 A German ICE train... |
This page explains how to travel by train from Frankfurt to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Train information is current for 2020.
Before you buy your
tickets...
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a 35 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel
FAQ...
Frankfurt to Cologne, Berlin, Munich & other destinations in Germany...
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Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof is the main station right in the city centre. Frankfurt Flughafen is the airport station, also served by many mainline trains. Click here for a station guide.
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With only one or two exceptions, German trains are never 'reservation compulsory' so you can always just turn up, buy a ticket and get on the next train without a reservation. However, there are cheap advance-purchase sparpreis fares for 19, 29, 39 etc. for long-distance journeys if you pre-book, so buy in advance if you want to save money. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead.
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www.bahn.de will book all German long-distance daytime trains and Nightjet sleeper trains. A seat reservation is usually optional, for a small extra charge. You print your own ticket or can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen. Alternatively, tickets can be sent anywhere worldwide for a small fee. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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See the train travel in Germany page for a beginner's guide to train travel in Germany, including how to buy tickets online or by phone and an explanation of the Schφnes-Wochenende-Ticket and Lander tickets.
Frankfurt to London...
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See the London to Germany page for train times and more information.
Frankfurt to Paris from 39.90...
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Superb German ICE trains with restaurant car and the occasional TGV Duplex with cafe-bar link Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with Paris Gare de l'Est in just 3h45 city centre to city centre several times a day using the 200mph TGV-Est high-speed line across France. Faster than flying!
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Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class, booking usually opens 120 days ahead.
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You can buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can load it into the DB Navigator app and show it on your smartphone. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
Tip: Click More means of transport and change admit changes to direct connections to see just the direct trains.
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A Frankfurt to Paris ICE boarding at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf... |
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Bistro-restaurant car... |
Lunch in the restaurant car... |
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2nd class seats... |
1st class seats... |
Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice...
Option 1, using the direct Frankfurt-Marseille TGV...
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A TGV Duplex leaves Frankfurt (Main) Hbf every day around 13:56 for Lyon, Avignon, Aix & Marseille, arriving Marseille St Charles around 21:49, with fares from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Book this at www.bahn.de (in , no booking fee) or Raileurope.com (in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies). You print your own ticket.
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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.
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Next morning, take any train you like from Marseille St Charles to Cannes or Nice from 15 booked at Raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies) or en.oui.sncf (in , a bit more fiddly, but no fee), you print your own ticket. Marseille to Nice takes just 2h35. There's wonderful scenery along the Cote d'Azur between St Raphael and Nice, past rocky headlands, bays, harbours and millionaires' villas.
Option 2, via Milan...
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by direct ETR610 EuroCity train leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:01 every day arriving Milan Centrale at 15:50 after a scenic ride over the Gotthard route.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Book this at www.bahn.de (in , no booking fee) or Raileurope.com (in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies). You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Milan. Hotels near the station with good reviews: Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to the South of France by Thello train leaving Milan Centrale at 07:10 and arriving Nice Ville at 11:58. Change in Nice for local trains to Antibes, Cannes, and so on. Fares start at 15.
Book this at Raileurope.com. It's ticketless, you just quote the reference on board.
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The direct Frankfurt to Marseille TGV Duplex, ready to leave Frankfurt am Main Hbf... |
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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. 360Ί photo. |
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1st class seats on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360Ί photo. |
The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck. |
Frankfurt to Brussels or Bruges from 29.90...
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Superb German ICE trains with free WiFi, power sockets at all seats & bistro-restaurant car link Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with Brussels Midi several times a day in 3h05.
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Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class, book ahead for the best prices.
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Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can load it into the DB Navigator app and show it on your smartphone. www.bahn.de can book tickets from Frankfurt to any Belgian destination including as Bruges, Antwerp or Ghent as one transaction for one inclusive price. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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An ICE3M at Brussels Midi. More information about ICE... |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Food is served on proper china with metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M. ICE3 classes 403 & 407 have a larger restaurant area. Larger photo. |
Frankfurt to Amsterdam from 29.90...
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Superb German ICE trains with free WiFi, power sockets at all seats & bistro-restaurant car link Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with Amsterdam Centraal several times a day, in just 3h57.
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Book these at the German Railways site www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can load it into the DB Navigator app and show it on your smartphone. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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Tip: Frankfurt-Amsterdam ICE trains cross the Rhine before entering Cologne Hbf, with the impressive towers of Cologne cathedral on the left right by the station. The train will then leave the same way it came in, re-crossing the Rhine before turning north. So don't be surprised when your train changes direction at Cologne, and crosses the same Rhine bridge twice! See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.
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An ICE3M to Frankfurt at Amsterdam Centraal. More information about ICE... |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Food is served on proper china with metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M. ICE3 classes 403 & 407 have a larger restaurant area. Larger photo. |
Frankfurt to Luxembourg from 19.90...
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You can travel from Frankfurt to Luxembourg by train from just 19, booked at the German railways website www.bahn.de. In the search results, look for journeys by train involving just one change at Koblenz. Avoid journeys involving a bus.
Frankfurt to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from 39.90...
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Superb German ICE trains link Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with Basel SBB & Zurich HB (3 hours 55 minutes), Bern (4 hours 6 min) Interlaken Ost (5 hours 7 minutes) at various times through the day, with connections for destinations all over Switzerland.
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Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
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Book these trains at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app and show it on your smartphone.
You can book through tickets from Frankfurt to places like Luzern, Zermatt or St Moritz this way, at one cheap price if you pre-book. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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An ICE3 at Frankfurt am Main Hbf. More information about ICE... |
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2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo. |
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Food is served on proper china with metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu. |
Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant on an ICE3M. ICE3 classes 403 & 407 have a larger restaurant area. Larger photo. |
Frankfurt to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from 39.90...
Option 1, in a day through the Alps - the scenic option...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by bullet-nosed ETR610 EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:01 and arriving Milan Centrale at 15:50. There's a restaurant car, and all seats have power sockets.
Fares from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
This train started running in December 2017, routed via the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest railway tunnel. But you still get excellent views of Swiss mountains and Swiss and Italian lakes, see the photos and video of the Gotthard route here.
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Step 2, allowing at least 40 minutes between trains in Milan, 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.
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Book from Milan to 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.
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Earlier or later departures are also possible, although now you need to change twice, at both Zurich (or sometimes Basel) and Milan. To find these journeys, use www.thetrainline.com. As this connects to both the German & Italian ticketing systems it is capable of booking as one transaction. For Frankfurt-Zurich trains you print your own ticket. For Zurich-Milan & onward Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you quote your booking reference on board.
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ETR610 train at Milan Centrale, as used on the Frankfurt-Milan EuroCity train & Switzerland-Milan trains. |
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2nd class table for four, ideal for families... |
1st class seats, 2+1 across car width. See larger photo. |
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The restaurant car on an ETR610... |
Dinner in the diner, northbound... |
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This is Lake Maggiore, seen from the restaurant car of the 11:25 Milan to Basel EuroCity train over an excellent lunch of salmon tagliatelle & excellent Swiss red wine... |
Option 2, by sleeper train - the time-effective option...
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An excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaves Munich Hbf at 20:10 and arrives Bologna Centrale 05:20, Florence SMN 06:19 & Rome Termini 09:22 with a portion for Milan Porta Garibaldi arriving 08:10.
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Another Nightjet sleeper train leaves Munich Hbf at 23:20 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:34. You can easily pick up these trains by taking a late afternoon train from Frankfurt to Munich.
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Nightjet fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139.90 in a single-bed sleeper. Deluxe sleepers with en suite shower & toilet are also available, and there's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment, see the Nightjet guide.
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First book the nightjet at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas payment cards no problem) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at. Bookings can open up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Then add a ticket from Frankfurt to Munich using the German Railways website www.bahn.de arriving in Munich at least 1 hour before the sleeper leaves. I'd choose a train arriving 2h before the sleeper leaves and have dinner in Munich before boarding your sleeper, for typical Bavarian food & beer try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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2-berth regular sleeper with washstand. Larger photo. |
The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper... |
A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Munich to Italy. More information about Nightjets. |
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Austrian couchette car or liegewagen. Couchettes are the economical option, flat bunks with rug & pillow. |
6-berth couchettes, the cheapest option... |
4-berth couchettes, ideal for families. Larger photo. |
Option 3, via Zurich & the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps - the ultimate scenic route...
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This takes longer and must be split over 2 days, but it's fabulous and well worth the extra time. It involves the most spectacular Alpine panoramic scenic train of them all, the famous narrow-gauge Bernina Express. And I'll show you how to do it really cheaply...
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Day 1, take an afternoon or evening train from Frankfurt to Zurich in just 3h55 from 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class.
You can lave as late as 18:05, but by all means leave earlier and have a pleasant evening in Zurich.
Book this at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Zurich. For something special, consider the wonderful Hotel Schweizerhof located right next to Zurich station. One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road. For something cheaper but also near the station with great reviews, try the Hotel du Thιatre or Hotel St Gotthard. If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com. Alternatively, you could stop overnight in the pleasant town of Chur instead.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to Chur early morning, then by the fabulous Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano and by afternoon connecting regional train to Milan Centrale. You can reach Venice or Florence or Rome that evening. See the Bernina Express page for full details of schedule, prices and how to buy tickets.
If you follow my advice here you can book Zurich to Tirano in advance from just 19.90. Tirano to Milan is 12 bought at the station.
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Onward tickets from Milan Centrale to Florence, Rome, Naples or Venice can be booked at www.italiarail.com (in , £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in ). You simply pay online and quote your booking reference (PNR) on board. If you use ItaliaRail (which can also book the Milan-Florence/Rome/Naples connection), they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR.
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Bernina Express 1st class seats... |
the Bernina Express uses panoramic carriages... |
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The Bernina Express descends from the Bernina Pass... |
Frankfurt to Sicily...
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There are many and various ways to travel from Germany to Sicily with many possible stopovers on the way. But the simplest is as follows:
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by bullet-nosed ETR610 EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:01 and arriving Milan Centrale at 15:50. There's a restaurant car, and all seats have power sockets. Enjoy an afternoon in Milan and have an early dinner there.
Fares from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
This train is routed via the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest railway tunnel, but you still get excellent views of Swiss mountains and Swiss and Italian lakes, see the photos and video of the Gotthard route here.
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Day 1, travel from Milan to Sicily on Italy's longest train ride, an epic direct sleeper train leaving Milan Centrale at 20:10 every night and arriving next day (day 2) at Catania 14:32, Siracuse 15:48 with another portion to Palermo arriving 16:56.
This train has 4-berth Comfort couchettes and a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments. It is ferried across the Straits of Messina to Sicily on a train ferry, a unique experience and one of the few places in the world where trains go onto ships. See the Trains to Sicily page for more information, photos & travel tips.
Fares start at 39.90 with couchette.
Buy tickets at Raileurope.com and print them out or show them on your smartphone.
Frankfurt to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...
Option 1: Frankfurt to Spain in one day, by high-speed trains...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:56 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 12:52, from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket. Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex from 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:08 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:46.
This train has a cafe-bar and all seats have power sockets. It's a fascinating journey with a lot to see on the way, from the Chateau de Montfaucon on the Rhone to Bιziers cathedral to the flamingos in the south of France to Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees, see photos & video about this journey here. I recommend an upstairs seat on this 200mph double-decker train for the best views.
Book this train at Raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies) or en.oui.sncf (in , more fiddly to use, but no fee). You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, stay overnight in Barcelona - see suggested hotels near the station - then take an onward high-speed train next morning from Barcelona to Madrid, Seville, Malaga etc. Book this using either 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). You'll usually find a direct AVE to Cordoba, Malaga & Seville leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30.
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Alternatively, the whole trip can easily be booked together in one place at Raileurope.com, as this connects directly to the German DB system and the French SNCF system and the Spanish Renfe system. Book from Frankfurt to Barcelona looking for the morning departure train with 1 change. Add this to your basket. If travelling beyond Barcelona, then book from Barcelona to anywhere in Spain for the following day, add to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction. All international credit cards are accepted, there's no booking fee and you'll get print-at-home tickets for all trains.
Option 2: Frankfurt to Spain with overnight stop in Marseille...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Marseille on the daily direct high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 13:56 and arriving Marseille St Charles around 21:49. Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
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Spend the night in Marseille, suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station: Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
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Step 2, travel from Marseille to Barcelona or 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. Marseille-Barcelona starts at 25 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Marseille-Madrid starts at 35 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class.
Book this train at Raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies) or en.oui.sncf (in , more fiddly to use, but no fee). You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, book onward high-speed trains from Barcelona to Madrid, Seville, Malaga etc, using Raileurope.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use in $, small mark-up) or Spanish Railways' own website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly to use, in , but no fee). You print your own ticket. You'll find a convenient daily direct AVE leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:50 arriving Malaga, Cordoba & Seville in the evening.
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Alternatively, this whole trip can easily be booked together in one place at Raileurope.com, as this connects to the German DB system and the French SNCF system and the Spanish Renfe system. Book from Frankfurt to Marseille looking for the direct afternoon train with 0 changes. Add this to your basket. Then book from Marseille to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Alicante or anywhere in Spain for the following day, add to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction. All international credit cards are accepted, there's no booking fee and you'll get print-at-home tickets for all trains.
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Step 1, Frankfurt to Marseille by direct TGV Duplex, seen here ready to leave Frankfurt am Main Hbf... |
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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. 360Ί photo. |
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1st class seats on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360Ί photo. |
The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck. |
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Step 2, Marseille to Barcelona by Spanish S100 AVE train, seen here at Barcelona Sants. More photos & information about these AVE-S100 high-speed trains |
2nd class seats, all with power sockets. Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends or above the seats. Panorama photo of 2nd class |
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Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees... Seen from the train and one of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline all the way from Girona to Perpignan... |
Option 3: Frankfurt to Spain with overnight stop in Paris...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:58 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 20:41. Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
Or there's a later train around 18:59 daily except Saturdays arriving Paris Est around 22:50. Cross Paris to the Gare de Lyon.
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Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:53. From late May June to late August there's also an earlier departure from Paris at 07:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:40.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class.
Book this at Raileurope.com, in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies.
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Step 3, now take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and so on. Same-day connections to Madrid, Valencia & Alicante are possible off both the 07:14 and 10:14 departures from Paris. If you take the 07:14 from Paris (summer only) you can connect with a direct AVE leaving Barcelona at 15:50 arriving Malaga, Cordoba & Seville in the evening. If you take the 10:14 TGV from Paris (all year) a same-day connection to Cordoba, Malaga or Seville is not possible, so you'll need to stay the night then there's an 08:30 AVE next morning. This can also be booked at Raileurope.com (in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies) or at www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, but no fee).
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You may prefer to book this whole trip together in one place at Raileurope.com, as this connects to the German DB system and the French SNCF system and the Spanish Renfe system. Book from Frankfurt to Paris looking for a convenient direct train with 0 changes. Add this to your basket. Then book from Paris to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Alicante or anywhere in Spain for the following day, add to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction. All international credit cards are accepted and you'll get print-at-home tickets for all trains.
Frankfurt to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by high-speed ICE leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 06:49 (06:58 Saturdays) arriving Paris Gare de l'Est some 3h50 later. Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Book this train at www.bahn.de.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex Ocιane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 12:52 and arriving Hendaye at 17:36. Fares start at 25. A cafe-bar is available on board, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Check times and buy tickets at Raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com - both sites can be used by anyone from any country, in , £ or $, a small booking fee applies. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Hendaye to Lisbon overnight on the Sud Express sleeper train leaving Hendaye at 18:35 and arriving Lisbon Oriente at 07:20 and Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 07:30 next morning.
Fares start at 37 with bed in a tourist class 4-bed sleeper, 132 with a bed in a preferente 2-bed sleeper, or 148 with a bed in a 2-bed gran clase sleeper with shower & toilet.
Book this train at Raileurope.com. Booking for this train only opens 60 days ahead, sometimes less than this, although sometimes more, give it a try but be aware that this can be the limiting factor.
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For Porto, book a connecting ticket from Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanhγ at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt, which is the only site that can book Portuguese trains. Alfa Pendular 125mph tilting trains or slightly slower InterCity trains leave regularly.
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For the Algarve, change at Lisbon Oriente for a train to Faro or Albufeira, book this at www.cp.pt.
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See the London to Portugal page for full details of the Paris-Lisbon journey with photos, simply disregard the London to Paris bit. If necessary, travel from Cologne to Paris the night before and stop over in Paris.
On board the Sud Express from Irun to Lisbon...
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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... |
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The trainhotel's cafι-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 tourist sleeper. |
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Frankfurt to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from 29...
Option 1, by daytime trains...
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Comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car link Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with Vienna Hbf in 6h24 from 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class, just check times & prices and buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. There are plenty of trains between Frankfurt and other cities in Austria, including Salzburg, Hallstatt, Graz or Innsbruck.
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Using www.bahn.de you print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app and show it on your smartphone. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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Top tip: Check www.thetrainline.com too, as this connects to the Austrian Railways ticketing system. Although fares also start from 29 or 39 I've often seen significantly cheaper fares on the Austrian system than bahn.de on the same date & train. You print your own ticket.
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An ICE-T from Frankfurt to Vienna, at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf... |
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Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes. |
Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! |
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You can see into the cab at each end of the train. |
Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna... |
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You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Frankfurt-Vienna ICE... |
Option 2, by sleeper train - the time-effective option...
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There's an excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train from Frankfurt Flughafen Regional platforms (23:54) or Frankfurt Main Sud (00:08) to Vienna Hbf arriving 08:27 and Innsbruck Hbf arriving 09:14. Simply use a local S-Bahn train to connect from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in the city centre.
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. Deluxe sleepers with en suite toilet & shower are also available. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the nightjet information page.
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Book the nightjet at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas payment cards no problem) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at. Bookings can open up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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2-berth regular sleeper with washstand. Larger photo. |
The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper... |
A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Frankfurt to Vienna. More information about Nightjets. |
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Austrian couchette car or liegewagen. Couchettes are the economical option, flat bunks with rug & pillow. |
6-berth couchettes, the cheapest option... |
4-berth couchettes, ideal for families. Larger photo. |
Frankfurt to Copenhagen & Denmark from 39.90...
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You can travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by ICE train and EuroCity train in around 9h35 with just one easy change at Hamburg Hbf.
Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride. The Hamburg to Copenhagen trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense. See photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen intercity train.
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You'll usually find departures from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 07:58 arriving Copenhagen at 17:33, and from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 11:58 arriving Copenhagen at 21:33.
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Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. fares are dynamic, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
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Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone or laptop screen. Tip: I'd change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes. The times above take that into account.
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A Danish IC3 train at Copenhagen station... |
1st class seats on an IC3 train... |
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2nd class seats on an IC3 train... |
Boarding a train to Copenhagen in Hamburg. |
Frankfurt to Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmφ from 69...
Option 1, by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Hamburg, from 59.90...
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Hamburg Hbf by ICE train in around 3h37. There are regular departures right up until the evening. Fares from just 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Book this at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:55 and arriving Copenhagen 13:33.
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For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by 125mph X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 14:10 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:38. Book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from 39.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket (book Hamburg to Stockholm using this special link which I have set up with the necessary parameters - just enter your date).
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For Malmφ or Gothenburg, Φresund Link trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg in 3h53 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmo in 39 minutes. You should book from Hamburg to Malmφ or Gothenburg (= Gφteborg Central) as one transaction from 39.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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For Oslo & Norway, travel as far as Copenhagen, then take the overnight cruise ferry with bars, restaurants and en suite cabins to Oslo, She sails from Copenhagen daily around 16:30, arriving in Oslo around 09:45, see www.dfds.co.uk for times, prices & online tickets.
Option 2, by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Copenhagen, from 39.90...
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by ICE train with bistro-restaurant car with just one easy change at Hamburg Hbf onto a Danish IC3 intercity train.
You'll usually find departures from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 07:58 arriving Copenhagen 17:33, or at 11:58 arriving Copenhagen 21:33. Take a bottle of wine and a good book and put your feet up!
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen... Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews: Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Bou]tique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
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Day 2, if travelling to Stockholm: Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by 125mph X2000 train in around 5h11, there are regular departures. For example there's usually one leaving Copenhagen around 08:20 arriving Stockholm Central 13:35, or have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one.
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Day 2, if travelling to Gothenburg or Oslo: Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Gφteborg Central) on any of the hourly Φresund trains, journey time 3h53. For Oslo, take the 09:27, change at Gothenburg and arrive Oslo Sentral (= Oslo S) at 17:51.
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How much does it cost? You can buy German Railways' sparpreis tickets from Frankfurt to Malmφ, Gothenburg or Stockholm for as little as 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. The fare varies, book early for the best prices.
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How to check times & buy tickets...
If travelling to Stockholm or Gothenburg, go to www.bahn.de and book from Frankfurt to Stockholm or Gφteborg Central with a morning departure selected, but to see these cheap fares you must click Add intermediate stops, enter Copenhagen in the via box and a time of (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box. This will give you a 12-hour stopover in Copenhagen. Click here for a link to bahn.de which I've set up for you. Adjust the overnight stopover time as necessary to get the trains you want.
If travelling to Oslo, go to www.bahn.de and book from Frankfurt to Gothenburg with a afternoon departure selected, but to see the cheap fares you must click Add intermediate stops enter Copenhagen in the via box and a time of say 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box. Click here for a link to bahn.de which I've set up for you. Adjust the overnight stopover time as necessary to get the trains you want. Now add a connecting Gothenburg to Oslo S ticket using either www.vy.no or www.sj.se.
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A Danish IC3 train at Copenhagen station... |
1st class seats on an IC3 train... |
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2nd class seats on an IC3 train... |
Boarding a train to Copenhagen in Hamburg. |
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The view from your seat as the IC3 train slowly runs onto the Puttgarden-Rψdby ferry. Courtesy of Adina Bogert-O'Brien. Interior & Hamburg photos above courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com. |
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A Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train boarding at Copenhagen main station... |
2nd class seats on an X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm. |
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X2000 bistro car... |
X2000 bistro car seating area... |
Bistro self-service... |
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Winter scenery from a train between Copenhagen & Stockholm. Courtesy of Radoslav Sharapanov |
Frankfurt to Oslo & Norway...
Option 1, via Hamburg & Copenhagen - by train all the way...
Option 2, Frankfurt to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo Color Line cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Kiel in as little as 4h46 on any suitable afternoon train from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways site www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Kiel. In Kiel it's just a 5-6 minute walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, but allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.
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Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges. The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning.
Check times & buy tickets online at the seat61 Ferry Shop or www.colorline.com. You print your own ticket.
Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord. The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre. Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis. If you have little luggage it's possible to walk. See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.
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This photo is taken from the exit of Kiel station, so you can see how close the ferry is. It's a 5-6 minute walk across the harbour, with a street lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you have reserved one of what Color Line call their "5 star suites", check in at the desk rather than the machines and you'll be directed to a special lounge to wait with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi. You'll also have priority boarding of the ship. Photos courtesy of Andrew Leo. |
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Boarding the Color Line ferry to Oslo in Kiel... |
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A 5 Star Suite on the ferry... |
More cruise liner than ferry! The restaurant. |
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Wake up to this.... |
Frankfurt to Helsinki & Finland...
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For Finland, you'll find ferries the best bet from either Travemόnde or Rostock in Germany to Helsinki, see www.finnlines.com.
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Then simply use www.bahn.de to find connecting trains from Frankfurt to Travemόnde or Rostock. Allow at least 2-3 hours between train and ferry to allow for any delay and the ferry check-in time.
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Busse? Nein Danke!Train tickets from 16 www.cd.cz... |
Frankfurt to Prague from 16 - yes, really...
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Unfortunately there's a problem with the German Railways website www.bahn.de on this route. If you ask it for Frankfurt to Prague, it keeps trying to put you on the DB-run motorway rail-replacement bus from Nuremburg to Prague, which of course you don't want, you want a train. It does show some all-train no-bus options via Nuremberg, but only with expensive 100+ full-flex standard fares. So here are two solutions for a comfortable and civilised all-train ride at cheap prices, some even cheaper than the bus...
Option 1, the fastest & cheapest route via Cheb - all train, no buses, from 16 - or 30 in 1st class!
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Go to the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English at top right, enter Frankfurt (Main) to Prague and - this is the important bit - click More options then Travel via and enter Cheb in the via box.
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In the search results, you should see journeys taking around 6h58 with fares from just 16 (around 442 Czech koruna) in 2nd class or 30 (800 koruna) in 1st class. They all involve taking a smart German ICE train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Nuremberg, a fast regional train to Cheb, then a swish air-conditioned Czech regional express similar to this one to Prague Hlavni. For example,
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 08:22, Prague Hlavni arrive 15:21.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 10:22, Prague Hlavni arrive 17:21.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 12:22, Prague Hlavni arrive 19:21.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 14:21, Prague Hlavni arrive 21:21.
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You print your own ticket. Simples! And so much nicer than enduring a bus. Booking opens 90 days ahead.
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There's nothing cut-rate about the trains on this route: You take top-quality high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt to Nuremberg with restaurant car & free WiFi, then a swish German air-conditioned regional train from Nuremberg to Cheb and a comfy air-conditioned Czech express train from Cheb to Prague with refreshment trolley and free WiFi. See more photos, video guide, information & tips on travel to Prague via Cheb.
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The easy & relaxed interchange at Cheb... The red train on the right is the German regional train arrived from Nuremberg. You cross to the blue Czech train on the left about to leave for Prague - although always check the departure boards as sometimes a faster train to Prague goes from an adjacent platform. |
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Scenery between Nuremberg & Cheb. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux. |
Hills & forest between Cheb & Prague. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux. |
Option 2, the scenic route via Dresden, from 39.90...
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This usually takes 50 minutes longer than option 1, but involves only one change of train, with high-quality express trains with bistro or restaurant car throughout, and great scenery between Dresden & Prague along the Elbe River valley, see photos of the Dresden-Prague scenery here.
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Go to www.bahn.de and book from Frankfurt to Prague, but before running the enquiry click Add intermediate stops and enter Dresden in the via box. I've set up this link to bahn.de for you, just enter your date and time. Look for options with just 1 change.
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You'll then see all-train options from Frankfurt to Prague using a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt to Dresden, and then a comfortable EuroCity (EC) train with elegant restaurant car along the scenic Elbe river to Prague. Sit on the left hand side for the best views of the river! This takes an hour or two longer than the bus, but it avoids a lengthy confinement in a cramped long-distance bus on an ugly motorway.
Fares from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class, you print your own ticket or can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 07:02 arriving Prague Hlavni 15:36.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 09:02 arriving Prague Hlavni 17:36.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 11:02 arriving Prague Hlavni 19:36.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 13:02 arriving Prague Hlavni 21:36.
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Stopover in Dresden? If you'd like to spend a few hours exploring Dresden on the way, no problem, click Add intermediate stops, enter Dresden and any stopover time up to 48:00 hours in the hh:mm stopover box. Dresden is well worth a stop, even for a few hours, left luggage lockers are available.
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So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. See more photos, tips & info for the Dresden to Prague train ride. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
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Frankfurt to Bratislava from 39.90...
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Take a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Vienna Hbf in 6h24 and change onto the hourly Regional Express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna taking 1h07.
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You can book from Frankfurt to Bratislava from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class at the German Railways website www.bahn.de - in the search results, look for options with just 1 change. Bratislava Hlavna (main station) is the best station to arrive at, closer to the city centre than Bratislava Petrzalka.
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Top tip: If you'd like more time in Vienna between trains - perhaps a stop for lunch or even overnight - simply click Add intermediate stops before running the enquiry at bahn.de, enter Vienna Hbf and a stopover duration up to 48 hours, and you'll still get a ticket from Frankfurt to Bratislava from 39, but with a pre-programmed stopover in Vienna.
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Top tip: It's sometimes cheaper to book Frankfurt to Vienna using www.thetrainline.com as this connects to the Austrian Railways system rather than the German, then buy an open 11.20 ticket from Vienna to Bratislava either at www.thetrainline.com or at the station in Vienna, no reservation necessary or possible, you simply hop on the next hourly Regional Express train to Bratislava Hlavna.
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The hourly regional express train from Vienna to Bratislava Hlavna, about to leave from Vienna Hbf. More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains. |
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Frankfurt to Budapest from 39.90...
Option 1, by daytime trains - the leisurely daytime option...
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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Frankfurt to Budapest from just 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. You print your own ticket or can load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone..
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The journey involves a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Munich Hbf with restaurant car then an equally excellent Austrian railjet train with restaurant car & free WiFi from Munich Hbf to Budapest Keleti. Total journey around 10h01, a chill-out day with a good book, take a bottle of wine and put your feet up...
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A railjet to Budapest about to leave Munich Hbf... |
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Railjet first class, with black leather seats... |
Business class... |
The restaurant... |
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Economy class on RailJet, in open saloons with picture windows. Some seats around tables, most unidirectional. |
The RailJet from Munich, arrived at Budapest Keleti spot on time. More photos & information about Railjet trains. |
Option 2, using the Munich-Budapest sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-saving option...
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Step 1, take any evening ICE train you like from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Munich Hbf in 3h15. You can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 18:54 but how about taking the earlier 17:54 and having dinner in Munich? For typical Bavarian cooking try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
Book this at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone. Tip: Book the sleeper first, then add the Frankfurt-Munich connecting train!
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Step 2, take the excellent Hungarian sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 09:19. this train has a comfortable carpeted Hungarian sleeping-car with 1,2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the Hungarian sleeping-car video, and an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. The sleeper fare includes morning tea or coffee.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas payment cards no problem) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at. Bookings can open up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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The overnight sleeper Kalman Imre from Munich to Budapest... |
2-bed sleeper. Larger photo |
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6-berth couchettes... |
4-berth couchettes |
Hungarian couchette car at Munich |
Option 3, using the Frankfurt-Vienna sleeper train - also a time-effective option...
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Step 1, take the excellent Nightjet sleeper train from Frankfurt Flughafen regional platforms (depart 23:54) or Frankfurt Sud (depart 00:08) to Vienna Hbf arriving 08:27. You can transfer from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Frankfurt Flughafen on any suitable local train, buy a ticket for that locally.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139.90 in a single-bed sleeper. Deluxe sleepers with en suite toilet & shower are also available. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. You print your own ticket.
Book from Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen or Frankfurt (Main) Sud to Vienna at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest, international payment cards no problem) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, just a bit more fiddly)
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Step 2, take the 09:42 Railjet train from Vienna Hbf to Budapest Keleti arriving 12:19.
Book Vienna to Budapest at www.thetrainline.com (easiest) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, more fiddly) from 19 in 2nd class, 29 in 1st class or 44 in Business class. You print your own ticket.
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2-berth regular sleeper with washstand. Larger photo. |
The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper... |
A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Frankfurt to Vienna. More information about Nightjets. |
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Austrian couchette car or liegewagen. Couchettes are the economical option, flat bunks with rug & pillow. |
6-berth couchettes, the cheapest option... |
4-berth couchettes, ideal for families. Larger photo. |
Frankfurt to Brasov & Bucharest from 79...
Option 1, via Vienna - the fastest & most comfortable option...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Vienna by ICE-T high-speed train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 12:22 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 18:45.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class.
Buy tickets at the German Railways site www.bahn.de & print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day and arriving Sighisoara 10:34, Brasov 13:35 & Bucharest Gara de Nord at 16:04.
It has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, plus several deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. It has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.
A Hungarian restaurant car operates between Vienna and Budapest, treat yourself to dinner. 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...
You can book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at from as little as 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.
In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes. You collect tickets from an ΦBB ticket machine in Vienna.
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The Dacia Express couchette car at Vienna Hbf. Always book a couchette not just a seat. Couchettes convert from seats by day to bunks at night. |
4 or 6-berth couchettes. Larger photo. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Option 2, via Budapest...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Budapest by daytime trains with 1 easy change of train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 06:20 and arriving Budapest Keleti around 16:49. Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. To check train times & fares and buy tickets use www.bahn.de.
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Step 2, take the EuroNight 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 comfortable train has 4 & 6 berth couchettes and a modern air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, also deluxe sleepers with 1 or 2 beds and shower/toilet. Fares start at 39 with a couchette or 59 with a bed in a sleeper. See photos of the Ister's sleeping-car & couchettes here. There's no restaurant car so take a picnic and bottle of wine.
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To book the Budapest to Bucharest train, use the Hungarian railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, clicking EN for English top left. You collect your tickets from the yellow ticket machines at Budapest Keleti station.
Frankfurt to Ljubljana or Zagreb from 29...
Option 1, by daytime trains...
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A direct EuroCity train leaves Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:20 arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:33 & Zagreb 20:53.
The train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian coaches, an elegant Austrian restaurant car is attached from Frankfurt as far as Villach on the border with Slovenia, so treat yourself to breakfast and/or lunch. The scenery through the mountains on the Tauern route through Austria is fantastic, and the scenery along the Sava river between Ljubljana and Zagreb is lovely, at least in summer when it's light.
Note that on departure from Frankfurt, only one 1st class compartment car, one 2nd class compartment car & one 2nd class open-plan car go through to Ljubljana & Zagreb, the rest of the EuroCity Blauer Enzian goes to Klagenfurt. The through cars to Ljubljana & Zagreb are detached at Villach and attached to two Slovenian cars to become the EuroCity Mimara from Villach to Zagreb.
If you like, you can check the train formation & see carriage photos & seat numbering plans using www.vagonweb.cz - Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria, click EC then select EC113 Blauer Enzian.
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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.
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Fares to Ljubljana or Zagreb start at just 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
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Buy tickets at the German railways website, www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone in the DB app.
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Through the Austrian Alps... Clinging to the mountainside high in the Austrian Alps, the train snakes along between snow-capped mountains, absolutely wonderful... |
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2nd class seats in an open-plan saloon. See larger photo. |
2nd class seats in a compartment. See larger photo. |
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...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... |
1st class seats in an Austrian 6-seat compartment with side corridor as used on the Blauer Enzian/Mimara... |
Option 2, using the excellent Munich-Zagreb sleeper train - safe, comfortable & time-effective...
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Step 1, take an evening ICE train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Munich Hbf from 19.90. Book this at the German Railways site www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone in the DB Navigator app.
I'd recommend allowing at least an hour between trains in Munich. You could take the 18:54 from Frankfurt, but how about taking the earlier 17:54 and having dinner in Munich? For typical Bavarian cooking & good Bavarian beer try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Step 2, take the excellent Croatian sleeper train Lisinski leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving at Zagreb at 08:35 next morning.
Fares start at 49 with couchette in 6-berth, 59 with a couchette in 4-berth, 89 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or 129 in a single-bed sleeper. It's an excellent modern train, see the Croatian sleeper video here.
Book this sleeper online at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket. Alternatively, tickets can also be booked at www.thetrainline.com, also with print-at-home tickets, and it's worth checking as this is sometimes cheaper.
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 Munich-Zagreb sleeper train resumes.
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The sleeping-car on the Lisinski: 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. |
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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. |
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 Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava... |
Frankfurt to Belgrade, Sofia, Montenegro...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Munich by superb German ICE train. You can usually leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 18:54 arriving Munich Hbf 22:06 (one hour earlier on Saturdays). Just make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Munich in case of any delay.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class.
Check times and book at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can load it into the DB Navigator app and show on your smartphone.
Why not take an earlier train and have dinner in Munich? For local Bavarian food and a beer or two before boarding the sleeper try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb by comfortable Croatian sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Ljubljana 05:57 & Zagreb 08:35 next morning.
The Lisinski 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 with washbasin or 129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, overseas payment cards no problem) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices but more fiddly). 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 Munich-Zagreb sleeper train resumes.
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Step 3, 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.
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Step 4 for Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade and take the train from Belgrade to Sofia next day (day 3) arriving in the evening. See the Belgrade to Sofia page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
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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.
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The Lisinski sleeper train from Munich to Zagreb. This is sleeping-car on the Lisinski arrived at Zagreb. 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. See larger sleeper photo. See the Croatian sleeper video. |
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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. |
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Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava... |
Frankfurt to Warsaw & Krakow from 37.90...
Option 1, Frankfurt to Warsaw by in a single day from 37.90 - all in one day...
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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Frankfurt to Warsaw using an ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin Hbf then a comfortable Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train with restaurant car from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna.
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Fares start at just 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
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Total journey around 9h55, a long day but take a good book, a bottle of wine and put your feet up.
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Check times & buy tickets at www.bahn.de, I'd recommend clicking Add intermediate stops, entering Berlin Hbf and a stopover duration of at least 40 minutes, this gives you more time to change train just in case of any delay.
Option 2, Frankfurt to Krakow in a single day from 37.90 - Mondays-Fridays only, starting 13 December 2020...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Berlin by ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 06:00 & arriving Berlin Hbf 09:54.
Note that a later departure is possible with a tighter connection in Berlin, but any delay would mean missing the once-a-day train to Krakow. I therefore recommend the earlier train shown above, running Mondays-Fridays only.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel with leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:37 and arriivng Krakow Glowny at 17:51.
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
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Buy tickets at www.bahn.de. Tip: Click Add intermediate stops, enter Berlin Hbf with a stopover duration of 40 minutes. This gets you the robust connection in Berlin as recommended above. You print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone.
Option 3, Frankfurt to Krakow using the Berlin-Krakow sleeper - why not spend a few hours in Berlin?
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Berlin by ICE train with restaurant car. Trains leave every hour or so, you could leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:02 and arriving Berlin Hbf 16:59, but by all means book an earlier train to have more time in Berlin, there are left luggage lockers available and Berlin Hbf is just 10-15 min walk from the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate, so even a few hours stopover is a worthwhile experience.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 49.90 in 1st class.
Book from Frankfurt to Berlin at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by sleeping-car, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:43, arriving Krakow Glowny (main station) nice and early (well, early) at 04:15 next morning.
This train has two seats cars and a safe & comfortable Polish sleeping-car bound for Krakow & Przemysl. The sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin plus two deluxe compartments with 1 or 2 berths & en suite toilet & shower. There are no couchettes on this train and no restaurant car, so bring a picnic & bottle of wine along, or have an early dinner in Berlin.
Prices start at 39 with a bed in a 3-berth, 54 with a bed in a 2-berth or 79 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.
Book the Berlin-Krakow sleeper at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.
Tip: Instead of getting off the sleeper in Krakow at silly o'clock, why not book it 3 stops beyond Krakow to a small city called Tarnow, arriving at a more civilised 06:19? It makes no difference to the price! Have breakfast in Tarnow, then take a daytime train back to Krakow for a few euros, you can be back in Krakow by 09:00. Book a ticket from Tarnow to Krakow at the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl. About the city of Tarnow.
Option 4, Frankfurt to Warsaw or Krakow with overnight stop in Berlin from 37.90...
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin by luxurious ICE train in 3h59. You can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf as late as 19:14 arriving Berlin Hbf at 23:24, but by all means take an earlier train and have an evening in Berlin.
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Stay overnight in Berlin, the 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews. If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate, 15 min walk from the station. More hotels in Berlin. If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.
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For Warsaw...
Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw on any Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train you like. Daily except Sundays the 05:43 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Warsaw Centralna at 11:28 with breakfast in the restaurant car. Or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the daily 09:37 arriving 15:32. By all means take a later train from Berlin to spend some time in Berlin. The German capital is fascinating...
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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 16:48 & Krakow Glowny at 17:51. The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.
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Fares from Cologne or Dusseldorf to Warsaw or Krakow start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class all on one ticket.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de: Enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Warsaw or Krakow, but click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin and the number of hours stopover you want, say 12:00. Adjust the departure time and the Berlin stopover duration to get the trains you want, with a little trial and error. You print your own ticket or can load it into the DB Navigator app to show on your smartphone.
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A Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train at Berlin Hbf... |
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1st class compartment car... |
2nd class open-plan car. Some seats are in compartments. |
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The bar... |
Decent food, served on proper china... |
Frankfurt to Lviv, Kiev & Ukraine...
Option 1, via Vienna...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Vienna, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:22 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:45.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kiev by direct Ukrainian sleeping-car. leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 every day and arriving next day (day 3) at Lviv at 10:14 & Kiev at 17:21. Introduced in December 2017, this train has a Ukrainian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-car is jacked up to have its wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').
Book the train from Vienna to Lviv or Kiev online at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. This will only book one-way or round trip starting in Vienna because tickets need to be collected from an ΦBB station in Austria. They cannot be collected in Ukraine. Booking this way you pay no fee or mark-up, just the official fare. The sleeper has become popular, it can sell out.
If you have any problems or want a one-way ticket starting in Ukraine, you can also book the Vienna-Kiev train via reliable agency www.polrail.com, with tickets posted or couriered to you for a small fee. Polrail are based in Poland so charge in zlotys, but as they have access to Ukrainian ticketing system they are good for booking this train.
Booked through oebb.at:
Vienna to Kiev costs 80.50 in a 3-berth sleeper, 90.50 in a 2-berth sleeper or 152.90 in a single sleeper.
Vienna to Lviv costs 62.10 in a 3-berth sleeper, 70.10 in a 2-berth sleeper or 119.30 in a single sleeper.
Booked through Polrail:
Vienna to Kiev costs around 138 in a 3-berth sleeper 149 in a 2-berth sleeper, or 241 in a single-berth sleeper.
Vienna to Lviv costs around 120 in a 3-berth sleeper 129 in a 2-berth sleeper, or 207 in a single-berth sleeper.
Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kiev to Vienna costs around 80, Lviv to Vienna around 60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.
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The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Kiev Pass. Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler. |
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The Vienna-Kiev sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf... Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler. |
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The sleeper corridor. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler. |
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1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment. |
Option 2, via Warsaw...
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Day 1, take a late afternoon or early evening train from Frankfurt to Berlin in around 4h10, booked at www.bahn.de from 29.90. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Berlin, the 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews. If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate, 15 min walk from the station. More hotels in Berlin. If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2 morning, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 daily and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:32. On Mondays to Saturdays there's also an earlier Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 05:43 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna 11:28. Fares start at 29.90, also booked at www.bahn.de.
If you take the earlier train you have some time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information. Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town. The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.
Tip: It's usually cheaper to book like this: Go to www.bahn.de and set up an enquiry from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Warsaw Centralna, click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin and a stopover duration of say 10 hours. You'll then get a through fare from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class with an overnight stop in Berlin built in. I have set up this link to Bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters entered. Adjust the departure time and stopover duration as necessary to get the trains you want in the evening and morning.
Alternatively, you could leave Frankfurt earlier on day 1 and go Frankfurt-Warsaw all in one day, and staying overnight in Warsaw rather than Berlin. That would also allow you to take the Sunday departure of the Warsaw-Kiev Kiev Express, as there's no connection from Berlin early enough on Sundays in this timetable period. And it would give you a half day to explore Warsaw.
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Day 2 evening, travel overnight from Warsaw to Kiev on the Kiev Express sleeper train leaving Warsaw Centralna at 18:05 and arriving Kiev at 11:00 next morning. This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 and 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 http://booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide. Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.
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To book onward trains from Kiev to Odessa and other places in Ukraine, see the Ukraine page.
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Boarding in Warsaw... |
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A sleeper compartment... |
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...with washbasin. |
Frankfurt to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...
Option 1, via Kiev - avoids Belarus, daily departures...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Kiev as explained in detail above, taking a morning train to Vienna on day 1 and overnight sleeper from Vienna to Kiev, arriving in late afternoon on day 2.
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Step 2, take one of the various Kiev to Moscow sleeper trains, for example train 6 leaves Kiev at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09 the next morning (= the morning of day 3 from Frankfurt).
The fare is around 92 with a bed in 4-berth kupι or 180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.
You can ask www.polrail.com to book this for you too, or you can book tickets from Kiev to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site https://booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya. You collect tickets at the station in Kiev. Feedback appreciated!
Option 3, using the new Berlin-Moscow Strizh sleeper train, twice a week...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Berlin from 19.90. For example, the 14:13 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arrives Berlin Hbf at 18:29, but by all means take an earlier train and have dinner in Berlin. Book this at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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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.
Option 3, using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper.
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Day 1, take a late afternoon or early evening train from Frankfurt to Berlin, it takes just 4h10 from 29.90 with regular departures, check times and buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. The 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hbf and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews. If you want to push the boat out, try the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate. More hotels in Berlin. If you're on a tight budget, see www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2 morning, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 daily and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:32. Fares start at 39.90, also booked at www.bahn.de.
Alternatively, on Mondays to Saturdays you can take the earlier 05:43 EuroCity train which gives you time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information. Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town. The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.
Tip: It's usually cheaper to book like this: Go to www.bahn.de and set up an enquiry from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Warsaw Centralna, click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin and a stopover duration of say 10 hours. You'll then get a through fare from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class with an overnight stop in Berlin built in. I have set up this link to Bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters entered. Adjust the departure time and stopover duration as necessary to get the trains you want in the evening and morning.
Alternatively, you could leave Frankfurt earlier on day 1 and go Frankfurt-Warsaw all in one day, and staying overnight in Warsaw rather than Berlin.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day (day 3 from Frankfurt). You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.
This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers. Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth. The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague. There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.
You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at http://booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.
Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.
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For St Petersburg it's best to travel via Moscow. Moscow to St Petersburg takes as little as 3h50 by daytime Sapsan trains, or can be done an a number of traditional overnight sleepers. See the train travel in Russia page to buy tickets within Russia.
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These modern sleeping-cars run from Warsaw to Moscow... |
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Frankfurt to Athens, Corfu & Greece...
Option 1, Frankfurt to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely option with an Adriatic cruise thrown in...
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The best and most comfortable option is to pick up a ferry in Bari. The whole scenic and relaxing journey to Athens will take around 2 nights & 3 days, depending how the connections work out on your particular date.
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Verona Porta Nuova via Munich and the scenic Brenner Pass from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Check times, prices & buy online with German Railways at www.bahn.de - you can use the adjust transfer time feature to increase the time between trains in Munich, otherwise it just gives you the minimum. I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in case of delay.
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Stay overnight in Verona.
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Day 2, take an early morning train around 07:50 from Verona Porta Nuova to Bari Centrale from 29.90 booked at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com. Make sure you allow at least 3 hours between between train arrival and ferry departure in Bari.
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Day 2, then sail across the Adriatic from Bari to Corfu, Igoumenitsa or Patras in Greece aboard a luxurious cruise ferry booked at www.superfast.com. She normally sails daily except Sundays at 19:30 arriving 13:00 next day (day 3). The ship has bars, restaurants, lounges, sun decks, reclining seats and cabins with en suite toilet & shower. It's a lovely crossing, see the photos below.
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Day 3, Patras is a few hours bus ride from Athens. If you hunt for it, there's a bus/train combined timetable from Patras to Athens on www.trainose.gr but it's pretty hard to find.
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The Milan to Athens part of this journey is covered in more detail on the London to Greece page, just disregard the London to Milan part of the recommended journey!
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2 or 4-berth cabin with private toilet & shower. |
Relaxing on deck... |
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At sea, passing Cephalonia & Ithaca. This is what travel to Greece should be like! |
Option 2, Frankfurt to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - a rail adventure across the Balkans...
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You can also travel overland by train from Frankfurt to Athens via Belgrade & Thessaloniki. It'll take 3 nights, with the romance and adventure of an epic train ride through the Balkans.
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Travel from Frankfurt to Munich by daytime ICE trains from 29.90 booked at www.bahn.de.
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In Munich you pick up the London-Munich-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens route explained in detail on the London to Greece page.
Frankfurt to Istanbul...
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You can pick up the London-Istanbul route suggested on the London to Turkey page in Munich.
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For details of how to buy tickets, see the London to Turkey page and just ignore the London-Munich part.
Hotels in Frankfurt & other cities
Other hotel sites worth trying...
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www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.
Backpacker hostels...
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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.
Travel insurance & VPN
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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...
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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.
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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.