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

• Day 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Zurich by train, using options 2 or 3 shown in the Cologne to Switzerland section.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 16:55, change Basel SBB, arriving Zurich HB 22:00, or leave earlier for a pleasant evening in Zurich.

  But how about leaving Cologne Hbf at 10:53 by EuroCity train EC9 with restaurant car along the scenic Rhine Valley (option 3)?

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich HB to Chur, take the amazing Bernina Express to Tirano, and an Italian regional train to Milan Centrale as shown here as shown here.  Change at Milan Centrale for Verona & Venice.

Bernina Express 1st class seats.		the Bernina Express uses panoramic carriages.

The Bernina Express descends from the Bernina Pass.

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Cologne to Florence, Rome, Milan, Verona or anywhere else Italy

Option 1, Cologne to Italy in a day via the Swiss Alps - a chill-out day with great scenery!

• You can travel from Cologne to Milan in a single day with a choice of departures:

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

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:55, pick up the 15:03 from Basel SBB arriving Milan Centrale 19:50.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 12:55, pick up the 17:28 from Basel SBB arriving Milan Centrale 21:50.

  You travel from Cologne Hbf to Basel SBB by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Then from Basel SBB to Milan Centrale by EuroCity train through the Swiss Alps also with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & fee WiFi.

  It's a lovely ride through the Alps past Swiss & Italian lakes.  The magnificent Milan Centrale is a landmark in its own right.

• Change in Milan Centrale for a high-speed Frecciarossa to Florence SMN in 1h39, Rome Termini in 2h55.

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

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne or Düsseldorf to Basel starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

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

  Milan to Florence starts at €19.90 in standard, €29.90 in business.

  Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in standard, €39.90 in business,

  All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book the ICE train from Cologne to Basel SBB using the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  Using www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com means you can buy all your tickets in one place.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  Step 2, book from Basel SBB to Milan, Florence, Rome or Naples at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee), or at www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian place names, in €, see advice on using it).  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  Make sure you allow plenty of time between trains in Basel in case of delay, I'd suggest at least 45 minutes, the times above should include this.

  In Milan, just accept the connection the system offers as you are on a through ticket so are entitled to take a later train if there's a delay.

Step 1, Cologne to Basel by ICE.  This is an ICE3 at Cologne Hbf.  More about ICEs.

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

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3.  Larger photo.

Step 2, by EuroCity train from Basel to Milan through the Alps.  This is a Milan-Basel EuroCity train at Milan Centrale.  More about Switzerland-Milan EuroCity trains.

1st class seats.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car.  Larger photo.

Lunch in the restaurant car.		2nd class.  Larger photo.  360 degree photo.

You'll pass a lake or two.  This is Lake Maggiore, seen from the dining-car of a northbound Milan to Basel train over an excellent lunch of salmon tagliatelle & excellent (but expensive!) Swiss red wine.

Option 2, using the Nightjet sleeper train from Munich to Milan, Bologna, Florence & Rome - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Munich by ICE, leaving Cologne Hbf 13:55, arriving Munich Hbf 18:26. 

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

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Tip:  I'd book 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, leaving Munich Hbf at 20:08.

  One portion goes to Bologna Centrale 05:38, Florence Campo di Marte 06:48 & Rome Tiburtina 10:05.

  Another portion goes to Verona P. Nuova 05:51 & Milan Rogoredo 07:42.

  Important: This sleeper train is cancelled from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025 due to work in the Tauern Tunnel in Austria.

  Important:  From 29 September to 13 December 2025, both portions of this train are cancelled due to trackwork and replaced by a single train, leaving Munich Hbf at 20:08, arriving Bologna Centrale 05:38 & Milan Rogoredo 07:58.  Change in Bologna or Milan for Florence, Rome & Naples.

  The Milan portion 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.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  The Bologna, Florence & Rome portion of this train is a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 1, Cologne to Munich by ICE.  This is an ICE3 at Cologne Hbf.  More about ICEs.

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

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Munich to Florence or Rome by Nightjet.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

Comfort Plus sleeper with shower & toilet.		Comfort sleeper with shower & toilet

4-berth couchettes.		Mini-cabins - enclosed individual capsules.

Option 3, by day trains via the Brenner Pass with overnight stop in Munich - if you prefer day trains & 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 at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 22:26, or take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich. 

  Tip:  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 affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Verona or Bologna by railjet.

  Trains leave Munich Hbf for Verona Porta Nuova at 07:32, 09:33, 11:32, taking around 5h25.

  The 09:33 goes through to Bologna Centrale, arriving 16:08.  The 07:32 & 11:32 go direct to Venice.  See the timetable here.

  These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves you at your seat.  The trains travel through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & video on the Brenner Pass page.

• Day 2, travel from Verona or Bologna to anywhere you like in Italy by high-speed train.

  If you leave Munich at 09:33, change trains at Bologna Centrale for Florence, Rome & Naples, this usually works out cheaper and offers a wider range of connections.  On all other departures you change at Verona Porta Nuova.

• How much does it cost?

  Cologne to Bologna starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 in 1st class.

  Bologna to Florence or Rome starts at €19.90 in standard, €29.90 in business.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book from Cologne to Verona (or if using the 09:33 direct train, Bologna) at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours to get the overnight stop.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, adjusting departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want.  A little trial and error may be needed!

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

  Step 2, buy onward tickets from Verona (or Bologna) to Florence, Rome or Naples separately at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, their 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, requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it). 

  I 'd allow at least 45 minutes to change in Verona in case of any delay.  Italian trains are ticketless, you simply print your booking reference or show it on your phone.

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

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

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Munich to Verona or Bologna by new generation railjet, seen here at Verona Porta Nuova.

First class, in open saloons.		Business class, in 4-seat compartments.

Restaurant car.		Economy (2nd) class.

Mountains on the Brenner route.

Option 4, 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 train from Cologne to Zurich.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf at 16:55, change at Basel SBB, arriving Zurich HB 22:00, or leave earlier for an evening in Zurich.

  Or take the 10:53 EuroCity train EC9 via the scenic Rhine Valley with restaurant car, then enjoy a relaxed evening in Zurich see details here.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

  Alternatively, you could stop overnight in the pleasant town of Chur instead.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Chur on the 06:38 InterCity train, from Chur to Tirano on the fabulous Bernina Express, then Tirano to Milan Centrale by Italian regional train.  You can reach Venice or Florence or Rome that evening, see the Bernina Express page for full details.

• How much does it cost?

  Düsseldorf or Cologne to Tirano starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  If you want to travel in the panorama carriages of the famous Bernina Express you must pay a modest reservation fee, details here.

  Tirano to Milan by regional train costs €12, fixed-price.

  Milan to Florence or Venice starts at €19.90 in standard or €29.90 in business. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Tirano using the German Railways website int.bahn.de,

  To get the overnight stop in Zurich, click Stopovers and enter Zurich HB with a suitable length of stay, say 12h30.

  In the search results, look for an option marked ICE, IC, PE with arrival in Tirano at 12:49.  If you click show details the timings from Chur onwards should match those shown on the Bernina Express page.  Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get an earlier or later train between Cologne and Zurich, some trial & error may be required!

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

  Step 2, if you want to travel in the panorama cars of the Bernina Express, make the necessary reservation as shown on the Bernina Express page.  Or you can travel in the Allegra unit that hauls the Bernina Express without any reservation.

  Step 3, buy a ticket from Tirano to Venice, Florence, Rome at either www.thetrainline.com (in €, £, $ or Au$), www.italiarail.com (in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €).  If you use ItaliaRail (which can also book the Milan-Florence/Rome/Naples connection), they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR.

Bernina Express 1st class seats.		the Bernina Express uses panoramic carriages.

The Bernina Express descends from the Bernina Pass.

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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.  On to Malaga, Seville, Alicante & so on next morning.

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  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 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

  The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees.  More about the journey.

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

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

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

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

  For Granada:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE 112 high-speed train, arriving Granada at 13:11.

  For Malaga:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 15:05.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Cordoba 13:27 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  Euromed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:10 & Alicante 12:38 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.

  For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña & 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 or www.thetrainline.com, these connect to both the French and Spanish ticketing systems so you can buy all your tickets together in one place.  You can book from Cologne to Barcelona as one transaction and print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.  You can pay in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem.  Small booking fee.

  Booking for Eurostar & the TGV usually opens 4 months ahead, for the AVE 60 days ahead, but this varies.  First book from Cologne to Barcelona.  In the search results, look for an option with just 1 change.

  Tip:  Using www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Paris with 1 hour duration, more if you want lunch in Paris.  This ensures at least an hour between trains.

  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 to basket and check out.

• Another way to buy tickets

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more work and same prices, but no booking fee:  Book the Cologne-Paris Eurostar and Paris-Barcelona TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

  Then book onward trains within Spain at www.renfe.com, fiddly to use and may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it, or stick with www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, much easier to use.

  Tip:  If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com, you can choose your TGV seats from a seat map when booking 1st class.

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

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) leaving Cologne Hbf at 16:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 20:05.

  Or daily except Saturdays you can leave Cologne Hbf at 18:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 22:05.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). 

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

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

  The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees.  More about the journey.

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

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

  For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.

  Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

  For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:16, Seville Santa Justa 21:24.

  For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:43.

  For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

  All these trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• How to buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Cologne to Spain at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  These connect to both the French and Spanish ticketing systems so you can buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $.  Small booking fee.  Booking for Eurostar & TGV opens up to 6 months ahead, for the AVE 60 days ahead though this varies.

  Step 1, book from Cologne to Paris, looking for a direct train.  Add to your basket.

  Step 2, book from Paris to Barcelona or another Spanish destination for the following morning, add to basket & check out.

• Another way to buy tickets

  Alternatively, you can book each train with the operator, more effort and same prices, but no booking fee.

  Step 1, book the Cologne-Paris Eurostar at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

  Step 2, book the Paris-Barcelona TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

  Step 3, book onward trains within Spain at www.renfe.com, fiddly to use and may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it, or stick with www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Tip:  If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com, you can choose your TGV seats from a seat map when booking 1st class.

Step 1, Cologne to Paris by Eurostar, seen at Cologne Hbf.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

1st class (Comfort & Premium) seats, 2+1 across the car.		2nd class (Standard) seats, 2+2 across.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Paris to  Barcelona by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-decker.  Watch TGV Duplex video.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.		2nd class seats on the upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.		TGV Duplex at Barcelona.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

Dinner from the cafe-bar.		View from the train, passing Béziers.

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees.  One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Perpignan to Girona, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.  More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.

Option 3, Cologne to Paris by Eurostar, Paris to the Spanish border by French sleeper train, then onward Spanish trains

• Step 1, travel to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Düsseldorf Hbf 16:17 or Cologne Hbf 16:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 20:05.

  Eurostars have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). 

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  About Raileurope.  About Thetrainline.  Or you can buy tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi. from the Gare du Nord to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees by French sleeper train leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz 22:13, and take a local train from Latour to Barcelona Sants arriving around 14:00.

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

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations in the afternoon.

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

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE S103 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:15 arriving Cordoba & Seville Santa Justa in the evening.  Fares start at around €45.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  A Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:02 and Alicante at 21:34.  Fares start from €23.

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

Cologne or Düsseldorf to San Sebastian & Bilbao

• Step 1, travel from Cologne Hbf to Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) in 3h30.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare Montparnasse.  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.

• Step 2, travel from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Hendaye on the Spanish border by high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex Océane in around 4h40.

  The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

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

• For example:

  Leave Cologne Hbf 06:44 Mondays-Saturdays, change in Paris, arriving Hendaye 16:47.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:44 Saturdays, change in Paris, arriving Hendaye 18:47.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:44 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, change in Paris, arriving Hendaye 20:47.

• Book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Hendaye at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). 

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

  Tip:  To ensure a robust connection in Paris, if using www.raileurope.com I'd click More options, enter Paris (any station) and a stopover duration of at least 1 hour.  If you'd like lunch between trains or a wander in Paris, make it 2 or 3 hours.  If using the other sites, split the booking in Paris.

  Tip:  If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com, you can choose your seats from a seat map when booking 1st class on a TGV.

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Option 1, to Lisbon via Barcelona & Madrid

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) leaving Cologne Hbf at 16:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 20:05.

  Or daily except Saturdays you can leave Cologne Hbf at 18:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 22:05.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). 

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

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

  The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees.  More about the journey.

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.

  Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

  These comfortable AVE S103 high-speed trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. 

  Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

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

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

Option 2, via San Sebastian, Vigo & Porto - slightly slower, can be cheaper

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).   Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Alllow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, the longer the better.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 16:11 (not Saturdays) arriving Hendaye 20:47.

  On Saturdays, you leave Paris at 14:06 arriving Hendaye 18:47.

  The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

  Fares start at €25 each way in 2nd class, €40 each way in 1st class.  The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 1, at Hendaye walk out of the station and turn right, walk across the forecourt to the Euskotren station (www.euskotren.eus).  Buy a ticket and hop on the half-hourly local train to San Sebastian Amara.  Hendaye to San Sebastian takes 37 minutes.

  In San Sebastian, Amara station is an easy 12-minute walk from the Renfe station, see walking map.

• Stay overnight in San Sebastian.  The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station.  If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.  If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.

• Day 2, travel across Spain from San Sebastian to Vigo on one of these two possible departures:

  Morning departure, every day:  Travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 08:47, arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:51.  Then travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 20:12.  The comfortable high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar, standard & comfort class.  Vigo Urzaiz is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.

  Afternoon departure, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays only:  Spend the morning in San Sebastian.  An Intercity train leaves San Sebastian Renfe station at 11:30 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 13:35.  This is a guaranteed connection into the Barcelona-Galicia Alvia train which leaves Vitoria/Gasteiz at 14:03 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar at 22:51.

  San Sebastian to Vigo starts at €23 each way.  The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.

  Tip:  If using the daily departure with a change in Madrid, you might need to treat San Sebastian-Madrid & Madrid-Vigo as separate bookings.

• Stay overnight in Vigo. The NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Vigo to Porto by Celta regional express, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58 arriving Porto Campanhã 10:20.

  The fare is €16.25, fixed price.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens 60 days ahead, but this can vary.

• Day 3, travel from Porto to Lisbon by Alfa Pendular, leaving Porto Campanhã at 11:40, arriving Lisbon Santa Apolonia 14:30.

  Or book a later train and spend some time exploring wonderful Porto.

  Fares start at €15.  Book this at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (in €, £ or $).

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Faro & the Algarve

Option 1, Cologne to Faro using a bus from Seville to Faro - fastest & easiest

• Day 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Paris by Eurostar and Paris to Barcelona by TGV, as shown in the Cologne-Barcelona section.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme.  Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station.  Other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE high-speed train, then from Seville to Faro by bus, as shown in the Barcelona to Faro section.

  The Alsa bus from Seville to Faro takes 3h15 and leaves from right outside Seville Santa Justa station, making connections easy.

Option 2, Cologne to Faro via Lisbon - a longer way round, but all-train.

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Lisbon as shown above.

• Step 2, take a train from Lisbon to Faro as shown here.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Andorra

Option 1, Cologne to Andorra in a day

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

  Eurostar trains travel at up to 300km/h, with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

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

Paris to Toulouse by TGV Duplex:  This is a TGV Duplex at Paris Gare Montparnasse. Click the images below for larger photos.

TGV Océane cafe-bar (above left) and 2nd class seats (above right).

TGV Océane 1st class seats.  All 1st class seats (except the end ones) rotate to face direction of travel.  There are USB & 2-pin outlets above each drop-down table.

Toulouse to Andorra by bus, seen at bus stand 15.  The bus station is next to the rail station.		Bus station in Toulouse Matabiau forecourt.  Photos courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.

Option 2, using the Paris-Toulouse sleeper

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 16:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 20:05.

  Eurostar trains travel at up to 300km/h, they have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class (standard) or €72 in 1st class (comfort).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).   You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi. from the Gare du Nord to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

  Always allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.

  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants near the Gare d'Austerlitz.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:13 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 07:44.

  This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats.  More about Intercité de Nuit.

  Fares start at €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €60 in a 1st class couchette.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). 

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but this train has an annoying habit of opening late for booking, less than the expected 4 months ahead, so don't be impatient.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

  Tip:  On arrival in Toulouse, I recommend the breakfast buffet at the nearby Pullman Hotel!

• Step 3, travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 09:45, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 14:00.

  The bus is run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net.  I'd allow at least an hour between train & bus in Toulouse in case of delay.

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

  The fare is €36 one-way.  Book the bus at Andbus.net.

• A better route, Fri/Sat/Sun, daily June-September:

  On Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights and every day from June to September, the same 22:13 Intercité de Nuit from Paris conveys 1st & 2nd class couchettes & reclining seats direct to Andorre-l'Hospitalet, the nearest station to Andorra, arriving 09:43.

  Book this Paris to Andorre-l'Hospitalet sleeper at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).

  A bus run by Hife (www.hife.es) leaves l'Hospitalet station at 10:15, arriving Andorra La Vella bus station 11:30.

  The bus fare is €24, pre-book the bus at www.hife.es.

  Alternatively, a taxi from l'Hospitalet costs around €80 for up to 4 passengers, taking 47 minutes for the 38 km drive.  Pre-book a taxi to meet the train, call Altitud Taxis, 00 376 856255 or 00 33 561644714.  This is a nicer and faster option than the bus from Toulouse, when running.

Paris to Toulouse or l'Hospitalet by Intercité de Nuit.  More about Intercités de Nuit.

2nd class 6-berth couchettes.		A cosy 2nd class couchette.

1st class couchette, made up for the night.		1st class 4-berth couchettes.

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €39.99

Option 1, by comfortable daytime trains

• For Vienna & Linz

  Direct ICE trains link Düsseldorf & Cologne with Linz & Vienna every day:

  Leave Düsseldorf 05:27 or Cologne Hbf 05:53, arriving Vienna Hbf 14:47.

  Leave Düsseldorf 09:27 or Cologne Hbf 09:53, arriving Vienna Hbf 18:47.

  Leave Düsseldorf 11:27 or Cologne Hbf 11:53, arriving Vienna Hbf 20:47.

  Leave Düsseldorf 13:27 or Cologne Hbf 13:53, arriving Vienna Hbf 23:05.

  On some dates these trains leave from Cologne Messe/Deutz instead, check your date at int.bahn.de.

  These are all superb German ICE-T trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  All these trains take the scenic Rhine Valley route between Koblenz & Mainz, one of the most scenic main lines in Germany, along the river past mountains, castles, vineyards and river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock.  Sit on the left hand side of the train for the river scenery.  it's a chill-out day with a good book and meals in the restaurant car with a Weissbier or two, see the Rhine Valley video here.

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• For Salzburg, Bischofshofen, St Johann, Klagenfurt

  A direct ICE4 train links Düsseldorf & Cologne with Salzburg, Bischofshofen, St Johan, Villach & Klagenfurt every day, leaving Düsseldorf at 07:49 & Cologne Messe/Deutz at 08:29, arriving Salzburg Hbf 15:59.  This train won't run from 16 April to 8 June 2025, due to trackwork.

  This train also takes the scenic Rhine Valley route via Koblenz, past the river boats, castles, vineyards and legendary Lorelei Rock.

• For Innsbruck & St Anton, a direct ICE4 train will leave Cologne Messe/Deutz at 09:21 every day, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 19:07.

  This comfortable ICE4 train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It won't run from 17 April to 6 June 2025.

• Buy tickets to anywhere in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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

  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.

An ICE-T at Vienna Hbf.  These superb 7-car ICE-T trains run direct from Cologne to Vienna twice a day.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.		Lunch in the restaurant.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

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

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Frankfurt-Vienna ICE.

Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option

• A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Cologne Hbf at 22:01 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26, Linz Hbf 08:46, Vienna Meidling 10:05 & Vienna Hbf 10:13.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

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

Düsseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet.  Above, the Nightjet to Vienna & Innsbruck is 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		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, soap & towels & provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

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

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Copenhagen, Odense & Denmark from €39.99

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

  Leave Cologne Hbf 06:15, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 15:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 17:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 10:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 19:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 12:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 14:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 23:46 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats and refreshments available.  More about the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.  If you're starting from Düsseldorf, check times at int.bahn.de.

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

• Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Tip:  In the search results, look for options with 1 change, not 2 or 3.  Adjust the Transfer time if you'd like longer connections, or use the Stopovers feature if you'd like a stopover in Hamburg.

Step 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Hamburg by ICE4, with restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.

1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2025-2026.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Stockholm & Sweden

Option 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 15:10 or Düsseldorf at 15:34, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:14.

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

  Later departures are possible, but I recommend an hour or two between trains when catching a sleeper.

  Fares start at €18.99 in 2nd class or €29.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near the station.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55.

  Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm.  More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

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

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

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

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure.  More about this sleeper train.		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo.

2-bed sleeper.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg.

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

Option 2, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Malmö or Gothenburg in a day, or to Stockholm with overnight stop in Copenhagen

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Copenhagen with a choice of departures:

  Leave Cologne Hbf 06:15, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 15:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 17:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 10:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 19:38.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 12:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Cologne to Hamburg by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats and refreshments available.  More about the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.  If you're starting from Düsseldorf, check times at int.bahn.de.

  If you're going to Malmö, hop on the next Öresund train to Malmö Central, these run every 15 minutes, taking 40 minutes.

  If you're going to Gothenburg, hop on the next Öresund train to Göteborg Central, these run every hour, taking 3h50.

  You can check times from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Malmö or Gothenburg at int.bahn.de, look for journeys with just 2 changes.

Option 3, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm with overnight stop in Hamburg

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Hamburg by ICE on any departure you like, for example:

  Leave Cologne Hbf at 19:11 or Düsseldorf at 19:34, arriving Hamburg Hbf 23:16.

  But by all means book an earlier train for more of an evening in Hamburg.

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

Step 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Hamburg by ICE4, with restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.

1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2025-2026.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 3, Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central.  More about X2000 trains.

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

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

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Option 4, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Gothenburg using Stena Line's Kiel-Gothenburg overnight ferry

• Step 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Kiel by train, leaving late morning.

  The journey takes around 5h25, you'll usually find a train leaving Cologne Hbf around 11:00 or Düsseldorf around 11:30 with 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf.  However, you should book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train arriving Kiel Hbf around 2 hours before the ferry sails.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Oslo with overnight stop in Hamburg - by train all the way

• Day 1, travel from Cologne Hbf or Düsseldorf to Hamburg Hbf by ICE in as little as 3h42.  There are regular departures until early evening.

  Fares start at €17.99 in 2nd class or €23.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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

• Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Gothenburg by EuroCity train & Öresund train:

  Leave Hamburg Hbf 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.  Leave Copenhagen at 14:30, arriving Göteborg Central 18:20.

  The EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.  The Öresund train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.

  Have an early dinner in Gothenburg.

  Fares from Hamburg to Gothenburg start at €56.99.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket from Hamburg to Gothenburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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

  Tip:  If you're clever, you can book a through ticket all the way from Cologne to Gothenburg using int.bahn.de.  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours.  Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the departure from Brussels you want and the 08:50 departure from Hamburg next morning.

  Tip:  If you don't see any affordable fares (which may be the case if you want 1st class), split the booking:  First book Hamburg to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de.  Then buy a ticket from Copenhagen to Göteborg Central at www.oresundstag.se.

• Day 2, travel from Gothenburg to Oslo by Norwegian train, leaving Göteborg Central at 20:10, arriving Oslo Sentral 23:47.

  The smart modern Norwegian train is run by Vy, it has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.

  Fares start at 249 Krone (€24) if you book a few weeks ahead.

  Book this at the Vy website www.vy.no or at www.entur.no.

Option 2, Cologne to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen - by train all the way

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Copenhagen by train as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen.  The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here.  Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo, leaving Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 15:47.

  Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets here.

  Alternatively, spend the day in Copenhagen then take the overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here.  This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill.  Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.

Gothenburg to Oslo by Norwegian train.  Above, scenery between Gothenburg & Oslo. Courtesy of @Simply_Railway.

Above right, the Norwegian train arrived at Oslo Sentral.  Photos courtesy of @AndyBTravels & @Marcos Castro.

Option 3, Cologne & Düsseldorf to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo Color Line cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Kiel by direct ICE train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 06:09 or Düsseldorf 06:33, arriving Kiel Hbf 11:23.

  Fares start at €18.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

• In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map.  But always allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.

• Day 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.

  Money-saving tip:  It's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164.  You'll need to use Google to translate the Norwegian.  You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details.  Feedback appreciated.

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

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

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

Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.

Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.

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

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Helsinki & Finland

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

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Hamburg, taking any train you like arriving in Hamburg before about 18:00, for example leaving Cologne Hbf at 14:09 or Düsseldorf at 14:33 by ICE, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:51, but by all means travel earlier.

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

  Fares start at €17.99 in 2nd class or €26.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Tip:  You should book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lübeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the train to Hamburg, the regional train to Lübeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal.  If you'd like time for dinner in Lübeck (see suggested restaurant here), click Stopovers and enter Lübeck Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 2 hours.

• Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck by regional train then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemünde.

  Sail from Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry.  Finnlines sail from Travemünde to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Cologne/Düsseldorf).

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

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

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

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

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.		Gym with a view.		Sauna.

Option 2, 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 €29.99

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

• You can travel from Cologne to Prague in a day with a range of departures to choose from.  For example:

  Leave Cologne Hbf 06:18, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 15:23.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 07:45, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 17:23.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 09:45, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 19:23.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 11:45, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 21:23.

  It's a leisurely journey with a good book and glass of wine, with great scenery along the Elbe River between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.  You travel from Cologne to Berlin by ICE and Berlin to Prague by Eurocity train, both with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times vary, check your date online.

• Fares start at €18.99 in 2nd class or €28.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  To get the route via Berlin with a robust connection, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with length of stay (say) 30 minutes.

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

  Tip:  Stopover in Berlin?   Even an hour between trains in Berlin is enough to stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.  You can build in a longer stopover if you want, either a few hours or an overnight stop.  Simply click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a suitable length of stay.

Step 1, Dusseldorf or Cologne to Berlin by ICE2.  These are 2nd class seats. Larger photo.

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

Boarding an ICE2 at Berlin Hbf.		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, seen here boarding in Berlin.

1st class seats.		2nd class seats in a compartment car.

So civilised!  A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden.  Most Berlin-Prague trains use Czech carriages like this, a few use Hungarian air-conditioned carriages.  More about the Berlin to Prague train ride.  Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Scenery along the Elbe river between Dresden & Prague.

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 high-speed ICE train from Cologne Hbf to Berlin Hbf in just over 4 hours.

  Trains leave every hour, you can usually leave Cologne as late as 19:27 arriving Berlin after midnight, but by all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train on any train you like, see the timetable here.

  The 07:15 EuroCity train from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:23 with breakfast in the restaurant car as the train snakes along the scenic Elbe river valley - or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the 09:15, trains leave every 2 hours.

• Fares start at €29.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class, overnight stop included.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de like this:

  Enter Cologne or Düsseldorf to Prague, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with length of stay set to (say) 10 hours.  Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Berlin.

  In the search results, look for journeys with just 1 change.

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

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Cologne Hbf at 22:01 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

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

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

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Cologne Hbf at 22:01 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

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

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

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Cologne Hbf at 22:01 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

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

  Tip:  If you have a sleeping-car ticket or 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & WiFi.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Belgrade & Montenegro

Option 1, using the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper train - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Stuttgart by ICE train leaving Cologne Hbf at 15:55, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 18:08.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.  Have dinner in Stuttgart.

  Fares start at €29.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Tip:  In Stuttgart, the bar at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel across the road makes a good VIP waiting lounge, or try the nearby Biergarten im Schlossgarten, see the advice here.

• Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.

  The EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre has a comfortable 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.  In sleepers, a light breakfast is included.  More about this sleeper train.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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.

  Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.

• Step 3, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.

  You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.

  Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.

  Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 2, to Belgrade & beyond using the Munich-Zagreb sleeper - currently involves a bus

• Day 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Stuttgart by ICE, leaving Cologne Hbf at 15:55, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 18:08.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about ICEs.  Have dinner in Stuttgart.

  Fares start at €29.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Stuttgart to Ljubljana or Zagreb by sleeper, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Zagreb 10:39.

  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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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.

  Arrival in Zagreb is 11:33 until 13 July 2025, due to work in the Tauern Tunnel.

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

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended.

  This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class.  There's no catering, 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.

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

  A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.

  The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

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

Step 1, Cologne to Stuttgart by ICE.  This is an ICE4 at Cologne Hbf.  More about ICEs.

1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

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

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

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

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Sofia

Option 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Sofia via Bucharest

• Day 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Vienna by ICE-T leaving Düsseldorf 09:27 or Cologne Hbf 09:53, arriving Vienna Hbf 18:47.

  The high-speed ICE-T train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This train takes the scenic route along the Rhine Valley, past the legendary Lorelei Rock.  Times may vary.

  Or take an earlier train to Vienna and have an early dinner across the road from Vienna Hbf, see suggested restaurant.

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bucharest on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42, arriving Bucharest Nord 15:26 (day 2).

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Day 2, stay overnight in Bucharest.  The Euro Hotel Grivita, Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord & Hello Hotels Gara de Nord are all just a 5 minute 350m walk from the station, inexpensive with good or great reviews.  Other hotels in Bucharest.

• Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest-Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page.

  You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:11 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:35 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria.  In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  The fare is around €34.

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

Option 2, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Sofia via Belgrade

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw from €37.99

Option 1, Cologne to Warsaw in a single day from €37.99 - 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 06:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 17:00.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 08:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 19:00.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 10:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:00.

  Leave Cologne Hbf 12:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 23:00.

• Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Why not spend some time in Berlin between trains?  This breaks up the trip, there are left luggage lockers available and you can stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate in just 17 minutes from the station, so even a couple of hours stopover is a worthwhile experience.  To build in a stopover using int.bahn.de simply click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf and the length of stay you want in hours.

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

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin on any afternoon or early evening high-speed ICE train.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 19:28 on most days, arriving Berlin Hbf around 00:14, but by all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.  The high-speed ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw on any EuroCity train you like, see the timetable here.

  Daily except Sundays, the 05:51 from Berlin Hbf arrives Warsaw Centralna 11:00.

  On any day of the week, the 09:52 from Berlin Hbf arrives Warsaw Centralna 15:00.

  Or take spend some time in Berlin and take a later train, the German capital is fascinating, .

• Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class all on one ticket.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with the length of stay you want, say 10:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time and the length of stay to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error. 

  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin by ICE 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.		2nd class compartment.

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.  Photos below 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 €37.99

Option 1, Cologne to Krakow by daytime trains a single day

• Step 1, travel from Cologne to Berlin by ICE, leaving Cologne Hbf at 10:45, arriving Berlin Hbf 15:03.

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

  You've now time for a wander, perhaps a stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Oder leaving Berlin Hbf at 16:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 20:56, Katowice 23:05 & Krakow Glowny 23:54.  The Oder is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

• Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Tip:  Click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a length of stay of 40 minutes.  This gets you the recommended robust connection in Berlin.

  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 1, Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin by ICE 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.  This is a EuroCity on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.

2nd class compartment.		1st class compartment.

The restaurant car on a Berlin-Krakow EuroCity train.  You don't need to reserve, just go along and sit down.  A steward will take your order.  Larger photo.

Zurek soup - an excellent tasty starter.		Kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

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

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin on any afternoon or early evening high-speed ICE train in just over 4 hours.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 19:27 on most days, arriving Berlin Hbf after midnight, by all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.  The high-speed ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Galicija, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 12:52, Katowice 15:09 & Krakow Glowny 16:09.  Later trains are available, see the timetable here.

  The EuroCity train is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

• Fares from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Krakow start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.  To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with the length of stay you want, say 12:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time and the length of stay to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error. 

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

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Kyiv & Ukraine

Option 1, Cologne to Lviv & Kyiv via Regiojet from Prague - easiest to book and usually has plenty of availability

• Day 1, travel from Cologne to Prague, leaving Cologne Hbf 09:45, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 19:23.

  You travel from Cologne to Berlin by ICE and Berlin to Prague by Eurocity train, both with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  An earlier 07:45 departure is available if you'd like a safer connection with more time in Prague.

  Fares start at €18.99 in 2nd class or €28.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  To get the route via Berlin with a robust connection, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with length of stay (say) 30 minutes.

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

• Day 1, travel from Prague to Przemysl by Regiojet sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 21:47 every day, arriving Przemysl 07:35 (day 2).

  A connecting Ukrainian Intercity train leaves Przemysl at 09:35, arriving Lviv 12:27 & Kyiv Pass at 19:57 (day 2).

  The Regiojet sleeper train has 3 & 4 berth couchettes set up with full bedding like a sleeping-car.  You can book an inexpensive berth in a shared compartment or you can book a whole compartment for sole occupancy if you like.  Refreshments are available from the train staff.

  The Ukrainian intercity train is comfortable and air-conditioned with cafe-bar.  Regiojet have an allocation of seats and a Regiojet ticket from Prague to Lviv or Kyiv includes a 2nd class seat on this train, booked as one combined ticket from Prague to Lviv/Kyiv.

  Prague to Lviv or Kyiv starts at €58 with a berth in a shared compartment, or €119.90 for sole occupancy of a 4-berth couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.  Fares vary slightly according to demand.  The fare includes the sleeper and a 2nd class seat on the connecting Ukrainian train.

  Buy tickets from Prague to Lviv or Kyiv at www.regiojet.com.

  Booking opens 1-2 months ahead, so book your other trains first then book this one a month or two before travel.  There is usually plenty of availability 3+ weeks before departure, although it can sell out with a week or two to go.  You print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Prague to Przemysl by Regiojet sleeper train

Przemysl to Lviv & Kyiv by Intercity train.		1st class. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

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

Option 2, using the Warsaw-Kyiv sleeper

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin on any afternoon or early evening high-speed ICE train.

  You can leave Cologne Hbf as late as 19:27 on most days, arriving Berlin Hbf after midnight, but by all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.  The high-speed ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 every day, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00. 

  Tip:  You could book the earlier 05:51 departure from Berlin on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Warsaw Centralna 11:00 with time to explore the city, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

  Fares from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw at int.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with the length of stay you want, say 12:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time and the length of stay to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kyiv on the Kyiv Express, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:49, arriving Kyiv 10:45 next day.

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

  The fare booked with Polrail is around €59 including a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €93 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  Buy tickets via reliable Polish agency Polrail, booking.polrail.com.

  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail may or may not be able to arrange the return reservation back from Kyiv.

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

A Ukrainian sleeping-car on the Kyiv Express at Warsaw Centralna.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper.		Washbasin.		Kyiv Express.

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Cologne or Düsseldorf to Moscow & Russia

Option 1, using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train - suspended due to sanctions

• Day 1, travel from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Berlin on any afternoon or early evening high-speed ICE train.

  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.  The high-speed ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2 morning, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 every day, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00. 

  Tip:  If you book the earlier 05:51 departure from Berlin on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Warsaw at 11:16 you have time to explore the city, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

Fares from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Cologne or Düsseldorf to Warsaw at int.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days ahead.

To build in the overnight stop, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with the length of stay you want, say 12:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time and the length of stay to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error.

You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 2 evening, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily, 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 was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & the war in Ukraine.

  This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers.  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague.  There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.

  You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.

Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.

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

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 Berlin-Moscow Strizh (Swift) Talgo sleeper train, twice a week, suspended due to sanctions

• 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 €18.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• 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 was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

  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.

  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.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Athens & 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.

• Stay overnight in Milan:  Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.  Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Day 2, take the 08:05 Frecciarossa train from Milan Centrale to Bari Centrale.

• Day 2, 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.hellenictrain.gr but it's pretty hard to find.

• The Milan to Athens part of this journey is is explained in detail on the Italy to Athens page.

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.		Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.		Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

Option 2, Cologne to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade

• This route is not currently viable, there are no international trains to or from Greece.

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Cologne & Düsseldorf to Istanbul & Turkey

• Step 1, travel from Düsseldorf or Cologne to Bucharest as shown above.

  Do not risk any tight connections in Bucharest, I'd allow a minimum of 2 hours, or plan an overnight stop.

• Step 2, travel overnight from Bucharest to Istanbul as shown on the Bucharest to Istanbul page.

  Book online as shown on those pages, but you should consider using an Interrail pass for the flexibility it gives.  You'll find more info about using a pass for a journey like this on the London to Istanbul page.

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Hotels in Cologne & other cities

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

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.

Backpacker hostels

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

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Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance

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

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

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

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

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

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

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

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

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

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

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

Carry an Anker powerbank

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