This is the overland option, shown in light blue on the route map above.  You can travel from London to Riga in just 2½ days with overnight stops in Berlin & Vilnius, thanks to the introduction of an afternoon Warsaw-Vilnius service from 14 December 2025.  Alternatively there's a more leisurely 3½-day, 3-night journey on the same route, but without early starts or late-night arrivals.

London ► Riga (2 night journey)

• Day 1, travel from London to Berlin by train, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave London St Pancras at 09:01, change at Brussels Midi (arrive 12:05, depart 12:25) & Cologne Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:16.

  Leave London St Pancras at 11:04, change at Brussels Midi (arrive 14:05, depart 14:25) & Cologne Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:18.

  Don't book the last departure of the day when you have onward travel to Poland next morning, give yourself some leeway in case of delay.

  You travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Plus & Premier fares include breakfast before 10:30, or lunch with wine on departures after 10:30.  About the 20-minute connection in Brussels.

  You then travel from Brussels to Cologne and Cologne to Berlin on ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.   In 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

  Arrival times in Berlin can vary.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.

  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 07:49, arriving Warsaw Centralna 13:23.

  The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car, treat yourself to a cooked Polish breakfast.

  Have lunch in Warsaw.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius by train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 14:57 every day, make an easy cross-platform change at Mockava, arriving Kaunas 22:17 & Vilnius 23:25.

  This new train service starts 14 December 2025, it consists of a Polish Intercity train with 1st & 2nd class and restaurant car from Warsaw to Mockava and a Lithuanian air-conditioned train from Mockava to Vilnius.  See the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.

  The inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel is a 6-minute walk from the station.  The Conti Hotel Vilnius is a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town.  The Grotthuss Boutique Hotel is in a historic building on a medieval street in the old town itself and only an 11-minute walk from the station.  All get great reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Vilnius to Riga by train as shown on the Vilnius-Riga page.

London ► Riga (3-night journey)

• Days 1 & 2, travel from London to Warsaw by train, using any of the options on the London-Poland page.

  You can leave London in the evening, stay overnight in Brussels, and (with an early start) travel Brussels-Warsaw on day 2, see details.

  Or travel London to Cologne on day 1, stay overnight, then travel Cologne to Warsaw on day 2, without early starts.

  Or travel London to Berlin on day 1, stay overnight, then travel to Warsaw on day 2 with an afternoon & evening to explore Warsaw, see details.

• Stay overnight in Warsaw.

  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station.  Eisenhower and De Gaulle stayed here amongst others.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  See the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius by train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 08:57, change at Mockava, arriving Vilnius 17:25.

  A Polish restaurant car runs as far as Mockava.  For details see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

  There's also be a later departure leaving Warsaw Centralna at 14:57 if you'd like a morning free in Warsaw, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.

  The inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel is a 6-minute walk from the station.  The Conti Hotel Vilnius is a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town.  The Grotthuss Boutique Hotel is in a historic building on a medieval street in the old town itself and only an 11-minute walk from the station.  All get great reviews.

• Day 4, travel from Vilnius to Riga by train, leaving Vilnius at 07:00, arriving Riga Central 11:04.

  This is a comfortable air-conditioned Lithuanian train with refreshments, see the Vilnius to Riga page.

Riga ► London (2 night journey)

• Day 1, travel from Riga to Vilnius by train as shown on the Riga-Vilnius page.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.

  The inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel is a 6-minute walk from the station.  The Conti Hotel Vilnius is a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town.  The Grotthuss Boutique Hotel is in a historic building on a medieval street in the old town itself and only an 11-minute walk from the station.  All get great reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Vilnius to Warsaw by train, leaving Vilnius at 06:27 or Kaunas 07:37 every day, make an easy cross-platform change at Mockava, arriving Warsaw Centralna 13:03.

  The new train service starts 14 December 2025.  It consists of a Lithuanian air-conditioned train from Vilnius to Mockava, 2nd class only, then a Polish Intercity train with 1st & 2nd class and restaurant car from Mockava to Warsaw.  See the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 15:00, arriving Berlin Hbf 20:16.

  If you'd more time for lunch in Warsaw and perhaps a visit to the Palace of Culture, another EuroCity train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 17:00 daily except Saturdays, arriving Berlin Hbf 22:17.

  The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car.  Treat yourself to dinner, I recommend the zurek soup and kotlet schabowy.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.

  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 3, travel from Berlin to London by train on any departure you like, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi onto the 14:52 Eurostar, arriving London St Pancras 15:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi onto the 16:51 Eurostar, arriving London St Pancras 17:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 11:04, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi onto the 18:52 Eurostar, arriving London St Pancras 19:57.

  You travel Berlin-Cologne & Cologne-Brussels by ICE, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then from Brussels to London by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.  Berlin departure times may vary.

Riga ► London (3-night journey)

• Day 1, travel from Riga to Vilnius by train, leaving Riga Central at 16:55, arriving Vilnius 21:03.

  This is a comfortable air-conditioned Lithuanian train with refreshments, see the Vilnius to Riga page.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.

  The inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel is a 6-minute walk from the station.  The Conti Hotel Vilnius is a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town.  The Grotthuss Boutique Hotel is in a historic building on a medieval street in the old town itself and only an 11-minute walk from the station.  All get great reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Vilnius to Warsaw by train, leaving Vilnius 12:35, change at Mockava, arriving Warsaw Centralna 19:03.

  For details see the Vilnius to Warsaw page.  A Polish restaurant car runs between Mockava & Warsaw, treat yourself to dinner and a beer.

  There's also an early morning train from Vilnius if you'd like to spend an afternoon in Warsaw, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Stay overnight in Warsaw.

  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, it's relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel and it's just across the road from the station.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Days 3 & 4, travel from Warsaw to London using any of the options on the London-Poland page.

  You can travel from Warsaw to Brussels on day 3, stay overnight in Brussels, then take a morning Eurostar to London on day 4, see details.

  Or travel from Warsaw to Berlin on day 3, spend some time in Berlin, then travel Berlin to London on day 4, see details.

How much does it cost?

• London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £51 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £98 one-way, £140 return in Plus (1st class).

• Brussels to Warsaw starts at €46.99 each way 2nd class, €79.99 each way 1st class.

• Warsaw to Vilnius starts at €15.90, standard price is €29, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Vilnius to Riga costs between €9.60 and €24, see the Vilnius to Riga page.

How to buy tickets

• Step 3, buy a ticket from Vilnius to Riga at seat61.transport-ticket.com.

  Booking opens 1 month ahead.

  There's more about how to book this journey on the Vilnius to Riga page.

Or use an Interrail pass

• Using an Interrail pass usually costs more than the cheapest advance-purchase fares you can find if you book ahead as shown above.  However, for a round trip between the UK & Lithuania, a pass can make sense:  If the cheapest fares have sold out on your dates, a pass can be cheaper.  An Interrail pass covers trains from your local station to London so if you live far from London this can make a difference.  And a pass is worth considering even if it costs more, for the flexibility to reschedule or reroute if you need to.  How do Interrail passes work?

• Step 1, buy a 4-days-in-1-month pass, see prices & buy a pass here.

  This is sufficient for a round trip from the UK to Vilnius & back if you use the 1 night option in both directions.  You'd then buy regular tickets for Vilnius-Riga & Riga-Vilnius.

  If you want to use the 2-night option I suggest using a pass for London-Warsaw-London and buying normal tickets between Warsaw, Vilnius & Riga as that's cheaper than buying a 10-days-in-1-month pass for the whole trip.

• Step 2, book your Eurostar passholder fares out & back, see prices & how to book.

• Step 3, make a seat reservation from Brussels to Berlin & back as shown here. 

• Step 4, make a seat reservation from Berlin to Warsaw & back as shown here.

• Step 5, book from Warsaw to Vilnius & back:  If you're using the 1-night option so are using your Interrail pass, make seat reservations as shown here.  If you're using the 2-night option, buy a regular ticket using seat61.transport-ticket.com or ltglink.lt/en.

• Step 4, buy regular tickets from Vilnius to Riga using seat61.transport-ticket.com or ltglink.lt/en.

Or have your trip arranged as a package

• Tailor Made Rail can organise a trip to the Baltic States by train, with hotels and transfers. 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/latvia.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 10:15).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide.

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

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

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3neo

These superb ICE3neo trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains.  Brussels Midi station guide.  Cologne Hbf station guide.

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.  Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.

The restaurant car.  See current month's menu.		1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo		Lunch:  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

3. Cologne to Berlin by ICE

ICE trains have a restaurant car, bar car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine.  It passes through the industrial Ruhr via Wuppertal & Hamm.  After leaving Hannover, the train passes non-stop through Wolfsburg - look out for the original Volkswagen factory on the left, built in 1938.  The train then travels at up to 280 km/h (174 mph) on the high-speed line to Berlin Hbf, where it arrives at the low-level platforms.  More about ICE trains.  Cologne Hbf station guide.  Berlin Hbf station guide.

ICE1 at Cologne Hbf.		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

Restaurant car.  Larger photo.		Bar car.  Larger photo.

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.		Lunch in the restaurant (or at seat in 1st).

4. Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch.  More about these EuroCity trains.  Warsaw Centralna station guide.

A Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train on platform 12 at Berlin Hbf.

1st class compartment.		2nd class, some like this, some in compartments.

Restaurant car.

Above left, I recommend the Zurek soup!  Above right, kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

5. Warsaw to Vilnius

A comfortable train service links Warsaw & Vilnius, consisting of a Polish Intercity train from Warsaw to Mockava and a connecting Lithuanian train from Mockava to Vilnius, for details see the Warsaw to Vilnius by train page.

The Intercity Hacza about to leave Warsaw Centralna for Mockava.

You can select a 2nd class seat in a classic 6-seat compartment (above left) or an open-plan car (above right).  Most travellers prefer open-plan seating, but if you're a family or group of friends you may prefer a compartment.

Restaurant car on the Warsaw to Mockava Hancza.  I recommend the Polish Breakfast eastbound (above right), a sort of tasty ham-and-cheese omelette.  For lunch eastbound and dinner westbound, try the wonderful zurek soup and the kotlet schabowy (schnitzel).  Or just go along for a coffee or beer!

Above, the easy cross-platform change at Mockava from the Polish train (left) to the Lithuanian train for Vilnius.

2nd class seats.		1st class seats, at one end of the train.

Lithuanian scenery.		I recommend the hot ham & cheese sandwich!

The Lithuanian train arrived on platform 1 at Vilnius station, right on time!

6. Vilnius to Riga

A comfortable daily train links Vilnius & Riga, for details see the Vilnius to Riga by train page.

The Vilnius-Riga train ready to leave Vilnius station platform 1, track 1.

2nd class seats.		1st class seats, at one end of the train.

Your first view of Riga, on the left as the train crosses the Daugava river into Riga Central Station.  You can climb the tower of St Peter's church (on the right) for superb views over Riga's old town.

The Vilnius-Riga train at Riga Central Station.

Arrived at Riga Central Station, platform 2, track 1.

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Option 2, London to Riga via Stockholm

This takes 3 nights 3 days although one of those days is spent exploring Stockholm.  Departures are daily as far as Stockholm, but the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry only runs every second day.  On the route map above this route is shown in red as far as Tallinn.

London ► Riga

• Days 1-3, travel from London St Pancras to Stockholm as shown on the Sweden page.

  You can leave London on any afternoon or evening Eurostar you like on day 1, stay overnight in Brussels, take daytime trains to Hamburg on Day 2 then the SJ EuroNight sleeper to Stockholm, arriving in the morning of day 3.  Or use any other option shown on that page.

  In Stockholm, the easiest way to reach the Värtahamnen ferry terminal is to take the Tunnelbana (metro) from T-Centralen (Central Station) to Gärdet, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten.  The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you can just touch in and out.  From Gärdet station it's a easy well-signed 13-minute 800m walk to the Värtahamnen terminal, see walking map.  You won't be the only person walking it!

• Day 3, sail from Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry, leaving Stockholm every second day at 17:30, arriving Tallinn at 10:45 next morning.

  The ferry is run by Tallink, check sailing dates & times at www.tallink.com or the Direct Ferries website.

  The m/v Baltic Queen offers a range of comfortable cabins:  E-category inside cabins are below the car deck, I recommend paying for a B-category inside cabin (all on upper decks) or an A-category outside cabin with sea view.  There are also deluxe cabins and suites, all cabins have toilet & shower.  There is a large buffet restaurant (Grande Buffet), 3 à la carte restaurants (Grill House, Aleksandra & Chef's Kitchen), 2 pubs, and (of course!) a sauna.  Make sure you're on deck as the ship sails out of Stockholm past the many islands.

  In Stockholm, the ferry sails from the Värtahamnen terminal.  A transfer bus leaves from the Cityterminal (the bus station next to Stockholm Central Station) at 14:45 & 15:50 to connect with the ferry (check times with Tallink).  Alternatively, take the tunnelbana (metro) to Gärdet metro station, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten, the tunnelbana accepts contactless payment.  it's then an easy well-signed 1km 13-minute walk to the Värtahamnen ferry terminal, see walking map.  A taxi from Central Station to the terminal costs around £20.

  In Tallinn, the ferry arrives at the D-Terminal - make sure you're on deck next morning to see the spires of Tallinn's old town as the ferry arrives.  The D-Terminal is a 24-minute 1.7 km walk from Tallinn's old town square or a 28-minute 1.9 km walk from the railway station (Balti Jaam).  Alternatively, tram 2 links the harbour tram stop (a short walk from D-Terminal) to the railway station, the tram accepts contactless payment on board.  Map of Tallinn showing ferry terminal.

• Day 4, take a bus from Tallinn to Riga, see luxexpress.eu.

  A few buses leave from the D-Terminal, most leave from Tallinn bus station to the south of the city centre.  Allow plenty of time for connections, perhaps have lunch in Tallinn's old town first.

  Alternatively, stay overnight in Tallinn and take the train next morning, for train information see the Tallinn to Riga page.  The train takes longer, but can be a more enjoyable experience.

Riga ► London

• Day 1, travel from Riga to Tallinn by bus, For buses see luxexpress.eu.

   I'd allow several hours in Tallinn between bus and ferry, in case of delay.  One or two buses arrive directly at the D-Terminal, but most arrive at Tallinn bus station which is south of the city centre.

  Alternatively, travel from Riga to Tallinn by train the previous day and stay overnight in Tallinn, for train information see the Riga to Tallinn page.  The trains takes longer but can be a more enjoyable experience.  There is no longer a direct ferry from Riga to Stockholm.

• Day 1, sail from Tallinn to Stockholm by overnight ferry, leaving Tallinn every second day at 18:00, arriving Stockholm 10:30 next morning.

  The ferry is run by Tallink, check sailing dates & times at www.tallink.com or the Direct Ferries website.

  The m/v Baltic Queen offers a range of comfortable cabins:  E-category inside cabins are below the car deck, I recommend paying for a B-category inside cabin or ideally an A-category outside cabin with sea view.  There are also deluxe cabins and suites, all cabins have toilet & shower.  There is a large buffet restaurant (Grande Buffet), 3 à la carte restaurants (Grill House, Aleksandra & Chef's Kitchen), 2 pubs, and (of course!) a sauna.  Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails into Stockholm past the many islands.

  In Tallinn, the ferry sails from the D-Terminal, a 22-minute 1.7 km walk from Tallinn's old town square or a 26-minute 1.9 km walk from the railway station (Balti Jaam).  Alternatively, tram 2 links the railway station with the harbour tram stop, a short walk from D-Terminal, the tram accepts contactless payment.

  In Stockholm, the ferry arrives at the Värtahamnen ferry terminal, walk 800m to Gärdet metro station and take the Tunnelbana (metro) to T-Centralen (Central Station).  The walk is clearly signed (see walking map) or just follow all the other foot passengers!  The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you can just touch in and out.  Or take a taxi from the ferry terminal to Central Station.

  You now have the best part of day 2 free to explore Stockholm.

• Day 2 & 3, travel from Stockholm to London as shown on the Sweden page, leaving Stockholm in the early evening on the SJ EuroNight sleeper to Hamburg then taking daytime trains to Brussels & London arriving in the evening of day 3.

How much does it cost?

• For fares between London & Stockholm, see the London to Sweden page.

• Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry with private cabin with shower & toilet starts at €122 each way.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, buy your ticket from London to Stockholm as explained on the London to Sweden page.

• Book the Stockholm to Tallinn ferry at www.tallinksilja.com or the Direct Ferries website.

  When using www.tallinksilja.com, if you want the cheapest option, one bed in shared 4-berth or 2-berth cabins, you'll need to open the 'shared places' section when the cabin choice page appears.  (1/4) means 1 berth in a 4-berth cabin.  You'll be offered lots of optional meals and hotels, just click through unless you want to pre-book dinner and breakfast on board - not a bad idea!

Or have it arranged as a package

• Tailor Made Rail can also organise a trip to the Baltic States by train, with hotels and transfers. 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/estonia.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 10:15).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide.

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

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

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3neo

These superb ICE3neo trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, restaurant orders are taken and served at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains.  Brussels Midi station guide.  Cologne Hbf station guide.

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains.  Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.

The restaurant car.  See current month's menu.		1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo		Lunch:  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

3. Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4

ICE4s have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and are capable of 265 km/h (165 mph).  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, Cologne-Hamburg trains cross the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine, then pass through the industrial Ruhr.  More about ICEs.  Hamburg Hbf station guide.

An ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf.  Click on the images below for larger photos.

1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

4. Hamburg to Stockholm by SJ sleeper train

Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight train has one or two sleeping-cars, several couchette cars and two seats cars.  Each sleeping-car has 13 narrow standard compartments with washbasin which can be sold as single or double, plus two slightly larger deluxe compartments with shower & toilet which can be sold as single, double or triple.  The couchettes are all 6-berth compartments.  The seats cars have 6-seat compartments, but you should always book a couchette or sleeper if you can.  The sleepers convert to private sitting rooms for evening or morning use, the couchettes convert to seats.  Limited food & drink (including beer & wine) can be ordered from the train staff, you can see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html.  A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö in both directions selling beer, wine, snacks and sandwiches.  A simple breakfast box with jam, butter, rolls, yoghurt and a tea or coffee is included in the sleepers and can be ordered the night before in the couchettes.  Unlike most other European night trains, as this train is Swedish you are not permitted to consume your own alcohol.  More about SJ's Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

A sleeping car on the SJ EuroNight at Stockholm Central.

Standard sleeper with washbasin, night mode.		Standard sleeper in day mode.		Deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet.		Deluxe sleeper shower & toilet.

6-berth couchettes.		Hamburg-Stockholm couchette car at Padborg on the Danish border.

Couchette car at Stockholm Central.		Couchette compartment in day mode.

Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

5. Stockholm to Tallinn by ferry

The ferry Baltic Queen at Stockholm Värtahamnen.		A-class seaview cabin.

Dinner in the Chef's Restaurant.		The many islands near Stockholm.

In the evening for the first few hours, the ferry sails through the many islands of the Stockholm archipelago.

As the ferry arrives at Tallinn, the old town's spires will be visible in the distance (taken from a departing ferry).

Tallinn D-Terminal, used by the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry.  It's a 24-minute 1.7 km walk from here to Tallinn's old town square or a 28-minute 1.9 km walk to the railway station.  Alternatively, tram 2 links the harbour (a short walk from D-Terminal) to the railway station, the tram accepts contactless payment on board.

6.  Bus or train from Tallinn to Riga

You can take a bus from Tallinn to Riga (I'd allow a several hours between ferry and bus, for buses see luxexpress.eu) or stay overnight in Tallinn and take a train to Riga next morning, see train information here.

Lux Express bus at Riga bus station.

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Train travel in Latvia

• See the Trains & ferries from Riga page

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Moving on from Latvia

• See the Trains & ferries from Riga page for travel from Riga to Tallinn, Vilnius, St Petersburg, Moscow, Helsinki, Stockholm.

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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).

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Guidebooks

Make sure you take a good guidebook.  For the independent traveller, this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  I personally prefer the layout of the Lonely Planets, others prefer the Rough Guides.  Both books provide a similarly excellent level of interesting background and practical information.  You won't regret buying one of these!  My own book, an essential handbook for train or ferry travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

 

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Hotels in Riga & Latvia

In Riga I recommend the venerable Metropole Hotel, currently branded Eurostars Metropole.  Located in the old town, it's a 7-minute 450m walk from Riga Central Station see walking map.  Inexpensive by western standards, it's Riga's oldest continuously-operating hotel, first opened in 1871, with large and comfortable rooms.

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

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

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Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

 

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