Lunch in the restaurant car between Berlin & Prague

I want to go from Bratislava to...

This page explains how to travel by train from Bratislava to other European cities and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.

Pictured right: The civilised way to go. Lunch and a beer in the restaurant car of a Bratislava to Berlin express.

Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "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?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

European train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel	Senior fares (over 60)	Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)
Top tips for buying European train tickets	Youth fares (under 26)	Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)
How to check European train times	Child fares & child age limits	Couchettes & sleepers on night trains
Do I need to book in advance?	Luggage on European trains	Train seat numbering plans
How far ahead can I book?	Luggage storage at stations	Wheelchairs & special needs
Can I stop off on the way?	Taking a bike by train	Real-time service updates
Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?	Taking a car by train	Hotels & accommodation
How long to allow for connections?	Taking dogs & pets by train	Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi
How early to arrive at the station?	Maps of the European rail network	What to do when things go wrong...

How to buy tickets for journeys within Slovakia

www.zssk.sk is the Slovakian Railways website, click EN for English top right, though it tends to slip back into Slovak.

Free travel for seniors & students within Slovakia

At the time of writing, all EU citizens & residents over 62 years old or students under 26 get free travel on R, Ex, EN, EC, SC trains wholly within Slovakia, but you need to register for a rail customer card at a Slovakian station first and then get a 'zero fare ticket' for each journey, for more details see www.zssk.sk and look under Prices & Discounts for Zero - fare Public Rail Transport. UK citizens no longer qualify.

Bratislava to Kosice

Trains link Bratislava Hlavna with Kosice every 2 hours, journey time 5h40. Most have a restaurant car serving inexpensive meals, beer and wine. The full-flex fare is only about €25 in 2nd class or €33 in 1st class even for a premium-fare Intercity train.
Buy at the station or the Slovakian Railways site www.zssk.sk.

Bratislava to Poprad-Tatry

Trains link Bratislava Hlavna with Poprad-Tatry every 2 hours, journey time 4h25. Most have a restaurant car serving inexpensive meals, beer and wine. The full-flex fare is only about €21 in 2nd class or €29 in 1st class even for a premium-fare Intercity train.
Buy at the station or the Slovakian Railways site www.zssk.sk.

Slovakian InterCity & fast trains

On the Bratislava - Poprad Tatry - Kosice main line, ZSSK's best trains are classified IC (InterCity) or R (Rychlik, meaning fast). They both use similar high-quality air-conditioned cars like the ones shown below. All IC trains and most R trains have a restaurant car which also has a bar area. Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant car, it's not expensive and ZSSK's restaurants are very good. There's usually one 1st class car, but various 2nd class cars, in 2nd class you can usually choose between a seat in an open-plan car or seats in a car with classic side corridor and 6-seat compartments.

Intercity train from Bratislava to Poprad Tatry & Kosice, at Bratislava

Bratislava-Poprad Tatry-Kosice R train.


Bar area at the other end of the restaurant car.		2nd class open-plan on a Bratislava-Kosice train.


1st class on a Bratislava-Poprad Tatry-Kosice train.		2nd class compartment on a Bratislava-Kosice train.


IC (Intercity) or R (Rychlik, fast) train.		Restaurant car.

Bratislava to London

See the London to Bratislava page for routes, times, fares & how to buy tickets in either direction.

Bratislava to Paris

Option 1, Bratislava to Paris in a single day - the scenic route via the Arlberg Pass

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Zurich by direct railjet train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 06:08 and arriving Zurich HB at 15:20.
This is a swish modern air-conditioned railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It'll take you in daylight through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass, a real treat, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page.
Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €74.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train 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 Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 17:34 daily except Saturdays, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 21:38.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria high-speed train travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.

Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Step 1, Bratislava to Zurich by railjet train, seen here at Bratislava Hlavna. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.


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


First class.		Economy (2nd) class.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Crossing the Salzach at Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the left hand side as the railjet crosses the river after leaving Salzburg Hbf.

Cutting across Germany: From Salzburg to Kufstein the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug.

Lunch is served at your seat in first & business classes

Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.

Above right, lunch is served. In railjet first & business class, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls briefly at Innsbruck Hbf.

River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Ötzal & Landeck.

Arlberg Pass: Above, brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Arlberg Tunnel: Between St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.


Liechtenstein: The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.		Sargans castle: Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

The lakes between the Austrian border and Zurich

Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zürichsee.

TGV-Lyria from Zurich to Paris, at Zurich HB

2. Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria. Above, a 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria at Zurich HB.


The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. Larger photo.		TGV-Lyria. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Option 2, Bratislava to Paris using the Vienna-Paris Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk any tight connections with a sleeper to catch. By all means travel earlier and have dinner in Vienna, these trains run every hour. See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:38 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:24 next morning. This train is expected to become daily from autumn 2024.
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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Nightjet sleeper train boarding at Vienna Hbf

Step 2, Vienna to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.


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


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

Option 3, Bratislava to Paris using the Vienna-Zurich sleeper - another time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 18:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 19:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk any tight connections when you have a sleeper train to catch. By all means travel earlier and have dinner in Vienna, these trains run every hour. See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 21:39 and arriving Zurich HB at 08:20.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 or 2-bed compartments with washbasin and larger 1 or 2-bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet plus a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin. The sleeper 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 accommodation, travel tips & photos.

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, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Step 3, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 11:34 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:38.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria high-speed train travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck. On some dates, you'll find an 09:34 departure from Zurich to Paris, arriving 13:38.

Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 2, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper. This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.


2-berth sleeper on the lower deck.		Stairs down to pair of lower compartments.		1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is.

Step 3, Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria. These 320 km/h double-deck trains now operate all TGV-Lyria services.


The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class seats on the upper deck, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		TGV-Lyria. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Bratislava to Nice & the South of France

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 16:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:44.

By all means travel earlier and see more of Vienna, these trains run every hour. The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about these Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk any tight connections when you have a sleeper train to catch. Why not have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Genoa by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

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

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

Step 3, travel from Genoa to Ventimiglia by Intercity train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 12:58 arriving Ventimiglia at 14:54.
This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa & Ventimiglia. There's a refreshment trolley.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Step 4, travel from Ventimiglia to Monaco, Nice or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:16, arriving Monte Carlo 15:47, Nice Ville 16:11, Cannes 16:53.
The fare is €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

You'll find full details of the journey from Milan to Nice with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Bratislava to Lyon

Option 1, Bratislava to Lyon using the Vienna-Zurich sleeper - most time-effective

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, Vienna to Zurich by nightjet sleeper and Zurich to Geneva by Swiss intercity train as shown in the Bratislava to Switzerland section. Book from Bratislava to Geneva at www.raileurope.com and print your own tickets.
Step 2, take a TER regional train from Geneva to Lyon Part Dieu, these leave every 2 hours taking 2h10, fixed-price fare €33.40. You should reach Lyon just after lunch. Buy this ticket as a second transaction on www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket.

Option 2, Bratislava to Lyon using the Bratislava-Zurich railjet - in a day

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Zurich by direct railjet leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 06:08 arriving Zurich at 15:20, then take the next Swiss intercity train to Geneva, as shown in the Bratislava to Switzerland section below.

Book from Bratislava to Geneva at www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket.

Step 2, take a TER regional train from Geneva to Lyon Part Dieu, these leave every 2 hours taking 2h10, fixed-price fare €33.40. You reach Lyon around 21:22. Buy this ticket as a second transaction on www.raileurope.com and print your own ticket.

Bratislava to Strasbourg

Option 1, by daytime trains

The best departure is at 07:35 every day by regional train to Vienna Hbf, then by ICE-T train to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf then TGV Duplex to Strasbourg arriving 18:48. The ICE-T has a restaurant car, the TGV has a cafe-bar. Both have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee). This cleverly splits the booking to get a cheap fare for both the Bratislava-Frankfurt leg and the Frankfurt-Strasbourg leg.

Option 2, by sleeper trains - the time-effective option

Take an early evening regional train to Vienna and board the Nightjet sleeper from Vienna to Paris, as shown in the Bratislava to Paris section above. This sleeper train calls at Strasbourg at 05:44.

Bratislava to Brussels or Bruges

Option 1, Bratislava to Brussels in a single day from €46.90

You can travel from Bratislava to Brussels in a single day:
Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 05:35, change at Vienna Hbf & Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi 17:35.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 07:35, change at Vienna Hbf & Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi 19:35.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 09:35, change at Vienna Hbf & Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi 21:35.

Bratislava to Vienna is by regional express. Vienna to Frankfurt & Frankfurt to Brussels is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. A chill-out day across Europe.

Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class, €99.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Option 2, Bratislava to Brussels using the Vienna-Brussels Nightjet sleeper on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays - the most comfortable & time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections with a sleeper train to catch. These regional trains run every hour, your ticket is good for any departure that day, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:38 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Brussels Midi at 09:56 next morning. This train is expected to become daily from autumn 2024.

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's 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 a couchette car 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but less than this when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes intervene. You print your own tickets.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

The Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna at Brussels

Step 2, Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet sleeper train. The inaugural Nightjet left Vienna for Brussels on 19 January 2020. Above, the inaugural southbound train is ready to leave Brussels the following night, the first scheduled sleeper train to leave Brussels in 16 years - naturally, the Man in Seat 61 was on board! More about Nightjet trains.


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


6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Couchette car on the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet.

Option 3, Bratislava to Brussels using the Vienna-Cologne Nightjet sleeper - on days when the direct Vienna-Brussels Nightjet isn't running

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections when you have a sleeper train to catch. These trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & wine.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Cologne by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10 & arriving at Cologne Messe-Deutz at 06:53.

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's 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 several 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €, has been known to reject some international cards). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but less than this when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes intervene. You print your own tickets.

Transfer from Cologne Messe-Deutz across the Rhine bridge to Cologne Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train.

Step 3, travel from Cologne to Brussels by high-speed ICE3 train leaving Cologne Hbf at 07:42 and arriving Brussels Midi at 09:35.

The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start from €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. You can book through to Bruges or anywhere in Belgium as one transaction for one inclusive price. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Bratislava to Amsterdam from €46.90

Option 1, Bratislava to Amsterdam using the Vienna-Amsterdam Nightjet sleeper train - the most comfortable & time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections with a sleeper to catch. These trains run every hour, your ticket is good for any train, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59.

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's 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 several 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.

From April 2025 this train is due to become a new generation Nightjet, with new rolling stock including individual mini cabins.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €) or at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no fee).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, less than this when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes intervene. You print your own ticket.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train, seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Nightjets.


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


6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Couchette car on the Nightjet train.

Option 2, Bratislava to Amsterdam in a single day from €46.90

You can travel from Bratislava to Amsterdam in a single day, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 07:35 by regional train to Vienna Hbf, superb ICE-T with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi to Frankfurt (Main), then an ICE3 to Amsterdam Centraal arriving around 20:28. A chill-out day across Europe.
Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class, €99.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Tip: In the search results, look for journeys with just 2 changes.

Bratislava to Luxembourg from €37.90

Option 1, Bratislava to Luxembourg in a single day

You can travel from Bratislava to Luxembourg in a single day:
Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 05:35, change at Vienna Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 17:48.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 07:35, change at Vienna Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 20:22.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 09:35, change at Vienna Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 21:29.

Bratislava to Vienna is by regional express. Vienna to Koblenz is by ICE-T train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Koblenz-Luxembourg is by regional train. A chill-out day across Europe.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class, €66.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Tip: To stop journeys involving rail replacement buses cluttering up the search results, click Stopovers and enter Igel as a stopover, leaving length of stay as 00:00. The trains call at Igel, the buses don't!

Tip: In the search results, look for a journey with just 2 changes.

Option 2, Bratislava to Luxembourg overnight using the Vienna-Koblenz sleeper - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections with a sleeper to catch. These trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Koblenz by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:38 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving at Koblenz Hbf at 05:45 next morning. This train is expected to become daily from autumn 2024.

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's 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 several 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but less than this when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes intervene. You print your own tickets.

Step 3, travel from Koblenz to Luxembourg by regional train leaving Koblenz Hbf at 06:03 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Luxembourg at 08:24.

On Sundays (or if the sleeper is late), leave Koblenz 07:06, change at Trier, arrive Luxembourg 09:23.

The fare is €28 in 2nd class or €47.80 in 1st class, fixed-price.

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.

Bratislava to Zurich & Switzerland

Option 1, Bratislava to Zurich by direct railjet train - the best option if the timing suits you

A direct ÖBB railjet train leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 06:08 every day, arriving Zurich HB at 15:20.
Change at Sargans for Chur & St Moritz. Change at Zurich HB for Basel, Bern, Geneva or anywhere else in Switzerland.
This is a scenic ride on a smart modern railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi through the scenic Arlberg Pass, see the Arlberg Pass scenery video & Arlberg Railways page.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (=premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Tip: You can book from Bratislava to any Swiss station not just Zurich, this is usually a lot cheaper than buying a separate onward ticket from Zurich at Swiss domestic prices.

The Bratislava-Zurich railjet train at Bratislava Hlavna. More about railjet trains. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.


Business class. About.		Restaurant car.


First class.		Economy class.

Crossing the Salzach at Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the left hand side as the railjet crosses the river after leaving Salzburg Hbf.

Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.

Above right, lunch is served. In railjet first & business class, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls briefly at Innsbruck Hbf.

River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Ötzal & Landeck.

Arlberg Pass: Above, brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Arlberg Tunnel: Between St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.


Liechtenstein: The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.		Sargans castle: Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zürichsee.

Option 2, Bratislava to Switzerland by daytime trains with one easy change in Vienna - if the timing of the direct train doesn't suit you

Step 1, travel from Bratislava Hlavna to Vienna Hbf by regional train leaving every hour at xx:35 minutes past each hour, taking 1h09.
The fare is €11.60, just buy tickets at the station on the day or at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at to save time and hop on the next train. No reservation necessary or possible, it cannot sell out! More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

I'd allow at least 40 minutes between trains in Vienna.

Step 2, travel from Vienna Hbf to Zurich HB by railjet train in 7h50, departures at 07:30, 09:30, 13:30, 15:30.
This is a lovely scenic ride on a smart modern train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi through the wonderful Arlberg Pass, see the Arlberg Pass scenery video & Arlberg Railway page.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this 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 €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Option 3, Bratislava to Switzerland using the Vienna-Zurich Nightjet sleeper - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 18:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 19:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections with a sleeper to catch. These trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, take the excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 21:39 and arriving Zurich HB at 08:20.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 or 2-bed compartments with washbasin and larger 1 or 2-bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet plus a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin. The sleeper 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 accommodation, travel tips & photos.

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, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train. This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.


2-berth sleeper on the lower deck.		Stairs down to pair of lower compartments.		1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is.

Bratislava to Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome & Italy from €44

Option 1, Bratislava to Venice in a day

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 09:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:44.

You can also take the later 10:38 arriving 11:44, but I'd play safe. The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket for the railjet to Venice, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Venice by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:24 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 20:05.
The railjet train is air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, there's a restaurant car (1st & business class passengers are served at their seat). It takes the scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway between Vienna and Graz, see the photos, travel tips & video on the Vienna to Venice by railjet page.
Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st or €71.60 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Change in Venice for high-speed trains to Verona, Milan, Florence or Rome - I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains at Venice, but as you arrive in Venice at 8pm an overnight stop may be necessary.
Book onward trains within Italy at www.thetrainline.com. Venice-Florence from €19.90 in 2h05, Venice-Rome from €29.90 in 3h45.
Tip: You can change trains at Venice Mestre to save going over the causeway into Venice Santa Lucia and back out again, although if staying overnight I'd be too keen to see a bit of Venice, for however short a time! Venice Santa Lucia is only 15 minutes walk from the Rialto bridge.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Venice by railjet, seen here about to leave Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Venice railjets.


Restaurant car.		Business class. About.


First class.		Economy class.

The railjet travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Option 2, Bratislava to Italy by sleeper train - the most comfortable & time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train:

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 16:35 if going to Milan, Bologna, Florence or Rome arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:44.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 18:35 if going to Venice, arriving Vienna Hbf at 19:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk any tight connections with a sleeper to catch. These trains run every hour, your ticket is good for any train, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Italy by Nightjet sleeper train.

A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day with a portion arriving Verona Porta Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38 & La Spezia 11:10, another portion arriving Bologna Centrale 05:36, Florence SMN 06:42 & Rome Tiburtina 11:05.

Another Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:40 arriving Venice Santa Lucia on the banks of the Grand Canal in central Venice at 08:34.

The Nightjets to Venice and to Milan, Genoa & La Spezia each have 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.

From 10 September 2024, the Nightjet to Bologna, Florence & Rome becomes a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

Fares for the new-generation Nightjet start at €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Fares for the original Nightjets 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, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book these trains at www.thetrainline.com (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 and you print your own ticket.
Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, 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 Austria & click nj.
Step 3, onward trains from Rome to Naples, Rome to Sicily or Milan to Genoa (for example) can be booked 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). I'd allow at least an hour between the nightjet arrival and any onward train.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Venice, Florence or Rome by Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.


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


6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Couchette car on the Nightjet train.

Bratislava to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

Bratislava to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Zurich or Geneva

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 06:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:44.

You can take the later 07:38 if you like, but I'd play safe. The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket. See the Bratislava to Vienna page for photos & information.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: If you have a 1st class or business class ticket for the railjet to Zurich, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Zurich by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:28 arriving Zurich HB at 17:20.
You'll travel through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass. Put your feet up and enjoy the ride, have lunch or dinner in the restaurant car - watch this video to see how good the scenery is. The train has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares from Vienna to Geneva start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €64.90 in 1st class or €79.90 in business class (= premium 1st class).
Book from Vienna to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket. This ticket will then include the onward train to Geneva, much cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket.

Day 1, take a Swiss domestic train from Zurich HB to Geneva, these run twice an hour, no reservation needed, you reach Geneva around 20:18.

Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare. Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

Day 2, travel from Geneva to Barcelona, leaving Geneva at 07:14, change Lyon Part Dieu & Montpelier St-Roch, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:31.
Geneva to Lyon is by TER regional train along the river Rhône, Lyon to Montpelier is by TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Montpelier to Barcelona is by TGV Duplex also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
The TGV Duplex passes Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.

Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price €33.40. Lyon-Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Geneva to Barcelona at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train.

A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.

For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.

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

Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. Seen from the train and one of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline all the way from Girona to Perpignan.

Bratislava to Lisbon & Portugal

Bratislava to Lisbon via Paris, Barcelona & Madrid

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Paris in a single day by railjet & TGV-Lyria as shown in the Bratislava to Paris section above.
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels. How to transfer from Paris Nord to Paris Montparnasse by taxi or metro.

Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

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

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

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.

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

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

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

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.

Bratislava to Andorra

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Paris Gare de l'Est in a single day by railjet & TGV-Lyria as shown in the Bratislava to Paris section above.
Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels. How to transfer from Paris Nord to Paris Montparnasse by taxi or metro.
Day 2, travel from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Toulouse Matabiau by TGV then bus to Andorra, as shown on the Trains from Paris page.

Bratislava to Berlin & Hamburg from €46.90

Option 1, Bratislava to Berlin & Hamburg by EuroCity Hungaria - the direct daytime option

A direct EuroCity train called the Hungaria links Bratislava with Dresden, Berlin & Hamburg every day, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 09:58, arriving Dresden Hbf 16:50, Berlin Hbf 18:43 and Hamburg Hbf at 21:17.
Earlier and later departures are also available with one easy change at Prague Hlavni
Put your feet up, chill out and enjoy the great scenery along the Elbe river between Prague & Dresden, see the photos, travel tips & video here.

Fares from Bratislava to Berlin & Hamburg start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
int.bahn.de can sell both the direct Hungaria and journeys with a change in Prague. Tip: For a stopover in Prague, click Stopovers and enter PRAGUE, with the desired length of stay.

The EuroCity train Hungaria about to leave Berlin Hbf for Budapest

The EuroCity train Hungaria calls at Berlin Hbf.


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


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


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

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

Option 1, Bratislava to Berlin & Hamburg by day trains - alternative daytime options

There are now two good options every day:

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 08:35 by regional express arriving Vienna Hbf 09:44. Leave Vienna Hbf at 10:12 by ICE-T arriving Berlin Hbf 17:53.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 11:35 by regional express arriving Vienna Hbf 12:44. Leave Vienna Hbf at 13:10 by railjet arriving Berlin Hbf 21:54.

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

The Austrian Railjet train also has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, it starts running from 21 March 2024.
Fares from Bratislava to Berlin start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Berlin & Hamburg by ICE Berolina. This is the Berolina at Vienna Hbf. More about ICE-T trains. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler .


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


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

Option 2, Bratislava to Berlin by sleeper train - the time-effective option, saves a hotel bill too

The EuroNight sleeper train Metropol leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 21:58 arriving Dresden 05:57 & Berlin Hbf 08:15.
This comfortable train has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and 2nd class seats. The sleeper fare includes a light breakfast, served in your compartment. More about this sleeper train.

Fares start at €39 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €129 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €139 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €179 in a single-bed sleeper. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

EuroNight sleeper train from Berlin to Budapest

Bratislava to Berlin by sleeper. This is the southbound sleeper at Berlin Hbf. More about this sleeper train.


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

Option 3, Bratislava to Hamburg using the Vienna-Hamburg sleeper train - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections with a sleeper to catch. These trains run every hour. why not travel earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.

From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is operated by a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but less than this when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes intervene. You print your own ticket.

Bratislava to Munich from €34.90

Option 1, Bratislava to Munich by daytime trains

Take the hourly regional train from Bratislava Hlavna to Vienna Hbf then take a smart modern railjet train from Vienna Hbf to Munich Hbf with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, departures every two hours. For example:
Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 06:35, change at Vienna Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 12:32.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 08:35, change at Vienna Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 14:32.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 10:35, change at Vienna Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 16:32.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 12:35, change at Vienna Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 18:31.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 14:35, change at Vienna Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 20:31.

Leave Bratislava Hlavna at 16:35, change at Vienna Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 22:32.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Tip: I'd change Transfer time to from normal to 30 minutes to ensure robust connections.
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 phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Munich by railjet. Above, a railjet about to leave Vienna Hbf. More about railjets.


Business class. About.		Restaurant car.


First class.		Economy class.

Option 2, Bratislava to Munich by sleeper train

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 20:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 21:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections when you have a sleeper train to catch. These trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Munich by EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre, leaving Vienna Hbf at 23:28 arriving Munich Ost at 05:50.
Fares start at €49.90 with couchette in 6-berth, €59.90 with couchette in 4-berth, 89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper. Morning tea or coffee is included in sleepers.

This sleeper train comes through from Budapest, see more about this train here & see the Hungarian sleeping-car video.

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 prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Bratislava to Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf & other cities in Germany from €39.90

Option 1, Bratislava to Germany by daytime trains

Buy tickets from Bratislava Hlavna to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website, int.bahn.de.
Tip: Look for journeys with the fewest changes. You might get more convenient journeys if you click Stopovers and enter Dresden or Vienna.

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

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

Option 2, Bratislava to Cologne or Dusseldorf by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Tip: Don't risk tight connections with a sleeper to catch. These trains run every hour, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Germany by Nightjet sleeper, leaving Vienna Hbf 20:10, arriving Cologne Messe/Deutz 06:53 & Düsseldorf 07:23.

On Monday, Wednesday & Friday there's also an earlier sleeper, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:38 and arriving Koblenz 05:45 & Cologne Hbf 06:58.

These comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper trains each have 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's 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 several 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Bratislava to Vienna for €11.60

Regional trains link Bratislava Hlavna & Vienna Hbf every hour in 1h09, see the Vienna to Bratislava page


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

Bratislava to Linz, Salzburg or Innsbruck

Option 1, Bratislava to Linz, Salzburg & Innsbruck by direct railjet train

A railjet train leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 06:08 every day for Linz, Salzburg & Innsbruck, arriving Salzburg Hbf 09:53 & Innsbruck Hbf at 11:44.
This excellent railjet train has a restaurant car for breakfast, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 1st & business class passengers can order food & drink from their seats.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class, €54.90 in business class (= premium 1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

The railjet train at Bratislava Hlavna. Courtesy of Helmut Uttentahler.


Business class. About.		Restaurant car.


First class.		Economy class.

Option 2, other departures with a change of train in Vienna - if the direct early morning train doesn't suit you

Step 1, travel from Bratislava Hlavna to Vienna Hbf by regional train, these leave every hour at xx:35 minutes past each hour, journey time 1h09. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains. Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Step 2, travel from Vienna Hbf to Linz, Salzburg Hbf or Innsbruck Hbf by railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Bratislava to Salzburg starts at €24.90. Bratislava to Innsbruck starts at €39.90. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets from Bratislava to anywhere in Austria 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 €, same prices).
Look for journeys with 1 change, ignore journeys with 2. Sparschiene fares are cheap advance-purchase fares, limited availability at each price level, specified train only. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Tip: To travel in 1st or business class on the railjet, it may be cheaper to book from Vienna to your Austrian destination and select 1st class, then buy a 2nd class local ticket for the Bratislava-Vienna train for a fixed-price €11.60 either at the station on the day or as a second transaction at www.thetrainline.com.

Bratislava to Copenhagen, Malmö, Gothenburg & Stockholm

Option 1, Bratislava to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Hamburg, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 08:35, change at Vienna Hbf and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 19:51.
Bratislava to Vienna is by regional train, Vienna to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Always allow an hour between trains, ideally more when connecting with a sleeper train you don't want to miss. Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near the station.

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

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

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

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:57 next morning.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

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

Hamburg-StockholmSJ EuroNight at Hamburg Altona

6-berth couchette on the Hamburg-Stockholm SJ night train

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo


*2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.*		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Scenery from the Hamburg to Stockholm train

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

Option 2, Bratislava to Copenhagen & Scandinavia using the Vienna-Hamburg Nightjet sleeper

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10 every evening & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.

From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is operated by a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €, has been known to reject some international cards).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but less than this when the mid-June or mid-December timetable changes intervene. You print your own tickets.
Step 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53, arriving Copenhagen at 15:34.

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

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Step 4, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000, leaving Copenhagen at 16:19 daily except Saturdays arriving Stockholm Central 21:38.

On Saturdays an extra change is needed, check times online.

If you're going to Stockholm, you can book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction at the int.bahn.de, Hamburg to Stockholm starts at €56.90.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.


2-berth sleeper with washstand. Larger photo.		The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper.		Step 2, Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet. This is a Comfortline sleeping-car as used on the Vienna-Hamburg Nightjet. More about Nightjets.


Austrian couchette car or liegewagen. Couchettes are the economical option, flat bunks with rug & pillow.		6-berth couchettes, the cheapest option.		4-berth couchettes, ideal for families. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

1st class comparment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

1st class 6-seat compartment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 4, Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


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


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

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Option 3, Bratislava to Copenhagen & Scandinavia by day trains with an overnight stop in Hamburg

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Hamburg by EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 09:58, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 21:17.
Put your feet up, chill out and enjoy the scenery along the Elbe river between Prague & Dresden, see the scenery photos & video here.

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.
Day 2, change in Copenhagen for Malmö, Gothenburg & Stockholm.
A fast X2000 train leaves Copenhagen at 14:19 arriving Stockholm Central at 19:37.

Trains run from Copenhagen to Malmo 2 or 3 times each hour taking 39 minutes and to Gothenburg every hour taking 3h50.

How much does it cost?
Bratislava to Copenhagen starts at €66.90 in 2nd class or €81.90 in 1st class.

Bratislava to Stockholm starts at €59.90 in 2nd class or €99.90 in 1st class.

These are German Railways Sparpreis through fares. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

To buy tickets

You can buy a through ticket from Bratislava to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Malmo or Gothenburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours.

In the search results, look for journeys with the fewest changes. Adjust departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg. A little trial and error may be needed!

Tip: If you have any problems you can split the booking into stages: Book from Bratislava (or Vienna) to Hamburg then Hamburg to Copenhagen using int.bahn.de. Then book Copenhagen to Gothenburg or Stockholm at either www.sj.se (in Krona, can struggle with some overseas credit cards, no booking fee) or Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com, in Krona, €, £ or $, small booking fee, quick & easy to use and readily accepts overseas credit cards).

The EuroCity train Hungaria between Berlin & Budapest

Step 1, Bratislava to Hamburg on the EuroCity train Hungaria. Photos courtesy of Siddhartha Verma.


2nd class seats on the Hungaria. Larger photo.		Restaurant car on the Hungaria. Larger photo.

Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Bratislava to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Bratislava to Oslo via Hamburg & Copenhagen - by train all the way

Day 1 travel from Bratislava to Hamburg by EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 09:58, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 21:17.
Put your feet up, chill out and enjoy the scenery along the Elbe river between Prague & Dresden, see the scenery photos & video here.

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

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

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

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, you have a choice:
You can travel from Hamburg to Oslo entirely by train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, changing trains at Copenhagen & Gothenburg, arriving Oslo Sentral 23:41, as explained on the Trains from Hamburg page.

Or you can travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, then sail from Copenhagen to Oslo in a cosy cabin on the excellent DFDS overnight ferry, also as explained on the Trains from Hamburg page. A private cabin on the ferry with en suite toilet & shower is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill.

Option 2, Bratislava to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 17:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains. By all means travel earlier and see something of Vienna, these trains run every hour.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Day 1, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.
From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is operated by a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf by regional train, these leave several times each hour taking 1h10, fixed-price fare around €23.
In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map. But always allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.

Day 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 (Day 3 from Bratislava).
Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or www.colorline.com.
Money-saving tip: It's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164. You'll need to use Google Chrome translation to translate the Norwegian. You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details. Feedback appreciated.

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.

Sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line. It's just a 6 minute walk across from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line terminal. There's a lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you've booked one of Color Line's 5 star suites, check in at the desk rather than the machines to be directed to a VIP lounge with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi. You'll have priority boarding & free access to the on-board spa. Photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry except where shown.

Above left, cabin with TV, shower & toilet, luxury suites are also available. Above right, restaurant with a view.

Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.

Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.

The Color Line ferry, arrived at Oslo. Above right, there's a transfer bus to Oslo Sentral, photo courtesy of Andrew Leo.

Bratislava to Helsinki & Finland

Option 1, Bratislava to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Travemünde in Germany - the easiest option

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Berlin by sleeper train, as shown in the Bratislava to Berlin section above. Book as shown.
Day 2, travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 12:05 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 13:51.
You can in fact take any train you like as trains run at least every hour, just make sure you allow at least an hour between trains in Berlin in case of delay. Which departure you choose depends on whether you want more time in Berlin or more time in Hamburg. The ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck by regional train then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemünde.

Sail from Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry. Finnlines sail from Travemünde to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 4 from Bratislava).

For full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing, see here.

Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.

Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.

Finnlines operate the Finnstar, Finnmaid & Finnlady on the Travemünde-Helsinki route. Photo courtesy of Hubert Bartkowiak. Photos below courtesy of Chris Russell.

Standard cabin. Larger photo.

Gym with a view.

Sauna.

Option 2, Bratislava to Helsinki by train to Stockholm then ferry

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Stockholm as shown above.
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.

Bratislava to Prague for €17

Option 1, Bratislava to Prague by EuroCity train every 2h - the most frequent option

Comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity trains with restaurant car & free WiFi link Bratislava Hlavna with Prague Hlavni every 2 hours through the day, journey time around 4h05. These trains are jointly run by the Slovakian & Czech national railways. Reservation is optional, so the trains can never sell out and train tickets can easily be bought at the station on the day.
For timetable, fares, tips & how to buy tickets, see the Budapest-Bratislava-Prague EuroCity train page.
Check times & buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. First Minute fares are advance-purchase fares with limited availability, specified train only, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

You can also book at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk but the Czech site is much easier to use. See suggested hotels in Prague.

EuroCity train to Budapest about to leave Prague

A EuroCity train from Prague to Budapest about to leave Prague Hlavni. More about these trains.


1st class.		2nd class compartment seating.


Restaurant car.		Lunch & a beer.

Option 2, Bratislava to Prague by private operator Regiojet - 4 departures a day, can be cheaper, with great on-board service

Private operator Regiojet runs several express trains each day between Bratislava and Prague with good service in several classes, see more about RegioJet trains and their 4 classes.
Departures from Bratislava Hlavna are at 06:21, 08:21, 12:21, 14:00, 16:21. journey time 4h16.
Low prices from €11.90. Regiojet's prices remain low even at short notice, in fact even booked on the day.
Buy tickets at www.regiojet.com.

A RegioJet train to Prague at Vienna Hbf

A RegioJet train in its distinctive yellow & grey colours. More about Regiojet trains & their 4 classes

Business class . Larger photo. 360° photo.

Relax class. Larger photo. 360° photo.

Standard class Astra car. Larger photo. 360° photo.

Regiojet Astra car at Vienna.

Option 3, Bratislava to Prague by sleeper train - the time-effective option

The sleeper train Metropol leaves Bratislava Hlavna 21:58 and arrives Prague Hlavni at 08:13.

It has an air-conditioned Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare. There is also a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments. The train originates in Budapest.

Book at Czech Railways www.cd.cz. Booking normally opens 90 days ahead. You print your own ticket

For train times, fares, photos, tips & how to buy tickets, see the Budapest to Prague sleeper train section.

The Czech sleeping-car from Budapest & Bratislava to Prague, boarding at Budapest Nyugati on a summer evening.

Washstand, soap & towels provided. Larger photo.

2-bed 'double' sleeper. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple sleeper. Larger photo.

The corridor. Each compartment locks securely. Larger photo.

Bratislava to Brno from €6

Comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Bratislava Hlavna with Brno Hlavni roughly every 2 hours through the day, journey time around 1h25, check times online at www.cd.cz.
Advance-purchase First Minute fares start at €8. The full-flex fare bought on the day is around €14.
Reservation is optional, so the trains can never sell out and train tickets can easily be bought at the station on the day if you're happy paying the full-flex fare.
Or book online at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. First Minute fares have limited availability, specified train only, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

You can also book at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk but the Czech site is much easier to use.

Bratislava to Ostrava from €11

A direct air-conditioned EuroCity train links Bratislava Hlavna with Ostrava Hlavni leaving at around 10:58, journey time 3h05. Other journeys are possible through the day every couple of hours with 1 easy change at either Zilina, Breclav or Brno, check online at www.cd.cz.
Advance-purchase First Minute fares start at €12. The full-flex fare bought on the day is around €26.
Reservation is optional, so the trains can never sell out and train tickets can easily be bought at the station on the day if you're happy paying the full-flex fare.
Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. First Minute fares have limited availability, specified train only, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

You can also book at the Slovakian Railways website www.zssk.sk but the Czech site is much easier to use.

Bratislava to Budapest for €17.50

Comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Bratislava Hlavna with Budapest Nyugati every 2 hours, journey time 2h23.
Fares from €10 in 2nd class or €16 in 1st class if you book in advance.
Book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can load it into the MAV app to show on your phone.
Note that since 2017 these trains use Budapest Nyugati station, not Keleti.
For train times, fares, tips & how to buy tickets, see the Prague-Bratislava-Budapest EuroCity train page.

A Prague-Bratislava-Budapest EuroCity train at Prague Hlavni. More about these trains.


1st class.		2nd class compartment seating.

Bratislava to Brasov, Sighisoara & Bucharest from €57

Option 1, Bratislava to Romania using the sleeper train Ister from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 14:05 & arriving Budapest Nyugati 16:28.

Fares start at €10 in 2nd class or €16 in 1st class if booked online in advance.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can load it into the MAV app to show on your phone.

To check train times use www.zssk.sk or int.bahn.de. Walk, metro or tram from Nyugati to Keleti station.

Step 2, take the EuroNight sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 & arriving Brasov 08:50 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 11:30 next day.

This comfortable train has 4 & 6 berth couchettes and an air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. There's no restaurant car so take a picnic and bottle of wine. There's great Alpine-style scenery in the morning over breakfast through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest.

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

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


A 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper with washbasin. Larger photo.		The sleeping-car (vagon de dormit) on the westbound Ister at Bucharest. Sleepers convert from beds to private sitting rooms for day use. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.


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

Option 2, Bratislava to Romania using the Dacia Express sleeper train from Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 16:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk any tight connections with a sleeper to catch. Dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you've booked a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania by Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every evening and arriving next day in Simeria 07:10, Sighisoara 09:13, Braşov 12:36, Ploeşti Vest 14:28 & Bucharest Nord at 15:06.

The Dacia Express has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, plus several deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. It has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.

A Hungarian restaurant car operates between Vienna & Budapest, treat yourself to dinner. A bar car is attached in the morning between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks & snacks. There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest.

The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:47. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.

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

Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes. You collect tickets from an ÖBB ticket machine in Vienna.

You can also book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro, which can be cheaper.

Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti. It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers. For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

Tip: 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 and look for Dacia.

The Dacia Express sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf. Interior photo courtesy of Jose Carlos Barbosa. Larger photo.

The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf. Larger photo.

Transylvania: The Dacia Express passes villages in rural Transylvania. Courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.

Carpathians: Alpine scenery as the Dacia Express passes through the Carpathian mountains. Courtesy @PaliparanDotCom.

Option 3, Bratislava to Romania with overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 20:05 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 22:30.

By all means take an earlier train, see the timetable here and check train times at int.bahn.de.

Fares start at €10 in 2nd class or €16 in 1st class if booked online in advance.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can load it into the MAV app to show on your phone.

Walk, metro or tram from Budapest Nyugati to Keleti station.

Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest by InterCity train Traianus, leaving Budapest Keleti at 07:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 00:31, or from Budapest to Brasov by InterCity train Fogaras leaving Budapest Keleti at 09:10 via Timisoara & Craiova and arriving Brasov at 22:42.
Both trains are comfortable & air-conditioned, the Traianus has 1st & 2nd class, the Fogaras is 2nd class only. A bar car operates on the Traianus between Timisoara and Bucharest, but bring food & drink along for the first part of the journey.
Fares start at €26.30.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it. Booking opens 60 days ahead.

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


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


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

Bratislava to Ljubljana & Rijeka

Option 1, Bratislava to Ljubljana via Vienna

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 05:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 06:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana on the EuroCity train Emona leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:58 and arriving Ljubljana at 14:00.

The Emona uses comfortable air-conditioned Austrian & Slovenian carriages, with power sockets at all seats with a choice of sitting in an open-plan saloon car (my own preference) or in classic 6-seater compartments with side corridor. There's a classic Slovenian restaurant car, treat yourself to a late breakfast and/or lunch and enjoy the fabulous scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.
Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €34.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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 Austria, click EC then look for the Emona.
Change at Ljubljana for Rijeka. Buy the Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station.
Alternatively, you can travel via Budapest. This is slightly longer, but allows you to stop off and see Budapest on the way, and the times may suit you. See the Bratislava to Budapest information above then the Budapest to Ljubljana train information here or the Budapest to Zagreb train information here.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

The Vienna to Triese EuroCity train Emona, about to leave Vienna

Step 2, Vienna to Ljubljana by EuroCity train Emona, seen about to leave Vienna Hbf, with its Slovenian restaurant car in the foreground and two Slovenian cars in rear. The Austrian cars are ahead of the restaurant car.


The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car with inexpensive freshly-cooked scrambled eggs or omelette. How about a glass of fizz to go with that?


2nd class open-plan seating as used on the Emona. Seats in classic 6-seat compartments are also available.		1st class seating in an Austrian car as used on the Emona. There are also seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

Between Vienna & Graz the Emona travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Scenery from the train between Zagreb and Vienna

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most.

Option 2, Bratislava to Ljubljana via Budapest

This is slightly longer route, but allows you to stop off and see Budapest on the way, and the times may suit you.
Travel from Bratislava to Budapest as shown here. Then travel from Budapest to Ljubljana as shown here.

Option 3, Bratislava to Rijeka by Regiojet sleeper train, summer-only, 3 times a week

Open-access operator Regiojet introduced this overnight train in 2020 and it was the surprise runaway success of that year, with every 500-seat train averaging 90% occupancy and carrying tens of thousands of passengers on holiday. It came back for summers 2021 & 2022, expanded to serve Zagreb, Rijeka and Split, with bus connections to other resorts along the Croatian and Montenegrin coast. It's back again in 2023, but without a portion for Split.
It runs 3 times a week from 16 June to 30 September 2023. 2024 dates not yet announced.

It leaves Bratislava Nove Mesto (4km from Bratislava Hlavna) at 21:26 on Tuesday, Friday & Sunday, arriving Rijeka at 10:40 next morning.

This excellent Regiojet train 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.
The fare is €22.90 in a seat or €29.90 with a couchette in a shared 4-berth compartment, or €89.60 for sole occupancy of a private couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.
Buy an e-ticket online at www.regiojet.com. Booking is a breeze, 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.

Bratislava to Zagreb, Split & Dubrovnik

Option 1, Bratislava to Zagreb via Vienna

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 13:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains. By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Vienna, they run every hour.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb on the EuroCity train Croatia leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Zagreb at 22:20.
The Croatia uses comfortable and spacious air-conditioned Austrian carriages, with power sockets at all seats with a choice of sitting in an open-plan saloon car (my own preference) or in classic 6-seater compartments with side corridor. There's an elegant Austrian restaurant car, treat yourself to dinner, and at least in summer enjoy the fabulous scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.
Important update: From September 2023 until further notice, you will have to make a quick cross-platform change in Graz. The restaurant car only runs in the Austrian portion.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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 Austria, click EC then look for the Croatia.
Step 3, stay overnight in Zagreb and take a train to Split next day, then take a bus to Dubrovnik as shown on the Trains from Zagreb page.


Step 1, Bratislava to Vienna by regional express train seen here at Vienna Hbf. More about Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Step 2, Vienna to Zagreb on the Croatia: This is the EuroCity train Croatia about to leave Vienna Hbf.


1st class open-plan seating as used on the Croatia. 1st class seats in classic 6-seat compartments are also available.		2nd class compartment seating as used on the Croatia. Seats in open plan saloon cars also available

Between Vienna & Villach the Croatia travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most.

Sevnica Castle, seen from the train between Zidani Most & Zagreb.

Option 2, Bratislava to Zagreb by daytime trains via Budapest

This is slightly longer route, but allows you to stop off and see Budapest on the way, and the times may suit you. See the Bratislava to Budapest information above then the Budapest to Zagreb train information here.

Option 3, Bratislava to Split by direct sleeper train (for bus to Dubrovnik), runs Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays in summer - recommended.

A EuroNight sleeper train leaves Bratislava Nove Mesto (4 km from Bratislava Hlavna) at 15:26 and Bratislava Petrzalka at 16:01, arriving Split at 08:20 next morning.

This train runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 3 May to 2 October 2024.

The train has three comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1153.

Fares start at €29.90 in a seat, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €149.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

Book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.

For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split. There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies. Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17. Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

What a journey! Scenery between Zagreb & Split seen from the sleeper train. Photos courtesy of Rob Romans.

The comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars on the train from Bratislava & Vienna to Split, arrived at Split station. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple, and comes with soap, towel, fully-made up beds and a washbasin. A light breakfast is included. Larger photo. Photo of 2-berth, courtesy of Michael Allsop.

A couchette car on the train from Bratislava & Vienna, arrived at Split. Larger photo.

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Bratislava to Belgrade & Montenegro

Option 1, Bratislava to Belgrade 08:05 departure - starts running from 24 November 2024

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 08:05 and arriving Budapest Nyugati 10:28.

The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at €10 in 2nd class or €16 in 1st class if booked online in advance.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can load it into the MAV app to show on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 2, Bratislava to Belgrade 10:05 departure - starts running from 24 November 2024

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 10:05 and arriving Budapest Nyugati 12:28.

The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at €10 in 2nd class or €16 in 1st class if booked online in advance.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can load it into the MAV app to show on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 14:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 21:19.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 3, Bratislava to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - starts running from 24 November 2024

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 20:05 and arriving Budapest Nyugati 22:30.

Or book the train leaving Prague Hlavni at 18:05 and arriving Budapest Nyugati 20:28, or an earlier train, see the timetable here.

The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at €10 in 2nd class or €16 in 1st class if booked online in advance.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can load it into the MAV app to show on your phone.

Stay overnight in Budapest. For an affordable hotel close to Budapest Nyugati, look no further than the 3-star T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite with funky interior design. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is a few minutes walk away, also with good reviews. The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block along the road from the station. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 05:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 12:38.
Or if you'd prefer a later departure, leave Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 4, Bratislava to Belgrade with overnight stop in Zagreb

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 13:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. By all means travel earlier and see something of Vienna, these trains run every hour. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Zagreb on the EuroCity train Croatia leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Zagreb at 22:20.
The Croatia uses comfortable and spacious air-conditioned Austrian carriages, with power sockets at all seats with a choice of sitting in an open-plan saloon car (my own preference) or in classic 6-seater compartments with side corridor. There's an elegant Austrian restaurant car, treat yourself to dinner, and at least in summer enjoy the fabulous scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.
Important update: From September 2023 until further notice, you will have to make a quick cross-platform change in Graz. The restaurant car only runs in the Austrian portion.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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 Austria, click EC then look for the Croatia.

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

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 was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended.

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

The fare is around €30 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 09:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 14:30.
The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

For Montenegro, take the overnight sleeper Lovcen from Belgrade Centar to Podgorica & 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.

Option 5, Bratislava to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - by train all the way, runs until 23 November 2024

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 18:05 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:28.

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

Fares start at €21 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see my tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Budapest. The highly-recommended 3-star T62 Hotel is across the road from Budapest Nyugati and a traveller's favourite. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is few minutes walk away. The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block away.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade as shown on the Budapest-Belgrade page.

You leave Budapest Nyugati at 05:50, change at Szeged, Subotica & Novi Sad, arriving Belgrade Centar at 20:27.

All direct Budapest-Belgrade mainline trains remain suspended until at least 2025 while the line is modernised for 200 km/h operation. However, in 2024 it's possible for the determined traveller to reach Belgrade on local trains via this somewhat round-about route. It's a long but interesting journey, with time for lunch in Subotica.

Serbian local train of the type used between Szeged & Subotica and Subotica & Novi Sad. They are air-conditioned, 2nd class only, with toilets. Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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Bratislava to Sofia

Option 1, Bratislava to Sofia via Bucharest

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 09:57 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 12:28.

The swish Czech EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station and have lunch in Budapest.

Fares start at €20 in 2nd class or €37 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Booking opens up to 3 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the CD app on your phone.

Day 1, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:42.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 21:04) to Bucharest. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

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

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

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

Day 2, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest>Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page
You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:47 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:21 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria. In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
The fare is around €34.

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

Option 2, Bratislava to Sofia via Belgrade

Not currently viable while Zagreb-Belgrade, Budapest-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.

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Bratislava to Warsaw from €27

Option 1, Bratislava to Warsaw by sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option

A safe & comfortable EuroNight sleeper train leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 21:58 and arrives Warsaw Gdanska at 08:48.
It has a modern, safe & cosy Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments, plus two 1 or 2 berth deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. The train comes from Budapest.

Booked via Czech Railways, the base fare is around €74, plus one of the following supplements: Couchette in 6-berth €14, couchette in 4-berth €21, bed in 3-berth sleeper €24, bed in 2-berth sleeper €34, bed in single-berth sleeper €72.

Buy tickets at the CD (Czech Railways) website www.cd.cz.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Modern Polish sleeping-car on the Budapest-Bratislava-Warsaw sleeper train.

Standard sleeper in evening/morning mode with seats folded out.

Standard sleeper set up as 3-berth, can also be set up as a single or double.

Deluxe sleeper, set up as a 2-berth, showing TV & wardrobe.

Deluxe sleeper: En suite shower & toilet.

Polish couchette car on the Budapest to Warsaw night train with 4 & 6 berth compartments.

6-berth couchettes. Larger photo

Option 2, Bratislava to Warsaw by daytime train - the leisurely daytime option

A comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Báthory leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 10:58 and arrives Warsaw Centralna at 19:34.
The train has Hungarian seating cars (a 1st class car, 2nd class compartment cars & a 2nd class open-plan car) and a Hungarian restaurant car. Take a good book, enjoy an inexpensive meal in the restaurant car with a beer or two, and chill out.

Fares start at €27 in 2nd class or €41 in 1st class if you book using my advice below. It costs €74 if booked at Czech Railways.

This train cannot be booked online with Slovakian Railways (www.zssk.sk), although they may enable online booking of international tickets at some point. It might also be worth checking www.intercity.pl as Polish Railway is slowly adding international routes to its website. However, here are two ways you definitely can book:
Method 1, buy tickets at the CD (Czech Railways) website www.cd.cz. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
Method 2, which is usually cheaper, is as follows: This train starts in Budapest. Use the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu (see my advice on using it) to book the 08:12 from Budapest to Krakow or Warsaw (as this is the 10:58 from Bratislava) then simply get on in Bratislava. This is perfectly legitimate. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app. It may only offer 2nd class tickets if going to Krakow, but 2nd is fine, stick with that. This way you get cheap advance-purchase fares from €20/€27.

EuroCity train Bathory from Budapest & Bratislava to Warsaw at Budapest Nyugati. Click the photos below for larger images.

1st class seats on the EuroCity Bathory.

Restaurant car on the EuroCity Bathory.

2nd class compartment on the EuroCity Bathory.

2nd class open plan car as used on the Bathory.

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Bratislava to Krakow from €20

Option 1, Bratislava to Krakow by daytime train - the leisurely daytime option

A comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Báthory leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 10:58 and arrives Krakow Glowny 16:28.
The Báthory runs from Budapest through Bratislava to Warsaw, but two 2nd class cars run from Budapest & Bratislava to Krakow. The through cars are comfortable, modern & air-conditioned, one car with 2nd class classic 6-seat compartments, one car with 2nd class open-plan seating.
If you insist on travelling 1st class you'll have to switch trains at Bohumin just after 14:00, where the through cars are detached from the Báthory and attached to the Prague-Krakow Cracovia. I recommend sticking with 2nd class which is absolutely fine in these comfortable modern Hungarian cars.

Fares start at €20 if you book using my tip below. The fare is €54 if you book via Czech Railways.

This train cannot be booked online with Slovakian Railways (www.zssk.sk), although they may enable online booking of international tickets at some point. It might be worth checking www.intercity.pl as Polish Railway is slowly adding international routes to its website. However, here are two ways you definitely can book:
Method 1, buy tickets at the CD (Czech Railways) website www.cd.cz. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
Method 2, which is usually cheaper, is as follows: This train starts in Budapest. Use the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu (see my advice on using it) to book the 08:12 from Budapest to Krakow or Warsaw (as this is the 10:58 from Bratislava) then simply get on in Bratislava. This is perfectly legitimate. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app. It may only offer 2nd class tickets if going to Krakow, but 2nd is fine, stick with that. This way you get cheap advance-purchase fares from €20/€27.

The Budapest-Bratislava-Krakow cars are at Katowice, attached to the rear of the Prague-Krakow Cracovia. Photo courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.

One Budapest-Krakow car has 6-seat compartments like this. Click the images for larger photos.

...the other Budapest-Krakow car has open-plan seats, wheelchair space, bike compartment.

Option 2, Bratislava to Krakow by sleeper train - the time-effective option

A safe & comfortable EuroNight sleeper train leaves Bratislava Hlavna at 21:58 and arrives Krakow Glowny at 05:59.
It has a modern, safe & cosy Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments, plus two 1 or 2 berth deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. The train comes from Budapest and is heading for Warsaw Centralna.

Booked via Czech Railways, the base fare is around €55, plus one of the following supplements: Couchette in 6-berth €14, couchette in 4-berth €21, bed in 3-berth sleeper €24, bed in 2-berth sleeper €34, bed in single-berth sleeper €72.

Buy tickets at the CD (Czech Railways) website www.cd.cz. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Modern Polish sleeping-car of the type used Prague-Warsaw.

Standard sleeper in evening/morning mode with seats folded out.

Standard sleeper set up as 3-berth, can also be set up as a single or double.

Deluxe sleeper, set up as a 2-berth, showing TV & wardrobe.

Deluxe sleeper: En suite shower & toilet.

Polish couchette car on the Budapest to Warsaw night train with 4 & 6 berth compartments.

6-berth couchettes. Larger photo

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Bratislava to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Warsaw by EuroCity train, as shown in the Bratislava to Warsaw section above.

Fares start at €27, book as shown above.
Or use the overnight sleeper train and spend the following day exploring Warsaw, also as shown in the Bratislava to Warsaw section above.

Stay overnight in Warsaw. 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 by train as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

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Bratislava to Lviv & Kyiv

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 14:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 15:44.
The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. By all means travel earlier and see something of Vienna, these trains run every hour. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.
Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv by direct sleeping-car leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 every day, going via Budapest & Chop arriving next day at Lviv at 09:20 & Kyiv at 16:03.
Introduced in 2017, this train consists of 2 or sometimes 3 direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars attached to a Vienna-Zahony EuroCity train. The sleeping-cars have comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').

Vienna to Lviv costs €71.20 in a 3-berth sleeper, €79.20 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €130 in a single sleeper.
Vienna to Kyiv costs €89.60 in a 3-berth sleeper, €99.60 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €170 in a single sleeper.

Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Booking for these direct sleeping-cars opens 20 days ahead, but tickets sell out a day or two after booking opens, so book as soon as the booking period opens. If the ÖBB website says Ticket not available within 20 days it means fully-booked, if it says that more than 20 days ahead it means booking isn't open yet.

Tickets can now be printed out so you can book in either direction. However, you must print the ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.

You can also travel to Budapest and pick this train up there, book Budapest to Lviv or Kyiv at www.mavcsoport.hu, see advice on using it.

Boarding the Vienna to Kyiv sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

The sleeper corridor. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

A comfortable 1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper is jacked up to have its bogies changed at Chop on the Ukrainian border. Photo Helmut Uttenthaler.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car arrived Kyiv Pass. Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

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Bratislava to Moscow & St Petersburg

Option 1, Bratislava to Moscow via Warsaw - goes via Belarus

Day 1, take the overnight sleeper from Bratislava to Warsaw, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 22:06 and arriving Warsaw Gdanska at 08:56.
This has couchettes (4 & 6 berth) and a sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed). Book this by phone or at the station, it cannot be booked online.
Enjoy a day in Warsaw, the historic old town is worth a wander. 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) has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 every day and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day. You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & war in Ukraine.

This 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. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

The sleeping-cars from Warsaw to Moscow are brand new Austrian-built ones owned by Russian Railways. Each compartment converts from comfortable sofas to equally comfortable beds and can be used as either 1st class 2-berth with two lower berths or as 2nd class 4-berth with all four berths in use. There are a shower and toilets at the end of the corridor. Compartments have electronic key-card locks, and the cars are very smooth-riding. The sleeper attendant can serve lovely Russian tea for around €0.50 a glass. Highly recommended!
Option 2, Bratislava to Moscow via Kyiv - avoids Belarus

Step 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train and take the overnight sleeper from Vienna to Kyiv as shown in the section above.

Step 2, take an overnight sleeper train from Kyiv to Moscow. There are several night trains, but there's usually one leaving Kyiv 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 Kyiv to Moscow on these trains.
Kyiv-Moscow trains were suspended due to Covid-19 and remain suspended due to the war in Ukraine

Book the Vienna to Kyiv train as shown in the section above. Book the Kyiv to Moscow train at the Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua or contact reliable agency www.polrail.com.

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Bratislava to Athens & Greece

The only viable option is via ferry from Italy at the moment, due to cancelled train services in the Balkans.

Day 1, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional train, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 16:35 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:44.

The fare is €11.60, you can buy at the station on the day or buy at www.oebb.at and print your ticket. More about Bratislava-Vienna trains.

Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.

Tip: Don't risk any tight connections when you have a sleeper train to catch. These trains run every hour, your ticket is good for any train, why not leave earlier and have dinner in Vienna? See suggested restaurants.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Athens via Bologna, Bari & Patras as shown on the Trains from Vienna page.

You take the Nightjet sleeper to Bologna, a fast train to Bari, and sail overnight to Patras in Greece by ferry, arriving Athens on Day 3.

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Hotels in Bratislava & other cities

For advice on hotels in Bratislava, see the hotels section on the Bratislava station page.

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place. I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more. Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip. I never book hotels non-refundably!

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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Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.

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Business class . Larger photo. 360° photo.		Relax class. Larger photo. 360° photo.


Standard class Astra car. Larger photo. 360° photo.		Regiojet Astra car at Vienna.


Washstand, soap & towels provided. Larger photo.		2-bed 'double' sleeper. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple sleeper. Larger photo.		The corridor. Each compartment locks securely. Larger photo.


*The Dacia Express* couchette car*, boarding at Vienna Hbf. Larger photo*.


The comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars on the train from Bratislava & Vienna to Split, arrived at Split station. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple, and comes with soap, towel, fully-made up beds and a washbasin. A light breakfast is included. Larger photo. Photo of 2-berth, courtesy of Michael Allsop.


A couchette car on the train from Bratislava & Vienna, arrived at Split. Larger photo.


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


Polish couchette car on the Budapest to Warsaw night train with 4 & 6 berth compartments.		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo


1st class seats on the EuroCity Bathory.		Restaurant car on the EuroCity Bathory.


2nd class compartment on the EuroCity Bathory.		2nd class open plan car as used on the Bathory.


One Budapest-Krakow car has 6-seat compartments like this. Click the images for larger photos.		...the other Budapest-Krakow car has open-plan seats, wheelchair space, bike compartment.


The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.		The sleeper corridor. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.		A comfortable 1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

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Hotels in Bratislava & other cities

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Backpacker hostels

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN

Carry an Anker powerbank

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