Scenery between Ljubljana & Belgrade as you travel to Serbia comfortably by train. No airports, no flights.

To Belgrade & Serbia 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 by early evening next day, with good-quality air-conditioned trains throughout.  It's safe, scenic & comfortable.  It costs a little more than flying, but it's a memorable travel experience not a soulless flight.  This page explains how to plan, book and make a train journey from the UK to each of these countries.

Train times, fares & tickets

  London to Belgrade & Novi Sad (Serbia)

  London to Skopje (North Macedonia) & Pristina (Kosovo)

  Trains from other European cities to Belgrade

  Trains from Belgrade to other European cities

  Belgrade station facilities

  How to book trains in Serbia

  Visiting the city of Belgrade

  Hotel Moskva - the recommended hotel in Belgrade

  Marshal Tito's private train

  General European train travel information

  Luggage   Taking bikes   Taking dogs

  Useful country information: visas, currency...

  Hotels & accommodation

Route map

---

Useful country information

---

Which route to choose?

There are basically two rail routes from Western Europe to Belgrade:  Budapest-Belgrade and Zagreb-Belgrade.  The Budapest-Belgrade line was closed for major rebuilding in 2019, leaving just the once-daily Zagreb-Belgrade train linking Western Europe to Belgrade.  Unfortunately, this train was suspended during the pandemic and has not resumed, meaning you currently need to use a long-distance bus from Zagreb to Belgrade if you go this way (options 2, 3 & 4).  The good news is that the Budapest-Belgrade line will partially reopen from 24 November 2024 allowing 3 fairly fast daily services between Budapest & Belgrade with easy changes of train at Szeged & Subotica.  It will then be possible to reach Belgrade without resorting to a bus and I show this as option 1.  Direct Budapest-Belgrade trains are due to return in 2026, taking only 2h40 on a fully-rebuilt line.

• Option 1, leave London in the morning by Eurostar on day 1, take a TGV to Stuttgart, then the excellent Hungarian sleeper train overnight to Budapest.  Then travel from Budapest to Novi Sad & Belgrade by daytime trains arriving early evening on day 2.  This option avoids any buses, the fast 3-train combo between Budapest & Belgrade starts running from 24 November 2024 making this the best option.

• Option 2, you leave London in the morning on day 1 by Eurostar & TGV to Stuttgart, travel overnight on the Croatian sleeper train to Zagreb, then (as the train is suspended) take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade arriving in the evening on day 2.

• Option 3 is similar to option 2, but via Zurich.  You take a morning Eurostar to Paris, a high-speed TGV-Lyria to Zurich, the excellent Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb, then (as the train is suspended) a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade arriving in the evening on day 2.

• Option 4 is a 3-day all-daytime journey with 2 overnight hotel stops, one in Munich & one in Zagreb.  It takes longer than the other options, but some people prefer leisurely daytime journeys through great scenery and sleeping in hotels to using a sleeper train.  Again, high-quality trains throughout, but a bus for the last bit from Zagreb to Belgrade.

• The route via Italy & the Adriatic ferry to Bar in Montenegro is covered in the London to Montenegro page.

Back to top

---

Option 1:  London to Belgrade via Paris, Stuttgart & Budapest

This is the fastest option.  A convenient morning Eurostar from London to Paris, a high-speed TGV Duplex to Stuttgart and a cosy sleeper berth on the comfortable 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 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, leave London St Pancras at 10:24 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 13:50.

  On any day of the week you can leave London St Pancras at 09:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:50.

  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, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.  On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:51 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.

  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, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  Times may vary, so check your date at int.bahn.de.

• Day 1, travel from Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.

  The Kalman Imre has a modern 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.  A restaurant car is available from departure until after midnight.  More about this sleeper train.

  Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by taxi or tram as shown here.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by train, leaving Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.

  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.  These services start running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.

Belgrade ► London

• Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest by train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.

  An earlier 05:00 departure is also available if you'd like a longer connection. 

  You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest.  These services start running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.

  Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.

• Day 1, travel from Budapest to Stuttgart by sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Budapest Keleti at 20:40 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.

  The Kalman Imre has a modern 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.  A restaurant car is available from departure until after midnight.  More about this sleeper train.

  If you have a sleeping-car berth, you can use the business lounge in Budapest on platform 9, see here for opening hours.

• Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Paris by high-speed ICE train, leaving Stuttgart at 10:52 & arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 14:13. 

  The high-speed ICE train has a restaurant car, 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, normally leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:12 & arriving London St Pancras 18:32.

How much does it cost?

Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each leg of the journey.  On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, so 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

• The best place to buy tickets is www.thetrainline.com as you can book all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.  There's a small booking fee.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, the Paris-Stuttgart TGV & the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper.  You can book hotels & accommodation before booking the trains risk-free using www.booking.com as they offer free cancellation.  More about when train booking opens.

• Step 1, go to www.thetrainline.com and using the train times on this page as a guide, 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 significantly 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.

  By all means book an earlier Eurostar out, or a later Eurostar coming back, if this has a cheaper fare available 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 last, as shown on the Budapest-Belgrade page.

• You print your own tickets.  After booking, you can use the Manage booking link at www.eurostar.com to change your seats to an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing the best seats on Eurostar.

Another way to book tickets

• Alternatively, you can buy tickets for each train direct 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 before booking non-refundable tickets.  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 using the train times on this page as a guide, book the TGV from Paris to Stuttgart & back.  You print your own ticket.  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.  Bookings usually open up to 90 days ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 3, now add the connecting 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 this has cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris for a while.  You print your own ticket.

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 flexibility, for example the ability 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 from www.raileurope.com (click Rail passes and select Europe) or www.interrail.eu, see pass prices on the Interrail page.  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.

  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.

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 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form.  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

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 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 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.

3. Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre   See the video

Cosy & inviting, the photo below shows the modern air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car of the Kalman Imre in Munich.  The 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.  More about the sleeper train Kalman Imre.  Budapest Keleti station guide.

4. Budapest to Belgrade

The journey takes about 6h, 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.

Back to top

---

Option 2:  London to Belgrade via Paris, Stuttgart & Zagreb

This is also a fast option, taking a high-speed TGV from Paris to Stuttgart, the excellent Croatian sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb then a bus to Belgrade.

London ► Belgrade

• Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:24 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 13:50.  On Saturdays, leave London St Pancras at 09:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:50.

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.  On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:51 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.

  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 int.bahn.de.

• Step 3, travel from Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Zagreb 10:39.

  The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended).  Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

• Step 4, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade on the daily train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats (no 1st class).  There's no catering, so bring along a picnic and maybe some beer or wine.

  This train is still suspended, originally due to Covid-19, now down to Croatian & Serbian incompetence.

  Tip:  Although Belgrade Centar is slightly closer to the city centre, you have to rely on a single bus line.  Trams 7 & 9 link Novi Beograd station with the site of the now-defunct old Belgrade station on the edge of the old city every 5-10 minutes so you may prefer to get off at Novi Beograd and take a tram, see the Belgrade station page for more information.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

  A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

Belgrade ► London

• Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar station at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb 18:13.

  This train has two air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats.  There's no 1st class.  There's no catering, so bring along a picnic and maybe some beer or wine.  You've time for dinner in Zagreb.

  This train is still suspended, originally due to Covid-19, now down to Croatian & Serbian incompetence.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb

  A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.

• Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich or Stuttgart by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.

  The Lisinski has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and seats (not recommended).  Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

• Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Paris by high-speed ICE train, leaving Stuttgart at 10:52 & arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 14:13.

  The high-speed ICE train has a restaurant car, 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 17:12 & arriving London St Pancras at 18:32.

How much does it cost?

Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each leg of the journey.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book from London to Stuttgart at www.thetrainline.com.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

  Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Stuttgart, and usually 90 days ahead for Stuttgart-Zagreb, see more about when train bookings open.  I recommend waiting until onward trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

  Tip:  Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris. 

  Tip:  You can book from London to Stuttgart all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Stuttgart and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

  Tip:  If you are making a round trip, London-Paris return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

  Tip:  After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar.

  Tip:  If you're travelling from a town or city north of London, see advice about buying domestic tickets to London to connect with Eurostar.

• Step 2, book the sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb at www.thetrainline.com.

  Use the journey planner to bring up the direct Stuttgart-Zagreb sleeper train marked EN with 0 changes.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, Zagreb to Belgrade cannot be booked online, buy at the station in Zagreb or on the train, this won't be a problem.

• Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com, then Paris to Stuttgart at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, then Stuttgart to Zagreb at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  This is more work on multiple websites, the prices should be the same, but no booking fees.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online,  But if you want to book by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, small booking fee.  Alternatively, you can call Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).

Let Railbookers arrange it as a package

• Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including train travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays 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.

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

    US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website

    Canada call 1-855-882-2910, see website

    Australia call 1300 971 526, see website

    New Zealand call 0800 000 554 or see website

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 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 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.

3. Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski  Watch the video

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

4. Zagreb to Belgrade by train

This is a comfortable air-conditioned Serbian train, with modern 2nd class seats - there's no 1st class.  There's also no restaurant car, so take a picnic and some beer or wine with you.  Below right, the Belgrade to Zagreb train.  Below left, 2nd class seats.  Belgrade station guide.

Back to top

---

Option 3:  London to Belgrade via Paris, Zurich & Zagreb

This is similar to option 2, but instead of TGV to Stuttgart and the Croatian sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb, you taka a TGV-Lyria to Zurich and the Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb.  There are two minor disadvantages compared to option 2:  First, departure from London is a little earlier in the morning with an identical arrival in Belgrade.  Second, you need to cross Paris by taxi or metro from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon, whereas in option 2 it's just a 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est next door.  This option also has lovely scenery in the morning on the way to Zagreb along the Sava river!

London ► Belgrade

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 07:01 Mondays-Fridays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 10:20, at 06:31 on Saturdays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 09:48, or at 08:01 on Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 11:20.

  There's also an 08:01 Eurostar on Mondays-Saturdays, but I'd play safe and book an earlier Eurostar when available.

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

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:22 arriving Zurich HB at 16:26.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about TGV-Lyria.

  In Zurich, there's time for dinner while waiting for the sleeper, I recommend steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB, see other restaurant suggestions.

• Day 1, travel from Zurich to Zagreb by Croatian sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 20:40 and arriving in Zagreb at 10:39 next morning.

  The train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended).  Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

• Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade on the daily train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats (no 1st class).  There's no catering, so bring along a picnic and maybe some beer or wine.

  This train is still suspended, originally due to Covid-19, now down to Croatian & Serbian incompetence.

  Tip:  Although Belgrade Centar is slightly closer to the city centre, you have to rely on a single bus line.  Trams 7 & 9 link Novi Beograd station with the site of the now-defunct old Belgrade station on the edge of the old city every 5-10 minutes so you may prefer to get off at Novi Beograd and take a tram, see the Belgrade station page for more information.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

  A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

Belgrade ► London

• Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar station at 10:05 & Novi Beograd 10:19, arriving Zagreb 18:13.

  This train has two air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats.  There's no 1st class.  There's no catering, so bring along a picnic and maybe some beer or wine.  The train is intended to connect into the sleeper to Zurich.

  This train is still suspended, originally due to Covid-19, now down to Croatian & Serbian incompetence.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb

  A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00.

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.

• Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Zurich by Croatian sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 and arriving in Zurich HB at 09:20 next morning.

  The train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended).  Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 11:34 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:38.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about TGV-Lyria.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:12 daily except Saturdays, arriving London St Pancras at 19:30.  On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare du Nord at 19:12, arriving London St Pancras at 20:39.

How much does it cost?

Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each leg of the journey.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book from London to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com. 

  Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem.  There's a small booking fee.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Zurich, and up to 6 months ahead for the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper, see more about when bookings open.  I recommend waiting until all 3 trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

  Tip:  Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris.

  Tip:  You can book from London to Zurich all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Zurich and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

  Tip:  If you are making a round trip, London-Paris return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

  Tip:  After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar.

  Tip:  If you're travelling from a town or city north of London, see advice about buying domestic tickets to London to connect with Eurostar.

• Step 2, book the sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb at www.thetrainline.com, add to basket & check out.

  Use the journey planner to bring up the direct Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train marked EN with 0 changes. You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, Zagreb to Belgrade cannot be booked online, buy at the station in Zagreb or even on board the train, this won't be a problem.

• Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com, then Paris to Zurich at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then Zurich to Zagreb at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  This is more work on multiple websites and sometimes more fiddly, prices should be the same, but no booking fees.

How to buy tickets by phone

• If you'd prefer to book all your tickets together by phone, just call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, small booking fee.

• Alternatively, you can call Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).

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 & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Paris Gare du Nord station guide.  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 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.  More about TGV-Lyria.  Zurich HB station guide.

3. Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper train  Watch the video

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  There's time for dinner in Zurich before boarding at a local restaurant, try the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB.  Zagreb station guide.

The Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train boarding at Zurich HB as the sun sets on a summer day.  That's the Croatian couchette car on the right, the Croatian sleeping-car on the left.  See the Croatian sleeper video.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.		Set up as a single-berth.		4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava.

4. Zagreb to Belgrade by train

This is a comfortable air-conditioned Serbian train, with modern 2nd class seats - there's no 1st class.  There's also no restaurant car, so take a picnic and some beer or wine with you.  Below right, the Belgrade to Zagreb train about to leave Belgrade.  Below left, 2nd class seats.  Belgrade station guide.

---

Option 4:  London to Belgrade by daytime trains with overnight stops

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 Zagreb.

London ► Belgrade

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:24 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 13:50.  On Saturdays, leave London St Pancras at 12:31 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:48.

  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 at 17:52 arriving Munich Hbf at 23:26, but if you'd prefer an earlier arrival in Munich you can also leave London at 09:31 and connect with a TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:51 for Stuttgart Hbf, change there for Munich Hbf arriving 19:12.

  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.

  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.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Zagreb, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16 by swish air-conditioned Austrian railjet train and arriving in Villach, near the Austrian-Slovenian border, at 12:43.  A restaurant car is available for breakfast, or in 1st & business class food and drink orders are taken at your seat.  At Villach it's a simple cross-platform change onto the waiting Slovenian/Croatian/Serbian EuroCity train Sava, to Zagreb, leaving Villach at 12:53 and arriving Zagreb at 17:11.

• Stay overnight in Zagreb.  I suggest the historic Esplanade Hotel, Palace Hotel or Central Hotel, all near the station with good reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade on the daily train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats (no 1st class).  There's no catering, so bring along a picnic and maybe some beer or wine.

  This train is still suspended, originally due to Covid-19, now down to Croatian & Serbian incompetence.

  Tip:  Although Belgrade Centar is slightly closer to the city centre, you have to rely on a single bus line.  Trams 7 & 9 link Novi Beograd station with the site of the now-defunct old Belgrade station on the edge of the old city every 5-10 minutes so you may prefer to get off at Novi Beograd and take a tram, see Belgrade station page for more information.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

  A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 09:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 14:30.

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com

Belgrade  ► London

• Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar station at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb 18:13.

  This train has two air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats.  There's no 1st class.  There's no catering, so bring along a picnic and maybe some beer or wine.

  This train is still suspended, originally due to Covid-19, now down to Croatian & Serbian incompetence.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb

  A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 16:15, arriving Zagreb bus station at 21:45, or there's an earlier 11:30 bus.

  The fare around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.

• Stay overnight in Zagreb.  I suggest the historic Esplanade Hotel, Palace Hotel or Central Hotel, all near the station with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Munich, leaving Zagreb at 12:50 by air-conditioned InterCity train Sava, you need to make a simple cross-platform change of train at Villach (arrive 17:08, depart 17:16) onto a smart Austrian railjet train and you arrive at Munich Hbf at 21:41.  Enjoy the lovely scenery along the Sava River.

  Alternatively, you can take the earlier direct EuroCity train leaving Zagreb at 07:05 and arriving Munich Hbf at 15:41, with no need to switch trains in Villach.  This is an Austrian train with 6-seater compartments in both 1st & 2nd class, take your own provisions as there's no restaurant or buffet car until the train leaves Villach at 11:16.  Indeed, I'd say this is preferable as on occasion the afternoon Sava has been known to miss its connection in Villach.

• 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 06:49 arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:33.

  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 int.bahn.de.

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

  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 15:12, arriving London St Pancras 16:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £168 return standard premier (1st class).

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

• Munich to Zagreb starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.

• Zagreb to Belgrade is approximately €25 each way if bought at the station in Zagreb or  188 Croatian kuna (€25) if bought on board the train.

• The Zagreb to Belgrade fare is fixed-price, but the other fares vary like air fares, rising as departure date approaches, so book in advance.

How to buy tickets

• The easiest and cheapest way to book this journey is online, as there's no booking fees and all the cheap deals are there for you to see.  Booking for Eurostar & TGV opens up to 6 months ahead, the Munich-Zagreb sleeper only opens 3 months ahead.  You cannot book before booking opens.

• Step 1, book the TGV from Paris to Munich at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.  I strongly recommend registering when prompted, as you can then log in from any computer and check or re-print your tickets.

• Step 2, still on int.bahn.de, book your Munich to Zagreb train, looking for a cheap Sparpreis fare and print your own ticket.

• Step 3, now book the London-Paris Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.  You book online and print your own ticket.  I recommend confirming the timings of the Paris-Munich train before booking a suitable Eurostar connection, which is this is step 3 not step 1.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes in Paris between trains.

• Step 4, the Zagreb to Belgrade train cannot be booked online, but is easy to book at the station in Zagreb, which is the cheapest way to do it.  There are always places available, it cannot sell out.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online, but if you want to book by phone, call Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).  Other agencies selling European tickets by phone.