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This page explains how to travel by train from Berlin to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2022.

Before you buy your tickets...

Take a moment to read these 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 buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?".  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 trains from Berlin Hbf to anywhere in Germany.

  A seat reservation is usually optional for a small extra charge, around €4.50 per seat, usually free if you're buying a 1st class ticket - 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 can open up to 180 days ahead, except when the mid-December timetable change gets in the way.  More info about when train booking opens.

• In addition, private operator Flixtrain is now competing with DB with a limited lo-cost train service from Berlin to Cologne, and Berlin to Frankfurt, Heidelberg & Stuttgart, see www.flixtrain.com.

• 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 €17.50.  See the video...

• There really is no excuse for flying this journey!  A new section of high-speed line opened in December 2017 and Berlin to Munich now takes as little as 3h56 by luxurious ICE train, city centre to city centre with zero added check-in time.  From city to city it's as fast as flying but less hassle, more comfortable and more civilised.  The ICE trains have power sockets at all seats, a restaurant car and free WiFi.

• Fares start at just €17.50 in 2nd class or €26.40 in 1st class if you pre-book.  The Flexpreis is around €135 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 6 months ahead, though much less when the mid-June or mid-December timetable change is in the offing.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to London & UK...

Option 1, Berlin to London by high-speed train & Eurostar...

• Travel from Berlin to Cologne & Brussels by high-speed ICE train, then take Eurostar to London.

  See the London to Germany page for train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

  You can buy Berlin to London rail tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

• Buy onward tickets from London to other British towns & cities at www.thetrainline.com.

  You collect tickets from the self-service ticket machines or in many cases you can print them out or show it on your phone.

  If you're booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train leaves from St Pancras, Kings Cross or Euston, I'd allow at least 1 hour between Eurostar arrival and any onward train to allow for delay, even though it only takes 3 minutes to walk across the road to Kings Cross or 10 minutes to walk to Euston.  I'd allow 90 minutes if booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train goes from Paddington, Waterloo or Liverpool Street as then you'll need to change stations by Underground or taxi.

Option 2, Berlin to London via the Hoek van Holland-Harwich ferry - the ferry alternative...

• Take a Intercity train from Berlin to Amsterdam, then travel overnight from Amsterdam to London, sleeping in a cosy private cabin on the Hoek van Holland - Harwich ferry with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  Inexpensive, comfortable and a chance to see Amsterdam on the way.

• See the London to Germany page for times, fares & how to buy tickets.

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Berlin to Dublin & Ireland...

Option 1, Berlin to Dublin via London & Holyhead - daily departures...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to London by high-speed train & Eurostar, see the London-Germany page for times, fares, how to buy tickets.

• Stay overnight in London, see suggested hotels near St Pancras.

• Day 2, travel from London Euston to Dublin on the morning train & ferry service, arriving Dublin Ferryport 17:25, see details here.

  It's only a 10 minute walk between St Pancras & Euston stations.  Rail & Sail is an inexpensive, fun and interesting way to go, see an illustrated account of the journey.  By all means stop off in London for longer if you like.

Option 2, Berlin to Dublin via Paris & Cherbourg - several times a week...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed train on any departure you like, as shown below.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend changing Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Stay overnight in Paris.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Dublin by train & ferry, taking a morning train from Paris St Lazare to Cherbourg & an overnight ferry to Dublin as shown in the Paris to Dublin section, arriving in the morning on Day 3.

  Irish Ferries sails Cherbourg-Dublin several times a week.  Start by booking the ferry at www.irishferries.com and add a train connection using www.thetrainline.com, see the Paris to Dublin section for full details.

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Berlin to Paris from €39.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Paris in a day...

• You can travel from Berlin to Paris by superb German ICE high-speed train & French TGV Duplex with cafe-bar or restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, city centre to city centre through the countryside, for example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 08:30 by ICE, change Mannheim onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:55.

  Berlin Hbf depart 12:30 by ICE, change Mannheim onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:41.

  Berlin Hbf depart 14:30 by ICE, change Mannheim onto an ICE3, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:52.

• Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and look for a suitable 1-change option.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. 

  Tip:  www.bahn.de won't suggest impossible connections, many connections simply involve stepping off one train, crossing the same island platform and stepping onto another train, which takes 2 minutes.  And as you get a through ticket you're protected, if you miss a connection you'll be rebooked on a later one free of charge.  But I'd seriously consider changing Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes to give more robust connections, so that a 15 minute delay doesn't mean a missed connection and a 2 hours late arrival.

• If you'd prefer the slightly faster route with 1 change via Cologne onto a Thalys high-speed train, simply use www.thetrainline.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.thetrainline.com or www.thalys.com.  For example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 06:46 by ICE, change at Cologne Hbf onto Thalys, arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 16:05.

  Berlin Hbf depart 10:46 by ICE, change at Cologne Hbf onto Thalys, arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 20:05.

  Berlin Hbf depart 12:46 by ICE, change at Cologne Hbf onto Thalys, arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 22:05.

A Germany-Paris ICE, at Paris Gare de l'Est.  More information about Paris-Germany ICEs.

Bistro-restaurant car...		Lunch in the restaurant car...

2nd class seats...		1st class seats...

Cafe-bar, at the other end of the restaurant car...		Meal served at my seat in 1st class...

Option 2, Berlin to Paris by high-speed train with an 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 22:27.  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 06:40 from Mannheim arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:51, with breakfast on board.  On Saturdays a 07:40 arrives Paris Gare de l'Est 10:53.  On Sundays a 07:38 arrives Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:38.

  But by all means have leisurely breakfast and take a later train, for example there's an 09:40 from Mannheim on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 12:52.

• Fares from Berlin to Paris start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Book from Berlin to Paris at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To get the overnight stop at Mannheim, click Stopover and enter Mannheim Hbf as a via station with a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours, in the hh:mm stopover box.

  I have set up this special link for you with the necessary stopover in Mannheim added, 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.

  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show on your laptop or smartphone.

• Alternatively, stop overnight in Cologne...

  Step 1, travel from Berlin to Cologne by ICE train in 4h17 from €27.90, booked 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.

  Step 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train in 3h21 from €35 booked at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.thalys.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  The 06:44 Thalys from Cologne Hbf arrives Paris Gare du Nord at 10:05, or there's an 08:44 arriving 12:05, or later trains of course.

Option 3, the lo-cost option from Berlin to Paris:  Berlin-Cologne by Flixtrain from €9.99, lunch in Cologne, Cologne-Paris by Thalys from €35.

• Although DB sell through Berlin-Paris tickets from €39.90, these rise in price fairly steeply as departure approaches.  There's a lo-cost option which can save money especially when booking closer to departure date.  It also gives you an afternoon to have a late lunch and explore Cologne - remembering that as you are now buying two separate tickets, you should not risk tight connections between the two trains.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Cologne by lo-cost Flixtrain, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:28 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 13:45.

  Times vary by day, sometimes there are two trains, sometimes it's an afternoon train so an overnight stop in Cologne would be necessary, see what's running on your date.

  The Flixtrain has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  Fares start at €9.99 booked at www.flixtrain.com.

  Fares vary dynamically rising as departure date approaches, but not as steeply as other operators.  Flixtrain is an older train compared to DB's luxurious high-speed ICEs, but it still travels at up to 125mph and offers old-school space and comfort, even opening windows.

• Step 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys, leaving Cologne Hbf at 16:43 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 20:08.

  The Thalys has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Just allow hours not minutes for connections, as you are buying separate tickets so are taking the risk of a missed connection yourself.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.thalys.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee) and print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.

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

• This is a round-about route, but Amsterdam is such a great place for a stopover 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.  You can leave Berlin as late as 16:34, see the Berlin to Amsterdam timetable & photos of the train & sights to see on the way.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Stay overnight in Amsterdam...

  Suggested hotels with good or great review include 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 Thalys high-speed train in 3h20.

  There is a departure every couple of hours through the day, if you caught the first departure at 06:15 you could reach central Paris as early as 09:35.  The trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  More information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.thalys.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

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Berlin to Strasbourg...

• You can travel from Berlin to Strasbourg in around 6h30 with just 1 change, using a high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi from Berlin Hbf to Mannheim or Frankfurt, then another ICE or a TGV Duplex to Strasbourg.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  Look for 1-change journeys with a cheap fare shown, from €42.90 upwards.

• Tip:  It's possible to travel more cheaply, with more frequent departures, using a direct Berlin-Offenburg ICE train then a regional train from Offenburg to Strasbourg.

  The catch?  Bahn.de only shows an expensive €139 full-flex fare for these useful 1-change journeys.

  The solution?  Split the booking!  First check Berlin to Strasbourg times via Offenburg using this special link to bahn.de, just enter your date of travel and you should see departures every 2 hours with 1 change.  Then use www.bahn.de to book Berlin-Offenburg on the train you want with advance-purchase Sparpreis fares from just €17.50.  Then use www.bahn.de again to buy a fixed-price full-flex ticket from Offenburg to Strasbourg for €9.90, good for any Offenburg-Strasbourg regional train that day.  Easy!

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Berlin to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Nice & other cities in France...

Option 1, using the direct TGV from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence & Marseille - recommended, avoids having to cross Paris!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Mannheim or Frankfurt by ICE train.  On Mondays-Fridays you leave Berlin Hbf at 08:30 and get off in Mannheim.  On Saturdays & Sundays you leave Berlin Hbf at 09:04 and get off at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Mannheim or Frankfurt to France by TGV Duplex,  On Mondays-Fridays leave Mannheim at 14:39, on Saturdays & Sundays leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:57, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:11, Aix en Provence 21:33 & Marseille St Charles 21:49.

  This impressive double-deck TGV Duplex runs direct from Frankfurt & Karlsruhe to Lyon & the South of France every day, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

• Step 3, stay overnight in Marseille and continue to Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan or Toulouse next day.

• Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• How to buy tickets...

  Book from Berlin to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  In theory you can take a later train from Berlin, but you don't want to miss the one train per day from Germany to Marseille because of a 10 minute delay so I recommend changing Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes so you get the trains I suggest above.

  If you're going beyond Marseille (for example, to Nice, Montpellier or Perpignan), book the onward French train at www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).

Option 2, Berlin to Lyon & the South of France via Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Paris as shown above.

• Cross Paris by metro or taxi...  Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris.  You may need to stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.

• Step 2, take an onward train from Paris to Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice or anywhere in France.

  Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).  Booking for French trains open up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

Option 3, Berlin to Lyon & the South of France using the Berlin-Basel Nightjet sleeper train...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Basel SBB by Nightjet sleeper train as shown in the Berlin to Switzerland section, leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:54 and arriving Basel SBB at 07:20.  Book this at www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

• Step 2, take a Swiss domestic train to Geneva and a TER regional train to Lyon Part Dieu, arriving around 13:34.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Step 3, take an onward train to Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan, also booked at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com.

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Berlin to Brussels & Bruges from €27.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Brussels by high-speed train - fastest & most comfortable...

• High-speed ICE2 trains link Berlin and Cologne every hour in just 4h19, connecting with ICE3 trains from Cologne to Brussels Midi in just 1h52.  These superb German ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times vary, but for example...

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 13:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:46 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 15:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:46 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 17:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 12:46 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 19:35.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:46 by ICE2, change at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3, arrive Brussels Midi at 21:35.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Prices vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets from Berlin to Brussels or anywhere in Belgium at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  Look for journeys with just 1 change.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• You can also book at www.thetrainline.com which can also book journeys using Thalys between Cologne and Brussels - however, I'd stick with the through ticketing and through pricing offered by German Railways' ICE trains.  You print your ticket on A4 paper (US Letter size paper is fine) or show on your smartphone following their instructions.

Option 2, the lo-cost option from Berlin to Brussels:  Berlin-Cologne by Flixtrain from €9.99, lunch in Cologne, Cologne-Brussels by Thalys or ICE from €19.

• Although DB sell through Berlin-Brussels tickets from €27.90, these rise in price fairly steeply as departure approaches.  There's a lo-cost option which can save money especially when booking closer to departure date.  It also gives you an afternoon to have a late lunch and explore Cologne - remembering that as you are now buying two separate tickets, you should not risk a tight connection between the two trains.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Cologne by lo-cost Flixtrain, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:28 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 13:45.

  Times vary by day, sometimes there are two trains, sometimes it's an afternoon train so an overnight stop in Cologne would be necessary, see what's running on your date.

  The Flixtrain has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  Fares start at just €9.99 booked at www.flixtrain.com.  Fares vary dynamically rising as departure date approaches, but not as steeply as other operators.  Flixtrain is an older train compared to DB's luxurious high-speed ICEs, but it still travels at up to 125mph and offers old-school space and comfort, even opening windows.

• Step 2, travel from Cologne to Brussels by high-speed Thalys in just 1h52 or so, from €19.  At the time I write this, there's a 16:43 from Cologne Hbf arriving Brussels Midi at 18:35.

  Just allow hours not minutes for connections, as you are buying separate tickets, so are taking the risk of a missed connection yourself.

  The Thalys has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €19, varying dynamically of course as departure date approaches.  Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.thalys.com and print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.

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Berlin to Amsterdam from €37.90:  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, see the timetable here.

  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 €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• See the Berlin to Amsterdam InterCity train page for 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 €37.90...

• Berlin to Luxembourg takes around 7h55 by train.

  The last leg from Koblenz to Luxembourg is very scenic, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the left hand side when going west from Koblenz (the train leaves Koblenz station heading north before turning west).

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  In the search results, look for journeys involving just 1 change at Koblenz, or sometimes 2 changes.  Avoid journeys involving 2 or 3 changes or anything marked bus.

  Tip:  To avoid journeys involving a bus cluttering up the search results, click Stopover and enter Igel as a via station.  The trains all call at Igel, the buses don't!

Koblenz to Luxembourg by double deck regional train.  This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.		2nd class on the upper deck.  Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side of the train going east from Luxembourg, left hand side going west from Koblenz.

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Berlin to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from €37.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Switzerland by sleeper train - the time-effective option...

• An excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 20:54 every night, arriving Basel SBB at 07:20 & Zurich HB at 09:05 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

• Book this train at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, a bit more fiddly, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Tip:  At www.raileurope.com, this train may be listed in the search results twice, once as seats, once as couchettes/sleepers.  Choose the latter!

• Change in Basel for Luzern, Bern, Interlaken, Lausanne, Geneva.  Change in Zurich for Lugano, Chur, St Moritz, Davos, Klosters.

  Buy onward tickets within Switzerland at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $) or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF).  You print your own ticket.

  Tip:  If you wait until 60 days or less before your travel date, you may find Supersaver fares available for longer Swiss domestic journeys (for example, Basel-Geneva), saving up to 70% off the regular flexible fare.  Supersaver fares commit you to a specific train, so I'd allow at least an hour between the Nightjet arrival and an onward train.

The Nightjet sleeper from Berlin to Basel & Zurich, boarding on platform 3 at Berlin Hbf.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car at Zurich HB...

Option 2, Berlin to Switzerland by daytime train...

• Comfortable German ICE trains link Berlin Hbf with Basel SBB every 2 hours from 04:30 until 16:30, with connections for cities all over Switzerland.  Some of these ICE trains continue beyond Basel to Bern & Interlaken.

  These ICE trains have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE trains.  Most of these trains are now of the ICE4 type.

  Berlin-Basel takes 7h17 centre to centre, Berlin to Bern 8h26, a chill-out journey with a good book and perhaps lunch in the restaurant car.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, this can book to almost any station in Switzerland for one inclusive price.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  In the search results, look for trains marked ICE with 0 changes if going to Basel, Zurich, Bern or Interlaken, or ideally just 1 change if going beyond those stations.

Option 3, Berlin to Switzerland 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 19:28 by ICE train arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 23:58, but by all means take an earlier train.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have stayed at and can recommend.  There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 2, take any morning train you like from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 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!

• Fares from Berlin to Switzerland start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Berlin to anywhere in Switzerland at www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To get the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopover and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf as a via station with a suitable stopover duration.

  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.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Verona or Venice from €49.90...

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

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:05 arriving Munich Hbf 22:01.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE trains.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Personally, I'd take the earlier 16:30 ICE (they run regularly through the day) and have dinner in Munich between trains.  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving at Venice Santa Lucia at 08:34.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, tips, photos & video.

  The train rumbles across the causeway over the lagoon and arrives at Venice Santa Lucia in central Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, a bit more fiddly, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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 06:30 arriving Munich Hbf at 11:02.

  These superb German ICE trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), they have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More information about ICE trains.

  Tip:  Consider booking the earlier & faster 06:01 ICE from Berlin Hbf arriving Munich Hbf at 10:02, for a more robust connection in Munich and 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 Venice by EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 & arriving Verona P. Nuova 16:58 & Venice S. Lucia 18:25.

  This Austrian EuroCity train travels via the lovely scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here.  It rolls over the causeway across the lagoon and arrives in central Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

• Fares from Berlin to Venice start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  If you'd like the earlier 06:01 from Berlin Mondays-Saturdays, simply adjust Duration of transfer from standard to at least 35 minutes.

Option 3, Berlin to Venice  with overnight stop in Munich - as option 2, but with an overnight stop.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich on an early-evening ICE high-speed train in as little as 3h58.

  You can leave Berlin Hbf as late as 20:05 arriving Munich Hbf at 00:01, but by all means book an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Munich.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a 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, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Venice by EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 & arriving Verona P. Nuova 16:58 & Venice S. Lucia 18:25.

  This Austrian EuroCity train travels via the lovely scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here.  It rolls over the causeway across the lagoon and arrives in central Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

  There's also a 07:34 EuroCity train from Munich Hbf to Verona every day, extended to Venice on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:25, change at Verona on weekdays.  Or take the 09:34 from Munich Hbf arriving Venice 16:40, although this requires a change of train in Verona on all days.

• Fares from Berlin to Venice start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Enter Berlin Hbf to Venice then click Stopover 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 18:25.  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 laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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

Option 1, Berlin to Italy using the Nightjet sleeper train from Munich to Milan, Bologna, Florence or Rome - the most time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin Hbf at 14:30 and arriving Munich Hbf at 19:03.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE.  Personally, I'd take the earlier 12:05 or 12:30 ICE from Berlin and have dinner in Munich:  For Bavarian food and a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

  Fares start at €17.50 in 2nd class or €26.40 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Italy by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Bologna Centrale 05:15, Florence SMN 06:32 & Rome Termini 09:10.  A separate portion goes to Milan Porta Garibaldi arriving 08:10.

  Each portion of this comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, take an onward train from Rome to Naples, Rome to Sicily or Milan to Genoa (for example), allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Rome or Milan.  Book the onward Italian ticket separately at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, recognisees English place-names) or 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, read this advice on using it first).

The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Rome, boarding on platform 11 at Munich Hbf.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car.

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 06:30 and arriving Munich Hbf at 11:02. 

  ICE trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE.

  Tip:  Consider taking the earlier & faster 06:01 ICE from Berlin Hbf arriving Munich Hbf at 10:02 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 Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving Verona P. Nuova at 16:58.

  This train takes the scenic Brenner Pass through the Alps, see the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video.

• Step 3, travel from Verona to Florence or Rome by high-speed Frecciarossa, leaving Verona P. Nuova at 17:52 arriving Florence SMN 19:24 & Rome Termini 21:10.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona in case of delay.

• How much does it cost?

  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.

  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• To buy tickets the easy way...

  Go to www.raileurope.com.  This connects to both the German and Italian ticket systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place.  You can pay in €, £ or $.  There's a small booking fee.  Anyone from any country can book this way.

  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 Raileurope.com correctly splits the booking at Verona.

• To buy tickets the advanced way...

  This should make no difference to the price, it involves more work.  First book from Berlin to Verona Porta Nuova at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone or laptop.  Tip:  If you'd like the earlier 06:01 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.raileurope.com (easy to use, prices in €, £ or $, small booking fee), 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 €, you'll need to use Italian language place names and it has a few other quirks so see this advice on using it).  Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 3, Berlin to Italy via the Brenner Pass with overnight stop in Munich - as option 2 but with an overnight stop...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Munich on any ICE high-speed train you like in as little as 3h58.

  You can leave Berlin Hbf as late as 20:05 arriving 00:01 on most days, but by all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a restaurant car 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 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 P. Nuova which extends direct to Venice Santa Lucia on Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:25.

  There's an 09:34 to Verona P. Nuova & Bologna.

  There's an 11:34 to Verona P. Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia, arriving 18:25.

• 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 P. Nuova to Florence SMN takes just 2h35, Verona P. Nuova to Rome Termini as little as 2h50 if you choose a direct train.

• How much does it cost?

  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 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, Bologna to Rome starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, book from Berlin to Verona or (if using a direct train) Bologna or Venice at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, clicking Stopover and entering Munich in the via box and (say) 13:00 in the hh:mm stopover box - I've set up this bahn.de link with the necessary parameters for you.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, adjusting the Munich stopover time as necessary.  If you want an earlier or later train between Berlin & Munich simply adjust the Berlin departure time and the Munich stopover duration.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Step 2, 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, read this advice on using it first).  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to change in Verona in case of any delay.  Booking for Italian trains opens up to 4 months ahead.

  Alternatively, you can book all of these trains together in one place at www.raileurope.com, just add each train to your basket and pay at the end when you check out.  Plain English, prices in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone, the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless.

Option 4, Berlin to Italy using the Berlin-Zurich Nightjet sleeper train, then a scenic ride through the Alps...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:54 and arriving Zurich HB at 09:05 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Look for the train marked NJ (Nightjet) with 0 changes.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 11:10 and arriving Milan Centrale at 14:50.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels through the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard route, with great views of various Swiss & Italian lakes, passing through the World's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

• Step 3, travel from Milan Centrale to Florence SMN, Rome Termini or Naples Centrale by high-speed Frecciarossa, or take the hourly fast train to Verona & Venice Santa Lucia.  For example, you'd reach Florence SMN 17:04, Rome Termini 18:40 or Venice Santa Lucia 17:47.

• Buy tickets from Zurich to anywhere in Italy at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, prices in €, £ or $, small booking fee), or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, prices in €, $ or £, they'll refund their €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 5, Berlin to Italy by daytime trains via the Swiss Alps - also a scenic ride, in a day or with overnight stop...

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

• Step 1, use www.bahn.de to book from Berlin Hbf to Basel SBB with fares from €37.90 upwards.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 2, book an onward journey from Basel to Florence, Venice, Rome or wherever at www.thetrainline.com (easiest, means you can buy all your tickets together in one place, small booking fee) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names).  I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Basel or Zurich.

• 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, Madrid & Spain from €79...

Option 1, Berlin to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris, for example leaving Berlin Hbf at 12:30, changing at Mannheim and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:41.

  By all means take an earlier train and have a leisurely dinner in Paris.  You travel from Berlin to Mannheim by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, then Mannheim to Paris by impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar.  Both trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  I'd change duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes for a more robust connection, so that a 20 minute delay doesn't mean a missed connection and 2 hour late arrival.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews include the 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 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:54.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly, in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Tip:  See advice about sometimes getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona Sants to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante & other Spanish cities by high-speed train...

  Check times and buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up). 

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Barcelona.  You print your own ticket.  For Seville, Cordoba & Malaga you'll need to stop in Barcelona overnight.

Option 2, Berlin to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Marseille...

• This avoids having to cross Paris, but still uses high-quality high-speed trains 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 08:30 on weekdays or 09:04 at weekends by ICE train to Mannheim or Frankfurt (Main) Hbf then the direct high-speed TGV Duplex to Marseille St Charles arriving 21:49.

  Both the ICE & TGV Duplex have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The ICE has a restaurant car, the TGV Duplex a cafe-bar.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  In theory you can take a later train from Berlin, but you don't want to miss the one train per day from Germany to Marseille because of a 10 minute delay so I recommend changing duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes so you get the trains I suggest above.

• Stay overnight in Marseille:  Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

• Step 2, travel from Marseille to Spain by AVE S-100 high-speed train leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:02 arriving Barcelona Sants 12:34 & Madrid Atocha 15:45.

  Fares from Marseille to Barcelona start at €25 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Fares from Marseille to Madrid start at €35 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train...

  For example, there's a direct train from Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:45.

  Check times and buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up). 

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Barcelona.  You print your own ticket.  For Seville, Cordoba & Malaga you'll need to stop in Barcelona overnight.

Option 3, Berlin to Paris by high-speed train, French sleeper train to the Spanish border & onward Spanish trains...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:30 by ICE train, changing at Karlsruhe onto an impressive 320 km/h TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:05.

  Both trains have catering, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats.  By all means take an earlier train and have a leisurely dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Step 2, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:14.  Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving around 14:00.

  See the Paris to Barcelona by sleeper train page for full details, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations next morning...

  For Madrid:  AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:45 arriving Cordoba & Seville Santa Justa in the evening.  Fares start at around €45.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  A EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:50 and Alicante at 20:37.  Fares start from €23.

  Check Spanish train times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see my advice before using it).  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Barcelona.

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Berlin to San Sebastian...

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

• Stay overnight in Paris...

  Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews:  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (1-star).

  Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews:  Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the station, 4-star);  Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk from station, 3-star);  La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star);  Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 10:11 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.

  An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 11:47.

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

  Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).  French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt.  Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station.  See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

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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, as shown in the Berlin to Paris section above.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:54.

  This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, see an account of the sights to see from the train on the way.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These websites connect to both SNCF and Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy tickets for both trains together in one place.

  Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 18:25 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 20:55.

  The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More information about trains from Barcelona to Madrid.

  Fares start at €38 in Standard class or €45 in Comfort class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These websites connect to both SNCF and Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy tickets for both trains together in one place.

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.

• Stay overnight in Madrid.  The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.

• Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.

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Berlin to Andorra...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed ICE, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:30, changing trains at Karlsruhe & arriving Paris Est at 18:05.

  Fares start from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Before running the enquiry, I recommend changing Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes.  This avoids risky 15-minute connections when you've onward connections in Paris.  And always allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

  Tip:  I recommend dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling over the bridge across the Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to either Toulouse or l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:14 arriving l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre at 08:46, or leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:45 arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 07:05.

  These Intercités de Nuit have 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class reclining seats.

  Fares start at €35 in a 2nd class couchette or €65 in a 1st class couchette.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  The Paris-L'Hospitalet night train should run daily all year, but there are occasional dates or periods when it doesn't run due to track work, so check for your date of travel.  It also has an annoying habit of opening late for booking, less than the expected 4 months ahead, so don't be too impatient.  If it's not running to l'Hospitalet on your date of travel, check the night train from Paris to Toulouse.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

  Tip:  If getting off in Toulouse, I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel, a few minutes walk from the station.

• Step 3 if you go via Toulouse (slower, longer road journey, but cheaper):  Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus.

  A bus run by Andbus (www.andorrabybus.com) typically leaves Toulouse at 11:00, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 15:00.  Check current times at www.andorrabybus.com, I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.

  The bus leaves from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routière (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station.  Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right.  The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.

  Book the bus at www.andorrabybus.com.  The fare is around €33 one-way.

• Step 3 if you go via l'Hospitalet (fastest, more rail & less road, but with expense of a taxi):  Enjoy the scenic train ride into the Pyrenees to l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre, then travel from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella by road, see the London to Andorra page for taxi details.

Paris to Toulouse or l'Hospitalet by Intercité de Nuit, seen here at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz:  More information about Intercité de Nuit trains.  Watch the video.  Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

1st class 4-berth couchettes, as recently refurbished.  Courtesy of @Bristol_Phil.  Photo in 2nd class courtesy Dan Chester.		2nd class 6-berth couchettes		Chilling in the corridor...  Courtesy Dan Chester.

Upper berths, 2nd class, showing compartment lighting & temperature controls above door.  Courtesy of Dan Chester.		Each couchette is provided with pillow, lightweight sleeping bag, bottled water & kit with ear plugs and eye mask.

If you choose to go via l'Hospitalet, you stay on the sleeper train as it climbs into the Pyrenees south of Toulouse.  This is Foix, between Toulouse & l'Hospitalet.  The castle is on the right just south of the station.

Beyond Foix, the sleeper train climbs higher into the mountains...

...and arrives at l'Hospitalet-pres-l'Andorre station, pictured above right...

Road transport to Andorra...  This is a Toulouse to Andorra bus at Toulouse bus stand 15.		The bus station in Toulouse Matabiau forecourt.  Photo courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.

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Berlin to Vienna from €37.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Vienna by railjet train departing 06:17 - a leisurely daytime option with restaurant car...

• A swish Austrian railjet train called the Vindobona leaves Berlin Hbf at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:49.

  This modern railjet train has 2nd class, 1st class, business class (= premium 1st class, just 6 luxurious seats at one end of the train) and a restaurant car.  There's free WiFi & power sockets at all seats.  In 1st & business class a steward takes food orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat.

  Although it takes a bit longer than the direct ICE train in option 2 below, this train is routed via Dresden & Prague, and the scenery along the Elbe river valley more than makes up for that, see the scenery photos & video for the Berlin to Prague part of the journey here.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class or €84.90 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Stopover in Prague?  Consider booking this train to Prague, spending between 2 & 8 hours in Prague, then taking a later train from Prague to Vienna, these run every 2 hours.  To do this, simply click Stopover before running your Berlin-Vienna enquiry at www.bahn.de, enter Prague and a stopover duration between 2 & 8 hours.  You could of course choose a later departures from Berlin if you like, too.

The early morning railjet to Vienna, about to leave Berlin Hbf platform 1.  More information about railjets.

Business class.  About business class.		Restaurant.  In 1st & business you're served at your seat.

First class.		Economy (2nd) class.

The railjet Vindobona ready to leave Berlin Hbf.

Option 2, Berlin to Vienna by ICE train departing 10:05 - a leisurely daytime option with restaurant car...

• A superb German ICE-T train called the Berolina leaves Berlin Hbf at 10:04 every day and arrives Vienna Hbf at 17:45.

  It has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICEs.  In 1st & business class a steward takes food orders from the restaurant menu and serves them at your seat.  This train is routed through Germany via Nuremberg.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• 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.  This new direct train travels via Nuremberg, but there are lots of trains between Berlin and Nuremberg, and a train between Nuremberg & Vienna every couple of hours.

  It's easy to book a Berlin-Vienna train ride with up to 8 hours in Nuremberg between trains, and still benefit from a cheap fare from €37.90.  At www.bahn.de, simply click Stopover, 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).

Option 3, Berlin to Vienna by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option...

• An excellent nightjet sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 & arrives Vienna Hbf at 07:00 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

The Nightjet sleeper from Berlin to Vienna, boarding on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Munich-Amsterdam Nightjet.

Option 4, Berlin to Vienna with overnight stop in Prague...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Prague on any EuroCity train you like, for example leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 21:35.

  There's a train every two hours through the day, so by all means take an earlier train and have an afternoon and/or evening in Prague.  It's a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe river valley south of Dresden, on a train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi, see the tips, photos & video on the Berlin to Prague by train page.

• 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, travel from Prague to Vienna on any railjet train you like, for example leaving Prague Hlavni at 06:12 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:49.

  By all means take a later train, they run every two hours through the day, see the timetable here.  Railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Book from Berlin to Vienna at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To get the overnight stop in Prague, click Stopover, enter Prague and a duration of up to 48 hours (the maximum allowed on a cheap Sparpreis fare) in the hh:mm stopover box.  I have set up this link to do that for you.  Adjust the departure time and increase the stopover duration to get the trains you want with the length of time you want in Prague.

  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.

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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.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print out your own ticket or you can show it on your smartphone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Berlin to Salzburg takes as little as 6h37 from as little with 1 easy level-access change at Munich Hbf.  Just use www.bahn.de to find times and buy tickets.  The journey involves a superb high-speed ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Munich Hbf with bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then a EuroCity train or railjet train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg.  I've even seen a Berlin-Salzburg fare as low as €19.90, but there aren't many of those!

• Tip:  Look in the search results for journeys with the fewest transfers, and feel free to change Duration of transfer from standard to (say) at least 30 minutes for more robust connections.

• Tip:  Check www.thetrainline.com or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at as well, as although fares also start from €29.90 I've often seen cheaper fares on the Austrian Railways system than bahn.de on a given date & train.  You also get a print-at-home ticket.

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Berlin to Legoland, Odense & Copenhagen from €37.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Copenhagen by daytime trains, daily all year round...

• Several daily departures link Berlin with Copenhagen, with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:36, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 13:33.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:33.

  The Hamburg-Copenhagen trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi in Denmark, there's no catering on these trains so bring your own food & drink.

• An altered timetable applies from 18 June to 21 August 2022:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 15:33.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 12:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 19:33.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 16:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 23:33.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Option 2, Berlin to Copenhagen by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily April-September, certain dates in October...

• Step 1, travel overnight from Berlin to Malmö by Snälltåget sleeper train.

  This is a summer-only sleeper train from Berlin to Copenhagen, Malmö & Stockholm run by private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se).

  It runs every day from 8 April to 24 September 2022 and certain dates in October.

  It leaves Berlin Hbf at 20:58, Hamburg Hbf at 23:59 and arrives Malmö Central station at 07:25.

  The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for any number of people up to 6.

  Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a couchette in a shared 6-berth compartment, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a whole couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.  The train uses Berlin Gesundbrunnen instead of Berlin Hbf on certain dates.

  Tip:  Book from Berlin to Kobenhavn H, this will then include the connecting Öresund train.

• Step 2, travel from Malmö to Copenhagen main station by Öresund train, these run every 20 minutes or so, taking 39 minutes, there's one at 08:01 arriving Copenhagen 08:37.

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Berlin to Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmö from €56.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train, starting 1 September 2022 - the time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:38 and arriving Hamburg Altona at 20:38.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train you don't want to miss.  Have dinner in Hamburg.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Altona at 21:55 & arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.

  This train started running on 1 September 2022.  Procured by the Swedish government and run by Swedish Railways SJ, the train has sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  The sleeping-cars are former Austrian Railways AB32s, refurbished.  More information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

  Update: This train is initially running only with 4 & 6-berth couchettes. Delivery of refurbished sleeping-cars & formal approval of the seats cars have been delayed.

  Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  Book tickets at either www.sj.se or (as this is a Nightjet partner route) Austrian Railways www.oebb.at.

  Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

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, Berlin to Stockholm by train in a single day - the comfortable daytime option...

• You can buy tickets from Berlin to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, DB offer Berlin-Malmo, Berlin-Gothenburg & Berlin-Stockholm Sparpreis fares from €56.90.

  Booking opens 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• It's possible to do Berlin-Stockholm or Berlin-Gothenburg in a single day if you leave Berlin at 06:38 or 10:38...

  ...with an easy change at Hamburg Hbf and Copenhagen.  From 18 June to 22 August 2022, departures from Berlin are at 08:38 & 10:38.  Check times and prices at www.bahn.de.  If bahn.de won't come up with prices, book Berlin-Copenhagen at www.bahn.de then book Copenhagen-Stockholm separately at www.sj.se or Omio.com.

• 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 Stopover, 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 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).

Option 3, Berlin to Stockholm using the Malmö-Stockholm sleeper... 

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:33.

  You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish intercity train with free WiFi when in Denmark.  In Copenhagen you've time for dinner.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket of show it on your laptop or smartphone. 

• Step 2, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central by Öresund train, leaving Copenhagen at 20:50 or earlier, they run every 20 minutes taking 39 minutes.

• Step 3, travel from Malmö to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays around 22:35 arriving Stockholm Central around 06:00.  There's no sleeper on Saturday nights.

  The train has 6-berth couchettes, sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth compartments and a 1st class sleeping car with 1 & 2 bed compartments with shower & toilet.

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Stockholm at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se with cheap fares 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).

Option 4, Berlin to Malmo & Stockholm by direct Snälltåget sleeper train, daily April-September & certain dates in October...

• Private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se) runs a summer-only sleeper train from Berlin to Malmo & Stockholm.

  It runs every day from 8 April to 24 September 2022.  Dates after September 2022 may be announced in due course.

  It leaves Berlin Hbf at 20:58, Hamburg Hbf at 23:59 and arrives Malmo 07:25 & Stockholm 14:16.

• The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  There's a restaurant car between Malmo & Stockholm, which they call the Krogen (the pub).  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for 1 person or any number of people up to 6.

  The train normally consists of 5 cars from Berlin: 2 cars only going as far as Malmo, and 2 couchette cars & 1 seats car going all the way to Stockholm.  The Berlin-Stockholm cars are attached to a Snälltåget daytime train between Malmö & Stockholm.

  This train used to run only as far as Malmo and only twice a week, in 2021 it was extended to Stockholm and expanded to run daily in high summer.  In 2022 it's further expanded to daily throughout the operating period.

• Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a couchette in a shared 6-berth compartment, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a whole couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

• See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets.  Uses Berlin Gesundbrunnen instead of Berlin Hbf on certain dates.

Option 5, Berlin to Gothenburg using Stena Line's Kiel-Gothenburg overnight ferry...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Kiel by train in the early afternoon.

  The journey takes around 3h30, you'll typically find a train leaving Berlin Hbf around 12:40 with 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf.  However, you should book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train that arrives at Kiel Hbf around 2 hours before the ferry sails.

  Book the train at the German Railways site www.bahn.de. 

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  In Kiel, the ferry terminal is 750m from the station, a 9-minute walk, see walking map.

• Step 2, sail overnight from Kiel to Gothenburg by Stena Line ferry.

  The ferry normally sails at 18:45 and arrives around 09:15, but times may vary so check online.

  The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.  You can add dinner & breakfast to your ticket when you book.

  Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €75-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.

  Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

  In Gothenburg, the ferry terminal is a short taxi ride (or 4.3 km 53-minute walk) from Goteborg Central station, see walking map.

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Berlin to Oslo & Norway...

Option 1, Berlin to Oslo 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 09:27, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral at 17:51, but check times online.

Option 2, Berlin to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo...

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

  Fares start at €23.90 in 2nd class or €33.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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 using the Direct Ferries website or www.colorline.com.

  Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord.  The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre.  Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis.  If you have little luggage it's possible to walk.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Option 3, Berlin to Oslo, by train to Copenhagen then DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo - cheaper than Color Line...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Frederikshavn by train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:38, changing at Hamburg Hbf, Aarhus & Aalborg Vestby, arriving Frederikshavn at 18:26.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  The Berlin-Hamburg train is a superb ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The Hamburg to Aarhus train is a Danish IC3 intercity train.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  In Frederikshavn it's a 1.3 km 16 minute walk from station to ferry terminal, see walking route map.  If you find a good restaurant for dinner, let me know!

• Step 2, sail from Frederikshavn to Oslo overnight by luxurious cruise ferry with DFDS Seaways, leaving Frederikshavn ferry terminal at 23:45 and arriving Oslo at 09:15 next day.

  Check times, prices & buy tickets at www.dfds.co.uk or using the Direct Ferries website.

  All passengers travel in comfortable private cabins with en suite toilet & shower and satellite TV.  To travel in luxury, treat yourself to DFDS's famous Commodore Class, some suites with private balconies with sea view..  The ship has bars & restaurants for breakfast on board, you can pre-book breakfast with your ticket.  There's also a sauna.  The ships on this route are the Crown Seaways or Pearl Seaways.

  Make sure you're on deck in the morning when the ferry sails up the scenic Oslo Fjord, a stunning way to arrive in Norway.  You'll see coast on either side of the ship from about 06:30 and she enters the narrow part of the fjord by about 07:00.

  Incidentally, from 2021 it's no longer possible to pick this ferry up in Copenhagen where it starts, as it now leaves too early for a robust connection with even the first train of the day from Hamburg.

  At the DFDS ferry terminal, you can check yourself in at the self-service check-in machines just inside the entrance.  You enter your booking reference, scan your passport, and it produces your boarding pass/cabin key.  You then pass through a fairly nominal customs check and walk onto the ferry.

  In Oslo you can walk from the ferry terminal the city centre in 15-20 minutes, or you can take a taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between the ferry's arrival and any onward train from Oslo Sentral.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Commodore Class suite with double bed on board the DFDS superferry to Oslo.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

Scenery in Oslo Fjord on the voyage to Norway...  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

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Berlin to Helsinki & Finland...

Option 1, Berlin to Helsinki using a direct ferry from Germany - the easiest option...

• Finnlines sail from Travemünde in Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding from 22:30 to 24:00 and arriving Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal at 09:00 2 nights later.  First go to www.finnlines.com to check sailing dates, times & to book the ferry.  Then travel as follows:

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Lübeck Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal.

  Take an ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Hamburg Hbf, then take a local train from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck, these run every 30 minutes during the day, hourly in the evening, journey time 42-43 minutes.

  At Lübeck, leave the station and follow the signs to the ZOB bus station.  Lübeck is a good place for dinner with plenty of bars & restaurants in the old town 5 minutes walk from the bus station.

  Now take a bus from Lübeck bus station to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal (this is not the same stop as Travemünde Skandinavienkai), the bus ride takes 28 minutes, the last bus goes around 21:00.

  You can check journey times from Berlin to Travemünde Skandinavienkai Terminal at the German Railways website, just use this link to bahn.de as it has the bus times in its database as well as the trains, or you can find bus information at www.xn--sv-lbeck-95a.de.

• Step 2, sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines.

  At the terminal, walk into the unassuming building next to the bus stop for check in.  You're looking for a large building marked HafenHaus and with a green neon Check in sign by the front door.  After check-in, you go downstairs to a large waiting hall, with a bar/cafe open until 10pm, toilets and a large supermarket open until 01:30 selling alcohol and chocolate.

  Check-in normally opens at 21:00 and the ship boards from 22:30 to 24:00, foot passengers are driven onto the car deck in a minibus.  The ship sails at 03:00 arriving at Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal outside Helsinki at 09:00 the following day (2 nights from Hamburg).

  The ship may not be quite as glamorous as some other cruise ferries on the Baltic, but it has all the essentials:  Comfortable cabins with private shower & toilet and free internet access (but not WiFi, so bring a network cable), restaurant, shop, bar, sundeck, and (naturally, being Finnish) a sauna.  It's a very civilised way to travel.

• Step 3, transfer from the Vuosaari ferry terminal to central Helsinki.  Helsinki's new Hansa Ferry Terminal in the Vuosaari Harbour is 16 km east of central Helsinki.  There is a bus connection (bus 90B) between Vuosaari harbour and Vuosaari metro station.  Take the metro from Vuosaari into central Helsinki, journey time 25 minutes.  Map of Helsinki showing Vuosaari.

Option 2, Berlin to Helsinki, by train to Stockholm then ferry...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Stockholm by train using any of the options shown in the Berlin to Sweden section.

• Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki either by direct overnight cruise ferry, or by daytime or overnight ferry to Turku and connecting train to Helsinki as shown on the Trains & ferries from Stockholm page.

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Berlin to Prague from €18.90...

• Air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Berlin Hbf and Prague Hlavni every couple of hours in 4h19. It's the recommended way to travel between these cities, as fast or faster than flying, much cheaper and far less hassle.

  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?

• Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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

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Berlin to Český Krumlov for €29.40...

• You can travel from Berlin to Český Krumlov by swish EuroCity train from Berlin to Prague along the scenic Elbe river, then by comfortable Czech express train from Prague to Ceske Budejovice (formerly Budweis, that's right, where the name of the beer comes from) then on a little local train along the branch line to Cesky Krumlov.  Bring some beer and a good book and enjoy the ride!  There are several possible departures every day, for example:

  Berlin Hbf depart 07:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 15:11.

  Berlin Hbf depart 09:16, change at Prague Hlavni & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 16:57.

  Berlin Hbf depart 11:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 18:56.

  Berlin Hbf depart 13:16, change at Prague Hlavni & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 20:58.

  Berlin Hbf depart 15:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 23:43.

  Check train times from Berlin to Cesky Krumlov at www.bahn.de, although you won't see prices at this stage.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Ceske Budejovice starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €36.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov costs around 40 Czech Koruna, about €1.55.

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, go to the German Railways website www.bahn.de and book from Berlin Hbf to Ceske Budejovice.

  If you try booking to Cesky Krumlov you won't see any prices, it'll just say Determine price.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  If you'd like a stopover in Prague on the way, simply click Stopover, enter Prague and whatever stopover duration you want between 2h and 48h, and it'll programme in the stop for a similar end-to-end price.

  Step 2, you buy a local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Český Krumlov from the machine on board the train on the day or (if there's time) at the distinctive green & orange GWTR ticket kiosk at Ceske Budejovice station ticket hall, see more information on the Cesky Krumlov page.

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Berlin to Karlovy Vary for €31...

• This 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 from €35 (890 Czech Koruna at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone. 

• You can also book this journey at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking on bahn.de opens up to 6 months ahead.

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Berlin to Brno for €27.90...

• There's one direct departure from Berlin Hbf at 04:57 every day (an excellent Austrian railjet en route to Vienna), then departures every 2 hours with a change at Prague Hlavni.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You can also book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, where booking opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

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Berlin to Bratislava from €46.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Bratislava by EuroNight sleeper train Metropol - the time-effective option, saves a hotel bill too...

• A comfortable EuroNight sleeper train called the Metropol leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 and arrives Bratislava Hlavna at 05:54 next morning.

  The train has an air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and 2nd class seats.  In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the fare.  The train's final destination is Budapest.  More information about the Berlin-Bratislava sleeper train.

• Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Berlin to Bratislava by EuroCity train - the direct daytime option...

• A EuroCity train called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:16 every day, arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:50.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' latest air-conditioned cars with restaurant car, 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.  Have lunch in the restaurant as the scenery glides by...

  Alternatively, you can take the earlier 06:59 departure or later 10:59 departure and make one easy change of train at Prague Hlavni.

• Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case the ticket cannot be shown on a mobile device, it must be printed out.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Stopover in Dresden?  To book a Berlin to Bratislava train journey from €29.90 with a stopover in Dresden for a few hours, go to www.bahn.de, enter Berlin to Bratislava, click Stopover, 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.

The EuroCity train Hungaria about to leave Berlin Hbf for Bratislava & Budapest.

1st class.  You can choose to sit in a 1st class open plan (saloon) car like this...  Larger photo.		...or in a 1st class car with side corridor & classic 6-seat compartments like this.  Larger photo.

2nd class.  You can choose to sit in a 2nd class open plan (saloon) car like this...  Larger photo.		...or in a 2nd class car with side corridor & classic 6-seat compartments like this.   Larger photo.

Lunch on the Hungaria.  There are no table reservations, just go along & sit down.  Courtesy of @_DiningCar...		Restaurant car on the Hungaria.  Larger photo.  Photo courtesy of Siddhartha Verma.

Between Dresden & Prague the train runs along the pretty river Elbe, or Labe in Czech.  One of Europe's major rivers, the Elbe eventually flows into the North Sea at Cuxhaven near Hamburg.  Watch for river boats, even the occasional paddle steamer.  See the photos & video of this part of the journey here.

Option 3, Berlin to Bratislava by daytime trains - alternative daytime option....

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Vienna by ICE-T, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:04 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:45.

  The air-conditioned German ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you have a 1st ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Bratislava by hourly regional express train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:16 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 19:23.

• Fares from Berlin to Bratislava start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Step 1, Berlin to Vienna on the ICE Berolina.  On its first day of operation, 9 December 2018, the very first Berlin to Vienna Berolina arrives at Vienna Hbf spot on time.  More information about ICE-T trains.  Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler .

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant car.  I highly recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

Step 2, Vienna to Bratislava by regional express train. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

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Berlin to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice from €46.90...

Option 1, Berlin to the Tatra mountains in a day...

• It's about possible to travel from Berlin to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice in a (long) day.  You leave Berlin Hbf at 09:16 by EuroCity train and change at Prague Hlavni & Puchov, arriving Poprad Tatry 22:45 & Kosice 00:03.

• Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case it must be printed out, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.

  Tip:  You can use the Stopover feature to give yourself an overnight stopover in Bratislava if you like.

• There is one other option:  You can leave Berlin Hbf at 07:16 by EuroCity train and change at Prague Hlavni onto an excellent privately-run Leo Express train from Prague to Poprad-Tatry arriving 20:09.  In this case, book Berlin to Prague at www.bahn.de then book the Leo Express train separately at www.le.com.

Option 2, Berlin to the Tatra mountains using the Prague-Slovakia sleeper - the most time-effective option, with dinner in Prague...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 15:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:35.

  The trains have comfortable air-conditioned cars, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's great scenery along the Elbe river valley between Dresden & Prague, see the Berlin to Prague by train page for timetable photos, tips and more information.  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Prague, just in case of delay.

  Have a wander around Prague's old town and have dinner, see my restaurant suggestions in Prague.  By all means take an earlier train from Berlin and have more time in Prague, see the Berlin-Prague timetable here.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Poprad-Tatry or Kosice by sleeper train Slovakia, leaving Prague Hlavni at 22:05 & arriving Poprad-Tatry 06:41 & Kosice 08:29.

  The Slovakia has Slovakian 4 & 6 berth couchettes, a modern Slovakian air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and several modern air-conditioned Czech sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet.

  Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

Option 3, Berlin to the Tatra mountains using the Berlin-Bratislava sleeper - also a time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Bratislava by overnight sleeper, as shown in the Berlin-Bratislava by sleeper section above.  Book this as shown in that section.

• Step 2, take an air-conditioned Slovakian express train with restaurant car from Bratislava Hlavna to Poprad Tatry & Kosice, arriving at lunch time.  Book this at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk.  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Bratislava.

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Berlin to Budapest from €46.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train Metropol - the time-effective option which saves a hotel bill...

• A comfortable EuroNight sleeper train called the Metropol leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 and arrives Budapest Nyugati at 08:20 next morning.

  The train has an air-conditioned carpeted sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, air-conditioned 4 & 6 berth couchettes and 2nd class seats.  In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the fare.  More information about the Berlin-Budapest sleeper train.

• Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Although operated by Hungarian Railways (MAV), for this train MAV hire in the sleeping-car & couchette car from the Slovakians, see photos of the sleeping-car here & photos of the couchette car here.  The sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, the couchette car has 4-berth & 6-berth compartments.

The Berlin to Budapest sleeper train Metropol, boarding at Berlin Hbf.  More information about this train.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2 bed.  Larger photo.		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity train Hungaria - the direct daytime option...

• A comfortable EuroCity train called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:16 every day, arriving Budapest Nyugati 20:20.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' 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!

• Alternatively, you can take the earlier 06:59 departure or later 10:59 departure from Berlin Hbf with one easy change at Prague Hlavni.

• Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.  However, in this case the ticket cannot be shown on a mobile device, it must be printed out.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

The EuroCity train Hungaria about to leave Berlin Hbf for Bratislava & Budapest.

1st class.  You can choose to sit in a 1st class open plan (saloon) car like this...  Larger photo.		...or in a 1st class car with side corridor & classic 6-seat compartments like this.  Larger photo.

2nd class.  You can choose to sit in a 2nd class open plan (saloon) car like this...  Larger photo.		...or in a 2nd class car with side corridor & classic 6-seat compartments like this.   Larger photo.

Lunch on the Hungaria.  There are no table reservations, just go along & sit down.  Courtesy of @_DiningCar...		Restaurant car on the Hungaria.  Larger photo.  Photo courtesy of Siddhartha Verma.

Between Dresden & Prague the train runs along the pretty river Elbe, or Labe in Czech.  One of Europe's major rivers, the Elbe eventually flows into the North Sea at Cuxhaven near Hamburg.  Watch for river boats, even the occasional paddle steamer.  See the photos & video of this part of the journey here.

Option 3, Berlin to Budapest by day trains - alternative daytime options...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Vienna by ICE-T Berolina, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:04 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:45.

  The air-conditioned German ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you have a 1st ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 21:19.

  The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It also offers business class (= premium first).

• Fares from Berlin to Budapest start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  By default, the system suggests you change at Vienna Meidling.  Click Stopover and enter Vienna Hbf, then it'll give you a longer interchange at Vienna Hbf with better facilities.  I've already set up the www.bahn.de link to do this for you.

Step 1, Berlin to Vienna on the ICE Berolina.  On its first day of operation, 9 December 2018, the very first Berlin to Vienna Berolina arrives at Vienna Hbf spot on time.  More information about ICE-T trains.  Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant car.  I highly recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

Step 2, Vienna to Budapest by railjet.  This is a railjet on platform 9 at Budapest's historic Keleti station.  More information about railjets.

First class.		Economy (2nd) class.

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Berlin to Bucharest, Brasov & Romania...

Option 1, Berlin-Budapest by sleeper, day at leisure in Budapest, Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper - the most time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 & arriving Budapest Nyugati 08:20, as shown above.

  The comfortable sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and there's a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  Buy tickets as shown above.

• Spend a day in Budapest.  Left luggage lockers are available.  If you have a ticket for a single or double sleeper you can use the 1st class lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti for an hour or two after arrival and before departure.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 & arriving Brasov 09:23 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 11:59 next day.

  This sleeper train Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.  Ister is the ancient name for the Danube.

  Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  You print your own ticket.

  You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your smartphone.

Step 1, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, see here boarding at Berlin Hbf...

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2 bed.  Larger photo.		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

A 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.		Step 2, Budapest to Romania by sleeper.  This is the sleeping-car on the westbound Ister at Bucharest.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.

The vagon cuseta (couchette car) on the westbound Ister, boarding at Bucharest.  Couchettes convert from bunks at night to seats by day.  Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com .		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Berlin-Vienna by day train, Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest by Dacia Express - the fastest option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Vienna by superb German ICE-T train Berolina, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:04 every day & arriving Vienna Hbf 17:45.

  It has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.  In 1st class food & drink orders are taken & served at your seat, no need to visit the restaurant.  This train is routed through Germany via Nuremberg.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the EuroNight sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every evening and arriving next day in Simeria 07:36, Sighisoara 10:09, Braşov 13:26, Ploeşti 15:08 & Bucharest Nord at 15:47.

  The Dacia Express has modern & comfortable Romanian sleeping-cars (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, including a couple of deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet) and couchettes (4-berth & 6-berth compartments).  There's wonderful Alpine-style scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat...

  From 12 December 2021 the Dacia Express will also convey a second portion from Vienna to Bucharest via Timişoara, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Timişoara Nord at 05:52, Craiova 12:42 & Bucharest Nord at 16:05.  This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.

  From 12 December 2021 the Dacia Express will convey a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 08:19.  This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.  If it says not available you can't book it, but if a Sparschiene fare is shown you can.  You collect tickets from an ÖBB ticket machine in Vienna.

  You can also (as of 2022) book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  Tip:  Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

  Tip:  If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click D, then look for Dacia.

Step 1, Berlin to Vienna on the ICE Berolina.  On its first day of operation, 9 December 2018, the very first Berlin to Vienna Berolina arrives at Vienna Hbf spot on time.  More information about ICE-T trains.  Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant car.  I highly recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

Step 2, Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express.  The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of their most modern type.  Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple.  Most have a washbasin, two compartments have a shower & toilet.  Beds fold away to form a private sitting room for day use.  Sleeper photo courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.  Larger photo.

The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf.  There is one Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments, bedding provided.  Larger photo.

Transylvania:  The Dacia Express crosses rural Transylvania.  Courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom

Enjoy lunch and a beer in the bar car, as a bar-bistro is attached to the Dacia Express in Romania between Simeria & Bucharest.  Photos courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom & @_DiningCar.

The Carpathian mountains:  Almost Alpine scenery between Brasov & Bucharest...  Courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.

Option 3, Berlin to Romania by daytime trains with overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels...

• Day 1 until 11 December 2021 & from 1 September 2022, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:20.

  Between Dresden & Prague the Hungaria runs along the scenic Elbe river valley, grab a seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views,  see the tips, photos & video here.  The train also has a Hungarian restaurant car, have a meal and a beer or two while you travel...

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Day 1 from 12 December 2021 to 31 August 2022, travel from Berlin to Budapest by ICE-T & railjet train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:04, changing at Vienna Hbf and arriving Budapest Keleti at 20:19.  Both trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket (it must be printed in this case, it cannot be shown on a mobile device).

• 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, travel from Budapest to Bucharest by Intercity train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 07:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 23:30, or from Budapest to Brasov leaving Budapest Keleti at 09:10 and arriving Brasov at 23:23.

  Fares start at €26.30 in 2nd class or (where available) €40.50 in 1st class.  These are limited availability fares, book ahead for these prices.

  Book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You show the ticket in the MAV app on your smartphone.

  You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

The daytime train from Budapest to Bucharest has modern air-conditioned Romanian carriages.  Three cars travel all the way, additional cars are attached whilst in Hungary, and additional cars and a bar car are attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest.

On the left, the daytime train to Bucharest is about to leave Budapest Keleti...		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the Budapest to Bucharest train.  There are power outlets under the tables.  Larger photo.

A bar car is attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest.  Photos courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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Berlin to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Rijeka, Sarajevo, Split, Dubrovnik...

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

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:05 arriving Munich Hbf 22:01.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE trains.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Personally, I'd take the earlier 16:30 ICE (they run regularly through the day) and have dinner in Munich between trains.  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Ljubljana 06:00 & Zagreb 08:32.

  The Lisinski has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, a Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  See the photos below & see the Croatian sleeper video.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, take an onward connection...

  For Sarajevo, see the Zagreb to Sarajevo page.

  For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using www.bahn.de.

  For Split, either stay overnight in Zagreb and take a daytime train from Zagreb to Split next day (a great idea as it's a lovely scenic route well worth seeing by day) or take the overnight sleeper from Zagreb to Split.  The fare by daytime train is only around €20 in 2nd class.  See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.  Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.  www.hzpp.hr can sell daytime tickets and couchettes on the night train, but not sleepers.

  For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station.  There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17.  Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

Step 1, Berlin to Munich by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Various types of ICE operate this route.  More information about ICE.

2nd class seats on an ICE3.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3.  Larger photo.

Restaurant...		Dinner in the diner...

Step 2, Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb by sleeper train.  Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb is boarding on platform 12 at Munich Hbf.  It has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use.  A light breakfast is included in the sleeper fare. The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right, also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families.  Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.

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

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

Option 2, Berlin to Vienna by sleeper then onward daytime train to Ljubljana & Zagreb...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:00 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:58, arriving Ljubljana at 13:57.

  For Zagreb, change at Zidani Most, arriving Zagreb at 17:12.

  This is the EuroCity train Emona, air-conditioned with restaurant car.  It takes the UNESCO-listed Semmering route south of Vienna, with more great scenery further south into Croatia.  Enjoy a freshly-cooked lunch in the Slovenian restaurant car.

  Buy tickets from Vienna to Ljubljana or Zagreb from €29.90 at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 3, take an onward connection...

  For Sarajevo, see the Zagreb to Sarajevo page.

  For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using www.bahn.de.

  For Split & Dubrovnik, travel to Zagreb, then either stay overnight in Zagreb and take a daytime train to Split next day (a great idea as it's a lovely scenic route well worth seeing by day) or take the overnight sleeper to Split.  The fare by daytime train is only around €20 in 2nd class.  See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.  Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.  www.hzpp.hr can sell daytime tickets and couchettes on the night train, but not sleepers.  Then take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station.  There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17.  Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

Option 3, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper then onward daytime train...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 & arriving Budapest Nyugati at 08:20 next morning.

  The Metropol has a comfortable Slovakian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments & a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  You're now free to explore Budapest until mid-afternoon.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Zagreb on the InterCity train Agram leaving Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving Zagreb at 21:05.

  Buy tickets for this train from as little as €9 at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.

• Step 3, take an onward connection...

  For Sarajevo, see the Zagreb to Sarajevo page.

  For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using www.bahn.de.

  For Split, either stay overnight in Zagreb and take a daytime train from Zagreb to Split next day (a great idea as it's a lovely scenic route well worth seeing by day) or take the overnight sleeper from Zagreb to Split.  The fare by daytime train is only around €20 in 2nd class.  See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.  Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr - though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.  www.hzpp.hr can sell daytime tickets and couchettes on the night train, but not sleepers.

  For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station.  There are various operators, the fare is between €13 & €17.  Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

Step 1, Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train Metropol, seen here boarding at Berlin Hbf...

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2 bed.  Larger photo.		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Budapest to Zagreb by Intercity train Agram, seen here at Budapest Deli with the Croatian car in the foreground, the Hungarian car  next to it, older Hungarian cars going as far as the border at the front.

2nd class compartment in the Croatian car.		2nd class open-plan seats in the Hungarian car.

The train runs along the southern shore of Lake Balaton, Hungary's largest lake.  Courtesy of Della Mcvay.

The train passes fields of sunflowers...  Courtesy of Louise Donnelly.

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

• Day 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Munich Hbf by ICE train on any afternoon or evening train you like, journey time as little as 3h58.  You can leave Berlin as late as 20:05, but I'd leave earlier to have more of an evening in Munich.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno are all right next to the station with good or great reviews.  For dinner in Munich, for local Bavarian food & beer I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Day 2, travel from Munich Hbf to Ljubljana or Zagreb, the first departure is at 08:17 with an easy cross-platform change at Villach.  More info.

  There's great scenery through the mountains of Austria via the Tauern route and along the pretty River Sava,

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• For Rijeka, change in Ljubljana.  Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using www.bahn.de.

Option 5, by daytime trains with overnight hotel in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1 until 11 December 2021 & from 1 September 2022, travel from Berlin to Budapest by EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:20.

  Between Dresden & Prague the Hungaria runs along the scenic Elbe river valley, grab a seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views,  see the tips, photos & video here.  The train also has a Hungarian restaurant car, have a meal and a beer or two while you travel...

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Day 1 from 12 December 2021 to 31 August 2022, travel from Berlin to Budapest by ICE-T & railjet train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:04, changing at Vienna Hbf and arriving Budapest Keleti at 20:19.  Both trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket (it must be printed in this case, it cannot be shown on a mobile device).

• 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:

  The Citadella leaves Budapest Deli at 09:00 and arrives Ljubljana at 16:35. 

  The Agram leaves Budapest Keleti at 06:35 arriving in Zagreb at 12:55 (this train only runs from 6 June to 11 September 2022), or spend a pleasant morning in Budapest and take the afternoon train Agram leaving Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving in Zagreb at 21:52, this runs every day all year round.

  Fares start at from €15, book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.

Option 6, using the Regiojet sleeper train from Prague to Zagreb, Rijeka, Split with bus to Dubrovnik - summer-only, 3 times a week, cheapest!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:35.

  Or take an earlier train 2 or 4 hours earlier and spend some time in Prague.  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.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website  www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Zagreb, Rijeka & Split by Regiojet sleeper train 3 times a week June-September, daily in July & August.

  Open-access operator Regiojet introduced this overnight train last year, and it was the surprise runaway success of 2020, with every 500-seat train averaging 90% occupancy and carrying tens of thousands of passengers on holiday.  It came back in summer 2021, expanded to serve Zagreb, Rijeka and Split, with bus connections to other resorts along the Croatian and Montenegrin coast.

  It ran 3 times a week from 28 May until 28 September 2021, increased to daily in July & August.  2022 dates not yet announced.

  It leaves Prague Hlavni at 16:46 on Fridays, Sundays & Tuesdays (daily in July & August), arriving Zagreb 05:17, with a portion for Rijeka arriving 10:13 and a portion heading down the scenic line to Split, arriving 13:44.

  This excellent Regiojet train builds on the surprise success of their Prague-Rijeka sleeper in summer 2020.  It has 4-berth couchettes and seats.  The couchette fare includes all necessary bedding and a light breakfast.   There's excellent on-board at-seat service from an extensive menu, with complimentary bottled water and excellent Illy coffee.  There's free WiFi.

  On most departures there's a bus connection from Split to Dubrovnik, leaving Split bus station at 14:31, arriving Dubrovnik bus station 18:10.

  Fares start at €22.90 in a seat or €29.90 with a couchette in a shared 4-berth compartment, or €125.90 for sole occupancy of a private couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.

  Buy an e-ticket online at www.regiojet.com.  It even allows you to choose your exact place from a carriage plan.

The holiday train...  Above left, Regiojet overnight train at Prague Hlavni.  Above right, a 4-berth couchette compartment on this train, in daytime mode.  The seat back hinges up to form the upper berths.  See video of this overnight journey, taken during the 2020 season.

Arrived in Croatia...		Couchette...

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Berlin to Belgrade, Sofia, Montenegro...

Option 1, Berlin to Belgrade & beyond via Zagreb - the route from Budapest to Belgrade is currently blocked by track upgrading...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by high-speed ICE train leaving Berlin at 18:05 arriving Munich Hbf 22:01.

  The ICE train has a  restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE trains.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Personally, I'd take the earlier 16:30 ICE (they run regularly through the day) and have dinner in Munich between trains.  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Zagreb at 08:32.

  The Lisinski has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, a Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  See the photos below & see the Croatian sleeper video.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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

  This train is still currently suspended due to Covid-19.

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

  The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.

• For Montenegro, transfer to Belgrade Topcider station and either take the overnight sleeper Lovcen to Podgorica and Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day.  See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.

• For Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade and travel from Belgrade to Sofia next day (day 3), see the Belgrade to Sofia page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.

• For Istanbul, stay overnight in Belgrade, take the train from Belgrade to Sofia on day 3 (see details here),  stay overnight and spend day 4 in Sofia, then take the Sofia-Istanbul Express sleeper train to Istanbul (see details here).

Step 1, Berlin to Munich by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Various types of ICE operate this route.  More information about ICE.

2nd class seats on an ICE3.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3.  Larger photo.

Restaurant...		Dinner in the diner...

Step 2, Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb by sleeper train.  Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb is boarding on platform 12 at Munich Hbf.  It has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use.  A light breakfast is included in the sleeper fare. The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right, also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families.  Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.

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

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

Step 3, Zagreb to Belgrade by Serbian train.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.

Option 3, Berlin to Sofia via Budapest & Bucharest - currently the easiest option between Berlin & Sofia...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Budapest overnight as shown above, using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:06.

  The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  A Romanian sleeping-car is attached from Timişoara Nord (depart 22:00) to Bucharest.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares

  Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

  If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Timisoara to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Timisoara from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.  (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Timisoara Nord to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.

• Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown on the train from Bucharest page.  You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:55 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:10 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria.  In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  The fare is around €34.

  Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

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Berlin to Warsaw from €27.90:  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train page...

• Comfortable EuroCity trains link Berlin Hbf & Warsaw Centralna in 5h30 or so several times per day, city centre to city centre.  These are smart modern air-conditioned Polish trains with restaurant car serving inexpensive meals, beer & wine.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Krakow from €27.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel - the daytime option...

• The direct Berlin-Krakow EuroCity train Wawel made a welcome return with the start of the 2021 timetable on 13 December 2020.

  It leaves Berlin Hbf every day at 10:39, arriving Wroclaw 14:52, Katowice 16:57 & Krakow Glowny at 17:52. 

  It has modern air-conditioned cars and a restaurant car.  Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two!

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Berlin to Krakow by daytime trains via Warsaw from €37.90...

• The direct Wawel is the train to go for if you can.  But there are also afternoon departures leaving Berlin at 13:41 & 15:41, changing at Warsaw.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna in around 5h30 by comfortable EuroCity 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.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy a ticket from Berlin to Krakow at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Why not stop off for a few hours in Warsaw?  Perhaps have lunch in the old town between trains.  Simply click Stopover 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, 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 3, Berlin to Krakow using the Rzepin-Krakow sleeper train - the  overnight sleeper option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Rzepin by comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:41 and arriving Rzepin at 19:04.

  This runs daily except Saturdays, on any day of the week you can leave Berlin Hbf at 15:41 and arriving Rzepin at 17:04.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  Tip:  Rzepin isn't a big place.  The Bar Drewniak is a rustic bar that serves food just outside the station in the approach road, open every day.  If you caught the earlier train, you could walk 15 minutes into town and have a typical Polish dinner at the Restaurant Toska, see walking map.

• Step 2, travel from Rzepin to Krakow by sleeper train, leaving Rzepin at 20:15 and arriving Krakow around 05:35 next morning.

  The fare is 111 zlotys (€26) with a couchette in 6-berth, 211 zlotys (€47) for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, or 397 zlotys (€87) for a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, a bargain.

  Book this train at the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

Option 4, Berlin to Krakow using the Stettin-Krakow sleeper train - a variation on the sleeper option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Stettin (Szczecin) by regional train, leaving Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 14:53 & arriving Szczecin Glowny at 16:44.

  The fare is around €12.70 bought at the station on the day if you buy a VBB Berlin-Stettin Ticket as explained in  the Berlin-Stettin section below.  You can check times at www.bahn.de, although this cannot sell the special €12.70 ticket, only more expensive ones.

• Step 2, travel from Poznan to Krakow by sleeper train, leaving Szczecin Glowny at 18:38 arriving Krakow Glowny at 05:34.

  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).

  Book this train at the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 30 days ahead.

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Berlin to Wroclaw from €27.90...

Option 1, Berlin to Wroclaw by direct EuroCity train...

• Morning train:  The EuroCity Wawel leaves Berlin Hbf at 10:39 and arrives Wroclaw Glowny 14:53.  This comfortable air-conditioned Polish EuroCity train has 1st & 2nd class with restaurant car.

• Evening train:  Another EuroCity train leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 every evening, arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 22:43.  This train has EuroCity coaches but no restaurant car so bring your own food & drink.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Option 2, Berlin to Wroclaw by direct regional train Fridays & Saturdays.

• A direct regional train leaves Berlin Lichtenburg 08:26 on Saturdays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 12:52. 

• A direct regional train leaves Berlin Lichtenberg at 13:46 on Fridays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 18:36.

• Check times and days of running at www.bahn.de.

• The fare is €19 each way if you buy at the station or online, or €21 if you simply pay on board the train.

  It's a Regional Express, no reservation necessary, you can buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  It's possible to buy online at Bahn.de, to find the right page Google Kulturzug Wroclaw bahn,de - however the pages about this train are only in German.

• In the return direction, the train leaves Wroclaw Glowny at 17:32 on Sundays arriving Berlin Lichtenburg at 22:12, also most Fridays at 20:11 arriving 00:45, check times & running days at www.bahn.de.

Option 3, Berlin to Wroclaw with a change at Poznan or Rzepin - if none of the direct trains suit you...

• Take any Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train and change at Rzepin or Poznan for a Polish train to Wroclaw Glowny.

• For example, the 05:43 Mondays-Saturdays will get you to Wroclaw Glowny at 10:15, or the daily 12:38 from Berlin will get you to Wroclaw at 17:05 or there are other departures.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• You can check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  The system often suggests journeys involving a 5 or 10 minute connection.  Although you'll have a through ticket so can take a later onward train if a delay means you miss the connection, you may prefer booking a more robust connection to start with.  If so, simply change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 20 minutes before running the enquiry.

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Berlin to Gdansk & Gdynia from €27.90...

• An excellent direct EuroCity train leaves Berlin every day at 12:38 direct to Gdansk (the former Danzig) & Gdynia.  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train page for details.

• You can check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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Berlin to Szczecin (Stettin) for €12.70...

• Regional trains link Berlin Gesundbrunnen with Szczecin Glowny (Glowny = main station) several times a day in 1h55 or so, with other journeys between Berlin & Stettin at intervals through the day involving a change of train.

• You can check times at www.bahn.de to see train times, but it only shows fares starting at €33 or so, so do not buy here....

• The local transit authority VBB offers a special Berlin-Stettin Ticket for around €12.70, good for travel on any regional train from Berlin Hbf or any station in the Berlin area to Stettin Glowny or any station in the Stettin area, on regional & S-bahn trains.

  You cannot buy this €12.70 Berlin-Stettin Ticket online, but it's easy to buy at the station from the VBB ticket machines or staffed counter.  Feedback appreciated!

  You can check this price at the VBB website www.vbb.de/fahrinfo.

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Berlin to Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn...

Option 1, Berlin to Lithuania in a single day...

• It's now possible to travel from Berlin to Lithuania in a single day, at least on Mondays-Fridays, if you don't mind an early start!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 05:43 Mondays-Saturdays only arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:42.

  The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to a cooked breakfast the restaurant car.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip: You may be able to buy a through ticket from Berlin to Bialystok covering both the Berlin-Warsaw & Warsaw-Bialystok trains for almost the same price as Berlin to Warsaw.  In which case, you just need to buy a Bialystok-Kaunas/Vilnius ticket at the station in Warsaw, or on the train.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius, leaving Warsaw at lunchtime, changing at Bialystok and arriving Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening, with connections to Vilnius, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.

• Step 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

• Step 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

Option 2, Berlin to Lithuania with overnight stop & morning in Warsaw...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train on any departure you like up to the 17:41, see the Berlin-Warsaw timetable here.

  The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned Polish trains with trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to lunch or dinner in the restaurant with a beer or two!

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius, leaving Warsaw at lunchtime, changing at Bialystok and arriving Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening, with connections to Vilnius, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.

• Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, see here.

• Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, see here.

On the right, the Intercity from Warsaw has arrived at Bialystok, on the left the train to Kaunas waits to leave...

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

Option 1, Berlin to Ukraine using the Warsaw to Kiev sleeper - a good option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:45. 

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  You could take the earlier 05:43 departure on Mondays-Saturdays arriving 11:42 and have time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 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 Kiev by Kiev Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:48 and arriving Kiev at 11:00 next day.

  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and some wine or beer.

  The fare is around €46 in a 3-bed sleeper if you manage to book via the Ukrainian Railways website.  If you have to book via Polrail it costs 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.

  To buy tickets, first see if you can book online with Ukrainian Railways at booking.uz.gov.ua/en - but please, please, please read the important notes here which explain how to book this train using that website.

  If that doesn't work for you, book with reliable Polish agency Polrail at 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.

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

Step 1, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class coaches, most with compartments and side corridor like this, others with open-plan seating.  Above, a train to Warsaw about to leave Berlin Hbf...

1st class compartment...		2nd class open-plan car.  Some seats are in compartments.

Step 2, Warsaw to Kiev by sleeper.  This is the Kiev Express.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper...		Washbasin...		Kiev Express...

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Berlin to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

Option 1, Berlin to Moscow by twice-weekly Swift sleeper train - runs via Belarus.  Suspended due to sanctions.

• Russian Railways RZD introduced a twice-weekly sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow in 2016, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:08 on Mondays & Saturdays, arriving at Moscow Belorussky station at 21:24 next day (20:43 from late March to late October).

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

  The train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (Russian for swift) which started running in 2016.  It has ordinary seats, 2nd class 4-berth sleepers, 1st class 1 or 2 berth sleepers with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth sleepers with en suite shower & toilet.  There's a restaurant & bistro car.  See photo of 2-berth sleeper on this train.

  Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the Talgo train runs through a special gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...

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

• You can book the Berlin-Moscow train at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and print your own ticket, it's a little fiddly but usually works, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here.

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

• IMPORTANT:  See the 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, Berlin to Moscow by direct Paris-Berlin-Moscow Express, once a week - suspended due to sanctions...

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

  It leaves Berlin Hbf every Friday at 07:26, arriving Moscow Belorussky around 11:45 next 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.

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

• How much does it cost?

  The fares is 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.  You print your own ticket.

• Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.  IMPORTANT:  See the update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

Option 3, Berlin to Moscow using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train.

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:45.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  On Mondays-Saturdays there's also an 05:43 from Berlin Hbf arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:42, which would give you some time in Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 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 by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily, arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day.

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

  You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.  This Russian sleeper train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers.  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague.  There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.

  You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.

Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.

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

IMPORTANT:  See the update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

Option 4, Berlin to Moscow via Kiev - this route avoids Belarus...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:45. 

  Tip:  You could take the earlier 05:43 departure on Mondays-Saturdays arriving 11:42 and have time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 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.

• Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Kiev by Kiev Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:48 & arriving in Kiev at 11:00 next morning.

  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 train is jacked up at the border to have its bogies changed from standard gauge (4' 8.5") to Russian 5' gauge, an interesting experience.  See the Kiev Express photos on the London to Ukraine page.  Spend the day exploring Kiev (by all means spend a night or two here if you like).

• Day 2, travel from Kiev to Moscow by sleeper train.

  There are several night trains, there's usually one leaving Kiev at 19:36 and arriving Moscow Kievskaya at 10:13 next morning (day 3 from Berlin).  2-berth & 4-berth sleepers are available.

  The Kiev-Moscow sleeper trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and now due to the war in Ukraine.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Warsaw starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Warsaw to Kiev costs around around €57 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper, if you book through Polrail.  It's a few euros cheaper (€46 in 3-berth) if you manage to book online as explained below.

  Kiev to Moscow costs around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.  Polrail.com charge about €95 for a bed in a 4-berth sleeper.

• To buy tickets...

  Book Berlin-Warsaw at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  To book the Warsaw-Kiev & Kiev-Moscow trains, contact reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  Tickets are collected in Warsaw.

  Alternatively, you can book Warsaw to Kiev then Kiev to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua/en/, although there are only very few berths from Warsaw to Kiev made available online, see the explanation & instructions on the London to Kiev page.  For the Kiev to Moscow booking you should book from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect the Kiev-Moscow tickets at the station in Kiev.  Feedback appreciated!

• You'll still need a Russian visa, but you don't go through Belarus if you go this way.

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Berlin to Athens, Corfu & Greece...

Option 1, Berlin to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely option with an Adriatic cruise thrown in...

• The best and most comfortable option is to pick up a ferry in Bari.  The whole scenic and relaxing journey to Athens will take around 2 nights & 3 days, depending how the connections work out on your particular date.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin Hbf to Verona Porta Nuova in a single chill-out day with a restaurant car for lunch & dinner.

  I'd leave around 08:30, have at least an hour between trains in Munich just in case of delay, then arrive Verona around 18:58, but there are later or earlier options.

  Fares start at from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Check times & buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de - I recommend changing Duration of transfer from standard to a longer period for a more robust connection in Munich.

• Stay overnight in Verona.  Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire.

• Day 2, travel from Verona to Bari, leaving Verona Porta Nuova around 07:50.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Book this at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or www.trenitalia.com.  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  In Bari it's a 10 minute taxi ride or 25 minute walk to the ferry terminal next to Bari's pleasant old town.  I'd allow at least 3 hours between train and ferry in Bari, including the 2-hour ferry check-in.

• Day 2, sail from Bari to Patras with Superfast Ferries.  The ferry normally sails at 19:30 daily except Sundays arriving Patras at 13:00 the next day (day 3).  On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Verona.

  Check ferry times, dates, prices & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com. 

  The ship is modern and comfortable, with restaurants, bars, lounges and sun decks.  You can book a deck place (a nice cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag) or a reclining seat or a berth in various types of cabin, including luxury cabins with private shower & toilet.  Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

  In Patras, the ferry arrives at the new South ferry terminal a few km from the town centre.  Bus number 18 links the port with the town bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

• Day 3, from Patras it's 3 hours to Athens by bus/train combo.  There's a bus/train combined timetable from Patras to Athens on www.hellenictrain.gr but it takes a bit of finding.  Buy the bus ticket when you reach Patras, it costs around €18.

2 or 4-berth cabin with private toilet & shower.		Relaxing on deck...

At sea, passing Cephalonia & Ithaca.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

Option 2, Berlin to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - a rail adventure across the Balkans...

• You can also travel overland by train from Berlin to Thessaloniki & Athens via Belgrade.  It'll take 3 or 4 nights, with the romance and adventure of an epic train ride through the Balkans.  Unfortunately, the Belgrade-Greece train now only operates June-September.

• Travel from Berlin to Budapest as shown above.

• In Budapest you pick up the London-Budapest-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens route explained in detail on the London to Greece page.

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Berlin to Istanbul & Turkey...

• Travel from Berlin to Budapest either by day train then staying in Budapest overnight, or by sleeper train, as shown in the Berlin to Budapest section above.

• From Budapest you can pick up the London-Bucharest-Istanbul route shown on the London to Turkey page.

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Hotels in Berlin & other cities

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all 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 feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.  I never book hotels non-refundably.  I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0. Tip:  It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites:  HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others.  Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

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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