How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online to avoid additional phone booking fees and so you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey.  Most ticketing agencies only work office hours on weekdays, but online booking is possible 24/7.  However, if you want to book by phone, see my list of UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar...

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45 minutes minimum at Paris Nord) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Gare du Nord station guide.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex...   See the video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris & Stuttgart, a relaxing journey with reading book & glass of wine.  Book an upstairs seat for the best views...

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.		2nd class seats on the upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.		A TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

3. Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper:  See the Nightjet guide... 

This is an Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train, with sleeping-car, couchettes & seats.  The sleeping-car has nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with private shower & toilet.  The sleeper berths come fully 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, and couchette passengers get a tea or coffee in the morning.  More pictures & information about Nightjet trains.

The Nightjet sleeper train to Venice at Munich Hbf.  More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on a Nightjet train.

Sunrise as the Nightjet to Venice crosses the causeway over the lagoon into Venice.  Courtesy of Andreas Wiedenhoff.

The Nightjet sleeper train arrived at Venice Santa Lucia.  More nightjet information.

Back to top

Option 4, through Switzerland

The Paris-Milan trains featured in option 1 & option 2 are the fastest & cheapest trains between Paris & Italy, and that route is pretty scenic.  You can also travel from Paris to Italy via Switzerland, travelling from Paris Gare de Lyon to either Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria high-speed train in 3h10-4h05 from €29, then taking a EuroCity train to Milan Centrale in 3½-4½ hours from €29.  Change at Mussolini's magnificent Milan Centrale for Venice, Florence, Rome or anywhere in Italy.  You can travel from London to Milan in a day this way, but I suggest breaking up the journey with an overnight stop in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich.

Travelling via Switzerland is a good option if you want more dramatic scenery, or to stop off in Switzerland on the way, or if engineering work affects the direct Paris-Milan route.  It's also a good option to reach Lake Como, as most Zurich-Milan trains call at Como San Giovanni.  By all means go out one way and back another, most European trains apart from Eurostar are single-leg ticketed.

Which route through Switzerland? 

• The Paris-Lausanne-Milan & Paris-Geneva-Milan routes are just as direct (in fact, more so) as the route taken by the Paris-Milan TGVs.  The journey takes only a little longer because of the change of train in Geneva or Lausanne, but there's some superb scenery on the way, especially the last hour of the Paris-Geneva journey over the lovely Haut-Bugey Line via the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge.  The line along Lake Leman & Lake Maggiore on the Geneva-Lausanne-Milan Simplon route is also lovely, past castles and vineyards.  In winter snow it's wonderful...

• The Paris-Zurich-Milan & Paris-Basel-Milan routes take 2-3 hours longer.  Until recently I'd have said the Paris-Zurich-Milan route marked in orange on the route map above was the most scenic mainline route of all, taking the wonderful Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps where the line spirals to gain height.  But in December 2016 the Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains were permanently re-routed through the new Gotthard Base Tunnel and the most wonderful scenic hour of that route is now 20 minutes in a tunnel.  It's still a great route with lovely views of Swiss & Italian lakes, see the Milan-Zurich video here - but I'd say the Simplon and Gotthard are now neck-and-neck on scenery.  The route via Zurich does have one key advantage, there's a conveniently timed direct Zurich-Venice EuroCity train every morning, no need to change in Milan, making it a good route to Venice.

• If it's ultimate Swiss Alpine scenery you're after, go for option 5, the fabulous narrow gauge Bernina Express, at least in one direction.  This is much slower than any of the routes described here, Zurich to Milan on 3 trains in one amazing day instead of one train in 3½ hours - but it's worth it!

London ► Italy

• Day 1, travel from London to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by Eurostar & TGV-Lyria using any journey shown on the Switzerland page.

  For example, leave London St Pancras by Eurostar at 12:24 any day of the week arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:57.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, it's just 2 stops on RER line D.

  Then take the 18:18 TGV-Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon arriving Geneva at 21:29.

  For the last hour the Paris-Geneva TGVs take the Haut-Bugey Line with fabulous scenery, including crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge, see the photos on the Switzerland page - depending on the hours of daylight of course.

  By all means take the 10:22 Eurostar from London and have lunch in Paris at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then take the 16:18 TGV to Geneva arriving 19:29 - this will show you the scenery in daylight even in winter and give you more of an evening in Geneva.

• Stay overnight in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich. 

  In Geneva, hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.

  In Zurich, 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 4-star Hotel St Gotthard 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.

• Day 2, travel from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan by air-conditioned EuroCity train through the Alps and change there for anywhere in Italy.  You can check times from these Swiss cities to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.

  For example, the 07:39 from Geneva arrives at Milan Centrale at 11:40.  The Geneva-Milan journey takes you along the shores of Lake Leman, through the Simplon Tunnel south of Brig and alongside Lake Maggiore into the wonderful Milan Centrale.  There's a restaurant car on board for breakfast and power sockets at all seats.

  For Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples:  Travel from Milan to Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples by Frecciarossa high-speed train.  If you leave Geneva on the 07:39 you can connect with a Frecciarossa 500 leaving Milan Centrale at 12:10 and arriving Bologna 13:22, Florence SMN 14:04, Rome Termini at 15:49 & Naples Centrale at 17:12.

  For Verona or Venice:  Trains run from Milan Centrale to Venice Santa Lucia every hour through the day taking just 2h27.  If you travel via Zurich and stay overnight there, there's a direct Zurich-Venice EuroCity train leaving Zurich HB at 08:33 every day, arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 14:42.

Italy ► London

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Milan Centrale, then by EuroCity train from Milan Centrale to Zurich, Basel, Lausanne or Geneva.  You can easily check times & prices from anywhere in Italy to these Swiss cities at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.

  For example, a EuroCity train leaves Milan Centrale at 17:20 arriving Geneva at 21:21.  There's a restaurant car for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  From Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples:  Trains run to Milan every hour at least.  To catch the 17:20 Milan-Geneva you'd leave Naples Centrale at 11:40, Rome Termini at 13:10, Florence SMN 14:55 or Bologna 15:36 by Frecciarossa 1000, arriving Milan Centrale at 16:50.  To catch the 19:20 Milan-Geneva you'd leave Naples Centrale at 13:40, Rome Termini at 15:10, Florence SMN 16:55 or Bologna at17:36 by Frecciarossa 1000, arriving Milan Centrale at 18:50.  Check times at www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com allowing at least 30 minutes in Milan.

  From Verona or Venice:  There's a direct train to Geneva leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 16:18 and Verona Porta Nuova at 17:32, arriving Geneva around 23:56.  There's also a direct train to Zurich leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:18 and Verona Porta Nuova at 16:32, arriving Zurich HB at 21:27.  Or by all means travel earlier to either Geneva or Zurich with a change of train at Milan Centrale.

• Stay overnight in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich.

  In Geneva, hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. 

  In Zurich, 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 4-star Hotel St Gotthard 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.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich, Basel, Lausanne or Geneva to London by TGV-Lyria & Eurostar using any service shown on the Switzerland page.

  For example, you can leave Geneva at 10:29 any day of the week by 300 km/h Lyria TGV arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:42.  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord, it's just 2 stops on RER line D.  Leave Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar at 17:03 arriving London St Pancras at 18:32.

  If you'd like an earlier start, the 08:29 from Geneva will get you to London at 16:39, see the Switzerland page for full details.  How about taking the 08:29 from Geneva and having lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon, then taking Eurostar home? 

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

• Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in 2nd class, €79 in 1st class.  You'll find full details of London-Paris-Switzerland fares on the London to Switzerland page.

• Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

• Milan to Florence or Venice starts at just €19.90 each way in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class with a Super-Economy fare.  Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in standard class (2nd) or €39.90 in business class (1st).

How to buy tickets

• You can buy all your tickets together in one place at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, whichever you prefer.  They both connect to the British, French and Italian train ticketing systems, they're both easy to use, in €, £ or $.  International credit cards accepted, Eurostar & TGVs have print-at-home or show-on-phone tickets and Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  There's a small booking fee.

• When does booking open?  Eurostar bookings open up to 180 days ahead, TGV-Lyria opens up to 120 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting until TGV-Lyria opens for sale so you can buy all your tickets together and double-check TGV-Lyria's arrival/departure times before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  Switzerland-Italy EuroCity trains only open for bookings 92 days ahead.  Be aware that the 120 or 92 days can be squeezed to as little as 60 days for travel on dates immediately after the European timetable changes in mid-June & mid-December.

• Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com & book from London to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich.  Add this to your basket.

  Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris.  To book London to Zurich with a stopover for lunch in Paris, click More options (when using Raileurope) and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want.

  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris southbound, at least 90 minutes northbound (as northbound you have to allow for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in).

  If you are returning, London-Paris is best booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one ways.  Beyond Paris, all the onward trains are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one-ways and it makes no difference how you book.  You may find it easier to book one direction at a time.

• Step 2, still at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, now book from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to your chosen Italian destination for the following day, add it to your basket and check out.  Raileurope.com now connects directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system so can sell all of Trenitalia's cheap economy & super-economy fares.  Both trains offer ticketless travel, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.

Other ways to buy tickets

• You can of course buy tickets from each of the relevant train operators' own websites.  This is more work, involving multiple bookings on different websites, the prices should be exactly the same, but there's no booking fee.  I recommend doing a dry run on all websites before booking for real.

• Step 1, book your London-Paris tickets at www.eurostar.com.  You can print out your own ticket, collect it at London St Pancras or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.

• Step 2, book your Paris-Switzerland tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com & print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

• Step 3, book tickets from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to anywhere in Italy at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks so see this advice on using it, no booking fee).  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both offer ticketless travel for mainline trains, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online to avoid additional phone booking fees and so you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey.  Most ticketing agencies only work office hours on weekdays, but online booking is possible 24/7.  However, if you want to book by phone, see my list of UK ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.

Or have your trip arranged as a package

• Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a holiday as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  Their website has a range of suggested tours & holidays by rail which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  Their most popular trips include UK to Venice via the Alps, UK to Lake Como via the Alps, UK to Florence via the Alps, UK to Rome via the Alps, UK to Amalfi Coast via the Alps, all of which are customisable to add extra nights or extra cities, with train travel on the outward or return journey, or by train throughout with no flying necessary, it's up to you.  They now have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

    In the UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk

    In the USA call 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com

    Canada call 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com

    Australia call 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au

    New Zealand call 0800 000 554 or see website

• Byway (Byway.travel) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm, with a 5-star TrustPilot rating.  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a London-Italy journey for you as a package, including overnight hotels, starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

  They can build a trip to your requirements if you email them or use this contact form.  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

• Tailor Made Rail also offers packages from the UK to Italy by train which can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip, with any stopovers you want.  Indeed, they can organise a trip for you entirely based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

  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/italy.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar...

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45 minutes minimum at Paris Nord) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Paris Gare du Nord station guide.  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria...

All TGV-Lyrias are now double-deck TGV Duplex as shown here, with 3 classes:  Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways, see the TGV-Lyria page for more information.  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide.

TGV-Lyria euroduplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains now operate all TGV-Lyria services.

The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes...		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

1st class on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		A TGV-Lyria for Geneva, boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

3. Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train...

Trains from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan are operated by smart bullet-nosed Astoro trains, now joined by Swiss Railways' latest Giruno trains.  Both types have with air-conditioning, restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, a pleasure to travel on.  More information about these EuroCity trains.  Geneva station guide.  Zurich HB station guide.  Milan Centrale station guide.

The Gotthard route:  The Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains take the Gotthard route through the Alps.  You'll pass through the World's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the transit only takes 20 minutes.  You'll see plenty of mountains either side including great views of Lake Lugano (below).

The Simplon route:  Geneva-Lausanne-Milan trains take the Simplon route, via the famous Simplon Tunnel opened in 1906.  You'll see pretty Swiss villages & vineyards.  The Swiss keep their wine a closely-guarded secret and export very little, give it a try and you'll understand why they keep it to themselves.  Once in Italy, there's great views along Lake Maggiore.

A Swiss-owned ETR610 about to leave Zurich HB with a EuroCity train to Milan.  More information about these EuroCity trains.

1st class seats.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car.  Larger photo.

Lunch in the restaurant car...		2nd class.  Larger photo.  360 degree photo.

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train on the Gotthard route.  On the Zurich-Milan Gotthard route you'll also pass the Zugersee & the Vierwaldstattersee in Switzerland, and if it's a train routed via Como, you'll glimpse Lake Como too.

Lake Maggiore...  The Geneva-Lausanne-Milan Simplon route runs alongside Lake Leman, and once in Italy it runs alongside Lake Maggiore, pictured above.  This photo was taken from the dining-car of the northbound 11:25 Milan to Basel over an excellent lunch of salmon tagliatelle & Swiss wine.  I left Milan at 11:25, changed at Basel onto the 16:34 TGV to Paris, caught the 21:13 Eurostar and was back in London at 22:36, reaching Aylesbury at 23:59.  No airports, no flights, and wonderful scenery!

Back to top

Option 5, via the scenic Bernina Express

This is a much slower option than the others, but you can still leave London on day 1 afternoon, arriving Milan on day 2 in the afternoon, after a slow and fabulous journey on the narrow-gauge Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano through the Swiss Alps.  See the Bernina Express page..

Back to top

Option 6, via Munich & the Brenner Pass

You may prefer some German and Austrian efficiency on your way to Italy, as well as some great scenery, see the Brenner route video.  Travel London to Munich by Eurostar & TGV on day 1, stay overnight, then travel through the Brenner Pass to Italy on day 2.  It may look like a long way round on the route map above, but cheap fares and high-quality German and Austrian-run trains now make this an attractive option.

London ► Italy

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:22 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Nord 13:57.

  On Saturdays, leave London St Pancras at 12:24 arriving Paris Nord at 15:57.

  In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.

  On Saturdays it leaves Paris at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 23:29.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.  Times may vary, so check your date at www.bahn.de.

  On Saturdays if you'd prefer an earlier arrival in Munich you can also leave London at 09:24 to connect with a TGV leaving Paris at 13:55 for Stuttgart, change there for Munich arriving 19:13.

  Alternatively, you can travel from London to Munich by Eurostar & ICE train via Brussels & Cologne, see the London to Germany page.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.  If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Italy by EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf at 09:34 & arriving Verona Porta Nuova 14:58 & Bologna 16:19.

  The scenery through the Brenner Pass is wonderful, see the Brenner route video.  For the best views find a seat on the right hand side of the train.  Change in Verona for Venice, change in Bologna for Florence or Rome, using www.trenitalia.com to find a suitable onward connection.  Allow at least 45 minutes for connections in Verona or Bologna.

  Alternatively, have a look round Munich, then take a direct EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:32 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia 18:25, also travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass - this direct train is usually a cheaper option, as one ticket gets you all the way from Munich to Venice from as little as €39.90.

Italy  ► London

• Day 1, travel from Italy to Munich by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:35 or Verona P. Nuova 15:01, arriving Munich Hbf 20:26.

  Enjoy the scenery in the Brenner Pass through the Alps, see the Brenner route video.  Arguably the best views are from the left-hand side of the train.  Coming from Rome or Florence, look for a train to Verona using www.trenitalia.com, allowing at least 45 minutes in Verona for the connection, to allow for any delay.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.  If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:42 (06:51 until 26 August 2023), arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:31.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, see this video.  Times may vary, so check your date at www.bahn.de.

  In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:03 & arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.

  If you'd prefer a leisurely breakfast & later departure from Munich there are various later options, see the London to Germany page.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

• Paris to Munich by TGV starts at €39 each way in 2nd class, or from €69 in 1st class.

• Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice by EuroCity train starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.

• On both the Paris-Munich and Munich-Verona legs, accompanied children under 15 go free if you book at www.bahn.de.

• Onward tickets from Verona to Florence start at €19.90 each way 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class.  Verona to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class.

How to buy tickets

• To book the easy way with all your tickets booked together in one place, in €, £ or £, use www.raileurope.com.

  Step 1, book London-Paris then Paris-Munich at www.raileurope.com.

  Step 2, book from Munich to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com. 

  Add each leg to your basket, then checkout and pay.  International credit cards are accepted and you print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.  For Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  There's a small booking fee.

  If you are returning, London-Paris is best booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one ways.  Beyond Paris, all the onward trains are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one-ways and it makes no difference how you book.  You may find it easier to book one direction at a time.

  Important tip:  www.raileurope.com will easily book the direct trains from Munich to Verona, Venice or Bologna on a direct train.  But if your journey involves a change of train within Italy, for example to Florence, Rome or Naples, add a via station like this:  Before running the Munich to Italy enquiry, click More options, enter Verona (any station) as a via station, enter duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection.  The 09:34 from Munich goes direct to Bologna, so if you want the 09:34 use Bologna Centrale instead of Verona if you're going to Florence, Rome or Naples.

• You can also book each train separately.  It shouldn't make any difference to the price and it's more work, but there's no booking fee:

  Book London-Paris at www.eurostar.com, then book Paris-Munich at www.bahn.de and Munich-Verona/Bologna/Venice as a second transaction at www.bahn.de.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

  Note that www.bahn.de will only book the direct EuroCity trains from Munich to Verona, or the once-daily direct trains to Bologna or Venice.  If you want to travel to Venice or Bologna with a change of train in Verona, or to Florence or Rome with a change of train in Verona or Bologna, you should use www.bahn.de to book the direct EuroCity train from Munich to Verona or Bologna, then use either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks so see this advice on using it, no booking fee) to book the onward train from Bologna to Florence, Bologna to Rome or Verona to Venice and back.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar...

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45 minutes minimum at Paris Nord) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Paris Gare du Nord station guide.  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex.  See the TGV Duplex video

Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The TGV has power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  First class passengers on this route are given a simple but tasty meal box with a small bottle of beer or wine served at their seat, included in the fare.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods and farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  After an hour or two, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart and Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.  Munich Hbf station guide.

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris & Munich, a relaxing journey with reading book & glass of wine.  Book an upstairs seat for the best views...

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes....		2nd class seats on the upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo..

1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.		A TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

3. Munich to Verona by EuroCity train...

These spacious and comfortable EuroCity trains are run by the German & Austrian railways using Austrian carriages.  There's an elegant Austrian restaurant car serving affordable drinks, snacks and meals.  There are power sockets at most though not all seats.  The highlight is passing through the superb scenery of the Brenner Pass between Innsbruck & Verona, with mountains either side of the train, see the video below.  More photos & information about the Brenner Pass EuroCity trains.

A EuroCity train at Innsbruck, en route for Verona & Italy.  You don't need to book a table in the restaurant car, just go along and sit down.  Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this.  More photos & information about these EuroCity trains.

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments.		1st class leather seats.  You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

Mountains on the Brenner route.  More scenery photos on the Brenner Pass EuroCity page

More mountains on the Brenner route, between Brixen and Bolzano.

Watch the video: Through the Brenner

Back to top

Option 7, via the Harwich - Hoek van Holland ferry

The ferry alternative!  If Eurostar fares are expensive, or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example if you suffer from claustrophobia, you can travel by train & ferry instead.  At first glance, the obvious route seems to be Dover-Calais, and if you want to travel this way, see the London to Paris by train & ferry page.  Once in Paris you can pick up any of the routes to Italy shown above.  However, I don't recommend this route unless you live near Dover as it lacks integrated ticketing and involves awkward bus or taxi transfers between train & ferry on both sides of the Channel.

Instead, I recommend the Harwich to Hoek van Holland route, marked in black on the route map above.  This is the best ferry route to use, with integrated ticketing and trains arriving directly at the ferry terminal.  It's also a great option if you live in East Anglia, with a direct train connection from Cambridge to Harwich connecting with the overnight ferry.  Indeed, you may simply prefer a relaxing cruise overnight on the Stena Line superferry in a luxury en suite cabin with shower, toilet, satellite TV & free WiFi, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video.

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Italy

• Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail.

  You leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 Mondays-Fridays, 19:36 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Britannica to Hoek van Holland.

  The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 next morning, Dutch time.

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower & satellite TV.  Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi in the lounges, restaurants & bars on 9 deck.  You can get on board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin.

  This is an integrated train & ferry service, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details, photos & travel tips.  The special fare from London is valid from any Abellio Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.

  Next morning, take the frequent metro train from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum and a Dutch Intercity train from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal arriving 10:25.  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

  At Amsterdam Centraal, have a coffee at the delightfully retro Cafe 1e Klas and give my regards to the cockatoo on the bar.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart on ICE trains, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & arriving Stuttgart at 18:08.  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:34.

  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 couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Day 3, catch an onward train from Venice to Florence, Rome or Naples, allowing at least an hour between trains in Venice.

Italy ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

• Day 1, catch a connecting train from Naples, Rome or Florence to Venice.  I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Venice.

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf at 08:37.

  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 couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam on ICE trains, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:51, changing at Cologne Hbf & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29.  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail.

  You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.  At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk and walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry Stena Hollandica and sail overnight to Harwich in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.

  The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time.  Day 3, take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:54, or from Harwich to Cambridge arriving 09:41 (10:39 on Sundays).  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

How much does it cost?

• London to Hoek van Holland by Rail & Sail starts at £55 per person each way, plus cabin.

  Cabins start at £34 for a single berth cabin or £45 per cabin for a 2-berth, and are compulsory on the night sailing.  For full details of fares and cabin types and costs, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.

  Hoek to Schiedam by metro costs around €4.  Schiedam to Amsterdam by train costs €17.20.

• Amsterdam to Stuttgart starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train starts at €59.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Venice to Florence starts at €19.90 each way.  Venice to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.

  Buy the onward metro & train ticket to Amsterdam as shown on that page.

• Step 2, book the train from Amsterdam to Stuttgart at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, book the sleeper from Stuttgart to Venice at www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at & print your own ticket.

• Step 4, book onward tickets from Venice to anywhere in Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

Alternatively, stay in Munich & take a daytime train next day

• Instead of taking the Munich-Venice sleeper, you can stay in a hotel in Munich and take a EuroCity train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy next morning with lunch in the dining-car.  See the Munich to Venice Brenner Pass page for photos, video, tips & information.

• Recommended hotels near Munich Hbf include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, 25 Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian, Hotel Excelsior, Eden Hotel Wolff, Drei Loewen, or InterCity Hotel.

• A EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 07:34 every day for Verona Porta Nuova, going direct to Venice Santa Lucia on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:28.  Another EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 09:34 every day for Verona Porta Nuova & Bologna Centrale.  A third EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 11:32 every day for Verona Porta Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia arriving 18:25.  All go via the Brenner Pass, take your pick!

• Fares start at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Book at www.bahn.de & print your own ticket.

• It works in the return direction too.  A EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 13:35 every day, calling at Verona Porta Nuova then travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass to Munich Hbf arriving 20:26.  Stay overnight in Munich, then travel to Amsterdam as shown above.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Amsterdam by train & ferry...

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's a self-service restaurant and a la carte restaurant if you want a late dinner, and there are cafes and bars.  There's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 deck.  The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.  See the video...

Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer.  Larger photo.		Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich.  She's a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel.  Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema...

Dinner before bed?  Metropolitan à la carte restaurant.		Standard outside cabin.  Larger photo.  360º photo.

2. Amsterdam to Stuttgart by ICE...

ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

An ICE3M to Frankfurt at Amsterdam.  More information about ICE...

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Food is served on proper china with metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M.  ICE3 classes 403 & 407 have a larger restaurant area.  Larger photo.

3. Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train...

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.

The Nightjet sleeper train to Venice.  More photos & information about Nightjet trains.

2-berth deluxe sleeper.		...en suite toilet & shower.		4-berth couchettes...

Sunrise as the Munich-Venice Nightjet crosses the causeway over the lagoon into Venice.  Courtesy of Andreas Wiedenhoff.

Back to top

Option 8, via the Portsmouth - Caen ferry

This route is ideal if you live on the south coast.  It's also a good alternative to Eurostar from London if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel or if Eurostar is expensive (for example, at short notice) - although the train/ferry/train transfers are much easier via Harwich & Hoek van Holland as stations & ferry terminals are integrated, on the Portsmouth-Caen route a taxi transfer is needed between train & ferry in Portsmouth, and a bus or taxi transfer in Caen.

• Step 1, travel from London or Portsmouth to Paris overnight by train & ferry.

  You leave London around 18:00 by train to Portsmouth, take a taxi to the Continental Ferry Port and sail overnight from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries, sleeping in a cosy private cabin with shower & toilet 22:45-06:45.  Next morning, transfer to Caen station by bus or taxi and take a train into Paris St Lazare, arriving around 11:05.  Transfer from Paris St Lazare to Paris Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro.

  For details of times, transfers & how to buy tickets, see the London to Paris by train & ferry page.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin or Milan on the afternoon TGV or Frecciarossa through the French Alps.  Stay overnight in Turin and take an onward train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples next morning.

  For details of the Paris-Italy journey see here for Paris-Venice, here for Paris-Florence, here for Paris-Rome & here for Paris-Naples.

The luxurious Normandie at Portsmouth.

Back to top

You can take a train up to London and travel from London to Italy as described above, of course, and this is often the easiest and fastest option.  If you want to do this, read this advice on buying connecting train tickets up to London.  But DFDS Seaways run an excellent daily overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries sail overnight from Hull to Holland.  Then there's a Nightjet sleeper from Cologne to Innsbruck for onward EuroCity trains through the scenic Brenner Pass to Italy.  So why not by-pass London, and have a day in Amsterdam into the bargain before travelling on to Italy?

Newcastle & Hull ► Italy

• Day 1, take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.

  In Hull, transfer to P&O ferry terminal and sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam by P&O cruise ferry, with bus/train connection to Amsterdam Centraal.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For details of schedule, fares & tickets, see the Hull-Rotterdam page.

  In Newcastle, transfer to the DFDS ferry terminal at North Shields and sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam by DFDS Seaways cruise ferry.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For details of schedule, fares & tickets see the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

• Day 2, spend the rest of the day in Amsterdam, all the sights are an easy walk from Amsterdam Centraal.  Left luggage lockers are available.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:30, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 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.

• Day 3, take a EuroCity train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy...

  The 11:24 from Innsbruck arrives Verona at 14:28 and Bologna at 16:19.  Change at Verona for Venice & Milan.  Change at Bologna for Florence, Rome and Naples.  Check times & prices from Innsbruck to anywhere in Italy at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

Italy ► Hull & Newcastle

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Innsbruck via the scenic Brenner Pass.  You can check train times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Innsbruck.  For example, the 13:35 from Venice Santa Lucia arrives Innsbruck Hbf at 18:36.

• Day 1, take the Nightjet sleeper train leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 and arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 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.

  Spend some time in Amsterdam, left luggage lockers are available at Amsterdam Centraal.

• Day 2, travel overnight by cruise ferry either with P&O Ferries from Rotterdam to Hull or with DFDS Seaways from IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) to Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.  Next morning (day 3) transfer to the station and take a train home.

  For details of timetables, fares & how to buy tickets from Amsterdam to the UK via these ferry routes, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

Fares & how to buy tickets

• Step 1, start with the ferry.  Go to www.dfds.co.uk for Newcastle-Amsterdam, www.poferries.com for Hull-Rotterdam.

• Step 2, book the Amsterdam-Innsbruck sleeper train at www.thetrainline.com, looking for the direct Nightjet train with 0 changes.

  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 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, all per person per berth.

• Step 3, book the train from Innsbruck to Verona or Bologna from €39 at either www.bahn.de or www.thetrainline.com.

• Step 4, book onward trains within Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares from Milan to Florence, Rome, Naples or Venice from just €19.90 upwards.  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks, although one advantage is that it allows you to select specific seats.

• Step 5, now buy train tickets to Hull or Newcastle as shown on the UK page or use www.nationalrail.co.uk.

What's the journey like?

You sail overnight by cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (DFDS) or Hull to Rotterdam (P&O), with private en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, a floating hotel.  If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning.  If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal, from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht.

DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam.  The ferry also has deluxe Commodore class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.  See the video...		A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort.  The ferry also has deluxe class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.		A standard outside cabin with shower & toilet on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam from Hull to Rotterdam.

Back to top

Option 10, by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

This is the luxury option, from London to Verona or Venice aboard the fabulous Venice Simplon Orient Express.  It's not cheap, but yes, it's definitely worth it if you have the money - London to Venice costs around £3,000 per person one way including sleeper and excellent meals, wine extra.  The VSOE usually runs once weekly from March until October leaving London on Thursday mornings.  Passengers travel in restored 1920s or 1930s British Pullman cars from London to Folkestone with lunch, wine and champagne included in the fare.  At Folkestone, passengers are taken by coach to Calais via the Channel Tunnel.  Beautifully restored 1920s sleeping-cars then take passengers from Calais to Venice via Paris, the scenic Arlberg Pass, Innsbruck, the equally scenic Brenner Pass & Verona, arriving in Venice in the evening the day after leaving London.  For more details of the journey including departure dates, timetable, advice & photos, see the Venice Simplon Orient Express page.

A sleeping-car attendant greets passengers outside his 1929-built LX-series Wagons-Lits.

Back to top

Como is such a popular lakeside destination!!  Como San Giovanni is the mainline station on the Zurich-Milan main line, also linked to Milan Centrale by frequent regional train.  On the other hand, destinations on the eastern side of Lake Como, such as Lecco, Varenna (for the ferry to Bellagio), and Bellano are on a local line linking Milan Centrale with Tirano near the Swiss border.

To reach Como San Giovanni there are two basic options:

• Option 1, take the 09:24 Eurostar from London to Paris then the 14:45 TGV from Paris arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:49 as shown in the London to Milan section above.  It's quite a scenic route.  A regional train then leaves Milan Porta Garibaldi at 23:09 arriving Como San Giovanni at 00:08, fare €4.80, buy at the station in Milan.  This is the fastest option, London to Como in a day.

• By all means stay overnight in Milan and see a bit of the city next morning.  Regional trains link Milan Centrale and Como San Giovanni every hour throughout the day, fare €4.80, use www.trenitalia.com to find train times.  No reservation is possible or necessary for these regional trains, just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

• Option 2, take an afternoon Eurostar and evening TGV-Lyria to Zurich HB, stay overnight and take a direct EuroCity train through the Alps via the wonderful Gotthard route to Como San Giovanni.  You'll find times, prices, and how to buy tickets from London to Como via this route in this section above.  This takes a little longer and requires an overnight stop, but this breaks up the trip and the journey through the Swiss Alps is lovely.

To reach Lecco, Varenna (for ferry to Bellagio), Bellano:

• Option 1, first travel from the UK to Milan by Eurostar & TGV as shown in the London to Milan section above, stay overnight in Milan (or Turin if you prefer), then take a regional train from Milan Centrale next morning.  You can check times for these regional trains at www.trenord.it.

• Option 2, Bernina Express:  It may be slower and a bit more expensive, but it's the ultimate scenic route from the UK to Bellano, Varenna or Lecco.  You take Eurostar & TGV from London to Zurich on day 1, stay overnight, on day 2 you take the fabulous Bernina Express Swiss panoramic train to Tirano and a connecting regional train from Tirano to these Lake Como destinations.  See the Bernina Express page for details.

For Lake Como ferry services, including the ferries to Bellagio & excursions, see www.navigazionelaghi.it

Back to top

London to Lake Garda

• The station for Lake Garda is either Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda.  Both stations are on the Milan-Verona main line.  As well as regional trains, some fast Milan-Verona-Venice trains call at Peschiera or Desenzano.

• Option 1:  Take the 09:24 Eurostar from London to Paris then the 14:45 TGV from Paris to Milan as shown in the London-Milan section above, a nice scenic ride arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:49.

  If you're on time, take a taxi (10 minutes, €6) to Milan Centrale for the 22:25 regional train to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione arriving at 23:47.  If you miss it, the next one is at 00:15 arriving 01:50.  You can check times at www.trenitalia.com.

  You may prefer to stay the night in Milan and travel on next morning, in which case you could also consider stopping in Turin instead.  Turin is one of Italy's most under-rated cities - even if you're not a fan of the film The Italian Job.  You'd reach Turin just after 8pm on day 1, in time for a late dinner, have a leisurely breakfast next morning and perhaps an hour or two looking around the city, then take a direct train from Turin to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano, you can find times and buy cheap tickets online at www.trenitalia.com.

• Option 2:  Take the scenic route from London to Verona via Munich, as shown in the London to Italy via Munich section above.  You take Eurostar to Paris, a high-speed TGV from Paris to Munich, stay overnight then take a EuroCity train through the lovely Brenner Pass to Verona.  Then take any local regional train the short hop from Verona to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione, you can find times for this at www.trenitalia.com.

• Alternatively, take a train to Verona Porta Nuova.  Buses run frequently times an hour from outside the station to the eastern shores of Lake Garda including Lazise, Bardonlino & Garda, see the bus company website www.atv.verona.it.

• You can also travel to Brescia, then take frequent buses to the western shore of Lake Garda, see the bus company website brescia.arriva.it.

• For Lake Garda ferry services, including excursions, see www.navigazionelaghi.it

Back to top

	One of Trenitalia's modern Minuetto local trains used between Florence & Siena.
	The beautiful main square in Siena.

Pisa is famous for its leaning tower, Siena for simply being a fabulous city in the heart of Tuscany.  They are easy to reach by train from London, no flight necessary...

London ► Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Livorno

• Travel from London to Florence using any option shown in the London to Florence section above.

• By all means stop off in Florence for a few hours, there's a left luggage office in Florence costing only a few euros, see left luggage opening hours & prices.

• For Pisa, regional trains link Florence's main Santa Maria Novella station (SMN) with Pisa Centrale every hour taking 1h20.  The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is a 2 km 30 minute walk from Pisa Centrale station, taxis available.

  Tip:  If you are travelling to Pisa for the leaning tower, Pisa S. Rossore station (one stop beyond Pisa Centrale) is only 5-10 minutes walk from the tower.  Some trains from Florence go direct to Pisa S. Rossore, others require a change at Pisa Centrale.  Map of Pisa showing tower & railway stations.

• For Siena, there are regional trains from Florence's main Santa Maria Novella station (SMN) to Siena every hour or so through the day, taking 1h30.

  In Siena, the station is at the foot of the hill and it used to be a steep trek up to the old town.  However, there's now a series of modern escalators and moving walkways that ferry you painlessly to the top of the hill, from where it's just a minute or two walk to the Porta Camollia at the entrance to the old town.  From the Porta Camollia it's a pleasant 15 minute stroll to the famous Piazza del Campo.

• For Lucca, regional trains run from Florence SMN throughout the day taking around 1h20.

• For Livorno, regional trains link Florence's main Santa Maria Novella station (SMN) with Livorno Centrale at least every hour taking around 1h14.

• You can check times & fares for any of these regional trains at www.trenitalia.com.

  No reservation is necessary or even possible on these local trains, you just turn up, buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service ticket machines (which have a touch screen with English language facility) or the ticket office, and hop on the next train.

  If you buy a hard-copy ticket at the station, remember to validate it in the grey-green validation machines at the entrance to the platform.

London ► Modena, Ravenna

• Travel from London to Bologna using any of the options shown in the London to Bologna section above.

• Frequent trains link Bologna with Modena in less than 30 minutes, and trains link Bologna with Ravenna every hour or two in around 1h25.

• You can check times & fares for any of these regional trains at www.trenitalia.com.

  No reservation is necessary or even possible on these local trains, you just turn up, buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service ticket machines (which have a touch screen with English language facility) or the ticket office, and hop on the next train.

  If you buy a hard-copy ticket at the station, remember to validate it in the grey-green validation machines at the entrance to the platform.

Fares & how to buy tickets

• See the London to Florence & Bologna section above for fares from London to Florence or Bologna and buy tickets as explained in that section.

• The fare from Florence to Pisa is around €8.70 each way, Florence to Siena around €9.80 each way.

• Don't worry about the onward ticket from Florence or Bologna to Sienna, Pisa, Lucca or Ravenna as you can easily buy a ticket at the station when you get to Florence or Bologna.  No reservation is necessary as these are regional trains, you just buy a ticket and hop on.  You can buy local tickets from the ticket office or from the many self-service ticket machines (quicker & easier than going to the ticket office).  The ticket machines have a touch screen with an English language facility and they accept euros coins and notes, or credit cards.

• If you buy a hard-copy ticket for a regional route at the station, don't forget to validate it in the grey & green validation machines at the entrance to the platform before boarding the train.

Back to top

	The Circumvesuviana Railway links Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento every 30 minutes, see www.eavsrl.it.
	Up Pompeii!  The Circumvesuviana train from Naples arrives at Pompei Scavi Villa di Misteri.  The entrance to the ruins of Pompeii is just across the road, for visitor info see www.pompeiisites.org.
	The ferry from Naples, arrived at Capri. For ferry information, see www.snav.it

Sorrento, Pompeii & Herculaneum

• Travel from London to Naples using any of the options shown in the London to Naples section.

• Then take the Circumvesuviana Railway (www.eavsrl.it) from Naples to Herculaneum (Ercolano), Pompeii or Sorrento.  These little narrow-gauge electric suburban trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day, no reservation necessary (or even possible), you just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.

• The Circumvesuviana trains leave from Naples Garibaldi station, downstairs from Naples Centrale where your mainline train arrives.  Just follow the signs to Circumvesuviana, it's round a corner at the side of the concourse, along a passageway and the Circumvesuviana platforms are half-underground round the back.  Don't follow signs to Piazza Garibaldi as this is another set of mainline platforms in the same triple-station complex, it's Circumvesuviana you want.

• Naples to Pompeii costs around €3.20, journey time 40 minutes.  Naples to Sorrento €4.50, journey time 55-65 minutes.

• The Circumvesuviana trains are old and have no air-con, but some new air-conditioned trains are now in service.  You'll get great views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius on the way to Sorrento.  Outside the weekday rush hours it's not usually crowded, there are lots of seats, frequent trains and it's very easy to use.  Luggage just goes on the floor.

• You can check train times on the Circumvesuviana Railway website www.eavsrl.it, and can check fares at public transport website www.unicocampania.it -if you can work out how to use it!  Note that the Circumvesuviana is a private railway, separate from Trenitalia, so railpasses and ordinary Trenitalia tickets are not valid.  For the same reason you won't find train times & fares to Pompeii or Sorrento on www.trenitalia.com, although there's another (less convenient) Pompeii station on a regional route run by Trenitalia, but this is further from the ruins.

• For more information about visiting Pompeii by train, see the seat61 Pompeii page.  That page also explains how to take a bus to the summit of Vesuvius.

Capri

• First, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.

• Then take a taxi or walk (about 29 minutes walk) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.  Fast ferries taking just 45 minutes link Naples Beverello with Capri every hour or two between 07:00 &18:00, see www.snav.it for times & fares.

• The ferry costs around €20.10, plus a euro or two for each item of large luggage.  No pre-booking is necessary for the ferry, just turn up and buy a ticket.

• Alternatively, you can take the local Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento (www.eavsrl.it), from where there are regular ferries to Capri, crossing time about 25 minutes, fare €18.10.  Just be aware that it's a longish steep walk from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station down the hill to the ferry terminal.

• Ferries from both Naples & Sorrento arrive at Capri's busy Marina Grande, there's a funicular railway up the steep hillside to Capri town itself.  Bring plenty of money to Capri, even a small beer costs over €7!

Ischia

• First, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.

• Then take a taxi or walk (about 29 minutes walk) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.

• Sail from Naples to Porto Ischia with either www.caremar.it (sailings every hour or two, crossing time 45 minutes by fast ferry or 90 minutes by conventional ferry) or www.alilauro.it.

Elba

• First, travel from London to Florence using any of the options explained in the London to Florence section.

• Then take a local train from Florence SMN to Piombino Marittima via Pisa and Campiglia.  www.trenitalia.com will give you train times.  Moby Lines (www.moby.it) sail every hour or so from Piombino to Portoferraio on Elba, crossing time 1 hour, foot passengers €12 one-way.

Back to top

Amalfi, see from a bend in the winding Amalfi coast road.  SITA buses (www.sitabus.it) link Amalfi with both Salerno & Sorrento...

• Step 1, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.

  Many of the Frecciarossas from Turin or Milan to Naples continue beyond Naples to Salerno, so try booking it to Salerno.

  You can check train times & fares and buy tickets from anywhere in Italy to Salerno at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.  Private train operator Italo also goes direct from Milan or Florence to Salerno several times daily, buy tickets at www.italotreno.it.

• Step 2, regular SITA buses link Salerno with Amalfi, running every hour or better between 06:00 & 22:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, slightly less frequently on Sundays, journey time 1h15, fare about €2.20 one-way, you buy a ticket at the tobacconists shop inside Salerno station.

  To check bus timetables, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click Orari then Campania).  To check fares, you'll need to use public transport site www.unicocampania.it, click English top right then Fares & Tickets.

• Alternatively, a nicer option is to take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi or Positano, see www.coopsantandrea.com.  These small coastal ferries sail from Salerno's Concordia dock, a 650m 8-minute walk from Salerno railway station, journey time 35 minutes to Amalfi, or 70 minutes to Positano.  This is a pleasant way to go and in summer it avoids the heavy traffic on the coastal road.

  At time of writing, they had departures from Salerno at 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 14:10 & 15:30, with additional sailings at 13:00, 16:40 & 18:00 via Cetara/Maiori taking 60 minutes to Amalfi, but check www.coopsantandrea.com for current timings.  Fare around €9 Salerno to Amalfi or €14 Salerno to Positano, large luggage €2 extra.

• Alternatively, regular buses link Sorrento (see above for how to reach Sorrento) with Positano, Praiano & Amalfi, with the occasional bus direct from Naples, also operated by SITA, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click Orari then Campania).  Sorrento-Amalfi takes 1h40, buses run hourly or at times half-hourly, fare around €2.90.  The journey along the coast road is dramatic, the bus hugging the cliff and it rear end swinging out precariously at every hairpin bend, with regular stand-offs where the bus cannot pass oncoming traffic on the narrow roads without someone backing up!!

• Private transfer from Naples Centrale station to Praiano, Positano or Amalfi hotels?  If cost is no problem, a private transfer from Naples Centrale railway station to Positano or Praiano costs around €95 one-way for up to 3 people, or around €110 to Amalfi.  Try www.amalfishuttle.com or www.positanoshuttle.com (it's the same people - click 'transfer' at the top).  I have not had any reports about them yet, so feedback would be appreciated. They will also do transfers from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station, which would reduce the cost.

Back to top

You can travel via Paris & either Milan or via Nice.  Both options are shown here, though the route via Nice is probably more scenic, possibly cheaper, and you won't have to get up as early!  You can also travel by daytime trains with an overnight hotel stop in either Milan, Turin, Paris or Zurich.

Option 1, by Eurostar & TGV

This is the cheapest, fastest and most comfortable option from London to Genoa.  The whole journey can be done in just one day.

London ► Genoa, Cinque Terre, La Spezia

• Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:24 & arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:57.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D. 

  Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45 and arriving Turin Porta Susa at 20:23.

  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide.  The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & hot dishes.

  In Turin, transfer by taxi, local train or 25  minute walk from Turin Porta Susa to Turin Porta Nuova station.

• Step 3, travel from Turin to Genoa by regional train, leaving Turin Port Nuova at 21:30 and arriving Genoa Piazza Principe at 23:30.

• For Cinque Terre & La Spezia, stay overnight in Turin, and continue the next day.  You can check train times from Turin to La Spezia or Monterosso or any of the other 4 Cinque Terre villages at www.trenitalia.com.

La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Genoa ► London

• Step 1, travel from Cinque Terre, La Spezia or Genoa to Turin on any train you like, check train times at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

  Transfer by taxi or local train or 25 minute walk from Turin Porta Nuova station to Turin Porta Susa station

• Stay overnight in Turin.  The Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano, Hotel & Residence Torino Centro - Stazione Porta Susa or small Al Porta Susa B&B, are next to Turin Porta Susa station from where the TGV to Paris leaves next morning, all with good or great reviews.  Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre next to Porta Nuova station where trains from La Spezia & Genoa arrive, and you can transfer to Porta Susa by taxi or local train next morning.

• Step 2, travel from Turin to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Turin Porta Susa at 07:36 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:16.

  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from Italy into France via the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps and Modane, see the video guide.  The TGV has 1st and 2nd class seats plus a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).

• Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord on at 15:03, arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

• Paris to Turin starts at €29 each way 2nd class, from €44 in 1st class.

• Turin to Genoa costs €11 by regional train, fixed-price, no reservation necessary or possible, or €18 by InterCity train, reservation necessary.

How to buy tickets

• If you're going to Genoa, you can book from London to Genoa all in one go at www.raileurope.com.  Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris.  To book London to Turin with a stopover for lunch in Paris, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee.  You'll get print-at-home, show-on-phone or ticketless tickets.

• If you're going to La Spezia or Cinque Terre, step 1 is to go to www.raileurope.com and book from London to Turin and add this to your basket.  To book London to Turin with a longer stopover in Paris for lunch, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want.  Step 2, now use www.raileurope.com to buy a ticket from Turin to Monterosso or La Spezia for the following day, add this to your basket and check out.

• Alternatively, you can book the London to Paris Eurostar online at www.eurostar.com and print out your own ticket.  Then buy a TGV ticket from Paris to Turin at www.sncf-connect.com (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas credit cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (small booking fee), again with a print-at-home or show-on-phone ticket.  Then book from Turin to your chosen Italian destination at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.  Regional trains require no reservation, so you may as well buy this ticket at Turin station when you get there, but InterCity trains require a reservation and have cheaper fares if you pre-book, so book this up to 90 days ahead at either www.italiarail.com or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.

• To buy tickets by phone:  It's cheaper and in many ways easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.

Option 2, by Eurostar & TGV via Nice

London ► San Remo, Genoa

• Day 1, travel from London to Nice by Eurostar & TGV, using any option shown on the London to France page.

• Stay overnight in Nice.  The Hotel 64 is just 3 minutes walk from the station, 15 minutes walk from the old town & sea front, and gets great reviews.  The Hotel Paganini is also just outside the station with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border by TER local train, then from Ventimiglia to San Remo & Genoa either by fast Intercity train or slower regional train.  There are various departures to choose from, see the timetable here.

  For example you can leave Nice at 09:06, change at Ventimiglia, arriving San Remo at 11:18 and Genoa Piazza Principe at 13:05.

  The scenery between Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo & Ventimiglia is wonderful, as the railway runs along the coast past villas, rocky inlets and yacht-filled harbours.

Genoa, San Remo ► London

• Day 1, travel from Genoa or San Remo to Ventimiglia on the French border either by fast Intercity train or slower regional train, then from Ventimiglia to Nice by TER local train.  There are various departures to choose from, see the timetable here.

  For example, leave Genoa Piazza Principe at 15:43 or San Remo at 17:45 by regional train, change at Ventimiglia, arriving Nice Ville at 18:54.

• Stay overnight in Nice.  The Hotel 64 is just 3 minutes walk from the station, 15 minutes walk from the old town & sea front, and gets great reviews.  The Hotel Paganini is also just outside the station with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nice to London in a day by TGV & Eurostar, using any option shown on the London to France page.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

• Paris to Nice by TGV starts at €25 in 2nd class or around €45 in 1st class, each way.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Nice to Ventimiglia by TER costs €8, fixed-price, though €7.50 or even €5 promotional fares are sometimes offered.

• Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train starts at €9.90 in 2nd class or €19.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and book from London to Nice and back.  Add this to your basket.

• Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book a suitable journey from Nice to San Remo or Genoa, add this to your basket and check out.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  For more advice on booking tickets from Nice to Italy via Ventimiglia, see the Nice to Italy page.  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes at Ventimiglia when connecting into an Intercity train.  20 minutes is fine when connecting into a regional train.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• It's better to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.

Option 3:  By Eurostar and sleeper train via Nice

London ► San Remo, Genoa

• Day 1, travel from London to Nice by Eurostar & Intercité de Nuit sleeper train, as shown on the London to France page.

  You leave London by Eurostar at 15:31 and sleep on the train from Paris to Nice, arriving Nice Ville at 09:08.

• Day 2, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border by TER local train, then from Ventimiglia to San Remo & Genoa either by fast Intercity train or by regional train.  There are various departures to choose from, check times at www.thetrainline.com.

  For example you can leave Nice at 10:36, change at Ventimiglia onto a regional train, arriving San Remo 12:11 & Genoa Piazza Principe 14:17.

  The scenery between Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo & Ventimiglia is wonderful, as the railway runs along the coast past villas, rocky inlets and yacht-filled harbours.

Genoa, San Remo ► London

• Step 1, travel from Genoa or San Remo to Ventimiglia on the French border either by fast Intercity train or slower regional train, then from Ventimiglia to Nice by TER local train.  There are various departures to choose from, check times at www.thetrainline.com.

  For example, you can leave Genoa Piazza Principe at 13:43, San Remo at 15:45, change at Ventimiglia, arriving Nice Ville at 17:25.  Never cut it fine, always book trains which get you to Nice at least an hour before the sleeper leaves, ideally more.  Have an early dinner in Nice!

• Step 2, travel from Nice to Paris by Intercité de Nuit sleeper train and Paris to London by Eurostar next morning, as shown on the London to France page.

  You leave Nice Ville at 19:16 by sleeper train to Paris on day 1, a Eurostar gets you back to London St Pancras at 12:30 on day 2.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

• Paris to Nice by overnight train starts at €19 in a reclining seat, €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €59 in a 1st class couchette.

  Eurostar & Intercité de nuit fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Nice to Ventimiglia by TER costs €8, fixed-price, but €7.50 or even €5 promotional fares are sometimes offered.

• Ventimiglia to Genoa costs around €14 by regional train, fixed-price, cannot sell out.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, start by booking the sleeper from Paris to Nice & back.  Add this to your basket.

• Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, now book a the recommended Eurostar connection from London to Paris & back.  The Eurostar departures recommended on the London to France page give you at least 90 minutes between trains to cross Paris, both southbound and northbound.  Make sure you get the dates right!

• Step 3, still on www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book a suitable journey from Nice to San Remo or Genoa, add this to your basket and check out.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  For more advice on booking tickets from Nice to Genoa & Italy via Ventimiglia, see the Nice to Italy page.  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes at Ventimiglia when connecting into an Intercity train.  20 minutes is fine when connecting into a regional train.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.

Back to top

• Civitavecchia is the cruise port just north of Rome, often used as a starting point for Mediterranean cruises.  It's also a departure point for ferries to Sardinia.  Civitavecchia is on the main Genoa-Pisa-Rome rail route, just 81 km (51 miles) north of Rome.  Frequent Frecciabianca, InterCity and regional trains link Rome Termini with Civitavecchia, and you'll also find direct trains from Genoa & Pisa to Civitavecchia.

  The InterCity trains from Rome take 50 minutes and cost €10, the Frecciabianca trains take 40 minutes and cost €14, but Frecciabianca & IC trains only run every couple of hours and require a reservation.

  The regional trains take 49-68 minutes but run at least once per hour, often up to 3 times an hour, costing only €5 one-way, no reservation necessary, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

• For travel from the UK to Civitavecchia, it's usually easiest and fastest to travel to Rome, then back north to Civitavecchia by regional train.  See the London-Rome section above, then use www.trenitalia.com to find train times and fares from Rome to Civitavecchia.  Buy tickets as far as Rome in advance, but it's just buy your Rome-Civitavecchia ticket at the station on the day, using the Trenitalia self-service machines which have a touch screen with English language facility.  No reservation is required or even possible for regional trains, you just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.  Don't forget to validate your local ticket in the little grey & green validation machines at the entrance to the platform before boarding.

• In Civitavecchia, the station is an easy 10 minute walk from the port entrance, though if you have heavy bags you may prefer to use a taxi.

Back to top

London ► Rimini, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Lecce

• Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:24 & arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:57.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

  Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:49.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.

• Step 3, an air-conditioned Frecciarossa 500 train leaves Milan Porta Garibaldi at 10:13, arriving Rimini 12:38, Ancona 13:34, Pescara 14:44, Foggia 16:19, Bari Centrale 17:27, Brindisi 18:24 & Lecce 18:50.  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  There are earlier departures from Milan if you're in a hurry, but these leave from Milan Centrale so you need to transfer from Porta Garibaldi to Centrale by taxi or train.  Check train times using www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

Lecce, Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Rimini  ► London

• Day 1, an air-conditioned Frecciarossa 500 train leaves Lecce 12:06, Brindisi 12:29, Bari Centrale 13:30, Foggia 14:36, Pescara 16:10, Ancona 17:25, Rimini 18:17, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 20:47.

  If you'd like more of an evening in Milan there are earlier departures, but these go to Milan Centrale so you need to transfer to Porta Garibaldi.  Check train times using www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to London, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 06:00 by high-speed TGV to Paris then Eurostar to London arriving in the evening, as shown in the London to Milan section above.

How to reach San Marino...

• For San Marino, take the train to Rimini.  Buses to San Marino leave from outside Rimini railway station every hour or so between 08:10 & 19:25 in winter, between 06:45 & 20:30 in summer, less frequently on winter Sundays, journey time 50 minutes, fare around €5 one-way.

  Run by Bonelli Bus, the buses are air-conditioned with WiFi.

• You can check bus times & fares at the Bonelli Bus website www.bonellibus.it.

How much does it cost?

Fares for the London-Milan part of the journey are shown in the London-Milan section above.

You can check these fares & fares for other journeys using www.trenitalia.com.  Advice for using trenitalia.com.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com, book from London or any station in Britain to Milan for day 1 and add this to your basket.  All international credit cards are accepted, and you'll get either print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  If you want a stopover in Paris for lunch, simply click More options and enter Paris with however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee.

• Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com, now book from Milan to Rimini, Ancona, Bari or wherever for day 2, add this to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.  www.raileurope.com now connects directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system as well as the French system, so can sell all of Trenitalia's cheap advance-purchase tickets with print-at-home ticket delivery.

• Alternatively, you can book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com and the Paris-Milan TGV separately at either www.sncf-connect.com (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com, making sure you allow at least 60 minutes to cross Paris between trains southbound, 90 minutes northbound (as this must include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in).  Both sites give print-at-home tickets and accept all international credit cards.  You can then book your onward trains from Milan to Rimini, Ancona, Bari, and so on online at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares.  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks, although one advantage is that it allows you to select specific seats.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's cheaper and in many ways easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  However, if you still want to phone someone, here's a list of UK-based train ticketing agencies with phone numbers & opening hours.

Back to top

Along with Turin, I'd say Trieste is one of Italy's most under-rated cities, figuratively left out in the cold when it comes to the Venice, Florence, Rome tourist trek.  Which is a shame, as like Turin it's a wonderful city to visit with a significant history.

• Travel from the UK to Venice using any of the options suggested above.

• Regional trains then link Venice and Trieste every hour, journey time 2h05, fare around €14.50 each way.  No reservation is necessary or possible, tickets cannot sell out, and you can simply buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service machines at Venice Mestre or Venice Santa Lucia and hop on the next train.

• You can check Venice-Trieste train times at www.trenitalia.com.  Tip:  Some Venice-Trieste trains take 3h via a longer & more expensive route, so look for one taking 2h05 or so.

• There are a couple of direct Milan-Trieste Frecciabianca trains every day, you can also check these at www.trenitalia.com.

Back to top

London to Sicily

UK to Sicily by train?  No problem.  You can travel all the way by train, experiencing one of Europe's last train ferries where the train is shunted onto a ship for the short sea voyage across the Straits of Messina to Sicily, or you can use an overnight cruise ferry to Sicily from either Genoa or Naples.  Each of these three options is explained below.

	Gently does it...  The Milan to Palermo Intercity Notte sleeper is taken off the ferry at Messina.  Yes, the trains to Sicily really are direct, and really do get shunted onto a ferry to cross the straits from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. Photo courtesy of David Smith. More about the trains to Sicily. Watch the video

Option 1, London to Sicily in 48 hours...

This is the fastest option: London to Milan by Eurostar & high-speed TGV on day 1, an overnight hotel in Milan, then Milan to Sicily on day 2.  By all means spread it out more by stopping off in Paris, Milan, Rome or Naples on the way, or travel one way using this fast option and the other way using more leisurely option 2.  It's your call!

London ► Sicily

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:24 & arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:57.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D. 

  Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45 & arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey:  After a high-speed dash across France the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, see the video guide.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.  In the morning it's a 25 minute walk or 8-minute €8 taxi ride to Milan Centrale.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:30 and arriving Naples Centrale at 13:10.  Standard, premium, business & executive classes with free WiFi & cafe-bar.

• Day 2, travel from Naples to Sicily by air-conditioned InterCity train, leaving Naples Centrale at 13:45 arriving Palermo 23:05, Catania 21:37 & Siracuse 22:53.

  Yes, all this InterCity train really is direct from Naples to Sicily (in fact, it starts in Rome).  It's a lovely run, along the Italian coastline often just feet from the water.  When the train reaches Villa San Giovanni at 18:05, the whole train is shunted onto a ship and ferried across the Straits to Messina, see video & more information about the trains to Sicily.  The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and you can either remain on board the train in the ferry's hold, or get out and go up on deck for some fresh air - although as from 2017 they may insist you get off and use the ferry accommodation decks.  Travelling on both a train and a ship at the same time is a fascinating experience!  The train has no catering car, so remember to take your own picnic and bottle of wine for the journey.

  If you want to stop off in Rome or Naples, you'll find two daytime InterCity trains and an overnight sleeper linking Rome and Naples with Sicily, see the Trains to Sicily page.

Sicily ► London

• Day 1, travel from Sicily to Naples by air-conditioned InterCity train, leaving Siracuse daily at 07:32, Catania at 08:41 or Palermo at 06:50, arriving Naples Centrale at 16:17.

  This InterCity train is shunted onto a train ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, a fascinating experience in itself, see video & more information about the trains to Sicily.  It's a lovely run, along the Italian coastline often just feet from the water.  The train has no catering car, so remember to take your own picnic and beer or bottle of wine for the journey.  The train continues to Rome, but you should get off in Naples.

• Day 1, travel from Naples to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Naples Centrale at 18:30 and arriving Milan Centrale at 23:00.  Standard, premium, business & executive classes with free WiFi & cafe-bar.

  There's an earlier 17:25 train from Naples, but it's best to allow longer to change trains in case the InterCity from Sicily is late.  In Milan it's a 10-minute €6 taxi ride from Centrale to Porta Garibaldi.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi daily at 06:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:16.

  The TGV has a café-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from Italy into France via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide above.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:03 arriving London St Pancras at 16:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return.

• Paris to Milan starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €44 each way in 1st class.

• Milan to Naples starts at €29.90 each way in standard class, €39.90 each way in business class.

• Naples to Catania, Siracuse or Palermo starts at €19.90 each way in 2nd class, €29.90 each way in 1st class.

• All these fares vary like air fares according to demand and how far ahead you book.

What is the InterCity train like?

These InterCity trains are composed of older carriages, but comfortable and fully air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class in open-plan carriages, 2+2 across the car width in 2nd class, 2+1 in 1st class.  There may be a refreshment trolley, but take your own picnic & wine.  Seat reservation is now compulsory on all InterCity trains. 1st class has power sockets for laptops, 2nd class usually doesn't.

This is the Rome-Sicily Intercity train on board the ferry for the voyage across the Straits of Messina.  You can leave your heavy luggage on the train while you go up on deck for some sea air and a cappuccino...  Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

2nd class on the Rome-Sicily Intercity.  Larger photo.		1st class on the Rome-Sicily Intercity.  Larger photo.

Vesuvius & the Bay of Naples, seen from the Intercity train soon after leaving Naples.  Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

Yes, the train really does go onto a ferry! Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

Option 2, using the Milan-Sicily sleeper

This is a longer more leisurely 2-night option, with 1 night in a hotel in Paris and one night aboard the Milan-Sicily InterCity Notte sleeper train, an epic journey in your own private room from Northern Italy to the toe of Italy, then over the Straits of Messina to Sicily on board a train ferry - a unique experience.  There's some truly great scenery on the way, through the Alps on the TGV and along the Italian coastline on the sleeper in daylight.  By all means travel one way using this option, the other way using option 1.

London ► Sicily

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any Eurostar you like.

  The last one leaves London St Pancras at 20:01 daily arriving 23:27, but by all means book an earlier one and spend a pleasant afternoon or evening in Paris.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Stay overnight in Paris:  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for catching an early train next morning and great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort.  Other recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon include the Citizen M Hotel (a 2-minute 160m walk from the station, great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

  Have dinner at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 06:39 arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 13:49.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey:  After a high-speed dash across France the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, see the video guide above.

  Transfer by taxi, local train or walk from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale.  Have an early dinner in Milan, I recommend the excellent and typically Italian restaurant Noblesse Oblige, 5 minutes walk from Milan Centrale, see www.ristorantenoblesseoblige.com & See map showing walking route.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Sicily overnight by InterCity Notte sleeper train, leaving Milan Centrale at 20:10 every day, one portion arriving next day at Palermo at 16:55, the other portion arriving at Catania Centrale at 14:32 & Siracuse at 15:48, see the timetable here.

  It's the longest sleeper ride in Italy, and one of the longest in Europe.  The train has sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and 4-berth Comfort couchettes, see the photos below.  There's no restaurant car, so take your own supplies and maybe a bottle of wine, although in the sleepers the attendant will serve you morning tea or coffee, included in the fare.

  The train travels overnight out of Milan, then by daylight all along the coast of southern Italy to Villa San Giovanni, often just a few feet from the water's edge.  At Villa San Giovanni, the train is shunted onto a ferry for the sea crossing to Messina in Sicily, a unique experience.  On the sleeper train you should have the option to remain on the train on the ferry's train deck, or to leave the train and go up on deck for some sea air and those sea views.  It's a great experience!

Sicily ► London

• Day 1, travel from Sicily to Milan by direct InterCity Notte sleeper train, leaving Palermo at 12:35 every day, another portion leaving Siracuse at 13:35 & Catania Centrale at 14:54, arriving at Milan Centrale at 11:20 next morning.

  The sleeper train travels along the coast of Sicily, then crosses the Straits of Messina from Messina to Villa San Giovanni aboard a train ferry, a unique experience.  The train then travels by daylight all along the coast of southern Italy, often only feet from the sea with some lovely views before travelling through the night to Milan.  In Milan, transfer by taxi or local train or walk from Milan Centrale to Milan Porta Garibaldi.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 14:12 on Mondays-Fridays arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:12, or at 16:12 Saturdays & Sundays arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 23:12.  I would not risk a connection with the 12:12 TGV at weekends.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, crossing directly from Italy to France via the via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, meandering through the Alps before a last dash over the high-speed line to Paris, see the video guide above.

• Stay overnight in Paris. 

  Recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon:  Citizen M Hotel (just along the road from the station with great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

  Next morning, transfer by taxi or metro to Paris Gare du Nord.

• Day 3, travel from Paris to London on any Eurostar you like.

  The first train currently leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:03 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving London St Pancras at 08:30 or at 08:13 on Sundays arriving 09:30, but by all means book a later train and have a leisurely breakfast.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return.

• Paris to Milan starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €44 each way in 1st class.

• Milan to Catania, Siracuse or Palermo starts at €39.90 in a 4-berth comfort couchette, €49.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €59.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a single-bed sleeper. Prices are per person per bed.

• All these fares vary like air fares according to demand and how far ahead you book.

What's the Milan to Sicily sleeper train like?

The Milan to Sicily sleeper train, at Milan Centrale.  Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Room with a view...  The Milan to Sicily sleeper travels by night across northern Italy, then runs along the coast of Italy next day, often just feet from the water.  While you travel in a private sleeper that converts to a private sitting room.  Remember that picnic & bottle of wine!  Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Sleeper set up as 1st class 2-berth (double or doppio).  Larger photo		Sleeper in day mode, beds folded away, washstand closed.  Larger photo		Standard Italian sleeping-car on the Milan-Sicily Intercity Notte with 12 compartments, each configurable as 1st class Single, 1st class Double or 2nd class 3-berth. Courtesy Marco Bereth

A Comfort couchette car in the new red & blue colour scheme, the economical choice,  ideal for families.  Each car has nine 4-berth compartments.  Courtesy of Marco Bereth		4-berth Comfort couchettes.  Sheets, pillow & blanket are provided.  It converts to seats by day.  Courtesy Suzanne Veerman.  Larger photo.

Train on a ferry...  The Milan-Sicily sleeper train is ferried across the Straits of Messina on a ferry. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Travellers' reports

Traveller Andrew Clayton reports:  "We took the daytime InterCity train from Naples to Siracuse, having first loaded up with essential supplies (water, bread, cheese, wine etc.) as there is no catering on the train.  Rather than buy at Naples Centrale where there's only limited food shopping, we went out of the station and found nearby shops that sold all we needed – at much lower prices.  There was attractive scenery - sea and mountains - almost all the way to Villa San Giovanni where the train is loaded onto the ferry to Sicily in two sections.  We were in the last coach and discovered that, if you went to the end, you could look through a glass door to see the coaches go onto the ferry and be tied down. It is safe to leave large luggage on the train during the crossing when most people go up on deck."

Traveller Kathryn Vale reports:  "Our train trip to Palermo was a success: London to Paris by Eurostar, TGV to Toulon then local train to Monte Carlo (all stops to visit family!).  Then Ventimiglia-Genoa and Genoa-Palermo all for €68 including 4 bed 'couchette promiscuo' with juice and newspaper on waking (although no food to buy on board) AND the amazing train on the boat to Messina. We had blue sea on our right shoulder from daybreak in the couchette and all round the coast and some lovely interior trips within Sicily by train too.  The trains were great, the time keeping fine (except the Genoa train which was 40 minutes late, but we caught up on the next day), the staff were helpful - even with not much English/Italian between us!"

Traveller Steve Hutchinson reports:  “We picked up the Rome to Sicily sleeper after having arrived in Rome earlier that morning on the DB sleeper from Munich, enabling an interesting comparison between overnight trains! We had a T3 3-berth sleeper on the Sicily train, which was very comfortable with ample room for our luggage. Despite it being around 30c on departure at 2120 the air conditioning was working quite well, so a comfortable night’s sleep was assured. We woke in the morning as the train was running along the Calabrian coast with amazing views of mountains in the distance. The train then arrived at Villa San Giovanni around 06:00 where it was shunted onto the train ferry. It was effectively split into two portions to fit on the boat. The crossing took about half an hour. We all got off the train and went to the upper deck of the ship to see the views of Sicily on the approach and to get some coffee, which was very welcome! After arriving at Messina the two portions of the train – one for Palermo, the other for Catania and Siracuse - were hauled into the station. This gave the opportunity for anyone who’d got on the wrong portion in the hold of the ferry to change over! There were excellent views of Mount Etna as the Siracuse portion ran along the east coast of the island. The whole journey was amazing; you felt you’d actually travelled and arrived, rather than being delivered in a sterile aircraft. On the return a week later we boarded the sleeper train at Siracuse after an excellent meal at a restaurant round the corner from the station. Arrival at Rome was the following morning around 10:00, after a good night’s sleep”

Traveller Edward Rolands reports:  "We took the overnight train to Sicily, booking a 4 berth “comfort” couchette. Booking in advance at www.trenitalia.com meant it only cost €34.  It had a lot more space than the 6 berth variety and the air conditioning was functioning a lot more effectively too making for a much better nights sleep. We woke up in the morning as the train was pacing along the Calabrian coast with some lovely views of mountains in the distance and cliffs dropping in to the sea. The train then arrives at Villa San Giovanni where it’s shunted on to the ferry, a process which takes about half an hour.  You may be shunted on to the ferry, then shunted off again, then shunted back on again, as the train is broken up so that it fits!  The crossing takes about half an hour and you can get off and go on deck to enjoy the view - and get some basic refreshments.  On arrival at Messina it takes about half an hour to reconstruct the train which will now be in two bits, one for Palermo, one for Catania & Syracuse. Our Siracuse section was shunted into the platform at Messina Centrale first, 5 minutes before its departure time.  However it was held there until the other section was reconstructed and shunted in to another platform, so we ended up leaving over 20 minutes late.  The final section along the Eastern coast of Sicily has some great views of the mountains in the distance and of course Mt Etna. The train arrived at Taormina only 15 minutes late - the staff seemed keen to make up more time as it didn’t hang around before carrying on it’s journey South.  Overall the journey was brilliant and much better than any flight!"

Back to top

A Tirrenia Line ship arrives in Sardinia...

London to Sardinia by train & ferry

• Getting from the UK or mainland Europe to Sardinia without flying is easy, as there are a whole range of ferries to Sardinia, from both France (Toulon or Nice) and Italy (Genoa, Civitavecchia, Livorno & others).

• You can travel by train from London to Toulon or Nice, then take Corsica Ferries to Porto Torres in Sardinia.

  Step 1, check sailing dates & times using the Direct Ferries website or at www.corsica-ferries.com. 

  Step 2, check train times to connect using the London to France page allowing at least 2 hours between train & ferry, preferably more to allow for taxi transfer to port, check-in time, and for any delay.

• The ferries from France aren't the most frequent, so you might prefer to travel via Italy.  Grandi Navi Veloci and Tirrenia Lines have overnight sailings from Genoa to Porto Torres in Sardinia on most nights of the year, as well as sailings from other Italian ports.  Another ferry company with regular sailings to Sardinia from Civitavecchia near Rome is Sardinia Ferries.  Start by visiting the Direct Ferries website which can book most ferry routes and operators, or see each ferry company's own website to confirm sailing dates, times and fares.  Then see the London to Genoa or London to Rome sections above to arrange trains to connect.  Remember to allow several hours for a safe connection between train and ferry, to include ferry check-in time, transfer from station to port, and to allow for any delay.

How to buy tickets

• Book the ferry first.  You can book the ferry online at the Sardinia Ferries, Grandi Navi Veloci or Tirrenia Lines websites or check prices & buy tickets for all operators in one place at www.directferries.com.

• Then book the train from London to Genoa or Rome as shown on this London to Italy page, or from London to Marseille or Toulon as shown on the London to France page.

Trains between major towns in Sardinia:  See the train travel in Italy page

Back to top

Holidays & tours by train

The following companies can arrange a short break, tour or longer holiday to your own specification, either within Italy or from the UK to Italy by train, leaving on any date you like.  As you're effectively booking a package, not travelling independently, another advantage is that they'll look after you if anything goes wrong, for example a strike or major delay...

0207 864 4600 (UK) 1-888-829-4775 (USA) 1-855-882-2910 (Canada) 1300 971 526 (Aust) 0800 000 554 (NZ)

Railbookers tours, holidays & breaks to Italy by train

Railbookers are an experienced train travel specialist who custom-make tours, holidays or short breaks to travellers' own specification, with train travel, transfers & hotels all arranged.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.

Their most popular trips include UK to Venice via the Alps, UK to Lake Como via the Alps, UK to Florence via the Alps, UK to Rome via the Alps, UK to Amalfi Coast via the Alps, all of which are customisable to add extra nights or extra cities, with train travel on the outward or return journey, or by train throughout with no flying necessary, it's up to you.

  In the UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

  In the USA call free 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com.

  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com.

  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au.

  New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Byway for eco-friendly holidays & breaks to Italy by train

Byway (Byway.travel) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating.  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a holiday to Italy for you as a package, including train travel from the UK and hotels, starting from any British station you like.

They can build a trip to your requirements, email them or use the contact form.  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Escorted tours

If you prefer to travel with a group of like-minded fellow travellers with a professional tour guide taking care of you, the following companies organise tours by train from the UK to Italy and other European countries, with regular departure dates throughout the year...

	01904 527 120
	01904 730727

Great Rail Journeys, www.greatrail.com, 01904 527 120

GRJ is the established market leader in escorted tours to Europe by train.  They offer five-star inclusive escorted tours to Italy, with 1st class train travel and 4* or 5* hotels.  Tours include a 14-day Grand Tour of Italy to Florence, Venice & Rome, a tour to the Bay of Naples, Capri & Amalfi, and to Lake Garda, all with travel from London to Italy and back by train.  Great Rail Journeys also offer holidays by train to other European countries.  Check the tour details & prices online, then call 01904 527120 to book or use their online booking form.

Rail Discoveries, www.raildiscoveries.com, 01904 730 727

Rail Discoveries is a sister company of Great Rail Journeys, offering similar train-based escorted tours to Italy, but with 2* or 3* hotels and travel by Eurostar and high-speed TGV in 2nd class.  For example, they offer a 9-day tour to  Florence, Venice and Tuscany  or an 8 day tour to Lake Garda.  Check details & prices at www.raildiscoveries.com and book online or call 01904 730 727.

Back to top

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).

Back to top

Guidebooks

If you have a decent guidebook you'll see so much more and know so much more about what you're looking at.  It's a sound investment when you remember what you're spending on the whole trip!  I think the Lonely Planets or Rough Guides are the best ones out there for the independent traveller.  My own book is an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61".  Published in June 2008 and revised April 2010, it's available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website, from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Back to top

Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels in key Italian cities, conveniently located for arrival by train and all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com.

In Turin

• If you're only stopping overnight en route between London/Paris and Venice/Florence/Rome/Naples, the Paris-Milan trains serve Turin Porta Susa station so you want a hotel nearby.

  Hotels near Porta Susa station with good or great reviews include the Hotel Torino Porta Susa, Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano (across the road from the now-defunct original Porta Susa station building, immediately north of the new one), or the small but highly-recommended Al Porta Susa B&B.

• If you're stopping for longer to visit Turin - and you should, it's one of Italy's most under-rated cities - I'd choose a hotel near the Turin Porta Nuova station as it's more central and most high-speed trains to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples start here.

  Go for the excellent Turin Palace Hotel.  I have yet to stay there myself but you won't be disappointed, it gets great feedback.  An excellent alternative is the Starhotels Majestic Hotel, 200m from Porta Nuova station.

In Milan

• There are lots of hotels near Milan Centrale, used by the Frecciarossa to/from Paris, the EuroCity trains to/from Switzerland and the majority of Italian domestic trains.

  Affordable hotels & guesthouses with good or great reviews just outside the station include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.

  More upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

  At the top end, the 5-star Excelsior Hotel Gallia is just across the road, you won't go wrong with that.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.