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This page explains how to travel by train from Cologne or Düsseldorf to other key European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way.  Train information is current for 2021.

Before you buy your tickets...

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets.  It answers 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?".  Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.

European train travel FAQ...

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to other German towns & cities...

• Trains link Cologne & Dusseldorf with cities all over Germany...

  Cologne to Berlin every hour in 4h22 from €27.90

  Cologne to Munich every hour in 4h32 from €27.90

  Cologne to Frankfurt every hour or better in 1h15 from €18.90

  Cologne to Hamburg every hour in 4h05 from €18.90

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

• With only one or two minor exceptions, German trains are never reservation compulsory so you can always just turn up, buy a ticket and get on the next train without a reservation.  However, there are cheap advance-purchase Sparpreis fares from €18.90, €27.90, €39.90 etc. for long-distance journeys if you pre-book and commit to a specific train, so buy in advance if you want to save money.  Booking now opens up to 6 months ahead, though bookings for dates after the mid-December timetable change may not open until mid-October.

• Use the official German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) website www.bahn.de to buy tickets for all German long-distance daytime trains, and the Nightjet sleeper train from Dusseldorf & Cologne to Munich.  A seat reservation is usually optional, for a small extra charge (free when buying a 1st class ticket).  You just print your own ticket or can show the ticket on your smartphone or laptop.  Alternatively, tickets can be sent anywhere worldwide for a small fee.  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.  Tickets for regional trains can be bought at the station, no reservation necessary, one fixed price.

• In addition, new private operator Flixtrain is now competing with DB with a limited lo-cost train service from Cologne to Dusseldorf, Osnabruck, Hamburg and (from 2019) Cologne to Berlin, see www.flixtrain.com.

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

• Take the scenic route to Frankfurt, Munich & southern Germany!

  The fast ICE trains from Cologne to Frankfurt & Munich use the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line.  If you don't mind taking an extra 45 minutes, you can still take the old classic curvaceous route all along the Rhine Valley, past river boats, castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock.  When using www.bahn.de to book to Frankfurt or Sothern Germany, simply click Add intermediate stops and enter Koblenz.  Any trains routed via Koblenz will go along the Rhine Valley route.  See the Rails Down the Rhine page for more information, photos & video.

Cologne to Berlin by ICE...

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to London...

Option 1, by Eurostar...

• Travel from Cologne to Brussels by Thalys or ICE, then take a Eurostar to London, see the London to Germany page for more information.

Option 2, by ferry from Hoek van Holland - a useful alternative, cheaper than Eurostar at short notice...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Utrecht by ICE train from €18.90 booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

• Step 2, travel from Utrecht to Hoek van Holland by train and metro, then by ferry from Hoek van Holland to Harwich, then by train to London Liverpool Street.  This is an integrated train & ferry service with a daytime departure leaving Hoek van Holland at 14:00 and an overnight departure leaving Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and getting you to London around 08:54 next morning.  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for schedules, fares, how to buy tickets.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Paris from €35...

• High-speed Thalys trains link Cologne Hbf with Paris Gare du Nord every couple of hours in just 3h25.  Train is the best way to go!

Thalys trains run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line.  They're fully carpeted & air-conditioned, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi in all classes.  Since December 2017 they have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Comfort (1st class) & Premium (1st class with at-seat food & wine included in the fare and access to Thalys lounges in Paris & Brussels).  See more information about Thalys.

• Fares start at €35 in standard class, €72 in comfort class or €135 in premium class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  If you buy on the day it costs over €130 full-flex in standard class, ouch!  All tickets come with a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific train you book.  The cheapest fares mean limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.

• Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee.  www.thetrainline.com connects to both the French and German ticketing systems so can book through journeys from Dusseldorf to Paris, usually with a change in Cologne, although Thalys now run several Dusseldorf-Paris direct trains every day.

  You can also buy tickets at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf or www.thalys.com, in €, a little more fiddly, no booking fee, but from Dusseldorf these will only show the few direct Thalys trains, they can't book journeys involving a connecting German train as they have no connection to the German Railways ticketing system.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket (A4 paper, Letter size is fine) or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Strasbourg from €32.90...

• You can travel from Cologne to Strasbourg in as little as 2h54 with just 1 change, using a high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi from Cologne Hbf to Mannheim, then another ICE or a TGV Duplex to Strasbourg.

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

  Tip:  Look for 1-change journeys with a cheap fare shown, from €32.90 upwards.

  Tip:  It's possible to travel more cheaply, with more frequent departures, using a direct Cologne-Offenburg ICE train then a regional train from Offenburg to Strasbourg (although these journeys take longer, 3h15-4h15).  The catch?  Bahn.de only shows an expensive €102 full-flex fare for these useful 1-change journeys.  The solution?  Split the booking!  First check Cologne to Strasbourg times via Offenburg using this special link to bahn.de, just enter your date of travel and you should see departures every 2 hours with 1 change.  Then use www.bahn.de to book Cologne-Offenburg on the train you want with advance-purchase Sparpreis fares from just €17.50.  Then use www.bahn.de again to buy a fixed-price full-flex ticket from Offenburg to Strasbourg for €9.90, good for any Offenburg-Strasbourg regional train that day.  Easy!

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Lyon, Marseille, Nice & other destinations in France...

Option 1, via Paris - involves changing trains & stations by taxi or metro...

• Step 1, take a high-speed Thalys train from Cologne Hbf to Paris Gare du Nord in 3h25

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats, see the Thalys information page.

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

  Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the relevant Paris station.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains, more is better.

• Step 2, take a high-speed TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice in 5h45, Lyon in 2h, or Marseille in 3h30. Or anywhere else in France.

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

• Buy tickets from Cologne to anywhere in France at www.raileurope.com, easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Tip:  Click More options and enter Paris (any station) with a 1 hour stopover duration to ensure a robust connection between trains in Paris, or to create a longer stopover in Paris - if heading to Avignon, Marseille, Montpellier, Cannes or Nice, how about lunch between trains at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon?

  Alternatively, you can book from Cologne to Paris, then from Paris to any destination in France at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (in €, a bit more fiddly, but no fee).

Option 2, to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence & Marseille using the once-a-day direct TGV from Germany - easiest & usually cheapest...

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Mannheim by ICE train, leaving Düsseldorf 11:27 or Cologne Hbf 11:55, arriving Mannheim 13:23.

• Step 2, travel from Mannheim to France by direct TGV Duplex, leaving Mannheim at 14:39 for Lyon Part Dieu, Avignon, Aix en Provence & Marseille St Charles arriving 21:49.  This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views (any seat number greater than 60 is upper deck).

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

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

Option 3, changing in Brussels & by-passing Paris...

• You can avoid having to cross Paris by taking a Thalys or ICE from Cologne Hbf to Brussels Midi then using a direct TGV from Brussels Midi to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes Nice, Nîmes, Montpelier, Perpignan.  These Brussels-France direct TGVs by-pass central Paris using the high-speed line via Aéroport CDG and Marne La Vallée (for Disneyland Paris).  Just be aware that there are fewer departures this way, and I often find fares more expensive compared to going via Paris where cheaper fares are more plentiful.

• To check prices and buy tickets for this option, first go to either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and book from Brussels Midi to your chosen French destination, looking carefully for a direct train from Brussels by-passing Paris. Add to your basket.

  Now add a Thalys or ICE train from Cologne Hbf to Brussels Midi again using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, allowing at least 30-45 minutes in Brussels.  Add to your basket and check out.

Option 4, Cologne to Toulon, Cannes, Antibes & Nice, using the Paris-Nice overnight train...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Thalys train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 12:43 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 16:05.

  Thalys trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) with a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.  Times may vary, check times for your date online.

• Cross Paris from the Gare du Nord to the Gare d'Austerlitz by taxi or metro.  Alllow at least 90 minutes between trains when catching a sleeper.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to the Côte d'Azur by Intercité de Nuit overnight train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 20:52 every day, arriving Toulon 07:12, St Raphael (for St Tropez) 08:19, Cannes 08:44, Antibes 08:55 & Nice Ville 09:11.

  The Intercité de Nuit overnight train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats.  You can book a 1st class 4-berth compartment for sole occupancy by 1, 2 or 3 people if you like.  See more information about Intercités de Nuit overnight trains.

  Tip:  Have dinner at the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz in good time for your sleeper south?

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne to Paris starts at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Paris to the South of France starts at €19 in a reclining seat, €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €59 in a 1st class couchette.

• How to buy tickets...

  Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

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

  Tip:  To make sure you have at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris, I'd book Cologne to Paris, add to basket, then Paris to Nice, add to basket & check out.  Otherwise by default the system allows as little as 40 minutes between trains in Paris which I consider too tight, especially when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.

  Tip:  To book a whole 4-berth couchette compartment for 1, 2 or 3 people, see the instructions on the Intercités de Nuit page.

  You can also book at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (in €, a little more fiddly).

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Cologne or Dusseldorf to Brussels, Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp from €19...

• A high-speed Thalys or ICE train links Cologne Hbf with Brussels Midi every hour or so in just 1h50.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Change at Brussels Midi for regular Belgian InterCity train to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp or anywhere else in Belgium.

• Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com, these can book tickets from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp or anywhere else in Belgium via both Thalys & ICE.  You can print your ticket on A4 paper (US Letter size is fine) or after booking you can show on your smartphone.  Both are easy to use, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking for Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, for ICE up to 6 months ahead.

• The German Railways website www.bahn.de can book tickets from anywhere in Germany to Brussels, Bruges or anywhere in Belgium, but only using their own ICE trains between Cologne and Brussels.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  Easy to use, no booking fee, and it allows exact seat choice from a seating plan on ICEs.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Meanwhile, www.thalys.com can book from Cologne (or on their handful of daily direct trains only, from Dusseldorf) to Brussels or any Belgian station, but only on their own Thalys trains, not ICE.

• Tip:  Tickets from Germany to Bruges or any other Belgian station beyond Brussels are valid on any Belgian domestic departure leaving Brussels that day, no reservation required, even if they are for a specific Thalys or ICE between Germany and Brussels.  So don't obsess about your connection time in Brussels, it only takes a few minutes to step off the Thalys or ICE and walk to another platform for the onward Belgian train, but if there's a delay and you miss the train the booking system told you to take, there will be another leaving in half an hour's time.  So no worries.  In fact, how about lunch in Brussels' Grande Place between trains?  I recommend Aux Armes de Bruxelles (auxarmesdebruxelles.com) for traditional Belgian moules-frites.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Amsterdam from €19.90...

• Superb ICE trains link Cologne Hbf & Dusseldorf with Amsterdam Centraal roughly every two hours, Cologne-Amsterdam takes 2h47.

• The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They also call at Arnhem (for the Airborne Museum) & Utrecht.

• Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets from any station in Germany to Amsterdam or any station in the Netherlands at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.  See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

An ICE3M at Amsterdam Centraal.  More information about ICE trains...

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

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

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Cologne or Dusseldorf to Luxembourg from €19.90...

• You can travel from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Luxembourg by train from just €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.

  The journey from Koblenz to Luxembourg is a very pleasant run along the Moselle valley.

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

  In the search results, look for journeys by train involving just one change at Koblenz.  Avoid any journeys including bus as this is indeed just a bus. 

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from €39.90...

Option 1, by daytime trains...

• High-speed ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi link Cologne Hbf with Basel SBB every 2 hours in 3h52, some going on to Zurich in 5h05.  Change in Basel or Zurich for onward Swiss trains to destinations all over Switzerland.

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

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

  If you buy a through ticket at www.bahn.de from Germany direct to Swiss destinations such as Zermatt, Wengen or St Moritz this includes the onward Swiss domestic train and it's a lot cheaper than buying a separate full-price Swiss domestic ticket from Basel.

• Tip:  Take the scenic route!   See the Rails Down the Rhine page for more information, photos & video.

  The fast ICE trains use the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line.  If you don't mind taking an extra 45 minutes, there are a couple of morning EuroCity trains (marked EC in the bahn.de search results) which take the old classic curvaceous route all along the Rhine Valley, past river boats, castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock.  There's an 08:53 from Cologne direct to Basel, Bern & Interlaken, and a 10:53 direct from Cologne to Basel & Zurich.  Well worth the extra time!  Make sure you sit on the left hand side of the train for the best river views.

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Cologne to Venice from €60...

Option 1, by ICE train to Munich, then Austrian Nightjet sleeper train from Munich to Venice - the most time-effective option!

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Munich by ICE train leaving Cologne Hbf at 17:55 and arriving at Munich Hbf at 22:26.

  Times sometimes vary, just make sure you allow at least 50 minutes between trains in Munich.  ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the ICE information page.

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

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

  Tip:  I suggest taking the 15:55 ICE and having dinner in Munich, for local Bavarian food and a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

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

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

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

Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train to Innsbruck & scenic daytime train to Venice - time-effective and great scenery next day.

• Step 1, travel from Dusseldorf or Cologne to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Düsseldorf 21:43 or Cologne Hbf 22:16 arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Step 2, travel from Innsbruck to Italy by Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 11:24 & arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 14:58 & Bologna at 16:19.  Change at Verona for Venice Santa Lucia.

  The train travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & information on the Brenner Pass page.  An Austrian restaurant car is available for lunch as the mountains glide by, treat yourself.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  If you'd like a morning in Innsbruck, a later train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 13:24 and goes direct to Venice Santa Lucia, arriving 18:25.  However, I wouldn't book the 09:24 from Innsbruck to Verona, as the connection with the sleeper is too tight.

  Fares from Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  You can check times & prices from Innsbruck to anywhere in Italy at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

  Tip:  If going from Innsbruck to Venice on the 11:24 departure, before running an enquiry at www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  This ensures a robust connection and it ensure Raileurope.com correctly splits the booking at Verona.

Step 1, Düsseldorf or Cologne to Innsbruck by Nightjet.  Above, the Nightjet arrived at Innsbruck Hbf.

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

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on a Nightjet...

Option 3, by day trains via the Brenner Pass with overnight stop in Munich - if you prefer day trains, scenery & a hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Munich in 4h31 on any ICE train you like, with restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:26, but I'd take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich.  For a dinner of local Bavarian food and a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Venice by Austrian EuroCity train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving at Venice Santa Lucia at 18:25.

  The train travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & information on the Brenner Pass page.  An Austrian restaurant car is available for lunch as the mountains glide by, treat yourself.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  The train has an elegant restaurant car so treat yourself to lunch and a beer as the mountains roll past, looking forward to Venice where you'll see gondolas and vaporettos on the Grand Canal the moment you walk out of the station.

  Alternatively you can take the earlier 07:34 EuroCity train which is direct to Venice at weekends arriving 14:25, but on weekdays you must change at Verona.  Or you can take the 09:34 EuroCity train from Munich with a change in Verona on all days, arriving Venice at 16:42.

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne or Düsseldorf to Venice starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  Book from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Venice at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, but click Add intermediate stops and enter Munich Hbf in the via box with (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  I've set up this bahn.de link with the necessary parameters for you.

  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, carefully adjusting the departure time and stopover duration to get the timings you want either side of Munich.  A little trial and error is sometimes needed!

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

Option 4, via Zurich & the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps - the ultimate scenic route... 

• See details here.

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

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

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Munich by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. leaving Düsseldorf at 13:27 or Cologne Hbf at 13:55 and arriving at Munich Hbf at 18:27.

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

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

  By all means catch an earlier train and have dinner in Munich, for local Bavarian food & a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Italy by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 20:10 & arriving Bologna Centrale 05:20, Florence SMN 06:19, Rome Termini 09:22 with another portion arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 08:10.

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

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

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

• 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, recognises 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).

Step 2, Munich to Florence or Rome by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train to Innsbruck & scenic daytime train to Venice - time-effective and great scenery next day.

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Düsseldorf 21:43 or Cologne Hbf 22:16 arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14 next morning.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Step 2, travel from Innsbruck to Italy by EuroCity train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 11:24 & arriving Verona Porta Nuova 14:58 & Bologna 16:20.

  The train travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & information on the Brenner Pass page.  An Austrian restaurant car is available for lunch as the mountains glide by, treat yourself.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  Change at Bologna for a high-speed Frecciarossa train to Florence, Rome or Naples.  Incidentally, I wouldn't book the 09:24 from Innsbruck to Verona, as the connection with the sleeper is much too tight.

  Fares from Innsbruck Verona or Bologna start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Onward fares from Bologna to Florence or Rome start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Book from Innsbruck to Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com as these connect to both the Austrian and Italian ticketing systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place.  You print your own ticket for the Austrian train and the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you just quote the reference on board.

  Tip:  Before running an enquiry at www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter either Bologna Centrale (if going to Florence, Rome or Naples on the 11:24) or Verona Porta Nuova (if using an earlier or later departure) as a via station with a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  This ensures a robust connection and it ensures Raileurope.com correctly splits the booking at Bologna or Verona.

Step 1, Cologne to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  Above, a Comfortline sleeping-car on the Nightjet train at Innsbruck.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Step 2, Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is the restaurant car on a EuroCity from Innsbruck arrived at Verona.  You don't need to book a table, just go along and sit down.  Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this...

Second class seats, mostly in 6-seat compartments with side-corridor like this, but some cars are open-plan saloons...				First class leather seats.  On a few trains you'll find 6-seat compartments too....

Mountains on the Brenner route...

Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads for Trento & Verona...

Watch out for hilltop fortresses...  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

Option 2, by daytime trains through the Swiss Alps - Cologne to Italy in a single day with great Alpine scenery!

• Step 1, travel from Cologne Hbf to Basel SBB by ICE train in 3h52 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Basel SBB to Milan Centrale by EuroCity train through the Swiss Alps in 4h12.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & fee WiFi.  It's a lovely ride across Switzerland through the Alps past various lakes.  The magnificent Milan Centrale is a landmark in its own right.

• Step 3, travel from Milan Centrale to Florence SMN in 1h39, Rome Termini in 2h55 or Venice Santa Lucia in 2h35 by Frecciarossa high-speed train.  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• For example...

  Leave Cologne Hbf at 06:55, pick up the 12:28 from Basel SBB arriving Milan Centrale 16:40 & getting to Florence, Rome or Naples by evening.

  Leave Cologne Hbf at 12:55, pick up the 17:28 from Basel SBB arriving Milan Centrale 21:40.

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne or Dusseldorf to Basel starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Basel to Milan starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. 

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

• How to buy tickets...

  First book the 06:55 or 12:55 ICE trains from Cologne to Basel SBB using www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  Using www.raileurope.com means you can buy all your tickets together in one place.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Then book a ticket from Basel SBB to Milan, Florence, Rome or Naples leaving at either www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian place names, in €, see advice on using it).  It's ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on board the train.

  Always make sure you allow plenty of time between trains in Basel, in case of delay, I'd suggest at least 45 minutes.  In Milan, just accept the connection time the system offers you as you are on the through ticket so are entitled to take a later train in the event of any delay.

Option 3, by day trains via the Brenner Pass with overnight stop in Munich - if you prefer day trains, scenery & a hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Munich in 4h31 on any ICE train you like, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:26, but by all means take an earlier train and have dinner in Munich.  For local Bavarian food and a beer or two I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Verona or Bologna by Austrian EuroCity train thorough the Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.  Trains leave Munich Hbf for Verona Porta Nuova at 07:34, 09:34, 11:34 & every 2 hours, taking a leisurely 5h24.  The 07:34 goes through to Bologna Centrale on Mondays-Fridays and the 09:34 goes through to Bologna Centrale every day, Munich-Bologna in 6h45.  All these trains have an elegant restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains roll by.

• Day 2, travel from Verona or Bologna to anywhere you like in Italy by high-speed train.  If you leave Munich at 07:34 Mondays-Fridays or 09:34 any day of the week, you change trains in Bologna, which usually works out cheaper and offers a wider range of connections (especially to Florence SMN, as most of the direct trains from Verona to Florence only serve Florence Campo di Marte station on the edge of the city centre).  Otherwise you change in Verona.

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne to Bologna starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. 

  Bologna to Florence starts at €19.90, Bologna to Rome at €19.90.

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, book from Cologne to Verona at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Munich Hbf in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box to build in the overnight stop.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting departure time and stopover duration to get the trains you want - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  I've set up this link to bahn.de with the necessary parameters for you.

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

  Step 2, now buy onward tickets from Verona to Florence, Rome, Milan or Naples separately at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to change in Verona in case of any delay if you buy separate tickets.  It's ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on the train.

Option 3, via Zurich & the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps - the ultimate scenic route... 

• This takes longer and must be split over 2 days, but it's fabulous and well worth the extra time.  It involves the most spectacular Alpine panoramic scenic train of them all, the famous narrow-gauge Bernina Express.  And I'll show you how to do it really cheaply...

• Day 1, take an afternoon or evening ICE train from Cologne to Zurich in as little as 4h47.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf at 16:54, change at Basel SBB, arriving Zurich HB 22:00, by all means leave earlier & spend an evening in Zurich.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, consider the wonderful Hotel Schweizerhof located right next to Zurich HB.  One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road.  For something cheaper but also near the station with great reviews, try the Hotel du Théatre or Hotel St Gotthard.  If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.  Alternatively, you could stop overnight in the pleasant town of Chur instead.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Chur on the 07:07 InterCity train, from Chur to Tirano on the fabulous Bernina Express, then from Tirano to Milan Centrale by connecting Italian regional train.  You can reach Venice or Florence or Rome that evening.  See the Bernina Express page for full details of times, prices and how to buy tickets.

  If you follow my advice here you can book Zurich to Tirano in advance from as little as €29.90.  Tirano to Milan is €12 bought at the station.

• Onward tickets from Milan Centrale to Florence, Rome, Naples or Venice can be booked at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Barcelona & Spain from €74...

Option 1:  Cologne to Barcelona by high-speed train in a single day.  Overnight in Barcelona.  Onwards to Malaga, Seville, Alicante & so on next morning.

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44 arriving Paris Gare du Nord around 12:08.

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys guide.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €72 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Cross Paris to the Gare de Lyon and perhaps have lunch at the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:08 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:46. 

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

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

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  Suggested hotels close to Barcelona Sants station with good or great reviews include the Hotel Barcelo Sants (4-star, great reviews, directly above Barcelona Sants station itself, recommended), AC Hotel Sants by Marriott (4-star, just 50m from the station), Hotel Catalonia Roma (3-star), Hostal Baler (2-star), Hotel Transit (1-star), Meeting Point Hostel (inexpensive private rooms & dorm beds).

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona Sants to your Spanish destination next morning...

  For Madrid:  AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35, check times at www.raileurope.com.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Cordoba 13:12 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:02.  Fares start at €53.  Alternatively, why not spend the morning in Barcelona and take the later 15:50 AVE, arriving in the evening?

  For Malaga:  Take the 09:00 AVE high-speed train to Madrid Atocha arriving 11:45, then the 13:00 AVE high-speed train to Malaga Maria Zambrano, arriving 16:05.  Alternatively, why not spend the morning in Barcelona and take the later 15:50 AVE, arriving in the evening?

  For Granada:  A direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Granada at 14:52.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  EuroMed trains link Barcelona with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:55 & Alicante 12:45 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 12:55 & Alicante 14:48.  Fares from €23.

  For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets from Cologne to Spain at www.raileurope.com, this connects to both the French and Spanish ticketing systems so you can buy all three tickets together in one place.  You can book from Cologne to Barcelona as one transaction and print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.  You can pay in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.  There's a small booking fee.

  Booking for Thalys & the TGV usually opens 120 days ahead, for the AVE 60 days ahead.  First book from Cologne to Barcelona.  In the search results, look for an option with just 1 change.

  Tip:  Click More options and enter Paris with 1 hour duration, more if you fancy lunch in Paris.  This ensures at least an hour between trains and it'll also then show separate prices either side of Paris so you can upgrade to 1st class if it's cheap to do so on one leg or the other, without having to upgrade throughout.

  If you are heading for Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Valencia or Alicante, add the Cologne-Barcelona ticket to your basket, then book from Barcelona to your chosen Spanish destination for the following day, add this to you basket and check out.

  Travel tip: I recommend an upstairs seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views.  Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck.  If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.

• Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although this takes more effort and is unlikely to make it materially cheaper:  Book the Cologne-Paris Thalys and the Paris-Barcelona TGV at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf in € with print-at-home or mobile tickets, then onward trains within Spain at www.renfe.com, very fiddly to use and may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it here, I'd stick with much or easier-to-use www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, small mark-up).

Option 2:  Cologne to Spain by high-speed train with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train leaving Cologne Hbf around 18:44 arriving Paris Gare du Nord around 22:05.

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the guide to Thalys trains.

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

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:53. 

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

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

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and so on by high-speed train.

  Same-day connections to Madrid, Valencia & Alicante are possible off the 10:14 departure from Paris.  However, a same-day connection to Cordoba, Malaga or Seville is not possible, you'll need to stay the night then take the 08:30 AVE-S112 high-speed train next morning.

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets from Cologne to Spain at www.raileurope.com, this connects to both the French and Spanish ticketing systems so you can buy all three tickets together in one place.  Booking for Thalys & the TGV usually opens 120 days ahead, for the AVE 60 days ahead.  You can pay in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.  There's a small booking fee.

  First book from Cologne to Paris, looking for a direct train.  Add this to your basket.

  Then book from Paris to Barcelona for the following day and add that to your basket.  If going to Madrid, Valencia or Alicante where a same-day connection is possible, you can book from Paris to there as one booking.  Otherwise, book an onward ticket from Barcelona into Spain separately, add to basket & check out.

  Travel tip: I recommend an upstairs seat on the TGV Duplex for the best views.  Raileurope.com shows you your seat number before you confirm & pay, and any seat number over 60 is on the upper deck.  If you don't get an upper deck seat, simply leave it in your basket & try again until you get an upstairs seat, then delete the tickets you don't want from your basket.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although this takes more effort and is unlikely to make it materially cheaper:  Book the Cologne-Paris Thalys and the Paris-Barcelona TGV at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf in € with print-at-home or mobile tickets, then onward trains within Spain at www.renfe.com, very fiddly to use and may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it here, I'd stick with much or easier-to-use www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, small mark-up).

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to San Sebastian...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train leaving Cologne Hbf at 06:44 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 10:05.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 12:52 and arriving Hendaye at 17:36.  A cafe-bar is available on board, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Step 3, walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt.  Buy a ticket at the station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes.  See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne to Paris starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

  Paris to Hendaye starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

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

  Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren costs a fixed-price €2.75.

• How to buy tickets...

  Book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Hendaye at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.

  Tip:  If you use www.raileurope.com you can click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station with a 1 hour stopover duration, to ensure a robust connection.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Ibiza & Mallorca...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Barcelona as shown above.

  You can leave Cologne in the early evening of Day 1, stay overnight in Paris, reaching Barcelona in the afternoon on Day 2, and Ibiza or Palma in time for breakfast on Day 3.

  In Barcelona, it's a 3.8km 46-minute walk from Barcelona Sants to the Acciona and Balearia ferry terminal at the foot of La Rambla, near the Columbus monument, see walking map.  Or use a taxi or the metro, nearest metro station Drassanes.

• Step 2, sail overnight from Barcelona to Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca by ferry.

  Ibiza:  Acciona Trasmediterranea operate an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza on most nights of the week sailing at or around 22:00, arriving 07:00.  Times and dates vary, check times and buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmediterranea.es.  Check-in for the ferry closes 30 minutes before sailing time.  You can pre-print your boarding pass to save time at the terminal.

  Mallorca:  There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins, both usually sailing from Barcelona around around 22:00 and arriving in Palma around 07:00.  One ferry is run by Acciona Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es, the other run by Balearia (www.balearia.com).  You can check times & buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website.

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Cologne or Dusseldorf to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne Hbf to Paris Gare du Nord in 3h20 by early morning Thalys train.

  Book this from €35 at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and add to your basket.

  When going all the way to Portugal I'd allow 120 minutes between trains in Paris, just in case of delay, even though the actual transfer between stations only takes 30 minutes.  Both sites are easy to use, there's a small booking fee, but they allow you to book all your tickets from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Lisbon together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare Montparnasse.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 12:52 and arriving Hendaye at 17:36. 

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and add to your basket.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

• Step 3, travel from Hendaye to Lisbon overnight by Sud Express sleeper train, leaving Hendaye at 18:35 and arriving Lisbon Oriente at 07:20 & Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 07:30 next morning.

  Fares start at €37 with bed in 4-bed Turista sleeper, €132 with a bed in a 2-bed Preferente sleeper, or €148 with a bed in a 2-bed Gran Clase sleeper with shower & toilet.  See photos & information about the Sud Express.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, add to basket and check out.

  Both sites connect directly to Renfe's ticketing system.  Booking for the Sud Express should open 60 days ahead, but often less than this, occasionally more, give it a try but be aware this can be the limiting factor.  You can also book at Renfe's own site www.renfe.com, see this advice on using it.  You print your own tickets for all these trains.

• For Porto, book a connecting ticket from Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanhã from €15 at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt, which is the only site that can book Portuguese trains.  Alfa Pendular 125mph tilting trains or slightly slower InterCity trains leave regularly.

• For the Algarve, change at Lisbon Oriente for a train to Faro or Albufeira also from €15, book this at www.cp.pt.

• See the London to Portugal page for full details of the Paris-Lisbon journey with photos, simply disregard the London to Paris bit.  If necessary, travel from Cologne to Paris the night before and stop over in Paris.

On board the Sud Express from Hendaye to Lisbon:  See more photos & information...

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Cologne or Dusseldorf to Andorra...

Option 1, Cologne to Andorra in a day...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Thalys train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord around 12:08.

  High-speed Thalys trains travel at up to 300km/h, they have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the guide to Thalys trains.  Fares start from €35 in 2nd class (standard) or €72 in 1st class (comfort).

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, but the more the better.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV, there's usually one leaving Paris Montparnasse at 13:52 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 18:10.

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

  Have dinner in Toulouse...

• Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau station to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours, fare €33.  There are 3 services every day run by Andbus, check times at www.andorrabybus.com.  I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay.  There's normally a bus leaving Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 20:00 arriving Andorra at midnight.

• How to buy tickets...

  Check train times & buy a ticket from Cologne to Toulouse Matabiau at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (more fiddly, in €, no fee).   If necessary, book Cologne-Paris & Paris-Toulouse separately, to get sufficient time between trains in Paris.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.  Buy the bus ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.

Option 2, using the Paris-Toulouse-l'Hospitalet overnight train...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Thalys train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 16:43 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord around 20:08.

  High-speed Thalys trains travel at up to 300km/h, with 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys guide.

  Fares start from €35 in 2nd class (standard) or €72 in 1st class (comfort).  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (more fiddly, in €, no fee).   You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.  Indeed, I recommend leaving earlier and having dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

• Step 2, take the Intercité de Nuit couchette train leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:12 and arriving l'Hospitalet pres l'Andorre at 08:46.

  This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats. 

  Fares start at €35 including a couchette.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  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 en.oui.sncf (more fiddly, in €, no fee).  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

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

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €39.90...

Option 1, by comfortable daytime trains...

• For Vienna & Linz...

  High-quality ICE-T trains link Düsseldorf & Cologne with Linz & Vienna twice a day:

  Cologne Hbf depart 05:53, Vienna Hbf arrive 14:45.

  Cologne Hbf depart 09:53, Vienna Hbf arrive 18:45.

  It's a chill-out day with a good book and meals in the restaurant car accompanied by a decent weissbier. 

  These trains are superb German ICEs with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and they take the scenic Rhine Valley route between Koblenz & Mainz - which just happens to be one of the most scenic main lines in Germany, twisting along the river past mountains, castles, vineyards and river boats and of course the famous legendary Lorelei Rock.  Sit on the left hand side of the train for the river scenery.  See the Rhine Valley scenery video here.

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

• For Salzburg, Bischofshofen, St Johann, Klagenfurt...

  A direct EuroCity train with bistro-restaurant links Düsseldorf & Cologne with Salzburg, Bischofshofen, St Johan & Klagenfurt every day, leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:17 and arriving Salzburg at 15:59, with fares from €29.90.

  This train also takes the scenic Rhine Valley route via Koblenz, make sure you sit on the left hand side of the train as the river boats, castles, vineyards and legendary Lorelei Rock roll past.

• For Innsbruck & St Anton there are various departures with 1 or 2 changes, check times at www.bahn.de.

• To buy tickets or check train times from anywhere in Germany to anywhere in Austria use the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

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

Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option that saves a hotel bill...

• A comfortable Nightjet sleeper train leaves Dusseldorf 21:43 & Cologne Hbf 22:16, arriving Wels 07:14, Linz 07:46, Vienna Meidling 09:11 & Vienna Hbf 09:19, with a portion for Innsbruck Hbf arriving 09:14.  For Salzburg, change at Wels onto a railjet train arriving Salzburg at 08:48.

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

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Copenhagen, Odense & Denmark from €39.90...

• You can travel from Cologne to Copenhagen in a single day with 1 easy change in Hamburg, for example:

  Leave Cologne Hbf at 08:09 by Intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto a Danish IC3 intercity train, arriving Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Leave Cologne Hbf depart 12:09 by ICE train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto a Danish IC3 intercity train, arriving Copenhagen at 21:33.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  The Hamburg to Copenhagen trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.  See photos, tips & information about the Hamburg to Copenhagen intercity train.

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

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

  Tip:  In the search results, look for options with 1 change, not 2 or 3.  Adjust the Duration of transfer feature if you'd like longer connections, or the Add intermediates stops feature if you'd like a stopover in Hamburg.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö...

Sadly, the Cologne-Copenhagen City Night Line sleeper was discontinued in 2014.  But here are the daytime options...

• Cologne to Sweden in a single day!

  It's possible to travel from Cologne to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmo in a single day, by comfortable InterCity (IC) train to Hamburg, Danish IC3 intercity train to Copenhagen, then a smart 200 km/h X2000 high-speed train from Copenhagen to Stockholm or Öresund train to Malmo & Gothenburg.

  Go to the German Railways website www.bahn.de and book from Cologne to Malmo, Gothenburg or Stockholm as one through journey from €59.90.  Don't worry about any tight connections you see, you will be using a through ticket so will be entitled to travel onwards by later trains (and if necessary, a hotel) if a delay means a connection is missed, under the CIV international conditions of carriage.

  You'll usually find two services per day, one leaving Cologne Hbf at 04:00 arriving Stockholm 19:38, and one leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:09 arriving Stockholm at 23:41, but see what journey options www.bahn.de gives you as times vary.

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

• Or break up the journey with an overnight stop in Hamburg...

  It can be easier and sometimes more time-effective to break up the journey with an overnight hotel stop in Hamburg.  That way you can leave Cologne in the late afternoon or early evening, and travel from Hamburg to Sweden next day.  You can still benefit from the same cheap fares from €59.90, like this:  Go to www.bahn.de and run the enquiry with Hamburg Hbf in the via box and perhaps 11 hours in the hh:mm stopover box.  Adjust the departure time and stopover period until you get trains which suit you either side of Hamburg.  Suggested hotels in Hamburg across the road from Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof (the one I'd pick), Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Oslo & Norway...

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

• See the details above.

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

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Kiel on a very early morning train, for example leaving Cologne Hbf at 06:09.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

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

• Day 1, 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 2).

  Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or www.colorline.com.  You print your own ticket.

  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.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Helsinki & Finland...

Option 1, by direct ferry from Germany to Helsinki - the easiest option...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Option 2, travel to Stockholm and take a ferry from there...

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

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Prague from €29.90...

Option 1, by daytime train - the leisurely same-day option...

• Take a high-speed ICE2 train from Düsseldorf or Cologne Hbf to Berlin Hbf in 4h22, then a comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car from Berlin Hbf to Prague Hlavni in 4h20.  For example:

  Leave Cologne Hbf 05:42, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 15:36, Mondays-Saturdays only.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 07:48, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 17:36.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 09:48, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 19:36.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 11:48, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 21:36.

  It's a leisurely journey with a good book and a glass of wine, with great scenery along the Elbe River between Dresden and Prague, see the scenery photos & video here.

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

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

  Tip:  It's a good idea to click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf as a via station, then it'll just show this route via Berlin with high-quality trains, look for easy options with just 1 change.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

  Tip:  Stopover in Berlin?   You normally seem to get an hour between trains in Berlin, which is enough to nip out to see the Reichstag 10 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf or the Brandenburg gate, 5 minutes walk further on.  But you can build in a longer stopover if you want, either a few hours or an overnight stop.  Simply click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf then enter a suitable stopover duration.  For a few hours stop, select an early departure time from Cologne or Düsseldorf.

• This is the easiest and most scenic daytime option, with the chance for a stopover in Berlin, but for sheer cheapness, see option 3 below...

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Berlin from €39 - a time-effective option with an evening in Berlin...

• Day 1, take a comfortable high-speed ICE train from Cologne Hbf to Berlin Hbf in 4h22.  Trains leave every hour, you can usually leave Cologne as late as 18:48 arriving Berlin around 23:04, but by all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate, 15 min walk from the station.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague in just 4h20 on any train you like.  The 07:16 EuroCity train from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:36 with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley - or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the 09:16, they leave every two hours.

• Fares from Cologne to Prague start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class, even with the overnight stop included...

• To buy tickets, use www.bahn.de like this:  Set up the journey planner for Cologne or Dusseldorf to Prague, but click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf and a stopover duration of (say) 10 hours.  In fact, I've set up this special link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters, just enter your date of travel and adjust the departure time from Cologne and stopover duration in Berlin to get the trains you want on both days.  In the search results, look for journeys with just 1 change marked ICE,EC.

Option 3, the cheapest option via Nuremburg & Cheb - from just €21 - or €30 in 1st class!

• It involves 3 changes, but it's true.  You can go from Cologne to Prague in relaxed comfort by train from as little as €21.

• The trick is to book from Cologne to Prague at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, but before running the enquiry, click More options then Travel via and enter Cheb in the via box.  I'd also click Connection parameters and limit changes to 2.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

  You'll see fares from as little as €21 (about 580 Czech Koruna) via a route with 3 changes at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, Nuremberg & Cheb.  You print your own ticket.  Treat yourself to first class from €39, about 1076 Koruna.  For example:

  Cologne Hbf depart 05:53, Prague Hlavni arrive 15:21.

  Cologne Hbf depart 07:53, Prague Hlavni arrive 17:21.

  Cologne Hbf depart 09:53, Prague Hlavni arrive 19:21.

• There's nothing cut-rate about the trains:  You take top-quality high-speed ICE trains from Cologne to Nuremberg with restaurant car & free WiFi, then a swish German air-conditioned regional train from Nuremberg to Cheb and a comfy air-conditioned Czech express train from Cheb to Prague with refreshment trolley and free WiFi.  See more photos, video guide, information & tips on travel to Prague via Cheb.

• It's an incredible price, unusually low, but genuine enough.  Too out of kilter for such low fares to survive long?  Who knows, but great while it's available. If you book this way, feedback would be appreciated!

The City Night Line sleeper train from Cologne to Prague was discontinued in December 2016.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Cesky Krumlov & other Czech destinations...

• You can book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to almost anywhere in the Czech Republic using the German Railways website www.bahn.de

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

  Tip:  It's an all-day ride from Cologne or Düsseldorf to the Czech Republic, so select a morning departure time to do it all in one day.

  Tip:  You might prefer breaking up a long journey with an overnight stop, perhaps Nuremberg, if your route goes that way.  To get an overnight stop, click Add intermediate stops and enter Nuremberg, with a suitable stopover duration, say 11 hours, or up to 48 hours.

  Tip:  Also check times & prices using the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

• For Cesky Krumlov (a lovely town, and the second most-visited place in the Czech Republic, see the Cesky Krumlov page) you need to book to Ceske Budejovice, not Cesky Krumlov, because the branch line between Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov is run by private operator GWTR and German Railways cannot ticket that part.

  So book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Ceske Budejovice at www.bahn.de from €37.90, then buy the local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov either at the station in Ceske Budejovice from the distinctive green and orange ticket kiosk in the main hall, or on board the train using the self-service ticket machines, contactless cards accepted.  You can check train times from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov at www.gwtr.cz.

• For Karlovy Vary or Plzen, book at www.bahn.de, looking for 3-change options via Frankfurt, Nuremberg & Cheb from €37.90.

• For Brno, book Cologne or Düsseldorf to Brno at www.bahn.de.  It tends to route you via Vienna, as this is slightly quicker.  By all means click Add intermediate stops and enter Prague, this can be cheaper.  By adding a stopover duration of a suitable number of hours, you can have an overnight stop there.

  The most time-effective option from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Brno is to take the Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna overnight as shown above, allow at least an hour between trains in Vienna, then take a Vienna-Brno train booked at either www.thetrainline.com (sells both Regiojet & ÖBB/CD trains), www.oebb.at (ÖBB/CD trains only) or www.regiojet.com (Regiojet trains only).

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Bratislava & Slovakia from €39.90...

Option 1, by daytime train... 

• You can travel from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Bratislava with just one change:

  Leave Dusseldorf 05:27 or Cologne Hbf 05:53 by ICE-T train to Vienna Hbf, then by Regional Express train to Bratislava Hlavna arriving 16:23.

  Leave Dusseldorf 08:27 or Cologne Hbf 09:53 by ICE-T train to Vienna Hbf, then by Regional Express train to Bratislava Hlavna arriving 20:23.

  The high-speed ICE-T trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat this as a chill-out trip...

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

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

Option 2, by sleeper train...

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Dusseldorf at 21:43 or Cologne Hbf at 22:16 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 09:19 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and 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.

  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 little more fiddly, in €). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

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

• Step 2, on arrival in Vienna simply catch the next hourly Regional Express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, journey time 1h07.  You can buy a ticket for this train at the station for around €11.20, no reservation is necessary of possible, just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.  You can check times & prices at www.oebb.at.  See timetable & information for these Vienna-Bratislava trains.

• Step 3 if you're going to eastern Slovakia & the Tatra mountains:  Take an express from Bratislava to Poprad Tatry & Kosice.  In this case, you'd pre-book a ticket from Vienna to Poprad Tatry & Kosice from €29.90 at either www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.  You'll find a regional train leaving Vienna at 10:16, change at Bratislava Hlavna arriving Poprad Tatry late afternoon & Kosice  early evening.

Step 1, Düsseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet.  Above, the Nightjet about to leave Cologne Hbf.

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

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on a Nightjet...

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Budapest from €39.90...

Option 1, by sleeper train via Munich - the most time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Munich by ICE train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 17:55 and arriving Munich Hbf at 22:26.

  Check times at www.bahn.de as they can vary.  I recommend taking the earlier 15:55 train and having dinner in Munich.  For local Bavarian food and a beer or two before boarding the sleeper, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Budapest on the sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 09:19.

  The Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see more information about this sleeper train.  In sleepers, morning tea or coffee is included.

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

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

Option 2, by daytime trains - the leisurely daytime option...

• You can travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Budapest in one leisurely day, with 1 each change, as follows:

  Leave Dusseldorf 05:27 or Cologne Hbf 05:53 by ICE-T, change at Vienna Meidling onto a railjet train, arriving Budapest Keleti at 18:19.

  Leave Dusseldorf 07:51 or Cologne Hbf 08:17 by EuroCity train, change Salzburg onto a railjet train, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.

  Leave Dusseldorf 09:27 or Cologne Hbf 09:53 by ICE-T, change at Vienna Hbf onto a EuroCity train, arriving Budapest Keleti at 22:19.

  The ICE-T trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  All of these trains use the scenic Rhine Valley line via Koblenz, past vineyards, river boats, castles, and the legendary Lorelei Rock, see the Rails down the Rhine page for more information.  Make sure you sit on the left hand side of the train for the river scenery.

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

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website, www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the search results, look for options with just 1 change.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  If you want the 05:27/05:53 departure, it's better to change at Vienna Hbf (=main station) rather than Vienna Meidling, simply click Add intermediate stops and enter Vienna Centrale as a via station, if necessary with a 20 minute stopover duration, that should do it.

Option 2, by sleeper train via Vienna - another time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Dusseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Dusseldorf 21:43 & Cologne Hbf 22:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:19.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42 & arriving at Budapest Keleti at 13:19.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  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.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Bucharest & Romania from €99...

Option 1, via Vienna - the fastest & most comfortable option...

• Step 1, travel from Dusseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by ICE-T high-speed train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, leaving Dusseldorf at 09:27 or Cologne Hbf at 09:53, arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:45.

  If you prefer, there's an earlier 05:27 from Dusseldorf, 05:53 from Cologne, arriving Vienna at 14:45.

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, arriving Sighisoara 10:34, Brasov 13:35 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 16:04.

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

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

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

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.  You collect tickets from the ÖBB ticket machines or staffed counter in Vienna.

Option 2, via Budapest...

• Step 1, travel from Dusseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Dusseldorf at 21:43 & Cologne Hbf at 22:16, arriving Vienna Hbf at 09:19.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 13:19.  Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at 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).  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov at 09:54 & Bucharest Gara de Nord at 12:33 next day.

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

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

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

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

  You can also normally book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your smartphone.  However, since MAV revamped its website in 2020, it can't book couchettes or sleepers, only seats, though this should be fixed at some point.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Ljubljana & Zagreb from €37.90...

Option 1, by daytime train...

• You can travel from Cologne to Ljubljana or Zagreb in a single chill-out day with some truly wonderful scenery through the mountains of Austria and along the River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 06:20 by ICE, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:33 & Zagreb at 20:53.

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

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

• Important:  Engineering work affecting the Munich-Ljubljana-Zagreb route until at least 31 July 2021...  Major engineering work has closed the Karawanks Tunnel between Austria & Slovenia until at least 31 July 2021, and normal train service is suspended.  To find alternatives, run a Munich-Ljubljana or Munich-Zagreb enquiry at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  You'll find Munich-Ljubljana services with 1 change at Villach onto a rail replacement bus.  You'll find Munich-Zagreb journeys by train via the alternative Maribor route with 1 or 2 changes.

Option 2, by daytime train with overnight stop in Munich...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Munich in 4h31 on any ICE train you like.  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:26 (23:15 some dates).

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

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

• Step 2, now leave Munich Hbf at 08:17 by air-conditioned Austrian railjet train, there's a quick and simple cross-platform change at Villach onto a waiting Slovenian and Croatian EuroCity train Sava, arriving Ljubljana around 14:35 and Zagreb around 17:10.

  The scenery is wonderful through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route and along the River Sava from Ljubljana to Zagreb. 

  If you'd like a morning in Munich, there's a later 12:17 direct EuroCity train direct to Ljubljana and Zagreb.

• How much does it cost?

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  To get the overnight stop in Munich, click Add intermediate stops and enter Munich Hbf as a via station with a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  If you don't see any cheap fares from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb using bahn.de (for example, if it says No special fares available), try going to the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and booking from Salzburg to Ljubljana or Zagreb on exactly the same train (these trains leave Salzburg about 1h55 after leaving Munich), then using www.oebb.at again to add a ticket from Munich to Salzburg on the same train.

• Important:  Engineering work affecting the Munich-Ljubljana-Zagreb route until at least 31 July 2021...  Major engineering work has closed the Karawanks Tunnel between Austria & Slovenia until at least 31 July 2021, and normal train service is suspended.  To find alternatives, run a Munich-Ljubljana or Munich-Zagreb enquiry at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  You'll find Munich-Ljubljana services with 1 change at Villach onto a rail replacement bus.  You'll find Munich-Zagreb journeys by train via the alternative Maribor route with 1 or 2 changes.

Option 3, using the Munch-Ljubljana-Zagreb sleeper train - the time-effective option....

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Munich by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You can usually leave Cologne Hbf at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 22:26.  By all means take an earlier train, just make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Munich in case of any delay.

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

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

  I recommend taking the 15:55 on any date and having dinner in Munich.  For local Bavarian food and a beer or two before boarding the sleeper I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

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

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

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

  Important:  Munich-Ljubljana-Zagreb sleeper train cancelled until at least 31 July 2021...  Major engineering work has closed the Karawanks Tunnel between Austria & Slovenia until at least 31 July 2021, and the Munich-Zagreb sleeper train is temporarily cancelled.

  Alternative route using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper until 31 July:  There's a daily sleeper train from Zurich HB (depart 20:40) to Zagreb (arrive 11:27 until 31 July), with similar Croatian sleeping-car & couchette car as the Munich-Zagreb train.  Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.  Then book a suitable connecting train from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Zurich using www.bahn.de.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Zurich when catching a sleeper - I recommend the steak-frites at the Brasserie Federal at Zurich HB.

Step 1, Cologne to Munich by ICE...  This is an ICE3 at Cologne Hbf.  More information about ICE trains.

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

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

Step 2, Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train...  This is sleeping-car on the Lisinski arrived at Zagreb.  The modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car of the Lisinski from Munich to Zagreb has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth room, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  See larger sleeper photo.  See the Croatian sleeper video.

The couchette car on the Lisinski has modern air-conditioned 6-berth and 4-berth compartments.  Above right, the westbound train is seen boarding at Zagreb. See panorama photo.

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

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Cologne or Dusseldorf to Belgrade, Sofia, Montenegro...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Munich by ICE train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 22:26.

  Or leave Cologne Hbf at 15:55 arriving Munich Hbf 21:12 to allow time for dinner.  Just make sure you allow around an hour between trains in Munich in case of any delay.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

  Tip:  For dinner in Munich with Bavarian food and a beer or two before boarding the sleeper I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

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

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

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

  Important:  Munich-Zagreb sleeper train is cancelled until 31 July 2021...  Major engineering work has closed the Karawanks Tunnel between Austria & Slovenia until at least 31 July 2021, and the Munich-Zagreb sleeper train is temporarily cancelled.

  Alternative route using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper until 31 July:  There's a daily sleeper train from Zurich HB (depart 20:40) to Zagreb (arrive 11:27 until 31 July), with similar Croatian sleeping-car & couchette car as the Munich-Zagreb train.  Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.  Then book a suitable connecting train from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Zurich using www.bahn.de.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Zurich when catching a sleeper - I recommend the steak-frites at the Brasserie Federal at Zurich HB.

• Step 3, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train.  Until 31 July 2021 it leaves Zagreb at 13:04 arriving Novi Beograd 20:17 & Belgrade Centar at 20:25.  From 1 August 2021 it leaves Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

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

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

• Step 4 for Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade and take the train from Belgrade to Sofia next day (day 3), see the Belgrade to Sofia page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.

• Step 4 for Montenegro, transfer to Belgrade Topcider station and either take the overnight sleeper Lovcen to Podgorica and Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day.  See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.

Step 1, Cologne to Munich by ICE...  This is an ICE3 at Munich Hbf.  More information about ICE trains.

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

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

Step 2, Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train.  This is sleeping-car on the Lisinski arrived at Zagreb.  The modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car of the Lisinski from Munich to Zagreb has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth room, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  See larger sleeper photo.  See the Croatian sleeper video.

The couchette car on the Lisinski has modern air-conditioned 6-berth and 4-berth compartments.  Above right, the westbound train is seen boarding at Zagreb. See panorama photo.

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

Step 3, Zagreb to Belgrade on the daily train.  Above, Serbian air-conditioned cars.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw from €37.90...

Option 1, Cologne to Warsaw in a single day from €37.90 - the leisurely daytime option...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne Hbf to Berlin Hbf by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna by comfortable Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train with restaurant car.

• For example:

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:48, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 19:09.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 10:48, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 21:09.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 12:48, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 23:04.

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

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

• Why not spend some time in Berlin between trains?  This breaks up the trip, there are left luggage lockers available and Berlin Hbf is just 10-15 min walk from the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate, so even a couple of hours stopover is a worthwhile experience.  To build in a stopover using www.bahn.de simply click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf plus the number of hours stopover you want - I have set up the special link for you with a 4-hour stopover added.

Option 2, Cologne to Warsaw with overnight stop in Berlin - time-effective & a chance to see Berlin...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car in 4h22.  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 18:48 on most days, arriving Berlin Hbf around 23:04, but by all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw on any Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train you like.  Daily except Sundays the 05:43 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Warsaw Centralna at 11:11 with breakfast in the restaurant car.  Or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the daily 09:37 arriving 15:19.  Or take spend some time in Berlin and take a later train, the German capital is fascinating...

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de:  Enter Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw, but click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf and the number of hours stopover you want, say 10:00.  Adjust the departure time and the Berlin stopover duration to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.  I have set up this link to Bahn.de for you with this included, just enter your own date of travel and the number of passengers.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin by ICE2 with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is 2nd class.  Larger photo.

Restaurant car.  Larger photo.		Bar car.  Larger photo.

An ICE2 at Berlin Hbf...		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, seen here at Berlin Hbf...

1st class compartment car...		2nd class open-plan car.  Some seats are in compartments.

The restaurant car on a Berlin-Warsaw express.  You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.  A steward will take your order...  These photos courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.  Larger photo.

The bar...		Decent food, served on proper china...

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Wroclaw, Katowice & Krakow from €37.90...

Option 1, Cologne to Krakow by daytime trains a single day - Mondays-Saturdays only...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi, leaving Cologne Hbf at 04:16 & arriving Berlin Hbf 09:10.

  You've now time for breakfast in Berlin, and perhaps a wander to the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate, 15 minutes walk from the station.

  Note that a later 05:42 departure is possible from Cologne every day of the week with a 23-minute connection in Berlin, but a 20+ minute delay would mean missing the once-a-day train to Krakow.  So I recommend sticking with the earlier train, running Mondays-Saturdays only, in spite of the early start!  However, with a through ticket you are entitled to later onward travel at no charge if there's a delay and missed connection, so you could risk it if you liked.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel with leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:37 and arriving Wroclaw 14:47, Katowice 16:44 & Krakow Glowny at 17:39.  The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Tip:  Click Add intermediate stops, enter Berlin Hbf with a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  This gets you the robust connection in Berlin as recommended above.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Cologne to Krakow using the Berlin-Krakow sleeper - why not spend a few hours in Berlin?

• Step 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin by ICE2 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, leaving Cologne Hbf at 12:48 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:10.

  Trains leave every hour or so, by all means book an earlier train to have more time in Berlin, there are left luggage lockers available and Berlin Hbf is just 10-15 min walk from the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate, so even a few hours stopover is a worthwhile experience.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Poland by sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 and arriving Krakow Glowny at 03:47 & Rzeszow Glowny at 06:39.

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

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

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

  Book the sleeper 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 normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  To pre-book a Rzeszow-Krakow ticket, go to the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl.  You print your ticket.

Option 3, Cologne to Krakow with overnight stop in Berlin - time-effective & a chance to see Berlin...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car in 4h22.  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 18:48 on most days, arriving Berlin Hbf around 23:04, but by all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:37 every day, arriving Wroclaw 14:47, Katowice at 16:44 & Krakow Glowny at 17:39.  The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de:  Enter Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw or Krakow, then to get the overnight stop  click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf and the number of hours stopover you want, say 12:00.  Adjust the departure time and the Berlin stopover duration to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.  I have set up this link to bahn.de for you, just enter your own date of travel and the number of passengers.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Step 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin by ICE2 with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is 2nd class.  Larger photo

Restaurant car.  Larger photo.		Bar car.  Larger photo.

An ICE2 at Berlin Hbf...		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel.  This is a similar EuroCity train at Berlin Hbf.

1st class compartment car...		2nd class open-plan car.  Some seats are in compartments.

The restaurant car on a Berlin-Warsaw express.  You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.  A steward will take your order...  These photos courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.  Larger photo.

The bar...		Decent food, served on proper china...

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Cologne or Dusseldorf to Vilnius. Riga, Tallinn...

Option 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Lithuania with overnight stop & morning free in Warsaw...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw by ICE & EuroCity train in a day as shown in the Cologne to Warsaw section above.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Stay overnight in Warsaw and spend the following morning there.  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius, leaving Warsaw at lunchtime, changing at Bialystok and arriving Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening, with connections to Vilnius, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.  Warsaw-Vilnius costs around €24.

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

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

Option 2, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Lithuania with overnight stop in Berlin - faster, Sundays-Fridays only, with a very early start from Berlin...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin by ICE train in the afternoon.  You can leave as late as 18:48, but I'd take an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel or InterCity Hotel are ideal as they are right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, relatively inexpensive and get good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous & historic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate, 15 min walk from the station.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 05:43 Mondays-Saturdays only arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:11.

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

  Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Add intermediate stops, enter Berlin Hbf and a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours.  Adjust departure time & stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Berlin, a little trial & error may be required.

  Tip: You may be able to buy a through ticket from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Bialystok covering both the Cologne-Berlin-Warsaw & Warsaw-Bialystok trains for almost the same price as Cologne to Warsaw.  In which case, you just need to buy a Bialystok-Kaunas/Vilnius ticket at the station in Warsaw, or on board the train.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius, leaving Warsaw at lunchtime, changing at Bialystok and arriving Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening, with connections to Vilnius, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.  Warsaw-Vilnius costs around €24.

• 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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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Kiev & Ukraine...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by high-speed ICE2 train in 4h22 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You can usually leave Cologne Hbf as late as 18:48 arriving Berlin Hbf at 23:04, but by all means take an earlier train and spend an evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:19. 

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

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

  Book from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw at www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  To build in the overnight stop, click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf and the number of hours stopover you want, say 12:00.  Adjust the departure time and the Berlin stopover duration to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.  I have set up this link to bahn.de for you, just enter your own date of travel and the number of passengers.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Day 2 evening, travel from Warsaw to Kiev on the Kiev Express, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 18:20 & arriving Kiev at 11:00 next morning.

  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and perhaps some wine or beer.

  The fare is around €46 in a 3-bed sleeper if you manage to book via the Ukrainian Railways website.  If you have to book via Polrail it costs around €57 including a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  To buy tickets, first see if you can book online with Ukrainian Railways at booking.uz.gov.ua/en - but please, please, please read the important notes here which explain how to book this train using that website.  If that doesn't work for you, book with reliable Polish agency Polrail at booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.

• To book onward trains from Kiev to Odessa & other places in Ukraine, see the Ukraine page.

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

Option 1, using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by high-speed ICE2 train in 4h22 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You can usually leave Cologne Hbf as late as 18:48 arriving Berlin Hbf at 23:04, but by all means take an earlier train & spend an evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:19. 

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

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

Book from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw at www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  To build in the overnight stop, click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf and the number of hours stopover you want, say 12:00.  Adjust the departure time and the Berlin stopover duration to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.  I have set up this link to bahn.de for you, just enter your own date of travel and the number of passengers.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Day 2 evening, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day (day 3 from Cologne).  You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.

  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.

IMPORTANT:  See the update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

• For St Petersburg it's best to travel via Moscow.  Moscow to St Petersburg takes as little as 3h50 by daytime Sapsan trains, or can be done an a number of traditional overnight sleepers.  See the train travel in Russia page to buy tickets within Russia.

The train from Warsaw to Moscow uses Russian air-conditioned sleeping-cars, pictured below, with compartments which can be used as 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth (shown below right), with a shower & toilets at the end of the corridor.  See panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers.

 

Option 2, using the new Berlin-Moscow Strizh (Swift) Talgo sleeper train, twice a week...

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by ICE train, for example, leaving Cologne Hbf at 13:48 arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:10.

  By all means book an earlier train for more time in Berlin.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Moscow by direct Russian sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:08 on Mondays & Saturdays, arriving at Moscow Belorussky station at 21:24 next day.

  This train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (Russian for swift) which started running in 2016.  It has ordinary seats, 2nd class 4-berth sleepers, 1st class 1 or 2 berth sleepers with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth sleepers with en suite shower & toilet.  There's a restaurant & bistro car.  See photo of 2-berth sleeper on this train.

  Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the Talgo train runs through a special gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...

  You can book the Berlin-Moscow train at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and print your own ticket, it's a little fiddly but usually works, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here.

  Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.  See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

The Strizh sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow.  It's a Spanish-built articulated Talgo train - note the relatively small size of each car, with just one axle between each pair of cars.  Photos courtesy of Jaap van Ginkel.

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

Option 4, via Kiev avoiding Belarus and any issues crossing Belarus to reach Moscow...

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by high-speed ICE2 train, you can usually leave Cologne Hbf as late as 18:48 arriving Berlin Hbf at 23:04, but by all means take an earlier train and spend an evening in Berlin.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.  More hotels in Berlin.  If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:19. 

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

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

  Book from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  To build in the overnight stop in Berlin, click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin Hbf and the number of hours stopover you want, say 12:00.  Adjust the departure time and the Berlin stopover duration to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.  I have set up this link to bahn.de for you, just enter your own date of travel and the number of passengers.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Day 2 evening, travel from Warsaw to Kiev on the Kiev Express, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 18:20 & arriving Kiev at 11:00 next morning.

  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and some wine or beer.

  The fare is around €46 in a 3-bed sleeper if you manage to book via the Ukrainian Railways website.  If you have to book via Polrail it costs around €57 including a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  To buy tickets, first see if you can book online with Ukrainian Railways at booking.uz.gov.ua/en - but please, please, please read the important notes here which explain how to book this train using that website.  If that doesn't work for you, book with reliable Polish agency Polrail at booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.

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

  Book Warsaw-Kiev and Kiev-Moscow, contact reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com.  Tickets are collected in Warsaw.

  Alternatively, you can book Warsaw to Kiev then Kiev to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua/en, although there are only very few berths from Warsaw to Kiev made available online, see the explanation & instructions on the London to Kiev page.  For the Kiev to Moscow booking you should book from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect the Kiev-Moscow tickets at the station in Kiev.  Feedback appreciated!

• You'll still need a Russian visa, but you don't go through Belarus if you go this way.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Athens, Corfu & Greece...

Option 1, Cologne to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely option with an Adriatic cruise thrown in...

• The best and most comfortable option is to pick up a ferry in Bari.  The whole scenic and relaxing journey from Cologne to Athens will take around 2 nights & 3 days, depending how the connections work out on your particular date.

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Milan in a single day as shown above, using option 2 via Basel.  Stay overnight in Milan.

• Day 2, take the 07:35 Frecciabianca train from Milan Centrale to Bari Centrale.

• Day 2, then sail across the Adriatic from Bari to Corfu, Igoumenitsa or Patras in Greece aboard a luxurious cruise ferry booked at www.superfast.com.  She normally sails daily except Sundays at 19:30 arriving 13:00 next day (day 3).

• Day 3, Patras is a few hours bus ride from Athens.  If you hunt for it, there's a bus/train combined timetable from Patras to Athens on www.trainose.gr but it's pretty hard to find.

• The Milan to Athens part of this journey is explained in detail on the London to Greece page, just disregard the London to Milan part of the recommended journey!

2 or 4-berth cabin with private toilet & shower.		Relaxing on deck...

At sea, passing Cephalonia & Ithaca.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

Option 2, Cologne to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - a rail adventure across the Balkans...

• You can also travel overland by train from Cologne to Athens via Belgrade & Thessaloniki.  It'll take 3 nights, with all the adventure of an epic train ride through the Balkans.

• Travel from Cologne to Munich in 4h31 by daytime ICE train from €29.90 booked at www.bahn.de.

• Pick up the London-Munich-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens route in Munich, explained in detail on the London to Greece page.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Istanbul & Turkey...

• Travel to Munich by ICE train from €29.90 or to Vienna using the Cologne to Vienna Nightjet sleeper train from €59 with couchette.

• Then pick up the London-Istanbul route explained in detail on the London to Turkey page.  I suggest using an Interrail pass for this journey.

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Hotels in Cologne & other cities

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all in one place here.  You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens.  It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.  I never book hotels non-refundably.  I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0. Tip:  It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites:  HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others.  Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

Suggested hotels near the station in Cologne...

• Hotels near to Cologne Hauptbahnhof with good reviews include the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

Other hotel sites worth trying...

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

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 myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

In the UK, reliable insurers include Columbus Direct.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.

You can use Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many different insurers.

        If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try Columbus Direct's other websites.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

A Curve card saves on foreign transaction fees...

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then charge you a currency conversion fee.  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 balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:  1. Download the app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose.  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 - I get some commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  VPNs & why you need one explained...

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi.  In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions.  And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN.  VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it 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, and I get a small commission to help support this site.

 

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