 |
|
|
Scenery between Ljubljana & Belgrade as you travel to Serbia comfortably by train. No airports, no flights. |
London to Belgrade by train
You can travel from London to Belgrade by train, for onward travel to Skopje in North Macedonia or Pristina in Kosovo. Leave London mid-morning for Paris, take a high-speed TGV to Stuttgart, a sleeper to Budapest and you'll be in Belgrade in the afternoon next day, with air-conditioned trains throughout. It's safe, scenic & comfortable. It's a memorable experience, not a soulless flight. This page will help you plan and book your trip, explaining the best routes, train times and how to buy tickets.
London to Belgrade & Novi Sad (Serbia)
London to Skopje (North Macedonia) &
Pristina (Kosovo)
Useful country information:
dial code, currency...
Suggested hotel in
Belgrade: Hotel Moskva
Travel insurance, mobile data, VPN &
other tips
|
|
Train travel in Serbia
International trains to/from Belgrade
Trains from other European
cities to Belgrade
Trains from
Belgrade to
other European cities
Belgrade to Montenegro by train
On other pages
General European train
travel information
How to buy European
train tickets
Starting from other UK towns & cities
Luggage on trains Left
luggage at stations
Taking your bike
Taking your dog
Route map
Useful country information
London to Belgrade
Which route to choose?
The Budapest-Belgrade line was closed for rebuilding in 2019, but it reopened for slower trains on 8 October 2025 and should (I hope) reopen for direct fast trains from 13 December 2026. The train ride from London to Belgrade takes just 2 days 1 night if you use a sleeper train (options 1, 2 & 3) or 3 days 2 nights if you prefer daytime trains with hotels (option 4). Sadly, the Zagreb-Belgrade train was suspended during the pandemic and has not resumed, so the route via Zagreb is no longer recommended.
-
Option 1, morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Budapest & train to Belgrade
The fastest option. Leave London on a late morning Eurostar on day 1, take a TGV to Stuttgart and the excellent Hungarian sleeper train overnight to Budapest. Next day, travel from Budapest to Belgrade on a comfortable air-conditioned train arriving in the afternoon on day 2.
-
Option 2, lunchtime Eurostar to Brussels, Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, Eurocity to Belgrade
An easy, comfortable & time-effective way, leaving London on a lunchtime Eurostar and taking the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train running on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, returning on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays. Next day, take an afternoon Eurocity train from Vienna to Belgrade.
-
Option 3, late morning Eurostar to Amsterdam, Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, Eurocity train to Belgrade
Take the 11:04 Eurostar to Amsterdam and board the daily new-generation Nightjet to Vienna. Next day, take an afternoon Eurocity train from Vienna to Belgrade. It takes a couple of hours longer than option 2, but with daily departures, a swish new-generation sleeper train and often cheaper prices, what's not to like?
-
Option 4, London to Belgrade using daytime trains
If you prefer daytime trains & hotels to sleepers, this is the option for you. Leave London in the morning by Eurostar on day 1, take a TGV to Munich and stay overnight. Head for Budapest next day. After another comfortable overnight stay, travel from Budapest to Belgrade.
-
The route via Italy & the Adriatic ferry to Bar in Montenegro is covered in the London to Montenegro page.
Option 1, London to Belgrade using the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper
This is the fastest option. A morning Eurostar from London to Paris, a high-speed TGV Duplex to Stuttgart and a cosy sleeper on the Hungarian sleeper train to Budapest. You then travel from Budapest to Belgrade by daytime trains on day 2, an easy 3-train combo. This option avoids buses.
You can of course take any of the options shown on the London to Budapest page, then take any of the 3 daily services from Budapest to Belgrade shown on the Budapest to Belgrade page. However, the journey shown below takes just 2 days, 1 night, avoiding the need to stop overnight in Budapest. Departures are daily all year round.
London ► Belgrade
-
Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar.
On Monday-Friday & Sundays, leave London St Pancras at 10:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 13:59.
Or on any day of the week, leave London St Pancras at 09:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:59.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.
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 Stuttgart by TGV Duplex.
On Monday-Friday & Sundays, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.
Or on any day of the week if you left London at 09:31, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:52, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. Times may vary, check your date at int.bahn.de.
Tip: In Stuttgart, the bar at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel across the road makes a good VIP waiting lounge, or try the nearby Biergarten im Schlossgarten, see the advice here.
-
Day 1, travel from Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:29.
From 7 February to 8 July 2027 the train will arrive Budapest Keleti an hour later, at 10:29.
The sleeper train Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. Sleeper fares include a light breakfast. More about this sleeper train.
-
Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by train.
Until 12 December 2026, assuming the start of fast direct trains isn't deferred again:
First transfer from Keleti station to Nyugati station by taxi or tram as shown here.
Leave Budapest Nyugati at 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:40.
A later 14:50 departure arriving 21:19 is also available if you'd like a longer connection. You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
From 13 December 2026, if Budapest-Belgrade direct trains start as planned:
Leave Budapest Keleti at 11:45, arriving Belgrade Centar 15:20. This is the Eurocity Avala, with comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two!
Belgrade ► London
-
Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest by train.
Until 12 December 2026, assuming the start of direct trains isn't deferred again:
Leave Belgrade Centar at 08:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 15:09.
A later 12:00 departure is available (see the timetable here), but with onward trains to catch I'd play safe. You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
On arrival in Budapest, transfer from Nyugati station to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
From 13 December 2026, if fast direct Budapest-Belgrade trains start as planned:
Leave Belgrade Centar at 12:35, arriving Budapest Keleti 16:14. This is the Eurocity Ivo Andric, with comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two!
-
Day 1, travel from Budapest to Stuttgart by sleeper train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 20:30, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:37.
From 7 February to 8 July 2027 the train will leave Budapest Keleti an hour earlier, at 19:30.
The sleeper train Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. Sleeper fares include a light breakfast. More about this sleeper train.
If you have a sleeping-car ticket you can use the premium lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti with complimentary refreshments.
-
Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 10:54, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 14:08.
The high-speed TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Do not risk earlier connections.
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 17:02, arriving London St Pancras 18:30.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.
How much does it cost?
Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each stage of the journey. On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, one ticket means one bed, the other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers. For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a single-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.
How to buy tickets
-
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, this lets you all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem. There's a small booking fee. About Thetrainline.
Booking opens up to 11 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 6 months ahead for the Paris-Stuttgart TGV & Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper. You can book hotels risk-free before booking trains using www.booking.com as they offer free cancellation. More about when train booking opens.
-
Step 1, go to www.thetrainline.com, book the Eurostar from London to Paris & add to basket.
If you're returning, book the Eurostar as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are cheaper than two one-ways. With the TGV & sleeper train it doesn't matter, a round trip is simply two one-ways and it can be easier to book one way at a time & add to basket.
Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but by all means book an earlier Eurostar out or a later Eurostar coming back, if it's cheaper or if you'd like to stop off in Paris. Remember that your return date from Paris is the day after you leave Budapest.
-
Step 2, still on www.thetrainline.com, book the TGV from Paris to Stuttgart and add to basket.
-
Step 3, still on www.thetrainline.com, book the sleeper from Stuttgart to Budapest, add to basket & check out.
If you have any problems (for example, you see no sleepers), also try the Hungarian Railways website at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it first.
-
Step 4, book the Budapest to Belgrade journey at the Hungarian Railways website jegy.mav.hu, as explained on the Budapest-Belgrade page.
-
You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone. After booking, you can use Manage your booking at www.eurostar.com to choose a better seat from a seat map. See tips on choosing the best seats.
Another way to book tickets
-
Alternatively, you can buy tickets for each train from the relevant train operator with no booking fee, but this means using 3 different websites and the fares should be the same. Do a dry run on all 3 sites to confirm train times, prices & availability first. If you're new to European train travel, I'd stick with www.thetrainline.com.
-
Step 1, go to German Railways int.bahn.de and book the TGV from Paris to Stuttgart & back. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Easy! I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
-
Step 2, now book the sleeper from Stuttgart to Budapest at the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at. You print your own ticket,
-
Step 3, now book the Eurostar from London to Paris at www.eurostar.com.
Remember that your return date will be the day after leaving Budapest. Use the recommended Eurostar times above as a guide, but by all means book an earlier Eurostar outwards, or a later Eurostar on the way back, if it's cheaper or if you'd like to stop off in Paris. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Step 4, book the Budapest to Belgrade journey at the Hungarian Railways website jegy.mav.hu, as explained on the Budapest-Belgrade page.
Or use an Interrail pass
-
Pass or point to point?
Let's be clear, a pass will not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead. But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want the flexibility to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, a pass might be what you need.
If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass. If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.
It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London). Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class.
-
How to use a pass for a trip to Serbia
Step 1, buy a 4-days-in-1-month Interrail pass at www.thetrainline.com/passes. You can check prices on the Interrail page. You are emailed a pass reference number, you load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone using your name and the number.
A 4-day pass is enough to get from most regions of Britain to Belgrade & back again using the route shown above
A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period. The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying the pass, the overall 1 month period starts from that date. Learn about how Interrail passes work here.
Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris & back, see prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online. Tip: Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass.
Step 3, make a passholder reservation on the Paris-Stuttgart TGV for around €18 each way using the official Interrail reservation service.
Step 4, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the Hungarian sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1. Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page.
Step 5, make a seat reservation from Budapest to Szeged at www.mavcsoport.hu as explained here. You'll need to make a seat reservation on the SOKO train from Subotica to Belgrade, make this at the station in Subotica, this cannot be done online.
Or have your trip arranged as a package
-
Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a trip as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. Their website has a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be customised to your requirements.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk
US call free 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 UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating. If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, book a one-way or return UK-Serbia trip through Byway as a package, including 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.
To see pre-configured packages from London, use the journey planner on their website.
Or they can build a trip to your requirements, call 020 4652 0805 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 20 4652 0805) or email them or use this contact form. Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.
Tailor Made Rail can also organise a trip to Serbia 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/serbia.
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. 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. Gare du Nord station guide.
2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex See the video
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 has power sockets at all seats in both classes and free WiFi. 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. Stuttgart station guide.
3. Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre See the video
Cosy & inviting, the air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car has 11 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth room, with toilets at the end of the corridor. The fare includes a light breakfast of coffee, juice & croissant. The air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car has 4 & 6 berth compartments. More about the sleeper train Kalman Imre. Stuttgart station guide. Budapest Keleti station guide.
4. Budapest to Belgrade
The journey takes about 6h30, using a Hungarian Intercity train to Szeged, a local train to Subotica, then a 200 km/h SOKO train from Subotica to Belgrade Centar. For full details of this journey, see the Budapest to Belgrade page. Below, a 200 km/h double-deck SOKO train at Belgrade Centar. Photo courtesy of Hugo van Vondelen.
Option 2, London to Belgrade using the Brussels-Vienna sleeper
This is the easiest, most comfortable & most time-effective way from London to Belgrade. Take Eurostar to Brussels, the excellent 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna, then the afternoon Eurocity train from Vienna to Belgrade. Also check out option 3 as this is almost identical, but runs every day via Amsterdam rather than 3 times a week Brussels.
This option assumes that the new Vienna-Belgrade train does actually start running from 13 December 2026 when rebuilding of the Budapest-Belgrade line is finally complete, please check online. It's not impossible that the start of direct Vienna-Belgrade trains will be deferred again!
London ► Belgrade
-
Day 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 13:01, arriving Brussels Midi 16:06.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.
There's a later 15:04 departure, but I'd stick with the 13:01 as the sleeper is sometimes retimed earlier at a few weeks' notice.
Tip: At Brussels Midi, the Pullman Hotel bar makes an excellent VIP waiting room.
-
Day 1, travel from Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Brussels Midi at 18:56 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:47.
The comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment. The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.
Tip: You can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations and search for NJ 425.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car (not couchette) ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf for up to 1h30 after arrival, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
Have lunch in Vienna.
-
Day 2, travel from Vienna to Belgrade by Eurocity train Ivo Andric, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:42, arriving Belgrade Centar 21:20.
The Eurocity Ivo Andric is composed of comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two! The train travels via Budapest, changing direction in Budapest's historic Keleti station.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf for up to 1h30 before departure, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
Belgrade ► London
-
Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Vienna by Eurocity train Avala, leaving Belgrade Centar at 08:35, arriving Vienna Hbf 15:17.
The Eurocity Ivo Andric is composed of comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two! The train travels via Budapest, changing direction in Budapest's historic Keleti station.
Tip: If you have an onward sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf, with refreshments & free WiFi.
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:36 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:59.
The comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment. The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.
-
Day 2, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56, arriving London St Pancras 13:57.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.
How much does it cost?
All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. Return fares are twice the one-way.
On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, one ticket means one bed, other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers. For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette and so on.
How to buy tickets
-
Step 1, book the nightjet from Brussels to Vienna at www.thetrainline.com and add to basket.
Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, small booking fee. About Thetrainline.
Booking for this particular Nightjet typically opens 2-6 months ahead, it varies. More about when bookings open.
-
Step 2, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book the London-Brussels Eurostar and add to basket.
Eurostar bookings open up to 11 months ahead, but I'd wait and book the sleeper first so you can confirm times & availability.
You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
-
Step 3, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book the Vienna-Belgrade train, add to basket & check out.
You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
-
Alternatively, you can book the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet and Vienna-Belgrade train at traivelling.com (in €, no booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €). Then book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com. More work on multiple websites, prices are the same, but no booking fee.
-
Tip: If you're travelling from a town or city north or west of London, see advice on buying tickets to connect with Eurostar.
-
Tip: After booking, you can use Manage your booking at www.eurostar.com to choose a better seat from a seat map, see tips on choosing a seat.
As I write this (in October 2026), tickets are not yet on sale, check online.
Or use an Interrail pass
-
Pass or point to point?
Let's be clear, a pass will not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead. But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want the flexibility to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, a pass might be what you need.
If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass. If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.
It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London). Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class, a 2nd class pass is all you need to book any type of sleeper on the Nightjet, even a deluxe.
-
How to use a pass for a trip to Serbia
Step 1, buy a 4-days-in-1-month Interrail pass at www.thetrainline.com/passes. You can check prices on the Interrail page. You are emailed a pass reference number, you load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone using your name and the number.
A 4-day pass is enough to get from most regions of Britain to Belgrade & back again.
A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period. The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying the pass, the overall 1 month period starts from that date. Learn about how Interrail passes work here.
Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Brussels & back, see prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online. Tip: Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass.
Step 3, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the Nightjet sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1. Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page.
By all means go out one way, back another, with an Interrail pass you can use almost any of the trains & routes to/from Hungary shown on this page, find out how to reserve the relevant trains using the Interrail reservations guide.
Step 4, reservations between Vienna & Belgrade are compulsory, you should be able to make one at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 2.
Or have your trip arranged as a package
-
Byway (Byway.travel) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating. If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, book a UK-Serbia train trip through Byway as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like. Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.
To see pre-configured packages from London to Belgrade, use the journey planner on their website.
Or they can build a trip to your requirements, call 020 4652 0805 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 20 4652 0805) or email them or use this contact form. Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.
-
Tailor Made Rail can also organise a trip to Belgrade 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.
-
Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a UK-Serbia trip as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers. You'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays on their website which can be customised to your requirements.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
www.railbookers.co.uk
- please quote 'Seat 61'
US 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.
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. In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room.
2. Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet
This Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train has two sleeping-cars, two couchette cars & seats. Each of the two sleeping-cars has nine 1, 2 or 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus three deluxe compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds with shower & toilet. The sleeper berths come made up with sheets and duvets, 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 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & bottle of water. Couchette passengers get tea or coffee, rolls & jam in the morning. When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have booked a sleeper you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments & WiFi. More about Nightjets. Vienna Hbf station guide.
3. Vienna to Belgrade by EuroCity train
The Eurocity trains Ivo Andric and Avala are composed of comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two! The trains travel via Budapest, changing direction in Budapest's historic Keleti station.
Hungarian Eurocity train at Budapest Keleti.
Option 3, London to Belgrade using the Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet
Take a late-morning Eurostar to Amsterdam, enjoy a few hours in the Dutch capital, then take the daily new-generation Nightjet to Vienna and the afternoon Eurocity train to Belgrade. This is a couple of hours longer than using the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet, but with two key advantages: The Amsterdam-Vienna sleeper runs every day, not just 3 times a week, and it's a superb new-generation Nightjet so all the 1 & 2 bed sleepers have a shower & toilet and it has affordable individual mini cabins, too. In fact, there's a third advantage: The Amsterdam-Vienna sleeper is often significantly cheaper than the Brussels-Vienna one.
This option assumes that the new Vienna-Belgrade train does actually start running from 13 December 2026 when rebuilding of the Budapest-Belgrade line is finally complete, please check online. It's not impossible that the start of direct Vienna-Belgrade trains will be deferred again!
London ► Belgrade
-
Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 11:04, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 16:20.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.
Times may vary, so check your date at www.eurostar.com. Always allow at least 1 hour between trains in Amsterdam, ideally more.
-
Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:18.
This is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation.
There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment. The sleeper, couchette & mini-cabin fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.
Tip: You can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations and search for NJ 425.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car (not couchette) ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf for up to 1h30 after arrival, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
Have lunch in Vienna.
-
Day 2, travel from Vienna to Belgrade by Eurocity train Ivo Andric, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:42, arriving Belgrade Centar 21:20.
The Eurocity Ivo Andric is composed of comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two! The train travels via Budapest, changing direction in Budapest's historic Keleti station.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf for up to 1h30 before departure, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
Belgrade ► London
-
Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Vienna by Eurocity train Avala, leaving Belgrade Centar at 08:35, arriving Vienna Hbf 15:17.
The Eurocity Ivo Andric is composed of comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian cars with a Hungarian restaurant car. Treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two! The train travels via Budapest, changing direction in Budapest's historic Keleti station.
Tip: If you have an onward sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf, with refreshments & free WiFi.
-
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Amsterdam by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:04 every day, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:59.
This is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation.
There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment. The sleeper, couchette & mini-cabin fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.
-
Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London by Eurostar:
On Mondays-Fridays, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 14:40, arriving London St Pancras 17:47.
On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:40, arriving London St Pancras 15:57.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.
Times may vary, so check what trains Eurostar is running on your date at www.eurostar.com. I'd allow at least 2 hours between trains in Amsterdam. By all means book an afternoon Eurostar and spend a day in Amsterdam! More about Amsterdam-London Eurostars.
How much does it cost?
Fares are per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. Return fares are twice the one-way fare.
* Comfort Plus sleeper with slightly more room.
On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, one ticket means one bed, other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers. For sole occupancy, book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette and so on.
How to buy tickets
-
Step 1, book the Nightjet from Amsterdam to Vienna at www.thetrainline.com and add to basket. About Thetrainline.
Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking for this Nightjet opens up to 12 months ahead, meaning up to 12 months ahead or until the following mid-December timetable change, whichever comes first, but it can vary. More about when bookings open.
-
Step 2, use www.thetrainline.com again to book the London-Amsterdam Eurostar and add to basket.
Booking opens up to 11 months ahead, but I'd wait until the sleeper is open for booking before buying a Eurostar ticket.
If you're returning, book Eurostar as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are cheaper than two one-ways. The sleeper is priced one-way so it makes no difference, in fact I find it easier to book one way at a time!
Tip: After booking you can use Manage your booking at www.eurostar.com to choose a better seat, see tips on choosing a Eurostar seat.
Tip: If you're travelling from a town or city north or west of London, see advice on buying tickets to connect with Eurostar.
-
Step 3, use www.thetrainline.com again to book the Vienna-Budapest train, add to basket & check out.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
-
Alternatively, you can book the Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet and Vienna-Budapest train at traivelling.com (in €, no booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €). Then book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com. More work on multiple websites, prices are the same, but no booking fee.
Or have your trip arranged as a package
-
If you'd rather a specialist rail tour operator booked your trip for you as a package, see details here.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Amsterdam by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Amsterdam in just 3h55, 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. Amsterdam Centraal station guide.
2. Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet
This sleeper train is a swish Austrian Railways (ÖBB) new-generation Nightjet with two sleeping-cars, three couchette cars with 4-berth couchettes & mini cabins and one car of ordinary seats. Each sleeping-car has nine 1 or 2 bed compartments with shower & toilet and one slightly larger 1 or 2 bed compartment with toilet and separate shower cubicle. The sleeper berths come made up with sheets and duvets, sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment. Towels & toiletries are provided. Each berth in the couchettes and mini cabins is provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & small bottle of water. Couchette & mini cabin passengers get tea or coffee, rolls and jam in the morning. When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have a sleeping-car ticket you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments & WiFi. More about new-generation Nightjets. Vienna Hbf station guide.
Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet. Above, the new-generation Nightjet sleeper train is ready to leave Amsterdam Centraal.
Above, a couchette car on the new-generation Nightjet at Amsterdam Centraal. Note the upper & lower mini-cabin windows.
Option 4, London to Belgrade via Budapest, using daytime trains
This takes longer than using a time-effective sleeper train, 3 days, 2 nights instead of 2 days, 1 night, but if you prefer daytime scenery and hotels to sleeper trains this is the route for you, London to Belgrade with overnight stops in Munich and Budapest.
London ► Belgrade
-
Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:31 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 13:59.
On Saturdays, leave London St Pancras at 12:31, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 15:59.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.
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 TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays, you leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:53, 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 for your date at int.bahn.de.
On Saturdays, if you'd prefer an earlier arrival in Munich you can leave London at 09:31 to connect with a TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:52 for Stuttgart, change there for Munich Hbf arriving 19:41.
Alternatively, you can travel from London to Munich by Eurostar & ICE via Brussels & Cologne, see the London to Munich timetable.
-
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.
-
Day 2, travel from Munich to Budapest by railjet with a choice of departure:
Leave Munich Hbf at 07:22, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.
Leave Munich Hbf at 09:28, arriving Budapest Keleti 16:19.
Or there are later trains, check times at int.bahn.de.
The railjet has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. There's a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch - In 1st & business class, a steward takes food & drink orders & serves them at your seat. Watch for great views of the Salzburg citadel on the right as you cross the River Salzach at Salzburg. More about railjets. Map of Budapest showing Keleti station.
From 8 February to 9 July 2027, departure from Munich will be earlier, at 07:15 & 09:15 as trains will be diverted via Passau.
-
Stay overnight in Budapest.
Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
Next morning, transfer from Keleti station to Nyugati by taxi or tram as shown here.
-
Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by train with a choice of departure:
Leave Budapest Nyugati at 05:50, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 13:19.
Leave Budapest Nyugati at 08:50, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 15:19.
Leave Budapest Nyugati at 11:50, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:40.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Belgrade ► London
-
Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest by train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 12:00, change Subotica & Szeged, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
An earlier 08:00 departure is also available if you'd like a longer connection, see the timetable here. A later 14:00 is also available, but I'd play safe and take the 12:00.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
In Budapest, transfer from Nyugati station to Keleti by taxi or tram as shown here.
-
Stay overnight in Budapest.
Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
Day 2, travel from Budapest to Munich by railjet with a choice of departure:
Leave Budapest Keleti at 11:30, arriving Munich Hbf 18:31.
Leave Budapest Keleti at 13:30, arriving Munich Hbf 20:32.
Leave Budapest Keleti at 15:30, arriving Munich Hbf 22:35.
Or there are earlier trains, check times at int.bahn.de.
The railjet has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. There's a restaurant car, but In 1st & business class, a steward takes food & drink orders & serves them at your seat.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the premium lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti with complimentary tea, coffee & soft drinks.
From 8 February to 9 July 2027, arrival in Munich will be around 50 minutes later, as trains will be diverted via Passau.
-
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.
-
Day 3, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:51 arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:06.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, see this video. Times may vary, check your date at int.bahn.de.
If you'd prefer a leisurely breakfast & later departure from Munich there are various later options, see the Munich to London timetable here.
In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare du Nord.
-
Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, normally leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:02, arriving London St Pancras 16:30.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.
How much does it cost?
-
London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £51 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £98 one-way or £140 return in Plus (1st class).
-
Paris to Munich by TGV starts at €49.99 each way in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.
-
Munich to Budapest starts at €37.99 each way in 2nd class or €56.99 in 1st class.
-
Budapest to Belgrade starts at €26 each way if bought in advance.
How to buy tickets
-
Step 1, book the London-Paris Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.
I recommend confirming the timings of the Paris-Munich train before booking the Eurostar. Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris on the outward, 90 minutes on the way back.
Booking opens up to 11 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 6 months ahead for Paris-Munich and Munich-Zagreb. More about when bookings open. I recommend waiting until all trains are open for booking before buying a Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.
-
Step 2, book the TGV from Paris to Munich at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I recommend registering when prompted, you can then log in and check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Step 3, now use int.bahn.de again to book from Munich to Budapest. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
-
Step 4, book Budapest to Belgrade at the Hungarian Railways website jegy.mav.hu, see my tips for using it.
If you have any problems or want to travel first class you'll need to split the booking as explained on the Budapest to Belgrade page.
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. 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. London St Pancras station guide. Gare du Nord station guide.
2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex
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 has power sockets at all seats in both classes & free WiFi. 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 & Munich. Paris Gare de l'Est station guide. Munich Hbf station guide.
3. Munich to Budapest by railjet
.
