A German ICE train at Berlin...

I want to go from Berlin to...

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       Click here for journeys starting in another city.

       Click for Berlin Hbf station information

       Train information updated for 2018.

This page explains how to travel by train from Berlin to other European cities & how to buy the cheapest tickets, usually online direct from the operators with print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets & no booking fees.  It doesn't matter where you live, in Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or Asia, you can buy train tickets as shown on this page and save money over expensive railpasses or travel agent mark-ups.

If you have a first class ticket you can use the 1st class lounge at Berlin Hbf

Before you buy your tickets...

Take a moment to read these important tips for buying European train tickets.  They answer all the usual questions, such as "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just go online & buy a €35 point-to-point ticket?".  And most important, click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.

European train travel FAQ...

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Berlin to Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt & other German destinations...

• www.bahn.de will book German long-distance daytime trains from Berlin Hbf to anywhere in Germany.

  A seat reservation is usually optional for a small extra charge, around €4.50 per seat - if you don't want one you can sit in any unreserved seat. 

  You print your own tickets (on A4 paper but U.S. Letter size is fine) or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  Tickets can also be sent to any address worldwide for a small fee.  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.

• With only one or two minor exceptions, German domestic trains are never reservation compulsory so you can always just turn up, buy a ticket and get on the next train without a reservation - although you will usually have to pay the flexpreis on the day of travel.

  However, if you pre-book there are cheap advance-purchase sparpreis (savings) fares for €19.90, €29.90, €39.90 etc. for long-distance journeys, so buy in advance if you want to save money.

• Booking usually opens 92 days ahead and sometimes up to 180 days ahead, except when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes get in the way.

• See the train travel in Germany page for a beginner's guide to train travel in Germany, including how to buy tickets online or by phone and an explanation of the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket and Lander tickets.

Berlin to Munich from €29.90...

• There really is no excuse for flying this journey!  From 10 December 2017 when a new section of high-speed line opens, Berlin to Munich takes as little as 3h58, city centre to city centre by luxurious ICE train with zero check-in to add.  From city to city it's as fast as flying but less hassle, more comfortable and more civilised.  The ICE train have power sockets at all seats, a bistro-restaurant car and some have WiFi.
• Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class if you pre-book.  The flexpreis is around €130 if you buy on the day, 2nd class.
• Buy tickets at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket out or show it on your smartphone or laptop.  Booking now opens up to 180 days ahead, though much less when the mid-June or mid-December timetable change is in the offing.

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Berlin to London from €59.90...

• See the London to Germany page for train times and more information, for travel by high-speed trains Berlin-Cologne-Brussels-London.

• The German railways website www.bahn.de sells Sparpreis London tickets from Berlin to London from €59.90 upwards in 2nd class or €109.90 in 1st class, and you simply print your own ticket (in this case, tickets must be printed out).  Booking usually opens up to 180 days ahead, although the mid-December timetable change can reduce this booking horizon.

• Availability is limited as DB only has a small quota on Eurostar.  If you don't see any attractive prices, simply split the journey and book Berlin to Brussels at www.bahn.de from €39.90, then Brussels to London at www.eurostar.com from £44, making sure you allow for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in at Brussels.

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Berlin to Paris from €39.90...

Option 1, in a single chill-out day riding the rails across Europe...

• You can book daytime trains from Berlin to Paris from as little as €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone or laptop.

  That's city centre to city centre with zero check-in, no added booking fees, no baggage fees, no extra to get to & from remote airports.  The superb German ICE high-speed trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

• You'll see various departures, the best ones have just one easy change, for example on a typical date:

  Berlin Hbf depart 08:07 by ICE, change Karlsruhe onto another ICE, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:05.

  Berlin Hbf depart 11:28 by ICE, change Karlsruhe onto a 200mph TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:41.

  Berlin Hbf depart 14:30 by ICE, change Frankfurt onto another ICE, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:52.

  Check times for your date at www.bahn.de and look for a suitable 1-change option with prices shown.

• If you'd prefer the slightly faster route with 1 change via Cologne onto a Thalys high-speed train, simply use www.b-europe.com instead.  This has a connection to both Thalys' and DB's ticketing systems, so can book both trains at the cheapest prices as one transaction with print-at-home tickets.  Simple!  Alternatively, you can of course book a Berlin-Cologne train at www.bahn.de then book a Cologne to Paris Thalys train separately at either www.b-europe.com or www.thalys.com.  For example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 07:49 by Intercity train, change at Cologne Hbf onto Thalys, arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 16:05.

  Berlin Hbf depart 13:49 by ICE, change at Cologne Hbf onto Thalys, arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 22:05.

Option 2, by high-speed trains with overnight stop - a time-effective option...

• You can travel from Berlin to Paris time-effectively by train without having to fly.  This breaks up the trip nicely. 

• Day 1, take the 17:28 ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Mannheim arriving 22:28.  Or by all means book an earlier train, they leave regularly.

• Stay overnight in Mannheim.  Inexpensive hotels just outside the station with great reviews include the Station Hotel, Mannheim InterCity Hotel & the Hotel Kurpfalzstuben.

• Day 2, take a morning ICE train from Mannheim to Paris.  On Mondays-Fridays the 06:39 from Mannheim arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:51, with breakfast on board.  On Saturdays a 07:38 arrives Paris Gare de l'Est 10:53.  On Sundays a 07:39 arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:38.  By all means take a later train, if you'd like a more leisurely breakfast in your hotel, for example there's an 09:40 from Mannheim on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 12:50.

• The cheapest way to book this is to book it as one journey from Berlin to Paris from €39 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class at www.bahn.de using the Add intermediate stops feature - I have set up this special link for you including the necessary stopover in Mannheim, just increase the stopover time if you'd like a later departure from Mannheim in the morning, or change both the departure time & stopover time if you'd like an earlier train from Berlin to Mannheim.  Obviously, look for the 1-change options in the search results.

• Alternatively, you can also stop overnight in Cologne. 

  Book Berlin to Cologne by ICE train in 4h17 from €29.90 at www.bahn.de.  You can leave as late as 19:49 arriving after midnight, but I'd take an earlier train and have a pleasant evening in Cologne.  In Cologne, the cathedral is right next to the station, for dinner try the excellent Brauhaus Sion (www.brauhaus-sion.de), 5 minutes walk from Cologne Hauptbahnhof, or the Malzmuehle restaurant (www.muehlenkoelsch.de), 13 minutes walk from Cologne Hbf.

  Stay overnight in Cologne.  The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

  Then book Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train in 3h21 at www.b-europe.com.  The 06:44 Thalys from Cologne Hbf arrives Paris Gare du Nord at 10:05, or there's an 08:44 arriving 12:05.

Option 3, by direct overnight sleeper train, every Wednesday night...

• The Berlin-Paris City Night Line sleeper train was sadly discontinued in 2014 to a general outcry.  However, how would you like to travel overnight from Berlin to Paris aboard the famous Moscow-Paris Express?  RZD (Russian Railways) will allow you to book the Paris-Berlin sector on their high-quality sleeper train, which was re-timed in 2015 to offer a convenient overnight option between Berlin & Paris.

• It runs once a week on Wednesday nights, leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:08 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:33 the following day.

• The train features excellent modern air-conditioned Russian sleepers with 2nd class 4-berth & 1st class 2-berth compartments, VIP deluxe Russian sleepers with 1 or 2 berths, shower & toilet, and a Polish restaurant car is available throughout.  See the illustrated guide on the Paris-Moscow Express page.

• How much does it cost?  See the Paris-Moscow Express page for details.

• How to buy tickets?  See the Paris-Moscow Express page for details

Option 4, Berlin to Paris with an overnight stop in Amsterdam...

• This is a slightly more round-about route, but Amsterdam is such a great place for a stop and the journey so easy & convenient, it's worth considering.  The stations are all incredibly central, you can stroll from Amsterdam Centraal to most city centre hotels.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal by InterCity train in 6h26 from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  You can leave Berlin as late in the day as 16:34.  Click here to see the Berlin to Amsterdam timetable and photos of the train & sights to see along the way.

  Book this at German Railways www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.

• Stay overnight in Amsterdam.  Suggested hotels with good or great reviews:  The The Park Plaza Victoria Hotel is across the road from Amsterdam Centraal station and gets great reviews.  Other mid-range hotels include the Hotel Luxer, 7 minutes walk from the station & Hotel Sebastians, 10 minutes walk from the station.  Cheaper hotels include the fun floating boat hotel AmiciA, just 15 minutes walk from the station.  If you want to push the boat out, the top end famous Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is 10 minutes walk from the station. 

  Incidentally, there's no reason why you can't do the journey in one day if you like, with a few hours in Amsterdam.  But an overnight stop breaks up the trip nicely.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord by 186 mph Thalys high-speed train in 3h09 from €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  There is a departure every couple of hours through the day, if you caught the first departure you could reach central Paris as early as 09:35.  The trains have WiFi, power sockets at all seats and cafe-bar.  1st class fares include food and wine served at your seat.

  Book this at www.b-europe.com and print your own ticket, or after booking you can download the SNCB Europe app and load the ticket into it to show on your smartphone.

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Berlin to Brussels or Bruges from €39.90..

• Superb ICE2 trains link Berlin and Cologne every hour or so in just 4h17, ICE3 & Thalys trains then link Cologne with Brussels Midi in just 1h52.  These superb German ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, Thalys have a cafe-bar, all trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  For example...

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:51 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 13:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:51 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 17:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:51 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 21:35.

• Fares from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

• You can check times & buy tickets from Berlin to Brussels, Bruges or anywhere in Belgium at www.b-europe.com (Belgian Railways).  This can book journeys using either the Thalys or ICE between Cologne & Brussels.  You can print your ticket on A4 paper (US Letter size paper is fine) or after booking you can download the SNCB Europe app and load the e-ticket into it to show on your smartphone.

• The German railways website www.bahn.de can also book tickets from Germany to Brussels, Bruges & other stations in Belgium, but only using their own ICE trains between Cologne and Brussels, not Thalys.

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Berlin to Amsterdam from €39.90:  See the Berlin to Amsterdam page...

• Comfortable air-conditioned InterCity trains link Berlin Hbf and Amsterdam Centraal every two hours, city centre to city centre in 6h26.

• A flight would take the best part of 5 hours, centre to centre, with airport hassle and nothing to see.  The trains have plenty of space for luggage and a bistro car, so treat yourself to a meal and a beer or two as you roll across Europe...

• Fares start at just €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class if you book in advance at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.

• See the Berlin to Amsterdam InterCity train page for a timetable, photos and information including photos of the things to look out for from the train on the way.  It's an interesting ride!

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Berlin to Luxembourg from €39.90...

• Berlin to Luxembourg takes around 7h55 by train with fares from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

• Check times and buy tickets at the German railways website www.bahn.de.  In the search results, look for journeys involving just 1 change at Koblenz, or sometimes 2 changes.  Avoid journeys involving 2 or 3 changes and a bus.  You print your own ticket.

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Berlin to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from €39.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Basel & Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option...

• Every night, an excellent Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet sleeper train links Berlin with Basel & Zurich, leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:06 and arriving next morning at Basel SBB at 07:20 and Zurich HB at 09:05, with connections for anywhere in Switzerland.

• It has double-deck sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and deluxe compartments with 1 or 2 beds and en suite toilet & shower.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for more photos & information.

• Fares from €39 in a seat, €59 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69 with couchette in 4-berth, €99 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139 in a single bed sleeper.

• Book this train online at www.bahn.de, and print your own ticket.  Booking opens up to 180 days in advance.  You can also book this train at www.oebb.at also with print at home tickets.

Option 2, Berlin to Switzerland by direct daytime trains...

• Several times a day, comfortable and spacious German ICE trains link central Berlin with Basel, Bern & Interlaken, with connections for cities all over Switzerland.  The ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

• Berlin-Basel takes 7h17 centre to centre, a chill-out journey with a good book and perhaps lunch in the bistro.

• Fares from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

• Check times & buy tickets online at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  It can book you to almost any station in Switzerland for one inclusive price.  Look in the search results for trains marked ICE with 0 changes if going to Basel, Zurich, Bern or Interlaken, or ideally with just 1 change if going beyond those stations.

Option 3, Berlin to Switzerland by day trains with overnight stop in Frankfurt - a time-effective option...

• Day 1, take any train you like from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in 3h39.  You can leave Berlin as late as 18:30 by ICE train arriving Frankfurt 22:54, but by all means take an earlier train.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels just outside the station with great reviews include the Hotel Hamburger Hof, The Frankfurt, and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 2, take any morning train you like from Frankfurt (Main) to Basel, Zurich or anywhere in Switzerland.  If you are an early riser, the 05:50 ICE train will get you to Zurich HB at 10:00 - but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later departure!

• Book from Berlin to anywhere in Switzerland from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de using the Add intermediate stops feature to add a stopover in Frankfurt.  I have set up this special link to include the necessary stopover in Frankfurt, just enter your Swiss destination and date.  Increase the stopover time if you'd like a later departure from Frankfurt in the morning, or change both the departure time & stopover time if you'd like an earlier train from Berlin to Frankfurt. 

  If you find this too tricky, simply use bahn.de to book Berlin-Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to anywhere in Switzerland as two separate journeys, but one ticket with a stopover is usually cheaper.

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Berlin to Verona or Venice from €49.90...

Option 1, by evening ICE to Munich then Nightjet sleeper train to Venice - the most time-effective option.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by superb high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:05 daily except Saturdays and arriving Munich Hbf around 22:03.  On Saturdays I'd take the 16:30 arriving 21:06.  This luxurious ICE has a  bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Ideally, I'd take an earlier ICE (they run regularly through the day) and have dinner in Munich between trains - for a Bavarian meal and a beer or two, try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.

• Step 2, travel by excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Munich Hbf at 23:35 and arriving at Venice Santa Lucia on the banks of the Grand Canal in central Venice at 08:24.

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €99 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast, served in your compartment.

• To buy tickets, use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Berlin to Venice as one transaction.  In the search results, look for the option with 1 change marked ICE, EN.  You simply print your own ticket.

  Alternatively, you can book Berlin-Munich at www.bahn.de, then book Munich to Venice at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Option 2, Berlin to Venice in a single day from €49.90 - the daytime option with great scenery...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:02 and arriving Munich Hbf at 11:02.  These superb German ICE trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), they have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

  Tip:  On Mondays-Saturdays there's an earlier 06:02 ICE from Berlin Hbf arriving Munich Hbf at 10:04, consider taking this for a more robust connection in Munich with a chance to stretch your legs (or even walk to the cathedral and the Marienplatz, 15 minutes walk from the station).

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Verona or Venice by comfortable Austrian EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 16:58 and Venice Santa Lucia at 18:10.  This train has an elegant Austrian restaurant car, and it takes the scenic Brenner Pass through the Alps.  Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant as the mountains glide by, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here...

• Fares from Berlin to Venice start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

• Book online at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  Easy!

  Tip:  If you'd like the earlier 06:02 from Berlin Mondays-Saturdays, simply adjust Duration of transfer from standard to at least 35 minutes.

Option 3, evening train to Munich, overnight hotel, then scenic daytime ride to Venice - like option 2, but with an overnight stop.

• Step 1, take any ICE high-speed train you like from Berlin to Munich.  Journey time as little as 3h58 and you can leave Berlin Hbf as late as 19:28 arriving Munich Hbf at 00:22, but by all means take an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Munich.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a bistro or restaurant car for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno.  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two in the evening, try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.

• Step 2, now take the direct Austrian EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 every day and arriving at Venice Santa Lucia, on the banks of the Grand Canal itself, at 18:10.  This train travels via the lovely scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here.  The train has an elegant restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch as the mountains roll by.

  There's also a 07:34 EuroCity train from Munich Hbf to Verona daily, extended direct to Venice on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 13:56, change at Verona on weekdays.  Or you can take the 09:34 from Munich Hbf arriving Venice 16:40, although this requires a change of train in Verona on all days.

• Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class for the whole Berlin-Venice journey if you book ahead as explained below.

• To buy tickets, use the German railways website www.bahn.de.  Enter Berlin Hbf to Venice then click Add intermediate stops and enter Munich in the via box and (say) 13:00 in the hh:mm stopover box - I've set up this special link with the necessary parameters for you, just enter your date of travel.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey with 1 change marked ICE, EC and an arrival in Venice at 18:10.  If you want an earlier or later train between Berlin & Munich simply adjust the Berlin departure time and the Munich stopover duration.  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.

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Berlin to Florence, Rome, Milan, Verona or anywhere else Italy from €39.90...

Option 1, by ICE to Munich then Nightjet sleeper train to Milan, Bologna, Florence or Rome - the most time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by superb ICE train leaving Berlin Hbf at 14:30 and arriving Munich Hbf at 19:06.

  Fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  The ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.  Ideally, I'd take an earlier 12:05 or 12:30 train from Berlin to have time for dinner in Munich - for Bavarian food and a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.

• Step 2, travel by excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Munich Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Florence SMN at 06:19 & Rome Termini at 09:22.  A separate portion heads for Milan Centrale arriving 09:10.

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €99 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast, served in your compartment.

• To buy tickets, use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Berlin to Milan, Florence or Rome as one transaction.  In the search results, look for the option with 1 change marked ICE, EN.  You simply print your own ticket.

  Alternatively, you can book Berlin-Munich at www.bahn.de, then book Munich to Milan, Florence or Rome at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

• If you're heading to Naples, buy a separate Rome-Naples ticket at www.italiarail.com or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com.

Option 2, Berlin to Florence or Rome in a single day - the daytime option with great scenery...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:02 and arriving Munich Hbf at 11:02.  These superb German ICE trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), they have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

  Tip:  On Mondays-Saturdays there's an earlier 06:02 ICE from Berlin Hbf arriving Munich Hbf at 10:04, consider taking this for a more robust connection in Munich with a chance to stretch your legs (or even walk to the cathedral and the Marienplatz, 15 minutes walk from the station).

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Verona by comfortable Austrian EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 16:58.  This train has an elegant Austrian restaurant car, and it takes the scenic Brenner Pass through the Alps.  Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant as the mountains glide by...

• Step 3, now take an onward train from Verona to Florence or Rome.  For example, you'll usually find a fast Frecciargento train leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 17:52 arriving Florence Campo di Marte at 19:25 and Rome Termini at 20:45.  I'd allow at least 45 minutes in Verona between trains, just in case of delay.

• Berlin to Verona starts at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

  Verona to Florence starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Verona to Rome starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class

• To buy tickets the easy way...

  Go to www.loco2.com.  Loco2 connects to both the German and Italian ticket systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place.

  Important tip:  Before running the enquiry, you must click More options and enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  This ensures a robust connection and it ensure Loco2 correctly splits the booking at Verona.

• To buy tickets the advanced way...

  This should make no difference to the price, it involves more work, the only real benefit is getting a bit more by way of seating options.  First book from Berlin to Verona Porta Nuova at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  Tip:  If you'd like the earlier 06:02 from Berlin Mondays-Saturdays, simply adjust Duration of transfer from standard to at least 35 minutes.

  Then book from Verona Porta Nuova to Florence or Rome at www.loco2.com (easy to use, prices in €, £ or $ with no fee or mark-up), www.italiarail.com (easy to use, prices in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in € and no booking fees, but you'll need to use Italian language place names and it has a few other quirks so see this advice on using it).  It's ticketless, you just quote your reference on board the train.

Option 3, by daytime trains via the Brenner Pass with an overnight stop in Munich - like option 2 but with an overnight stop...

• Day 1, take any ICE high-speed train you like from Berlin to Munich.  Journey time as little as 3h58 and you can leave Berlin Hbf as late as 19:28 on most days.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a bistro-restaurant for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  Try the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all these hotels are right next to the station with great reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Verona by Austrian EuroCity train thorough the Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.  Trains leave Munich Hbf every 2 hours or so taking a leisurely 5h25, and all have an elegant restaurant car so treat yourself to lunch! 

  There's an 07:34 to Verona, or a 09:34 to Verona & Bologna, for example, or an 11:34 to Verona & Venice arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 18:10.

• Day 2, allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona or Bologna, then take an onward Italian train to anywhere you like in Italy.  Verona to Florence takes just 2h35, Verona to Rome as little as 2h50 if you choose a direct train.

• Berlin to Verona or Bologna starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Verona or Bologna to Florence starts at €19.90, Verona to Rome at €29.90, Bologna to Rome at €19.90 - although bahn.de will often sell you a through ticket from Germany to all main Italian cities from €39.90.

• To buy tickets, first book from Berlin to Verona or Bologna at the German railways website www.bahn.de, clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Munich in the via box and (say) 13:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, adjusting the Munich stopover time as necessary.  I've set up this bahn.de link with the necessary parameters for you.  If you want an earlier or later train between Berlin & Munich simply adjust the Berlin departure time and the Munich stopover duration.

  Tip:  You can often get through fares to Florence or Rome at bahn.de, so when using this bahn.de link it's worth replacing Verona with Rome or Florence and seeing if any fares appear.  If they do, booking Berlin to Florence or Rome all in one go will be cheaper & easier than buying a separate onward ticket from Verona/Bologna as described below.  If no fares appear, simply book to Verona or Bologna and buy a separate onward ticket as explained below...

• Now buy onward tickets from Verona to Florence, Rome, Milan or Naples separately at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, no booking fee, read this advice on using it first).  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to change in Verona in case of any delay.

• Alternatively, you can book all of these trains in one place at www.loco2.com, just add each train to your basket and pay at the end when you check out.  Prices in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards accepted, with print-at-home or ticketless ticket delivery.

Option 4, by Nightjet sleeper train from Berlin to Zurich, then a scenic daytime ride through the Alps to Italy...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Zurich by Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:06 and arriving Zurich HB at 09:05 next morning.

  Fares for this train start at €39 in a seat, €59 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69 with couchette in 4-berth, €99 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139 in a single-bed sleeper.  Deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet are also available.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  Booking normally opens 92 days in advance and you simply print your own ticket.  Book this online at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  This train uses ÖBB's double-deck sleeping-cars and conventional single-deck couchette cars.

• Step 2, take a comfortable ETR610 EuroCity train with restaurant car from Zurich to Milan through the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard route.  There's one leaving Zurich HB at 11:09 arriving Milan Centrale at 14:35.

• Step 3, take onward high-speed Frecciarossa train from Milan Centrale to Florence SMN, Rome Termini or Naples Centrale, or the hourly Frecciabianca to Verona & Venice Santa Lucia.  For example, you'd reach Florence SMN at 16:59, Rome Termini at 17:55, Venice Santa Lucia at 17:40.

• Buy tickets from Zurich to anywhere in Italy at www.loco2.com (easy to use, prices in €, £ or $ with no fee or mark-up), www.italiarail.com (easy to use, prices in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in € and no booking fees, but you'll need to use Italian language place names and it has a few other quirks so see this advice on using it). 

  All these websites connect directly to the Italian Trenitalia booking system and all are 'ticketless' - you just quote your reference on board each train - at least unless the journey includes a regional train in Italy.  The stations you want in the most popular cities are Florence SMN, Rome Termini, Venice Santa Lucia, Verona Porta Nuova, Naples Centrale.

Option 5, by daytime trains, via the Swiss Alps...  Also a scenic ride!

• You can also travel from Germany to Italy via Switzerland.

• So first use www.bahn.de to book from Berlin to Basel with fares from €39 upwards.  You print your own ticket.

• Now book an onward journey from Basel to Florence, Venice, Rome or wherever at either www.loco2.com or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com.

• Berlin to Milan via Basel or Zurich is an all-day train ride.  If you'd prefer to split it over 2 days with an overnight stop in Basel, no problem.

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Berlin to Barcelona & Spain from €79...

Option 1, Berlin to Barcelona by high-speed trains with overnight stop in Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by comfortable daytime trains with fares starting at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  There are various departures every day, for example you can leave Berlin Hbf at 12:30 by luxurious ICE train, change at Frankfurt onto an impressive 200mph TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:41.  But by all means take an earlier train and have a leisurely dinner in Paris.

  Check times & prices for your date of travel and buy tickets online at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket. 

  You can also check www.b-europe.com which offers additional Berlin-Paris departures as it can sell the Thalys trains on the route via Cologne, whereas bahn.de can only sell non-Thalys options such as the route via Mannheim.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews:  Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star);  Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star);   Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star);  Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star);  Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex from €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.  It's an enjoyable & scenic journey, see the photos & video here. 

  Book this at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu, you print your own ticket.

  If you prefer, there's also an afternoon train from Paris to Barcelona, see the Paris-Barcelona timetable here.  Also see this advice about getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.  And from June to August there's also an earlier 07:15 TGV from Paris arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:34.

• For onward train from Barcelona Sants to Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Valencia, Alicante or Madrid, check times and buy tickets using either www.loco2.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, no booking fees) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, can be fiddly to use) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, small mark-up).  You'll find cheap Promo and Promo+ fares if you book in advance and print your own ticket.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Barcelona for connections.  In summer if you take the 07:15 from Paris you'll be able to connect for Malaga, Cordoba or Seville that same afternoon as there's a 15:50 departure from Barcelona.  However, if you take the 10:07 from Paris, although you can connect for Madrid, Valencia or Alicante the same day, you will need to stay overnight in Barcelona before taking an onward train to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.

Option 2:  Berlin to Spain with overnight stop in Marseille...

• This avoids having to cross Paris, but still uses high-quality thigh-speed rains throughout.  If you get the chance to spend 24h in Marseille, take it, it's a great city!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Marseille leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:07 weekdays or 09:04 weekends by ICE train to Frankfurt or Karlsruhe then the direct high-speed TGV Duplex to Marseille St Charles arriving around 21:50, from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.  You can in theory take a later from Berlin, but I'd take the 08:07 weekdays or 09:04 weekends for a more robust connection, so change duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes.

• Spend the night in Marseille, suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station:  Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

• Step 2, travel from Marseille to Barcelona or Madrid by high-speed AVE leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:01 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:38 and Madrid Atocha at 15:45.  Marseille-Barcelona starts at €25 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Marseille-Madrid starts at €35 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

  Book this train at www.loco2.com (can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, print-at-home tickets) or www.trainline.eu (can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, choice of upper or lower deck, print-at-home tickets).

• Step 3, book onward high-speed trains from Madrid to Seville, Malaga or from Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante etc, using either www.loco2.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $) or the Spanish railways website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly to use).  I'd allow at least an hour in Barcelona or Madrid between trains.

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Berlin to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed train in a single day from €39.90, as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Paris.

• Day 2, take the 12:52 TGV from Paris to Hendaye/Irun on the Spanish border connecting with the overnight Sud Express sleeper train to Lisbon, arriving around 07:30 on day 3.  For details of this journey and how to buy tickets, see the London to Lisbon page and simply disregard the London-Paris part.  Book this at www.loco2.com.

• Change in Lisbon for trains to Faro, Albufeira and Porto, book these at www.cp.pt.

The Sud Express, about to leave Irun on the Franco-Spanish frontier, bound for Lisbon...  Courtesy of Ron Baker.  See panorama photo...		Gran Clase sleeper, in evening mode with the seats folded out...		....return from the bar to find the beds made up...		Gran Clase private toilet & shower...

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Berlin to Vienna from €39.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Vienna by daytime trains from €39.90 - the leisurely daytime option...

• The German railways website, www.bahn.de sells train tickets from Berlin to Vienna from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.

• In the search results, look for an easy journey with just 1 change.  Some journeys (usually the ones marked EC,RJ) take you via Prague, just 4h20 from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train with restaurant car, then 3h58 from Prague to Vienna by smart modern Railjet train with restaurant car & free WiFi.  Other journeys (usually marked ICE) take you through Germany with a change in Nuremberg, Berlin-Nuremberg in 3h20, Nuremberg to Vienna in 4h09, both legs on superb German ICE trains with bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The journey via Prague is the nicest, taking you along the scenic Elbe river valley between Dresden and Prague, see the photos here, although students of more recent history may prefer a stop in Nuremberg.

• Tip 1:  Consider a stopover in Prague...

  Prague's historic old town square is only 15 minutes walk from Prague Hlavni station.  For lunch in Prague, consider a 6 minute 550m walk from the station to the Restaurant Zvonice (www.restaurantzvonice.cz) which gets great reviews, see walking map.  There are left luggage lockers in Prague & Dresden for your bags.

  At www.bahn.de, simply click Add intermediate stops, enter Prague and a duration of up to 48 hours (the maximum stopover possible with a cheap sparpreis fare) or up to 7 hours (the maximum you can stop off and still get from Berlin to Vienna in a day, if you catch the first train from Berlin and last train from Prague to Vienna).  You'll now get a cheap fare from €39.90 upwards from Berlin to Vienna, but with a stopover in Prague included.  Bargain!    A stopover in Dresden is possible instead of Prague, booked in the same way.

• Tip 2:  Consider a stopover in Nuremberg...

  In Nuremberg there's a pleasant old town, a railway museum and of course the infamous but thought-provoking Party Rally Grounds (take tram 9 from outside Nuremberg Hbf, it's well worth the trip).  There are left luggage lockers in Nuremberg for your bags.

  At www.bahn.de, simply click Add intermediate stops, enter Nuremberg and a duration of up to 48 hours (the maximum stopover possible with a cheap sparpreis fare) or up to 8 hours (the maximum you can stop off and still get from Berlin to Vienna in a day, if you catch an early train from Berlin then a late train from Nuremberg to Vienna).  You'll now get a cheap fare from €39.90 upwards from Berlin with a stopover in Nuremberg.

• Tip 3:  Check Austrian Railways www.oebb.at as well, as although fares also start from €39 I've often seen significantly cheaper fares on oebb.at than bahn.de on a given date & train.  You also get a print-at-home ticket.

Option 2, Berlin to Vienna by day trains with overnight stop in Prague from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class...

• This is similar to option 1, but with an overnight stop in Prague, making it time-effective.

• Day 1, take any EuroCity train you like from Berlin to Prague in 4h20.  For example the 17:16 from Berlin Hbf arrives Prague Hlavni at 21:35.  But by all means take an earlier train and have an evening in Prague.

• Stay overnight in Prague.  Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Esplanade Hotel (5-star), Falkensteiner Hotel Maria (4-star), Chopin Hotel (3-star).  To stay in the old town, try the Ventana Hotel or Old Town Square Hotel (both 5-star), Grand Hotel Prague, Hotel Rott (both 4-star), Zlatý kůň Golden Horse (3-star).

• Day 2, take any Railjet train you like from Prague to Vienna in 3h58.  The 06:51 from Prague Hlavni arrives Vienna Hbf at 10:49, but by all means take a later train, see the timetable here.

• It's cheapest to book this as one Berlin to Vienna journey at www.bahn.de.  Simply click Add intermediate stops, enter Prague and a duration of around 9 hours - I have set up this link to do that for you.  Vary the departure time and increase the stopover duration to get the trains you want.

  If you have any problems booking it this way, simply book the train from Berlin to Prague at German Railways www.bahn.de then book the train from Prague to Vienna at Czech Railways www.cd.cz (change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English).  In both cases you print your own ticket.

Option 3, by EuroCity train to Prague then EuroNight sleeper train to Vienna - the time-effective option...

• In spite of being popular with passengers, the Berlin-Vienna part of the Metropol was discontinued from the timetable change on 10 December 2017, the usual railway politics and mishandling.  A great shame.  But you can still catch a late afternoon train from Berlin to Prague then take a Prague-Vienna sleeper, like this...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:16 and arriving at Prague Hlavni at 21:35.

  In summer when it's light this is a lovely scenic journey along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden.  A restaurant car is available with draught  beer on tap, see the Berlin to Prague information page for a timetable, photos & video.

  By all means take an earlier train from Berlin & spend a pleasant afternoon or evening in Prague, trains run every 2 hours and left luggage is available in Prague.  Have dinner in Prague.

  Book this journey from €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class at either www.bahn.de or www.cd.cz whichever is cheaper.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Vienna by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 23:57 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 06:55 next morning.  This train has a modern air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin, and a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare in the sleepers.

  Book this train from €35 with couchette, €46 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €71 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself at either Czech Railways www.cd.cz or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (whichever is cheaper) and print your own ticket.

• Good news, a direct Berlin-Vienna sleeper train now looks set to resume from the timetable change on 9 December 2018, leaving Berlin around 18:40 and arriivng Vienna Hbf at 06:49.  Details will appear here nearer the time.  It will run via Poland rather than through Prague.

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Berlin to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt & Austria from €29.90...

Berlin to Salzburg or Innsbruck by daytime trains,,,

• The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Berlin to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt or any station in Austria from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  You print out your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.

• Berlin to Salzburg now takes as little as 6h22 from as little as €29.90 with 1 easy level-access change in Munich.  Just use www.bahn.de to find times and buy tickets!  The journey involves a superb high-speed ICE train from Berlin to Munich with bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then a EuroCity train or railjet train from Munich to Salzburg.  I've even seen a Berlin-Salzburg fare as low as €19.90, but there aren't many of those!

• Top tip:  Check Austrian Railways www.oebb.at as well, as although fares also start from €29 I've often seen significantly cheaper fares on oebb.at than bahn.de on a given date & train.  You also get a print-at-home ticket.

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Berlin to Copenhagen from €39.90...

Option 1, by comfortable daytime trains, daily all year round...

• You can book daytime trains from Berlin to Copenhagen from just €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de, with departures at 07:06, 10:39 & 14:39 all with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf, journey time around 7h47. 

  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change, but avoid anything marked 'BUS' as this is indeed just a downmarket bus.  Tip:  Remember that if you want a longer connection in Hamburg, you can change duration of transfer from standard to longer.  You simply print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.

• Berlin-Hamburg trains are all luxurious ICE trains with bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The Hamburg-Copenhagen trains are Danish IC3 trains branded EuroCity (EC), see the photos below.  They use a train ferry between Puttgarden & Rødby, where the train is shunted onto a ship, one of the few places in Europe (or anywhere else) where this still happens.  It's an interesting experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing.

Option 2, by Berlin Night Express sleeper train, runs on certain days and dates only...

• This is a privately-run sleeper train linking Berlin and Malmö overnight in summer only, 3 times a week, with connection by local Öresund Link train to Copenhagen.  It has 4-berth & 6-berth couchettes, but no sleepers.  It's shunted onto a ferry to cross the water to Sweden.

• See www.berlin-night-express.com for operating dates, times, fares & tickets.

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Berlin to Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmö from €39.90...

Option 1, by daytime trains in a single day, or with overnight stop in Copenhagen...

• You can buy tickets from Berlin to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö online at www.bahn.de, as DB offer sparpreis tickets from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  You print your own ticket.

• It's possible to do this journey in a day if you leave Berlin at 06:39, with an easy change in Hamburg and Copenhagen, check times and prices at www.bahn.de remembering to select a morning departure.  If bahn.de doesn't come up with the goods, book Berlin-Copenhagen at www.bahn.de then Copenhagen-Stockholm at www.sj.se.

• Or break up the journey with an overnight stop in Copenhagen.  To book a journey with a stopover, but still benefit from a cheap sparpreis ticket from Berlin to Stockholm or Gothenburg, click Add intermediate stops, enter Copenhagen and enter a stopover period such as 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  You can have any length of stopover up to 48h.  Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews:  Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Bou]tique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

Option 2:  Berlin to Stockholm by day train to Copenhagen then time-effective overnight sleeper to Stockholm... 

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:39, changing at Hamburg Hbf and arriving Copenhagen at 18:26, from €29.90 booked at www.bahn.de with print-at-home tickets.  There's a bistro-restaurant on board the ICE.  When you arrive in Copenhagen there's time for dinner.

• Step 2, take an evening Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central around 20:50 or earlier, these run every 20 minutes and take just 34 minutes.

• Step 3, then take the overnight sleeper train from Malmö to Stockholm, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays usually around 22:08 arriving Stockholm Central around 06:00.  There's no sleeper on Saturday nights.  The train offers 6-berth couchettes and a comfortable Swedish sleeping-car with 1 & 2 bed compartments.

• Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Stockholm as one transaction at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se.  There are some great cheap deals available if you book in advance.  SJ.se is sometimes fussy with overseas credit cards, so if you can't get your credit card to work, try agency site www.acprail.com or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (touch tone 6 for English).

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Berlin to Oslo & Norway...

Option 1, via Hamburg & Copenhagen - by train all the way...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen.  Hotels in Copenhagen 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 by train from Copenhagen to Oslo Sentral with one easy change at Gothenburg.  You can check times at the Swedish Railways site www.sj.se.  Departure from Copenhagen is usually around 08:25 arriving around 16:50, but check current times online.

Option 2, Berlin to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo Color Line cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo...

• Step 1, catch an early morning train from Berlin to Kiel Hbf in 3h24 on any suitable train from €29.90.

  Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  In Kiel it's just a 5 or 6 minute walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, but you should allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.

• Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges.  The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning. 

  Check times & buy tickets online at the seat61 Ferry Shop or www.colorline.com.

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Berlin to Helsinki & Finland...

• For Finland, you'll find ferries the best bet.  Finnlines sail from Travemünde or Rostock in Germany to Helsinki, see www.finnlines.com for dates, times and online booking.

• After booking the ferry at www.finnlines.com, use www.bahn.de to find trains from Berlin to Travemünde or Rostock to connect with the ferry.  Remember to allow 2 or 3 hours between train arrival and ferry departure to allow for any delay, transfer to the port and for the ferry check-in.

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Berlin to Prague from €19.90...

• Air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Berlin Hbf and Prague Hlavni every couple of hours in around 4h20 with fares from just €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. It's the recommended way to travel between these cities, it's as fast or faster than flying, much cheaper and far less hassle. 

• Buy tickets direct with German Railways at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.

• South of Dresden, the trains run along the scenic Elbe valley, a lovely run, so make sure you choose seats on the left hand side of the train for the best river views.  Most of these trains also have a proper dining-car, why not have a proper sit-down meal while you travel?

• See the Berlin to Prague page for times, fares, tips & how to buy tickets.

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Berlin to Český Krumlov for €36 or Karlovy Vary for €35...

• Berlin to Český Krumlov takes around 10h11 using a swish EuroCity train from Berlin to Prague along the scenic Elbe river, then on rambling Czech local trains.  You may want to break your journey with a stopover in Prague.  But if not, you can buy a very cheap train ticket from Berlin to Ceske Budejovice for just €36 (around 940 Czech Koruna) online at the Czech railways website www.cd.cz/eshop, see my tips & advice for using it - you buy a local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Český Krumlov from the machine on board the train.  Booking usually opens 60 days ahead and you print your own ticket.  Bring some beer and a good book and enjoy the ride!

• Berlin to Karlovy Vary takes around 6h01 using a swish EuroCity train from Berlin to Usti Nad Labem, changing there for a Czech train to Karlovy Vary.  Book from Berlin to Karlovy Vary online from €35 (890 Czech Koruna at Czech railways website www.cd.cz/eshop.  You print your own ticket.  You can also try booking this journey at www.bahn.de.

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Berlin to Bratislava from €29.90...

• A direct EuroCity train with restaurant car called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:17 every day, arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:50.  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' very latest air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  South of Dresden, the train runs along the scenic Elbe valley, make sure you grab a unreserved seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views, see the photos & video here.  All these trains have a proper dining-car, so why not have a meal while you travel?

  If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - click the UK flag for English, click composition then look for Czech Republic and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

  Alternatively, you can take the earlier 07:16 departure or later 11:17 departure and make one easy change of train at Prague Hlavni.

  A request:  If you get any good photos of the Hungaria inside or out, please get in touch!

• Buy tickets online at www.bahn.de from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  You simply print your own ticket. 

• Fancy a few hours stopover in Dresden on the way?  To book a Berlin to Bratislava train journey from €29.90 with a stopover in Dresden, go to www.bahn.de, enter Berlin to Bratislava, click Add intermediate stops, enter Dresden in the via box and the number of hours you want to have in Dresden (max 48 hours) in the 'hh:mm' box.  Then run the enquiry and buy the ticket.  There are left luggage lockers at Dresden Hbf.

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Berlin to Budapest from €39.90...

Option 1, by daytime train...

• A comfortable EuroCity train called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:17 every day, arriving at Budapest Nyugati at 20:19.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' very latest air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a leisurely day with your feet up, with lovely scenery as the train snakes along the Elbe river valley between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.  There's a Hungarian restaurant car serving inexpensive meals & wine and with draught beer on tap, so treat yourself to lunch and a glass or two! 

  If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - click the UK flag for English, click composition then look for Czech Republic and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

• Alternatively, you can take the earlier 07:16 departure or later 11:17 departure from Berlin Hbf with one easy change at Prague Hlavni.

• Fares start at just €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

• Buy tickets at the German railways site www.bahn.de.  You simply print your own ticket.

Option 2, by EuroCity train to Prague then overnight sleeper train Metropol - the time-effective option which saves a hotel bill too...

• In spite of being popular with passengers, the Berlin-Budapest part of the Metropol was discontinued from the timetable change on 10 December 2017, the usual railway politics and mishandling.  A great shame.  But you can still catch a late afternoon train from Berlin to Prague then take the remaining Prague-Budapest sleeper, like this...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:16 and arriving at Prague Hlavni at 21:35.

  In summer when it's light this is a lovely scenic journey along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden.  A restaurant car is available with draught  beer on tap, see the Berlin to Prague information page for a timetable, photos & video.

  By all means take an earlier train from Berlin & spend a pleasant afternoon or evening in Prague, trains run every 2 hours and left luggage is available in Prague.  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurants here.

  Book this train from €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class at either www.bahn.de or www.cd.cz whichever is cheaper.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, take the sleeper train Metropol from Prague to Budapest, leaving Prague Hlavni at 23:57 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 08:35 next morning.  This train has a modern air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin, and a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare in the sleepers.

  Book this train from €35 with couchette, €46 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €71 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself at www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.

• Good news, a direct Berlin-Budapest sleeper train now looks set to resume from the timetable change on 9 December 2018, timings and other details will appear here nearer the time.  It will run via Poland rather than through Prague.

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Berlin to Bucharest, Brasov & Romania...

Option 1, travelling by sleeper with a day in Budapest...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train then Prague to Budapest by overnight sleeper Metropol as shown in detail above, leaving Berlin Hbf around 17:16 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 08:35.  The Prague-Budapest Metropol has a modern sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and 4 & 6 berth couchettes.  Buy tickets for these trains as shown above.

• Spend a day enjoying Budapest.

• Step 2, then take the EuroNight sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti around 19:10 and arriving Brasov at 09:26 & Bucharest Nord at 12:05 next day.  This comfortable train has 4 and 6 berth couchettes and a modern air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, also deluxe sleepers with 1 or 2 beds and shower/toilet.  See photos of the Ister's sleeping-car & couchettes here.

• Fares from Budapest to Bucharest start at €49 in a 2-bed sleeper, you can book this train online at the Hungarian railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on how to use mavcsoport.hu & how you collect your tickets.

Option 2, to Brasov by daytime trains with hotel in Budapest...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by direct EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:17 arriving at Budapest Nyugati at 20:19.  Fares from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class, book online at www.bahn.de.  Between Dresden & Prague the train runs along the scenic Elbe river valley, make sure you grab a seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views - see the photos & video here.  The train also has a proper dining-car, why not have a meal and a beer or two while you travel?

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  Find hotels in Budapest.

• Day 2, travel on a direct daytime train leaving Budapest around 09:10 and arriving Brasov around 23:17.  Fares from €29 booked online at at the Hungarian railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on how to use mavcsoport.hu & how you collect your tickets.

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Berlin to Warsaw from €29.90:  See the Berlin-Warszawa Express page...

• Regular Berlin-Warszawa Express trains link Berlin Hbf & Warsaw Centralna in 5h45 or so, centre to centre.  These are smart modern air-conditioned EuroCity trains with restaurant car.

• Buy tickets online at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  In this direction you usually print your own ticket.  Booking for this route opens 60 days before departure.

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Berlin to Krakow from €39.90...

Busse? Nein Danke! Train tickets from €39... Use this special link...

Option 1, by daytime trains via Warsaw from just €39.90...

• Due to long-term track rebuilding work, there are no longer any direct trains between Berlin & Krakow.  German Railways have laid on a bus, but the nightmare of 8 hours in a bus is to be avoided.  Instead, you can travel via Warsaw by comfortable trains as follows:

• Step 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna in 5h45 by excellent Berlin-Warszawa Express train.

• Step 2, then travel from Warsaw Centralna to Krakow by either bullet-nosed InterCity Premium (EIP) train, fast air-conditioned Intercity Express (EIC) train, or older TLK train taking as little as 2h19.  I'd allow at least 30 minutes to change in Warsaw, but even so, it's not much slower than the nightmare 8 hour bus journey.

• You can easily buy a ticket from Berlin to Krakow at the German Railways website www.bahn.de - this covers both trains on one ticket from as little as €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  However, to see this route you need to click Add intermediate stops and enter Warsaw to force it to find these cheap fares via Warsaw by train not bus.

  I have set up this link with the necessary parameters, just enter your date of travel & passenger details.

  Why not stop off for a few hours in Warsaw?  Perhaps have lunch in the old town between trains...  Simply click Add intermediate stops and enter the number of hours you want in the hh:mm box.  The Palace of Culture is just across the road from Warsaw Centralna station, and Warsaw's old town square is just 20 minutes walk away.  For lunch, I heartily recommend the U Fukiera restaurant on the inner square, www.ufukiera.pl.

  If you don't see any cheap fares from Berlin to Krakow using bahn.de for any reason, assuming it's within 60 days of travel, simply book from Berlin to Warsaw at www.bahn.de from €29, allow at least 45 minutes in Warsaw between trains, then book Warsaw to Krakow separately for around €20 at Polish Railways www.intercity.pl.

Option 2, by sleeper train via Poznan.  A convenient & time-effective option, with dinner in Poznan!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Poznan by comfortable air-conditioned Berlin-Warszawa Express, leaving Berlin Hbf at 16:37 and arriving Poznan at 19:23.  There's time for dinner in Poznan - or by all means take the earlier 13:37 or 15:37 train and see something of Poznan's pleasant old town.  Fares from €19, pre-booked at www.bahn.de.

• Step 2, travel overnight by sleeper train leaving Poznan around 22:25 and arriving Krakow at 05:12 next morning.  You can book this train using the Polish railways website www.intercity.pl.  The fare is around 117 zlotys (€28) with a couchette in a 4-berth or 207 zlotys (€49) for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper).

Option 3, by sleeper train via Stettin - a variation on option 2 above...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Stettin (Szczecin) by regional train, leaving Berlin Lichtenberg around 17:14 and arriving Szczecin Glowny at 19:13 (frequent S-bahn trains link Berlin Hbf with Berlin Lichtenberg).  By all means take the earlier 14:47 train from Berlin Lichtenberg and see something of Stettin.  Fare €36 even bought at the station on the day or €29 with a Brandenburg-Berlin ticket.  You can check times & prices at www.bahn.de.

• Step 2, travel overnight by sleeper train leaving Szczecin Glowny around 19:47 and arriving Krakow at 05:12 next morning.  You can book this train using the Polish railways website www.intercity.pl.  The fare is around 124 zlotys (€29) with a couchette in a 4-berth or 214 zlotys (€51) for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper).

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Busse? Nein Danke!

Berlin to Wroclaw from €29.90...

• Take any departure of the Berlin-Warszawa Express and change at Poznan for a Polish train to Wroclaw Glowny (+ main station).

• For example, the 06:37 Mondays-Saturdays will get you to Wroclaw at 11:38, or the daily 09:37 from Berlin will get you to Wroclaw at 14:44, or there are later departures right up until 17:37 from Berlin arriving Wroclaw at 22:49.

• You can buy tickets from just €29 at the German Railways website www.bahn.de - use this special link which adds 'Poznan' in the via box and so finds the cheap fares by train via Poznan without cluttering up the search results with the downmarket IC bus option, which should be avoided.

• DIRECT TRAIN BERLIN-WROCLAW AT WEEKENDS...

  Leaves Berlin Lichtenburg 08:24 on Saturdays & Sundays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 12:43 - check exact times and days of running at www.bahn.de.  It's a regional Express, so no reservation necessary, you can buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  In the return direction, the train leaves Wroclaw Glowny at 18:40 arriving Berlin Lichtenburg at 23:36, check times & running days at www.bahn.de.

• Advance notice:  Good news, a daily direct train from Berlin to Wroclaw is likely to resume from the timetable change on 9 December 2018:  Berlin Hbf depart 18:40, Wroclaw arrive 23:00.  Details will be posted here nearer the time.

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Berlin to Gdansk & Gydnia from €29.90...

• An excellent direct EuroCity train leaves Berlin every day at 14:37 direct to Gdansk (the former Danzig) and Gydnia.  See the Berlin-Warszawa Express page for details.

• You can check times and buy tickets at www.bahn.de.

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Berlin to Szczecin (Stettin)

• Regional trains link Berlin Lichtenberg and Szczecin Glowny (Glowny = main station) regularly through the day with just 1 change of train, journey time 1h55 or so.

• You can check times and buy tickets at www.bahn.de - but avoid any option marked BUS as this is a bus, not a train..

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Berlin to Lviv, Kiev & Ukraine from €85...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by Berlin-Warszawa Express leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:55.  Book this train at www.bahn.de from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  If you take the earlier 06:37 departure Mondays-Saturdays you can have a few hours to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.   Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Step 2 for Kiev, travel from Warsaw to Kiev by Kiev Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 17:50 and arriving Kiev at 11:02 next day.  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and perhaps some wine or beer.

  The fare is around €57 including a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  The Kiev Express cannot be booked online, so use reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com who have an online ordering system at http://booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.

• Step 2 for Lviv, travel from Warsaw to Lviv by direct sleeper train leaving Warsaw Centralna at 23:05 and arriving Lviv at 13:30 next day.  Book this via reliable agency www.polrail.com.

• Book onward trains from Kiev to Odessa & other places in Ukraine as shown on the Ukraine page.

Boarding in Warsaw...		A sleeper compartment...		...with washbasin.

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Berlin to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

Option 1, by twice-weekly Moscow to Berlin Swift sleeper train.

• Russian Railways RZD started a new twice-weekly sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow in December 2016, using a smart new articulated Talgo train branded Strizh - Russian for Swift.

• It runs on Mondays & Saturdays, leaving Berlin Ostbahnhof at 20:50 and arriving at Moscow's Belorussky station next day at either 19:50 (late March to late October) or 20:50 (late October to late March).

• This train has sleeping-cars with 2nd class 4-berth compartments, 1st class 1 or 2 berth compartments with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  There's also a restaurant car.

• Fares around 13,000 rubles (€181) with a bed in a 4-berth compartment, 18,000 rubles (€251) with a bed in a 1st class 2-bed compartment.

• You can book this train at either www.rzd.ru (a little fiddly, see my advice on using it) or using the Real Russia form on this page (much easier, and no credit card problems, but small mark-up).

• Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa.  Read important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

The Strizh sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow, seen here boarding in Berlin.  It's a Spanish-built articulated Talgo train - note the relatively small size of each car, just one axle between each car.  The axles adjust automatically from standard European gauge (4' 8½") to Russian 5' gauge at Brest, as the train passes slowly through a special gauge-changing shed.   Courtesy of Stuart Wilks & Jaap van Ginkel.

2-berth sleeper with washbasin, in night & daytime modes...				Complimentary toiletry pack...

Option 2, by direct Paris-Berlin-Moscow Express, once a week...

• You can travel from Berlin to Moscow using Russian Railways excellent high-quality Paris-Moscow Express.

• In 2018 it will run once a week leaving Berlin Hbf every Friday morning at 07:13, arriving Moscow Belorussky around 10:10 the following day, see the Paris-Moscow Express page.

• The train features modern air-conditioned Russian sleepers with 2nd class 4-berth & 1st class 2-berth compartments, VIP deluxe Russian sleepers with 1 or 2 berths, shower & toilet, and a Polish restaurant car is available throughout.  See panorama photo of a standard sleeper.

• How much does it cost?  Around 7,841 rubles (€125) in 2nd class 4-berth, 11,006 rubles (€175) in 1st class 2-berth, 25,982 rubles (€410) with sole occupancy of a deluxe sleeper with shower.

• How to buy tickets?  You can book online at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru, see my advice for using it.  You print your own ticket.

• Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.

Option 3, using the 3-times-a-week Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train Polonez...

• Step 1, take the Berlin-Warszawa Express leaving Berlin Hbf daily except Sundays at 06:37 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 12:55.  Book this train at www.bahn.de from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  If you want to take the Polonez on Sunday, you'll need to travel to Warsaw the evening before and stay overnight.

  You've a few hours to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow on the sleeper train Polonez, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:25 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays and arriving Moscow Belorussky station next day at 12:11 (late March to late October) or 13:11 (late October to late March) .

  The Polonez is operated with Russian sleeping-cars, using brand-new Austrian-built cars with 4-berth compartments introduced in December 2014, see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers.  Eastbound, these 4-bed sleepers only exist on the Polish reservations system as 2nd class 4-berth, so if you want dual or single occupancy you have to buy up multiple berths in one compartment.  Westbound there's no problem, as the Russian reservations system is configured book these compartments as 1st class single, 1st class double or 2nd class 4-berth. 

  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.  Next morning, as the train passes through the small station of Borodino, look out for the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942'...  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station.

• Most nationalities except the USA can try en.oui.sncf, which might work - tickets are sent by regular post to most countries except the USA, but you MUST make sure Europe (other countries) remains selected top right with the EU flag showing.

• Alternatively, anyone can book the Polonez by contacting highly-recommended Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at http://booking.polrail.com), who can arrange train tickets for international trains starting in Poland with tickets collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  This may well be the cheapest way to book.

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Berlin to Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by Berlin-Warszawa Express from €29.90.

  Depending on the day of the week and onward trains you choose, you will either need to stop overnight in Warsaw or in Bialystok.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius.  It's now possible to avoid a nightmare 9 hour bus journey and take comfortable modern trains between Warsaw, Bialystok & Vilnius at least on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Step 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, click here.

• Step 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, click here.

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Berlin to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo...

Option 1, by Berlin-Munich daytime train then Munich-Zagreb sleeper train - the most comfortable & time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by ICE high-speed train from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  For example, the 16:30 from Berlin Hbf arrives Munich Hbf 21:06, with time for dinner in Munich.

  Book this at German Railways www.bahn.de and print out your own ticket.

  For dinner in Munich with local Bavarian food & a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, on the north side of Munich Hbf.

• Step 2, take the comfortable Croatian sleeper train Lisinski which leaves Munich Hbf at 23:35 and arrives in Zagreb at 08:35 next morning.  It has a modern Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below and the Croatian sleeper video here.

  Fares start at €49 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in 4-berth, €89 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.

  Book this sleeper online at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  Alternatively, tickets can also be booked at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at, also with print-at-home tickets.

• For Sarajevo, take the morning train to Sarajevo (if running!),  Buy the ticket at the station in Zagreb or on the train, around €30 one-way or €44 return, see here for more details.

Option 2, by Berlin-Budapest sleeper then daytime train...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:16 arriving Prague Hlavni at 21:35.  Book this from €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.  You've time for dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurants.

• Step 2, take the overnight sleeper train Metropol from Prague to Budapest, leaving Prague Hlavni at 23:57 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 08:35 next morning.  It has couchettes and a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments.  Fares from €39 with a couchette or €49 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper if you book in advance at Czech Railways www.cd.cz.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3 for Ljubljana, enjoy a morning exploring Budapest then take the 13:35 EuroCity train Citadella with restaurant car direct to Ljubljana arriving 21:25.  You can buy tickets online from €19 at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice for using it and how to collect your tickets.

• Step 3 for Zagreb, enjoy a morning exploring Budapest then take the 15:35 InterCity train Gradec from Budapest Deli to Zagreb arriving 21:04.  You can buy tickets for this train online from as little as €9 at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice for using it and how to collect your tickets.

• For Sarajevo, stay overnight in Zagreb and take the morning train to Sarajevo next morning if running.  Buy the ticket at the station in Zagreb, around €30 one-way or €44 return, see here for more details & to check the operational status of this train.

Option 3, by daytime trains with overnight hotel in Munich - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1,  take a daytime train from Berlin Hbf to Munich Hbf, journey time as little as 3h58, you can leave as late as 19:28.  Fares start at €29.90, check times and prices at www.bahn.de.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  Suggested hotels include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all right next to the station with great reviews.

• Day 2, take a daytime train from Munich Hbf to Ljubljana or Zagreb from €39.90 with great scenery through the mountains of Austria and along the pretty River Sava, booked at www.bahn.de.  The first departure is at 08:17 with an easy cross-platform change at Villach.

Option 4, by daytime trains with overnight hotel in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, take the 09:17 EuroCity train from Berlin Hbf to Budapest Nyugati arriving 20:19. Fares from €39.90, check times and prices at www.bahn.de.  There's a restaurant car for lunch and a beer or two, and great scenery along the Elbe river valley between Dresden and Prague, see the photos and video here.

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  For an inexpensive hotel with great reviews right next to Keleti Station, try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel or the inexpensive Baross City Hotel just across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.  More hotels in Budapest

• Day 2, take a daytime train from Budapest to Ljubljana or Zagreb from €29 booked at www.mavcsoport.hu -see my advice for using it and how to collect your tickets The Citadella leaves Budapest Deli at 08:30 and arrives Ljubljana at 16:30.  The InterCity Kvarner leaves Budapest Keleti at 06:35 arriving in Zagreb at 12:38, or if you'd like a morning in Budapest there's an afternoon train at 15:35 arriving in Zagreb at 21:04.

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Berlin to Belgrade, Sofia, Montenegro, Thessaloniki, Athens & Istanbul...

Option 1, using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper train...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:16 arriving Prague Hlavni at 21:35.  Book this from €19.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  You've time for dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurants.

• Step 2, take the overnight sleeper train Metropol from Prague to Budapest, booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  It leaves Prague Hlavni at 23:57 and arrives Budapest Keleti around 08:35 next morning.  It has couchettes and a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments.  Fares from €39 with a couchette or €49 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper if you book in advance at Czech Railways www.cd.cz.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, take the 11:57 EuroCity train Avala from Budapest Keleti arriving at Belgrade station at 20:22.  The fare is just €15 if booked at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it & how to collect your ticket.  You can also buy at the station on the day for €15, it's an unlimited special offer fare.  This train has air-con Hungarian carriages and a Hungarian restaurant car.

• Step 4 for Greece, stay a night & day in Belgrade (option 2 below is faster if you don't want this).  Then take the 18:10 overnight train with couchettes from Belgrade to Thessaloniki arriving 10:08 next morning.  The fare is €39 with couchette, bought at the station in Belgrade.  There are always places available.  Change in Thessaloniki for an InterCity train to Athens.  these leave regularly, journey time around 5 hours, with some great scenery, see the Athens page for important updates about this train, photos & how to buy tickets.

• Step 4 for Sofia & Istanbul, stay overnight in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva - and take the daytime train to Sofia next day.  From 15 June to 17 September 2018 there's a direct train called the Balkan which leaves Belgrade main station at 08:55 and arriving Sofia Central Station at 20:12.  2nd class only, bring your own picnic and bottle of wine as there's no catering.  At other times of year you leave Belgrade Centar station at 04:00, change at Nis & Plovdiv arriving Sofia at 18:50.  Buy this ticket at the station for €20.60, there are always places available, even on the day.  It cannot be booked online, and there's no need.

  Then take the 21:00 overnight train from Sofia to Istanbul arriving 07:50, fare around €20, buy this ticket at the international ticket windows at Sofia station.  There are almost always places available.  See the London to Turkey page for more details & photos, and info on the bustitution that is affecting the Istanbul end of this journey.  The connection in Sofia is tight - planning to stopover in Sofia for a night and day is a good idea.

• Step 4 for Podgorica & Bar in Montenegro, stop overnight in Belgrade and take either the daytime or sleeper train from Belgrade next day, see the Belgrade to Montenegro page for details.  This is one of Europe's most scenic routes.  Change at Podgorica for buses to Budva or Kotor.

• For Istanbul, you can also travel via Bucharest.  Take a train from Berlin to Budapest as explained above, booked at www.bahn.de.   In Budapest, you can pick up the London-Istanbul route via Bucharest explained in detail on the London to Turkey page.

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Budapest...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf around 09:17 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:19.  Book this from €39.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  Slightly earlier or later departures are also available with a change in Prague.

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  Find hotels in Budapest.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by EuroCity train Ivo Andric leaving Budapest Keleti at 07:57 and arriving Belgrade station at 16:22, fare just €15 booked at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it & how to collect your ticket.  You can also buy at the station on the day for €15, it's an unlimited special offer fare.  There's no catering car on this train, so bring provisions and a beer or two.  You may prefer to see a bit of Budapest and take the later 12:05 Avala to Belgrade, which has a restaurant car.

• Step 3 for Greece, take the 18:10 overnight train with couchettes from Belgrade to Thessaloniki arriving 10:08 next morning.  The fare is €39 with couchette, bought at the station in Belgrade.  There are always places available.  Change in Thessaloniki for an InterCity train to Athens.  these leave regularly, journey time around 5 hours, with some great scenery, see the Athens page for important updates about this route, photos & how to buy tickets.

• Step 3 for Sofia & Istanbul, stay overnight in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva - and take the daytime train to Sofia next day.  From 15 June to 17 September 2018 there's a direct train called the Balkan which leaves Belgrade main station at 08:55 and arriving Sofia Central Station at 20:12.  2nd class only, bring your own picnic and bottle of wine as there's no catering.  At other times of year you leave Belgrade Centar station at 04:00, change at Nis & Plovdiv arriving Sofia at 18:50.  Buy this ticket at the station for €20.60, there are always places available, even on the day.  It cannot be booked online, and there's no need.

  Then take the 21:00 overnight train from Sofia to Istanbul arriving 07:50, fare around €20, buy this ticket at the international ticket windows at Sofia station.  There are almost always places available.  See the London to Turkey page for more details & photos, and info on the bustitution that is affecting the Istanbul end of this journey.  The connection in Sofia is tight - planning to stopover in Sofia for a night and day is a good idea.

• Step 3 for Podgorica & Bar in Montenegro, stop overnight in Belgrade and take either the daytime or sleeper train from Belgrade next day, see the Belgrade to Montenegro page for details.  This is one of Europe's most scenic routes.  Change at Podgorica for buses to Budva or Kotor.

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Hotels in Berlin & other cities

		◄◄ Hotel search & price comparison.
		www.hotelscombined.com checks all the main hotel booking sites at once to find the widest choice of hotels & the cheapest seller.  It has been named as the World's Leading Hotel Comparison Site in the World Travel Awards and I highly recommend it, both to find hotels in even the smallest places and to check that another retailer isn't selling the same hotel at a cheaper rate. ►► My recommended booking site:  www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site, and unless HotelsCombined throws up major price differences I prefer doing my bookings in one place here.  You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens.  It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a great feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.

Other hotel sites worth trying...

• www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.

• www.booking.com is my own preferred hotel booking system (Hotels Combined being a search/comparison system).  It has a simple interface, a good selection in most countries worldwide, useful online customer reviews of each hotel, and decent prices, usually shown inclusive of unavoidable extras such as taxes (a pet hate of mine is systems that show one price, then charge you another!).

Backpacker hostels...

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

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