 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 2018.
1st class passengers can use the 1st class lounge at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.
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.
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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 from 59.90...
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See the London to Germany page for train times and more information. The German railways website www.bahn.de can sell Sparpreis London tickets from anywhere in Germany to London from 59.90 in 2nd class or 109.90 in 1st class, you simply print out your own tickets. Availability is limited as DB only has a small quota on Eurostar. If you don't see any attractive prices, split the journey and book Frankfurt to Brussels at www.bahn.de from 29.90, then Brussels to London at www.eurostar.com from £44, making sure you allow for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in at Brussels.
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 simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
Tip: Click More means of transport and change admit changes to direct connections to see just the direct trains.
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A Mannheim to Paris ICE, at Paris Gare de l'Est... |
2nd class seats... |
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Bistro-restaurant car... |
1st class seats... |
Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice...
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A direct TGV Duplex leaves Frankfurt (Main) Hbf every day around 13:58 for Lyon, Avignon, Aix and Marseille, arriving Marseille St Charles around 21:50, fares from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class booked at www.bahn.de or www.loco2.com. 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 www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu, 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.
Frankfurt to Brussels or Bruges from 29.90...
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Superb German ICE trains link Frankfurt am Main Hbf direct with Brussels Midi several times a day in 3h05. In addition, there are frequent ICE trains from Frankfurt to Cologne Hbf, connecting with high-speed Thalys trains from Cologne to Brussels Midi.
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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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You can buy tickets at www.b-europe.com, the Belgian Railways international site, this sells both the direct ICE trains and the ICE + Thalys combo. You print your ticket on A4 paper (Letter size paper is fine) or you can download the SNCB Europe app and show the e-ticket on your smartphone.
Alternatively you can book the direct ICE trains at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or you can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.
Both these websites can book tickets from Frankfurt to any Belgian destination including as Bruges, Antwerp or Ghent as one transaction for one inclusive price.
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An ICE3 at Brussels Midi platform 5... |
ICE3 2nd class seats. Larger photo. |
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ICE3 1st class, with leather seats. Larger photo. |
ICE3 bistro car. See sample menu. |
Frankfurt to Amsterdam from 29.90...
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Superb German ICE trains link Frankfurt am Main Hbf direct with Amsterdam Centraal several times a day, in just 3h57.
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Book these at www.bahn.de, you print your own ticket or you can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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An ICE3 at Amsterdam Centraal platform 2... |
ICE3 2nd class seats. Larger photo. |
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ICE3 1st class, with leather seats. Larger photo. |
ICE3 bistro car. See sample menu. |
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 am Main Hbf with Basel & Zurich (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 you can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen. You can even 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.
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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Hop on a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt to Basel or Zurich in 4h10 and change onto a comfortable ETR610 EuroCity train from Zurich to Milan via the Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps in 3h26 - these trains now use the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest. Once in Milan, frequent high-speed Frecciarossa trains run to Florence SMN (1h40), Rome Termini (2h55) Naples Centrale (4h15) and Venice Santa Lucia (2h35).
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A new direct Frankfurt-Milan train started running on 10 December 2017, operated by a bullet-nosed ETR610 with restaurant car as shown in the photos below. It leaves Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:01, arriving Milan Centrale at 15:35. Change in Milan for high-speed trains to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples, allowing at least 40 minutes between trains. You can reach Venice Santa Lucia at 18:40, Florence SMN at 17:59, Rome Termini at 19:40. See if you can book through fares from Frankfurt to Venice, Florence or Rome at www.bahn.de, if not book Frankfurt-Milan at www.bahn.de and then Milan onwards to any other Italian destination at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
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To buy tickets, split the booking like this...
Step 1, book from Frankfurt to Basel or Zurich at the German railways site www.bahn.de as you'll find cheap fares available from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. You print your own ticket or you can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.
Step 2, buy onward tickets from Basel or Zurich to Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples or wherever from 9 upwards in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class at www.loco2.com (easy to use, recognises English-language place names, prices in , £ or $) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, no booking fee, read this advice on using it first). It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.
Do a dry run on both sites first. It's actually easier to start with step 2 as the Basel-Milan trains are less frequent. Find a suitable Basel-Italy option, then marry this up with a suitable Frankfurt-Basel train as these run every hour. I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Basel. If you don't find a suitable Basel-Italy train, try Zurich-Italy instead as these run every 2 hours.
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ETR610 train, as now used on all Switzerland-Milan EuroCity trains. |
2nd class seats on the stylish ETR610 EuroCity train... |
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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 arriving Milan Centrale 09:10, Florence SMN 06:19 and Rome Termini 09:22.
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Another Nightjet sleeper train leaves Munich Hbf at 23:35 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:24. 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 59 with a couchette in 6-berth, 69 with a couchette in 4-berth, 99 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139 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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The German Railways website www.bahn.de can book through tickets from Frankfurt to Rome, Florence or Venice this way, just look for an option with 1 change marked 'ICE, EN' in the search results. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems, book each train separately.
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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 times, prices and how to buy tickets.
If you follow my advice here you can book Zurich to Tirano in advance from just 29.90. Tirano to Milan is 12 bought on the day 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.thello.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 Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...
Option 1: Frankfurt to Spain in one day, by high-speed trains...
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Step 1, take a direct high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 08:56 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 12:50, 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 14:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:34.
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 www.loco2.com (can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, print-at-home tickets, any seat number above 60 is upper deck), www.raileurope.com (US residents, small fee added), www.raileurope-world.com (residents of Australia, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America) or www.trainline.eu (can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, choice of upper or lower deck, print-at-home tickets).
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Step 3, stay overnight in Barcelona (see suggested hotels near the station) and take an onward high-speed train next morning from Barcelona to Madrid, Seville, Malaga etc, booked using either www.loco2.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, no booking fees) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in , can be fiddly to use). 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 www.loco2.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, take the daily direct high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:58 and arriving Marseille St Charles around 21:50, 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.
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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 08:01 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:38 and Madrid Atocha at 15:45. 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 www.loco2.com (can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, print-at-home tickets), www.raileurope.com (US residents), www.raileurope-world.com (residents of Australia, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America) or www.trainline.eu (can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, print-at-home tickets).
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Step 3, book onward high-speed trains from Barcelona to Madrid, Seville, Malaga etc, using www.loco2.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, no booking fees) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use in US$, small mark-up) or Spanish Railways' own website www.renfe.com (a little fiddly to use, in ). 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 www.loco2.com, as this connects directly 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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A Spanish S100 AVE train 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, take a direct high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt around 16:58 and arriving Paris Gare de l'Est around 20:41, 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. 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 from 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34. From early June to late August there's also an earlier departure if you prefer, leaving Paris at 07:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:34.
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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 07:15 and 10:07 departures from Paris. If you take the 07:15 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 10:07 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.
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Alternatively this whole trip can easily be booked together in one place at www.loco2.com, as this connects directly 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, there's no booking fee if you use a credit card and you'll get print-at-home tickets for all trains.
Frankfurt to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal...
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Step 1, take the 06:58 ICE from Frankfurt to Paris Gare de l'Est in 3h50. Book this train at www.bahn.de from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Change stations in Paris.
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Step 2, leave Paris Gare Montparnasse at 12:52 by high-speed double-decker TGV Duplex for Hendaye on the Spanish border, arriving 17:35. Fares start from 25. A cafe-bar is available on board, there are power sockets at all seats and this train usually has free WiFi.
Check times and buy tickets at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu - both sites can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, and you print your own ticket.
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Step 3, take the overnight Sud Express trainhotel sleeper train leaving Hendaye at 18:35 and arriving Lisbon Oriente at 07:20 and Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 07:30 next morning. Fares from 37 with bed in 4-bed sleeper, 132 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, or 148 with a bed in a 2-bed gran clase sleeper with shower & toilet.
Book this at www.loco2.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. If you have problems booking it from Hendaye to Lisbon, book it Irun to Lisbon instead.
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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 class 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 simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
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Top tip: Check www.trainline.eu 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.
Option 2, by sleeper train - the time-effective option...
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There's an excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train from Frankfurt Flughafen (23:53) or Frankfurt Main Sud (00:07) to Vienna Hbf arriving 08:19. Simply use a local train to connect from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in the city centre.
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Prices start at 59 with a couchette in 6-berth, 69 with a couchette in 4-berth, 99 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139 in a single-bed sleeper. A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. Deluxe sleepers with en suite shower & toilet are also available.
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Book at German Railways www.bahn.de and print your own ticket. You can also buy tickets at www.trainline.eu, also with print-at-home tickets, and indeed this is sometimes cheaper as it sources prices from the Austrian Railways system.
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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 9h16 with just one easy change in Hamburg. Take a bottle of wine and a good book and put your feet up.
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You'll usually find departures from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:58 arriving Copenhagen at 18:26 & leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 12:58 arriving Copenhagen at 22:26.
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Fares start at just 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class, booked at German Railways www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop screen.
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The Hamburg to Copenhagen trains go onto a ferry between Puttgarden & Rψdby, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ships. It's an interesting experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, although you can leave your luggage on the train. See photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.
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A Danish IC3 train at Copenhagen station... Hamburg-Copenhagen trains are now EuroCity trains worked by Danish IC3 units like the one above. |
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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 to Hamburg by luxurious 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, booked online at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. Suggested hotels in Hamburg next to the Hauptbahnhof with good reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.
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Day 2, take the 09:28 EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen arriving 14:26.
The Hamburg to Copenhagen train goes onto a ferry between Puttgarden & Rψdby, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ferries. It's an interesting experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, but you can leave your luggage on the train. See photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.
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For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by 125mph X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 16:20 and arriving Stockholm at 21:40. You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from 39.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket (book Hamburg to Stockholm departing 09:28 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 3h48 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmo in 34 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 luxurious ICE train with bistro-restaurant car with just one easy change in Hamburg onto a EuroCity train.
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You'll usually find departures from Frankfurt am Main Hbf at 08:58 or 12:58 arriving in Copenhagen at 18:26 & 22:26 respectively. Take a bottle of wine and a good book and put your feet up!
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The Hamburg to Copenhagen train goes onto a ferry between Puttgarden & Rψdby, one of the few places in Europe where trains still get shunted onto ferries. It's an interesting experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the 50-minute crossing, but you can leave your luggage on the train. See photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.
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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 around 08:20 arriving Stockholm Central 13:39, or have a leisurely breakfast and take the 12:20 arriving 17:39.
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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 4h05. For Oslo, take the 08:27, change at Gothenburg and arrive Oslo Sentral (= Oslo S) at 16:52.
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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.nsb.no or www.sj.se.
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A Danish IC3 train at Copenhagen station... Hamburg-Copenhagen trains are now EuroCity trains worked by Danish IC3 units like the one above. |
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A 125 mph X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm. |
2nd class seating on the X2000. All seats have power sockets for laptops & mobiles... |
Self-service buffet car on the X2000 to Stockholm. |
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.
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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 Nuremburg & Cheb - all train, no buses, from 16 - or 30 in 1st class!
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Go the 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 7h10 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 08:19, Prague Hlavni arrive 15:31.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 10:19, Prague Hlavni arrive 17:31.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 12:21, Prague Hlavni arrive 19:31
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 14:21, Prague Hlavni arrive 21:31.
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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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The easy & relaxed interchange at Cheb... The red train on the left is the German regional train just arrived from Nuremberg. You cross to the blue Czech train on the right about to leave for Prague. Photo courtesy of Lennart Verbraeken. |
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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.
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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 07:16 arriving Prague Hlavni 15:35.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 09:20 arriving Prague Hlavni 17:35.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 11:19 arriving Prague Hlavni 19:35.
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf depart 13:19 arriving Prague Hlavni 21:35.
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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 to Vienna Hbf in 6h48 and change onto the hourly regional express from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava taking 1h06.
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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.trainline.eu as this connects to the Austrian Railways system rather than the German, then buy an open 10.50 ticket from Vienna to Bratislava either at www.trainline.eu or at the station in Vienna, no reservation necessary or possible, you simply hop on the next hourly train to Bratislava Hlavna.
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The hourly regional express train from Vienna to Bratislava Hlavna, about to leave from Vienna Hauptbahnhof. Tip: Behind the locomotive there's usually a smart Slovakian air-conditioned intercity coach, whilst the rest of the train consists of more basic non-air-con Austrian City Shuttle carriages, with interiors as shown in the photo above right. Find a seat in the more comfortable Slovakian car if you can! |
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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 easily book tickets from Frankfurt to Budapest from just 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. You print your own ticket.
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The journey involves a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt 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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Railjet first class, with black leather seats... |
Business class... |
Bistro-restaurant car... |
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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 to Munich in 3h15.
Bahn.de will suggest the 19:54 by default which is cutting it fine, I'd take the 18:54 just in case of any delay. How about taking the 17:54 from Frankfurt and having dinner in Munich? For typical Bavarian cooking try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Step 2, take the excellent Hungarian sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Munich Hbf at 23:35 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 09:24. 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.
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You can book the whole trip as one transaction at www.bahn.de from 49 with couchette or from 89 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper. I have set up this special link to bahn.de for you making sure you have enough time for the connection in Munich - look for the option with 1 change marked ICE,EN in the search results. For more time in Munich simply click Add intermediate stops and increase the stopover duration. You simply print your own tickets.
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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 Austrian Nightjet sleeper train from Frankfurt Flughafen (depart 23:53) or Frankfurt Sud (depart 00:08) to Vienna Hbf arriving 08:19. You can transfer from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Frankfurt Flughafen on any suitable local train, buy a ticket for that locally.
Book from Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen or Frankfurt (Main) Sud to Vienna at either www.trainline.eu (easiest, international payment cards no problem) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, just a bit more fiddly) from 59 with couchette in 6-berth, 69 with a couchette in 4-berth, 99 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or 139 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.
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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.trainline.eu (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...
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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 09:26 & Bucharest Gara de Nord at 12:05 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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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Frankfurt to Ljubljana or Zagreb from just 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class, using a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt to Munich then a comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb.
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I recommend using the Adjust transfer time feature of bahn.de to allow at least a 45 minute connection in Munich rather than the minimum default connectional time, just in case of a delay. In the search results, avoid any option shown as including BUS, as this is a cramped and downmarket bus. Look for all-train options, shown as ICE, IC, EC, or D. You print your own ticket, or can simply show it on your smartphone or laptop.
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This is a wonderful journey through the mountains of Austria via Salzburg and Villach, with more lovely scenery along the River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb.
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An early lunch in the Austrian restaurant car as the Alpine scenery flies by. The first stage is on a smart Austrian EuroCity train from Munich to Villach... |
Through the Austrian Alps... Clinging to the mountainside high in the Austrian Alps, the train snakes along between snow-capped mountains, absolutely wonderful... |
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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... |
Comfortable seats: The 2nd class seats in the Slovenian cars are arranged 2+1 abreast, the same as 1st class! |
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The EuroCity train Sava, arrived at Zagreb. |
More scenery along the Sava between Ljubljana & Zagreb. |
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 to Munich from 19. Book this at the German Railways site www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
I'd recommend allowing at least an hour in Munich between trains. How about taking the 17:54 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 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 23:35 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.trainline.eu, also with print-at-home tickets, and it's worth checking as this is sometimes cheaper.
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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...
Option 1, using the Munich-Budapest sleeper...
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Step 1, travel from Frankfurt to Munich by comfortable ICE train, leaving Frankfurt around 17:50, journey time 3h15.
Travel tip: By all means take an earlier train and have an evening in Munich, they leave every hour. 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 Budapest overnight on the comfortable Hungarian sleeper Kalman Imre leaving Munich Hbf at 23:35 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 09:24, with 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin, and 4 & 6 berth couchettes. Fares start at39 with couchette or 69 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper. Watch the Hungarian sleeping-car video.
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To buy tickets from Frankfurt to Budapest, go to www.bahn.de and book from Cologne to Budapest with departure time set to 17:00. In the search results you'll find a journey leaving around 17:55 with 1 change, marked ICE,EN arriving Budapest around 09:24. Tickets need to be sent to you, but will be sent to any address worldwide.
To allow longer in Munich for dinner or an evening wander, simple click Add intermediate stops, enter Munich and a stopover duration of however many hours you want.
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Step 3, now travel from Budapest to Belgrade by EuroCity train Avala, leaving Budapest Keleti station at 11:57 and arriving Belgrade Centar station at 20:41. The fare is just 15 - a permanently available unlimited special offer - which can be bought online at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on how to use mavcsoport.hu & how you collect your ticket. There's no equivalent 1st class offer, so just stick with 2nd class on this train, which is absolutely fine.
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Step 4 if you're heading for Sofia, spend the night in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva - and take the daytime train to Sofia next day. From 15 June to 17 September 2018 there's a direct train called the Balkan which leaves Belgrade Topcider station at 09:06 and arriving Sofia Central Station at 20:12. 2nd class only, bring your own picnic and bottle of wine as there's no catering. At other times of year you leave Belgrade Centar station at 04:00, change at Nis & Plovdiv arriving Sofia at 18:50. Buy this ticket at the station for 20.60, there are always places available, even on the day. It cannot be booked online, and there's no need.
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Step 4 if you're heading for Montenegro, spend the night in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva - and take either the daytime train or sleeper train to Montenegro next day. A daytime and overnight train run from Belgrade Topcider station to Podgorica and Bar over one of the most scenic lines in Europe, for times, fares & photos see the Belgrade to Montenegro page. Change at Podgorica for a bus to Budva or Kotor.
Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Budapest...
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt to Budapest from 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class with one easy change in Munich. Check times & prices and buy print-at-home tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You'll need to leave around 09:55 arriving around 20:20, but various departures are available.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. For an inexpensive hotel with great reviews right next to Keleti Station, try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, now travel from Budapest to Belgrade by EuroCity train Ivo Andric, leaving Budapest Keleti at 07:57 and arriving Belgrade Centar station at 16:45 - or take the later 11:57 if you prefer. The fare is just 15 - a permanently available unlimited special offer - bought online at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on how to use mavcsoport.hu & how you collect your tickets. There's no equivalent 1st class offer, so just stick with 2nd class on this train, which is absolutely fine.
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If you're heading for Sofia, spend the night in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva - and take the daytime train to Sofia next day. From 15 June to 17 September 2018 there's a direct train called the Balkan which leaves Belgrade Topcider station at 09:06 arriving Sofia Central Station at 20:12. 2nd class only, bring your own picnic and bottle of wine as there's no catering. At other times of year you leave Belgrade at 06:20, change at Nis & Plovdiv arriving Sofia at 18:50. Buy this ticket at the station for 20.60, there are always places available, even on the day. It cannot be booked online, and there's no need.
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If you're heading for Montenegro, spend the night in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva - and take either the daytime train or sleeper train to Montenegro next day. A daytime and overnight train run from Belgrade Topcider station to Podgorica and Bar over one of the most scenic lines in Europe, for times, fares & photos see the Belgrade to Montenegro page. Change at Podgorica for a bus to Budva or Kotor.
Frankfurt to Warsaw & Krakow from 39.90...
Option 1, by daytime trains from 39.90 - all in one day...
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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Frankfurt to Warsaw Centralna using a luxurious ICE train from Frankfurt to Berlin then a comfortable Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train with bistro car to Warsaw, all from just 39.90 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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However, I'd recommend clicking Add intermediate stops, entering Berlin Hbf and a stopover duration of at least 45 minutes, this gives you more time to change train just in case of any delay.
Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Berlin from 39.90 - a time-effective option with a chance to see Berlin...
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Day 1, travel from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Berlin by luxurious ICE train in 3h59. You can leave as late as 19:13 arriving Berlin Hbf at 23:32, 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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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw in around 6h on any Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train you like. Daily except Sundays the 06:37 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Warsaw Centralna at 12:55 with breakfast in the bistro car - or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the daily 09:37 arriving 15:55.
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Book from Frankfurt to Warsaw as one transaction at www.bahn.de/en, but click Add intermediate stops and enter Berlin and a suitable stopover duration, say 9 hours. I have set up this special link to bahn.de for you, just enter your date of travel. For an earlier departure from Frankfurt or a later train from Berlin to Warsaw, click Add intermediate stops and adjust departure time and stopover duration to get the trains you want.
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The Berlin to Warsaw EuroCity trains have modern air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class coaches, most with compartments and side corridor like this, others with open-plan seating. |
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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 08:19 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 09:10 & Kiev at 16:11. Introduced in December 2017, this train has a Ukrainian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. An air-conditioned Slovakian restaurant car operates from Vienna to Zahony, on the border with Ukraine reached around midnight. 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 an 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 06:37 daily except Sundays and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 12:55. Or there's a later Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:37 every day and arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:55. Fares start at 29.90, also booked at www.bahn.de.
You have a few hours 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 17:50 and arriving Kiev at 11:02 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 Kiev Express cannot be booked online, so use reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com who have an online ordering system at http://booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide. Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.
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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 one leaves at 19:33 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:01 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 18:28, but by all means take an earlier train and have dinner in Berlin. Book this at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket. Transfer by frequent S-Bahn train from Berlin Hbf to Berlin Ostbahnhof.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Moscow by new direct Russian sleeper train, leaving Berlin Ostbahnhof at 20:22 on Mondays & Saturdays, arriving at Moscow's Belorussky station next day at either 19:50 (late March to late October) or 20:50 (late October to late March).
This train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (swift). It has ordinary seats and sleeping-cars with 2nd class 4-berth compartments, 1st class 1 or 2 berth compartments with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet. There's also 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 train runs through a 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 works, see my advice for using rzd.ru here, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here.
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Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.
Option 3, using the Warsaw-Moscow Polonez - 3 times a week, reduced from daily in June 2017.
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Day 1, take an 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 06:37 daily except Sundays and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 12:55. Fares start at 39.90, also booked at www.bahn.de.
You have a few hours 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 early evening, take the sleeper train Polonez leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:25 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays and arriving Moscow Belorussky station next day at 12:11 (late March to late October) or 13:11 (late October to late March).
The Polonez is operated with Russian sleeping-cars using brand-new Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments introduced in December 2014, see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers. Eastbound, these 4-bed sleepers only exist on the Polish reservations system as 2nd class 4-berth, so if you want dual or single occupancy you have to buy up multiple berths in one compartment. Westbound there's no problem, as the Russian reservations system is configured book these compartments as 1st class single, 1st class double or 2nd class 4-berth.
A Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow. Next morning, as the train passes through the small station of Borodino, look out for the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942'... Map of Moscow showing Byelorusski station.
To buy tickets for the Warsaw to Moscow sleeper, most nationalities except the USA can try en.oui.sncf, with tickets sent by regular post to most countries except the USA, but you MUST make sure Europe (other countries) remains selected top right with the EU flag showing.
Alternatively, you can easily book the Polonez by contacting highly-recommended Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at http://booking.polrail.com), who can arrange train tickets for international trains starting in Poland with tickets collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.
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Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via 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 &
health card
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Take out decent travel insurance, it's essential...
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
In
the UK, try
Columbus Direct or use
Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many
different insurers.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.
If
you live in
Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try
Columbus Direct's other websites.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
Get a spare credit card, designed for travel with no currency exchange loading & low or no ATM fees...
It costs nothing to take out an extra credit card. If you keep it in a different part of your luggage so you're not left stranded if your wallet gets stolen, this is a form of extra travel insurance in itself. In addition, some credit cards are significantly better for overseas travel than others. Martin Lewis's www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money explains which UK credit cards have the lowest currency exchange commission loadings when you buy something overseas, and the lowest cash withdrawal fees when you use an ATM abroad. Taking this advice can save you quite a lot on each trip compared to using your normal high-street bank credit card!