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.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		Standard Premier/Business Premier.  Larger photo.

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

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3...

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

An ICE3M to Cologne at Brussels Midi.  More information about ICE.  Advice on changing trains in Brussels.

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

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

3. Cologne to Hamburg by Intercity train...

Germany Intercity trains travel at up to 200km/h (120mph), with power sockets at all seats and a bistro car serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks and hot dishes.  On the Cologne to Hamburg route you'll find some departures are operated by high-speed ICEs (usually ICE1) rather than Intercity trains, although the ICEs are no faster than ICs on this section of line.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine, then passes through the industrial Ruhr.  More information about Intercity trains.  Hamburg Hbf station guide.

A German Intercity train.  More information about Intercity trains.

Dinner in the bistro.  The beef ribs were delicious...		Bistro car.  See current month's menu...

2nd class seating is usually in open-plan saloons like this, most seats unidirectional, but with some tables for 4.  Sometimes you'll find 2nd class compartment cars with side corridor and ten 6-seat compartments  Larger photo.

3. Hamburg to Stockholm by SJ sleeper train...

Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight train has one or two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  The couchettes convert from bunks at night to seats by day.  Each couchette is supplied with rug, sheets and pillow which you arrange yourself.  A carton of drinking water is supplied, and each compartment has two power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  Limited food & drink (including beer & wine) can be ordered from the train staff, you can see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html.  A simple breakfast box with jam, butter, rolls, yoghurt and a tea or coffee can be ordered the night before for delivery at the time of your choosing next morning.  The train should also have several seats cars and one sleeping-car with 1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, these have been delayed by technical issues but should be added later.  Unlike most other European night trains, as this train is Swedish you are not permitted to consume your own alcohol.  More information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train at Hamburg Altona, 1 September 2022.  The author rode this first departure...		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo.

Couchettes in day mode, en route to Stockholm.  Larger photo.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm...

Option 2, London to Sweden with overnight stop in Hamburg

This is the recommended option.  You leave London in the morning of day 1, stay overnight in Hamburg, and arrive in Stockholm in the evening on day 2.  Option 3 below takes longer as it involves two overnight stops not one, but it's worth considering as it can be more time-effective, depending on your needs.

London ► Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm

• Day 1, travel from London to Hamburg by train...

  Leave London St Pancras at 11:04 by Eurostar to Brussels Midi, ICE3 train to Cologne, & EuroCity to Hamburg Hbf arriving 21:14.

  By all means travel earlier for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the London-Hamburg timetable on the London to Germany page.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg...

  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.  Or try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel, a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by train...

  For most of the year you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 13:34; then leave Copenhagen at 14:21 by X2000 train arriving Stockholm Central 19:36.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 11:34, then leave Copenhagen at 12:21 by X2000 arriving Stockholm Central 17:37.  Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 15:34, then leave Copenhagen at 16:21 by X2000 arriving Stockholm Central 21:38.

  You can check train times from Hamburg to Stockholm at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Tip:  Click Stopover and enter Copenhagen. Now click Types of transport and change admit changes to direct connections for both Hamburg-Copenhagen and Copenhagen-Stockholm, to ensure a 1-change journey.

  In Copenhagen, trains to Stockholm often leave from platform 26 which is a little way from the main station concourse, see the info here.  The trains cross the impressive Öresund Fixed Link, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999 linking Denmark with Sweden, when the train seems to 'fly' over the water.  More information about the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.  More information about X2000 tilting trains.

• Or from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg...

  For most of the year you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 13:34.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 11:34.  Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 15:34.

  Öresund trains then run from Copenhagen to Malmö every 20-30 minutes taking 39 minutes, just hop on the next departure. 

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Gothenburg every hour taking 3h53, there's one at 14:27 arriving Göteborg Central at 18:20.

  You can check train times from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (Göteborg Central) at German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Trains from Copenhagen to Sweden cross the impressive Öresund Fixed Link, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999.

Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö ► London

• Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by train...

  For most of the year you can leave Stockholm Central at 08:21 by X2000 tilting train arriving Copenhagen 13:25, then leave Copenhagen at 15:26 by Danish Intercity train arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:02.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 you leave Stockholm Central at 10:21 by X2000 tilting train arriving Copenhagen 15:25, then leave Copenhagen at 17:26 by Danish Intercity train arriving Hamburg Hbf at 21:57.

  You can check train times from Stockholm to Hamburg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Tip: Click Stopover, enter Copenhagen, click Types of transport and change admit changes to direct connections for both Stockholm-Copenhagen and Copenhagen-Hamburg, to ensure a 1-change journey.

  Trains from Sweden to Copenhagen cross the impressive Öresund Fixed Link, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999 linking Denmark with Sweden.  More information about X2000 tilting trains.  More information about the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Or from Gothenburg or Malmö to Hamburg...

  For most of the year you can leave Göteborg Central at 10:40 or Malmö Central at 13:53 by Öresund train, arriving Copenhagen at 14:29.  By all means travel earlier and have lunch in Copenhagen, these trains run hourly from Gothenburg, every 20 minutes from Malmo.  Then leave Copenhagen by Danish intercity train at 15:26, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:02.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 you can leave Göteborg Central at 08:40 or Malmö Central 11:53 by Öresund train, arriving Copenhagen 12:29.  Then leave Copenhagen at 13:26 by Danish Intercity train arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.  A later departure is also available in this period, leaving Göteborg Central at 12:40 or Malmö Central 15:53, change at Copenhagen onto a 17:26 Intercity train, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:57.

  You can check train times from Gothenburg (Göteborg Central) or Malmo to Hamburg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, although in this direction I'd change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes, as you don't want to miss the infrequent train to Copenhagen because of a 10 minute delay.

  Trains from Copenhagen to Sweden cross the impressive Öresund Fixed Link, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg...

  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.  Or try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel, a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to London by train...

  For example, the first departure leaves Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi to arrive London St Pancras at 16:57.

  Or you can leave Hamburg at 08:45 arriving London at 19:10.  Or leave Hamburg at 12:50 arriving London at 21:57 (21:27 on Saturdays), see the Hamburg to London timetable on the London to Germany page.

How much does it cost?

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

• Brussels to Hamburg starts at €27.90 each way in 2nd class or €59.90 each way  in 1st class.

• Hamburg to Stockholm starts at €56.90 each way in 2nd class.

• Fares work like air fares, rising as departure date approaches.  So book as early as the booking horizon allows and shop around for the cheapest date & departure.

• UK to Sweden using a 4-day Interrail pass costs around £295 adult return, £245 return if you're under 28, £275 return senior over 60, children under 12 around £85 return.  That includes the passholder fares on Eurostar and reservation fees for Copenhagen-Stockholm.

How to buy tickets

Another way to buy tickets

• This is more work as it involves two websites, but it can be slightly cheaper for two reasons:  First, you don't pay a booking fee.  Second, you can use the Stopover feature at www.bahn.de to book a Brussels to Stockholm through ticket with an overnight stop in Hamburg programmed in.  This is cheaper than buying separate Brussels to Hamburg & Hamburg to Stockholm tickets from Raileurope.

  Obviously, do a dry run on both sites first to check availability & prices.  I'd also check that your outward Eurostar and ICE are indeed a recognised connection by checking that they appear together when you run a London to Cologne enquiry at www.bahn.de - read the paragraph in the previous section about the 20-minute connection in Brussels.  In fact, if you're booking like this I'd pick an earlier Eurostar and spend a couple of hours in Brussels.

• Step 1, book the Eurostar from London to Brussels (and back, if returning) at www.eurostar.com and print your own ticket, or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.  Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways, so if you're coming back, make sure you book this as a round trip.  After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar.

• Step 2, book from Brussels to Stockholm at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, but click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf and a stopover duration of (say) 10-12 hours.  Look for journeys with just 3 changes, in Cologne, Hamburg & Copenhagen.  You'll need to fiddle with the departure time and stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg, it takes a bit of trial and error, which is why it's easier booking one way first, then if you're returning, book the return journey separately as another one-way.  On German trains that makes no difference to the price.

  This will get you a Brussels to Stockholm through ticket with an overnight stop in Hamburg included, which is what you want.  If you have problems, by all means just book Brussels-Hamburg and Hamburg-Copenhagen separately.

  You print your own ticket, or load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  An advantage of booking direct with www.bahn.de is that you can select an exact seat on many German trains from a seating plan.

Using an Interrail pass

• If you can book well in advance, normal advance-purchase tickets are the cheapest & easiest way to make this journey.  But at short notice regular fares become expensive and it can be cheaper to use an Interrail pass for a round trip from the UK to Sweden & back.  The pass will also cover your UK domestic train between your home station & London.

• Step 1, buy a 4-days-in-1-month Interrail pass from www.interrail.eu.  You can load the pass into an app on your phone immediately after buying it.  See Interrail pass prices and learn more about how Interrail passes work on the Interrail page.

• Step 2, in addition to the pass you need to pay for a Eurostar passholder fare from London to Brussels and back on the dates you want.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online.  You print these tickets out.  Tip:  As passholder availability is limited, I recommend that you check Eurostar passholder availability before buying a pass.

• Step 3, seat reservations between Brussels and Hamburg are optional, you can just sit in any empty unreserved seat and show your pass when asked.  However, it's a good idea to make seat reservations for long journeys, you can reserve seats for around €4.50 each way at www.bahn.de by entering Brussels to Hamburg and clicking the Seat only (no ticket) link at the bottom of the page, to the left of the red search button.

  Seat reservation between Hamburg & Copenhagen is usually optional, but it's compulsory in summer (June-September).  You can make Hamburg to Copenhagen reservations using the Danish Railways website as shown here.

  Seat reservation between Copenhagen & Stockholm is always compulsory, the passholder reservation fee is around €6.60 each way.  Reservation can be made online at Swedish railways www.sj.se - the trick is to run an enquiry as if buying a ticket, but under customer card' select Pass 2 cl (Interrail/Eurail) or Pass 1 cl (Interrail/Eurail) as appropriate.

Have your trip arranged as a package

• Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a UK-Sweden trip for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  You'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays on their website 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 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk

    US 1-888-829-4775, see website

    Canada 1-855-882-2910, see website

    Australia 1300 971 526, see website

    New Zealand 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-Sweden 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.  They can build a trip to your requirements if you email them or use this contact form.  When you book, please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

How to buy tickets by phone

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.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		Standard Premier/Business Premier.  Larger photo.

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

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3...

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

An ICE3M to Cologne at Brussels Midi.  More information about ICE.  Advice on changing trains in Brussels.

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

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

3. Cologne to Hamburg by Intercity train...

Germany Intercity trains travel at up to 200km/h (120mph), with power sockets at all seats and a bistro car serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks and hot dishes.  On the Cologne to Hamburg route you'll find some departures are operated by high-speed ICEs (usually ICE1) rather than Intercity trains, although the ICEs are no faster than ICs on this section of line.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf, the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine, then passes through the industrial Ruhr.  More information about Intercity trains.  Hamburg Hbf station guide.

A German Intercity train.  More information about Intercity trains.

Dinner in the bistro.  The beef ribs were delicious...		Bistro car.  See current month's menu...

2nd class seating is usually in open-plan saloons like this, most seats unidirectional, but with some tables for 4.  Sometimes you'll find 2nd class compartment cars with side corridor and ten 6-seat compartments  Larger photo.

4. Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train

Hamburg-Copenhagen trains are operated by Danish IC3 trains like this, shown in the timetable as IC for Intercity.  See more photos, tips & information about the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.  Copenhagen station guide.

An IC3 Intercity train at Copenhagen.  More information about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Crossing the Little Belt (Lillebælt in Danish) from Jutland (mainland Denmark) to Funen, the island on which Odense is located.

5. Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000. 

These Swedish 200km/h (125mph) tilting trains link Copenhagen & Stockholm in just a few hours, centre to centre.  They cross from Denmark to Sweden over the Oresund Link, a combined tunnel and bridge.  On the bridge section you seem to be flying just feet above the water. More information about X2000.

Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central.  More about X2000 trains.

1st class on an X2000.  Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden...

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Option 3, London to Sweden with overnight stop in Brussels & Copenhagen

This option takes longer than option 1 above as it involves two overnight stops not one.  But it can be more time-effective, because you leave London in the evening after a full working day, and arrive in Stockholm at lunchtime on day 3, effectively taking only 1½ days out of your schedule rather than 2.  Indeed, on the westbound journey you can have a full working day in Stockholm before hopping on an early evening train to Copenhagen, spend just one whole working day travelling (a chill-out day with your feet up, or getting some work dome on the train) and arrive in London on a morning Eurostar in time for the start of the following working day.  If you like, you can use a sleeper train between Copenhagen & Stockholm instead of the overnight hotel stop.  This means you can travel London to Stockholm in a night, a day and a night, the most time-effective option of all.

London ► Stockholm & Gothenburg

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

  The last Eurostar usually leaves London St Pancras at 19:34 arriving Brussels Midi at 22:38, but by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Brussels.  Check times at www.eurostar.com.

• Stay overnight in Brussels.  I recommend the excellent Pullman Hotel Brussels Midi which is an integral part of Brussels Midi station itself, or the inexpensive Ibis Brussels Midi just across the road.

• Day 2, travel from Brussels to Copenhagen by train...

  For most of the year you can leave Brussels Midi at 08:23 weekdays or 08:25 weekends by ICE3, changing at Cologne Hbf (arrive 10:15, depart 12:11) onto another ICE and at Hamburg Hbf (arrive 16:14, depart 16:54) onto a Danish intercity train arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.

  This is a straightforward journey all on one ticket booked at www.bahn.de.  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The Danish intercity train has free WiFi when in Denmark, although no catering car.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an increased Hamburg-Copenhagen timetable operates, giving a choice in this period:

  Leave Brussels Midi 06:23, change at Cologne Hbf & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 19:34.

  Leave Brussels Midi 10:25, change at Cologne Hbf & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 23:34.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen...

  The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here.  Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg or Stockholm by train...

  For Gothenburg, Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Gothenburg every hour.  The first train usually leaves around 05:27 arriving 09:20, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take any later one.

  For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by 200km/h tilting X2000 train, using any departure you like.  The first train usually leaves Copenhagen at 07:21 arriving Stockholm Central at 12:36 but times vary so check for your date at www.sj.se or Omio.com.  Tip:  Trains to Stockholm often leave from platform 26 which is a 200m walk from the main station concourse, so arrive in good time, see the info here.

Stockholm & Gothenburg ► London

• Day 1, travel from Stockholm or Gothenburg to Copenhagen...

  From Stockholm, travel from Stockholm Central to Copenhagen by X2000 tilting train, using any departure you like.  The last train usually leaves Stockholm around 16:11 arriving Copenhagen at 21:25, but times vary so check for your date at www.sj.se or Omio.com.

  From Gothenburg, travel from Gothenburg Central to Copenhagen using any train you like, Öresund trains run every hour with the last direct train leaving around 19:40 arriving in Copenhagen at 23:29.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen...

  The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here.  Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Brussels by train...

  For most of the year you leave Copenhagen by Danish IC3 intercity train at 07:26, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 12:04.  Leave Hamburg Hbf by ICE at 12:45 arriving Cologne Hbf at 16:49.  Change onto an ICE3 train leaving Cologne Hbf at 17:42 arriving Brussels Midi at 19:35.

  This can all be done all on one ticket.  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You've time for an early dinner in Cologne between trains, perhaps at the excellent Brauhaus Sion, 5 minutes walk from the station. 

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an increased Copenhagen-Hamburg timetable operates, giving a choice of two departures:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 17:35.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 21:35.

• Stay overnight in Brussels.  I recommend the excellent Pullman Hotel Brussels Midi which is an integral part of Brussels Midi station itself, or the inexpensive Ibis Brussels Midi just across the road.

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

  The first train currently leaves Brussels Midi at 08:52, arriving London St Pancras 09:57, check times at www.eurostar.com.

How much does it cost?

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

• Brussels to Copenhagen starts at €49.90 each way in 2nd class, or from €79.90 each way in 1st class.

• Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 starts at 195 SEK, around £18.

• Fares work like air fares, rising as departure date approaches.  So book as early as the booking period allows and shop around for the cheapest date & departure.

 How to buy tickets

• Booking for Eurostar & onward trains as far as Copenhagen can now open up to 6 months ahead.  Copenhagen-Stockholm trains usually open 92 days before departure, but SJ loads blocks of dates at a time, so it varies.  You book in stages, so do a dry run on each stage first.

• Step 1, book from London to Brussels at www.eurostar.com.  If you're making a return journey, book London-Brussels & back as a round trip.

• Step 2, go to the German Railways website www.bahn.de and book from Brussels to Copenhagen.  It should now book this journey as one transaction.

  Northbound:  Use this special link for the 08:23 Brussels to Copenhagen.

  Southbound:  Use this special link for the 07:35 Copenhagen to Brussels.

  Tip:  It's sometimes cheaper to split the booking, and book Brussels-Hamburg and then Hamburg-Copenhagen.  But a through ticket gives a cast-iron right to later onward travel if there are any missed connections due to delays.

• Step 3, book from Copenhagen to Stockholm or Gothenburg and back at either Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com, quick & easy to use, happily accepts overseas credit cards, you can pay in Swedish Kr, £, € and $, small booking fee) or www.sj.se (in Swedish Krona, you can usually choose a specific seat from a seating plan, no booking fee but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards).  You simply print out your own ticket or show it on your phone, or you can choose to collect tickets from the SJ ticket machines at Copenhagen station.

  Tickets on the X2000 trains to Stockholm or Gothenburg have airline-style variable prices and require prior reservation, but tickets for the hourly Öresund trains between Copenhagen & Gothenburg don't need to be pre-booked, the price is fixed and no reservations are necessary or even possible, you can just buy a ticket at the station when you reach Copenhagen and hop on the next train.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online.  But to buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  In many cases tickets can be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.

• Alternatively, 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).  Click here for a list of agencies and other useful information on how to book.

Custom-made travel & hotel arrangements

• Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And 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.  They get very positive reviews.

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

    US 1-888-829-4775, see website

    Canada 1-855-882-2910, see website

    Australia 1300 971 526, see website

    New Zealand 0800 000 554, see website

What's the journey like?

The trains are the same as those used in option 1, see the photos above.

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London to Stockholm by ferry from Harwich

The ferry alternative!  It takes a bit longer than the Eurostar option shown above, but with inexpensive fares even at short notice, daily departures, quality private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV, the integrated Rail & Sail train-ferry-train service between London & Amsterdam is a useful alternative to Eurostar.  It's shown in orange on the route map above.  Rail & Sail is a good option if you need to travel at short notice when all the cheap Eurostar fares have sold out, if you live in East Anglia, or want to avoid the Channel Tunnel for some reason.  Indeed, you may simply prefer this relaxing journey, cruising overnight to Holland on the Stena Line superferry in an en suite cabin (see the video), then on to Sweden by daytime trains with a comfortable overnight hotel in Hamburg and an evening at leisure to explore.

London, Cambridge, Harwich ► Gothenburg, Stockholm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Hamburg by train...

  For example, at www.bahn.de you'll find journeys leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 11:00, changing at Osnabrück to arrive Hamburg Hbf 16:14.  Buy a ticket for this journey at www.bahn.de & print it out or show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg...

  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.  Or try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel, a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map.

• Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Malmo, Gothenburg or Stockholm by train...

  For most of the year you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 13:34, then leave Copenhagen at 14:21 by X2000 train arriving Stockholm Central 19:36.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 11:34, then leave Copenhagen at 12:21 by X2000 arriving Stockholm Central 17:37.  Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 by Danish Intercity train arriving Copenhagen 15:34, then leave Copenhagen at 16:21 by X2000 arriving Stockholm Central 21:38.

  You can check train times from Hamburg to Malmo, Gothenburg (Göteborg Central) or Stockholm at www.bahn.de.  Trains from Copenhagen to Sweden cross the impressive Öresund Fixed Link, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999 linking Denmark with Sweden.  More information about the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.  More information about X2000 tilting trains.

Stockholm, Gothenburg ► Harwich, Cambridge, London

• Day 1, travel from Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmo to Hamburg by train...

  For most of the year you can leave Stockholm Central at 08:21 by X2000 tilting train arriving Copenhagen 13:25, then leave Copenhagen at 15:26 by Danish Intercity train arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:02.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 you leave Stockholm Central at 10:21 by X2000 tilting train arriving Copenhagen 15:25, then leave Copenhagen at 17:26 by Danish Intercity train arriving Hamburg Hbf at 21:57.

  You can check train times from Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö to Hamburg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Tip: If starting in Stockholm, click Stopover, enter Copenhagen, click Types of transport and change admit changes to direct connections for both sectors, to ensure a simple 1-change journey.

  Trains from Sweden to Copenhagen cross the impressive Öresund Fixed Link, a tunnel & double-deck road/rail bridge opened in 1999 linking Denmark with Sweden.  More information about X2000 tilting trains.  More information about the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg...

  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.  Or try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel, a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map.