The Danish railways website is www.dsb.dk

I want to go from Copenhagen to...

      Select your destination... ----------- Most popular ----------- Amsterdam Berlin, Cologne, Germany Brussels Gothenburg, Malmo Oslo Paris Prague Stockholm Venice, Florence Rome & Italy Zurich & Switzerland ---------- All destinations --------- Somewhere else in Denmark... Amsterdam Athens Barcelona Basel (Basle) Belgrade Berlin Bern (Berne) Bratislava Brussels Bruges (Brugge) Budapest Cologne Dusseldorf Faro Florence Frankfurt Geneva Gothenburg Hamburg Helsinki Innsbruck Interlaken Istanbul Kiev & Ukraine Krakow Lausanne Linz Lisbon Ljubljana London & UK Luxembourg Luzern (Lucerne) Malmo Milan Montenegro - Podgorica, Bar Montreux Moscow Munich Naples Oslo Paris Porto Prague Riga Rome St Moritz St Petersburg Salzburg Sofia Stockholm Tallinn Venice Verona Vienna Vilnius Warsaw Zurich Zagreb & Croatia Zermatt

       Click here for journeys starting in another city.

This page explains how to travel by train from Copenhagen to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way.  Train information is current for 2018.

Before you buy your tickets...

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets.  It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?".  Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.

European train travel FAQ...

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Copenhagen to Odense, Esbjerg, Arhus & other destinations in Denmark...

• The Danish Railways (DSB) website www.dsb.dk will book Danish internal long-distance trains, with cheaper prices if you pre-book. 

• For English, scroll right to the bottom of their home page and click In English.  For Copenhagen, type Copen... and select Kobenhavn H, which is Copenhagen main station. 

  In Denmark, the St. after a place name simply stands for station.

• Seat reservation is optional on most Danish internal trains, if you are happy sitting where you like without a specific reserved seat you can set Seat reservations to 0 when using dsb.dk.  Reservation is not possible at all on regional & suburban trains.

• DSB1 simply means first class.

• Standard is the regular full-flex price which cannot sell out.  It's what you'd pay at the station on the day, valid on any train that day. 

• Orange is a limited-availability cheap advance-purchase ticket giving up to 61% off the regular fare, specific train only, no refunds, no changes to travel plans, seat reservation included.  Book ahead and pick this to save money on longer distance routes in Denmark.

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Copenhagen to Gothenburg & Malmö...

• UPDATE:  The Swedish government introduced border controls entering Sweden in January 2016.  Initially this meant getting off at Copenhagen airport station for passport control but as from May 2017 passport control is being carried out on board the train at the first stop in Sweden and the trains are once again running direct from  Copenhagen to Malmo & Gothenburg with no need to switch trains.

• Copenhagen to Malmö...

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Malmö every 20-30 minutes, no reservation necessary or possible, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next one.  Journey time 46 minutes.

• Copenhagen to Gothenburg:

  An Öresund Link train runs from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Goteborg Central) every hour through the day, journey time 3h58.  No reservation is necessary or possible for these 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, but it's best to stick with the Öresund trains.

• All these trains use the Öresund 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).

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Copenhagen to Stockholm from 254 SEK (€28, £20, $30)...

UPDATE:  The Swedish government introduced border controls for entering Sweden in January 2016.  Passport control for the direct Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 trains was initially done before boarding in Copenhagen and passengers were asked to turn up 30 minutes before departure, but it now takes place on board the train when it enters Sweden.  However, you should still turn up at Copenhagen station in good time for your train because the X2000 trains to Stockholm leave from platform 26, accessed via platforms 5 & 6, a fair old walk from the station concourse.

Option 1:  Copenhagen to Stockholm by 125 mph X2000 daytime trains...

• Every couple of hours, a fast and comfortable 125 mph tilting X2000 train links Copenhagen with Stockholm, centre to centre 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 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 254 Swedish Krona (€28), but fares vary like air fares so book early and search different departures for the cheapest prices.

• Check train times and buy tickets at either of the following websites:

  - GoEuro.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 be fussy with overseas credit cards.  For step-by-step advice on using sj.se, click here.

  Whichever site you buy from, you print your own ticket or can simply show it on your smartphone, or you can collect it from the SJ ticket machines at Copenhagen station.

Option 2:  Copenhagen to Stockholm by time-effective overnight sleeper train... 

• Step 1, take an evening Öresund train to Malmö Central around 20:16 or perhaps take the earlier 19:56 departure, these trains run every 20 minutes and take 46 minutes.  Passport control now takes place on board these trains at the first station in Sweden.

• Step 2, now take the excellent overnight sleeper train from Malmö to Stockholm, usually leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays around 22:08 arriving Stockholm Central around 05:54.  There's no sleeper on Saturday nights. 

  The train offers 6-berth couchettes and a comfortable Swedish sleeping-car with (a) shared single-sex 3-berth sleeper compartments with washbasin and (b) private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with en suite shower & toilet. 

• Buy tickets as one Copenhagen to Stockholm transaction at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se.  There are some great cheap deals available if you book in advance.  SJ.se is sometimes fussy with overseas credit cards, so if you can't get your credit card to work, try agency site www.acprail.com or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (touch tone 6 for English).

• You can also book the Malmo-Stockholm sleeper train at GoEuro.com, although this will only book a seat or couchette (basic bunk in 6-bunk 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 smartphone.

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Copenhagen to Oslo & Norway...

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

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train with just 1 change, using an hourly Öresund Link train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central, then a comfortable Norwegian intercity train from Gothenburg Central to Oslo Sentral.  Journey time around 8h25.  Simply check times for your date of travel using www.sj.se - for English change the Swedish flag to a UK flag and book from Köbenhavn H to Oslo S.  For example:

  Copenhagen depart 08:27, change Gothenburg (arrive 12:05, depart 13:00) arrive Oslo Sentral at 16:52.

  Copenhagen depart 13:27, change Gothenburg (arrive 17:05, depart 17:55) arrive Oslo Sentral at 21:49.

  The fare is €79 on all departures if bought at www.sj.se.

  But it can be cheaper to split the booking, to take advantage of cheap fares for the Norwegian train if bought direct from NSB Norwegian Railways.  First go to the Norwegian Railways website www.nsb.no and book from Goteborg C to Oslo S looking for a cheap Minipris fare.  Then go to the Swedish website www.sj.se (no booking fee, see my advice on using it here) or www.bokatag.se (English button bottom right, small booking fee) and add a ticket from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central.

• You'll also see journeys with 2 changes taking a  bit longer.  These involve SJ (Swedish Railways) trains rather than an Oresund train plus an NSB (Norwegian Railways) train, so SJ can offer cheap advance-purchase fares.  Check for your date of travel at www.sj.se.  For example:

  Copenhagen depart 07:07, change Mjölby & Hallsberg, arrive Oslo Sentral at 16:23.

  Copenhagen depart 12:20, change Hässleholm & Katrineholm, arrive Oslo Sentral at 21:23.

  Fares from as little as €20 in 2nd class or €34 in 1st class.

• Buy tickets at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se (no booking fee, see my advice on using it here) or at competing Swedish ticketing website www.bokatag.se (English button bottom right, small booking fee), or (if you have any problems) agency site www.acprail.com.  You pay online and collect tickets from the Swedish Railways (SJ) ticket machines installed at Copenhagen main station or (for journeys involving only SJ trains) you print your own ticket.  If you can't get your credit card to work on any of these sites, simply call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75

Option 2, Copenhagen to Oslo by overnight ferry - The time-effective luxury overnight option...

• A luxurious overnight cruise ferry sails from Copenhagen to Oslo every night, leaving Copenhagen around 16:30 and arriving in Oslo around 09:45, with restaurants, bars, cinema and comfortable en suite cabins. 

• See www.dfds.co.uk for times, prices & online tickets.

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Copenhagen to Helsinki & Finland...

• Step 1, take a fast and comfortable X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm in just 5h from around €23 booked at www.sj.se.  Arrive in Copenhagen at least 30 minutes before departure for passport control.  Allow plenty of time in Stockholm for transfer to the ferry terminal and for the ferry check-in.

• Step 2, take a ferry to Finland. Two companies run overnight cruise ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki, book these online at www.tallinksilja.com or www.vikingline.com. 

• However, it's often cheaper to take the shorter sea crossing from Stockholm to Turku in Finland, from where a train carries passengers on to Helsinki.  The same two companies compete on this route too, with both an overnight ferry and a daytime ferry.  First book the Stockholm-Turku ferry at www.tallinksilja.com or www.vikingline.com, then add a Turku-Helsinki train ticket booked online at the Finnish railways site 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.

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Copenhagen to Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin & Germany from €29...

Option 1, by daytime trains...

• Direct EuroCity trains link Copenhagen with Hamburg at 07:35, 11:35 & 15:35, check times for your date of travel at www.bahn.de.

  Copenhagen to Hamburg takes just 4h41, change at Hamburg Hbf for connecting trains to Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and anywhere else in Germany.  Copenhagen to Berlin takes as little as 6h44 centre to centre with no check-in or trek to and from remote airports.

• Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

• The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places left in Europe (or indeed, the world) where a train physically goes onto a ship.  It's an interesting experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing.  Trains on the Copenhagen-Hamburg route are classified EuroCity (EC) and operated by Danish IC3 trains as shown below.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Buy tickets from Copenhagen to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.  Just be careful that you avoid any journey in the search results marked BUS.

Option 2, by Berlin Night Express sleeper train, runs on certain days and dates only...

• This is a privately-run sleeper train from Malmö to Berlin overnight, with connection by local Öresund Link train from Copenhagen.  It runs in summer only, 3 times a week.

• See www.snalltaget.se/en/destinations/berlin for operating dates, times, fares & tickets.  It has couchettes but no sleeping-car.

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Copenhagen to Amsterdam from €49.90...

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

Option 1, Copenhagen to Amsterdam by train in a single day from €49.90...

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Amsterdam in a single chill-out day, with several departures to choose from.  For example...

  Copenhagen depart 07:35 arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:01, changing trains at Hamburg Hbf & Osnabruck. 

  Copenhagen depart 11:35, change Lübeck & Osnabruck, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 23:01.

• Take a good book and enjoy the ride.  All these journeys involve taking a Copenhagen to Hamburg train which goes onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• To check times & buy tickets go to www.loco2.com and simply book from Copenhagen to Amsterdam as one journey. 

  All international credit cards are accepted and you'll get print-at-home tickets.  Booking tip:  If you only see expensive £100+ fares on some departures, re-run the enquiry after clicking More options and entering Osnabrück (or Duisburg) with duration left at 00:00.

• Alternatively, you can buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, which in principle should be exactly the same price as www.loco2.com and also gives print-at-home tickets.  In the search results, look closely for journeys with 2 changes marked EC, IC, IC, at Hamburg & Osnabruck, avoiding anything shown with 'bus'.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Osnabruck from €58 - a time-effective option...

• Leave Copenhagen at 15:35 by EuroCity train, change at Hamburg Hbf and arrive Osnabrück 22:36.  Book this train from €29 at www.bahn.de with print-at-home tickets.  You can also take the 17:37 from Copenhagen if you don't mind arrival in Osnabruck after midnight.

  Fares from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, although you can leave your luggage in the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Osnabrück.

• Next morning, leave Osnabrück at 07:53 by direct InterCity train arriving Amsterdam Centraal 11:01.  Or leave Osnabrück at 09:53 arriving Amsterdam 13:01.  Book this from €29 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone or laptop screen..

Option 3, Copenhagen to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Hamburg from €58 - another time-effective option...

• Leave Copenhagen at 15:35, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:16.  Book this from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg, suggested hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.

• Next morning travel from Hamburg to Amsterdam with 1 easy change at Osnabruck.  You can leave Hamburg Hbf at 05:46 by InterCity train arriving Amsterdam Centraal 11:01.  Or at 07:46 by InterCity train arriving 13:01.  Or at 09:46 by InterCity train arriving 15:01.  Whichever suits you.  Book this from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

• Tip:  At www.bahn.de it can save a few euros to book Copenhagen to Amsterdam as one journey, clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Hamburg Hbf with a duration of (say) 10 hours.  Adjust departure time and stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg.  I have set up this link for you with the overnight stopover.

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Copenhagen to Brussels & Bruges from €49.90...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Brussels by train in a single day from €49.90...

• If you'd prefer to travel by daytime trains, you can travel from Copenhagen to Brussels in a single chill-out day using very comfortable ICE trains.

• You leave Copenhagen at 07:35, make easy same-station changes at Hamburg Hbf and Cologne Hbf and arrive Brussels Midi at 19:35.

• The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, but can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• To buy tickets, go to www.loco2.com and simply book from Copenhagen to Brussels all in one go.  All international credit cards are accepted and you'll get print-at-home tickets.  Booking tip:  If you only see expensive £100+ fares, re-run the enquiry after clicking More options and entering Cologne with duration left as zero.

• You can also buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, which in principle should be exactly the same price as www.loco2.com and also gives print-at-home tickets.  In the search results, look closely for journeys with 2 changes marked EC, IC, ICE, at Hamburg & Cologne (Köln).  You can book through to Bruges if you like.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Hamburg- a time-effective option...

• Leave Copenhagen at 15:35, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:16.  Book this from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, but you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg - suggested hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.

• Then take an 07:01 from Hamburg Hbf, change Hanover & Cologne Hbf to arrive Brussels Midi at 13:35.  Or there are later trains.  Book this from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class also at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

• Tip:  At www.bahn.de it can save a few euros to book Copenhagen to Brussels as one journey, clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Hamburg Hbf with a duration of (say) 11 hours.  Adjust departure time and stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg.  I have set up this link for you with the overnight stopover.

Option 3, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Cologne - another time-effective option...

• Leave Copenhagen at 11:35 and change at Hamburg Hbf to arrive Cologne Hbf around 20:50.  Book this from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  From late June to mid-August you can also take the 13:37 departure from Copenhagen.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, although you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• 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.

• Then take an 06:44 from Cologne Hbf arriving Brussels Midi at 08:35.  Or there are later trains, of course.  Book this from €19 at www.b-europe.com as this can book both ICE and Thalys between Cologne & Brussels.

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Copenhagen to Luxembourg...

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Luxembourg by daytime trains in a single day, or you can split the journey with an overnight stop in Hamburg or Cologne.

• Go to www.bahn.de and book from Copenhagen to Luxembourg from €49.90.

• To pre-programme an overnight stop, click Add intermediate stops, enter Hamburg or Cologne and the number of hours stopover you want.

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Copenhagen to Paris from €74...

Option 1, by daytime trains in a single day...

• You can travel from Copenhagen to Paris by comfortable (indeed, luxurious) high-speed trains in a single day.

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 07:35, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 12:16.

  This train goes onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing from Rødby in Denmark to Puttgarden in Germany.  It's one of the few places in Europe where trains still go onto ferries, an interesting experience in itself!  You are required to leave the train and go upstairs into the ferry accommodation decks whilst the ferry is at sea, you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Cologne by comfortable InterCity train with bistro car, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 12:46 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 16:50.  You've time for a beer in Cologne, and a look at the cathedral right outside the station.

• Step 3, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train leaving Cologne Hbf at 18:43 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 22:05.

• How much does it cost? 

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

  Cologne to Paris starts at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book early for the best prices.

• How to buy tickets...

  First book from Copenhagen to Cologne at the German railways website www.bahn.de.  Then book Cologne to Paris at either www.thalys.com or www.b-europe.com.  You print your own tickets.

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Hamburg - a time-effective option...

• Leave Copenhagen at 15:35 arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:16.  Book this train from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, you can leave any big bags on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg, suggested hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.

• Next morning travel from Hamburg to Paris leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:24, changing just once at Mannheim to arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:51 with fares from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Book this at www.bahn.de or www.b-europe.com and print your own ticket.

Option 3, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Cologne - another time-effective option...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 11:35, changing at Hamburg Hbf and arriving at Cologne Hbf around 20:50.  Fares start at just €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class booked at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but can leave any big bags on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• 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, take the 06:44 high-speed Thalys train from Cologne Hbf arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 10:05.  Or there are later trains at 08:44 ort 10:44, of course.  Book this from €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class at www.b-europe.com and print your own ticket.

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Copenhagen to London from €98...

• See the London to Denmark page for routes, times, fares & how to buy tickets between the UK and Copenhagen, in either direction.

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Copenhagen to Basel, Zurich. Geneva & Switzerland from €43...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Switzerland using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper.  The time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by train, leaving Copenhagen at 11:35 and arriving Hamburg Hbf around 16:16 with fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Book this at www.bahn.de.  You can take the later 15:35 from Copenhagen arriving Hamburg at 20:16 if you like, but personally I'd play safe and take the earlier 11:35 departure with time for dinner in Hamburg.

  This train goes onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing although you can leave your luggage on the train.  You've time for dinner in Hamburg between trains.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Step 2, now take the excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 21:02 and arriving Basel SBB at 07:20 or Zurich HB at 09:05.  This train has couchette cars and double-deck sleeping-cars, see the Nightjet information page.  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in 4-berth, €99 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or from €129 in a single-bed sleeper. 

• Step 3, change in Basel for frequent Swiss domestic trains Geneva, Bern, Interlaken, Brig or Zermatt.  Change in Zurich for Chur, St Moritz, Klosters, Davos, Luzern.

• Book from Hamburg to any Swiss station you like at www.bahn.de, looking for the evening NJ departure and 0 changes if going to Basel or Zurich, or ideally only 1 change if going beyond to Luzern, Geneva, and so on.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Switzerland by daytime trains in a single day...

• There are a couple of daytime options, for example...

  Copenhagen depart 07:35, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Basel Bad Bf at 18:45.

  Copenhagen depart 11:35, change Hamburg Hbf & Karlsruhe, arrive Basel Bad Bf at 22:51.

• To buy check train times & buy tickets the easy way, go to www.loco2.com and simply book from Copenhagen to Basel, Zurich or any destination in Switzerland all in one go - but before running the enquiry, click More options and enter Mannheim.  All international credit cards are accepted and you'll get print-at-home tickets.

• To buy tickets at the German Railways site www.bahn.de you'll need to split the booking, as this site only sells tickets where your starting point or destination is in Germany.  If you're going to Basel, you can book from Copenhagen to Basel Bad Bf - Basel Bad Bf is one stop short of Basel's main Basel SBB station, and considered an extremity of the German rail network even though it's across the border inside Switzerland.  In principle, fares start from €39.90 though fares vary so book as early as the usual 180 day booking horizon allows and shop around for the cheapest date & departure.  If you're going anywhere beyond Basel - say Zurich or Lucerne or Geneva - first use www.bahn.de/en to book a cheap advance-purchase fare from Copenhagen to Hamburg, then use it again to buy another cheap ticket from Hamburg to major Swiss destinations.  You can also try splitting the booking elsewhere, say at Mannheim.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Switzerland by daytime trains with an overnight stop...

• You can travel from Copenhagen to a suitable stopover point in Germany on day 1, then on to Switzerland on day 2.  Possible stopover points might include Hamburg, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg.

• For example, you could leave Copenhagen at 11:35 and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:50.  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..  Next day leave Cologne Hbf at 07:55 arriving Basel SBB at 11:47 or Zurich at 13:00.

• Of course there are plenty of later trains if you'd prefer a leisurely breakfast.  Tip:  Click Add intermediate stops and type Koblenz in the via box if you would like a scenic ride along the old curvaceous Rhine Valley line past the famous Lorelei Rock.  This takes an extra hour compared to using the new high-speed by-pass.

• How to buy tickets:  Go to www.bahn.de and book from Copenhagen to your chosen stopover point on day 1, with sparpreis fares from €29.90 or €39.90 in 2nd class, €59.90 or €69.90 in 1st class.  Use www.bahn.de again to book from that point to any major destination in Switzerland, also from €39.90.  You print out both tickets.

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Copenhagen to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from €65...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Switzerland sleeper - the most time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by comfortable  train leaving Copenhagen at 11:35 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 16:16 with fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class, booked at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  This train goes onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ferries.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, though you can leave your luggage on the train.  You've time for dinner in Hamburg between trains.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Switzerland by Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 21:02 and arriving Zurich HB at 09:05.    This train has couchette cars and double-deck sleeping-cars, see the Nightjet information page. Fares start at €59 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in 4-berth, €99 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or from €139 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Deluxe sleepers with en suite toilet and shower are also available.  The sleeper & couchette fare includes a light breakfast, served in your compartment.  Book this at www.bahn.de as a second separate journey.

• Step 3, take the 11:09 ETR610 EuroCity train from Zurich HB arriving Milan Centrale at 14:35, and change in Milan for trains to anywhere else in Italy.  You can book from Zurich to any destination in Italy at either www.loco2.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, using Italian place names).

  The Zurich to Milan train is an excellent bullet-nosed EuroCity train which takes just 3h26 via the Gotthard route with fares from €19, then (depending on your destination) an onward Frecciabianca train from Milan to Verona Porta Nuova or Venice Santa Lucia with fares from €19, or a high-speed Frecciarossa train from Milan to Florence SMN from €19.90 or to Rome Termini or Naples Centrale from €29.90.  All booked as one transaction.  Zurich to Italy journeys are now ticketless, you just quote the booking reference when asked by the conductor on the train.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains with overnight stop in Munich...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich on comfortable ICE trains with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf.  Using www.bahn.de you'll see various departures from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class, for example Copenhagen depart 07:35, one easy change in Hamburg, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:42.  You print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen to Hamburg train goes onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing from Rødby in Denmark to Puttgarden in Germany.  It's one of the few places in Europe where trains still go onto ferries, an interesting experience in itself!  You are required to leave the train and go upstairs into the ferry accommodation decks whilst the ferry is at sea, but you can leave your luggage on the train.  The Copenhagen-Hamburg train is a Danish IC3 EuroCity train, the Hamburg-Munich train is usually a luxurious German ICE train with bistro-restaurant car.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

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

• Day 2, now travel from Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice by comfortable Austrian EuroCity train from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Trains leave Munich Hbf every couple of hours:  There's an 07:34 to Verona which at weekends goes direct to Venice Santa Lucia arriving 13:56.  Or there's an 09:34 for Verona and Bologna, change at Verona for Venice arriving 16:40, change at Bologna for Florence, Rome & Naples.  Or there's a daily direct train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia in central Venice at 18:10.

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

  To buy tickets for a direct train from Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice, use www.bahn.de or www.loco2.com.  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.loco2.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, enter Bologna Centrale instead) with a stopover duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection.  Loco2 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, for the Italian high-speed train it's ticketless, you just quote the reference on board.  Easy!

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Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain from €115...

Option 1, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Cologne...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class booked at www.bahn.de.  For example...

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:35, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 16:50.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:35, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:50.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, but you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Spend the night in a hotel 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 morning, take the high-speed Thalys train leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord at around 12:10, with fares from €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class booked at www.b-europe.com.  Booking normally opens 120 days in advance.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2 afternoon, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex from €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:34.

  This is an interesting & scenic ride, see the journey video here.  Book from Paris to Barcelona at www.loco2.com (anyone from any country, prices in €, £ or $) or www.trainline.eu (anyone from any country, no booking fees, with seating options, in €).  You usually print your own ticket.  It's often cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here.

• Step 4, stay overnight in Barcelona (see suggested hotels near the station) and book onward high-speed trains next morning from Barcelona to Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Alicante etc, using either www.loco2.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, no booking fees) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, can be fiddly to use) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in US$ with a small mark-up).  You'll find cheap Promo and Promo+ fares if you book in advance.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by comfortable EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 07:35, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 12:16.

  This train goes onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing from Rødby in Denmark to Puttgarden in Germany.  It's one of the few places in Europe where trains still go onto ferries, an interesting experience in itself!  You are required to leave the train and go upstairs into the ferry accommodation decks whilst the ferry is at sea, but can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Cologne by comfortable InterCity train with bistro car, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 12:46 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 16:50.  You've time for a beer in Cologne, and a look at the cathedral right outside the station.

• Step 3, travel from Cologne to Paris by high-speed Thalys train leaving Cologne Hbf at 18:42 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord around 22:05.

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by impressive 200mph double-decker TGV Duplex from €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.  From June to August there's an earlier departure at 07:15 arriving Barcelona 13:34.  It's a scenic and very comfortable journey, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

• Step 4, change in Barcelona for an onwards high-speed train from Barcelona Sants to Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Valencia, Alicante or anywhere else in Spain.  When the 07:15 from Paris runs, you can connect with a direct AVE leaving Barcelona around 15:50 arriving Malaga, Cordoba & Seville in the evening, with cheap Promo or Promo+ fares if you pre-book - unfortunately, no same-day connections to Seville or Malaga are possible off the 10:07 from Paris.  There are direct afternoon trains from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante too, just check times online as shown below.

• To buy tickets...

  Book Copenhagen to Cologne at www.bahn.de from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class with print at home tickets.

  Book Cologne to Paris at www.b-europe.com from €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class with print at home tickets.

  Book Paris to Barcelona from €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class at www.loco2.com (in €, £ or $, no fee) or www.trainline.eu (in €, no fee).

  Book onward tickets in Spain at either www.loco2.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, no booking fees) or Spanish Railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, a bit fiddly to use) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in US$, small mark-up).

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Copenhagen to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a single day as explained above.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to the Spanish border by TGV Duplex and overnight Sud Express sleeper train to Lisbon, arriving 07:30 on day 3, as explained in detail on the London to Lisbon page - just disregard the London to Paris bit.

• Change in Lisbon for trains to Porto & Faro.

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

Option 1, using the Hamburg-Vienna sleeper train - the time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 11:35 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 16:16, fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class booked at www.bahn.de with print-at-home tickets.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing.  You can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna overnight by excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 08:19 next morning.  It also calls at Linz, change at Linz for Salzburg.  This has a very comfortable Austrian sleeping-car and couchette car.

  Fares start at €59 with couchette in 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in 4-berth, €99 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or €129 in a single-bed sleeper.  Deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet are also available.  In sleepers & couchettes a light breakfast is included, served in your compartment.

  Book this train at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

Option 2, by day trains with overnight stop in Frankfurt...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne from €39.90 booked at www.bahn.de.  For example...

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:35, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 21:00. 

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, although you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels just outside the station with great reviews include the Hotel Hamburger Hof, The Frankfurt, and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 2 for Vienna or Linz, take any ICE train you like from Frankfurt to Linz & Vienna, for example the first one is at 06:21 arriving 12:45, but by all means enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they run every couple of hours.  Book this from €29.90 at either German Railways www.bahn.de or www.trainline.eu (check both sites as prices can differ!) with print-at-home tickets.

• Day 2 for Salzburg or Innsbruck, take any train you like from Frankfurt, for example the 06:54 will get you to Salzburg at 11:59, but by all means take a later one.  Check times from Frankfurt to anywhere in Austria from €29 at German Railways www.bahn.de or www.trainline.eu with print-at-home tickets.

Option 3, by day trains with overnight stop in Hamburg...

• Day 1, leave Copenhagen at 15:35 arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:16.  Book this train from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de with print-at-home tickets.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but you can leave your luggage in the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg, suggested hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.

• Day 2, take any morning train you like from Hamburg to anywhere in Austria, booked from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at either German Railways www.bahn.de with print-at-home tickets.

  For example, Hamburg Hbf depart 08:03, Vienna arrive 16:45 by direct ICE train with restaurant car.

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Copenhagen to Prague from €59...

Option 1, in a single day from €58...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg leaving Copenhagen at 07:35, change at Hamburg Hbf to arrive Berlin Hbf at 14:19.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ferries.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, although you can leave your luggage in the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

  In Berlin you've time to see the Reichstag and Brandenburg gate which are only a 10-15 minute walk from Berlin Hbf. 

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car leaving Berlin Hbf at 15:19 arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:35.  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.  By all means have a wander in Berlin and catch the later 17:16 to Prague, arriving 21:35.  Berlin's Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate are just 15 minutes walk from the station.

• To buy tickets...

  First book from Copenhagen to Berlin from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  Then book from Berlin to Prague from €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  It's also worth checking Copenhagen-Prague prices at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, which allows you to book Copenhagen-Prague all in one go.  They sometimes have cheaper prices than the Germans for exactly the same trains, and you also print your own ticket.  See my tips for using cd.cz.  Another benefit is that booking one ticket as one transaction guarantees onward travel if a delay means a missed connection, so you can safely book a tighter connection in Hamburg or Berlin than you'd want if booking each leg separately.

Option 2, by day trains with overnight stop in Hamburg - a time-effective option...

• Day 1, leave Copenhagen at 15:35 arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:16.  Book this train from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg EuroCity trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg, suggested hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.

• Day 2, take a direct EuroCity train from Hamburg to Prague booked from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket.

  For example, Hamburg Hbf depart 06:48, Prague Hlavni arrive 13:35.  Or Hamburg Hbf depart 08:51, Prague Hlavni arrive 15:27.

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

Option 3, by day trains with overnight stop in Berlin - another time-effective option...

• Day 1, leave Copenhagen at 15:35 by EuroCity train and change at Hamburg Hbf to arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:23 - Book this train from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  By all means take the earlier 11:37 for a pleasant evening in Berlin - Berlin Hbf is just 10 minutes walk from the Reichstag or 15 minutes walk from the Brandenburg Gate.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, although you can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

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

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague in just 4h20 from €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class on any train you like.  The 07:16 EuroCity train 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 a later train, they leave every two hours.

  Book this train at either www.bahn.de or www.cd.cz and print your own ticket- check prices on both sites.  Bag a seat on the left-hand side of the train for the best views along the scenic Elbe river valley south of Dresden.

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Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest from €63...

Option 1, by daytime train with overnight stop...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin.  You can leave Copenhagen as late at 15:35 by EuroCity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto a luxurious ICE train arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:23, or you can take the earlier train leaving Copenhagen at 11:35 for more of an evening in Berlin.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still go onto ferries.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but can leave your luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Berlin at www.bahn.de and simply print your own ticket.

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

• Day 2, take the comfortable modern EuroCity train Hungaria from Berlin to Bratislava or Budapest, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:17 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna 17:50 & Budapest Nyugati at 20:19.

  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!

  If you like you can check the train formation & see what the carriages are like at www.vagonweb.cz - click the UK flag for English, click composition then look for Czech Republic and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets from Berlin to Budapest at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

Option 2, by daytime trains to Prague then the EuroNight sleeper to Budapest...

• Step 1, take a EuroCity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg and from Hamburg to Prague.  A train leaves Copenhagen at 07:35, change at Hamburg Hbf arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:35.  Book this as one journey at www.bahn.de from €39.90.  You've time for dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

• Step 2, take the EuroNight sleeper train Metropol leaving Prague Hlavni at 23:57 and arriving Bratislava at 05:36 and Budapest Keleti at 08:35.  This has couchettes (4-berth and 6-berth) and a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments.  Book this journey at www.bahn.de.

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Copenhagen to Ljubljana & Zagreb...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich on comfortable trains with one easy change in Hamburg.  Using www.bahn.de you'll see various departures from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class, for example leaving Copenhagen at 07:35 with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:42.  Or leave Copenhagen at 11:35, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf around 23:14.  You print your own ticket.

  The Copenhagen to Hamburg train goes onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing from Rødby in Denmark to Puttgarden in Germany.  It's one of the few places in Europe where trains still go onto ferries, an interesting experience in itself!  You are required to leave the train and go upstairs into the ferry accommodation decks whilst the ferry is at sea, although you can leave your bags on the train.  The Copenhagen-Hamburg train is usually a Danish IC3, the Hamburg-Munich trains are usually luxurious German ICE trains with bistro.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

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

• Step 2, now depart Munich Hbf around 08:17 by air-conditioned Austrian railjet train, there's a quick and simple cross-platform change at Villach onto a waiting Slovenian and Croatian EuroCity train Sava, arriving Ljubljana around 14:31 and Zagreb at 17:10. 

  If you'd like a morning in Munich, there's a later 12:18 EuroCity train direct to Ljubljana and Zagreb.

  Book this train online at www.bahn.de (use this special link) with fares from €39.  The scenery across Austria is wonderful and the journey along the river Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb is a delight.

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Copenhagen to Belgrade, Sofia & Montenegro...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Budapest as shown above.  Allow plenty of time in Budapest for connections.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by daytime EuroCity train or overnight sleeper as explained here

• Step 3, travel from Belgrade to Sofia or Montenegro as explained here.

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Copenhagen to Warsaw & Krakow from €69...

Option 1, in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 07:35, changing at Hamburg Hbf to arrive Berlin Hbf at 14:19.

  The Copenhagen-Hamburg trains go onto a ferry for the 50-minute crossing between Rødby & Puttgarden, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships.  It's a fascinating experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing, but can leave your bags on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

  In Berlin you've time to see the Reichstag and Brandenburg gate which are a short walk away from Berlin Hbf.

  Book this train from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Poznan or Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 16:37 daily arriving Warsaw Centralna at 23:00.  Book this train from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de.

• If you're going to Krakow, stay overnight in Warsaw and take a Warsaw Centralna to Krakow train pre-booked from around €25 at www.intercity.pl, you print your own ticket.

Option 2, with overnight stop in Berlin...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin from just €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class booked at www.bahn.de.  You can leave Copenhagen at 15:35, one simple change at Hamburg Hbf to arrive Berlin Hbf 22:23.  But by all means choose the earlier 11:35 departure from Copenhagen for more of an evening in Berlin.

  These trains go onto the Rødby-Puttgarden train ferry for a 50-minute crossing, a fascinating experience.  You must leave the train and go up into the ferry's passenger decks during the crossing, but you can leave your larger luggage on the train.  See photos, tips & information for the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey.

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

• Day 2, travel by Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:37 Monday-Saturday, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 12:55, or at 09:37 daily arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:55.  Book this train from €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

• If you're going to Krakow, allow at least an hour in Warsaw between trains, then book a Warsaw Centralna to Krakow train for around €25 at www.intercity.pl.  You print your own ticket.

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Copenhagen to Moscow & St Petersburg...

Option 1, via Stockholm & Helsinki...

• Take a morning X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm then a comfortable overnight ferry to Helsinki as shown above. 

• Then take a lunchtime Allegro train from Helsinki to St Petersburg as shown here or the overnight sleeper train Tolstoi from Helsinki to Moscow, as shown here.  This option avoids Belarus and the need to get a Belarus transit visa.

Option 2, via Berlin...

• Take the 07:35 EuroCity train to Hamburg Hbf and change for a comfortable ICE express train to Berlin Hbf.

• Take the excellent twice-weekly overnight Berlin-Moscow Strizh (Swift) sleeper train see details here.  This train passes through Belarus, so you'll need a Belarus transit visa.

Option 2, via Berlin & Warsaw...

• Travel from Copenhagen to Warsaw as shown above.

• Then take the Warsaw to Moscow overnight train Polonez, which runs 3 times a week see details here.  This train passes through Belarus, so you'll need a Belarus transit visa.

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

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Copenhagen to Kiev & Ukraine...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Warsaw with an overnight stop in Berlin as shown above.

  Or travel in a single day, stay overnight in Warsaw and have a day free to explore.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kiev on the overnight Kiev Express, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 17:50 every day and arriving Kiev around 11:02 next day (day 3 from Copenhagen).  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and perhaps some wine or beer.

  The fare is around €57 including a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  The Kiev Express cannot be booked online, so use reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com who have an online ordering system at http://booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways. 

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Copenhagen to Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn

• Step 1, take a morning X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm as shown above.  I'd allow several hours in Stockholm between train and ferry, to allow for the station-ferry transfer and ferry check-in as well as any likely delay.

• Step 2, sail from Stockholm to Tallinn by daily overnight ferry as shown here, or from Stockholm to Riga by daily overnight ferry as shown here.

• Step 3, for Vilnius travel to Riga then take trains or a bus from Riga to Vilnius as shown here.

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Copenhagen to Athens & Greece...

Option 1, Copenhagen to Athens by train & ferry via Italy, the leisurely way...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Milan as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350 yards from Milan Porta Garibaldi station and gets good reviews.

• Step 2, take the 07:35 Frecciabianca train next morning from Milan to Bari along the Adriatic coast, from €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class booked at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names, no booking fee, read this advice on using it first).  In Bari, it's a short taxi ride or 25 minute walk to the ferry terminal.  Remember the 2 hour check-in for the ferry, and allow plenty of time.

• Step 3, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with a comfy cabin.  Most nights of the week a ferry sails from Bari at 19:30, arriving Patras 13:00 next day.

• Step 4, catch a bus from Patras to Athens, a few hours.

• See the London to Greece page for detailed train & ferry times, fares, photos and how to buy tickets.  Just ignore the London-Paris part!

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

• You can also travel overland by train from Copenhagen to Athens via Munich, Zagreb, Belgrade, Thessaloniki.

• First, travel from Copenhagen to Munich as shown above.

• In Munich you pick up the overland route to Athens shown on the London to Athens page.

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Copenhagen to Istanbul & Turkey

• Travel from Copenhagen to Vienna as shown above. 

• Then pick up the journey from Vienna to Istanbul explained in detail on the London to Istanbul page.

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Hotels in Copenhagen

Hotels in Copenhagen near the station...

• Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

Other hotel sites worth trying...

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

Backpacker hostels...

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

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Travel insurance & health card

Take out decent travel insurance, it's essential...

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

In the UK, try Columbus Direct or use Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many different insurers.

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

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

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get a spare credit card, designed for travel with no currency exchange loading & low or no ATM fees...

It costs nothing to take out an extra credit card.  If you keep it in a different part of your luggage so you're not left stranded if your wallet gets stolen, this is a form of extra travel insurance in itself.  In addition, some credit cards are significantly better for overseas travel than others.  Martin Lewis's www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money explains which UK credit cards have the lowest currency exchange commission loadings when you buy something overseas, and the lowest cash withdrawal fees when you use an ATM abroad.  Taking this advice can save you quite a lot on each trip compared to using your normal high-street bank credit card!

 

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