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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. Train information is current for 2021.

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...

• 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 3h58 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 train have power sockets at all seats, a bistro-restaurant car and some have 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...

• See the London to Germany page for train times and more information, for travel by high-speed trains Berlin-Cologne-Brussels-London or travel to Amsterdam then Rail & Sail to London via Hoek van Holland-Harwich.

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Berlin to Paris from €39.90...

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

• You can 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 16:54.

  Berlin Hbf depart 12:30 by ICE, change Mannheim onto a TGV Duplex, arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:52.

  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.  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.

  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.

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

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

• Day 1, take the 17:28 ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Mannheim arriving 22:27.  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 06:39 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 10:52.

  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 Add intermediate stops 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:  Berlin-Cologne by Flixtrain from €9.99, lunch in Cologne, Cologne-Paris by high-speed Thalys from €35.

• Although DB sell through Berlin-Paris tickets from €39, 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 08:20 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 13:57.

  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.

  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 Paris by high-speed Thalys in just 3h20, for example leaving Cologne Hbf at 16:43 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 20:05, or at 18:43 arriving 22:05.

  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, by direct Russian sleeper train, every Wednesday night...

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

• It runs once a week on Wednesday nights, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:34 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:40 the following day.

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

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

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

Option 5, 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, click here to 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 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 300 km/h (186 mph) 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). and print your own ticket or 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 Karlsruhe or Frankfurt by ICE train.  On Mondays-Fridays you leave Berlin Hbf at 08:30 and get off in Karlsruhe.  On Saturdays & Sundays you leave Berlin Hbf at 09:04 and get off at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Karlsruhe or Frankfurt to France by TGV Duplex,  On Mondays-Fridays leave Karlsruhe at 15:11, 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.

• 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 en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly).

Option 2:  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 en.oui.sncf (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:  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 Swiss domestic trains 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 en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).  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 en.oui.sncf.

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Berlin to Brussels & Bruges from €27.90...

Option 1, 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:  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 08:20 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 13:57.

  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.

  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.  At the time I write this, there's a 16:43 from Cologne Hbf arriving Brussels Midi at 18:35, or an 18:43 arriving 20:35.

  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 €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 just €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.

• 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 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. 

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

Option 1, Berlin to Switzerland by Nightjet 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.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.

• 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 (so you can keep all your bookings together in one place, 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.

Option 2, Berlin to Switzerland by high-speed ICE 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 Weisssbier!

• 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 from Berlin 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 by day trains with overnight stop in Frankfurt - a time-effective option...

• Day 1, take any train you like from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in 3h39.  You can leave Berlin as late as 19:28 by ICE train arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 23:58, but by all means take an earlier train.

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

• Day 2, take any morning train you like from Frankfurt (Main) 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 Add intermediate stops 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, by evening ICE to Munich then Nightjet sleeper train to Venice - 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 22:07.

  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.

  Ideally, I'd take an earlier ICE (they run regularly through the day) and have dinner in Munich between trains.  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two, 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 11:03.

  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 10:07, 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 Verona or Venice by comfortable Austrian EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 16:58 and Venice Santa Lucia at 18:25.  This train has an elegant Austrian restaurant car, and it takes the scenic Brenner Pass through the Alps.  Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two in the restaurant as the mountains glide by, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here...

• Fares from Berlin to Venice start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  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, evening train to Munich, overnight hotel, then scenic daytime ride to Venice - like 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 19:28 arriving Munich Hbf at 00:24, but by all means book an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Munich.  ICE trains are very comfortable indeed, with a bistro or restaurant car for dinner, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno.  For a Bavarian meal and a beer or two in the evening, 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 every day and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 18:25.

  This Austrian EuroCity train travels via the lovely scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here.  The train has an elegant restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch as the mountains pass by.  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 Add intermediate stops and enter Munich in the via box and (say) 13:00 in the hh:mm stopover box - I've set up this special link with the necessary parameters for you, just enter your date of travel.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey with 1 change marked ICE, EC and an arrival in Venice at 18:25.  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, 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 19:08.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about ICE.  Ideally, I'd take an earlier 12:05 or 12:30 train from Berlin to have time for dinner in Munich:  For Bavarian food and a beer or two 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 05:20, Florence SMN 06:19 & Rome Termini 09:22.  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.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast, served in your compartment.

  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 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).

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 11:03. 

  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 10:07, 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 has an elegant Austrian restaurant car, and it takes the scenic Brenner Pass through the Alps.  Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant with some wine or a beer or two as the mountains glide by.  See the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video.

• Step 3, travel from Verona to Florence or Rome by Italian high-speed train.  For example, a fast Frecciargento train usually leaves Verona P. Nuova at 17:52 arriving Florence Campo di Marte at 19:24 & Rome Termini at 21:10.  I'd allow at least 45 minutes in Verona between trains, just 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 just quote your reference on board the train.

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

• Day 1, 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 19:28 arriving 00:24 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 Austrian EuroCity train thorough the Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.  Trains leave Munich Hbf every 2 hours or so taking a leisurely 5h25, and all have an elegant restaurant car so treat yourself to lunch.

  There's an 07:34 to Verona which extends direct to Venice on Saturdays & Sundays arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:25, a 09:34 to Verona & Bologna, or an 11:34 to Verona & Venice arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 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 to Florence takes just 2h35, Verona to Rome 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 Add intermediate stops 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 normally opens 120 days 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, by Nightjet sleeper train from Berlin to Zurich, then a scenic daytime ride through the Alps to Italy...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Zurich by 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.

  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 Frecciabianca 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 just quote your reference on board each train - at least unless the journey includes a regional train in Italy.  The stations you want in the most popular cities are Florence SMN, Rome Termini, Venice Santa Lucia, Verona Porta Nuova, Naples Centrale.

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

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

• Step 1, use www.bahn.de to book from Berlin 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 by high-speed trains 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 de Reims (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 16:53.

  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 en.oui.sncf (a bit more fiddly, in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 120 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Tip:  See this 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 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 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf or Karlsruhe then the direct high-speed TGV Duplex to Marseille St Charles arriving at 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 Barcelona or Madrid by AVE S-100 high-speed train leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:02 arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:34 & Madrid Atocha at 15:41.

  Marseille-Barcelona starts at €25 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Marseille-Madrid starts at €35 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

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

  Book this train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or en.oui.sncf (more fiddly, in €, but no fee).  Booking normally opens 120 days 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 15:50.

  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 11:38 by ICE train, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an impressive 320 km/h TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:47.

  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 Portbou on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz around 22:00.  Then take a local train from Latour or Portbou 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 15:50 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, as shown 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 09:52 and arriving Hendaye 14:28.

  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 en.oui.sncf (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, 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 station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes.  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 stations.

• Day 2, take the 12:52 TGV Duplex Océane from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border connecting with the overnight Sud Express sleeper train from Hendaye to Lisbon, arriving at 07:30 on day 3.

  See the Paris to Lisbon section on the Paris page for details of this journey and how to buy tickets.

  Book from Berlin to Paris then from Paris to Lisbon Santa Apolonia at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  You print your own ticket.

  Alternatively, book Berlin-Paris at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, then Paris-Hendaye at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf, then Hendaye-Lisbon at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com, with payment in € and no booking fees - but it's easier to use Raileurope.com and book all your tickets in one place, and renfe.com may reject some overseas credit cards.

  Booking for the sleeper trains normally opens 60 days ahead, this is the limiting factor.

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

The trainhotel's café-bar serves drinks & food.  Grab a barstool early, it gets crowded later on!		4-berth sleepers (Turista Cama) are cosy & inexpensive, converting from beds to seats.  See 360º photo of 4-berth sleeper.

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Berlin to Andorra...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by high-speed ICE & TGV Duplex with 1 easy change, leaving Berlin around 08:30 and arriving early evening.

  Fares start from €39 in 2nd class or €69 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.  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.

  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, take the Intercité de Nuit couchette train leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:12 and arriving l'Hospitalet pres l'Andorre at 08:46.

  Fares start at €35 including a couchette.  Fares vary 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) or at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (in €, same fares, more fiddly, but no fee).  Booking for this night train should open up to 4 months ahead, but often less than this.

• Step 3, take a taxi or taxi and bus from l'Hospitalet station to Andorra La Vella as described in detail on the London to Andorra page - just disregard the London-Paris part.

• Alternatively, you can travel from Paris to Toulouse on the same night train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:12 and arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 06:00.  Have breakfast in Toulouse (I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel around the corner from the station), then take a bus to Andorra la Vella.  A bus run by Andbus (www.andorrabybus.com) leaves from outside Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 11:00, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 15:00. Fare €33.  This is also explained in more detail on the London to Andorra page.

The intercité de nuit overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol has 1st class 4-berth & 2nd class 6-berth couchettes, each with lightweight sleeping-bag & mineral water...

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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 every day, 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.  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 Add intermediate stops 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.

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 10:05 every day and arrives Vienna Hbf at 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 started running from December 2018, it's 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 Add intermediate stops, enter Nuremberg and a duration of up to 48 hours (the maximum stopover possible with a cheap sparpreis fare) or up to 8 hours (the maximum you can stop off and still get from Berlin to Vienna in a day, if you catch an early train from Berlin then a late train from Nuremberg to Vienna).

Option 3, Berlin to Vienna by nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option, saves a hotel bill too...

• 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.

• 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.

Option 4, Berlin to Vienna by day trains with a stop in Prague from €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class...

• 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 21:36.

  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 06:44 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:49.

  But by all means take a later train as 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 Add intermediate stops, 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, by comfortable daytime trains, daily all year round...

• There are daytime trains from Berlin Hbf to Copenhagen at 06:38, 10:38 & 14:38 with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf, journey time 6h55.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  The Berlin-Hamburg trains are superb ICE trains with bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The Hamburg to Copenhagen trains are Danish IC3 intercity trains which also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.

  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 in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  Tip:  Remember that if you want a longer connection in Hamburg, you can change Duration of transfer from standard to a longer period.

Option 2, Berlin to Copenhagen by Snälltåget sleeper train, twice a week March-October, daily in summer...

• Step 1, travel overnight from Berlin to Høje-Taastrup (a local station just west of Copenhagen city centre) by Snälltåget sleeper train.

  Private operator www.snalltaget.se has run a summer-only Berlin-Malmö sleeper train twice a week in previous years, but in 2021 it's being expanded to run between Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen (Høje-Taastrup), Malmö & Stockholm, for a longer operating period, daily in summer.

  The sleeper train runs on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 8 May to 2 October 2021, and every day from 11 June to 5 September 2021.

  It leaves Berlin Hbf at 19:02, Hamburg Hbf at 23:26 and arrives Høje-Taastrup station at 06:38 - the train continues to Malmo & Stockholm, but does not call at Copenhagen main station, so you get off at Høje-Taastrup.

  The train has ordinary seats and 6-berth couchettes.

  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.

• Step 2, travel from Høje-Taastrup to Copenhagen main station by local train, these run every 10 minutes or so, taking 15 minutes, buy a ticket at the station (or use www.snalltaget.se again or use www.sj.se) and hop on the next one.

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

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

• You can buy tickets from Berlin to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, as DB offer Sparpreis fares from €56.90.  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 this journey in a single day if you leave Berlin at 06:38...

  ...with an easy change in Hamburg and Copenhagen.  Check times and prices at www.bahn.de remembering to select a morning departure.  If bahn.de won't come up with the goods, book Berlin-Copenhagen at www.bahn.de then Copenhagen-Stockholm at www.sj.se.

• Or you can break up the journey with an overnight stop in Copenhagen.

  To book a journey with a stopover, but still benefit from a cheap sparpreis ticket from Berlin to Stockholm or Gothenburg, click Add intermediate stops, enter Copenhagen and enter a stopover period such as 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  You can have any length of stopover up to 48h.

  Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews:  Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

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

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:38 by ICE train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto a Danish IC3 intercity train arriving Copenhagen at 17:33.  The ICE train has a restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In Copenhagen you've time for dinner.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  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 overnight sleeper train, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays usually around 22:32 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.  There are 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 3, Berlin to Malmo & Stockholm by Snälltåget sleeper train, twice a week March-October, daily through the summer...

• Private operator www.snalltaget.se has run a summer-only Berlin-Malmö sleeper train twice a week in previous years, but in 2021 it's being expanded to run between Berlin, Hamburg, Malmo & Stockholm, for a longer operating period, and daily through the summer.

  The Snälltåget sleeper train will run from Berlin to Malmo & Stockholm on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 8 May to 2 October 2021, & every day from 11 June to 5 September 2021.

  It will leave Berlin Hbf at 19:02, Hamburg Hbf at 23:26 and arrive Malmo at 07:40 & Stockholm at 14:20.

• The train has ordinary seats and 6-berth couchettes.  There's a restaurant car between Malmo & Stockholm, which they call the Krogen (the Hook).  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.

• 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.

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Berlin to Oslo & Norway...

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

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

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen.  Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, travel by train from Copenhagen to Oslo Sentral with one easy change at Gothenburg.  You can check times at the Swedish Railways site www.sj.se.  Departure from Copenhagen is usually around 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 Color Line 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, by train to Copenhagen then DFDS overnight cruise ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo - cheaper than Color Line...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Frederikshavn by train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 07:03, changing at Hamburg Hbf, Fredericia & Lindholm, arriving Frederikshavn at 19:25.

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

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Berlin to Helsinki & Finland...

Option 1, by direct ferry from Germany to Helsinki - 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, travel to Stockholm and take a ferry from there...

• 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 around 4h20. 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 09:16, change at Prague Holesovice & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 16:57.

  Berlin Hbf depart 11:16, change at Prague Hlavni & 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 Hlavni & Ceske Budejovice, arriving Cesky Krumlov 23:49.

  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.  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 Add intermediate stops, 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 then 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 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 are two direct trains every day, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:17 & 09:16, journey time around 7h03.  Later departures are available every 2 hours or so until the afternoon with a change in Prague. 

• Check times and buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (Booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or 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 €29.90...

Option 1, by direct EuroCity train - the leisurely daytime option with restaurant car...

• A EuroCity train with restaurant car called the Hungaria leaves Berlin Hbf at 09:16 every day, arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:50.  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' very latest air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Czechia and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

  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 Add intermediate stops, enter Dresden in the via box and the number of hours you want to have in Dresden (max 48 hours) in the 'hh:mm' box.  Then run the enquiry and buy the ticket.  There are left luggage lockers at Dresden Hbf.

Option 2, by EuroNight sleeper train Metropol - the time-effective overnight 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 05:50 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.  A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers.  The train's final destination is Budapest.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 If you like, you can see the formation of this train at www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Slovakia, click EN then select the Metropol.

• A request:  If you get any good photos of this train inside or out especially the couchettes, please let me know!

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

Option 1, in a day...

• It's just about possible to travel from Berlin to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice in a (long) day, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 by EuroCity train Hungaria to Bratislava Hlavna, then by air-conditioned Slovakian express train with restaurant car to Poprad Tatry & Kosice arriving late at night.

• 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 Add intermediate stops feature to give yourself an overnight stopover in Bratislava if you like.

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

• Step 1, take an afternoon EuroCity train from Berlin Hbf to Prague Hlavni in around 4h30

  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.  Make sure you allow at least 1.5 hours between trains in Prague.

  Tip:  Why not allow time for dinner and an evening wander around Prague's old town?  See my restaurant suggestions in Prague.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or 239.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead on bahn.de, but normally only 90 days ahead on cd.cz.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 2, take the overnight sleeper train Slovakia from Prague to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice, leaving Prague Hlavni around 22:15 and arriving Poprad-Tatry around 06:41 & Kosice around 08:29 next morning.

  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.

  Tip:  You can check the formation of this train with car numbers, photos & floorplans at www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations and search for EN443 Slovakia.

Option 3, 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 €39.90...

Option 1, by EuroCity train Hungaria - the leisurely daytime option with restaurant car...

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

  If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Czechia and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

  A request:  If you get any more good interior, restaurant or food photos of the new cars now used on the Hungaria, please get in touch!

• 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.

Option 2, by sleeper train Metropol - the time-effective overnight option, saves a hotel bill too...

• A comfortable EuroNight sleeper train called the Metropol leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 and arrives Budapest Keleti at 08:35 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.  The sleeper fare includes a light breakfast, served in your compartment.

• 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.

• 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.  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.

  Tip:  If you like, you can see the formation of this train at www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Hungary & click EN, then select the Metropol.

• A request:  If you get any good photos of this train inside or out especially the couchettes, please let me know!

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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 on the sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 08:35, as shown in the section 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 09:54 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 12:33 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.

  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 the excellent www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Hungary & click EN, then look for Ister.

  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.

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Hungary to Romania journeys you print your own ticket.

  You can also normally 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.  However, since MAV revamped its website in 2020, it can't book couchettes or sleepers, only seats, though this should be fixed at some point.

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 10:05 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 in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• 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 Sighisoara 10:34, Brasov 13:35 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 16:04.

  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...

  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.

  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.

  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.

Option 3, to Brasov by daytime trains with hotel in Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels...

• Day 1, 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.

  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 23:59, or from Budapest to Brasov leaving Budapest Keleti at 10:10 and arriving Brasov at 00:55.

  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.

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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 ICE high-speed train, for example, the 16:30 from Berlin Hbf arrives Munich Hbf 21:04.

  The ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  By all means book an earlier train for more of an evening in Munich.

  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.

  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.

  You've time 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.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Ljubljana 05:57 & Zagreb 08:35.

  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.

  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.

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.

  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 Keleti at 08:35 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.

  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.

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 19:28, 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, 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.

  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 16:37. 

  The Gradec leaves Budapest Keleti at 06:35 arriving in Zagreb at 15:51 (this train only runs from 5 June to 12 September 2021), or spend a pleasant morning in Budapest and take the afternoon train Agram leaving Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving in Zagreb at 21:05, 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 15:36.

  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 will be back for summer 2021, expanded to serve Zagreb, Rijeka and Split, with bus connections to other resorts along the Croatian and Montenegrin coast.

  It runs 3 times a week from 28 May until 28 September 2021, increased to daily in July & August.

  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, via Zagreb, as the route from Budapest to Belgrade is currently blocked by major track upgrading...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Munich by day train and Munich to Zagreb by sleeper as shown above.  You arrive at 08:35 on day 2.

• 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).

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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, 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 10:37, arriving Wroclaw 14:47, Katowice 16:44 & Krakow Glowny at 17:39. 

  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, by sleeper train - the safe & comfortable overnight option...

• A sleeper train leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 with a sleeping-car and two seats cars for Krakow Glowny, arriving nice and early (well, early...) at 03:47 next morning.  The train continues to Tarnow, Rzeszow & Przemysl.

  Tip:  Instead of getting off at Krakow at silly o'clock, I recommend booking the sleeper to Rzeszow Glowny.  Have breakfast in the historic city of Rzeszow with its lovely well-preserved old town, then return to Krakow on any train you like, Rzeszow to Krakow takes around 1h40 and trains leave regularly.

  The Berlin-Krakow/Rzeszow sleeper train has two seats cars and a safe & comfortable Polish sleeping-car bound for Przemysl.  The sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  There are no couchettes on this train and no restaurant car, so bring a picnic & bottle of wine along, or have an early dinner in Berlin.

• Prices start at €39 with a bed in a 3-berth, €54 with a bed in a 2-berth or €79 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, all per person per berth.

• Book the sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares).  Booking normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Tip:  It's not possible to book a deluxe sleeper.  PKP have found they cannot always guarantee this type of sleeper, sometimes operating a nicely refurbished older sleeper with regular compartments and no deluxes, so they play safe and book all compartments as standard with washbasin.  If you end up in a deluxe it's a bonus!

Option 3, 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 13:42 & 15:43, 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 Add intermediate stops and enter the number of hours you want in the hh:mm box.  The Palace of Culture is just across the road from Warsaw Centralna station, and Warsaw's old town square is just 20 minutes walk away.  For lunch, I heartily recommend the U Fukiera restaurant on the inner square, www.ufukiera.pl.

  If you don't see any cheap fares from Berlin to Krakow using bahn.de for any reason, assuming it's within 60 days of travel, simply book from Berlin to Warsaw at www.bahn.de, 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 4, by sleeper train via Poznan.  Also safe, comfortable & time-effective, with dinner in Poznan!

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Poznan by comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:43 and arriving Poznan at 20:27.

  There's time for dinner in Poznan - or by all means take the earlier 13:42 or 12:37 train and see something of Poznan's pleasant old town.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 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 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 2, travel from Poznan to Krakow by sleeper train, leaving Poznan around 23:00 and arriving Krakow around 05:23 next morning.

  The fare is around 117 zlotys (€28) with a couchette in a 4-berth or 207 zlotys (€49) for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper).

  Book this train at the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 60 days ahead.

Option 5, by sleeper train via Stettin - a variation on option 4 above...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Stettin (= Szczecin) by regional train, leaving Berlin Gesundbrunnen around 17:20 and arriving Szczecin Glowny at 19:17.  By all means take the earlier 14:53 train from Berlin Gesundbrunnen and see something of Stettin.  The fare is just €11 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 €11 ticket, only more expensive ones.

• Step 2, travel from Poznan to Krakow by sleeper train, leaving Szczecin Glowny around 19:42 arriving Krakow Glowny around 05:23.

  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 60 days ahead.

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Berlin to Wroclaw from €27.90...

Option 1, by direct Berlin-Wroclaw trains...

• Morning train:  New for 2021 there's a morning train, the EuroCity Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:37 and arriving Wroclaw 14:47.  This comfortable air-conditioned Polish EuroCity train has 1st & 2nd class with restaurant car.

• Evening train:  A direct EuroCity train leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:43 every evening, arriving Wroclaw Glowny (main station) at 22:47.  This train is 2nd class only, no catering 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, via Poznan or Rzepin...

• 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 at 10:20, or the daily 12:37 from Berlin will get you to Wroclaw at 17:27 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, use this special link which adds Poznan in the via box and so finds the cheap fares by train via Poznan.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Option 3, by direct regional train Fridays & Saturdays.

• A direct regional train leaves Berlin Lichtenburg 08:26 on Saturdays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 12:41. 

• A direct regional train leaves Berlin Lichtenberg at 14:25 on Fridays arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 19:06.

• 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, so 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 17:23 on Sundays arriving Berlin Lichtenburg at 21:25, also most Fridays at 19:42 arriving 23:55, check times & running days at www.bahn.de.

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Berlin to Gdansk & Gdynia from €29.90...

• An excellent direct EuroCity train leaves Berlin every day at 12:37 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 €11...

• 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, 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 €11, 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 €11 Berlin-Stettin Ticket online, buy at the station from the VBB machines or staffed counter.  Feedback appreciated!

  You can check the price at the VBB website www.vbb.de/en/tickets.

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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 11:11.

  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 17:42, see the 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, sleeper train to Przemysl, day train to Lviv & Kiev...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Przemysl (on the Polish-Ukrainian border) by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 & arriving Przemysl at 07:49.

  The train has a comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with cosy 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and two Polish 2nd class seats cars.  There are no couchettes.

  Fares start at €69 with a bed in a 3-berth, €89 with a bed in a 2-berth or €109 with a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

  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 fares, a little more fiddly). Booking normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Przemysl to Lviv & Kiev by air-conditioned Ukrainian intercity train, leaving Przemysl 13:10 arriving Lviv 16:02, Kiev 23:09.

  Przemysl to Lviv costs around €7.10, Przemysl to Kiev around €13.40.

  Book at the Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua/en - if you have any problems contact reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com. 

  Suggested hotels in Lviv:  The famous George Hotel or Grand Hotel.

Step 1, Berlin to Przemysl by sleeper train...  This is the modern Polish air-conditioned sleeping-car on the Berlin-Krakow-Rzeszow-Przemysl train, about to leave Berlin Hbf.  These cars also have two deluxe compartments with toilet & shower, but all compartments are sold as standard with washbasin on this train as PKP cannot guarantee that this type will always be available.  Photo courtesy of Nicholas A Milligan.

Standard sleeper in evening/morning mode with seats folded out.		Standard sleeper set up as 3-berth.  It can also be sold as a single or double.		Deluxe sleeper, set up as a 2-berth, showing TV & wardrobe.		Deluxe sleeper:  En suite shower & toilet...

Step 2, Przemysl to Lviv & Kiev by intercity.		1st class. Larger photo. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

2nd class. Larger photo. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.		Cafe counter. Larger photo. Courtesy DiscoverByRail.

Option 2, day train to Warsaw, sleeper to Kiev, another good option...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:19. 

  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:  If you take the earlier 05:43 departure on Mondays-Saturdays arriving 11:38 you'll have time to explore Warsaw and it'll be a more robust connection, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Kiev by Kiev Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 18:20 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.

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

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Berlin to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

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

• 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).

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

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

  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.

• 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, using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train...

• Step 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:19.

  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 11:11, which would give you some time in Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily, arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day.

  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, via Warsaw & Kiev - this route avoids Belarus...

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 and arriving at Warsaw Centralna at 15:19.

• Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Kiev by Kiev Express sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 18:20 & 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, take an overnight sleeper train from Kiev to Moscow.

  There are several night trains, but there's usually one leaving Kiev at 19:36 and arriving in Moscow Kievskaya station next morning at 10:13 (day 3 from Berlin).  2-berth & 4-berth sleepers are available.  No problems have been reported by westerners travelling from Kiev to Moscow on these trains.

• How much does it cost?

  Berlin to Warsaw starts at €27.90.  The fare varies, book ahead for 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 online at www.bahn.de.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Book Warsaw-Kiev and Kiev-Moscow, 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 - you can use the adjust transfer time feature to increase the time between trains in Munich if you like.

• 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 120 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote the reference on the train.

  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 €7, 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.trainose.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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