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, viewed through window.  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 information about Zurich-Milan 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 Danish IC3 intercity train leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:01.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023, a later departure is possible, leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.

  A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 25 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:24 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  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 EuroCity train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 11:24, arriving Verona P. Nuova 14:58 & Bologna Centrale 16:19.

  The train travels through the lovely Brenner Pass, with a restaurant car for lunch, treat yourself!  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

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

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

  Tip:  Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 EuroCity to Verona, I'd play safe and stick with 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 www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

  Step 2, book the nightjet sleeper from Hamburg to Innsbruck at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same prices).  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 all in one place.  You print your own ticket for the Austrian train and the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead, but it can vary.  There's a small booking fee.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3...  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  Above, a Comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet train at Innsbruck.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Step 3, Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is the restaurant car on a EuroCity from Innsbruck arrived at Verona.  You don't need to book a table, just go along and sit down.  Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this...

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments.		1st class leather seats.  You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

The elegant restaurant car.  Larger photo.		Lunch with wine on board...

Mountains on the Brenner route...

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

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

Option 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 11:26, changing Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 21:00.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 intercity train with free WiFi, Hamburg to Frankfurt by high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & 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 08:06 and arriving Milan Centrale at 15:50.

  The 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 Swiss mountains and Swiss and Italian lakes, see the photos and video of the Gotthard route here.

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

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or 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 at 07:26 by Danish intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:39.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26 by Danish intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 22:39.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 intercity train with WiFi whilst in Denmark, but no catering so bring some food & drink.  Then by superb German ICE train from Hamburg to Munich with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 17:03.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 21:03.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 23:02.

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

  Buy a ticket the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Italy by comfortable Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf every couple of hours.

  The 07:34 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova & Bologna Centrale on Mondays-Fridays or to Verona Porta Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia at weekends, arriving 14:25.

  The 09:34 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova and Bologna Centrale every day, change in Bologna for Florence, Rome & Naples, or change in Verona for Venice arriving 16:40.

  The 11:32 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona & Venice every day, arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 18:25.

  This is a wonderful ride on a comfortable spacious Austrian train via the wonderfully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 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 www.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 for the Austrian train or can show it on your phone, for Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it 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.

Munich to Venice by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is a EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.  More photos & information about these EuroCity trains.

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

Mountains on the Brenner route...

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Copenhagen to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain from €114...

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 above.  Book this as shown.

  Change stations in Paris from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro.

• 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 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  It's a scenic and comfortable journey, click here for the sights to see on the way.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

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

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

  A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:02 & Alicante 23:14.

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

  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 normally opens 60 days ahead, but it can vary.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3.  More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on a IC3 train.  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 information 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 two departures...

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 16:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi in Denmark, no catering so bring your own food & drink, then Hamburg to Cologne by Intercity train with bistro car or ICE with restaurant car.  Departure from Copenhagen is a few minutes earlier on certain dates, at xx:17 rather than xx:26.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 18:50.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 22:50.

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

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats, see the guide to 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 sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  Booking normally opens 120 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:56 & arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:25.

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

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  Booking normally opens 120 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket 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 Sants next morning, check times & book at www.raileurope.com.  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it can vary.

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

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35 arriving Cordoba 13:22 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:10.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the 15:15 AVE S112 high-speed train to Cordoba & Seville.

  For Malaga:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train and change at Cordoba onto a high-speed AVE/Avant train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:56.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the direct 15:15 AVE S112 high-speed train to Malaga.

  For Granada:  A direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:35 arriving Granada at 15:00.

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

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

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 Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:02.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, 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 train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:28 every day arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:09.

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

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Marseille by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56 every day arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:48.

  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 >60 is upper deck.

• 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 leaving Marseille St Charles at 11:24, change at Nimes, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:34.

  Or spend a morning & have lunch in Marseille, then leave Marseille St Charles at 15:27, change at Nimes, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:25.

  You travel from Marseille to Nimes by Intercité and from Nimes to Barcelona by double-deck 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  The train passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.

• Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train...

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

  A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:02 & Alicante 23:14.

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

  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.

  Hamburg to Marseille starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class

  Marseille to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

  Barcelona to Malaga or Seville starts at around €45.

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

• How to buy tickets...

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

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

  Step 2, now use www.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Marseille.

  This is important, make sure you change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes before running the enquiry.  If you don't do that 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.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Step 3, now book from Marseille to Barcelona at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Step 4, book from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it first).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it can vary.  You print your own ticket.

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

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

1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 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 above.  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 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.

  An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 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 sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt.  Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes.  See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

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Copenhagen to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  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 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 above.  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).

  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to other Paris stations.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV, one usually leaves Paris Montparnasse at 11:11 arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 15:31.

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

  Have dinner in Toulouse...

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Book from Copenhagen to Paris as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Book from Paris to Toulouse Matabiau at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, but no fee).

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

  Buy the bus ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.

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Copenhagen to Hamburg...

• Direct Danish IC3 intercity trains link Copenhagen with Hamburg Hbf 3 times a day (5 times in summer), see the timetable here.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

• See the Copenhagen to Hamburg page for details.

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Copenhagen to Berlin...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Berlin by daytime trains...

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

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 14:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:23.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Departure is 9 minutes earlier on certain dates, at xx:17 rather than xx:26.

• An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 12:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 16:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 20:20.

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

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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 IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		An IC3 train from Copenhagen at Hamburg.

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE.  Various types operate between Hamburg & Berlin, this is an ICE-T.  More information about ICE.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant.  In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat.  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, 30 March to 4 November 2023...

• Step 1, take an Öresund train from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central.  These run every 20 minutes or so taking 39 minutes.  There's one at 21:07 arriving 21:46, but I'd take an earlier one when catching a sleeper, tickets are good for any departure.

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

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 30 March to 4 November 2023.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Malmö Central at 22:25 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31 & Berlin Hbf at 08:47.

  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 Kobenhavn H to Berlin.  It uses Berlin Gesundbrunnen on certain dates, not Berlin Hbf.

  Snälltåget has run a sleeper train between Malmö & Berlin twice a week in summer in previous years, in 2021 it was expanded to run direct from Stockholm & Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin, in 2022 it's further expanded to run daily for much of the year.

  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.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.

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

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 at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an Intercity arriving Düsseldorf at 16:22 & Cologne Hbf at 16:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train, arriving Düsseldorf at 19:22 & Cologne Hbf at 20:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE4 train arriving Düsseldorf at 00:22 & Cologne Hbf at 00:47.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Cologne is by either Intercity train with bistro car or ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Departure is 9 minutes earlier on certain dates, at xx:17 rather than xx:26.

• An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Düsseldorf at 14:22 & Cologne Hbf at 14:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Düsseldorf at 18:22 & Cologne Hbf at 18:50.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Düsseldorf at 19:22 & Cologne Hbf at 20:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Düsseldorf at 22:22 & Cologne Hbf at 22:50.

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

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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 IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		An IC3 train from Copenhagen at Hamburg.

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.		Step 2, ICE.  More information about ICE trains.

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

Boarding an ICE...		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

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Copenhagen to Frankfurt...

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

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 17:09.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 20:44.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, 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.  Departure is 9 minutes earlier on certain dates, at xx:17 rather than xx:26.

• An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 15:09.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 19:09.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 20:44.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:44.

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

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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 IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		An IC3 train from Copenhagen at Hamburg.

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  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 at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 19:03.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 23:02.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Munich is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary.  Departure is 9 minutes earlier on certain dates, at xx:17 rather than xx:26.

• An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 17:03.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 21:03.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 23:02.

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

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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 IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		An IC3 train from Copenhagen at Hamburg.

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Hamburg to Munich by ICE-T.  More information about ICE-T.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant.  In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat.  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 Danish IC3 intercity train leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:01.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023, a later departure is possible, leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.

  A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 25 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:24 & arriving Munich Hbf at 07:09 next morning.

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

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

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

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		An IC3 train from Copenhagen at Hamburg.

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, seen here at Munich Hbf.

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

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Munich-Amsterdam Nightjet.

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Copenhagen to anywhere else in Germany...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Germany by daytime trains...

• Direct Danish IC3 intercity trains link Copenhagen with Hamburg Hbf at 07:26, 11:26 & 15:26, journey time 4h36.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, 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 €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		An IC3 train from Copenhagen at Hamburg.

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg or Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays 30 March to 4 November 2023...

• 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 30 March to 4 November 2023.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Malmö at 22:25 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31 & Berlin Hbf at 08:47.  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.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.

  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 www.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 train - the comfortable, time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 intercity train leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 16:01.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023, a later departure is possible, leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.

  A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 25 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Linz or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:24 & arriving Vienna Hbf 09:14 next morning with another portion going to Innsbruck, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

  Change at Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg, arriving Salzburg Hbf at 08:49.

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

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

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

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3. More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.

Step 2, Hamburg to Vienna or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Option 2, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Frankfurt...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 by Danish intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 21:09.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & 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 06:21 ICE-T train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arrives Vienna Hbf at 12:47, but by all means enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they run every 2 hours.

  The 06:53 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a change at Munich Hbf will get you to Salzburg Hbf at 11:59, but by all means take a later one, they leave regularly.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopover and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting stopover duration to get the train you want from Frankfurt to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters.

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

Option 3, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Hamburg...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:02.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, 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 08:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopover and enter Hamburg Hbf in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting stopover duration to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters.

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

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Copenhagen to Malmö & Gothenburg...

• Copenhagen to Malmö...

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central every 20-30 minutes, journey time 39 minutes.

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

• Copenhagen to Gothenburg...

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

  No reservation is necessary or possible for these Öresund trains, you 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.

• 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...

• You can check train times and (if you like, to save time buying at the station) buy tickets online at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways, no booking fee, see my advice on using it here).

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 254 SEK (€28, £22, $30)...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Stockholm by daytime train...

• Every couple of hours, a comfortable 200 km/h (125 mph) tilting X2000 train links Copenhagen with Stockholm Central, 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 fun & interesting.  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.

• Fares start at around 254 Swedish Krona, about €28.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Check times & buy tickets at one of the following websites:

  Omio.com which links directly to SJ's 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 $.

  SJ's own site www.sj.se, you pay in Swedish krona, no booking fee, you can usually choose a specific seat from a seating plan, but it can sometimes reject overseas credit cards.  For advice on using sj.se, click here.

  Whichever site you use, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  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 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 39 minutes.  Passport control takes place on board these trains at the first station in Sweden.  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 22:32 arriving Stockholm Central 05:37.

  The train has 1st class sleeping-cars with private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with en suite 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 slightly, 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 as one transaction 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 Malmo, not just the one shown when you book, so by all means take an earlier one and have dinner in Malmo.

  Alternatively, you can easily book the Malmo-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 Malmo to Stockholm and look on the last page of the search results for the overnight train.  Book that, then add a Malmo 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...

• The fastest & most direct route is to take a the hourly Öresund train Copenhagen to Gothenburg then a Norwegian train Gothenburg-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 luxurious 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 Malmo-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 at Helsinki station at 10:23.

  For full details of the Stockholm to Helsinki journey via both 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.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 €37.90...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Prague in a single day...

• Leave Copenhagen at 07:26 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 19:35.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Berlin to Prague is by Czech EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets and free WiFi.

  In summer when it's light this is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the scenery photos and video here.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023:

  Leave Copenhagen at 05:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 17:35.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 21:35.

• How much does it cost?

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

• To buy tickets...

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

  Tip:  If you'd like to stop off for a couple of hours in Hamburg or Berlin, click Stopover, enter Hamburg or Berlin and specify the number of hours.  In Berlin, the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate are just 10-15 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on a IC3 train.  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 Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:02.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, 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 at 13:35.

  Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:51 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:35, or there are later trains.

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

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Prague starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 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 www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopover and enter Hamburg Hbf in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting stopover duration to get the train you want from Hamburg to Prague - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters.

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:23.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  By all means take the earlier 11:26 from Copenhagen, change at Hamburg Hbf & arriving Berlin Hbf 18:02 and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, Berlin Hbf is just 10 minutes walk from the Reichstag or 15 minutes walk from the Brandenburg Gate.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, see the Copenhagen-Berlin section.

• 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 07:16 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:35 with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley, see the scenery photos and video here, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the 09:16 or 11:16, they leave every two hours.

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Prague starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 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 www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopover and enter Berlin Hbf in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting stopover duration to get the train you want from Berlin to Prague - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters.

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

Option 4, Copenhagen to Prague using Copenhagen-Berlin sleeper - summer-only...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin by Berlin Night Express sleeper train as shown above.  This runs twice a week March-September, daily in high summer.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:16 arriving Prague Hlavni 15:35.

  This is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the scenery photos and video here.  By all means stop off in Berlin and catch a later train to Prague, they leave every 2 hours, see the Berlin-Prague timetable here.  Berlin's Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate are just 15 minutes walk from the station.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

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Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest from €63...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest with overnight stop in Berlin...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 by Danish intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf arriving Berlin Hbf 22:23.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  By all means take the earlier 11:26 from Copenhagen, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:02 and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, Berlin Hbf is just 10 minutes walk from the Reichstag or 15 minutes walk from the Brandenburg Gate.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, see the Copenhagen-Berlin section.

• 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 comfortable EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna 17:54 & Budapest Nyugati at 20:28.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' latest 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 €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case it cannot be shown on a mobile device.  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 €49.90, using the Stopover feature to build in a 10-hour overnight stopover in Berlin.  However, in this case you end up with tickets by post, posted to you for a small extra fee.  They can take up to 2 weeks to arrive.  I'd book as shown above to get digital tickets that can be printed.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on a IC3 train.  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 2, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Prague-Budapest sleeper...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Prague, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf onto a comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car & free WiFi arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:35.

  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

  An altered timetable applies 17 June to 20 August 2023, departure from Copenhagen is at 05:26 or 09:26, see the Copenhagen-Prague section.

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

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni 22:43, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 05:54 & Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

  This has a comfortable Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower.  There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers, and morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.  There is a couchette car with 4-berth and 6-berth compartments.

  Fares start at €39 with a couchette, €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.

The Czech sleeping-car from Prague to Budapest, at Budapest Nyugati.

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

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 14:20.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Enjoy an afternoon in Berlin.  Departure is 9 minutes earlier on certain dates, at xx:17 rather than xx:26.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, departure from Copenhagen is at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 16:22, see the Copenhagen-Berlin section.

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

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:52 & arriving Bratislava Hlavna 05:54 & Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas 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 information about this 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 Brasov, Bucharest & Romania...

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

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 intercity train leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 16:01.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:24 and arriving Vienna Hbf 09:14 next morning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Step 3, travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov at 08:40 & Bucharest Gara de Nord at 11:19 next day.

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

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

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

  You can also 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 Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:02.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, 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 08:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Vienna start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for cheapest prices.

• Book from Copenhagen to Vienna at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopover and enter Hamburg Hbf in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting stopover duration to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters.

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

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, and arriving next day iin Simeria 07:13, Sighisoara 09:21, Braşov 12:35, Ploeşti 14:27 & Bucharest Nord at 15:05 (Day 3 from Copenhagen).

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

  A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna and Budapest, treat yourself to dinner with wine.  A bar 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, a real treat...

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.  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 collect tickets from the ÖBB ticket machines or staffed counter in Vienna.

  You can also (as of 2022) 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 laptop or 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.  Sleeper photo courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.  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...

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