 A German ICE train... |
This page explains how to travel by train from Hamburg to other key European cities, and how to buy the cheapest tickets, usually online direct from the operators with print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets & few or no booking fees. It doesn't matter where you live, in Europe, Asia, the USA or Australia, you can buy train tickets from Hamburg as shown below and save money over expensive railpasses or travel agent mark-ups.
1st class passengers can use the 1st class lounge at Hamburg Hbf
Before you buy your
tickets...
I recommend taking a moment to read these important tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, such as "Do I need to book in advance or can I just turn up & buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just go online & buy a 35 point-to-point ticket?". And most important, click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel
FAQ...
Hamburg to other German towns & cities...
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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. On the day you pay the flexpreis. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead.
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www.bahn.de will book all German long-distance daytime trains and the Nightjet sleeper train from Hamburg to Munich. A seat reservation is usually optional, for a small extra charge. You usually print out your own tickets, or tickets can be sent to any address 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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New private operator HKX is now competing with DB between Cologne, Dusseldorf, Osnabruck & Hamburg, for times, prices & online tickets see www.hkx.de.
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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.
Hamburg to London from 59...
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See the London to Germany page for train times, fares & how to buy tickets between Hamburg & London.
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The German railways website www.bahn.de can sell Sparpreis London tickets from Hamburg to London from 59 in 2nd class or 109 in 1st class, you simply print out your own tickets. Availability is limited as DB only has a small quota on Eurostar.
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If you don't see any attractive prices, split the journey and book Hamburg to Brussels at www.bahn.de from 29, then Brussels to London at www.eurostar.com from £45, making sure you allow for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in at Brussels.
Hamburg to Paris from 39...
Option 1, by daytime trains in a single day...
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First, check the German Railways website www.bahn.de for daytime trains from Hamburg to Paris from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class.
For example, you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:24 by luxurious ICE train, change at Karlsruhe onto an impressive 200mph TGV Duplex, and arrive Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:41. Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf as late as 14:24, changing at Karlsruhe onto a TGV Duplex arriving Paris Est at 22:35. Check times & prices for your date at www.bahn.de.
However, bahn.de can only sell journeys via Karlsruhe or Mannheim, they cannot sell tickets for Thalys trains between Cologne & Paris, which is perhaps the more obvious route.
So also check Hamburg to Paris times & prices at the Belgian Railways site www.b-europe.com as this can sell both the German InterCity train from Hamburg to Cologne from 19 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class and the Thalys high-speed train from Cologne to Paris from 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class, booking Hamburg to Paris as one transaction.
Option 2, by day trains with overnight stop in Cologne - the time-effective overnight option with an evening in Cologne...
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Cologne, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 18:46 and arriving Cologne Hbf at 22:50. Book this from 19 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class at German Railways www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
By all means take an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Cologne. In Cologne, the cathedral is right next to the station, for dinner try the excellent Brauhaus Sion (www.brauhaus-sion.de), 5 minutes walk from Cologne Hauptbahnhof, or the Malzmuehle restaurant (www.muehlenkoelsch.de), 10-15 minutes walk from Cologne Hbf.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. Hotels near Cologne Hauptbahnhof with good or great reviews include the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Day 2, take the 06:44 Thalys from Cologne Hbf to Paris Gare du Nord arriving 10:11, booked with Belgian Railways at www.b-europe.com from 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. You print your own tickets. Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the 08:44 Thalys arriving Paris Nord at 12:05.
Option 3, using a Nightjet sleeper train, the most time-effective option if you don't mind the early start.
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Karlsruhe by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:43 and arriving Karlsruhe Hbf at 05:07. The Nightjet has double-deck sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 1 or 2 berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, single deck sleeper with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, and couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments. See photos & information about Nightjet sleeper trains.
Book this from 59 with couchette in a 6-berth compartment, 69 with a couchette in 4-berth compartment, 99 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or 139 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket. It can also be booked at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at, indeed you might want to check prices on both sites.
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Step 2, travel from Karlsruhe to Paris by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Karlsruhe Hbf at 07:32 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:10. On Sundays, you leave Karlsruhe Hbf at 09:32 arriving Paris Est at 12:05. The train has 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. You've time for dinner in Karlsruhe between trains.
Book this from 39 at German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice...
Option 1, with overnight stop in Paris...
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Paris by comfortable daytime trains from as little as 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class.
There are a range of possible departures, for example you can leave Hamburg as late as 14:24 by luxurious ICE train, change at Karlsruhe onto an impressive 200mph TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:35. But by all means take an earlier one and have a leisurely dinner in Paris.
Check times & prices for your date of travel and buy tickets online at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
I also recommend checking www.b-europe.com as this offers additional Hamburg-Paris departures as it can sell the Thalys trains on the more direct route via Cologne, whereas bahn.de can only sell non-Thalys options.
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Stay overnight in Paris. Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).
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Day 2, travel from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes or Nice from 25 by high-speed TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, booked at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille in a day with one easy change in Frankfurt...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Frankfurt by ICE train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 09:34 (08:24 Sundays) arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:00 (12:00 Sundays).
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Step 2, travel from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille by TGV Duplex leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:58 every day arriving Lyon at 19:56, Avignon TGV at 21:05 and Marseille St Charles at 21:48.
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Book from Hamburg Hbf to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille at www.bahn.de from 49 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Use this special link to Bahn.de for Mondays-Saturdays. Use this special link to Bahn.de for Sundays.
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Stay overnight in Marseille and head on to Cannes or Nice next day, from 15, booked at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu.
Option 3, with overnight stop in Brussels...
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Consider travelling Hamburg-Brussels day 1 booked at www.bahn.de from 39, staying overnight in Brussels, then taking a direct Brussels-Nice train day 2, booked at www.b-europe.com from 29. This avoids crossing Paris.
Hamburg to Brussels & Bruges from 39...
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Option 1, the German railways website www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg to Brussels or Bruges from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class, but only for journeys involving their own ICE trains between Cologne and Brussels, not the competing Thalys trains.
You can leave Hamburg Hbf by InterCity train as early as 06:46, change at Cologne onto a comfortable ICE train, arriving Brussels Midi at 13:35.
Or leave Hamburg as late as 15:01, change at Cologne, arriving Brussels Midi at 21:35.
Check times & prices for your date of travel at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket. Change in Brussels for trains to Bruges every half hour.
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Option 2, www.b-europe.com (Belgian Railways) can book tickets from Hamburg to Brussels or anywhere in Belgium, using both Thalys and ICE between Cologne and Brussels. Again, you print your own ticket.
Hamburg to Amsterdam from 39...
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The German railways website www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal in just around 5h15 from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class, usually with just one easy change of train at Osnabrόck. You print your own ticket. 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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For example, you can leave Hamburg Hbf by InterCity train as early as 05:46, change at Osnabrόck onto another InterCity train, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 11:00. Or leave Hamburg Hbf as late as 17:46, change at Osnabrόck, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 23:00.
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These comfortable trains all have a bistro car, and all seats have power sockets.
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You can check times & prices and buy tickets at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
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An InterCity train to Amsterdam... |
The bistro car on an InterCity train to Amsterdam. Treat yourself to lunch! |
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1st class seats on these trains are usually in traditional 6-seater compartments. |
2nd class seating on these trains is usually in open-plan saloons like this, most seats unidirectional, but with some tables for 4... |
Hamburg to Luxembourg from 39...
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You can travel from Hamburg to Luxembourg by train in around 7h50 from just 49, booked at the German railways website www.bahn.de. In the search results, look for journeys by train involving just one change at Koblenz, or sometimes 2 changes. Avoid journeys involving 2 or 3 changes with a bus.
Hamburg to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from 39...
Option 1, by daytime trains in a single chill-out day...
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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg to anywhere in Switzerland from 39.
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Indeed, there are several superb high-speed ICE trains direct from Hamburg Hbf to Basel & Zurich, Hamburg to Basel takes just 6h30.
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You can use www.bahn.de to book a through ticket from Hamburg to almost anywhere in Switzerland, including Luzern, Zermatt, St Moritz, with print-at-home tickets. 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.
Option 2, by overnight sleeper train...
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An excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train links Hamburg with Basel & Zurich every night, leaving at 20:52 (or at 19:56 on some dates), arriving Basel 07:20 & Zurich at 09:05. Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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Fares start at 59 in 6-berth couchettes, 69 in 4-berth couchettes, 99 in a 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.
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Book onward tickets within Switzerland at Swiss railways www.sbb.ch and print your own ticket. For round trip journeys deep into Switzerland such as to Zermatt, you may find a Swiss Transfer Ticket saves money over regular tickets for the Swiss domestic part of your journey. Alternatively, if you wait until 30 days or less before your travel date, you'll sometimes find Supersaver fares available for Swiss domestic journeys, saving up to 50% off the regular flexible fare.
Hamburg to Venice from 60...
Option 1, by Nightjet sleeper train to Innsbruck then scenic daytime train to Venice. This is the option I'd recommend for the scenery.
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Step 1, take the excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Innsbruck at 09:14 next morning. This has comfortable sleeping-cars and couchettes, some sleepers with private toilet & shower.
Fares start at 59 in 6-berth couchettes, 69 in 4-berth couchettes, 99 in a 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.
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Step 2, now take the daily direct EuroCity train leaving Innsbruck at 11:24 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 14:58 & Bologna at 16:20. A restaurant car is available for lunch. This video shows the great scenery in the Brenner Pass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uucEm3op7uc. Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 EuroCity to Verona, I'd play safe and stick with the 11:24. If you have a sleeper ticket, or a 1st class ticket for the onward EuroCity train, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Innsbruck with complimentary tea & coffee.
Fares to either Verona or Bologna start at 29 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class.
Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Venice. Change at Bologna for Florence, Rome & Naples. You can check times & prices and buy tickets from Innsbruck to major Italian cities at either www.loco2.com or www.bahn.de.
If you'd like a morning in Innsbruck, a later train leaves at 13:24 running via Verona direct to Venice, arriving 18:10.
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You can book the whole trip from Hamburg to Venice as one transaction at www.bahn.de. In the search results, look for the option with 1 change marked EN, EC. You simply print your own ticket. I've set up this link - www.bahn.de - with the necessary parameters to book as one transaction using the direct train to Venice.
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You can arrive in Venice earlier if you take the 07:34 or 09:34 EuroCity trains, the 07:34 is direct to Venice at weekends, otherwise this means an additional change in Verona. If no fares appear through to Venice you may need to split the booking, booking Hamburg to Verona at bahn.de, then Verona to Venice at the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com.
Option 2, by ICE train to Munich, then Nightjet sleeper train from Munich to Venice...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Munich by superb ICE train leaving Hamburg Hbf around 16:01 and arriving Munich Hbf around 21:41. Have a late dinner in Munich.
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Step 2, travel by Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Munich Hbf at 23:35 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:24.
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The German Railways website www.bahn.de can book tickets all the way from Hamburg to Venice. In the search results, look for the option with 1 change marked ICE, EN. You simply print your own ticket. I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters
Fares start at 59 in 6-berth couchettes, 69 in 4-berth couchettes, 99 in a 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.
Option 3, by daytime trains via the Brenner Pass with an overnight stop in Munich...
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Munich in as little as 5h45 on any ICE train you like.
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Stay overnight in Munich. Try the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all these hotels are right next to the station with great reviews. For dinner with local Bavarian food and a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Venice by direct EuroCity train thorough the wonderful Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here. It leaves Munich Hbf at 11:34 and arrives at Venice Santa Lucia at 18:10. The train has an elegant restaurant car so treat yourself to lunch! Or you can take the 09:34 from Munich arriving Venice 16:40, although this involves a change at Verona. There's also an earlier 07:34 to Verona which goes direct to Venice at weekends. Your choice!
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Hamburg to Venice starts at 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class.
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To buy tickets, book from Hamburg to Venice at the German railways website www.bahn.de, clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Munich in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box. Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, adjusting the Munich stopover time and departure time as necessary. I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters.
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The restaurant car on a EuroCity from Munich, arrived at Verona. You don't need to book a table, just go along and sit down. Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this... |
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Second class seats, mostly in 6-seat compartments with side-corridor like this, but some cars are open-plan saloons... |
First class leather seats. On a few trains you'll find 6-seat compartments too.... |
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Mountains on the Brenner route... |
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Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads for Trento & Verona... |
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Watch out for hilltop fortresses... See the Brenner Pass scenery video here. |
Hamburg to Florence, Rome, Milan, Verona or anywhere else Italy from 39...
Option 1, by luxurious ICE train to Munich then Nightjet sleeper train to Bologna, Florence & Rome - the most time-effective option...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Munich by superb ICE train leaving Hamburg around 13:01 and arriving Munich around 18:43 - or by all means book an earlier train. You've time for dinner in Munich, for local Bavarian food and a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Step 2, travel by Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Munich Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Florence SMN at 06:19 and Rome Termini at 09:22. Another portion of this train goes to Milan, arriving Milan Centrale at 09:10.
Fares start at 59 in 6-berth couchettes, 69 in 4-berth couchettes, 99 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139 in a single-bed sleeper. Deluxe sleepers with en suite toilet & shower are also available. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.
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The German Railways website www.bahn.de can book tickets all the way from Hamburg to Florence or Rome. In the search results, look for the option with 1 change marked ICE, CNL. You simply print your own ticket. I've set up this link to bahn.de for you with the necessary parameters to book as one transaction using the direct train to Florence or Rome.
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If you're heading to Naples, you may be able to book through to Naples Centrale on bahn.de. If not, buy a separate Rome-Naples ticket at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train to Innsbruck then scenic ride through the Brenner Pass - a time-effective & scenic option...
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Step 1, take the excellent Hamburg to Innsbruck Nightjet sleeper train. It leaves Hamburg at 20:29 and arrives Innsbruck at 09:14 next morning, and has a very comfortable Austrian sleeping-car and couchettes.
Fares from 59 with couchette in 6-berth, 67 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 are also available with shower & toilet. A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.
Book this train at German Railways www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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Step 2, take a EuroCity train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy, leaving Innsbruck at 11:24 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 14:58 & Bologna at 16:20. A restaurant car is available for lunch. This video shows the great scenery in the Brenner Pass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uucEm3op7uc. Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 EuroCity to Verona, I'd play safe and stick with the 11:24. If you have a sleeper ticket, or a 1st class ticket for the onward EuroCity train, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Innsbruck with complimentary tea & coffee.
Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Venice. Change at Bologna for Florence, Rome & Naples.
Fares to Verona or Bologna start at 29 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Bologna to Florence or Rome starts at 19.90.
You can buy tickets from Innsbruck to major Italian cities at either www.loco2.com or www.bahn.de. If no fares are shown, simply split the booking like this: First book from Innsbruck to Bologna at www.bahn.de, I'd allow at least 45 minutes in Bologna between trains in case of any delay, then book Bologna to Florence, Rome or Naples using either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, payment in , $, £, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in , requires Italian-language place names).
Option 3, by daytime trains via the Brenner Pass, with an overnight stop in Munich...
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Munich in 5h40 on any ICE train you like, you can leave as late as 17:01 arriving 23:00.
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Stay overnight in Munich. Hotels right next to the station with good or great reviews include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (if you're on a budget) the Pension Locarno. For dinner in Munich with local Bavarian food and a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Verona by EuroCity train thorough the wonderful Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here. Trains leave every 2 hours or so taking a leisurely 5h25, and all have an elegant restaurant car so treat yourself to lunch! The 09:34 departure runs beyond Verona all the way to Bologna.
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Change in Verona (or, if taking the 09:34, in Bologna), for an onward Italian train to anywhere you like in Italy. Verona to Florence takes just 2h35, Verona to Rome as little as 2h50.
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Fares: Hamburg to Verona starts at 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class.
Verona to Florence starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class.
Verona to Rome or Naples at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
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To buy tickets, first try booking from Hamburg to Verona, Florence, Rome or Naples at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Munich in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box. Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits, adjusting the Munich stopover time as necessary. I've set up this bahn link with the necessary parameters for you.
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Bahn.de has until recently shown through fares from German stations to Florence, Rome or Naples, but if you see no fares available, simply split the booking like this...
First book from Hamburg to Verona Porta Nuova (or, if using the 09:34 from Munich, to Bologna Centrale) at www.bahn.de.
Then buy onward tickets from Verona Porta Nuova or Bologna Centrale to Florence, Rome, Milan or Naples or anywhere in Italy separately at 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). If buying separate tickets, I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to change in Verona in case of any delay.
Option 4, by daytime trains, via the Swiss Alps... Also a scenic ride!
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First use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Hamburg to Basel or Zurich with fares from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class. You print your own ticket.
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Now book an onward journey from Basel or Zurich to Florence, Venice, Rome or wherever at 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).
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I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Basel or Zurich. Hamburg to Milan via Basel or Zurich is an all-day train ride. If you'd prefer to split it over 2 days with an overnight stop in Basel or Zurich or even Lucerne or Lugano, no problem. Indeed, that's a good option!
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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... |
Hamburg to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Paris by comfortable daytime trains from as little as 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class.
There are a range of possible departures, for example you can leave Hamburg as late as 14:24 by luxurious ICE train, change at Karlsruhe onto an impressive 200mph TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:35. But by all means take an earlier one and have a leisurely dinner in Paris.
Check times & prices for your date of travel and buy tickets online at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
I also recommend checking www.b-europe.com as this offers additional Hamburg-Paris departures as it can sell the Thalys trains on the more direct route via Cologne, whereas bahn.de can only sell non-Thalys options.
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Stay overnight in Paris. Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel de Reims (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex from 59 in 2nd class or 99 in 1st class, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:07 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34. In summer from early June to late August there's also a 07:15 TGV Duplex from Paris arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:34, see the Paris-Barcelona timetable here. It's an enjoyable & scenic journey, see the photos & video here. Book this train at www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu, you print your own ticket. Also see this advice about getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.
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Day 2 afternoon, you can catch an onward train from Barcelona Sants to Valencia, Alicante or Madrid the same day. If you're going to Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, the 07:15 summer-only TGV from Paris connects nicely with the 15:50 AVE from Barcelona to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville the same day, arriving in the evening, but if you take the 10:07 from Paris (all year) you'll need to stay overnight in Barcelona and catch the 08:30 AVE to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville next morning. Check times and buy tickets using www.loco2.com (in £ or , easy to use) or www.petrabax.com/renfe (in $, small mark-up, easy to use) or Spanish Railways own site www.renfe.com (more fiddly to use, in ). You'll find cheap Promo and Promo+ fares if you book in advance. You print your own ticket. Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Barcelona for connections.
Hamburg to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal...
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Travel from Hamburg to Paris and stop overnight. How to change stations in Paris. Then take a midday TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse to the Spanish frontier at Irun to connect with the overnight Sud Express trainhotel sleeper train to Lisbon. See the London to Portugal page for details of the Paris-Lisbon journey with photos, just disregard the London to Paris bit. If necessary, travel from Cologne to Paris the night before and stop over in Paris.
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Step 1, book the Hamburg-Paris trains at www.bahn.de from 39.
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Step 2, leave Paris Gare Montparnasse around 12:28 by high-speed TGV from Paris to Irun on the Spanish border from 25. The Paris-Irun TGV times vary on different dates, so check for a TGV which gets you to Irun before 18:20 on your date of travel using www.loco2.com or www.trainline.eu - both sites can be used by anyone from any country, no booking fee, print-at-home tickets.
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Step 3, take the overnight Sud Express trainhotel sleeper train leaving Irun around 18:50 and arriving Lisbon Santa Apolonia around 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 either www.renfe.com (fiddly to use and sometimes rejects overseas credit cards) or www.loco2.com (recommended, as really easy to use, no booking fee, same prices as Renfe although in GB pounds) or www.petrabax.com/renfe (also easy, prices in US dollars with a small mark-up). Booking for this train only opens 60 days ahead, sometimes less than this, so there's no rush to book months and months ahead, as you don't need to!
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For Porto, alight from the Sud Express at Coimbra B, Entroncamento or indeed Lisbon and take a train north to Porto, book this at the Portuguese railways website www.cp.pt, which is the only site that can book Portuguese trains.
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For the Algarve, change at Lisbon Oriente for an InterCity train to Faro, book this at the Portuguese railways website www.cp.pt.
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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Hamburg to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from 39...
Option 1, by daytime trains...
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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck or anywhere in Austria from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class.
At least one daily ICE train links Hamburg with Vienna leaving around 07:20, a leisurely 9 hour ride across Germany on a very comfortable & spacious train with restaurant car and power sockets at all seat - being a book and bottle of wine and put your feet up.
Just use www.bahn.de to find times and buy tickets! 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.
Top tip: Check Austrian Railways www.oebb.at as well, as although fares also start from 39 I've often seen significantly cheaper fares on oebb.at than bahn.de on a given date & train. You also get a print-at-home ticket.
Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train...
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There's an excellent direct Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg at 20:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 08:19. A separate portion goes to Innsbruck, arriving 09:14.
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Fares start at 59 in 6-berth couchettes, 69 in 4-berth couchettes, 99 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139 in a single-bed sleeper. Deluxe sleepers with en suite toilet & shower are also available. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.
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You can buy tickets for this train at either the German Railways website www.bahn.de or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at - I'd check both sites as one is sometimes cheaper than the other. You print your own ticket.
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2-berth regular sleeper with washstand... |
The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper... |
A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Hamburg to Vienna & Innsbruck. 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... |
Hamburg to Copenhagen & Denmark from 39...
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Comfortable trains link Hamburg with Copenhagen every few hours in 4h54.
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Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
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The trains on the Hamburg-Copenhagen route are now mostly comfortable Danish IC3 trains classed as EuroCity (EC), although the 09:28 from Hamburg and the 17:37 from Copenhagen are ICE-TD trains. The journey involves a train ferry between Puttgarten & Rψdby, where the train goes onto a ferry, one of the few places in Europe where this still happens. 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.
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A Danish IC3 train. |
2nd class seats... |
Arrived at Copenhagen... |
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ICE 2nd class. |
ICE 1st class with leather seats. |
The ICE on board the ferry. |
Hamburg to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmφ & Sweden from 39...
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You can travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by train in a single day from 39 with one easy change in Copenhagen. Just go to www.bahn.de and book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction. You print your own ticket.
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Departures from Hamburg are at 07:25 (mid-March to late October only, getting you to Stockholm around 17:39) or at 09:28 (all year) getting you to Stockholm around 21:39 with time in Copenhagen for lunch. If you want the 09:28, book Hamburg to Stockholm departing 09:28 using this special link which I have set up with the necessary parameters.
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Stopover in Copenhagen? You can arrange a stopover in Copenhagen for up to 48 hours at the same price, simply by clicking Add intermediate stops and entering Copenhagen then the number of hours stopover you want in the hh:mm box. 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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The Hamburg to Copenhagen train uses a train ferry between Puttgarten & Rψdby, where the train is shunted onto a ferry, one of the few places in Europe where this still happens. 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.
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ICE 2nd class. All seats in both classes have power sockets for laptops & mobiles... |
ICE 1st class, with real leather seats. Staff provide at-seat service of drinks & food. |
A Hamburg-Copenhagen ICE on board the Puttgarden-Rψdby ferry. More info on ICE. |
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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. |
Hamburg to Oslo & Norway...
Option 1, by train all the way...
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Gothenburg (Gφteborg Central), booked as one transaction from 39 at www.bahn.de. The best journey involves one change in Copenhagen. The Hamburg to Copenhagen part of the journey involves a train ferry between Puttgarten & Rψdby, where the train physically goes onto a ship, one of the few places in Europe where this still happens. It's an interesting experience in its own right - you must leave the train and go upstairs into the ship's passenger accommodation during the crossing.
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Day 2, take a train from Gothenburg (Gφteborg Central) to Oslo. the cheapest way to book this is with Norwegian Railways at www.nsb.no looking for a cheap minipris fare.
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Alternatively, you can go Hamburg-Copenhagen in the afternoon or evening of day 1, then Copenhagen-Gothenburg-Oslo on day 2. The cheapest way to book is still to use www.bahn.de to book through from Hamburg to Gothenburg, but in this case you'd click Add intermediate stops, enter Copenhagen in the via box and (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm box. It will then give you a cheap Hamburg to Gothenburg ticket with a 12 hour stopover in Copenhagen. Adjust the times and stopover length to get your desired train times.
Option 2, Hamburg to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo Color Line cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Kiel Hbf in around 1h16 by hourly regional train, fare around 23. Check times at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.
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.
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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.... |
Hamburg to Helsinki & Finland...
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For Finland, you'll find ferries the best bet from Travemόnde in Germany to Helsinki, see www.finnlines.com.
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Then check train times from Hamburg to Travemόnde at www.bahn.de.
Hamburg to Prague from 39...
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There are several direct Hamburg-Prague trains every day taking as little as 6h37 centre to centre, plus other journey options with a change of train in Berlin. South of Dresden, the trains snake along the scenic Elbe valley, make sure you grab a unreserved seat on the left hand side of the train for the best river views. Most of these trains also have a proper waiter-service dining-car, why not have a meal while you travel? What's the train ride to Prague like?
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You can book from Hamburg to Prague at the German Railways site www.bahn.de from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class. You print your own ticket.
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Fancy a few hours stopover in Dresden on the way to Prague? To book a Hamburg to Prague train journey with a stopover in Dresden, go to www.bahn.de, enter Hamburg to Prague, click Add intermediate stops, enter Dresden in the via box and the number of hours you want to have in Dresden (max 48 hours) in the hh:mm box. Then run the enquiry and buy the ticket. There are left luggage lockers at Dresden Hbf.
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So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Hamburg-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Most Hamburg-Prague trains use Czech carriages like this. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
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Hamburg to Bratislava from 39...
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Option 1, try booking Hamburg to Bratislava at www.bahn.de. You may find tickets from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class, usually on the route via Berlin, Dresden & Prague. At the time of writing, there is a daily direct EuroCity train from Hamburg to Bratislava, at 06:48 arriving 17:50, with waiter-service restaurant car, taking the scenic route along the Elbe river valley between Dresden and Prague.
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Option 2, use www.bahn.de to book from Hamburg to Vienna, either by daytime ICE train or by Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg at 20:29 arriving Vienna Hbf at 08:16. Then catch the hourly Regional Express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna. You can buy a ticket for this train at the station in Vienna for around 15, as no reservation is necessary or possible, just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.
Hamburg to Budapest from 39...
Option 1, by daytime train - the cheap and leisurely option...
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The German Railways website www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg to Budapest by daytime trains from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class. You print your own ticket.
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There's currently one daily direct train from Hamburg to Budapest, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 06:48 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 20:35, an all-day train ride but it's a comfortable spacious EuroCity train with proper waiter-service restaurant car and some great scenery along the way along the Elbe River between Dresden and Prague, see photos & video about the Berlin-Dresden-Prague part of this journey.
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So civilised! A meal in the restaurant car as the EuroCity train snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Most Hamburg-Prague trains use Czech carriages, the train to Budapest uses Hungarian carriages. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry. |
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Option 2, by sleeper train via Vienna - the time-effective option...
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You can take the excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:29 arriving Vienna Hbf at 08:19. Then take the 09:42 Railjet train from Vienna Hbf to Budapest Keleti arriving 12:19.
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First book from Hamburg to Vienna at www.bahn.de looking for the direct EN (EuroNight) train with 0 changes. You print your own ticket.
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Then book from Vienna to Budapest separately at www.oebb.at. You print your own ticket.
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2-berth regular sleeper with washstand... |
The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper... |
A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Hamburg 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... |
Option 3, by sleeper train via Berlin- another time-effective option...
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Take a mid-afternoon train from Hamburg Hbf to Berlin Hbf around 15:48 and change onto the EuroNight sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:01 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 08:37.
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Book this as one journey at www.bahn.de, looking in the search results for an option with 1 change marked ICE,EN. I'd use the adjust transfer time feature to increase the time between trains in Berlin, otherwise it just allows the minimum.
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Standard sleeper compartment, set up as a 2-berth, with the washstand open. Each room can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 bed room. |
The same sleeper with berths folded away & seats folded out, blind up, washstand closed. |
Standard sleeper compartments have a washstand with hot water, fresh towels, drinking water & soap. |
Deluxe sleepers are very similar, but with small en suite toilet & shower... |
Hamburg to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest from 98...
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Step 1, take the excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg at 20:29 and arriving in Vienna Hbf at 08:19. This has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1 & 2 bed compartments, 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, and 4 & 6 berth couchettes.
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Step 2, take a smart Austrian Railjet train from Vienna to Budapest. There's one from Vienna Hbf around 09:42 arriving Budapest Keleti 12:19. Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest.
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Step 3, take the EuroNight sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Sighisoara at 06:56, Brasov at 09:32 & Bucharest at 12:10 next day. This comfortable train has a restaurant car, 4 & 6 berth couchettes and a modern air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 and 3 bed compartments with washbasin, also deluxe sleepers with 1 or 2 beds and shower/toilet.
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Hamburg to Vienna starts at 59 with couchette, 99 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129 in a single-bed sleeper. Vienna to Budapest starts at 19. Budapest to Bucharest starts at 39 with a couchette or 59 with a bed in a sleeper.
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To buy tickets, first go to www.bahn.de and book from Hamburg to Vienna with desired departure time set to 20:00. In the search results you'll then find an option with 0 change marked EN leaving Hamburg around 20:29. You print your own ticket.
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Then book Vienna to Budapest at Austrian Railways www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.
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Then book the Budapest to Bucharest train at the Hungarian railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, clicking EN for English top left. You collect your tickets from the yellow internet collection machines at Budapest Keleti station.
Hamburg to Ljubljana, Zagreb from 39...
Option 1, by scenic daytime train either in a single day or with overnight stop in Munich...
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The German railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg to Ljubljana or Zagreb from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class. You'll need to select an early departure time, set time to say 05:30 when running the enquiry, as it's an all-day train ride with 1 change in Munich. But the scenery through the Austrian alps is superb, as is the scenery along the River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb. You simply print your own ticket.
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If you'd like to break up the journey with an overnight stop in Munich, simply click Add intermediate stops and type in Munich with (say) 11:00 in the hh:mm stopover box. In Munich, Try the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all these hotels are right next to the station with great reviews. For dinner in Munich with local Bavarian food and a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
Option 2, by Hamburg-Munich sleeper train then scenic daytime train from Munich to Ljubljana & Zagreb...
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This is more time-effective, yet you still get to see that wonderful scenery through Austria & Slovenia!
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Go to www.bahn.de and run an enquiry from Hamburg to Ljubljana or Zagreb with departure time set to around 20:00. You should see an option in the search results marked 'EN, EC, D' with 2 changes leaving Hamburg at 20:29. The 10-minute connection in Villach is a simple cross-platform connection, the Slovenian and Croatian train waits for the arrival of the Austrian one from Munich.
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Fares from 59 with couchette in 6-berth, 69 with a couchette in 4-berth, 99 with bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 139 with a single-bed sleeper.
Option 3, using the Munich-Zagreb sleeper train - the safe, comfortable & most time-effective option...
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Step 1, take the 16:01 ICE from Hamburg Hbf to Munich Hbf arriving 21:40.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class booked at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket.
You've time for dinner in Munich, for local Bavarian food & a beer or two try www.augustinerkeller.de at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf.
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Step 2, now take the excellent sleeper train Lisinski from Munich (depart 23:35) to Zagreb (arrive 08:36), see the Croatian sleeper video here.
Book this sleeper train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de with tickets sent to any address worldwide or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at with print-at-home tickets.
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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! |
Hamburg to Belgrade & Sofia...
Option 1, using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper train...
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Step 1, take an ICE train from Hamburg to Berlin in 1h43, leaving around 14:51. I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Berlin just in case of delay.
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Step 2, take the overnight sleeper train Metropol from Berlin to Budapest, booked at the German Railways website www.bahn.de. It leaves Berlin Hbf around 19:01 and arrives Budapest Keleti around 08:37 next morning. It has couchettes and a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 and 3 bed compartments, and deluxe sleepers with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with shower & toilet.
Book from Hamburg to Budapest as one journey at www.bahn.de with fares at from 39 with a couchette or 69 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper. Look for an option marked ICE, EN and use the adjust transfer time feature to increase time between trains in Berlin. Tickets are sent by post to anywhere in the world, but allow plenty of time for them to arrive.
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Step 3, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by EuroCity train Avala leaving Budapest Keleti at 12:05 and arriving Belgrade station at 20:13, fare just 15 booked at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it & how to collect your ticket. You can also buy at the station on the day for 15, it's an unlimited special offer fare. This train has air-con Hungarian carriages and a Hungarian restaurant car. There's no equivalent 1st class offer, so just stick with 2nd class which is absolutely fine on this train.
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Step 4 if you're heading for Sofia, spend the night in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva 10-15 minutes walk from the station - and take the daytime train called the Balkan to Sofia next day, leaving Belgrade station at 09:25 and arriving Sofia Central Station at 20:10. Buy this ticket at the station for around 30, there are always places available, even on the day. It cannot be booked online, and there's no need. 2nd class seats only. There's no catering car so bring your own picnic and wine or beer.
Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Budapest...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf around 06:48 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 20:35. Book this from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.
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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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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade by EuroCity train Ivo Andric leaving Budapest Keleti at 08:05 and arriving Belgrade station at 16:32, fare just 15 booked at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it & how to collect your ticket. You can also buy at the station on the day for 15, it's an unlimited special offer fare. There's no equivalent 1st class offer, so just stick with 2nd class which is absolutely fine on this train. There's no catering car on this train, so bring provisions and a beer or two.
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Step 3 if you're heading for Sofia, spend the night in Belgrade - I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva 10-15 minutes walk from the station - and take the daytime train called the Balkan to Sofia next day, leaving Belgrade station at 09:25 and arriving Sofia Central Station at 20:10. Buy this ticket at the station for around 30, there are always places available, even on the day. It cannot be booked online, and there's no need. 2nd class seats only. There's no catering car so bring your own picnic and wine or beer.
Hamburg to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland from 39...
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The German Railways website, www.bahn.de can book tickets from Hamburg to Warsaw from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class, using an ICE train from Hamburg to Berlin then a Berlin-Warszawa Express. You simply print your own ticket. Total journey time as little as 7h59. A bistro car is usually available on both trains.
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You can stay overnight in Berlin to break up the trip if you like. Just use www.bahn.de, click Add intermediate stops, enter Berlin and a stopover duration of up to 48 hours.
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For Krakow, change at Warsaw, booking a separate ticket Warsaw-Krakow at www.intercity.pl and allowing at least 45 minutes in Warsaw between trains. Incidentally, if you try to book Hamburg to Krakow in one go at bahn.de it will offer you an 8-hour journey on a rail-replacement bus, which you don't want, and only expensive full-flex standard fares for the journey via Warsaw. That's why you should split the journey and buy a separate Warsaw-Krakow ticket direct from PKP InterCity (Polish Railways) as above!
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The Berlin-Warszawa Express has modern air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class coaches, most with compartments and side corridor like this, others with open-plan seating. |
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Hamburg to Kiev & Ukraine...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Warsaw on day 1, from 39 in 2nd class or 69 in 1st class with one easy same-station change in Berlin, booked at www.bahn.de. You print your own ticket. Stay overnight in Warsaw, and explore Warsaw next morning. Alternatively, catch an early evening train to Berlin and stay overnight there, taking the 06:37 Berlin-Warszawa Express to Warsaw next morning (daily except Sundays), each leg booked at www.bahn.de.
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Step 2, an overnight train called the Kiev Express leaves Warsaw Centralna at 16:10 and arrives in Kiev at 08:35 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 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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Step 3, to book onward trains within Ukraine from Kiev to Odessa or the Crimea, see the Ukraine page.
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Boarding in Warsaw... |
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A sleeper compartment... |
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...with washbasin. |
Hamburg to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...
Option 1, using the Warsaw-Moscow Polonez - 3 times a week, reduced from daily in June 2017...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Warsaw as shown above. Stay overnight in Warsaw.
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Step 2, take the sleeper train Polonez leaving Warsaw Centralna at 15:50 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays and arriving Moscow Belorussky station next day at 11:45 (late March to late October) or 12:45 (late October to late March).
The Polonez is operated by the Russians with brand-new Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 2 & 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.
You can arrange tickets for the Polonez through reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at http://booking.polrail.com. They 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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These modern sleeping-cars run from Warsaw to Moscow... |
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Option 2, using the new Berlin-Moscow Strizh (Swift) Talgo sleeper train, twice a week...
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Step 1, travel from Hamburg to Berlin from 19. For example, the 14:36 from Hamburg Hbf arrives Berlin Hbf at 16:19, but by all means take an earlier train. 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 18:50 on Sundays & Mondays, arriving at Moscow's Belorussky station next day at either 18:11 (late March to late October) or 19:11 (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.
Hamburg to Athens, Corfu & Greece...
Option 1, Hamburg 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 Hamburg Hbf to Verona Porta Nuova from 39 in a single chill-out day with a restaurant car for lunch & dinner. I'd leave around 06:30, have at least an hour between trains in Munich just in case of delay, then arrive Verona around 20:55, but there are various options. 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.
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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 ferry has bars, restaurants, lounges, 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 not always easy to find.
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The Bari 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, Hamburg 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg to Budapest as shown above.
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In Budapest you pick up the London-Budapest-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens route explained in detail on the London to Greece page.
Hamburg to Istanbul & Turkey...
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Take the Austrian Nightjet sleeper train from Hamburg Hbf (departing 20:52) to Vienna Hbf (arriving 08:16). You can buy tickets for this train at either the German Railways website www.bahn.de or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at which is sometimes cheaper. Prices from 49 with a couchette or 89 in a 2-bed sleeper. Booking normally opens 92 days in advance and you simply print out your own ticket.
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From Vienna you can pick up the London-Istanbul route suggested on the London to Turkey page.
Hotels in Hamburg & other cities
◄◄ Hotel search & price comparison. |
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www.hotelscombined.com checks all the main hotel booking sites at once to find the widest choice of hotels & the cheapest seller. It has been named as the World's Leading Hotel Comparison Site in the World Travel Awards and I highly recommend it, both to find hotels in even the smallest places and to check that another retailer isn't selling the same hotel at a cheaper rate. ►► My recommended booking site: www.booking.comwww.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site, and unless HotelsCombined throws up major price differences I prefer doing my bookings in one place here. You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens. It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a great feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.
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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!