London to Bulgaria by train, a 48 hour Balkan adventure
It's not difficult to travel to Bulgaria by train, in fact it's a safe, comfortable and interesting journey. The train ride from London to Bulgaria takes as little as 2 nights, with a variety of possible routes and options. The train times, fares, and how best to buy tickets are all explained on this page.
Train times, fares & tickets
Trains to Sofia from other European
cities
Trains from Sofia to
other European cities
Sofia Central Station location &
facilities
General information about train travel in
Europe
Luggage
Taking bikes
Taking dogs
Route map: London to Sofia by train
Useful country information
London to Sofia by train
London to Sofia via Romania is a long way round compared to the traditional route through Belgrade, but with the Zagreb-Belgrade train suspended and the Belgrade-Sofia route also screwed up, this is currently the most viable route.
Option 1, by Eurostar to Brussels or Paris and connecting trains to Budapest, then overnight sleeper to Bucharest and the daily train to Sofia.
Option 2, the ferry alternative. London to Amsterdam via the Harwich-Hoek ferry, then by train from Amsterdam to Sofia via Vienna, Budapest & Bucharest.
Option 1, London to Sofia via Budapest & Bucharest
You can travel from London to Sofia by train in just 3 days and 2 nights, although that doesn't give you much time in Budapest and it means a quick same-day change in Videle next morning, a small station 60 km west of Bucharest. If you've an extra day to spare I suggest a more leisurely 4-day, 3-night journey with an overnight hotel stop in Bucharest. This gives you some free time in Budapest and Bucharest, with more robust connections in case of delay.
London ► Sofia, 2 nights
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Day 1 & 2, travel from London to Budapest using any of the options shown on the London to Budapest page.
For example, take a lunchtime Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, then a railjet to Budapest.
Or take a late morning Eurostar to Paris, the afternoon TGV to Stuttgart, and the Hungarian sleeper to Budapest. Then enjoy a day in Budapest.
Make sure you allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Videle by sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10, arriving Videle 08:32.
The sleeper train Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with cosy 1, 2 & 3-bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 20:57) to Bucharest. There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.
Videle is a small town 60 km west of Bucharest. Why get off here rather than staying on to Bucharest? In 2024, The Muntenia arrived Bucharest Nord 08:42 and the train to Sofia left at 10:47, a reasonably robust connection if there's a delay. In 2025, the Muntenia arrives at 09:36 and the train to Sofia leaves at 10:11, no longer safe. So I suggest switching trains at Videle, as the Muntenia calls there on its way into Bucharest, and the Bucharest-Sofia train calls there on its way out of Bucharest, giving a much longer connection time between trains.
At Videle there's a restaurant, coffee shop and supermarket next to the station, so you can have breakfast and stock up for the journey.
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Day 3, travel from Videle to Sofia, leaving Videle at 11:27, arriving Sofia Central 20:35.
From 14 June to 13 October 2025 this is a direct train, or rather, a 2nd class through car, in this case a Bulgarian carriage with classic side corridor and compartments. There's no air-con, but the windows open for a cool inward breeze, ideal for photography.
At other times of year, you must change trains at Ruse (arrive 13:40, depart 14:25) from a modern air-conditioned Romanian diesel unit into the elderly Bulgarian train, but the timings, route and scenery are exactly the same. More about the Bucharest to Sofia train.
The train crosses the Danube from Giurgiu in Romania to Ruse in Bulgaria over Europe's longest steel bridge, 2.5 km long, then it meanders through the scenic river valleys of Bulgaria. There's no catering so bring your own food & drink. Put your feet up and enjoy the ride.
London ► Sofia, 3 nights
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Day 1 & 2, travel from London to Budapest using any of the options shown on the London to Budapest page.
For example, take a lunchtime Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, then a railjet to Budapest.
Or take a late morning Eurostar to Paris, the afternoon TGV to Stuttgart and the Hungarian sleeper to Budapest, then enjoy a day in Budapest.
Or take a late morning Eurostar to Paris, the afternoon TGV to Munich, stay overnight in a hotel then take a morning railjet to Budapest.
Make sure you allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Bucharest Nord 11:35 (day 3).
The Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping car (1, 2 or 3-bed standard sleepers with washbasin), a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments, and ordinary seats. Ister is the ancient name for the River Danube.
Enjoy the descent through the wonderful Alpine scenery of the Carpathian mountains between Braşov and Bucharest. Take a picnic and bottle of wine as there's no restaurant car. Enjoy the rest of the day in Bucharest.
Tip: You can check the train formation at www.vagonweb.cz, change cs to English top left, click Train formations, then search for Ister.
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Stay overnight in Bucharest. The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord, Hello Hotels Gara de Nord & Euro Hotel Grivita are all just a 350m 5 minute walk from the station, inexpensive with good reviews. I personally didn't get on with the Grivita in spite of its good reviews, perhaps try Hello Hotels Gara de Nord. The Ibis Styles Bucharest Center is an 18-minute hike from the station (see walking map), but would be a reliable choice. However, if you want a landmark hotel in the city centre, go for the Athenee Palace Hotel, see why I love that hotel here.
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Day 4, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by train, leaving Bucharest Nord 10:11, arriving Sofia Central 20:35.
From 14 June to 13 October 2025 this is a direct train, or rather, one 2nd class through car, a Bulgarian carriage with classic side corridor and compartments. There's no air-con, but the windows open for a cool inward breeze, ideal for photography.
At other times of year, you must change trains at Ruse (arrive 13:40, depart 14:25) from a modern air-conditioned Romanian diesel unit into the elderly Bulgarian train, but the timings, route and scenery are exactly the same. More about the Bucharest to Sofia train.
There's no catering so bring your own food & drink. The train crosses the Danube from Giurgiu in Romania to Ruse in Bulgaria over Europe's longest steel bridge, 2.5 km long, then it meanders through the scenic river valleys of Bulgaria. Put your feet up and enjoy the ride.
Sofia ► London, 2 nights
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Day 1, travel from Sofia to Bucharest, leaving Sofia Central at 07:00, arriving Bucharest Nord 17:32.
From 13 June to 12 October 2025 this is a direct train, or rather, one 2nd class through car, a Bulgarian carriage with classic side corridor and compartments. There's no air-con, but the windows open for a cool inward breeze, ideal for photography.
At other times of year you must change trains at Ruse (arrive 13:35, depart 14:15) from the Bulgarian train into a modern air-conditioned Romanian diesel unit for the last leg to Bucharest. But the timings, route and scenery are exactly the same.
It's a lovely scenic route, meandering at leisurely speed through the beautiful green valleys of Bulgaria. You then cross the Danube from Ruse in Bulgaria to Giurgiu in Romania over Europe's longest steel bridge, 2.5 km long. There's no catering so bring a picnic and some wine or beer, a good book, and enjoy the ride.
Enjoy an evening in Bucharest and have dinner.
Important update: Due to track upgrading, from 7 May 2024 for up to 18 months, the train will start at Sofia Sever at 07:06 (= Sofia North, 2.7 km from Sofia Central, see map). You can either take a taxi from your hotel to Sofia Sever or take the 06:50 suburban train from Sofia Central.
Important tip: The Sofia-Bucharest train can easily arrive 60-90 minutes late, but the connection with the Muntenia in Bucharest is reasonably safe under normal circumstances. However, the Muntenia can sometimes run over 2h late and/or is occasionally retimed to leave earlier, reducing the connection time to just over an hour. If either of these happen, simply get off the Sofia-Bucharest train at Videle, 70 minutes before Bucharest. You can then board the Muntenia when it stops at Videle, 70 minutes after leaving Bucharest. Videle is only a small station, but there's a restaurant, coffee shop and supermarket next to it.
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Day 1, travel from Bucharest (or Videle) to Budapest by sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Bucharest Nord at 19:45, arriving Budapest Keleti 12:50.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with cosy 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Bucharest as far as Arad (arrive 08:41). There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
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Day 2 & 3, travel from Budapest to London using any of the options shown on the Budapest page.
For example, take the Hungarian sleeper from Budapest to Stuttgart, a TGV to Paris and Eurostar to London.
Or take a railjet from Budapest to Vienna, the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper from Vienna to Brussels or Paris, then Eurostar to London.
Sofia ► London, 3 nights
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Day 1, travel from Sofia to Bucharest, leaving Sofia Central at 07:00, arriving Bucharest Nord 17:32.
From 13 June to 12 October 2025 this is a direct train, or rather, a 2nd class through car, a Bulgarian carriage with classic side corridor and compartments. There's no air-con, but the windows open for a cool inward breeze, ideal for photography.
At other times of year you must change trains at Ruse (arrive 13:35, depart 14:15) from the Bulgarian train into a modern air-conditioned Romanian diesel unit for the last leg to Bucharest. But the timings, route and scenery are exactly the same.
It's a lovely scenic route, meandering at leisurely speed through the beautiful green valleys of Bulgaria. You then cross the Danube from Ruse in Bulgaria to Giurgiu in Romania over Europe's longest steel bridge, 2.5 km long. There's no catering so bring a picnic and some wine or beer, a good book, and enjoy the ride.
Enjoy an evening in Bucharest and have dinner.
Important update: Due to track upgrading, from 7 May 2024 for up to 18 months, the train will start at Sofia Sever at 07:06 (= Sofia North, 2.7 km from Sofia Central, see map). You can either take a taxi from your hotel to Sofia Sever or take the 06:50 suburban train from Sofia Central.
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Stay overnight in Bucharest. The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord, Hello Hotels Gara de Nord & Euro Hotel Grivita are all just a 350m 5 minute walk from the station, inexpensive with good reviews. I personally didn't get on with the Grivita in spite of its good reviews, perhaps try Hello Hotels Gara de Nord. The Ibis Styles Bucharest Center is an 18-minute hike from the station (see walking map), but would be a reliable choice. However, if you want a landmark hotel in the city centre, go for the Athenee Palace Hotel, see why I love that hotel here.
Enjoy a day in Bucharest.
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Day 2, travel from Bucharest to Budapest by sleeper train Ister, leaving Bucharest Nord at 17:58, arriving Budapest Keleti 08:50 (day 3).
The Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 or 3-bed sleepers with washbasin and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments. Take a picnic and bottle of wine as there's no restaurant car. Ister is the ancient name for the River Danube.
In summer when it's light it's a lovely scenic journey through the Carpathian mountains between Ploesti and Brasov.
Tip: You can check the train formation at www.vagonweb.cz, change cs to English top left, click Train formations, then search for Ister.
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Day 3 & 4, travel from Budapest to London using any of the options shown on the Budapest page.
For example, take a railjet from Budapest to Munich, stay overnight, take a TGV to Paris and Eurostar to London.
Or take a railjet from Budapest to Vienna, the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper from Vienna to Brussels or Paris, then Eurostar to London.
Or spend the day in Budapest, then take the Hungarian sleeper from Budapest to Stuttgart, a TGV to Paris and Eurostar to London.
How much does it cost?
How to buy tickets
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Step 1, book your trains from London to Budapest as shown on the London to Budapest page.
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Step 2, book a sleeper or couchette from Budapest to Bucharest at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Remember that the Ister has a sleeping-car and a couchette car. The Muntenia only has a couchette car, with a sleeping-car attached between Arad & Bucharest. If you're using the Muntenia and want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. 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 Railways domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.
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Step 3, book the train from Bucharest or Videle to Sofia at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
You can book one-way or round trip. You print your own ticket or can show the .pdf on your phone.
While the trackwork continues, if booking one-way Sofia to Videle or Bucharest you'll need to specify Sofia Sever to Bucuresti to get a .pdf format e-ticket. If you book from plain Sofia it cannot e-ticket the suburban train from Sofia Central to Sofia Sever so will only offer a hard-copy ticket collected from a Romanian station, which is of no use if you're starting in Bulgaria.
If you have any problems booking to Sofia, use bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro to book from Bucuresti to Ruse, this ticket can be printed out or shown on your phone. Then rebook at Ruse, or pay the Bulgarian conductor on the train in cash or with card.
Have your trip arranged as a package
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Tailor Made Rail can organise a trip to Bulgaria by train for you with hotels and transfers, even though it's not a destination listed on their website. Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking. From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461. Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday. Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/croatia.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Brussels Midi station guide. In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room.
2. Paris or Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet
There are many different options for onward travel from Paris or Brussels to Budapest. One option is to take the 3-times-a-week Nightjet train from Paris or Brussels to Vienna. Run by Austrian Railways (ÖBB), it has sleeping-cars, couchettes & seats. Each of the two sleeping-cars has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus three deluxe compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds with shower & toilet. The sleeper berths come =made up with sheets and duvets, all sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment next morning. Towels & toiletries are provided, including shampoo and shower gel in the deluxe sleepers. In the more economical couchettes, you can book a couchette in a cheaper 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & small bottle of water. Couchette passengers get tea or coffee, rolls & jam in the morning. When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have booked a sleeper you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments. More about Nightjets.
3. Vienna to Budapest by Railjet
Railjets are ÖBB's (Austrian Railways) premier trains, with economy & 1st class, plus a premium 1st class called business class. There's a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class, restaurant car orders are taken and served at your seat. More about railjets. Budapest Keleti station guide.
4. Budapest to Videle or Bucharest by sleeper train
The Muntenia from Budapest to Videle & Bucharest has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-bunk compartments, these convert from seats to bunks at night will sheet, pillow and blanket provided. There are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor. A Romanian sleeping-car is attached from Arad to Bucharest with cosy 1, 2 & 3-bed compartments with washbasin.
The Ister from Budapest to Bucharest has a similar Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-bunk compartments and a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. A berth in the sleeping-car only costs a little more than a couchette but is a significant step up in privacy and comfort.
5. Bucharest or Videle to Sofia
In summer it's a direct train from Bucharest & Videle to Sofia, or rather, one 2nd class through car, a Bulgarian carriage with side corridor and 6-seat compartments. There's no air-con, but the windows open for a cool inward breeze, ideal for photography. At all other times of year it's a Romanian air-conditioned diesel unit from Bucharest to Ruse then a Bulgarian train from Ruse to Sofia.
There's no catering so bring a picnic and some wine or beer. It's a lovely scenic ride, crossing from Romania into Bulgaria over the Danube between Giurgiu & Ruse on Europe's longest steel bridge, 2.5 Km long, then meandering at slow speed through the valleys of Bulgaria.
Above, the Sofia to Bucharest through carriage. In the off-season cars like this run Ruse-Sofia with a connecting train from Bucharest.
Videle station, photographed from the Bucharest-Sofia train as it called there. Only a small station, but with a shop & restaurant nearby.
The train crosses the Danube into Bulgaria over a 2.5 km long steel bridge, the longest steel bridge in Europe, built in 1954. It now also has a roadway above the railway.
The train crosses Bulgaria, much or the route is single track with a lot of clickety-clack on jointed rail and an occasional blast from the locomotive horn.
Option 2, London to Sofia via Hoek van Holland & Bucharest
This is the ferry alternative. If you live in East Anglia or prefer a ferry to Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel for some reason, this is a useful alternative. It's often cheaper than Eurostar at short notice.
London ► Sofia
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Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail explained here.
You leave London Liverpool Street at 19:36 Mondays-Fridays, 19:04 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.
You leave Cambridge at 19:46 daily, by direct train to Harwich International.
You sleep in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on board Stena Line's Harwich-Hoek superferry 21:00-08:00, and arrive Amsterdam around 10:30 next morning.
Fares start at £62 + cabin cost, book this as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.
Enjoy a day in Amsterdam.
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Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has a 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. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the onward train to Budapest, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.
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Day 3, travel from Vienna to Sofia as shown on the Vienna to Sofia section.
You take a fast train to Budapest, an overnight sleeper to Romania and the daily daytime train to Sofia, either with or without an overnight hotel stop in Bucharest. I'd recommend the 2-night option (with the extra overnight stop in Bucharest) if you can, this gives you some free time in Budapest and Bucharest and allows for any delay.
Sofia ► London
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Days 1 & 2, travel from Sofia to Vienna as shown on the Sofia to Vienna section.
You take the daily train from Sofia to Romania, an overnight sleeper train to Budapest and a fast train to Vienna, either with or without an overnight hotel stop in Bucharest. I'd recommend the 2-night option (with the extra overnight stop in Bucharest) if you can, this gives you some free time in Bucharest & Budapest and allows for any delay.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna to Amsterdam by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:50.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has a 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. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, a little more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Enjoy a day in Amsterdam.
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Day 3, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail explained here.
You leave Amsterdam Centraal around 18:36, sleep in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on board Stena Line's Hoek van Holland to Harwich superferry 21:00-06:30, and arrive London Liverpool Street station around 08:56 next morning (day 4).
Fares start at £62 + cabin cost.
London to Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo is well worth a visit. Below left, the main gate to the Royal hill and old cathedral. Below right, the old town. The station is at the foot of the hills on which the city is built, it's a longish walk up to the town, you may want to take a taxi. Click for map of Veliko Tarnovo showing station.
To reach Veliko Tarnovo from London or Paris, you have two main options:
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Option 1, travel from London to Sofia as shown above, then take a Bulgarian domestic train from Sofia. You can check train Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo train times at www.bdz.bg.
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Option 2, you can travel from London to Bucharest and use the train from Bucharest to Istanbul which calls at Veliko Tarnovo, see the London to Istanbul page for details.
If you need to make Bulgarian seat, sleeper or couchette reservations, these must be made at BDZ's town office (located next to a rather dubious local shop!) and not at the station, see walking map from station to office.
European Rail Timetable & maps
The
European Rail Timetable
(formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair
travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of
publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing
department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and
resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.
You can buy it online at
www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted. See an extract from the map. Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
To
get the most from your visit, you should take a good guidebook.
For the independent traveller, I think this means one of two
guidebooks, either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Both
series are excellent. You can buy an in-depth guide for Bulgaria
or a guide covering all the countries in Eastern Europe. Lonely
Planet Eastern Europe -
Rough Guide
Bulgaria.
Click the images to buy online
Hotels in Sofia & Bulgaria
For an inexpensive hotel with great reviews just outside Sofia Central station with great reviews, I recommend the Best Western Hotel Terminus, or 10 minutes walk away, the excellent Hotel Favorit which I've used myself.
Travel insurance & other tips
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Always take out travel insurance
You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and 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 European mobile data package and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card! 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 as I write this. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
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 getting 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 travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure. 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 this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I also get some commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone. You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.
Touring cities? Use hill walking shoes!
One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa. They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities. My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!