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 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...

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

Step 3, Zurich to Milan, Verona or Venice by EuroCity train.  This is a Swiss-owned Astoro train about to leave Zurich HB.  More information about Zurich-Milan trains.

2nd class seats, arranged 2+2 across car width.		1st class seats, 2+1 across car width.  See larger photo.

The restaurant car on an ETR610...		Lunch in the diner?

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 at 16:02.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.

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

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Innsbruck by excellent Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14.  See important Covid-19 update about this Nightjet service.

  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 €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 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.

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

• Step 3, take a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 11:24 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 14:58 & Bologna Centrale at 16:20.  There's a restaurant car for lunch, treat yourself!  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  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.

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket, or a 1st class ticket for the onward EuroCity train, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Innsbruck Hbf with complimentary tea & coffee.

  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.

  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.

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, book the Copenhagen-Hamburg train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  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.  Bookings open 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 just quote the reference on board.  A small booking fee applies.

Step 1, Amsterdam 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.

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

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

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

Mountains on the Brenner route...

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

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 by Danish intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 21:00.

  Fares from €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:01 and arriving Milan Centrale at 15:50.  This train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

  This train started running in December 2017, routed via the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest railway tunnel.  You get excellent views of Swiss mountains and Swiss and Italian lakes, see the photos and video of the Gotthard route here.

• Day 2, now take a high-speed Frecciarossa train from Milan Centrale to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples.  You can reach Venice Santa Lucia at 18:40, Florence SMN at 17:59, Rome Termini at 19:40.  I'd allow at least 40 minutes between trains in Milan.

  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 just quote your booking reference on board.

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

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:42.  Or leave Copenhagen at 11:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf at 22:38.

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

  Buy a ticket the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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

• 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 11:34 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 with a proper restaurant car 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. 

  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.  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 smartphone, for Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you just quote the reference on board.  Easy!

Step 2, Munich to Venice by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is the restaurant car on a EuroCity, 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.  More photos & information about these EuroCity trains.

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

Mountains on the Brenner route...

Back to top

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

Option 1, by daytime trains 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 16:50.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:50.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 Intercity train then Hamburg to Cologne by Intercity train.

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

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

• 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 at 12:05.

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats, see the guide to Thalys.  How to cross Paris by taxi or metro.

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  Booking normally opens 120 days in advance.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:08 & arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:46.

  The 320 km/h (200 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 en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly, no fee).  Booking normally opens 120 days in advance.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.  It's sometimes cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona, see 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.

  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 08:30 arriving Cordoba 13:12 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:02.  Fares start at €53.

  For Malaga:  Take the 09:00 AVE high-speed train to Madrid Atocha arriving 11:45, then the 13:00 AVE high-speed train to Malaga Maria Zambrano, arriving 16:05.

  Alternatively, or why not spend a morning in Barcelona and take the afternoon 15:50 AVE S112 high-speed train to Cordoba, Seville & Malaga arriving in the evening?  Fares for all these trains start at €45. 

  For Granada:  Take the direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Granada at 14:52.

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

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3...  This is an IC3 at Copenhagen.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of both 3-car units.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Cologne by Intercity train.  More information about German Intercity trains.

Lunch in the bistro car...		2nd class seats...

Step 3, Cologne to Paris by Thalys. with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Above, a Thalys arrives at Paris Nord.  See 360º photos inside a Thalys.  More information about Thalys.

Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across the car.  Larger photo.		Standard seats, 2+2 across.  Larger photo.

Step 4, Paris to Barcelona by TGV. These 320 km/h double-deckers link Paris & Barcelona.  Watch TGV Duplex video.		2nd class table for 4 on TGV Duplex upper deck...

1st class seats on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.		A TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants.  The red near the door indicates 1st class, pale green 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, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3 intercity train leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 12:04.

• 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, arriving Paris Gare du Nord around 22:05.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.  How to cross Paris by taxi or metro.

• Step 4, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:53.  From late May to late August there's usually an earlier departure at 07:14 arriving Barcelona 13:40.

  The 320 km/h (200 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.

• 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.  In summer when the 07:14 from Paris runs, you can connect with a direct AVE leaving Barcelona at 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 10:14 from Paris.

• How much does it cost?

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

  Cologne to Paris starts at €35 in 2nd class (standard) or €72 in 1st class (comfort).

  Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

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

• 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.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or en.oui.sncf (in €, a bit more fiddly to use, but no fee).

  Book 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 to use, but no fee) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in $, small mark-up).

Option 3, by daytime trains with overnight stops in Hamburg & Marseille - This option 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.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshoff Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews.  Other hotels next to 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, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Frankfurt by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 09:24 arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:00.

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Marseille by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 13:56 every day arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:49.

• 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 Barcelona & Madrid by AVE-S100 high-speed train, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:02 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:34 and Madrid Atocha at 15:41.  Enjoy great scenery across the South of France and around the southern end of the Pyrenees with superb views of Mt Canigou.

• Day 3, change in Barcelona for Spanish high-speed trains to Valencia or Alicante, or the 15:50 direct AVE-S112 high-speed train to Cordoba, Malaga or Seville arriving in the evening.  Barcelona to Malaga or Seville starts at around €45.

• 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 €59 in 1st class.

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Copenhagen to Hamburg.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Step 2, use www.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Marseille, but (and 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 the 10:24 from Hamburg with a risky 8-minute connection in Frankfurt, one simple 10-minute delay and you're toast.  So make sure it books you the 09:24 with time for a coffee at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

  Step 3, 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 en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly).  You print your own ticket.

  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).  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.

Back to top

Copenhagen to San Sebastian...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above,  leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf & Cologne Hbf and arriving  Paris Gare du Nord at 22:05.  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), Mercure Terminus Nord (3-star, directly across the road from the Gare Du Nord);  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 on the Spanish border by high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 09:52 and arriving Hendaye at 14:28.  A cafe-bar is available on board, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

• Day 2, 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 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.

Back to top

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.

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

The Sud Express, about to leave Irun on the Franco-Spanish frontier, bound for Lisbon...  Courtesy of Ron Baker.  See panorama photo...		Gran Clase sleeper, in evening mode with the seats folded out...		....return from the bar to find the attendant has made up the beds...		Gran Clase private toilet & shower...

The trainhotel's café-bar serves drinks & food.  Grab a barstool early, it gets crowded later on!		4-berth tourist class sleepers (Turista Cama) are cosy & inexpensive.  They convert from beds to seats as shown.  See panorama photo of 4-berth sleeper.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Andorra...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a single chill-out day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section 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), Mercure Terminus Nord (3-star, directly across the road from the Gare Du Nord);  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.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by high-speed TGV, you'll usually find one leaving Paris Montparnasse around 13:52 and arriving Toulouse Matabiau around 18:10.  fares start from €25.  Have dinner in Toulouse.

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

• How to buy tickets...

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

Back to top

Copenhagen to Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin & Germany from €27.90...

Option 1, by daytime trains...

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

  Change at Hamburg Hbf for connecting trains to Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich or anywhere else in Germany.  Copenhagen to Berlin takes 7h07 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.

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

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3...  This is an IC3 at Copenhagen.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of both 3-car units.  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 & Berlin by Berlin Night Express, twice a week March-September, daily in high summer...

• Step 1, take a local train from Copenhagen main station to Høje-Taastrup, a local station just west of the city centre.  These run every 10 minutes or so taking 15 minutes.  Buy this ticket at the station.  Don't cut it fine when connecting with a sleeper train!

• Step 2, travel from Høje-Taastrup to Hamburg & Berlin by Berlin Night Express...

  The Berlin Night Express runs on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 27 March to 29 September 2021, and every day 11 June to 5 September 2021.

  It leaves Høje-Taastrup at 22:45 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31 & Berlin Hbf at 08:52.  Check times at www.snalltaget.se as there's a later arrival in Berlin on certain dates.

  Private operator www.snalltaget.se has run a sleeper train between Malmö & Berlin twice a week in summer in previous years, and in 2021 it is being expanded to run direct from Stockholm & Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin, and for a longer operating period, too

  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.

The Berlin Night Express at Berlin Hbf, see www.snalltaget.se.  Courtesy of Stephen Barker...

The Berlin Night Express after being shunted aboard the Sassnitz-Trelleborg ferry above left and a 4 or 6 berth couchette compartment, above right.  From 2021 it may no longer run via the ferry.  Photos courtesy of Stephen Barker.

Back to top

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

Option 1, using the Hamburg-Austria Nightjet 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 16:02.

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Linz or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 09:19 next morning with another portion going to Innsbruck, arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14.  Change at Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg, arriving Salzburg at 08:48.

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

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

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

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3...  This is an IC3 at Copenhagen.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of both 3-car units.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

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

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, by day trains 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 21:00.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels just outside the station with good or great reviews include the Hotel Hamburger Hof, 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 12:45, but by all means enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they run every 2 hours.

  The 06:54 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf will get you to Salzburg at 11:59, but by all means take a later one, they leave regularly.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg & Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

• Book from Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg, or any Austrian destination at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  To build in the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Add intermediate stops 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 smartphone.

Option 3, by day trains 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.

Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshoff Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews.  Other hotels next to 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, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Salzburg or anywhere in Austria.  For example, a direct ICE train with restaurant car leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:03 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:45.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg & Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

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

• Book from Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg, or any Austrian destination at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Add intermediate stops 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 smartphone.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Gothenburg & Malmö...

• Copenhagen to Malmö...

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central every 20-30 minutes, no reservation necessary or possible, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next one.  Journey time 39 minutes.

• Copenhagen to Gothenburg...

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

An Öresund Link Train (Öresundtåg) from Copenhagen to Malmö & Gothenburg, seen at Malmö Central station.  The train crosses from Denmark to Sweden on the 1999-built Öresund Link tunnel & road/rail bridge...

Back to top

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

The Swedish government introduced border controls for entering Sweden in 2016.  Passport control for the direct Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 trains 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 Central, 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.  Update:  You may need to change in Malmo in first few months of 2021, due to Covid-19.

• Fares start at 254 Swedish Krona (around €28).  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

  Omio.com (formerly 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 reject overseas credit cards.  For step-by-step advice on using sj.se, click here.

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

  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.

A Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train boarding at Copenhagen main station...		2nd class seats on an X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm.

X2000 bistro car...		X2000 bistro car seating area...		Bistro self-service...

Snowy scenery from a winter train between Copenhagen & Stockholm. Courtesy of Radoslav Sharapanov

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

• Step 1, take an evening Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central, you can take the 20:47 departure or perhaps take 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.

• Step 2, take the excellent overnight sleeper train from Malmö to Stockholm, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays at 22:32 arriving Stockholm Central at 05:55.  Times may vary slightly.  Expect to board shortly after 22:00.  On arrival in Stockholm, you can remain on board until 07:00.  There's no sleeper train on Saturday nights.

  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.

• 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 smartphone.  The ticket allows you to take any Oresund 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 smartphone.

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 Malmo Central.  This is the sleeping-car with private 1 or 2-berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan...

Back to top

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 09:27, change Gothenburg Central (arrive 13:20, depart 14:15) arrive Oslo Sentral at 17:51.

  Copenhagen depart 13:27, change Gothenburg Central (arrive 17:20, depart 18:10) arrive Oslo Sentral at 21:51.

  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.vy.no and book from Goteborg C to Oslo S looking for a cheap Minipris fare.  You can choose to load your ticket into the Vy app, or download it in PDF format which you can either print out or simply show on your smartphone or laptop.  Then go to the Swedish website www.sj.se (no booking fee, see my advice on using it here) or www.tagbokningen.se (English button top right, small booking fee) and add a ticket from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central.  You print your own ticket.

• You'll also see journeys with 2 or 3 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 05:27, change Gothenburg Central, arrive Oslo Sentral at 13:51.

  Copenhagen depart 10:27, change Gothenburg Central & Karlstad, arrive Oslo Sentral at 21:24.

  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.tagbokningen.se (English button top 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.

Step 1, take an Öresund Train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg. One is seen here at Malmö Central station.  The Öresundtåg crosses from Denmark to Sweden on the 1999-built Öresund Link tunnel & road/rail bridge.  You need to switch trains and go through passport control at Kastrup.

Step 2, take a Norwegian train from Gothenburg to Oslo...  This is the Norwegian train from Gothenburg to Oslo, arrived at Oslo central.  Photos courtesy of Ivor & Ines Morgan.		NSB 'Komfort' class on the train to Oslo.

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 at 16:30 and arriving in Oslo at 09:45.

• The ships on this route are the Crown Seaways & the Pearl Seaways, with restaurants, bars, cinema and sauna.  All passengers travel in comfortable private cabins, even the standard cabins come with en suite shower & toilet and satellite TV.  To travel in luxury, treat yourself to DFDS's famous Commodore Class, some suites with private balconies with sea view.

  Make sure you're on deck in the morning when the ferry sails up the scenic Oslo Fjord, a stunning way to arrive in Norway.  You'll see coast on either side of the ship from about 07:00 and she enters the narrow part of the fjord by about 07:30.

• Fares start at around €120 for 1 person travelling solo including private standard cabin, or €120 for 2 people travelling together sharing a 2-berth standard cabin.  Considering the cost of hotels in Scandinavia, this is a real bargain.

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

• In Copenhagen the ferry terminal is about 4 km (3 miles) from Copenhagen main station, see map of Copenhagen showing DFDS ferry terminal, Taxis are available or you can take an 8-minute suburban train ride from Copenhagen main station to Nordhavn station from where it's a 10-minute 750m walk to the ferry terminal, easy enough even with luggage.  There's also a DFDS shuttle bus from Norreport station, see www.dfds.co.uk.

  At the DFDS ferry terminal, you can check yourself in at the self-service check-in machines just inside the entrance.  You enter your booking reference, scan your passport, and it produces your boarding pass/cabin key.  You then pass through a fairly nominal customs check and walk onto the ferry.

• In Oslo you can walk from the ferry terminal the city centre in 15-20 minutes, or you can take a taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between the ferry's arrival and any onward train from Oslo Sentral.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

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

The ferry is a floating hotel, with cabins, suites, restaurants, bars and entertainment.  The Pearl Seaways even features an outdoor jacuzzi but reportedly her sister ship Crown Seaways lacks this.  Courtesy of Andrew Leo.		1, 2, 3 or 4 berth standard cabin on the Crown Seaways with shower & toilet and satellite TV.  Larger photo.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

Commodore Class suite with double bed on board the DFDS superferry to Oslo.  Courtesy of Andrew Leo.

Scenery in Oslo Fjord on the voyage to Norway...  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Helsinki & Finland...

• Step 1, take a fast and comfortable X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm in just 5h from around €28 booked at www.sj.se.  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 usually cheaper to take the shorter sea crossing from Stockholm to Turku in Finland, from where an Intercity train takes passengers on to Helsinki's main station.  The Silja Line & Viking Line compete on this route too, with each operator running an overnight ferry and a daytime ferry.

  Step 1, book the Stockholm-Turku daytime or overnight ferry at either www.tallinksilja.com or 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 X2000 train, seen here at Copenhagen main station...		2nd class seats on an X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm.

X2000 bistro car...		X2000 bistro car seating area...		Bistro self-service...

Snowy scenery from a winter train between Copenhagen & Stockholm. Courtesy of Radoslav Sharapanov

Step 2, Stockholm to Helsinki by luxurious overnight ferry...  Sail direct from Stockholm to Helsinki by overnight ferry, a true floating hotel.  Two operators, Silja Line & Viking Line compete with almost identical timings.  Above, the massive Silja Symphony towers over the Silja Line terminal in Helsinki.  Photos courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com

Viking Line's Gabriela sails out of Stockholm en route to Helsinki.  Courtesy Jeremy Nicholls.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Prague from €37.90...

Option 1, in a single day...

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

  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 15:16 arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:36.

  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 16:59 to Prague, arriving 21:26.  Berlin's Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate are just 15 minutes walk from the station.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

• 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, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• To buy tickets...

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

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

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

Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshoff Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews.  Other hotels next to 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, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Prague by direct EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 06:48 & arriving Prague Hlavni at 13:36.  Or leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:51 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:36.

  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 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, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• To buy tickets...

  Book from Copenhagen to Prague or any Czech town or city at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Add intermediate stops 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 smartphone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin by train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf and arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:23.

  By all means take the earlier 11:26 from Copenhagen 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.

• 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 by EuroCity train on any train you like.  The 07:16 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:36 with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley, 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, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• To buy tickets...

  Book from Copenhagen to Prague or any Czech town or city at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  To build in the overnight stop in Berlin, click Add intermediate stops 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 smartphone.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3...  This is an IC3 at Copenhagen.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of both 3-car units.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Prague by EuroCity train, seen here calling at Berlin Hbf...

2nd class seats in classic compartments...		1st class seats in an open-plan 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.

Option 4, using the summer-only Copenhagen-Berlin sleeper...

• 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 at 15:36.

  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 16:59 to Prague, arriving 21:26.  Berlin's Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate are just 15 minutes walk from the station.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest from €63...

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

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train & arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:23.  Or take the earlier train leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 for more of an evening in Berlin.

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

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Berlin at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• 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 Bratislava or Budapest on the comfortable EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna 17:50 & Budapest Nyugati at 20:20.

  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 - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Czechia and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

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

  Book this train at www.bahn.de & print your own ticket.  In this case it cannot be shown on a mobile device, but must be printed out.

  Tip:  It's actually slightly cheaper to book from Copenhagen to Budapest as one transaction from €49.90, using the Add intermediate stops 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.

• Tip:  Overnight stop in Hamburg instead of Berlin?  I show the overnight stop at Berlin in this option, but you can equally well stop overnight in Hamburg.  The 15:26 from Copenhagen arrives Hamburg Hbf 20:02.  The EuroCity train Hungaria starts its journey in Hamburg, it leaves Hamburg Hbf at 06:48.  In Hamburg, the Hotel Reichshoff Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews.  Other hotels next to 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, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish IC3...  This is an IC3 at Copenhagen.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of both 3-car units.  More information about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

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

The Berlin-Budapest Hungaria with the latest air-conditioned Hungarian cars.  Photos courtesy of Siddhartha Verma.

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

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

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Prague, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto a comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car & free WiFi arriving Prague Hlavni at 19:36.

  Book this as one journey at www.bahn.de from €39.90.  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni 21:56 & arriving Bratislava Hlavna 05:36 & Budapest Keleti 08:35.

  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.

  Book this train at Czech Railways www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.

The Czech sleeping-cars from Prague to Budapest, boarding at Prague Hlavni platform 4...

Standard sleeper compartment, set up as a 2-berth, with the washstand open.  Each room can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Enlarge photo.		The same sleeper with berths folded away & seats folded out, blind up, washstand closed.		Standard sleeper compartments have a washstand with hot water, fresh towels, drinking water & soap.		Deluxe compartments are very similar, but with small en suite toilet & shower...

Option 3, by daytime trains to Berlin then sleeper to Budapest - same timings as option 2, but with an afternoon in Berlin...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto a comfortable ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi arriving Berlin Hbf at 14:20.  Enjoy an afternoon in Berlin...

  Book this as one journey at www.bahn.de from €37.90.  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf 18:43 & arriving Bratislava Hlavna 05:50 & Budapest Keleti 08:35.

  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.

A 2-bed double sleeper (above left) in the air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-car on the Metropol from Berlin to Budapest.  Above right, a morning view of the Budapest-Berlin couchette car (nearest the camera) and sleeping-car in the morning light... Each sleeper compartment has 3 beds and can be sold as a single, double or triple.  Sleeper compartments convert to comfortable private sitting room for evening use.  A light breakfast is included in the fare.  See larger photo.  See more photos of this type of sleeping-car. Photos courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania...

Option 1, via Vienna & 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 16:02.

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Linz or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 09:19 next morning with another portion going to Innsbruck, arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14.  Change at Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg, arriving Salzburg at 08:48.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €49 with couchette in 4-berth, or €69 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper.

  Book this train at the Hungarian railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.

Option 2, via Vienna & the Dacia Express to Romania...

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

Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshoff Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews.  Other hotels next to 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, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by ICE train with restaurant car, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:03 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:45.

  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.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Add intermediate stops 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 smartphone.

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, arriving Sighisoara 10:34, Brasov 13:35 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 16:04 (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-bistro is then attached in the morning between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks, snacks and breakfast.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat...

  Fares start at €49 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €89 with a bed in a 2-berth sleeper or €149 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper, all to yourself.

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

Step 2, Vienna to Romania by Dacia Express.  This is the Dacia Express couchette car at Vienna Hbf.  Couchettes convert from seats by day to bunks at night.		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

A 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.		The Dacia Express arrived at Sighisoara.  Sleepers convert from beds to private sitting rooms for day use.   Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Enjoy breakfast in the bar-bistro eastbound, or an evening beer westbound, as a bar-bistro is attached in Romania to both the Ister & Dacia Express.  Bar-bistro photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Option 3, via Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train & arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:23.  Or take the earlier train leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 for more of an evening in Berlin.

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

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Berlin at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• 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 Budapest on the comfortable EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:20.

  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 - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Czechia and click EC then look for the Hungaria.

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

  Book this train at www.bahn.de & print your own ticket.  In this case it cannot be shown on a mobile device, but must be printed out.

  Tip:  It's actually slightly cheaper to book from Copenhagen to Budapest as one transaction from €49.90, using the Add intermediate stops 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.

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  For an inexpensive hotel with great reviews right next to Keleti Station, try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel just across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by daytime train.

  The comfortable air-conditioned InterCity train Traianus leaves Budapest Keleti daily at 07:10 and arrives Arad 12:37, Timişoara Nord 13:27 & Bucharest Nord at 23:59.  A Romanian cafe-bar car is available for snacks & drinks.

  Another air-conditioned IC train leaves Budapest Keleti 10:10 via Simeria & Sibiu and arrives Brasov 00:55.

  Fares from Budapest to Brasov and other Romanian cities start at an unbelievably cheap €26 if you book in advance direct at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  For Bucharest, type Bucuresti.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Ljubljana & Zagreb...

Option 1, using the Munich-Zagreb sleeper...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:42.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, using thetrainline allows you to buy both tickets together in one place) or the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no fee).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  Have dinner in Munich before boarding your sleeper, for typical Bavarian food & beer I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Step 2, take the comfortable Croatian sleeper train Lisinski leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Zagreb at 08:35 next morning.

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

  Fares start at €49 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in 4-berth, €89 in a 2-bed sleeper or €129 in a single-bed sleeper.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, a bit more fiddly).  Bookings open up to 90 days ahead and you print your own ticket.

  Important:  Munich-Ljubljana-Zagreb sleeper train cancelled until at least 10 July 2021...  Major engineering work has closed the Karawanks Tunnel between Austria & Slovenia until at least 10 July 2021, and the Munich-Zagreb sleeper train is temporarily cancelled.  Please use another option until this work is completed and the sleeper train resumes.

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

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

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

• 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 €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class, for example leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:42.  Or leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf around 22:36.  You print your own ticket.

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

• Step 2, now depart Munich Hbf at 08:17 by air-conditioned Austrian railjet train, there's a quick and simple cross-platform change at Villach onto a waiting Slovenian and Croatian EuroCity train Sava, arriving Ljubljana at 14:32 and Zagreb at 17:12. 

  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.

  Important:  Engineering work affecting the Munich-Ljubljana-Zagreb route until at least 10 July 2021...  Major engineering work has closed the Karawanks Tunnel between Austria & Slovenia until at least 10 July 2021, and normal train service is suspended.  To find alternatives, run a Munich-Ljubljana or Munich-Zagreb enquiry at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  You'll find Munich-Ljubljana services with 1 change at Villach onto a rail replacement bus.  You'll find Munich-Zagreb journeys by train via the alternative Maribor route with 1 or 2 changes.

An early lunch in the Austrian restaurant car as the Alpine scenery flies by.  The first stage is on a smart Austrian EuroCity train from Munich to Villach...		Through the Austrian Alps...  Clinging to the mountainside high in the Austrian Alps, the train snakes along between snow-capped mountains, absolutely wonderful...

...and along the Sava river in Slovenia.  Now across the border in Slovenia, the EuroCity train runs along the pretty River Sava all the way to Ljubljana and Zagreb...		Comfortable seats:  The 2nd class seats in the Slovenian cars are arranged 2+1 abreast, the same as 1st class!

The EuroCity train Sava, arrived at Zagreb.		More scenery along the Sava between Ljubljana & Zagreb.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Belgrade, Sofia & Montenegro...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich & Zagreb, as shown in the Copenhagen-Zagreb section above.

• Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 13:04 and arriving Novi Beograd at 20:17 & Belgrade Centar at 20:25.

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

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

  Tip:  Although Belgrade Centar is slightly closer to the city centre, you have to rely on a single bus line.  Trams 7 & 9 link Novi Beograd station with the site of the now-defunct old Belgrade station on the edge of the old city every 5-10 minutes so you may prefer to get off at Novi Beograd and take a tram, see the Belgrade station page for more information.

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

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

Back to top

Copenhagen to Warsaw & Krakow from €49.90...

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

• Travel from Copenhagen to Warsaw, leaving Copenhagen 07:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:09.

  The journey involves a comfortable Danish IC3 intercity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg, a superb German ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi from Hamburg to Berlin, and a comfy Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car from Berlin to Warsaw.  In Berlin you've time between trains to see the Reichstag and Brandenburg gate which are just 10-15 minutes walk away from Berlin Hbf.

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

• Book from Copenhagen to Warsaw at the German Railways website www.bahn.de & print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.

• 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 or can show it on your smartphone.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Warsaw or Krakow with an overnight stop in Berlin...

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 by comfortable Danish IC3 intercity train, one easy change at Hamburg Hbf onto a superb German ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi, arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:23.  By all means choose the earlier 11:26 departure from Copenhagen and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star Meininger Hotel or InterCity Hotel are ideal as they are right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, relatively inexpensive and get good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, try the famous & historic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin 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.

• For Krakow...

  The direct Berlin-Krakow EuroCity train Wawel makes a welcome return from 13 December 2020:  Day 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:37 every day, arriving Katowice at 16:44 & Krakow Glowny at 17:39.  The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

• Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class, Copenhagen to Warsaw or Krakow all on one ticket.

• Book from Copenhagen to Warsaw or Krakow at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  To get the overnight stop in Berlin simply click Add intermediate stops, enter Berlin Hbf and a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours.  Adjust departure time and stopover duration as necessary to get the desired trains either side of Berlin.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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

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

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

Option 3, using the summer-only Copenhagen-Berlin sleeper...

• 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 Krakow by EuroCity train with restaurant car leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:37 arriving Krakow Glowny at 17:39. 

  Or Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Berlin Hbf at 13:42 arriving Krakow Glowny at 19:34. 

  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 16:59 to Prague, arriving 21:26.  Berlin's Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate are just 15 minutes walk from the station.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Kiev & Ukraine...

Option 1, using the Warsaw-Kiev Kiev Express...

• 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 Kiev Express, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 18:05 every day & arriving Kiev at 11:00 next morning.

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

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

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

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

Option 2, via Berlin & Przemysl...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto a comfortable ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi arriving Berlin Hbf at 14:20.  Enjoy an afternoon in Berlin...

  Book this as one journey at www.bahn.de from €37.90.  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Przemysl (on the Polish-Ukrainian border) by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43 and arriving Przemysl at 07:49.  The train has a comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with cosy 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and two Polish 2nd class seats cars.  There are no couchettes.

  Fares start at €69 with a bed in a 3-berth, €89 with a bed in a 2-berth or €109 with a single-bed sleeper.

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

• Step 3, travel from Przemysl to Lviv & Kiev by air-conditioned Ukrainian intercity train, leaving Przemysl 13:10 arriving Lviv 16:02, Kiev 23:09.

  Przemysl to Lviv costs around €7.10, Przemysl to Kiev around €13.40.

  Book at the Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua/en - if you have any problems contact reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com.

A 2-bed double sleeper (above left) in the air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-car on the Metropol from Berlin to Przemysl. Each sleeper compartment has 3 beds and can be sold as a single, double or triple.  Sleeper compartments convert to comfortable private sitting room for evening use.  A light breakfast is included in the fare.  See larger photo.  See more photos of this type of sleeping-car. Photos courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Moscow & St Petersburg...

Option 1, via Stockholm & Helsinki - avoids Belarus so no need to get a Belarus transit visa...

• 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.

Option 2, via Hamburg & Berlin...

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 by Danish IC3 intercity train to Hamburg Hbf and changing onto a comfortable ICE train to Berlin Hbf arriving 18:20.

By all means take the earlier 07:26 from Copenhagen if you'd prefer an even m ore robust connection.

Book this from €37.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Option 2, via Berlin & Warsaw...

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

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow on the daily overnight sleeper train, see details here.  This train passes through Belarus, so you'll need a Belarus transit visa, see my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

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

Back to top

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.

• Step 2, take the 07:35 Frecciabianca train next morning from Milan Centrale to Bari Centrale 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 more detailed train & ferry times, fares, photos and how to buy tickets.  Just ignore the London-Paris part!

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

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.

Back to top

Copenhagen to Istanbul & Turkey

• Step 1, 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.

Back to top

Hotels in Copenhagen

Suggested Copenhagen hotel:  Axel Guldsmeden

The Axel Guldsmeden Hotel is a stone's throw from Copenhagen main station, so handy for arrivals and departures, and has been descibed as 'cool but not pretentions' by travellers - worth taking a look!

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.

Back to top

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance...

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

In the UK, reliable insurers include Columbus Direct.

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

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

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

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

A Curve card saves on foreign transaction fees...

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

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

I have a Curve Blue card myself - I get some commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.

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

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi.  In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions.  And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN.  VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.