Back to top

An ICE3 at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.  More information about ICE...

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Back to top

Frankfurt to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from €39.90...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Italy in a day through the Alps - the scenic option...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:04 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 15:55.  This train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples by high-speed Frecciarossa train...

  For Venice, leave Milan Porta Garibaldi at 16:13 arriving Verona P. Nuova 17:28 and Venice Santa Lucia 18:42.

  For Florence, Rome or Naples, transfer from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.  A Frecciarossa leaves Milan Centrale at 16:58 arriving Florence SMN 18:50, Rome Termini 20:35, Naples Centrale 22:03.

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

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

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

The Munich to Venice Nightjet, on platform 12 at Munich Hbf.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Option 3, Frankfurt to Italy using the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps - the ultimate scenic route... 

• 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...

• Day 1, take an afternoon or evening train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Zurich HB in just 3h55, you can leave Frankfurt as late as 18:05, but by all means leave earlier and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something really special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the 4-star Hotel St Gotthard or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a tight budget you can book private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.  Alternatively, you could stay overnight in the smaller town of Chur.

• 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 the Zurich-Chur-Tirano-Milan schedule.

• How much does it cost?

  Frankfurt to Tirano starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  If you want to travel in the panorama carriages of the famous Bernina Express you must pay a modest reservation fee, details here.

  Tirano to Milan by regional train costs €12, fixed-price.

  Milan to Florence or Venice starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, book from Frankfurt to Tirano using the German Railways website www.bahn.de, use this special link I have set up.

  To get the overnight stop in Zurich, you click Stopover and enter Zurich HB and a suitable stopover duration, say 12h30, the special link does that for you, just enter passenger numbers and your date of travel.  In the search results, look for an option marked ICE, IC, D with arrival in Tirano at 12:49.  If you click show details the timings from Chur onwards should match those shown on the Bernina Express page.  Adjust the departure time & stopover duration to get an earlier or later train between Frankfurt and Zurich, some trial & error may be required!

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

  Step 2, if you want to travel in the panorama cars of the Bernina Express, make the necessary reservation following the instructions on the Bernina Express page.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You can travel in the Allegra unit that hauls the Bernina Express without any reservation if you like.

  Strep 3, buy the Tirano-Milan regional ticket on the day at the station, from the Italian station's cafe if the ticket office is closed or from the RhB station ticket office.  Or online at www.thetrainline.com.

  Step 4, buy an onward tickets from Milan Centrale to Florence, Rome, Naples or Venice at either www.thetrainline.com (in €, £, $ or Au$), 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.

Bernina Express 1st class seats...		the Bernina Express uses panoramic carriages...

The Bernina Express descends from the Bernina Pass...

Back to top

Frankfurt to Sicily...

• There are many and various ways to travel from Frankfurt to Sicily with many possible stopovers on the way.  But here's simplest & most epic:

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by ETR610 EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:04 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 15:55.

  EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Enjoy an afternoon in Milan and have an early dinner there.

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

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

  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.

  Transfer from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.

  Tip:  For dinner in Milan I recommend the inexpensive and typically Italian restaurant Nobelsse Oblige (ristorantenoblesseoblige.com) 5 minutes walk from Milan Centrale, see walking map.

• Step 2, 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, have your camera ready!  See the Trains to Sicily page for more information, photos & travel tips.

  Fares start at €39.90 with a couchette, €59.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print them out or show them on your smartphone.

Room with a view...  The sleeper travels overnight from Milan to southern Italy, then along the coast in daylight, often right next to the water, before being shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina to Sicily.  Courtesy Philip Dyer-Perry.

2-berth sleeper.  It converts to a sofa by day.  Larger photo		Yes, the train goes onto a ferry!  This is the Milan-Sicily sleeper train on board the train ferry crossing the Straits of Messina. Photos courtesy of Andrew Harris.

Back to top

Frankfurt to Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Malaga & Spain...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Barcelona & Spain in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:56 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 12:52.

  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  On Sundays, an earlier 06:56 departure is necessary.

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

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) and print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  If you'd rather buy all your tickets together in one place, book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) as these two websites connect to the German, French & Spanish railway ticketing systems.

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:56 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:25.

  This train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a fascinating journey with a lot to see on the way, from the Chateau de Montfaucon on the Rhone to Béziers 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 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck train for the best views.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  Hotels close to Barcelona Sants station with good or great reviews:  Hotel Barcelo Sants (4-star, great reviews, directly above Barcelona Sants station itself, recommended), AC Hotel Sants by Marriott (4-star, just 50m from the station), Hotel Catalonia Roma (3-star), Hostal Baler (2-star), Hotel Transit (1-star), Meeting Point Hostel (inexpensive private rooms & dorm beds).

• Step 3, take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona Sants next morning...

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in £ or €, both easy to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up, easy to use) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, rejects some overseas credit cards, in €, see this advice on using it).  Spanish train booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.

Option 2, Frankfurt to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Marseille - avoids having to cross Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Marseille by TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:57 and arriving Marseille St Charles 21:49.

  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee), Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Alternatively, If you'd prefer to buy all your tickets together in one place, book at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) as these two websites connect to the German, French & Spanish railway ticketing systems.

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

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Spain leaving Marseille St Charles at 11:24, change at Nimes, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:34.

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

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

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

  Fares from Marseille to Barcelona start at around €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

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

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

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

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

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

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

Frankfurt to Marseille by direct TGV Duplex, seen here ready to leave Frankfurt am Main Hbf.  Nimes to Barcelona is also by TGV Duplex.

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

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

Dinner from the cafe-bar...		View from the train, passing Béziers...

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees...  One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Perpignan to Girona, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.  More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.

Option 3, Frankfurt to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:56 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 20:41.

  Or there's a later train around 18:56 daily except Saturdays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 22:52.

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

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) & print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Alternatively, If you'd prefer to buy all your tickets together in one place, book at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) as these two websites connect to the German, French & Spanish railway ticketing systems.

  Cross Paris to the Gare de Lyon. 

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.

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

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

• Step 3, now take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante...

  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 15:45 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. 

  Find trains & buy tickets using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, rejects some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but it varies.

Option 4, Frankfurt to Paris by TGV, French sleeper train to the Spanish border & onward Spanish trains...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:56 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:41.

  The TGV Duplex travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the TGV-Est high-speed line, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.  Indeed, why not leave earlier and have dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz?

• Step 2, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz around 22:00.  Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving around 14:00.

  See the Paris to Barcelona by sleeper train page for full details, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.

• Step 3, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations next morning...

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

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:15 arriving Cordoba & Seville Santa Justa in the evening.  Fares start at around €45.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  A EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:50 and Alicante at 20:37.  Fares start from €23.

  Check Spanish train times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see my advice before using it).  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Barcelona.

Frankfurt to San Sebastian...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by high-speed ICE leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 06:56 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:52.

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

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

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) & print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Alternatively, If you'd prefer to buy all your tickets together in one place, book at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) as these two websites connect to the German, French & Spanish railway ticketing systems.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 12:11 and arriving Hendaye at 16:47.

  The high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.

• Step 3, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

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

Back to top

Frankfurt to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Lisbon via Barcelona & Madrid...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:54 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:41.

  A later 18:54 departure by high-speed ICE is also available on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:55

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

  Book this train the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) & print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.

  Alternatively, If you want to buy all your tickets together in one place, book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) as these websites connect to the German, French & Spanish railway ticketing systems.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Option 2, Frankfurt to Lisbon via San Sebastian & Vigo...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by high-speed ICE leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:54 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 12:54.

  On Sundays an earlier 06:56 departure is necessary.

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

  Book this train the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) & print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone.

  Alternatively, If you want to buy all your tickets together in one place, book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) as these websites connect to the German, French & Spanish railway ticketing systems.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 60 or 70 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish frontier by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 15:52 arriving Hendaye on the Spanish border at 20:28.  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €25 each way in 2nd class, €40 each way in 1st class.  The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.

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

• Day 1, at Hendaye walk out of the station and turn right, walk across the forecourt to the Euskotren station (www.euskotren.eus).  Buy a ticket and hop on the half-hourly local train to San Sebastian.  Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station takes 37 minutes - Amara (Euskotren) station is 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station.

• Stay overnight in San Sebastian.  The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station.  If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.  If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.

• Day 2, travel across Spain from San Sebastian to Vigo on one of these two possible departures:

  Morning departure, every day:  Travel from San Sebastian (Renfe station) to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving San Sebastian at 09:02 and arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:56.  Then travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00 and arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 20:12.  The comfortable high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar, standard & comfort class.  Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map.

  Afternoon departure, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays only:  Spend the morning in San Sebastian.  An Intercity train leaves San Sebastian (Renfe station) at 12:13 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 13:58.  This is a guaranteed connection into the Barcelona-Galicia Alvia train which leaves Vitoria/Gasteiz at 14:19 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar at 23:35.

  Tip:  There's a lovely relaxed cafe-bar at San Sebastian Renfe station, accessible from the forecourt or the near-side platform, just north of the main station building, ideal for a cafe con leche before your train.

  San Sebastian to Vigo starts at €23 each way.  The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.

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

  Tip:  If using the daily departure with a change in Madrid, you might need to treat San Sebastian-Madrid & Madrid-Vigo as separate bookings.

• Stay overnight in Vigo. The NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Vigo to Porto by air-conditioned regional train, leaving Vigo at 08:58 arriving Porto Campanhã at 10:20.  If you'd like to spend some time in Vigo, there's a later train leaving Vigo at 19:56 arriving Porto 21:18.

  The fare is €14.80, fixed price.

  This can also be booked at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens 60 days ahead, but this can vary.

• Day 3, take any suitable onward train from Porto to Lisbon, for example the 11:40 Alfa Pendular arriving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:30.  Fares start at €15.  Book this at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (in €, £ or $).

Back to top

Frankfurt to Andorra...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Andorra in a day...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by ICE train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:54 Monday-Saturday arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:38.

  On Sundays you can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 06:56 arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:38.

  The ICE train travels at up to 300 km/h on the TGV-Est high-speed line, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Check Frankfurt-Paris times for Sundays at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 70 minutes between trains in Paris.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 15:11 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 19:23.

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

  Have dinner in Toulouse...

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

• How to buy tickets...

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

  Buy the bus ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.

Option 2, Frankfurt to Andorra using the Paris-Toulouse-l'Hospitalet overnight train...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 12:54 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:54.

  The TGV Duplex travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the TGV-Est high-speed line, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.  Indeed, why not leave earlier and have dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz?

• Step 2, take the Intercité de Nuit couchette train leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:14 and arriving l'Hospitalet pres l'Andorre at 08:46.

  This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats.  Fares start at €35 including a couchette.

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

• Step 3, take a taxi or taxi+bus from l'Hospitalet station to Andorra La Vella as explained on the London to Andorra page - just disregard the London-Paris part.

• Alternatively, you can travel from Paris to Toulouse on another Intercité de Nuit couchette train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:45 and arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 07:05.  Have breakfast in Toulouse (I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel around the corner from the station), then take a bus to Andorra la Vella.  A bus run by Andbus (www.andorrabybus.com) leaves from outside Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 11:00, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 15:00. This is also explained in more detail on the London to Andorra page.

The intercité de nuit overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol has 1st class 4-berth & 2nd class 6-berth couchettes, each with lightweight sleeping-bag & mineral water...

Back to top

Frankfurt to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €27.90...

Frankfurt to Austria by daytime trains...

• Comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi link Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with Vienna Hbf in 6h24.

  There are also trains between Frankfurt and other cities in Austria, including Salzburg, Hallstatt, Graz or Innsbruck.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Check train times and buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Check www.thetrainline.com too, this connects to the Austrian Railways ticketing system.  You may find cheaper fares on the Austrian system than bahn.de on the same date & train.  You print your own ticket.

An ICE-T from Frankfurt to Vienna, at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.  More information about ICE-T.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant.  In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the ICE-T to Vienna...

You'll glimpse the Inn and Danube rivers from the Frankfurt-Vienna ICE...

Frankfurt to Copenhagen & Denmark from €39.90...

• You can easily travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by ICE train & Danish Intercity train, for example:

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 07:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 11:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 21:33.

  The Hamburg to Copenhagen Intercity trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) & Odense.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  The Frankfurt-Hamburg ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The Hamburg to Copenhagen Intercity train has free WiFi whilst in Denmark, but there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink.  More information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.

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

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 05:50, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 15:33.

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 07:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 09:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 19:33.

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 23:33.

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

• Book at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your smartphone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  I recommend clicking Stopover and entering Hamburg Hbf with a stopover duration of 00:40 (= at least 40 minutes), to get a robust 1h18 connection in Hamburg (with time for a coffee or beer!) rather than an 18-minute one.  The times shown above take that into account.

Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3...  This is the late afternoon Hamburg-Copenhagen IC3 leaving platform 5 at Hamburg Hbf on a busy summer day.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class, located at one end of both 3-car units.  More information about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Back to top

Frankfurt to Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmö from €59.90...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train, starting 1 September 2022 - the time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Hamburg Altona at 19:50.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train you don't want to miss.  Have dinner in Hamburg.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Altona at 21:19 & arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.

  Procured by the Swedish government and run by Swedish Railways SJ, the train has sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  The sleeping-cars are former Austrian Railways AB32s, refurbished.  More information about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

  Update: This train initially started with only 4 & 6-berth couchettes, but sleepers & seats should be added from 11 December 2022.

  Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  Book tickets at www.sj.se.

  Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train at Hamburg Altona, 1 September 2022.  The author rode this first departure...		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo.

Couchettes in day mode, en route to Stockholm.  Larger photo.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm...

Option 2, Frankfurt to Sweden with overnight stop in Hamburg...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Hamburg Hbf by ICE train in 3h37, there are regular departures right up until the evening.

• Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is just 200m from the station, features art deco-based design and gets great reviews.  Other hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

  An altered timetable applies from 17 June to 20 August 2023, see the timetable here.

• Day 2, catch a connecting train from Copenhagen to Sweden:

  If you're going to Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 14:21 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:36.  The 200 km/h X2000 train crosses the water from Denmark to Sweden over the impressive Öresund fixed link. 

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023, either take the 06:45 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 12:21 Copenhagen-Stockholm (arriving Stockholm 17:37), or the 10:53 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 16:21 Copenhagen-Stockholm (arriving Stockholm 21:38).

  If you're going to Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Goteborg Central by Öresund train, these leave every hour taking 3h53, also using the impressive Öresund fixed link.

• The German Railways sell through fares from Frankfurt to Stockholm from €56.90 in 2nd class.

  Book from Hamburg to Stockholm at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopover and enter Hamburg Hbf as a via station with a suitable stopover duration, say 11 hours, in the hh:mm box.  I have set up this special link to Bahn.de for you, just enter your date of travel and number of passengers.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Step 3 for Malmö or Gothenburg, Öresund trains run every 20-30 minutes from Copenhagen to Malmo taking 39 minutes, and hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg taking 3h53.

  The German Railways sell through fares from Frankfurt to Malmö or Gothenburg from €56.90 in 2nd class.

  Book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (listed as Goteborg Central) at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopover and enter Hamburg Hbf as a via station with a suitable stopover duration, say 11 hours, in the hh:mm box.  I have set up this special link to Bahn.de for you, just enter your date of travel and number of passengers.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Option 3, Frankfurt to Sweden with overnight stop in Copenhagen...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by ICE train & Danish Intercity train, for example:

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 07:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 11:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 21:33.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi - take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  See photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen intercity train.

• 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 Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, if travelling to Stockholm:  Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train in around 5h15, there are regular departures.  There's usually one leaving Copenhagen around 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central 13:34, by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one.

• Day 2, if travelling to Gothenburg:  Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Göteborg Central) by hourly Öresund train, journey time 3h53.

• How much does it cost? 

  German Railways sell Sparpreis tickets from Frankfurt to Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm from €59.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  The fare varies, book early for the best prices.

• How to check times & buy tickets...

  If travelling to Stockholm or Gothenburg, go to www.bahn.de and book from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Stockholm or Göteborg Central with a morning departure selected, but to see these cheap fares you must click Stopover, 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, a little trial & error is often needed!

  If travelling to Oslo, go to www.bahn.de and book from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Göteborg Central with a afternoon departure selected, but to see the cheap fares you must click Stopover 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.

Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train seen here at Copenhagen.  More about Hamburg to Copenhagen trains.

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

Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central.  More about X2000 trains.

1st class on an X2000.  Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden...

Option 4, Frankfurt to Gothenburg using Stena Line's Kiel-Gothenburg overnight ferry...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Kiel by train, leaving late morning.

  The journey takes around 5h00, you'll typically find a train leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 11:00 with 1 easy change in Hamburg.  However, you should book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train that arrives at Kiel Hbf around 2 hours before the ferry sails.

  Book the train at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  In Kiel, the ferry terminal is 750m from the station, a 9-minute walk, see walking map.

• Step 2, sail overnight from Kiel to Gothenburg by Stena Line ferry.

  The ferry normally sails at 18:45 and arrives around 09:15, but times may vary so check online.

  The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.  You can add dinner & breakfast to your ticket when you book.

  Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €75-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.

  Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

  In Gothenburg, the ferry terminal is a short taxi ride (or 4.3 km 53-minute walk) from Goteborg Central station, see walking map.

Back to top

Frankfurt to Oslo & Norway...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Oslo via Hamburg & Copenhagen - by train all the way...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen as explained above.

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

• Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train, leaving Copenhagen at 09:27, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 17:51.

  Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets here.

  Alternatively, spend a morning in Copenhagen, and after lunch take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 14:15 and arriving Oslo at 09:15 on day 3, as also shown here.  This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill.  Book the ferry at www.dfds.co.uk.

Option 2, Frankfurt to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious & scenic route to Oslo...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Kiel, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 05:06 Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Kiel at 10:10.  On Sundays, leave at 05:50, changing in Hamburg, arriving 10:57.

  Fares start at €17.50 in 2nd class or €26.40 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  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.

• 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 using the Direct Ferries website or at 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.

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.

Boarding the Color Line ferry to Oslo in Kiel...

A 5 Star Suite on the ferry...		More cruise liner than ferry!  The restaurant.

Wake up to this....

Back to top

Frankfurt to Helsinki & Finland...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest option...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 14:58 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:35.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

 I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Day 1, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by local train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines.

  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding from 22:30 to 24:00 and arriving Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal at 09:00 2 nights later (Day 3 from Frankfurt).  See the Trains from Hamburg page for full details.

  Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry at www.finnlines.com or using the Direct Ferries website.

• Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.

One of Finnlines 3 star class ferries to Helsinki.  Courtesy of Finnlines.		Cabin on the ferry...

Option 2, Frankfurt to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry...

Back to top

Frankfurt to Prague from €16 - yes, really...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Prague via Cheb - fastest & cheapest, from €16 - or €30 in 1st class!

Back to top

Frankfurt to Cesky Krumlov & other Czech destinations...

• You can book from Frankfurt to almost anywhere in the Czech Republic at the German Railways website www.bahn.de with through fares from €37.90.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  Also check times & prices using the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.  On cd.cz, booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

• For Cesky Krumlov (a lovely town, and the second most-visited place in the Czech Republic, see the Cesky Krumlov page) you need to book to Ceske Budejovice, not Cesky Krumlov, because the branch line between Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov is now run by private operator GWTR and German Railways can no longer ticket that part.

  So book from Frankfurt to Ceske Budejovice at www.bahn.de from €27.90, then buy the local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov either at the station in Ceske Budejovice from the distinctive green & orange ticket kiosk in the main hall, or on board the train using the self-service ticket machines, contactless cards accepted.  You can check train times from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov at www.gwtr.cz.

  Tip:  The easiest journey is with 1 change in Linz, but Bahn.de doesn't show any cheap fares for this route!  The solution is to split the booking, first book Frankfurt to Linz at www.bahn.de then book Linz to Ceske Budejovice at www.cd.cz.  It's a short connection in Linz, so I'd actually book Frankfurt-Passau at www.bahn.de then Passau-Ceske Budejovice at www.cd.cz, making sure the Passau-Linz part of your train-specific Czech ticket is for the same ICE train that your Frankfurt-Passau ticket is for.  Then your rights are protected if there's a delay and you miss the connection and can take a later onward train at no extra cost.

• For Karlovy Vary or Plzen, book at www.bahn.de, looking for 3-change options via Frankfurt, Nuremberg & Cheb from €18.90.

• For Brno, book Frankfurt to Brno at www.bahn.de.  It tends to route you via Vienna, as this is slightly quicker.  By all means click Stopover and enter Prague, this can be cheaper.  By adding a stopover duration of a suitable number of hours, you can have an overnight stop there.

Munich to Zagreb by sleeper.  Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb is boarding on platform 12 at Munich Hbf.  It has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use.  A light breakfast is included in the sleeper fare.  The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right, also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families.  Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.		Set up as a single-berth.		4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava...

More scenery along the river Sava...

Zagreb to Belgrade by Serbian train...

Back to top

Frankfurt to Warsaw & Krakow from €37.90...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Warsaw by in a single day from €37.90 - all in one day...

• You can travel from Frankfurt to Warsaw in a single day, for example:

  Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 09:02, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 19:35.

  Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 11:02, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 21:35.

  Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 13:02 daily except Saturdays, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 23:35.

• You travel from Frankfurt to Berlin on a superb ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then from Berlin to Warsaw on a comfortable Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car.  Take a good book, a bottle of wine and put your feet up...

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  I recommend clicking Stopover, entering Berlin Hbf with a stopover duration of at least 40 minutes, this gives you a more robust connection in case of delay.

Option 2, Frankfurt to Wroclaw & Krakow in a single day from €37.90 - Mondays-Fridays only...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Berlin by ICE train with restaurant car & free WiFi, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 05:58, arriving Berlin Hbf 09:53.

  A later departure is possible with a tighter connection in Berlin, but any delay means missing the once-a-day train to Krakow, so I recommend the earlier train shown here, Mondays-Fridays only.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 14:50, Katowice 16:58 & Krakow Glowny 18:01.

  The Wawel is a comfortable Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car.  Take a good book, a bottle of wine and put your feet up...

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

• Buy tickets at www.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  Click Stopover, 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 can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

Berlin to Warsaw or Krakow by EuroCity train.  This is the Wawel to Krakow at Berlin Hbf...

1st class on the Wawel to Krakow...		2nd class.  Some seats are in compartments.

Restaurant car...

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

Option 3, Frankfurt to Warsaw or Krakow with overnight stop in Berlin from €37.90...

• Day 1, travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin by ICE train in 3h59.  You can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf as late as 19:14 arriving Berlin Hbf at 23:27, but by all means take an earlier train and have an evening in Berlin.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star InterCity Hotel (my favourite) or Meininger Hotel are right next to Berlin Hbf, a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or 15 minutes from the Brandenburg Gate, relatively inexpensive with good reviews.  The Steigenberger Hotel is more upmarket, also right next to the station with great reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, the famous & historic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate.  If you're on a tight budget, the cheaper Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or see www.hostelworld.com.

• 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 11:42 with breakfast in the restaurant car.  Or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the daily 09:38 arriving 15:45.  By all means take a later train from Berlin to spend some time in Berlin.  The German capital is fascinating...

• For Krakow...

  The direct Berlin-Krakow EuroCity train Wawel made a welcome return in December 2020:  Day 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:39 every day, arriving Wroclaw 14:52, Katowice 16:57 & Krakow Glowny at 17:52.  The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de:  Enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Warsaw or Krakow, but click Stopover 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 show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  Tickets to Poland only go on sale 60 days ahead, but you can book from Frankfurt to Berlin up to 6 months ahead, adding a separate Berlin-Warsaw or Berlin-Krakow ticket when booking to Poland opens.

Back to top

Frankfurt to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Lviv & Kyiv via Vienna...

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Vienna, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:22 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:45.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Day 2 evening, travel overnight from Warsaw to Kyiv on the Kyiv Express sleeper train leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:49 and arriving Kyiv at 13:12 next day.  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 Kyiv as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.

• To book onward trains from Kyiv to Odessa and other places in Ukraine, see the Ukraine page.

The Kyiv Express.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper...		Washbasin...		Kyiv Express...

Back to top

Frankfurt to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

Option 1, Frankfurt to Moscow via Kyiv - avoids Belarus, daily departures.  Suspended due to sanctions.

• Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Kyiv as explained in detail above, taking a morning train to Vienna on day 1 and overnight sleeper from Vienna to Kyiv, arriving in late afternoon on day 2.

• Step 2, take one of the various Kyiv to Moscow sleeper trains, for example train 6 leaves Kyiv at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09 the next morning (= the morning of day 3 from Frankfurt).

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

  The fare is around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé 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 Kyiv to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect tickets at the station in Kyiv.  Feedback appreciated!

Option 2, Frankfurt to Moscow using the Berlin-Moscow sleeper train, twice a week.  Suspended due to sanctions...