:04 by ICE Belvedere, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:47.

  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains.  Treat yourself to lunch with a beer or two, I heartily recommend the Erdinger Weissbier.  In 1st class a steward takes orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat.  This train is routed through Germany via Nuremberg.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Stopover in Nuremberg?

  In Nuremberg there's a pleasant old town, a railway museum and of course the infamous but thought-provoking Party Rally Grounds (take tram 9 from outside Nuremberg Hbf, it's well worth the trip).  There are left luggage lockers at the station for your bags.  The direct trains travel via Nuremberg, but there are lots of trains between Berlin and Nuremberg, and a train between Nuremberg & Vienna every couple of hours.

  It's easy to book a Berlin-Vienna train ride with up to 8 hours in Nuremberg between trains, and still benefit from a cheap fare from €37.90.  At int.bahn.de, simply click Stopovers, enter Nuremberg and a duration of up to 48 hours (the maximum stopover possible with a cheap sparpreis fare) or up to 8 hours (the maximum you can stop off and still get from Berlin to Vienna in a day, if you catch an early train from Berlin then a late train from Nuremberg to Vienna).

Option 2, Berlin to Vienna by railjet train departing 06:15 - another leisurely daytime option with restaurant car

• A swish railjet train called the Vindobona leaves Berlin Hbf at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:49 & Graz at 17:33.

  This train runs until 14 December 2024, it won't run from Berlin in 2025 because of trackwork reducing capacity from Berlin to the Czech border.

  This modern Czech railjet train has 2nd class, 1st class, business class (= premium 1st class, just 6 luxurious seats at one end of the train) and a restaurant car.  There's free WiFi & power sockets at all seats.  In 1st & business class a steward takes food orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat.

  Although it takes a bit longer than the direct ICE train in option 1, this train is routed via Dresden & Prague, and the scenery along the Elbe river valley more than makes up for that, see the scenery photos & video for the Berlin to Prague part of the journey.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class or €84.90 in business class (premium 1st, a real treat).

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Stopover in Prague?  Consider booking this train to Prague, spending between 2 & 8 hours in Prague, then taking a later train from Prague to Vienna, they run every 2 hours.  To do this, simply click Stopovers before running your Berlin-Vienna enquiry at int.bahn.de, enter PRAGUE and a length of stay between 2 & 8 hours.  You could of course choose a later departures from Berlin if you like, too.

Option 3, Berlin to Vienna by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option

• An excellent nightjet sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arrives Vienna Hbf at 07:00 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

• Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.   Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 4, Berlin to Vienna with overnight stop in Prague

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Prague on any EuroCity train you like, for example leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 21:24.

  There's a train every two hours through the day, so by all means take an earlier train and have an afternoon and/or evening in Prague.  It's a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe river valley south of Dresden, on a train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi, see the tips, photos & video on the Berlin to Prague by train page.

• Stay overnight in Prague.  Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Esplanade Hotel (5-star), Falkensteiner Hotel Maria (4-star), Chopin Hotel (3-star).  To stay in the old town, try the Ventana Hotel or Old Town Square Hotel (both 5-star), Grand Hotel Prague, Hotel Rott (both 4-star), Zlatý kůň Golden Horse (3-star).

• Day 2, travel from Prague to Vienna on any railjet train you like, for example leaving Prague Hlavni at 06:24 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:49.

  By all means take a later train, they run every two hours through the day, see the timetable here.  Railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Prague, click Stopovers, enter Prague and a length of stay of up to 48 hours (the maximum allowed on a Sparpreis fare).  Adjust the departure time and increase the length of stay to get the trains you want with the time you want in Prague.

  If you have any problems booking it this way, simply book the train from Berlin to Prague at German Railways int.bahn.de then book the train from Prague to Vienna at Czech Railways www.cd.cz (change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English).  In both cases you print your own ticket.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

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Berlin to Innsbruck from €29.90

Berlin to Innsbruck by daytime trains

• A direct ICE train leaves Berlin Hbf at 11:26 every day, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 21:18.

  This comfortable ICE4 train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It won't run from 17 April to 6 June 2025.

  Other departures are available with a change of train, but go for this direct one if you can.

• Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, you can book tickets from Berlin to any station in Austria.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print out your own ticket or you can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Look in the search results for journeys with the fewest transfers, and feel free to change Transfer time from normal to (say) 30 minutes for more robust connections.

  Tip:  Check www.thetrainline.com or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at as well, as although fares also start from €29.99.

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Berlin to Salzburg, Hallstatt & Austria from €29.90

Berlin to Salzburg by daytime trains

• The German Railways website int.bahn.de can book tickets from Berlin to Salzburg, Hallstatt or any station in Austria.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print out your own ticket or you can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Berlin to Salzburg takes as little as 6h37 from as little with 1 easy level-access change at Munich Hbf, just use int.bahn.de to find times and buy tickets.  The journey involves a superb high-speed ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Munich Hbf with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then a EuroCity train or railjet train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg.

• Tip:  Look in the search results for journeys with the fewest transfers, and feel free to change Transfer time from normal to (say) 30 minutes for more robust connections.

• Tip:  Check www.thetrainline.com or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at as well, as although fares also start from €29.90 I've often seen cheaper fares on the Austrian Railways system than bahn.de on a given date & train.

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Berlin to Legoland, Odense & Copenhagen from €37.90

Option 1, Berlin to Copenhagen by daytime trains, daily all year round

• A range of daily departures link Berlin with Copenhagen, with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 15:34.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 12:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 19:34.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.

  The Hamburg-Copenhagen trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, there's no catering on these trains so bring your own food & drink.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From June 2023, these trains are being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.  There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Berlin to Copenhagen by Snälltåget sleeper train, runs daily except Saturdays 1 April to 3 November 2024

• Step 1, travel overnight from Berlin to København Ørestad by sleeper train run by private operator Snälltåget, www.snalltaget.se.

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 1 April March to 3 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Berlin Hbf at 21:10, Hamburg Hbf at 23:59 and arrives København Ørestad station at 07:00.

  Ørestad is a local station on the suburban network about 5km south of Copenhagen city centre.

  The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for any number of people up to 6.

  Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a couchette in a shared 6-berth compartment, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a whole couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.

  Tip:  Book from Berlin to København H, it will show times to København Ørestad, also written as Oerestad st, where st simply stands for station.

• Step 2, travel from Ørestad to Copenhagen main station by local train.

  These run every 15 minutes or so, taking 8 minutes, there's one at 07:22 arriving Copenhagen 07:29.  Buy a ticket for this at the station.  Fare around €4, check times and prices at www.dsb.dk.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Berlin to Copenhagen & Stockholm.  This is in fact the southbound train at Stockholm Central the day the service was launched, about to make its inaugural departure on 28 June 2021.  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Berlin to Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmö from €56.90

Option 1, Berlin to Stockholm by SJ EuroNight sleeper train - the time-effective option

• A direct sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:34 & arrives Stockholm Central 09:55.

  Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm.  More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

• Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Book tickets at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.

  Booking opens several months ahead, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 2, Berlin to Stockholm by train in a single day - the comfortable daytime option

• There are two comfortable options for Berlin to Stockholm in a day:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:38, change at Hamburg Hbf & Copenhagen, arrive Stockholm Central 19:36.

  Leave  Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf & Copenhagen, arrive Stockholm Central 23:39.

  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train then Copenhagen to Stockholm by fast X2000 train with bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You can also book from Berlin to Malmo or Gothenburg (= Göteborg Central), check times at int.bahn.de.

  Fares from Berlin to Malmo, Gothenburg & Stockholm start at €56.90 in 2nd class or €75.90 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  If you have any problems using bahn.de, book Berlin-Copenhagen at int.bahn.de then book Copenhagen-Stockholm separately at www.sj.se or Omio.com.

• Or break up the journey with an overnight stop in Copenhagen

  To book a journey with a stopover, but still benefit from a cheap Sparpreis ticket from Berlin to Stockholm or Gothenburg, click Stopovers, enter Copenhagen and a length of stay of (say) 10 hours or more.

  Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).Z

Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train:  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.  There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo.  Larger photo.

Option 3, Berlin to Stockholm using the Malmö-Stockholm sleeper

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.

  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  In Copenhagen you've time for dinner.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket of show it on your laptop or phone. 

• Step 2, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central by Öresund train, leaving Copenhagen at 20:50 or earlier, they run every 20 minutes taking 39 minutes.

• Step 3, travel from Malmö to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays around 22:35 arriving Stockholm Central around 06:00.  The exact times may vary.  There's no sleeper on Saturday nights.

  The train has 6-berth couchettes, sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth compartments and a 1st class sleeping car with 1 & 2 bed compartments with shower & toilet.

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Stockholm at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se with cheap fares if you book in advance.

  SJ.se is sometimes fussy with overseas credit cards, so if you can't get your credit card to work, try agency site www.acprail.com or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (touch tone 6 for English).

Option 4, Berlin to Malmo & Stockholm by direct Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays 1 April March to 3 November 2024

• Private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se) runs a direct sleeper train from Berlin to Malmo & Stockholm.

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 1 April to 3 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Berlin Hbf at 21:10, Hamburg Hbf at 23:59 and arrives Malmö Central 07:25 & Stockholm Central at 13:20.

• The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  There's a restaurant car between Malmo & Stockholm, which they call the Krogen (the pub).  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for 1 person or any number of people up to 6.

  The train normally consists of 5 cars from Berlin: 2 cars only going as far as Malmo, and 2 couchette cars & 1 seats car going all the way to Stockholm.  The Berlin-Stockholm cars are attached to a Snälltåget daytime train between Malmö & Stockholm.

• Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a couchette in a shared 6-berth compartment, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a whole couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

• See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets.

Option 5, Berlin to Gothenburg using Stena Line's Kiel-Gothenburg overnight ferry

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Kiel by train in the early afternoon.

  The journey takes around 3h30, you'll typically find a train leaving Berlin Hbf around 12:38 with 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf.  However, you should book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train that arrives at Kiel Hbf around 2 hours before the ferry sails.

  Book the train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  In Kiel, the ferry terminal is 750m from the station, a 9-minute walk, see walking map.

• Step 2, sail overnight from Kiel to Gothenburg by Stena Line ferry.

  The ferry normally sails at 18:45 and arrives around 09:15, but times may vary so check online.

  The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.  You can add dinner & breakfast to your ticket when you book.

  Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €75-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.

  Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

  In Gothenburg, the ferry terminal is a short taxi ride (or 4.3 km 53-minute walk) from Goteborg Central station, see walking map.

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Berlin to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Berlin to Oslo by train - by train all the way in a single day

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by luxurious ICE with restaurant car for breakfast, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then by EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen with power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.

• Step 2, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg by Öresund train, leaving Copenhagen at 14:30 and arriving Göteborg Central at 18:20.

  The Öresund train has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.  Have an early dinner in Gothenburg.

• Step 3, travel from Gothenburg to Oslo by Norwegian train, leaving Göteborg Central at 20:10 and arriving Oslo Sentral at 23:47.

  The smart modern Norwegian train is run by Vy, it has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Göteborg starts at €56.90 in 2nd class or €75.90 in 1st class.

  Göteborg to Oslo starts at 249 Krone (€24) if you book a few weeks ahead.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de and book from Berlin to Göteborg Central on the 06:38 departure.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  Look for a journey with just 2 changes.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  If you don't see any affordable fares, for example in 1st class, split the booking.  First book from Berlin to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de, then buy a ticket from Copenhagen to Göteborg Central at www.oresundstag.se.

  Step 2, now go to the Vy website www.vy.no or to www.entur.no and book the 20:10 from Göteborg to Oslo.

  You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 2, Berlin to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen - also by train all the way

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen.  The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here.  Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, travel by train from Copenhagen to Oslo Sentral with one easy change at Gothenburg.

  You can leave Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, and arrive Oslo Sentral 15:47, or there are earlier or later trains, see the Copenhagen to Oslo timetable here. 

• The simple way to buy tickets:

  Book Berlin to Copenhagen using the German Railways website int.bahn.de, then book Copenhagen to Oslo at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se looking carefully for an all-train option with 1 change and no buses.

• The cheaper way to buy tickets:

  First use int.bahn.de to book from Berlin to Göteborg Central, clicking Stopovers and entering Copenhagen with a suitable length of stay to get the overnight stop.  Adjust the length of stay and departure time to get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen.

  Booked this way, Berlin to Gothenburg starts at €56.90 in 2nd class or €75.90 in 1st class.

  Then buy a cheap advance-purchase ticket on your chosen connecting train from Goteborg Central to Oslo Sentral at the Vy website www.vy.no or using www.entur.no.  Gothenburg to Oslo starts at €24.

Option 3, Berlin to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo

• Step 1, catch an early morning train from Berlin Hbf to Kiel Hbf in as little as 3h10 on any suitable train.

  Fares start at €23.90 in 2nd class or €33.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways site int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map.  But always allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.

• Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges.  The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning.

  Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or www.colorline.com.

  Money-saving tip:  It's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164.  You'll need to use Google Chrome translation to translate the Norwegian.  You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details.  Feedback appreciated.

  Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord.  The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre.  Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis.  If you have little luggage it's possible to walk.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line.  It's just a 6 minute walk across from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line terminal.  There's a lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal.  If you've booked one of Color Line's 5 star suites, check in at the desk rather than the machines to be directed to a VIP lounge with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi.  You'll have priority boarding & free access to the on-board spa.  Photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry except where shown.

Above left, cabin with TV, shower & toilet, luxury suites are also available.  Above right, restaurant with a view.

Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.

Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.

The Color Line ferry, arrived at Oslo.  Above right, there's a transfer bus to Oslo Sentral, photo courtesy of Andrew Leo.

Option 4, Berlin to Oslo, by train to Copenhagen then DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo - cheaper than Color Line

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by luxurious ICE with restaurant car for breakfast, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then by EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen with power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.

  In Copenhagen, the connection with the ferry on days when it sails at 15:00 is a little tight, so take a taxi from the station to the DFDS ferry terminal, this takes just 10 minutes.  Check-in closes at 14:45.

  On days when the ferry sails at 16:30 (when check-in closes at 16:15), you can walk from Copenhagen station to the DFDS ferry terminal through the centre of Copenhagen in 50 minutes, or take an 8-minute local train ride from Copenhagen main station to Nordhavn station, from where it's a 10-minute walk to the terminal, see walking map.

  Fares start at €28.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Step 2, sail from Copenhagen to Oslo by DFDS Seaways overnight ferry.

  The luxurious DFDS Seaways ferry sails from Copenhagen DFDS terminal every day, either at 15:00 (check-in closes 14:45) or at 16:30 (check-in closes 16:15), arriving Oslo Vippetangen terminal at 10:00 next day (day 3).

  Check times & book tickets at www.dfds.com or using the Direct Ferries website.

  At the DFDS ferry terminal, you check yourself in at the self-service check-in machines just inside the entrance.  You enter your booking reference, scan your passport, and it produces your boarding pass/cabin key.  You then pass through a fairly nominal customs check and walk onto the ferry.

  All passengers travel in comfortable private cabins with en suite toilet & shower and satellite TV.  To travel in luxury, treat yourself to DFDS's famous Commodore Class, some suites with private balconies with sea view..  The ship has bars & restaurants for breakfast on board, you can pre-book breakfast with your ticket.  There's also a sauna.  The ships on this route are the Crown Seaways or Pearl Seaways.

  Make sure you're on deck in the morning when the ferry sails up the scenic Oslo Fjord, a stunning way to arrive in Norway.  You'll see coast on either side of the ship from about 06:30 and she enters the narrow part of the fjord by about 07:00.

  In Oslo you can walk from the ferry terminal to the city centre in 15-20 minutes, or you can take a taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between the ferry's arrival and any onward train from Oslo Sentral.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

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Berlin to Helsinki & Finland

Option 1, Berlin to Helsinki using a direct ferry from Germany - the easiest option

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 16:38 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 18:22.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €17.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  Tip:  You should book from Berlin to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lübeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the ICE from Berlin to Hamburg, the regional train to Lübeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal.

  Tip:  If you take the earlier 15:38 from Berlin Hbf arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:24, you'll have time for dinner in Lübeck, there are lots of bars & restaurants in Lübeck old town 5 minutes walk from the station.  When booking, click Stopovers and enter Lübeck Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 2 hours.  I suggest the Schiffergesellschaft restaurant (schiffergesellschaft.de) located in a historic seamans' union building, 21 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.

• Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck by regional train then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemünde.

  Sail from Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry.  Finnlines sail from Travemünde to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Berlin).

  See full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing here.

  Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.

• Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.

Option 2, Berlin to Helsinki, by train to Stockholm then ferry

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Stockholm by train using any of the options shown in the Berlin to Sweden section.

• Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki either by direct overnight cruise ferry, or by daytime or overnight ferry to Turku and connecting train to Helsinki as shown on the Trains & ferries from Stockholm page.

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Berlin to Prague from €18.90

• Air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Berlin Hbf and Prague Hlavni every couple of hours in 4h08. It's the recommended way to travel between these cities, as fast or faster than flying, much cheaper and far less hassle.

  South of Dresden, the trains run along the scenic Elbe valley, a lovely run, so make sure you choose seats on the left hand side of the train for the best river views.  Most of these trains also have a proper dining-car, why not have a proper sit-down meal while you travel?

• Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• See the Berlin to Prague page for schedules, fares, tips & how to buy tickets.

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Berlin to Český Krumlov for €29.40

• You can travel from Berlin to Český Krumlov by swish EuroCity train from Berlin to Prague along the scenic Elbe river, then by comfortable Czech express train from Prague to Ceské Budejovice (formerly Budweis, that's right, where the name of the beer comes from) then on a little local train along the branch line to Ceský Krumlov.  Bring some beer and a good book and enjoy the ride!  There are several possible departures every day, for example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 07:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceské Budejovice, arriving Ceský Krumlov 15:11.

  Berlin Hbf depart 11:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceské Budejovice, arriving Ceský Krumlov 18:56.

  Berlin Hbf depart 13:16, change at Prague Hlavni & Ceské Budejovice, arriving Ceský Krumlov 20:57.

  Berlin Hbf depart 15:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceské Budejovice, arriving Ceský Krumlov 23:48.

  Check train times from Berlin to Ceský Krumlov at int.bahn.de, although you won't see prices at this stage.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Ceské Budejovice starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €36.90 in 1st class.

  These fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Ceské Budejovice to Ceský Krumlov costs around 40 Czech Koruna, about €1.55.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de and book from Berlin Hbf to Ceské Budejovice.

  If you try booking to Ceský Krumlov you won't see any prices, it'll just say Determine price.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  If you'd like a stopover in Prague on the way, simply click Stopovers, enter PRAGUE and whatever length of stay you want between 2h and 48h, and it'll programme in the stop for a similar end-to-end price.

  Step 2, you buy a local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Český Krumlov from the machine on board the train on the day or (if there's time) at the distinctive green & orange GWTR ticket kiosk at Ceske Budejovice station ticket hall, see more information on the Cesky Krumlov page.

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Berlin to Karlovy Vary for €31

• Berlin to Karlovy Vary takes around 5h31, using a swish EuroCity train from Berlin Hbf to Usti Nad Labem & changing for a Czech train to Karlovy Vary.

• Fares start at just €18.90 is 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You can also book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, but booking only opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Berlin to Brno for €27.90

• There are departures from Berlin Hbf every 2 hours, change at Prague Hlavni for Brno, total journey time around 7 hours.

• Fares start at just €18.90 is 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You can also book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, but booking only opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Berlin to Bratislava from €46.90

Option 1, Berlin to Bratislava by EuroNight sleeper train Metropol - the time-effective option, saves a hotel bill too

• A comfortable EuroNight sleeper train called the Metropol leaves Berlin Hbf at 19:21 and arrives Bratislava Hlavna at 06:02 next morning.

  The train has an air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and 2nd class seats.  In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the fare.  The train's final destination is Budapest.  More about the Berlin-Bratislava sleeper train.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

• Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Berlin to Bratislava by EuroCity train - the direct daytime option

• A EuroCity train called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:15 every day, arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 18:02.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' latest air-conditioned cars with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  South of Dresden, the train runs along the scenic Elbe valley, make sure you grab a unreserved seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views, see the photos & video here.  Have lunch in the restaurant as the scenery glides by. 

  From 10 August to 13 December 2025, the Hungaria will leave Berlin a little earlier, at 08:56.

  Alternatively, you can take the earlier 07:16 departure or later 11:16 departure and make one easy change of train at Prague Hlavni.

• Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case the ticket cannot be shown on a mobile device, it must be printed out.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Stopover in Dresden?  To book a Berlin to Bratislava train journey with a stopover in Dresden for a few hours, go to int.bahn.de, enter Berlin to Bratislava, click Stopovers, enter Dresden and a suitable length of stay.  Then run the enquiry and buy the ticket.  There are left luggage lockers at Dresden Hbf.

Option 3, Berlin to Bratislava by daytime trains - alternative daytime options

• There are now a remarkable 3 departures every day:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:15 by Railjet arriving Vienna Hbf 14:49.  Leave Vienna Hbf at 15:14 arriving Bratislava Hlavna 16:10.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:04 by ICE-T arriving Vienna Hbf 17:47.  Leave Vienna Hbf at 18:14 arriving Bratislava Hlavna 19:10.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:04 by ICE-T arriving Vienna Hbf 21:47.  Leave Vienna Hbf at 22:14 arriving Bratislava Hlavna 23:10.

  The Austrian Railjet train also has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, it starts running from 21 March 2024.

  The German ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You travel from Vienna to Bratislava by regional express.  Important:  If travelling before 15 December 2024, see the update here.

  Tip:  If you have a 1st ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

• Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

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Berlin to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice from €46.90

Option 1, Berlin to the Tatra mountains in a day

• It's possible to travel from Berlin to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice in a day.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 07:16 by EuroCity train and change at Prague Hlavni & Zilina, arriving Poprad Tatry 19:30 & Kosice 20:53.

  Or leave Berlin Hbf at 09:15 by EuroCity train, change at Prague Hlavni, arriving Poprad Tatry 21:51 & Kosice 23:12.

• Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case it must be printed out, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.

  Tip:  You can use the Stopovers feature to give yourself an overnight stopover in Bratislava if you like.

  Tip:  If you want the 09:16 departure you'll have to book Berlin to Prague at int.bahn.de, then book Prague to Poprad-Tatry or Kosice at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.  You can check overall times at int.bahn.de first, by clicking Stopovers and entering Prague with a 30 minute length of stay.

• There is one other option:

  You can leave Berlin Hbf at 07:16 by EuroCity train and change at Prague Hlavni onto an excellent privately-run Leo Express train from Prague to Poprad-Tatry arriving 20:19.  This is a good choice.  In this case, book Berlin to Prague at int.bahn.de then book the Leo Express train separately at www.leoexpress.com.

Option 2, Berlin to the Tatra mountains using the Prague-Slovakia sleeper - the most time-effective option, with dinner in Prague

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 15:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:24.

  The trains have comfortable air-conditioned cars, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's great scenery along the Elbe river valley between Dresden & Prague, see the Berlin to Prague page for timetable & more about these trains.  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Prague, just in case of delay.

  Have a wander around Prague's old town and have dinner, see my restaurant suggestions in Prague.  By all means take an earlier train from Berlin and have more time in Prague, see the Berlin-Prague timetable here.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Poprad-Tatry or Kosice by sleeper train Slovakia, leaving Prague Hlavni at 22:16 & arriving Poprad-Tatry 06:14 & Kosice 08:17.

  The Slovakia has Slovakian 4 & 6 berth couchettes, a modern Slovakian air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and several modern air-conditioned Czech sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet.

  Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

Option 3, Berlin to the Tatra mountains using the Berlin-Bratislava sleeper - also a time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Bratislava by overnight sleeper, as shown in the Berlin-Bratislava by sleeper section above.  Book this as shown.

• Step 2, take an air-conditioned Slovakian express train with restaurant car from Bratislava Hlavna to Poprad Tatry & Kosice, arriving at lunch time.  Book this at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk.  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Bratislava.

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Berlin to Budapest from €37.90

Option 1, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper - the time-effective option

• A EuroNight sleeper train called the Metropol leaves Berlin Hbf at 19:21 and arrives Budapest Nyugati at 08:29.

  This comfortable sleeper train has an air-conditioned carpeted sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, air-conditioned 4 & 6 berth couchettes and 2nd class seats.  In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the fare.  More about the Berlin-Budapest sleeper train.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

• Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity train Hungaria - the direct daytime option

• A comfortable EuroCity train called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:15 every day, arriving Budapest Nyugati 20:28.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' latest air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a leisurely day with your feet up, with lovely scenery as the train snakes along the Elbe river valley between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.  There's a Hungarian restaurant car serving inexpensive meals & wine and with draught beer on tap, so treat yourself to lunch and a glass or two!

  From 10 August to 13 December 2025, the Hungaria will leave Berlin a little earlier, at 08:56.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.  However, in this case the ticket cannot be shown on a mobile device, it must be printed out.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 3, Berlin to Budapest by day trains - alternative daytime option

• A later departure is possible with 1 easy change in Vienna:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:04 arriving Vienna Hbf 17:47.  Leave Vienna Hbf at 18:17 arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.

  You travel from Berlin to Vienna by ICE-T Berolina, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then from Vienna to Budapest by smart Austrian railjet train also with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The railjet also has business class (premium first).

  Tip:  If you have a 1st ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

• Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  Tip:  Book from Berlin to Budapest.  By default, the system may suggest you change at Vienna Meidling.  Click Stopovers and enter Wien Hbf, then it'll give you a longer interchange at Vienna Hbf with better facilities.

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Berlin to Bucharest, Brasov & Romania

Option 1, Berlin-Budapest by sleeper, day at leisure in Budapest, Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arriving Budapest Nyugati 08:29, as shown above.

  The comfortable sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and there's a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  Buy tickets as shown above.

• Spend a day in Budapest.  Left luggage lockers are available.  If you have a ticket for a single or double sleeper you can use the 1st class lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti for an hour or two after arrival and before departure.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 & arriving Braşov 08:50 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 11:30 next day.

  This sleeper train Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and bottle of wine.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.  Ister is the ancient name for the Danube.

  Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.

  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  You print your own ticket.

  You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

Option 2, Berlin-Vienna by day train, Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest by Dacia Express - the fastest option

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Vienna by ICE-T train Berolina, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

  It has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.  In 1st class food & drink orders are taken & served at your seat, no need to visit the restaurant.  This train is routed through Germany via Nuremberg.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the EuroNight sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every evening and arriving next day in Simeria 07:10, Sighisoara 09:13, Braşov 12:36, Ploeşti Vest 14:28 & Bucharest Nord at 15:06.

  The Dacia Express has modern & comfortable Romanian sleeping-cars (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, including a couple of deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet) and couchettes (4-berth & 6-berth compartments).  There's wonderful Alpine-style scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.

  The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:47. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.  If it says not available you can't book it, but if a Sparschiene fare is shown you can.  You collect tickets from an ÖBB ticket machine in Vienna.

  You can also book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.

  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  Tip:  Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

  Tip:  If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click D, then look for Dacia.

Option 3, Berlin to Romania by daytime trains with overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:15, arriving Budapest Nyugati 20:28.

  Between Dresden & Prague the Hungaria runs along the scenic Elbe river valley, grab a seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views,  see the tips, photos & video here.  There's free WiFi.  The train has a Hungarian restaurant car, have a meal and a beer or two while you travel.

  From 10 August to 13 December 2025, the Hungaria will leave Berlin a little earlier, at 08:56.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket (it must be printed in this case, it cannot be shown on a mobile device).

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station.  Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station.  More hotels in Budapest.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest by Intercity train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 07:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 00:31, or from Budapest to Brasov leaving Budapest Keleti at 09:10 and arriving Brasov at 22:42.

  Fares start at €26.30 in 2nd class or (where available) €40.50 in 1st class.  These are limited availability fares, book ahead for these prices.

  Book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it. 

  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You show the ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

  You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

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Berlin to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Rijeka, Sarajevo, Split, Dubrovnik

Option 1, Berlin to Ljubljana & Zagreb in a single day

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:28 and arriving Munich Hbf 11:03.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about ICE trains.

  A later departure is theoretically possible with a tight 15-minute connection in Munich, but I wouldn't risk it, stick with this earlier train.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb by EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf at 12:17, make a quick & easy change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:32 & Zagreb 20:45.

  There's a restaurant car as far as Villach on the Slovenian border, reached around 16:40.  There is beautiful scenery through the mountains across Austria, and along the river Sava between Ljubljana & Zagreb.

• How much does it cost?

  Fares from Berlin to Ljubljana or Zagreb start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €57.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  Tip:  Click Stopovers, enter Munich and a length of stay of 30 minutes.  This ensures a robust connection in Munich.

Option 2, Berlin to Munich by day train then Munich to Zagreb by sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:12 arriving Munich Hbf 22:01.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about ICE trains.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Personally, I'd take an earlier ICE (they run regularly through the day) to allow time for dinner in Munich.

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Transfer from Munich Hbf to Munich Ost by frequent S-Bahn train, taking 8 minutes.

  Tip:  For a beer or two whilst waiting for your sleeper (or for a meal if you've allowed time for dinner), try the Haidhauser-Augustiner Bavarian restaurant, (www.haidhauser-augustiner.de) just 5 minutes walk from the main station exit on the north side of Munich Ost, see walking route.  Feedback appreciated.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Munich Ost at 23:54, arriving Lesce-Bled 07:13, Ljubljana 08:09 & Zagreb 10:39.

  The sleeper train Lisinski has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, a Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  See the photos below & see the Croatian sleeper video.

  On some dates this train conveys a direct Croatian sleeping-car to Rijeka:  In 2024 it ran from 22 March to 8 April & 9 May to 29 September, leaving Munich Ost at 23:54 & arriving Rijeka 11:17.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Important: This sleeper train is diverted via Graz due to work in the Tauern Tunnel and won't call at Lesce-Bled or Ljubljana from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025.  For Ljubljana, either use another option or get off the sleeper at Celja in northern Slovenia at 09:47 then take a local train leaving Celje at 11:36 arriving Ljubljana 12:43.  Check times for the local train at potniski.sz.si/en.

• Step 3, take an onward connection:

  For Sarajevo, see the Zagreb to Sarajevo page.

  For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using int.bahn.de.

  For Split, either stay overnight in Zagreb and take a daytime train from Zagreb to Split next day (a great idea as it's a lovely scenic route well worth seeing by day) or take the overnight sleeper from Zagreb to Split.  The fare by daytime train is only around €20 in 2nd class.  See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.  Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.  www.hzpp.hr can sell daytime tickets and couchettes on the night train, but not sleepers.

  For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station.  There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17.  Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

Option 3, Berlin to Vienna by sleeper then onward daytime train to Ljubljana & Zagreb

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:00 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

  Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana or Zagreb.

  For Ljubljana, leave Vienna Hbf at 07:58, arriving Ljubljana at 14:00.

  For Zagreb, leave Vienna Hbf at 08:24, change at Villach, arriving Zagreb at 17:10.

  The Vienna-Ljubljana train is the EuroCity train Emona, air-conditioned with restaurant car.  It takes the UNESCO-listed Semmering route south of Vienna, with more great scenery further south into Croatia.  Enjoy a freshly-cooked lunch in the Slovenian restaurant car.

  Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €33.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 3, take an onward connection:

  For Sarajevo, see the Zagreb to Sarajevo page.

  For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using int.bahn.de.

  For Split & Dubrovnik, travel to Zagreb, then either stay overnight in Zagreb and take a daytime train to Split next day (a great idea as it's a lovely scenic route well worth seeing by day) or take the overnight sleeper to Split.  The fare by daytime train is only around €20 in 2nd class.  See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.  Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.  www.hzpp.hr can sell daytime tickets and couchettes on the night train, but not sleepers.  Then take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station.  There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17.  Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

Option 4, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper then onward daytime train

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arriving Budapest Nyugati at 08:29 next morning.

  The Metropol has a comfortable Slovakian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments & a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  You're now free to explore Budapest until mid-afternoon.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Zagreb by InterCity train Agram leaving Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving Zagreb 21:59.

  Advance-purchase fares start at €9.

  Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.

  Booking normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your ticket or can show it in the MAV app.

• Step 3, take an onward connection:

  For Sarajevo, see the Zagreb to Sarajevo page.

  For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using int.bahn.de.

  For Split, either stay overnight in Zagreb and take a daytime train from Zagreb to Split next day (a great idea as it's a lovely scenic route well worth seeing by day) or take the overnight sleeper from Zagreb to Split.  The fare by daytime train is only around €20 in 2nd class.  See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.  Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.  www.hzpp.hr can sell daytime tickets and couchettes on the night train, but not sleepers.

  For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station.  There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17.  Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

Option 5, by daytime trains with overnight hotel in Munich - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers

• Day 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Munich Hbf by ICE train on any afternoon or evening train you like, journey time as little as 3h50.  You can leave Berlin as late as 20:04, but I'd leave earlier to have more of an evening in Munich.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

  For dinner, I recommend the Bavarian food & beer at the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana & Zagreb, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16, there's an easy cross-platform change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 13:50, Ljubljana 13:31 & Zagreb 17:10.  More info here.

  There's great scenery through the mountains of Austria via the Tauern route and along the pretty River Sava,

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• For Rijeka, change at Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using int.bahn.de.

Option 6, by daytime trains with overnight hotel in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:15, arriving Budapest Nyugati 20:28.

  Between Dresden & Prague the Hungaria runs along the scenic Elbe river valley, grab a seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views,  see the tips, photos & video here.  The train also has a Hungarian restaurant car, have a meal and a beer or two while you travel.

  From 10 August to 13 December 2025, the Hungaria will leave Berlin a little earlier, at 08:56.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket (it must be printed in this case, it cannot be shown on a mobile device).

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Nyugati is the T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite.  Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 15 minutes walk or 5 minutes by taxi from Nyugati station.

• Day 2, take a daytime train from Budapest to Ljubljana or Zagreb:

  The Citadella leaves Budapest Deli at 09:00 and arrives Ljubljana at 16:35. 

  The Agram leaves Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving in Zagreb at 21:59.

  Fares start at from €15, book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.

Option 7, using the Regiojet sleeper train from Prague to Rijeka - summer-only, 3 times a week, cheapest.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:24.

  Or take an earlier train 2 or 4 hours earlier and spend some time in Prague.  There's a restaurant car for lunch and a beer or two, and great scenery along the Elbe river valley between Dresden and Prague, see the photos and video here.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website  int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Rijeka by Regiojet sleeper train 3 times a week June-September.

  It ran 3 times a week from 16 June to 30 September 2023, 2024 dates not yet announced.

  It leaves Prague Hlavni around 17:12 (16:45 some dates) on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving Rijeka at 10:40 next morning.

  This excellent Regiojet train has 4-berth couchettes and seats.  The couchette fare includes all necessary bedding and a light breakfast.   There's excellent on-board at-seat service from an extensive menu, with complimentary bottled water and excellent Illy coffee.  There's free WiFi.

  Fares start at €22.90 in a seat or €29.90 with a couchette in a shared 4-berth compartment, or €125.90 for sole occupancy of a private couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.

  Buy an e-ticket online at www.regiojet.com.  It even allows you to choose your exact place from a carriage plan.

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Berlin to Belgrade & Montenegro

Option 1, Berlin to Belgrade using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper - starts running from 24 November 2024

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest on the sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arriving Budapest Nyugati at 08:29.

  The train has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and 2nd class seats.  In sleepers, a light breakfast is included in the fare.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

  Fares start at €49 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €59 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper with washbasin, €99 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.

  You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade.  This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.

  Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.

  Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

• For onward trains to Montenegro, see the Belgrade to Podgorica & Bar page.

Step 1, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, see here boarding at Berlin Hbf.

Step 2, Budapest to Belgrade on a connecting 3-train combo, starts 24 November 2024.  This includes a 200 km/h double-deck Serbian SOKO train from Subotica to Belgrade Centar, with refreshments, toilets, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi.  Soko is Serbian for falcon, hence the logo!  Photo courtesy of Hugo van Vondelen.

Option 2, Berlin to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - starts running from 24 November 2024

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest on the EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:15 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:28.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's a Hungarian restaurant car serving inexpensive meals with beer or wine and there's lovely scenery along the Elbe River valley between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.  A day well spent!

  From 10 August to 13 December 2025, the Hungaria will leave Berlin a little earlier, at 08:56.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case it cannot be shown on a mobile device.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings at any time.

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  For an affordable hotel close to Budapest Nyugati, look no further than the 3-star  T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite with funky interior design.  The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is a few minutes walk away, also with good reviews.  The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block along the road from the station.  Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 05:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 12:38.

  Or if you'd prefer a later departure, leave Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.

  You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade.  This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.

  Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.

  Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

• For onward trains to Montenegro, see the Belgrade to Podgorica & Bar page.

Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity train Hungaria, seen here at Berlin Hbf.

Day 2, Budapest to Belgrade on a connecting 3-train combo, starts 24 November 2024.  This includes a 200 km/h double-deck Serbian SOKO train from Subotica to Belgrade Centar, with refreshments, toilets, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi.  Soko is Serbian for falcon, hence the logo!  Photo courtesy of Hugo van Vondelen.

Option 3, Berlin to Belgrade using the Munich-Zagreb sleeper - currently involves a bus

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:12 arriving Munich Hbf 22:01.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Personally, I'd take an earlier ICE (they run regularly through the day) to allow time for dinner in Munich.

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Transfer from Munich Hbf to Munich Ost by frequent S-Bahn train, taking 8 minutes.

  Tip:  For a beer or two whilst waiting for your sleeper (or for a meal if you've allowed time for dinner), try the Haidhauser-Augustiner Bavarian restaurant, (www.haidhauser-augustiner.de) just 5 minutes walk from the main station exit on the north side of Munich Ost, see walking route.  Feedback appreciated.

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Munich Ost at 23:54 and arriving Zagreb at 10:39.

  The Lisinski has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, a Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  See the photos below & see the Croatian sleeper video.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended.

  This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class.  There's no catering, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.

  The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

  A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

• For Montenegro, take the overnight sleeper Lovcen from Belgrade Centar to Podgorica & Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day.  See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.

Option 4, Berlin to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - slower, but by train all the way, runs until 23 November 2024

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:15, arriving Budapest Nyugati 20:28.

  Between Dresden & Prague the Hungaria runs along the scenic Elbe river valley, grab a seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views,  see the tips, photos & video here.  The train also has a Hungarian restaurant car, have a meal and a beer or two while you travel. 

  From 10 August to 13 December 2025, the Hungaria will leave Berlin a little earlier, at 08:56.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket (it must be printed in this case, it cannot be shown on a mobile device).

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  The highly-recommended 3-star T62 Hotel is across the road from Budapest Nyugati and a traveller's favourite.  The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is few minutes walk away.  The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block away.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade as shown on the Budapest-Belgrade page.

  You leave Budapest Nyugati at 05:50, change at Szeged, Subotica & Novi Sad, arriving Belgrade Centar at 20:27.

  All direct Budapest-Belgrade mainline trains remain suspended until at least 2025 while the line is modernised for 200 km/h operation.  However, in 2024 it's possible for the determined traveller to reach Belgrade on local trains via this somewhat round-about route.  It's a long but interesting journey, with time for lunch in Subotica.

Serbian local train of the type used between Szeged & Subotica and Subotica & Novi Sad.  They are air-conditioned, 2nd class only, with toilets.  Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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Berlin to Sofia

Option 1, Berlin to Sofia via Bucharest

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest overnight as shown above, using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:42.

  The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 21:04) to Bucharest.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares

  Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

  If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Arad to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.  (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Arad to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.  A single sleeper all to yourself can cost as little as €59.

• Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest>Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page.

  You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:47 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:21 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria.  In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  The fare is around €34.

  Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Berlin to Sofia via Belgrade

• Not currently viable while Zagreb-Belgrade, Budapest-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.

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Berlin to Warsaw from €27.90:  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train page

• Comfortable EuroCity trains link Berlin Hbf & Warsaw Centralna in 5h22 or so up to 6 times per day, city centre to city centre.  These are smart modern air-conditioned Polish trains with restaurant car serving inexpensive meals, beer & wine.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €37.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Krakow from €27.90

Option 1, Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train - the daytime option

• Until 14 December 2024, two direct EuroCity trains link Berlin with Krakow every day.

  The Wawel leaves Berlin Hbf at 10:52, arriving Wroclaw 15:05, Katowice 17:15 & Krakow Glowny at 18:07.

  The Oder leaves Berlin Hbf at 16:52, arriving Wroclaw 20:56, Katowice 23:05 & Krakow Glowny at 23:54. 

  Both trains have modern air-conditioned cars and a restaurant car.  Treat yourself to lunch or dinner and a beer or two!

• From 15 December 2024, three direct EuroCity trains link Berlin with Krakow every day.

  The Galicja leaves Berlin Hbf at 08:52, arriving Wroclaw 12:53, Katowice 15:06 & Krakow Glowny at 16:07.

  The Wawel leaves Berlin Hbf at 12:52, arriving Wroclaw 16:54, Katowice 19:13 & Krakow Glowny at 20:07.

  The Oder leaves Berlin Hbf at 16:52, arriving Wroclaw 20:48, Katowice 23:05 & Krakow Glowny at 23:48. 

  All three trains have modern air-conditioned cars and a restaurant car.  Treat yourself to lunch or dinner and a beer or two!

• Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking to Poland only opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Berlin to Krakow using the Poznan-Krakow sleeper - the  time-effective option with dinner in Poznan

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Poznan by comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:52 and arriving Poznan at 20:36.

  This runs daily except Saturdays, or on any day of the week you can leave Berlin Hbf at 15:52 and arriving Poznan at 18:36.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  Have dinner in Poznan.

• Step 2, travel from Poznan to Krakow by sleeper train, leaving Poznan at 22:53 and arriving Krakow Glowny around 05:49 next morning.

  The fare is around 111 zlotys (€26) with a couchette in 6-berth, 211 zlotys (€47) for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, or 397 zlotys (€87) for a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, a bargain.  Times may vary.

  Book this train at the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

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Berlin to Wroclaw from €27.90

Option 1, Berlin to Wroclaw by EuroCity train

• Until 14 December 2024, two direct EuroCity trains link Berlin with Wroclaw every day.

  The Wawel leaves Berlin Hbf at 10:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 15:05.

  The Oder leaves Berlin Hbf at 16:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 20:56.

  These comfortable air-conditioned Polish EuroCity trains have 1st & 2nd class and a restaurant car.

• From 15 December 2024, three direct EuroCity trains link Berlin with Wroclaw every day.

  The Galicija leaves Berlin Hbf at 08:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 12:53.

  The Wawel leaves Berlin Hbf at 12:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 16:54.

  The Oder leaves Berlin Hbf at 16:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 20:48.

  These comfortable air-conditioned Polish EuroCity trains have 1st & 2nd class and a restaurant car.

• Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.   I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• In Wroclaw, I recommend the excellent Hotel Altus Palace, a 9-minute 700m walk from the station (see walking map), a 10-minute walk from the old town's main square.  It has a restaurant & spa.

Option 2, Berlin to Wroclaw by Kulturzug regional train on Fridays & Saturdays from 19 April 2024 until autumn 2024.

• A direct regional train called the Kulturzug links Berlin & Wroclaw twice a week, it's due to start running for the 2024 season from 19 April.

  It leaves Berlin Lichtenberg at 14:43 on Fridays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 19:18.

  It leaves Berlin Lichtenburg at 07:59 on Saturdays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 12:35.

• Check times and days of running at int.bahn.de and/or www.vbb.de/vbb-services/freizeitangebote/polen/breslau-wroclaw/ (please let me know if the latter link stops working).

• The fare is €24.90 each way.

  It's a Regional Express, no reservation necessary, you can buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  It's possible to buy online at Bahn.de, to find the right page Google Kulturzug Wroclaw bahn.de - however the pages about this train are only in German.

• In the return direction, the train leaves Wroclaw Glowny at 17:30 on Sundays arriving Berlin Lichtenburg at 21:58, and on Fridays at 19:32 arriving 23:58, check times & running days at int.bahn.de and/or www.vbb.de/vbb-services/freizeitangebote/polen/breslau-wroclaw/.

Option 3, Berlin to Wroclaw with a change at Poznan or Rzepin - if none of the direct trains suit you

• Take any Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train and change at Rzepin or Poznan for a Polish train to Wroclaw Glowny.

• For example, the 05:51 Mondays-Saturdays will get you to Wroclaw Glowny at 10:17, or the daily 13:52 from Berlin will get you to Wroclaw at 18:15 or there are other departures.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• You can check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  The system often suggests journeys involving a 5 or 10 minute connection.  Although you'll have a through ticket so can take a later onward train if a delay means you miss the connection, you may prefer booking a more robust connection to start with.  If so, simply change Transfer time from normal to minimum 20 minutes before running the enquiry.

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Berlin to Gdansk & Gdynia from €27.90

• An excellent direct EuroCity train leaves Berlin every day at 12:52 (14:52 from 15 December 2024 onwards) direct to Gdansk (the former Danzig) & Gdynia.  See the Berlin-Poland EuroCity train page for details.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Szczecin (Stettin) for €13.80

• Regional trains would normally link Berlin Gesundbrunnen with Szczecin Glowny (Glowny = main station) every 2 hours in 1h55 or so.

  However, until 2026 there's a rail replacement bus between Angermünde & Stettin while the line is upgraded from single to double track. 

  Currently, RE3 regional trains leave Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 05:38, 07:38, 09:38 and every 2 hours until 22:38, connecting at Angermünde with an RB66X express bus to Stettin, total journey time 2h25.

  Check times at int.bahn.de, but it only shows fares starting at €33 or so, so do not buy online.

• The Berlin transit authority VBB offers a special Berlin-Stettin Ticket for €13.80, good for travel from any station in the Berlin area to Stettin Glowny or any station in the Stettin area using regional trains and S-bahn trains, including the rail replacement bus.

  You cannot buy the €13.80 Berlin-Stettin Ticket online, but it's easy to buy at the station from the VBB ticket machines or staffed counter.  Feedback appreciated!

  You can check this price at the VBB website www.vbb.de/fahrinfo.

• Alternative all-train route via Pasewalk:  You may prefer going from Berlin Hbf to Stettin via Pasewalk, which can still be done entirely by train, it takes as little as 2h27, but times vary.  Check times at int.bahn.de, from Berlin Hbf to Stettin, but click Stopovers and enter Pasewalk.  The fare if you stick to regional trains should still be €13.80, more if you use an ICE.  You can safely buy tickets for journeys involving ICEs online at int.bahn.de, but if you plan to use regional trains do not buy online, buy at the station to get the €13.80 VBB fare.

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Berlin to Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn

Berlin to Lithuania with overnight stop in Warsaw

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw on any train you like, see the timetable here.

  You can leave Berlin as late as 17:52 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays or 15:52 Saturdays, by all means leave earlier to have more time in Warsaw.

• Stay overnight in Warsaw.  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius by train as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

• Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

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Berlin to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine from €85

Option 1, Berlin to Lviv & Kyiv via Prague - much easier to book than other options and usually has plenty of availability

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 15:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni 19:24.

  Have a beer or two in the restaurant car as the train meanders along the beautiful Elbe river between Dresden & Prague.  By all means book an earlier train if you'd like more time in Prague, see timetable.  Suggested restaurants for dinner in Prague.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Day 1, travel from Prague to Przemysl by Regiojet sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 21:56 every day, arriving Przemysl 08:08 (day 2).

  A connecting Ukrainian Intercity train leaves Przemysl at 09:35, arriving Lviv 12:27 & Kyiv Pass at 19:57 (day 2).

  The Regiojet sleeper train has 3 & 4 berth couchettes set up with full bedding like a sleeping-car.  You can book an inexpensive berth in a shared compartment or you can book a whole compartment for sole occupancy if you like.  Refreshments are available from the train staff.

  The Ukrainian intercity train is comfortable and air-conditioned with cafe-bar.  Regiojet have an allocation of seats and a Regiojet ticket from Prague to Lviv or Kyiv includes a 2nd class seat on this train, booked as one combined ticket from Prague to Lviv/Kyiv.

  Prague to Lviv or Kyiv starts at €58 with a berth in a shared compartment, or €119.90 for sole occupancy of a 4-berth couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.  Fares vary slightly according to demand.  The fare includes the sleeper and a 2nd class seat on the connecting Ukrainian train.

  Buy tickets from Prague to Lviv or Kyiv at www.regiojet.com.

  Booking opens 1-2 months ahead, so book your other trains first then book this one a month or two before travel.  There is usually plenty of availability 3+ weeks before departure, although it can sell out with a week or two to go.  You print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Prague to Przemysl by Regiojet sleeper train

Przemysl to Lviv & Kyiv by Intercity train.		1st class. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

2nd class. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.		Cafe counter. Courtesy DiscoverByRail.

Option 2, Berlin to Ukraine using the Warsaw to Kyiv sleeper - quickest & easiest journey, but can be tricky to book & often sells out

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:14. 

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  You could take the earlier 05:51 departure on Mondays-Saturdays arriving 11:14 and have time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Kyiv by Kyiv Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:40 and arriving Kyiv at 12:17 next day.

  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and some wine or beer.

  If you book through Polrail the cost is around €59 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €93 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper.

  Buy tickets from reliable Polish agency Polrail, booking.polrail.com.

  Be warned, this train is busy and often sells out soon after sales open.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail may or may not be able to arrange the return reservation back from Kyiv. 

• Book onward trains from Kyiv to Odessa & other places in Ukraine as shown on the Ukraine page.

Step 1, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class coaches, most with compartments and side corridor like this, others with open-plan seating.  Above, a train to Warsaw about to leave Berlin Hbf.

1st class compartment.		2nd class compartment.

Step 2, Warsaw to Kyiv by sleeper.  This is the Kyiv Express.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper.		Washbasin.		Kyiv Express.

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Berlin to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia

Option 1, Berlin to Moscow by twice-weekly Swift sleeper train - runs via Belarus.  Suspended due to war in Ukraine.

• Russian Railways RZD introduced a twice-weekly sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow in 2016, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:08 on Mondays & Saturdays, arriving at Moscow Belorussky station at 21:24 next day (20:43 from late March to late October).

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine.

  The train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (Russian for swift) which started running in 2016.  It has ordinary seats, 2nd class 4-berth sleepers, 1st class 1 or 2 berth sleepers with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth sleepers with en suite shower & toilet.  There's a restaurant & bistro car.

  Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the Talgo train runs through a special gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino.

• The fares is around 13,000 rubles (€181) with a bed in a 4-berth sleeper, 18,000 rubles (€251) with a bed in a 1st class 2-bed sleeper.

• You can book the Berlin-Moscow train at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and print your own ticket, it's a little fiddly but usually works, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here.

• Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. 

• IMPORTANT:  See the update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

The Strizh sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow, seen here boarding in Berlin.  It's a Spanish-built articulated Talgo train - note the relatively small size of each car, just one axle between each car.  The axles adjust automatically from standard European gauge (4' 8½") to Russian 5' gauge at Brest, as the train passes slowly through a special gauge-changing shed.   Courtesy of Stuart Wilks & Jaap van Ginkel.

2-berth sleeper with washbasin, in night & daytime modes.				Complimentary toiletry pack.

Option 2, Berlin to Moscow using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:14.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  On Mondays-Saturdays there's also an 05:43 from Berlin Hbf arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:42, which would give you some time in Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily, arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day.

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

  You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.  This Russian sleeper train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers.  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague.  There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.

  You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.

Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.

Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.

IMPORTANT:  See the update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

Option 4, Berlin to Moscow via Kyiv - this route avoids Belarus

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:14. 

  Tip:  You could take the earlier 05:43 departure on Mondays-Saturdays arriving 11:42 and have time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Kyiv by Kyiv Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:40 & arriving in Kyiv at 12:17 next day.

  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and perhaps some wine or beer.  The train is jacked up at the border to have its bogies changed from standard gauge (4' 8.5") to Russian 5' gauge, an interesting experience.  See the Kyiv Express photos on the London to Ukraine page.  Spend the day exploring Kyiv (by all means spend a night or two here if you like).

• Day 2, travel from Kyiv to Moscow by sleeper train.

  There are several night trains, there's usually one leaving Kyiv at 19:36 and arriving Moscow Kievskaya at 10:13 next morning (day 3 from Berlin).  2-berth & 4-berth sleepers are available.

  The Kyiv-Moscow sleeper trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and now due to the war in Ukraine.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Warsaw starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Warsaw to Kyiv costs around around €57 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper, if you book through Polrail.  It's a few euros cheaper (€46 in 3-berth) if you manage to book online as explained below.

  Kyiv to Moscow costs around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.  Polrail.com charge about €95 for a bed in a 4-berth sleeper.

• To buy tickets

  Book Berlin-Warsaw at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  To book the Warsaw-Kyiv & Kyiv-Moscow trains, contact reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  Tickets are collected in Warsaw.

  Alternatively, you can book Warsaw to Kyiv then Kyiv to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua/en/, although there are only very few berths from Warsaw to Kyiv made available online, see the explanation & instructions on the London to Kyiv page.  For the Kyiv to Moscow booking you should book from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect the Kyiv-Moscow tickets at the station in Kyiv.  Feedback appreciated!

• You'll still need a Russian visa, but you don't go through Belarus if you go this way.

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Berlin to Athens, Corfu & Greece

Option 1, Berlin to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely option with an Adriatic cruise thrown in

• The best and most comfortable option is to pick up a ferry in Bari.  The whole scenic and relaxing journey to Athens will take around 2 nights & 3 days, depending how the connections work out on your particular date.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Verona Porta Nuova in a single chill-out day with a restaurant car for lunch & dinner.

  I'd leave around 08:30, have at least an hour between trains in Munich just in case of delay, then arrive Verona around 18:58, but there are later or earlier options.

  Fares start at from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Check times & buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de - I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to a longer period for a more robust connection in Munich.

• Stay overnight in Verona.  Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire.

• Day 2, travel from Verona to Bari, leaving Verona Porta Nuova around 07:50.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Book this at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or www.trenitalia.com.  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• In Bari, transfer from station to port, see map of Bari showing station, port entrance, check-in building & Superfast Ferries berth.

  You can walk the 1.9 km from the station to the port entrance in 25 minutes, a stroll through Bari's pleasant old town, see correct walking map from the station to the port entrance gate - if Google tells you any different, trust me, not Google!

  Alternatively, bus 50 runs from Bari Centrale station to the road outside the port gate roughly every 40 minutes.  A taxi will take 10 minutes.

• Day 2, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with Superfast Ferries.

  The ferry sails from Bari at 19:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Patras at 13:00 next day (Day 3).

  On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Verona.

  You can check sailing times & dates at using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com.

  You should check in at the Superfast desk on the ground floor of the cruise terminal (Terminal Crociere) at Bari port with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3 hours before departure in summer, although in practice 2 hours or even 1½ hours is normally fine.

  You then walk 500m from check-in to the ferry, board the ferry via the foot passenger gangway at the stern and head up the escalator to the main lounge and reception desk to get your cabin key.

  The ship is comfortable, with self-service restaurant, lounge, bar and sun deck.  You can book a deck place (a good & cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag), a reclining seat or various types of cabin, all with private shower & toilet.  Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

  In Patras, the ferry arrives at the new South ferry terminal a few km from the town centre.  Bus 18 links the port with the Patras bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

• Day 3, travel from Patras to Athens by Greek Railways bus/train combo.

  Hellenic Train (Greek Railways) operate an integrated bus/train service from Patras to Athens every hour or two, total journey time 3h02, fare around €18.  No prior reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket to Athens at Patras railway station ticket office.

  For example, at the time I write this, buses leave from outside Patras railway station at 14:15, 15:15, 16:00, 17:15 & 18:15, taking 90 minutes to reach Kiato railway station near Corinthos.  At Kiato they connect with a modern air-conditioned regional train taking 78 minutes to Athens Larissa Station in downtown Athens.  You can check Patra to Athens bus/train times using the journey planner at www.hellenictrain.gr.

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.		Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.		Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras.

Option 2, Berlin to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - no longer viable

• There are currently no international trains from anywhere to Greece.

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Berlin to Istanbul & Turkey

• Travel from Berlin to Bucharest as shown in the Berlin to Bucharest section above.

• Stay overnight in Bucharest if necessary.

• Travel from Bucharest to Istanbul as shown on the Bucharest to Istanbul page.

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Hotels in Berlin & other cities

For advice on hotels in Berlin, see the hotels section on the Berlin station page.

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

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

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