 To check train times & fares in Austria, use either www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at. |
This page explains how to travel by train from Innsbruck to other key European cities, 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. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a 35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
Innsbruck to Salzburg, Vienna, Hallstatt, Graz & other destinations in Austria
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You can book ΦBB (Austrian Railways) tickets at www.thetrainline.com which is quick, easy, overseas credit cards no problem, and it has the advantage that it can book both ΦBB and Westbahn trains on the Vienna - Linz - Salzburg route. There's a small booking fee.
ΦBB's (Austrian Federal Railways) own website is www.oebb.at, switch it to English by clicking EN or on your phone Menu then changing Deutsch to English. It's a little more fiddly to use.
Whichever site you use, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Seat reservation is optional on Austrian railjet, InterCity & EuroCity trains and neither necessary nor possible on regional trains. You can always just buy a standard price (Standardpreis) ticket at the station, hop on the next train and sit where you like, trains cannot 'sell out'.
But if you want cheaper tickets, book in advance. And to be 100% sure of a reserved seat on a specific train you can make an optional seat reservation on InterCity, EuroCity and railjet trains for an additional charge of around 3.
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Advance-purchase Sparschiene fares
ΦBB has had dynamic since 2011, which means you can save money if you book a Sparschiene (saver) fare in advance and commit to a specific train, limited or no refunds, no-changes-to-travel-plans. ΦBB's Sparschiene fares between Austrian cities start from 9.90 and vary with demand and how far ahead you book.
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Innsbruck to Salzburg & Vienna by competing Westbahn trains
In December 2022, open-access operator Westbahn extended several of its Vienna-Salzburg double-deck trains to Innsbruck, in competition with ΦBB's railjets. There are now up to 5 Westbahn trains per day from Innsbruck to Salzburg & Vienna. You can see & compare both Westbahn and ΦBB prices at www.thetrainline.com.
Innsbruck to London from 78
Innsbruck to Paris from 48
Option 1, Innsbruck to Paris via Zurich - the scenic route
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The best route from Innsbruck to Paris is via the wonderful Arlberg Pass into Switzerland. You can do this journey in a day, or split it into two with an overnight stop in Zurich. For example, to do it in a day:
Innsbruck Hbf depart 07:47, Zurich HB arrive 11:20, depart 13:34, Paris Gare de Lyon arrive 17:38.
Innsbruck Hbf depart 09:47, Zurich HB arrive 13:20, depart 15:34, Paris Gare de Lyon arrive 19:38.
Innsbruck Hbf depart 13:47, Zurich HB arrive 17:20, depart 18:34, Paris Gare de Lyon arrive 22:42.
You travel from Innsbruck Hbf to Zurich HB on a swish Austrian railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi through the wonderful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Pass video here & see the Arlberg Railway page. More about railjets.
You've time for lunch in Zurich, I recommend steak & frites & a beer at the Brasserie Federal on the main station concourse. I'd always allow at least an hour at Zurich HB for a robust connection.
You then travel from Zurich HB to Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV-Lyria high-speed train with 3 classes, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
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How much does it cost?
Innsbruck to Zurich starts at 19.90 in 2nd class, 29.90 in 1st class or 44.90 in business class (premium 1st class).
Zurich to Paris starts at 29 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
The easiest way is to book from Innsbruck to Paris at www.raileurope.com, but click More options and enter Zurich (any station) as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour. In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Innsbruck-Zurich trains, but only up to 4 months ahead for Zurich-Paris trains.
Alternatively, buy each ticket separately: First buy the ticket from Innsbruck to Zurich 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 prices, no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Then book the ticket from Zurich to Paris at www.thetrainline.com (so both tickets are booked in the same place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Overnight stop in Zurich?
You can break up the journey by stopping in Zurich overnight if you like. For something really special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station. They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train. For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a tight budget you can book private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
Mountains near Innsbruck.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Φtzal & Landeck.
Arlberg Pass: Above, brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zόrichsee.
Innsbruck to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Monaco
Option 1, Innsbruck to Lyon & the South of France in a day
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Geneva, leaving Innsbruck at 07:47 by railjet train to Zurich HB then Swiss Intercity train arriving Geneva 14:18.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It travels through the beautiful Arlberg Pass into Switzerland, see the Arlberg Pass page for photos, video & more information.
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Step 2, travel from Geneva to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, Nice, leaving Geneva at 15:14 on a TER regional train to Lyon Part Dieu, change onto a high-speed TGV to Avignon, Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, Nice, Nξmes or Montpellier, arriving in the evening.
The TER is 2nd class only, bring your own food & drink, it's a pretty journey along the Rhone for much of the way from Geneva to Lyon. The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Or there's a later departure
There's also a later departure leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:47 by railjet train to Zurich HB then Swiss Intercity train arriving Geneva 16:18, leaving Geneva at 17:29 by TER regional train to Lyon Part Dieu, changing onto a high-speed TGV to Avignon, Marseille, Nξmes or Montpellier, arriving in the evening. However, you won't get as far as Cannes or Nice on this departure.
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How much does it cost?
Innsbruck to Geneva starts at 34.90 in 2nd class or 49.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares.
Geneva to Lyon is a fixed-price 33.40.
Lyon to other French cities by TGV starts at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares.
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How to buy tickets
You can buy all your tickets together in one place at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com as these connect to both Austrian and French ticketing systems. Both are easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
First book from Innsbruck to Geneva and add to basket. Then book Geneva to your French destination, add to basket & check out. Make sure you allow at least an hour between trains in Geneva.
Booking for Innsbruck-Geneva opens up to 6 months ahead. Geneva to France opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
Alternatively, more work, same prices but no booking fee, book Innsbruck to Geneva at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at then Geneva to France at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.
Option 2, Innsbruck to the South of France with overnight stop in Verona
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Verona by railjet, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 17:24 & arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:56.
This swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves you at your seat. The train travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the scenery photos & video on the Brenner Pass page
Or take an earlier railjet and spend a pleasant evening in Verona, they leave every 2 hours.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. If you use www.thetrainline.com you can buy all your tickets together in one place.
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Stay overnight in Verona. Hotels & B&Bs near the station with good or great reviews include the Sole Hotel Verona right next to the station, Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire.
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Day 2, travel from Verona to Monaco & the South of France leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 08:39, change in Milan's magnificent Centrale station and at Ventimiglia on the French border, arriving Monte Carlo 15:47, Nice Ville 16:11, Antibes 16:38 & Cannes 16:53.
This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Nice, through Savona & San Remo. More about this journey.
Fares from Verona to Ventimiglia start at 34.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
The fare from Ventimiglia to Nice by regional train is a fixed-price 9.20.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in , $ or £, they'll refund the 3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in , more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).
Booking opens up to 4 months days ahead. You print out your tickets or show them on your phone.
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Change in Nice and Marseille for Avignon, Montpellier, Perpignan. Allowing at least 45 minutes between trains in Nice book a separate onward ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Innsbruck to Bordeaux, Nantes & other French cities
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Paris on the 07:47 departure as shown in the Innsbruck to Paris section above.
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Change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare Montparnasse for Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Lourdes. Allow at least 1h15 between trains in Paris. For Limoges, Brive, Cahors you'd go to the Gare d'Austerlitz. For Caen, Dieppe, Cherbourg, Rouen, Le Havre you'd go to the Gare St Lazare.
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Step 2, travel from Paris Montparnasse to Le Mans, Bordeaux, Angers, Nantes, Rennes and so on by evening train.
Check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Innsbruck to Brussels & Bruges from 59
Option 1, Innsbruck to Brussels in a day by high-speed train
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You can travel from Innsbruck to Brussels in a single chill-out day. For example:
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 06:40, change at Munich Hbf & Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 15:35.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:40, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 17:35.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 10:40, change at Munich Hbf & Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 19:35.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 12:40, change at Munich Hbf & Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 21:35.
Innsbruck to Munich is by Austrian EuroCity train. Munich to Frankfurt & Frankfurt to Brussels are by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Times may vary.
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How much does it cost?
Innsbruck to Brussels starts at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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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.
An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi. More about ICE trains. Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Brussels using the Innsbruck-Cologne Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Cologne by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 & arriving Cologne Messe-Deutz at 06:53.
This train runs until 14 December 2024, but no longer runs after that.
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's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train also has several 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: If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ΦBB 1st class lounge at Innsbruck Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee & wine.
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, 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 Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Transfer from Cologne Messe-Deutz across the Rhine bridge to Cologne Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train.
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Step 2, travel from Cologne to Brussels by high-speed ICE train leaving Cologne Hbf at 07:42 and arriving Brussels Midi at 09:35.
Fares start from 18.90 in 2nd class or 27.90 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 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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Change in Brussels for an Intercity train to Bruges, these run twice an hour, no reservation needed. You may be able to book through to Bruges as one ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.
Step 1, Innsbruck to Cologne by Nightjet sleeper train. Above, the Nightjet at Innsbruck Hbf.
Step 2, Cologne to Brussels by ICE. Above, an ICE3neo at Brussels Midi. More about ICE trains. Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.
Option 3, Innsbruck to Brussels via the scenic Rhine Valley - slower, but with a great ride along the Rhine
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The trains in option 1 take the high-speed line between Frankfurt and Cologne. You can still take the original line, a classic run along the curvaceous Rhine Valley past river boats, mountains, castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock. It takes an extra hour at least, but it's worth it. For example:
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:40, change at Mannheim & Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 19:35.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:54, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 21:35.
Tip: If you book the 08:40 departure, Mannheim to Cologne is by Swiss EuroCity train EC8 with a Swiss 1st class panorama car. Read about this special car and how to book it on the Rails Down the Rhine page. You can use this panorama car with any 1st class ticket or railpass!
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How much does it cost?
Innsbruck to Brussels starts at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
To get the Rhine Valley route, click Stopovers and enter Koblenz Hbf, leaving length of stay zero.
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.
Option 4, Innsbruck to Brussels with an overnight stop in Cologne
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Cologne, you can leave Innsbruck Hbf as late as 14:40, change at Munich Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 22:06.
But by all means take an earlier train (they leave regularly) and have dinner in Cologne where the impressive cathedral is right next to the station. I recommend 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.
Tip: Take the scenic Rhine Valley route. By default, bahn.de will route you via the new high-speed line which saves an hour. But you'll usually find a direct train leaving Innsbruck Hbf 08:54 arriving Cologne Hbf 17:42 which takes the old scenic and curvaceous Rhine Valley route through Koblenz, past mountains, castles, vineyards, river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock. A treat! The extra hour is worth it.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Kφln-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.
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Day 2, travel from Cologne to Brussels on any ICE or Eurostar (formerly Thalys) train you like.
The 06:44 Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Cologne Hbf arrives Brussels Midi at 08:35, or the 07:42 ICE from Cologne Hbf arrives Brussels Midi 09:35, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast & book a later train. Change in Brussels for twice-hourly trains to Bruges.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 49.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
If you use an ICE, you can book from Innsbruck to Brussels or almost any station in Belgium at German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get an overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11:00 hours
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How much does it cost?
Innsbruck to Brussels starts at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
If you plan to use an ICE between Cologne & Brussels, buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Cologne, click Stopovers and enter COLOGNE with a suitable length of stay, say 12:00 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Cologne.
To get the Rhine valley route as well as an overnight stop in Cologne, enter Koblenz Hbf as stopover 1 with length of stay zero and Cologne as stopover 2 with length of stay (say) 12 hours.
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.
If you want to use Eurostar (formerly Thalys) between Cologne & Brussels, book Innsbruck-Cologne and Cologne-Brussels separately at www.thetrainline.com.
Innsbruck to Amsterdam from 59
Option 1, Innsbruck to Amsterdam in a day
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You can travel from Innsbruck to Amsterdam using excellent high-speed ICE trains. For example:
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 06:40, change at Munich Hbf & Dόsseldorf, Amsterdam Centraal arrive 17:29.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 10:40, change at Munich Hbf & Dόsseldorf, Amsterdam Centraal arrive 20:29.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 12:40, change at Munich Hbf & Dόsseldorf, Amsterdam Centraal arrive 23:29.
You travel from Innsbruck to Munich by Austrian EuroCity train (06:40) or railjet (10:40, 12:40), then Munich to Frankfurt & Frankfurt to Brussels by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd or 56.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
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.
An ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal. More about ICE trains.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option
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Every day, a Nightjet sleeper train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 and arrives Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59 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's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has several 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: If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ΦBB 1st class lounge at Innsbruck Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee & wine.
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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, all per person per berth. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
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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 prices) or at the Dutch Railways website www.nsinternational.nl (in , no fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Innsbruck to Amsterdam via the scenic Rhine Valley - slower, but with a great ride along the Rhine
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The trains in option 1 take the high-speed line between Frankfurt and Cologne. You can still take the original line, a classic run along the curvaceous Rhine Valley past river boats, mountains, castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock. It takes an extra hour at least, but it's worth it. For example:
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:40, change at Mannheim & Cologne Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 21:59.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:54, change at Dόsseldorf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 21:59.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 10:40, change at Munich Hbf & Dόsseldorf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 23:29.
Tip: If you book the 08:40 departure, Mannheim to Cologne is by Swiss EuroCity train EC8 with a Swiss 1st class panorama car. Read about this special car and how to book it on the Rails Down the Rhine page. You can use this panorama car with any 1st class ticket or railpass!
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How much does it cost?
Innsbruck to Amsterdam starts at 37.90 in 2nd or 56.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
To get the Rhine valley route, click Stopovers and enter Koblenz Hbf, leaving length of stay zero.
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.
Option 4, Innsbruck to Amsterdam with an overnight stop in Cologne
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Cologne, you can leave Innsbruck Hbf as late as 14:40, change at Munich Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 22:06.
But by all means take an earlier train (they leave regularly) and have dinner in Cologne where the impressive cathedral is right next to the station. I recommend 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.
Tip: Take the scenic Rhine Valley route. By default, bahn.de will route you via the new high-speed line which saves an hour. But you'll usually find a direct train leaving Innsbruck Hbf 08:54 arriving Cologne Hbf 17:42 which takes the old scenic and curvaceous Rhine Valley route through Koblenz, past mountains, castles, vineyards, river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock. A treat! The extra hour is worth it.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Kφln-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.
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Day 2, travel from Cologne to Amsterdam by ICE train, for example leaving Cologne Hbf at 06:38 arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:29.
But by all means book a later one, they leave every couple of hours, you could even spend a morning in Cologne. The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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How much does it cost?
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd or 56.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Cologne, click Stopovers and enter Cologne Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Cologne.
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.
Innsbruck to Luxembourg
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You can travel from Innsbruck to Luxembourg by daytime trains, for example:
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:40, change at Mannheim & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 18:23.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:54, change just once at Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 20:22.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 10:40, change at Munich Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 21:29.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 12:40, change at Munich Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 00:35.
All these departures take the original scenic and curvaceous Rhine Valley route between Mainz & Koblenz, past mountains, castles, vineyards, river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock. A treat!
The journey from Koblenz to Luxembourg is by double-deck CFL (Luxembourg Railways) regional train which snakes along the scenic Moselle Valley, sit upstairs for the best views.
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How much does it cost?
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd or 56.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Check train times & buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Tip: Change Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
Tip: Click Stopovers enter Igel with length of stay zero. This eliminates journeys involving a rail replacement bus from the search results.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for journeys involving just 2 changes (or in the case of the 08:54, 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 & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Innsbruck to Zurich, Basel, Geneva & Switzerland from 19
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Smart Austrian railjet trains leave Innsbruck Hbf for Zurich HB at 07:47 & every 2 hours until 19:47, taking 3h33.
Railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjets. The scenery through the Arlberg pass is wonderful, see the Arlberg Pass video & see the Arlberg Railway page.
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Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class, 29.90 in 1st class or 44.90 in business class (premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets from Innsbruck to almost any station in Switzerland at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Tip: Going beyond Zurich?
www.thetrainline.com and www.oebb.at can sell through tickets between Innsbruck and almost any town or city in Switzerland (in either direction) from 19.90 upwards, one inclusive price covering the railjet to Zurich and the onward Swiss trains. You'll often find that Innsbruck to Interlaken, Chur, St Moritz, Geneva or wherever costs the same (or maybe 10 more) as a ticket to Zurich, this is much cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket.
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Tip: Panorama car on the 15:47 from Innsbruck to Zurich
Most daytime trains from Innsbruck to Zurich are railjets, but the 15:47 from Innsbruck to Zurich is EC164 Transalpin, a EuroCity (EC) train using conventional Austrian EuroCity cars & restaurant car and a special Swiss Railways 1st class panorama car. So if you have a 1st class ticket, make sure you reserve a seat in this special panorama car as explained here, it only costs 3 and it's a real treat. You can make a seat reservation this way this even if you already have tickets or a pass.
Mountains near Innsbruck.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Φtzal & Landeck.
Arlberg Pass: Above, brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zόrichsee.
Innsbruck to Venice, Florence, Milan, Rome & Italy from 29.90
Option 1, Innsbruck to Italy by daytime trains through the Brenner Pass - the scenic option
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Smart Austrian railjet trains leave Innsbruck Hbf at 09:24, 11:24, 13:24, 15:24 & 17:24 for Verona Porta Nuova.
The 09:24 runs through to Bologna Centrale on weekdays and to Venice Santa Lucia on Saturdays & Sundays.
The 11:24 runs through to Bologna Centrale every day of the week.
The 13:24 runs through to Venice Santa Lucia every day of the week, arriving 18:25.
These swish railjet trains have 2nd, 1st & business class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves them at your seat.
They run through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.
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Fares from Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice start at 27.99 in 2nd class or 39.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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If you're going to Verona
Book from Innsbruck to Verona at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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If you're going to Venice
Book one of the direct trains if you can, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:24 weekends or 13:24 every day. A direct train is cheaper as well as more convenient. Book the direct trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
If you want to take one of the other departures, you must change trains at Verona Porta Nuova. To book a journey with a change in Verona, use www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with stopover duration at least 45 minutes. That gets you a robust connection. www.raileurope.com connects to both the Austrian & Trenitalia ticketing systems so can book both trains. Onward Italian trains normally opens for booking 4 months ahead.
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If you're going to Milan
Change at Verona Porta Nuova. Book at www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with stopover duration at least 45 minutes. That gets you a robust connection. www.raileurope.com connects to both the Austrian & Trenitalia ticketing systems so can book both trains. Italian trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.
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If you're going to Florence, Rome or Naples
Ideally, aim for the 09:24 on weekdays or the 11:24 on any day of the week, as you can change at Bologna Centrale which offers better onward connections than changing at Verona. Book at www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Bologna Centrale as a via station with stopover duration at least 45 minutes. That gets you a robust connection. www.raileurope.com connects to both the Austrian & Trenitalia ticketing systems so can book both trains. Italian trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.
On all other departures, you must change at Verona Porta Nuova. Book at www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with stopover duration at least 45 minutes to get a robust connection.
A new generation railjet at Innsbruck, note the low-floor section for easy boarding. Courtesy of @SimplyRailway. Interior photos courtesy of ΦBB.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Bologna, Florence & Rome by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Salzburg by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 19:14 and arriving Salzburg Hbf at 21:04.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class. 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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Tip: I recommend booking an earlier train & having dinner in Salzburg. Trains link Innsbruck & Salzburg every hour.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Salzburg Hbf between trains.
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Step 2, travel from Salzburg to Italy by Nightjet sleeper, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 22:02, 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 06:52 & Rome Tiburtina 11:05.
Each portion of 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 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, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the nightjet 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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3 for Naples, change in Rome. Allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Rome, book from Rome to Naples from 19.90 at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names).
Innsbruck to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain
Innsbruck to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Zurich or Geneva
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Geneva, leaving Innsbruck at 13:47 by railjet train to Zurich HB then Swiss Intercity train arriving Geneva 20:18.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It travels through the beautiful Arlberg Pass into Switzerland, see the Arlberg Pass page for photos, video & more information.
By all means book an earlier train for more of an evening in Geneva.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class, 44 in 1st class or 59 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Innsbruck to Geneva at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in 2, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for journeys with just 1 change. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genθve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Geneva to Barcelona, leaving Geneva at 07:14, change Lyon Part Dieu & Montpelier St-Roch, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:31.
Geneva to Lyon is by TER regional train along the river Rhτne, Lyon to Montpelier is by TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Montpelier to Barcelona is by TGV Duplex also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
The TGV Duplex passes Bιziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.
Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price 33.40. Lyon-Barcelona starts at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Geneva to Barcelona at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, 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 tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and so on by high-speed train.
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.
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 only 60 days ahead, but this varies. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.
Innsbruck to San Sebastian
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Paris as shown in the Innsbruck to Paris section above.
Change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare Montparnasse. Allow at least 1h15 between trains in Paris.
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Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near Paris Montparnasse.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Ocιane, 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 Ocιane 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).
Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
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Step 3, transfer 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 Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the journey from Paris to San Sebastian.
Innsbruck to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Paris by high-speed train via Zurich as shown in the Innsbruck-Paris section above.
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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.
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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. Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.
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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.
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. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
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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.
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Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.
Innsbruck to Andorra
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Paris on the 07:47 departure as shown in the Innsbruck to Paris section above.
You've time for 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.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to either Toulouse or Andorre-l'Hospitalet by Intercitι 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 Intercitι de Nuit.
Fares start at 35 in a 2nd class couchette or 65 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 the Paris-l'Hospitalet isn't running on your date of travel, the Paris-Toulouse train might still be running.
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.
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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 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 Routiθre (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 around 36 one-way.
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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.
Innsbruck to Munich
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Trains link Innsbruck Hbf & Munich Hbf regularly, there's a fast mainline route via Kufstein and a slower regional scenic route through Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Innsbruck to Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg & Germany from 19.90
Option 1, Innsbruck to Germany by daytime trains
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Innsbruck to Frankfurt & Berlin:
A fast direct ICE4 train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 08:42 every day, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 14:08 and Berlin Hbf 18:32. 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.
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Innsbruck to Cologne & Dόsseldorf:
New from 15 December 2024, a direct ICE4 train will leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:52 every day, arriving Cologne Messe/Deutz 18:25 & Dόsseldorf 18:50. 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.
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Innsbruck to anywhere in Germany:
Check train times & buy tickets from Innsbruck Hbf to anywhere Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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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: It's worth checking prices at www.thetrainline.com too. This connects to the Austrian ΦBB ticketing system rather than the German one, and prices for the same train or trains can differ between the two systems. Buy from whichever is cheapest!
Option 2, Innsbruck to Cologne, Dόsseldorf, Hannover, Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train
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Every evening, a Nightjet sleeper train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 with a portion for Cologne Messe/Deutz (arriving 06:53) & Dόsseldorf (arriving 07:23) and a portion for Hannover & Hamburg Hbf (arriving 08:47).
The portion of this train going to Cologne & Dόsseldorf only runs until 14 December 2024, it no longer runs after that.
The Cologne & Dόsseldorf portion of 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.
The Hannover & Hamburg portion of this train is now 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. 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 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, 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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Innsbruck to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm & Scandinavia
Option 1, Innsbruck to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 10:40 by EuroCity train, change at Munich Hbf onto an ICE train and arrive Hamburg Hbf at 18:55.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car. The ICE train also has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train.
A later 12:40 departure is possible, but I'd play safe and have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near the station.
Fares start at 37.90 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.
I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
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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Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.
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 Malmφ 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 SJ's website www.sj.se.
Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Copenhagen in a single day. On to Gothenburg, Stockholm, Oslo next day
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Copenhagen, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 06:40, change Munich Hbf & Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen 21:34.
You travel from Innsbruck to Munich is by comfortable EuroCity train. Munich to Hamburg is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Hamburg to Copenhagen is by EuroCity train.
Fares start at 46.90 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.
I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.
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.
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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).
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Day 2, for Stockholm: Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train in around 5h16, there are regular departures. There's usually one leaving Copenhagen at 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central 13:33, by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one.
Fares start at SEK 195 (20).
Book this at either the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se or Omio.com. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, for Gothenburg or Oslo: Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (Gφteborg Central) by hourly Φresund train, journey time 3h50. For Oslo, take the 07:30, change at Gothenburg and arrive Oslo Sentral 15:47 or there are earlier and later departures, see the timetable here.
Book Copenhagen-Goteborg at www.oresundstag.se, or book Copenhagen to Oslo as shown on the Copenhagen to Oslo page.
Option 3, Innsbruck to Copenhagen & Scandinavia using the Innsbruck-Hamburg sleeper train
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.
From 10 December 2023 this train is operated by a new generation Nightjet train 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 (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 and you print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 and arriving Copenhagen at 15:34.
If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Fares from Hamburg to Copenhagen start at 29.90 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 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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Step 3, change in Copenhagen for trains to Malmo or Gothenburg.
Φresund trains run from Copenhagen to Malmo Central several times each hour taking 39 minutes and from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central once an hour taking 3h50.
If you're going beyond Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Gothenburg (listed as Gφteborg Central) or Malmφ as one transaction at int.bahn.de with fares from 56.90.
Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train. Above, a new generation Nightjet ready to leave. More about new-generation Nightjets.
Step 2, 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 4, Innsbruck to Copenhagen & Scandinavia with overnight stop in Hamburg
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg, for example leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 12:40, change at Munich Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:58.
By all means book an earlier train for more of an evening in Hamburg, they leave every 2 hours. You travel by comfortable high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 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. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 and arriving Copenhagen 13:34.
Fares start at 27.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen 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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For Stockholm, take an X2000 train from Copenhagen Stockholm, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:37.
You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from 56.90 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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For Malmφ or Gothenburg, Φresund trains run from Copenhagen to Malmo Central several times each hour taking 39 minutes and from Copenhagen to Gφteborg Central once an hour taking 3h50.
Book from Hamburg to Malmφ or Gothenburg (= Gφteborg Central) as one transaction from 39.90 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
Innsbruck to Oslo & Norway
Option 1, Innsbruck to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.
From 10 December 2023 this train is operated by a new generation Nightjet train 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 (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf by regional train, these leave several times each hour taking 1h10, fixed-price fare around 23. Check times and buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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.
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Day 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 (Day 3 from Innsbruck).
Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.colorline.com. You print your own ticket.
Money-saving tip: It appears that 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.
Step 1, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train then take a regional train to Kiel. More about new-generation Nightjets.
Step 2, 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 2, Innsbruck to Oslo with overnight stop in Hamburg - by train all the way
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg, for example leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 12:40, change at Munich Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:58.
By all means book an earlier train for more of an evening in Hamburg, they leave every 2 hours. You travel by comfortable high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 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. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Oslo, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, change Copenhagen & Gφteborg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral at 23:47.
For details, see the Hamburg to Oslo section and book as shown.
Option 3, Innsbruck to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen - by train all the way or using the DFDS Copenhagen-Oslo ferry
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Copenhagen in a single day as shown above.
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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).
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Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train, leaving Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 15:47.
Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets here.
Alternatively, spend the day in Copenhagen and take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.
Innsbruck to Helsinki & Finland
Option 1, Innsbruck to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest option
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 10:40, change at Munich Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:58 (times may vary).
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 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 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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Day 1, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemόnde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemόnde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Trains from Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.
Finnlines sail from Travemόnde in northern Germany 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 Innsbruck).
Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry at www.finnlines.com or using the Direct Ferries website.
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Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry
Innsbruck to Prague or Ceskύ Krumlov from 19
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Hop on a smart Austrian railjet train with restaurant car & free WiFi from Innsbruck Hbf to Linz in just 2h52, then change onto a comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train to Prague taking 4h05. There are a range of departures every day:
Leave Innsbruck Hbf 08:17, change at Linz Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 15:36.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf 12:16, change at Linz Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 19:36.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf 15:14, change at Linz Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 22:36.
Relax and enjoy the ride across Austria and into the Czech Republic - there's a restaurant car on the railjet, and usually a bistro car on the Linz-Prague EuroCity train, or take your own picnic and beer or wine.
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Fares start at just 19 (about 500 CZK) in 2nd class or 39 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English and look for journeys with just 1 transfer via Linz. Or you can travel via Vienna if you prefer. Booking opens up to 3 months ahead. You print your own ticket. See my tips & advice for using cd.cz.
Tip: You can also buy from www.thetrainline.com which connects to the Austrian ΦBB ticketing system and on which booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Cd.cz is usually cheaper, but you may prefer booking at Trainline up to 6 months out.
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If you're going to Ceskύ Krumlov
The Linz-Prague EuroCity trains all call at Ceskι Budejovice (formerly known as Budweis, yes that's right, where the name of the beer comes from). Simply get off there and take the regular branch line train run by local operator GWTR to Ceskύ Krumlov, 44 minutes away. Book from Innsbruck to Ceskι Budejovice at www.cd.cz and print your own ticket. Then buy the local ticket from Ceskι Budejovice to Ceskύ Krumlov either at Ceskι Budejovice from the distinctive green & orange GWTR ticket kiosk in the station's main hall or on board the local train from the self-service machines which accept contactless cards.
Innsbruck to Bratislava from 39.90
Option 1, Innsbruck to Bratislava by direct railjet train - once per day, the best option if the timings suit you
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A direct railjet train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 16:16 every day, arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 21:51.
The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjet trains.
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Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class, 44.90 in 1st class or 59.90 in business class (premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, 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, Innsbruck to Vienna by railjet then regional express to Bratislava - hourly departures from morning to late afternoon
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If the timing of the direct train doesn't suit you, simply take any of the regular Austrian railjet trains from Innsbruck Hbf to Vienna Hbf in around 4h15, then the hourly regional express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna (the main station, closest to the city centre) taking 56 minutes. You'll find hourly departures with 1 change at Vienna Hbf from morning until late afternoon. Important: If travelling before 15 December 2024, see the update here.
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Book at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: I recommend selecting the specific destination station Bratislava hl.st. so you only see journeys to Bratislava Hlavna which is the main station, closest to the city centre. If you select the generic BRATISLAVA as your destination you may see journeys to Bratislava Petrzalka station instead, which is not the main or best-located station in Bratislava.
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Tip: The Vienna-Bratislava regional express trains run every hour, your ticket is good for any of them, so feel free to spend some time in Vienna between trains.
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Tip: You could consider a river trip along the Danube from Vienna to Bratislava. Fast ferries and hydrofoils run at least once a day in winter, up to 5 times a day in summer, journey time 80 minutes. At least two companies operate the route, see www.twincityliner.com or www.lod.sk.
Innsbruck to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Vienna by smart modern railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14 and arriving Vienna Hbf 13:32.
The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 1st class passengers are served at their seat.
If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Slovakia by Intercity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:42 arriving Poprad-Tatry 19:10 & Kosice 20:27.
This is a comfortable Slovakian Intercity train with restaurant car, treat yourself to dinner with some wine or a beer or two.
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Fares start at 59.90 in 2nd class or 89.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Innsbruck to Poprad Tatry or Kosice at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Tip: To get a robust connection in Vienna, not a risky 10-minute one, wait until the search results appear, then click Set more filters and tick Comfortable connection time.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. In this case, tickets must be collected from a self-service machine or ticket office in Austria.
You can also book at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk, which can be cheaper. Switch it to English by clicking EN top right, it's a little fiddly, but it works. You print your own ticket. To get a robust connection time in Vienna, click More options for 1 route and select Time for change at least 30 minutes.
Innsbruck to Budapest from 29.90
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A direct railjet train links Innsbruck Hbf with Budapest Keleti station leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 14:16 & arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.
If this direct train doesn't suit you there are other departures every hour with one easy change at Vienna Hbf.
These smart Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjets. 1st & business class passengers have restaurant orders taken and served at their seats. Look out for views of Salzburg castle on its hill on the right as you cross the river Salzach on the approach to Salzburg Hbf.
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Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class, 44.90 in 1st class or 59.90 in business class (premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Innsbruck to Budapest at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, 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.
Innsbruck to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania from 58
Option 1, Innsbruck to Romania using the sleeper train Ister from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 08:17, change at Vienna Hbf arriving Budapest Keleti 16:19.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class, 44 in 1st class or 59 in business class (= premium 1st). 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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:50 & Bucharest Nord 11:30.
This comfortable sleeper train has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 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.
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. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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. Booking opens 60 days ahead.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Romania using the sleeper train Dacia Express from Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest.
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 14:17 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:32.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class, 44 in 1st class or 59 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, 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 a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin plus several with en suite shower & toilet, a Romanian couchette car with 4-berth & 6-berth compartments, and ordinary seats. There's wonderful almost Alpine 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 opens up to 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 ΦBB 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. For Austria to Romania journeys you can 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!
Option 3, Innsbruck to Romania by daytime trains with overnight stop in Budapest
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Budapest on any railjet train you like.
A direct railjet train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 14:16 arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19, but by all means travel earlier with a change in Vienna.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class, 44.90 in 1st class or 59.90 in business class (premium 1st).
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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by comfortable air-conditioned Intercity train. These link Budapest Keleti with Cluj, Timisoara, Craiova, Sibiu, Sinaia, Brasov & Ploesti. It's an all-day daytime run across Transylvania, see the Budapest page for details.
Limited-availability advance-purchase fares start at 26.30 in 2nd class or (on trains which have it) 40.50 in 1st class.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You show your 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.
Innsbruck to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Slovenia & Croatia from 29.90
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Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 08:21, change Schwarzach St Veit & Villach, arriving Lesce Bled 13:50, Ljubljana 14:31 & Zagreb 17:10.
Leave Innsbruck Hbf at 12:21, change Schwarzach St Veit & Villach, arriving Lesce Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:32 & Zagreb 20:45.
This is a really lovely scenic journey through the mountains of Austria and along the lovely River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb. Bring a picnic & a bottle of wine and have your camera ready!
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Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Tip: I've seen a cheap 29.90 Sparschiene fare available from Salzburg to Zagreb but only standard price 50+ available on the same date and train from Salzburg to Ljubljana. So if you don't see a cheap Sparschiene to Ljubljana, see if there's one to Zagreb as nothing stops you buying that and getting off in Ljubljana!
Innsbruck to Belgrade & Montenegro
Option 1, Innsbruck to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - starts running from 24 November 2024
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 14:16 and arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.
This swish Austrian railjet trains has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. 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 and you print your own ticket.
Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.
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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. If you prefer to stay near 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 Bιke 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.
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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.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Belgrade with overnight stop in Zagreb - currently involves a bus
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Zagreb as explained in the Innsbruck-Zagreb section. A lovely scenic ride!
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Stay overnight in Zagreb. The historic Esplanade Hotel, the Palace Hotel or Central Hotel are all near the station with good reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade on the daily 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 in 2024.
2nd class only, with two comfortable Serbian air-conditioned cars. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink. This train cannot be booked online, just buy at the station or on the train for around 29.
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 09:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 14:30.
The fare is around 20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
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For Montenegro: A daytime and overnight train link Belgrade station with Podgorica and Bar over one of the most scenic lines in Europe, fare around 22 paid at the station on the day. For train times, fares & photos see the Belgrade to Montenegro page. Change at Podgorica for buses to Budva or Kotor.
Option 3, Innsbruck to Belgrade via Budapest - slower, but by train all the way, runs until 23 November 2024
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Budapest on any railjet train you like.
A direct railjet train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 14:16 arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19, but by all means travel earlier with a change in Vienna.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class, 44.90 in 1st class or 59.90 in business class (premium 1st).
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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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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 Bιke Hotel is one block away.
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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.
Innsbruck to Sofia
Option 1, Innsbruck to Sofia via Bucharest
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 06:10, change at Vienna Hbf, arriving Budapest Keleti 13:19.
The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The connection in Vienna may seem tight, but if there's a delay a later train will get you to Budapest at 14:19.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares) and print your own ticket. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead
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Day 1, 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.
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Day 2, 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, Innsbruck to Sofia via Belgrade
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Not currently viable while the Budapest-Belgrade, Zagreb-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.
Innsbruck to Krakow & Warsaw
Option 1, using the EuroNight sleeper train from Salzburg to Krakow & Warsaw - the time-effective overnight option
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Salzburg by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 17:14 and arriving Salzburg Hbf at 19:02.
This swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train if you'd like time for dinner in Salzburg. Don't risk any tight connections when catching a sleeper.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class, 29.90 in 1st class or 44.90 in business class (= premium 1st). 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 and you print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Salzburg Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Salzburg to Poland by sleeper train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 20:30, arriving Krakow Glowny 06:20 & Warsaw Centralna 09:08.
The EuroNight sleeper train Chopin has two comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-cars with 1, 2 or 3 beds per compartment. Each car also has two 1 or 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, see the photos below. It also has ordinary seats, but no couchettes. In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included.
Fares start at 53.50 in a 3-bed sleeper, 68.20 in a 2-bed sleeper, or 126.70 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed as berths are sold individually. Prices 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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Tip: If you're getting off in Krakow, the sleeper arrives at an early hour. Leave the station through the shopping centre and you'll find the Hotel Puro Stare Miasto on the other side of the road and to the right. You can join their excellent breakfast buffet from 7am for around 16. Of course, your own hotel may let you join their breakfast buffet on the morning of arrival. Suggested hotels in Krakow.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Warsaw by railjet & EuroCity train - the leisurely daytime option
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 08:17 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 12:32.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. A later connection is possible, but as there are no later onward trains to Warsaw, I'd play it safe.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea & coffee and free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Warsaw by EuroCity train Polonia, leaving Vienna Hbf 14:10 arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:34.
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Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 49.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you collect tickets from the ticket machines at the station.
Option 3, Innsbruck to Krakow by railjet & EuroCity train - the leisurely daytime option
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 11:14 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 15:32.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. A later connection is possible, but as there are no later onward trains to Krakow, I'd play it safe.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea & coffee and free WiFi.
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Step 2 travel from Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf 16:10 arriving Krakow Glowny 21:13.
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Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 49.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you collect tickets from the ticket machines at the station.
The Danubius to Krakow, at Vienna Hbf on a winter evening. That's the Czech through car to Wroclaw nearest the camera, the Polish cars to Krakow are ahead of it. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.
Most 2nd class cars have compartments like this with side corridor & 6-seat compartments.
Innsbruck to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Warsaw as shown in the Innsbruck to Warsaw section above.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius by train as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.
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Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.
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Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.
Innsbruck to Kyiv & Ukraine
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 10:17 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:32.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. A later connection is possible, but I'd play it safe.
Fares start at 19.90 in economy class, 29.90 in 1st class or 44.90 in business class (= premium 1st class).
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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv by direct Ukrainian sleeping-car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 every day and arriving at Lviv at 09:20 & Kyiv at 16:03 next day.
Introduced in 2017, this train consists of 2 or sometimes 3 direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars attached to a Vienna-Zahony EuroCity train. The sleeping-cars have comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').
Vienna to Lviv costs 71.20 in a 3-berth sleeper, 79.20 in a 2-berth sleeper or around 130 in a single sleeper.
Vienna to Kyiv costs 89.60 in a 3-berth sleeper, 99.60 in a 2-berth sleeper or around 170 in a single sleeper.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking for these direct sleeping-cars opens 20 days ahead, but tickets sell out a day or two after booking opens, so book as soon as the booking period opens. If the ΦBB website says Ticket not available within 20 days it means fully-booked, if it says that more than 20 days ahead it means booking isn't open yet.
Tickets can now be printed out so you can book in either direction. However, you must print the ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.
Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kyiv to Vienna costs around 80, Lviv to Vienna around 60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.
Innsbruck to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia
Innsbruck to Moscow via Kyiv - avoiding Belarus
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Step 1, travel from Innsbruck to Vienna by railjet train, then Vienna to Kyiv by sleeper as shown above.
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Step 2, take one of the various Kyiv to Moscow sleeper trains, for example train 6 leaves at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09.
These trains were suspended due to Covid-19 and remain suspended due to the war in Ukraine.
The fare is around 92 with a bed in 4-berth kupι or 180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.
You can ask www.polrail.com to book this for you too, or you can book tickets from Kyiv to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya. You collect tickets at the station in Kyiv. Feedback appreciated!
Innsbruck to Athens, Corfu & Greece
Option 1, Innsbruck to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely option with an Adriatic cruise thrown in
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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.
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Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Verona Porta Nuova by comfortable Austrian railjet train through the scenic Brenner Pass with a restaurant car for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. There are various departures, journey time 3h31, you can leave in late afternoon.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares).
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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.
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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. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or www.italiarail.com (they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or www.trenitalia.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Option 2, Innsbruck to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - not currently viable
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The overland route is not viable, there are currently no international train to or from Greece.
Innsbruck to Istanbul & Turkey
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Day 2, stay overnight in Bucharest. The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord is walking distance from the station, inexpensive and gets great reviews.
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Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Istanbul by sleeper train as shown on the Bucharest to Istanbul page, arriving in the morning on Day 4.
Hotels in Innsbruck
For advice on hotels in Innsbruck, see the Innsbruck station page.
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.
Travel insurance & VPN
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Always take out travel insurance
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com
is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.