Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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.

Steps 2 & 3, Hamburg to Mannheim & Mannheim to Paris by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is an ICE3 (class 407) at Paris Gare de l'Est.  More about ICE trains.

Restaurant car.		Lunch in the restaurant car, with an Erdinger Weissbier.

2nd class seats.		1st class seats.

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Copenhagen to Strasbourg

Option 1, Copenhagen to Strasbourg in a single day

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Strasbourg in a day, with two good options:

  Leave Copenhagen at 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 20:34.

  Leave Copenhagen at 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 22:34.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Offenburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Offenburg to Strasbourg by SWE regional train.

  Faster journeys with risky connections are possible, but these are the robust departures I'd recommend, and they'll be cheaper..

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Offenburg starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Offenburg to Strasbourg costs €11.80, fixed-price, unlimited availability.

• How to buy tickets

  Go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Step 1, set up an enquiry from Copenhagen to Strasbourg, but before running it click Stopovers and enter Hamburg as stopover 1 with length of stay 45 minutes, enter Offenburg as stopover 2 with length of stay 15 minutes.

  At this stage it only shows silly-money €200 fares, to get sensible fares you split the booking:

  Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Offenburg looking for the 06:22 or 10:22 departures with 1 change.

  Step 3, now use int.bahn.de again to but a regional ticket from Offenburg to Strasbourg.  This ticket is good for any SWE local train that day.

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

Option 2, Copenhagen to Strasbourg with an overnight stop in Hamburg

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity, leaving Copenhagen at 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Strasbourg, for example:

  Leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:46, change at Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg 15:04.

  Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change at Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg 16:34.

  Hamburg to Offenburg is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Offenburg to Strasbourg is by regional train.

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Offenburg to Strasbourg costs €11.80, fixed-price.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book the Copenhagen to Hamburg train. 

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

  Step 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Offenburg, looking for a direct train.

  Step 3, use int.bahn.de again to book from Offenburg to Strasbourg on the regional service marked SWE.

  You can book Hamburg to Offenburg in one go, but it usually costs more than splitting the booking at Offenburg.  Try it and see!

  Tip:  You can save a few euros by booking Copenhagen to Offenburg as one journey.  Set departure time as 15:00.  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours.  Adjust stopover duration as necessary to get the Hamburg-Offenburg train you want next morning.

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Copenhagen to Lyon, Avignon, Nice & other French cities from €68

Option 1, Copenhagen to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille with an overnight stop in Hamburg.  This option by-passes Paris.

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Frankfurt by ICE, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 09:24, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 13:00.

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

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to France by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:31 & Marseille St Charles 21:46.

  This impressive double-deck TGV Duplex runs direct from Frankfurt to Lyon & the South of France every day, with cafe-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.

• Stay overnight in Marseille and travel to Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan next morning (Day 3).

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.

  Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille starts at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book from Copenhagen to Hamburg.

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

  Step 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille, but before running the enquiry change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes to ensure a robust connection with the once-per-day TGV to the South of France.

  Book onward trains within France at either www.thetrainline.com (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 for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The TGV Duplex from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille, about to leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

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

1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Option 1, Copenhagen to Switzerland in a day - the leisurely daytime option

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Switzerland in a chill-out day, with several departures:

  Leave Copenhagen 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Basel SBB 18:55 & Zurich HB 20:00.

  Leave Copenhagen 08:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Basel SBB 20:55 & Zurich HB 22:00.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Basel SBB 23:04.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Switzerland by German ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary, check your date at int.bahn.de.  More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Swiss cities start at €49.99 in 2nd class, €79.99 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.  You can book to almost any Swiss town or city.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Basel by ICE4, seen here arrived at Zurich HB.  Most Hamburg-Switzerland ICEs are now ICE4.  Click on the interior images below for larger photos.

1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car.  See current month's menu.

Bar counter, other end of the restaurant car.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

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

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

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

Option 3, Copenhagen to Switzerland with an overnight stop in Cologne

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne on one of these departures.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 19:47.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 21:49 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 23:49.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Cologne by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Cologne.  The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf, many rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

  For dinner I recommend the traditional German food & beer at the Brauhaus Sion (www.brauhaus-sion.de), 8 minutes walk from Cologne Hbf, see walking map, or the Malzmuehle restaurant (www.muehlenkoelsch.de), 17 minutes walk from the station, see walking map

• Day 2, travel from Cologne to Switzerland, leaving Cologne Hbf at 07:55 arriving Basel SBB 11:47 or Zurich HB 13:00.

  Tip:  The 08:53 EuroCity train EC9 from Cologne Hbf runs direct Basel & Zurich via the classic Rhine Valley line, a scenic treat, passing river boats, vineyards, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock, see the Rails Down the Rhine page.  It has a elegant Swiss restaurant car, too.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Swiss cities start at €49.99 in 2nd class, €79.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Book from Copenhagen to your Swiss destination.  To get the overnight stop, click Stopovers and enter Cologne with a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want - a little trial and error may be needed.  To get a journey along the classic Rhine Valley route, add Koblenz Hbf as a second stopover station with length of stay left as 00:00.

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

EuroCity train at Zurich HB.

2nd class seating.  Larger photo.		Swiss restaurant car:  Treat yourself!  Larger photo.

Pfalzgrafenstein castle on the Rhine.  See the Rails Down the Rhine page.

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Copenhagen to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from €75

Option 1, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper & the Gotthard route - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

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

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

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  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.

  You can also book this at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) which keeps all your tickets together on one place.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Zurich by Nightjet, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:08, arriving Zurich HB 10:05.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two double-deck sleeping-cars* with compact 1 or 2-berth standard compartments with washbasin and several 1 or 2-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus several 3-berth compartments with washbasin.  There are toilets 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 double-deck sleeping-cars are due to be replaced by two single-deck Comfortline-type cars from late May 2025.

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

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

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 11:33, arriving Milan Centrale 14:50. 

  This EuroCity Giruno train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It takes the scenic Gotthard route through the Alps, past Swiss & Italian lakes.  Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 10:33.

  Zurich to Milan starts at €29 in 2nd class, €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Change in Milan for regular Frecciarossa trains to Verona P. Nuova, Venice Santa Lucia, Florence SMN (1h40), Rome Termini (2h55) & Naples Centrale.  Milan to Florence starts at €19.90, Milan to Rome or Naples at €29.90.

  Buy tickets from Zurich to any Italian destination at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names).  Zurich to Italy journeys are ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.

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

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

Step 3, Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train.  This is a SBB Giruno train about to leave Zurich HB.  More about Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains.

Giruno, 1st class.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car with bar counter. Larger photo.

Giruno 2nd class.  Larger photo		Level boarding. Note the destination screen in the door.

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train on the Gotthard route.  On the Zurich-Milan Gotthard route you'll also pass the Zugersee & the Vierwaldstattersee in Switzerland, and if it's a train routed via Como, you'll glimpse Lake Como too.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Innsbruck sleeper & the Brenner route - another time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity, leaving Copenhagen at 14:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:00.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

  This train is a new generation Nightjet sleeper train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to 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.

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks & snacks.

• Step 3, travel from Innsbruck to Italy by railjet, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 11:24, arriving Verona P. Nuova 15:01 & Bologna Centrale 16:08.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has 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 train travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & video on the Brenner Pass page.

  Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Venice.  Change at Bologna Centrale for Florence, Rome & Naples. 

  If you'd like a morning in Innsbruck, a railjet leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 13:24 direct to Venice, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 18:25.

  Tip:  Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 train to Verona, I'd play safe and book the 11:24.

  Fares from Innsbruck Verona or Bologna (or, on the direct train, Venice) start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Onward fares from Bologna to Florence or Rome start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book the Copenhagen-Hamburg 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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  Step 2, book the nightjet sleeper from Hamburg to Innsbruck 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).  Look for the train marked NJ (Nightjet) with 0 changes.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

  Step 3, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book from Innsbruck to Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy.  This connects to both the German, Austrian and Italian ticketing systems so you can book this as one transaction.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead, but it can vary.  Small booking fee.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

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

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

Step 3, Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice by new generation railjet, seen here at Innsbruck.  Courtesy of @SimplyRailway.

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

Restaurant car.		Economy (2nd) class.

Mountains on the Brenner route.

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

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

Option 3, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains via the Gotthard route, with overnight stop in Frankfurt

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, leaving Copenhagen at 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 23:00.

  Or leave Copenhagen at 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 19:00 for more of an evening in Frankfurt.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, Hamburg to Frankfurt by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  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.

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

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:05, arriving Milan Centrale 15:50.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's routed via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest railway tunnel.  But you still get excellent views of the Alps and of Swiss and Italian lakes, see the photos & video of the Gotthard route.

  Fares from €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 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.

• Day 2, now take a high-speed Frecciarossa train to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples.

  For Venice, leave Milan Centrale at 16:45 arriving Verona P. Nuova 17:58 and Venice Santa Lucia 19:12 (later on Saturdays).

  For Florence, Rome & Naples, a Frecciarossa leaves Milan Centrale at 16:58 arriving Florence SMN 18:50, Rome Termini 20:35, Naples Centrale 22:03.

  Fares to Venice or Florence start at €19.90 in 2nd (standard) class or €29.90 in 1st (business) class.

  Fares to Rome or Naples start at €29.90 in 2nd (standard) class or €39.90 in 1st (business) class.

  Book from Milan to Florence, Rome, Naples or any Italian destination at www.italiarail.com (they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names).  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains via the Brenner route, with overnight stop in Munich

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich in one leisurely day.

  Leave Copenhagen 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 17:45.

  Leave Copenhagen 08:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 19:45.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 21:43.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley.  Then Hamburg to Munich by German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Buy a ticket 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.

• 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.

  For dinner I recommend the Bavarian food & beer at the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Italy via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave Munich Hbf at 07:32 by EuroCity, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 12:58, Venice Mestre 15:02 and (weekends only) Venice Santa Lucia 14:25.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 09:33 by railjet train, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 15:01 & Bologna Centrale 16:08.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 11:32 by railjet train, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 16:58 & Venice Santa Lucia 18:25.

  Change at Verona P. Nuova (if you take the 07:32 or 11:32) or at Bologna Centrale (if you take the 09:33) for Florence, Rome & Naples.

  The swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They climb up and over the scenic Brenner Pass, see the video here.

• Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.00 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  To buy tickets for a direct train from Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  You print your own tickets.

  To buy tickets for journeys which involve a change of train (meaning any journey to Florence, Rome or Naples, or to Venice on a departure which isn't direct), use www.raileurope.com, clicking More options, entering Verona Porta Nuova (or if you want the 09:34 from Munich and you're heading for Florence, Rome or Naples, Bologna Centrale) with a stopover duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection.  www.raileurope.com connects to both the Trenitalia and DB systems so can source both tickets either side of Verona or Bologna as one transaction.  You print your own tickets or show them on your phone.  Easy!  Booking for the German/Austrian train opens up to 6 months ahead.  Onward Italian trains normally open up to 4 months ahead, but this can vary.

A new generation railjet at Verona Porta Nuova, showing a low-floor section for easy boarding.  More about these railjets.

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

Restaurant car.		Economy (2nd) class.

Mountains on the Brenner route.

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Copenhagen to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

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

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section.  Book this as shown.

  Change stations by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est 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 de l'Est & 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 vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• 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.

  Check times & buy onward tickets in Spain at either www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish Railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards see advice on using it first) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in $, small mark-up).  Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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.

Steps 2 & 3, Hamburg to Mannheim & Mannheim to Paris by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is an ICE3 (class 407) at Paris Gare de l'Est.  More about ICE trains.

Restaurant car.		Lunch in the restaurant car, with an Erdinger Weissbier.

2nd class seats.		1st class seats.

Step 4, Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets & free WiFi. More about Paris-Barcelona TGVs.

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

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

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 2, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Cologne

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne on one of these departures.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 19:47.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 21:49 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 23:49.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Cologne by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  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.

• Stay overnight in Cologne.  The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, the entrance is left of the station entrance, many rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

• Day 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.

  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 vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  It's sometimes cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here.

• 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.

• Day 3, take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations:

  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.

  Check times & book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stops in Hamburg & Marseille - avoids the need to change trains & stations in Paris

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 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 in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Frankfurt by ICE, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 09:24 daily arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 13:00.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to an early lunch.

  Then travel from Frankfurt to Marseille by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56 arriving Marseille St Charles 21:46.

  The impressive double-deck 320 km/h (199 mph) 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.

  Fares from Hamburg to Marseille start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Tip:  Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to ensure a robust connection.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Important, make sure you change Transfer time from normal to minimum 40 minutes before running the enquiry.  If you don't, it'll put you on a later train from Hamburg with a risky 9-minute connection, a simple 10-minute delay and you're toast.  So make sure it books you the earlier train with time for a coffee at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

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

• Day 3, travel from Marseille to Spain by AVE, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:04, arriving Barcelona Sants 12:38 & Madrid Atocha 15:45.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for Béziers cathedral on the right, colonies of flamingos on the étangs in southern France, the Fort de Salses on the right approaching Perpignan and views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees.  More about this journey.

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

  Fares from Marseille to Madrid start at €44 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or using Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).

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

• Day 3, take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante or from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Malaga.

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

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:35 every day, arriving Cordoba 18:34 & Malaga Maria Zambrano 19:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:30 daily except Saturdays arriving Seville Santa Justa at 19:03.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Madrid Atocha at 18:00 arriving Seville Santa Justa at 20:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 20:05 every day, arriving Granada 23:36.

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

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

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona or Madrid.

The TGV Duplex from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille, about to leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

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

1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

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Copenhagen to San Sebastian

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section.  Book this as shown.

• Stay overnight in Paris.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Book this train 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).  French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.90.

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away.  Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara.  Check times at www.euskotren.eus.  More about the journey from Paris to San Sebastian.

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Copenhagen to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section.  Book this as shown.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see 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 for the TGV 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.

  Or on any day of the week, leave Barcelona Sants at 16:00 by AVE, 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.

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Copenhagen to Andorra

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section.  Book this as shown above.

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

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare Montparnasse.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 11:11, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 15:48.

  Fares start from €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

  Book this 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.

• Day 2, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 17:45 arriving Andorra 21:45.

  Check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com.  I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.

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

  The fare is €36.

  Book the bus at Andbus.net or Omio.com.

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Copenhagen to Hamburg

Option 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by daytime trains

• Direct EuroCity train link Copenhagen with Hamburg Hbf several times a day, see the timetable here.

• Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• See the Copenhagen to Hamburg page for more.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays, 11 April to 31 October 2025

• Step 1, take a local train from Copenhagen main station to Ørestad (until 1 August 2025) or Copenhagen Syd (from 2 August).

  These run every 15 minutes or so taking 8 minutes, fare around €4, check times & prices at www.dsb.dk.

  Ørestad is a local station 6.5 km southeast of Copenhagen.  Copenhagen Syd is a local station 4.5 km southwest of Copenhagen.

  Don't cut things fine when catching a sleeper.  But these are local stations with limited facilities, buy food & drink before leaving downtown Copenhagen.

• Step 2, travel from Ørestad to Hamburg by Snälltåget sleeper train, run by private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se).

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 11 April to 31 October 2025, check running dates at www.snalltaget.se/en/berlin.

  It leaves Ørestad (until 1 August 2025) or Copenhagen Syd (from 2 August 2025) at 22:44, arriving Hamburg Hbf 05:37.

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

  Check dates & times at www.snalltaget.se, entering København H to Hamburg, it will then show times from København Ørestad.

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

  Buy tickets at www.snalltaget.se.

• Tip:  For a better experience, consider booking the sleeper from Malmö to Hamburg instead of Ørestad.  Then use a Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central to connect with it, these run every 20 minutes taking 40 minutes.  Malmö Central is a main station with far more facilities then little local Ørestad and is a better place to find a restaurant for dinner before the sleeper.  The Snälltåget train spends an hour or so in the terminus platforms at Malmö Central before it leaves, so boarding is relaxed and you can get to bed earlier.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm & Copenhagen to Hamburg & Berlin.  The train is shown at Stockholm Central about to make its very first departure.  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Copenhagen to Berlin

Option 1, Copenhagen to Berlin by daytime trains

• A range of daily departures link Copenhagen with Berlin with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 13:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 08:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 15:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:23 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 16:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 23:53.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets and a refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Berlin is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary, check at int.bahn.de.

• Fares start at €37.99 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.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE.  Various types operate between Hamburg & Berlin, this is an ICE-T.  More about ICE trains.

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 an ICE-T.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays, 11 Aril to 31 October 2025

• Step 1, take a local train from Copenhagen main station to Ørestad (until 1 August 2025) or Copenhagen Syd (from 2 August).

  These run every 15 minutes or so taking 8 minutes, fare around €4, check times & prices at www.dsb.dk.

  Ørestad is a local station 6.5 km southeast of Copenhagen.  Copenhagen Syd is a local station 4.5 km southwest of Copenhagen.

  Don't cut things fine when catching a sleeper.  But these are local stations with limited facilities, buy food & drink before leaving downtown Copenhagen.

• Step 2, travel from Ørestad to Hamburg & Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, run by private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se).

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 11 April to 31 October 2025, check running dates at www.snalltaget.se/en/berlin.

  It leaves Ørestad (until 1 August 2025) or Copenhagen Syd (from 2 August 2025) at 22:44, arriving Berlin Hbf 07:45.

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

  Check dates & times at www.snalltaget.se, entering København H to Berlin, it will then show times from København Ørestad.  It may arrive at Berlin Gesundbrunnen on certain dates, instead of Berlin Hbf.

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

  Buy tickets at www.snalltaget.se.

• Tip:  For a better experience, consider booking the sleeper from Malmö to Berlin instead of Ørestad or Syd.  Then use a Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central to connect with it, these run every 20 minutes taking 40 minutes.  Malmö Central is a main station with far more facilities then little local Ørestad and is a better place to find a restaurant for dinner before the sleeper.  The Snälltåget train spends an hour or so in the terminus platforms at Malmö Central before it leaves, so boarding is relaxed and you can get to bed earlier.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm & Copenhagen to Berlin.  The train is shown at Stockholm Central about to make its very first departure!  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Copenhagen to Cologne & Düsseldorf

• Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Düsseldorf & Cologne with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 15:47.

  Leave Copenhagen 08:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 17:47.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 19:47.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 21:49 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 23:49.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. then Hamburg to Cologne is by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  For Copenhagen to Düsseldorf, check times at int.bahn.de.

• Fares start at €37.99 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.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Cologne by ICE4.  These come with a waiter-service 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.

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Copenhagen to Frankfurt

• A range of daily departures link Copenhagen with Frankfurt with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 15:00.

  Leave Copenhagen 08:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 17:00.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 19:00.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 21:00 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 23:00.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Frankfurt is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares start at €37.99 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.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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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Copenhagen to Munich

Option 1, Copenhagen to Munich by daytime trains

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

  Leave Copenhagen 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 17:45.

  Leave Copenhagen 08:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 19:45.

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 21:43.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 23:44 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Munich is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares start at €37.99 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.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Munich by ICE-T.  More about ICE-T trains.

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 an ICE-T.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Munich using the Hamburg-Munich sleeper train

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 14:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:00.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 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.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10, arriving Munich Hbf 07:06.

  This train is a new generation Nightjet sleeper train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers 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 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

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

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

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Copenhagen to anywhere else in Germany

Option 1, Copenhagen to Germany by daytime trains

• Direct EuroCity trains link Copenhagen with Hamburg Hbf at 06:22, 08:22, 10:22, 12:07, 14:22 & 16:22, see the timetable here.

  Change at Hamburg Hbf for connecting trains to anywhere in Germany, centre to centre with no check-in or trek to and from remote airports.

• Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Check times & 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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg or Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays 11 April to 31 October 2025

• Step 1, take a Öresund train from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central.  These run every 20 minutes or so taking 39 minutes.

• Step 2, travel from Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train.

  The sleeper train runs daily except Saturdays from 11 April to 31 October 2025, check running dates at www.snalltaget.se/en/berlin.

  It leaves Malmö Central at 22:10, arriving Hamburg Hbf 05:37 & Berlin Hbf 07:45.

  Check times at www.snalltaget.se as there's a later arrival in Berlin on certain dates.

  The train has ordinary seats, reclining seats, and 6-berth couchettes.  A fixed price is charged for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy, the same price for 1 person or any number of people up to 6, unlike normal overnight trains berths are not sold individually.

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

  Buy tickets at www.snalltaget.se.

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

• Step 3, take an onward train from Hamburg or Berlin to anywhere in Germany.  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg or Berlin, ideally a bit more.  Check times and buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm & Copenhagen to Berlin.  The train is shown at Stockholm Central about to make its very first departure!  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €78

Option 1, Copenhagen to Austria using the Hamburg-Vienna/Innsbruck sleeper - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 14:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:00.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 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.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Linz or Innsbruck by Nightjet, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17 next morning with another portion arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.  Change at Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg, arriving Salzburg Hbf 08:49.

  Both portions of this train are a new generation Nightjet sleeper train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to 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 €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Vienna or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  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 2, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Frankfurt

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt on any departure you like, for example:

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 19:00.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 21:00 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 23:00.

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

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Austria on any train you like.

  The 06:19 ICE-T train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arrives Vienna Hbf 12:47.

  The 08:22 ICE-T train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arrives Vienna Hbf 14:47.

  Or take a later one, they run every 2 hours, check times at int.bahn.de.

  The 06:54 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a change at Munich Hbf will get you to Salzburg Hbf at 12:42, but by all means take a later one, they leave regularly, check times at int.bahn.de.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Adjust the length of stay to get the train you want from Frankfurt to Austria - 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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Hamburg

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Salzburg or anywhere in Austria.

  For example, a direct ICE-T train with restaurant car leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:02 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:47.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Adjust the length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - 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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Copenhagen to Malmö & Gothenburg

• Copenhagen to Malmö

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central every 15-20 minutes, journey time 40 minutes.

  No reservation is necessary, you can just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next one.

  Buy tickets at www.oresundstag.se (in SEK) or use Omio.com (in €, £ or $)

• Copenhagen to Gothenburg

  An Öresund train runs from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Göteborg Central) every hour through the day, journey time 3h53.

  No reservation is necessary for these Öresund trains, you can just turn up, buy a ticket at a fixed price and hop on the next train.

  You'll also see options involving SJ fast trains with a change of train & seat reservations, but it's easiest to stick with the Öresund trains.

  Buy tickets at www.oresundstag.se (in SEK) or use Omio.com (in €, £ or $)

• All these trains use the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

Öresund trains link Copenhagen with Malmö every 20 minutes, in under 40 minutes

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.		1st class seats.  Larger photo

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

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Copenhagen to Stockholm from 346 SEK (€31)

Option 1, Copenhagen to Stockholm by SJ daytime train - fastest and most frequent

• Every few hours, a 200 km/h (125 mph) tilting X2000 train links Copenhagen with Stockholm Central in around 5h15.

  With no check-in to worry about, from city centre to city centre it takes little longer than flying, and it's a lot more comfortable.  The trains have a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  These trains are run by SJ, Swedish Railways.  More about X2000 trains.

  These trains cross from Denmark to Sweden over the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden, it's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

  1st class passengers can use the DSB first class lounge at Copenhagen, or the SJ 1st class lounge at Stockholm Central.

  UPDATE 2025:  SJ are short of X2000s and direct X2000 trains between Copenhagen & Stockholm are temporarily suspended until at least June 2025.  You currently take an Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central then an X2000 from Malmö Central to Stockholm Central.

• How much does it cost?

  Fares start at 346 SEK (€31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (€47) in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  You can buy tickets at Omio.com which links directly to the SJ (Swedish Railways) ticketing system, same prices as SJ, quick & easy to use, small booking fee, no problem with overseas credit cards, you can pay in various currencies including Swedish Kr, £, € and $.

  Or buy using SJ's own website www.sj.se.  You pay in Swedish krona, no booking fee, you can usually select your seat from a seat map, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards.  See advice on using sj.se.

  Whichever site you buy from, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  You can also try Swedish booking site www.snalltaget.se, or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (there's a phone menu option for English).

  Tip:  Booking doesn't open a set number of days ahead:  Instead, SJ releases tickets in blocks 4 times a year, for example in early December for the period from early April to mid-June, in early April for the period from mid-June to mid-August and in mid-May for the mid-August to mid-December.  You can see the exact dates on www.sj.se on their FAQ page.

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 2, Copenhagen to Stockholm by Snälltåget daytime trains - in competition with SJ in summer 2024!

• A train run by open-access operator Snälltåget leaves Copenhagen at 16:08, arriving Stockholm Central 22:15.

  The train is one class only and features Snälltåget's excellent restaurant car called the Krogen.

  Although not as swish as SJ's X2000 trains, these classic cars offer spacious old-school comfort and cheaper fares, with the added attraction of a delicious Swedish meatballs and a beer or two in the Krogen.

• Fares start at only 299 SEK, about €26.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.snalltaget.se/en.

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

A Snälltåget train at Malmö Central station.

Snälltåget's excellent restaurant, the Krogen.		Seating on a Snälltåget train.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Stockholm by sleeper train - the time-effective option

• Step 1, take any evening Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central.

  You can take the 20:47 departure or the earlier 20:27, these trains run every 20 minutes, journey time 40 minutes. 

  Or travel earlier and have dinner in Malmö.  The train uses the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

• Step 2, travel from Malmö to Stockholm by sleeper, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays at 22:17 arriving Stockholm Central 05:53.

  The train has 1st class sleeping-cars with private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with shower & toilet, 2nd class sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth sleeper compartments with washbasin, one 2nd class couchette car with shared 6-berth compartments, and a seats car.

  Times may vary, and remember there's no sleeper train on Saturday nights.  Expect to board shortly after 22:00.  On arrival in Stockholm, you can remain on board until 07:00.

• How to buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Stockholm at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se, looking for the sleeper option.

  There are some great cheap deals available if you book in advance.  SJ.se sometimes rejects overseas credit cards, so if you can't get your credit card to work, first try alternative Swedish train booking site www.snalltaget.se, then try agency site www.acprail.com or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (touch tone 6 for English).

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  The ticket allows you to take any Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö, not just the one shown when you book, so by all means take an earlier one and have dinner in Malmö.

  Alternatively, you can easily book the Malmö-Stockholm sleeper train at Omio.com, overseas cards no problem, but it will only book a seat or couchette in a 6-berth compartment, not a sleeper.  You first need to book Malmö to Stockholm and look on the last page of the search results for the overnight train.  Book that, then add a Malmö to Copenhagen ticket.  You can pay in £, €, $ or Krona, there's a small booking fee, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The overnight sleeper to Malmö, about to leave Stockholm Central. Courtesy of Andrew Henry.

1st class sleeper with en suite shower & toilet, shown in day mode (above left) and night mode set up as a single with upper berth folded against the wall (above centre).  Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.  Click the images for larger photos.

6-berth couchettes - the economy option.  Larger photo.		The sleeper at Malmö Central.  This is the sleeping-car with private 1 or 2-berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

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Copenhagen to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Copenhagen to Oslo by train - the overland daytime option

• Take the hourly Öresund train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg then a Norwegian train every 2 hours from Gothenburg to Oslo.

  See the Copenhagen to Oslo page for timetable, fares & how to buy tickets.

Scenery between Gothenburg & Oslo. Photo courtesy of @Simply_Railway.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Oslo by ferry - the luxury overnight option

• A comfortable overnight cruise ferry sails from Copenhagen to Oslo every night.

  See the Copenhagen to Oslo page for timetable, fares & how to buy tickets.

The huge DFDS luxury overnight cruise ferry Crown Seaways berthed at Oslo.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

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Copenhagen to Helsinki & Finland

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by fast & comfortable X2000 train.

  The journey takes around 5h and costs from €28 booked at Swedish Railways www.sj.se or at Omio.com.  Allow plenty of time in Stockholm for transfer to the ferry terminal and for the ferry check-in, I'd start by checking ferry times first and work backwards to arrange a suitable train.

  These trains cross from Denmark to Sweden on the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

  You can also travel to Stockholm overnight using the Malmö-Stockholm sleeper train, daily except Saturday nights, see above.

• Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki overnight, using either Silja Line's superb direct Stockholm-Helsinki cruise ferry (the nicer experience) or a Viking Line Stockholm-Turku ferry with train connection from Turku to the magnificent Helsinki station (faster & cheaper).

  Silja Line sails from Stockholm at 16:45 arriving Helsinki at 10:30 next morning.

  Viking Line sails from Stockholm at 20:00 arriving Turku Port 07:35, the connecting train arrives Helsinki station 10:40.

  For full details of the Stockholm to Helsinki journey via these routes, see the Trains from Stockholm page.

  Step 1, book the Stockholm-Helsinki ferry at www.tallinksilja.com or book the Stockholm-Turku ferry at www.sales.vikingline.com.

  Step 2, buy a Turku-Helsinki train ticket online at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.  You'll find a train leaves Turku Harbour station (= Turku Satama) right next to the ferry terminal, shortly after the ferries arrive.

Step 1, 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.

The Silja Serenade at Helsinki.  Sister ship Silja Symphony is virtually identical.

A class cabin on Silja Serenade.  Larger photo.		Deluxe cabin on Silja Serenade.  Larger photo.

Grande Buffet on the Silja Serenade.		Central promenade on Silja Serenade.  Larger photo.

Good night Sweden!  Sunset as the Silja Serenade sails slowly past the many islands out of Stockholm into the Baltic.

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Copenhagen to Prague from €37.99

Option 1, Copenhagen to Prague in a day

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Prague in a single chill-out day with a choice of two good departures:

  Leave Copenhagen at 06:22 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 19:23.

  Leave Copenhagen at 08:22 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 21:23.

  On the 06:22, you travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, then Hamburg to Prague by Czech EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets and free WiFi

  On the 08:22, you travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Berlin to Prague is by Czech EuroCity train. also with restaurant car, power sockets and free WiFi.

  In summer when it's light it's a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see photos & video.  Suggested hotels in Prague.

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Prague starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• To buy tickets

  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 in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  Tip:  If you'd like to stop off for a couple of hours in Hamburg or Berlin, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg or Berlin and specify the number of hours.  In Berlin, you can stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate in just 17 minutes from Berlin Hbf.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Prague by EuroCity train, seen here calling at Berlin Hbf.

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.  See more photos, tips & info for the Berlin to Prague train ride.  Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Scenery along the Elbe river between Dresden & Prague.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Prague with overnight stop in Hamburg - as option 1, but with an overnight stop

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Prague by Czech EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 06:48, arriving Prague Hlavni 13:23.

  Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:51, arriving Prague Hlavni 15:23, or there are later trains.

  This is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the photos & video here.  The trains have free WiFi and a restaurant car serving meals, beer & wine.

• How much does it cost?

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

• To buy tickets

  Book from Copenhagen to Prague or any Czech station at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Adjust the length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Prague.  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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Prague with overnight stop in Berlin - another time-effective option

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin on any suitable departure, for example:

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:23 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 16:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 23:53.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats and refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Berlin by German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Spend an evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

• 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 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:23 with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley, see the photos & video here, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the 09:15 or 11:16, trains leave every two hours.

• How much does it cost?

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

• To buy tickets

  Book from Copenhagen to Prague at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  To build in the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Berlin to Prague.  A little trial and error is sometimes needed.

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

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Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest from €63

Option 1, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Hamburg-Vienna/Innsbruck sleeper - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 14:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:00.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 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 can show it on your phone.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17 next morning.

  This train is a new generation Nightjet sleeper train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to 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 €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3 for Budapest, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 13:19.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to an early lunch and a beer.  Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  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.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3 for Bratislava, hop on the next hourly local train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, as shown here.

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

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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 2, Hamburg to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

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

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

Step 3, Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, seen here arrived at Budapest Keleti.

1st class is usually in 6-seat compartments.  Larger photo.		Some 2nd class is in open-plan cars like this. Larger photo.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest with overnight stop in Berlin - if you prefer day trains to sleepers

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin on any suitable departure, for example:

  Leave Copenhagen 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 12:07, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:23 (runs 12 April to 2 November 2025).

  Leave Copenhagen 14:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:22.

  Leave Copenhagen 16:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 23:53.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats and refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Berlin by German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Spend an evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

• 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 Bratislava or Budapest on the EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:15, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 18:02 & Budapest Nyugati 20:28.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's a Hungarian restaurant car serving inexpensive meals with beer or wine and there's lovely scenery along the Elbe River valley between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.  A day well spent!

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 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 can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings at any time.

  Tip:  It's slightly cheaper to book from Copenhagen to Budapest as one transaction from €49.99, using the Stopovers feature to build in a 10-hour overnight stopover in Berlin.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  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.

The Berlin-Budapest Hungaria. Courtesy of David Frankal. Photos below courtesy of Siddhartha Verma.

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

Option 3, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Prague-Budapest sleeper

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Prague, leaving Copenhagen at 06:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 19:23.

  You travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish EuroCity train with power sockets and refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Prague by Czech EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The journey takes you along the scenic Elbe river between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.

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

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

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

  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni 22:03, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 06:02 & Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

  This has a comfortable Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.

  Fares start at €49 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €69 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €80 in a single-bed sleeper.

  Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Washstand, soap & towels provided.  Larger photo.		Czech Railways 2-bed 'double' sleeper on the Prague-Budapest route.  Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds.  Larger photo.		The corridor.  Each compartment locks securely.  Larger photo.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper - same as option 2, but with an afternoon in Berlin

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:22.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Berlin by German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Have an early dinner in Berlin or perhaps take a stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 06:02 & Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

  This has a comfortable Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  In sleepers, a light breakfast is included in the fare.  More about this sleeper train.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

  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 (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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

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

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Copenhagen to Bucharest & Romania

Option 1, Copenhagen to Romania using the Budapest-Bucharest Ister - the fastest option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 14:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:00.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €47.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  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.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17.

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

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

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

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

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to an early lunch and a beer.  Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  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.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:48 & Bucharest Nord 11:35.

  This sleeper train Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  There's no restaurant car so take a picnic and bottle of wine.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.  Ister is the ancient name for the Danube.

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

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. 

  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  Click EN top right for English.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

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

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

Option 2, Copenhagen to Romania using the Vienna-Bucharest Dacia Express

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen 16:22, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:08.

  A later 18:22 is available in summer, or take the earlier 14:22 for more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by ICE train with restaurant car, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:02, arriving Vienna Hbf 17:47.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Vienna start at €49.99 in 2nd class, €79.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for cheapest prices.

• Book from Copenhagen to Vienna at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours.  Adjust length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - 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 or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, arriving next day in Simeria 07:17, Sighisoara 09:17, Braşov 12:50, Ploeşti Vest 14:47 & Bucharest Nord 15:26 (day 3).

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

  A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna & Budapest, treat yourself to dinner with 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.

  The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42, arriving Cluj Napoca 10:44. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.

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

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

  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.

  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!

The Dacia Express sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.  The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of their most modern type.  Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple.  Most have a washbasin, two compartments have a shower & toilet.  Beds fold away to form a private sitting room for day use.  Interior photo courtesy of Jose Carlos Barbosa.  Larger photo.

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

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

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

Option 3, Copenhagen to Romania with overnight stops in Berlin & Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels to sleepers

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:22.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Berlin by German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Have an early dinner in Berlin or perhaps take a stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

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

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

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

The Stena Line ferry at Karlskrona, with bus number 6 arrived from Karlskrona station.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

Copenhagen to Vilnius

Option 1, Copenhagen to Vilnius via the Karlshamn-Klaipeda ferry - the fastest & easiest route

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Karlshamn by train, leaving Copenhagen around 13:47, arriving Karlshamn around 16:20.

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Karlshamn every hour taking 2h33.  Don't cut it fine, allow several hours in Karlshamn between train and ferry in case of delay.

  The fare is around 310 DKK, about €42, fixed-price.

  Check times and buy a ticket at www.oresundstag.se.

  In Karlshamn, the ferry terminal is 3 km outside the town, a 40 minute walk (see walking map) or take a taxi for about €20.  If you want a taxi, pre-book one from either Karlshamns Taxi +46 454 150 65 or Sverigetaxi +46 454 122 67).

• Day 1, sail from Karlshamn to Klaipeda by comfortable overnight ferry.

  Two ferry lines operate this route, DFDS and TT Line.  DFDS have the more modern ships with the better facilities, they sail daily, typically leaving Karlshamn at 19:00 and arriving Klaipeda at 09:00.  TT line also sail daily with more basic ships, typically sailing at 20:00 and arriving 10:00. 

  Check-in closes 1h before sailing time.  Foot passengers are shuttled from the terminal onto ferry by minibus, and shuttled off by minibus at Klaipeda.

  There is a restaurant, cafe, bar, lounge and a range of cosy shared or private cabins, all with toilet & shower.

  Fares start at just €60 with a bed in a shared cabin.

  Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website (which can compare and book both TT Lines and DFDS) or book DFDS at www.dfds.com.

• Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Vilnius by train.

  In Klaipeda, it's 5 km from the DFDS ferry terminal to the railway station (see walking map), there's a frequent city bus service or take a taxi.  The TT ferry arrives further away, 8.4 km from Klaipeda station.

  If you arrive at 09:00 by DFDS you should make a train leaving Klaipeda at 11:00 on most days and arriving Vilnius at 15:11, or there are later trains, check times at ltglink.lt.

  The train fare is €24.80 in 2nd class, €35.30 in 1st class.

  Book the train at the station, check times & prices at ltglink.lt, you can buy online if you like.

Step 1, take the hourly Öresund train from Copenhagen to Karlshamn.

Step 2, sail overnight from Karlshamn to Klaipeda with DFDS.  That's the Luna Seaways on the right, arrived at Klaipeda.  Courtesy of Matias Lq.

Above left, the lounge on Luna Seaways.  Above right, a standard cabin with toilet & shower.  Photos courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

Step 3, take a train from Klaipeda to Vilnius.  Above left, Klaipeda station. Above right, the express train to Vilnius.  Photos courtesy of Lewis Baston.

Vilnius station.  Photo courtesy of Yuk Wah Chu.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Vilnius via Berlin & Warsaw - the overland route, by train all the way

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Warsaw in a day, as shown above.

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

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius on the daily train service, as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

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Copenhagen to Riga

Option 1, Copenhagen to Riga via the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry.

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by train & Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry, as shown in the Copenhagen-Tallinn section.

• Day 2, take a train or bus from Tallinn to Riga, as shown on the Tallinn to Riga page.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Riga via the Karlshamn-Klaipeda ferry.

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Karlshamn by train & Karlshamn to Klaipeda by overnight ferry, as shown in the Copenhagen-Vilnius section.

• Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Riga by bus, direct buses take around 4h30, check times & buy tickets at Omio.com.

  Allow at least a couple of hours between ferry arrival and bus departure in Klaipeda.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Riga via Berlin, Warsaw & Vilnius - the overland route, a longer way round

• Days 1 & 2, travel from Copenhagen to Vilnius by train via Warsaw as shown in the Copenhagen to Vilnius section.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.  Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, a 6-minute walk from the station, or the Conti Hotel Vilnius, a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town, both with excellent reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Vilnius to Riga by train as shown on the Vilnius to Riga page.

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Copenhagen to Tallinn

Option 1, Copenhagen to Tallinn via the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry - the fastest & easiest way

• Step 1, take a morning X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm as shown above.

  I'd allow several hours in Stockholm between train & ferry to allow for the station-ferry transfer and ferry check-in as well as any likely delay.

• Step 2, sail from Stockholm to Tallinn by comfortable overnight ferry every second day, as shown here.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Tallinn via Berlin, Warsaw & Vilnius - the overland route, a longer way round

• Days 1 & 2, travel from Copenhagen to Vilnius by train via Warsaw as shown in the Copenhagen to Vilnius section.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.  Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, a 6-minute walk from the station, or the Conti Hotel Vilnius, a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town, both with excellent reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Vilnius to Tallinn by train as shown on the Vilnius to Tallinn page.

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