Luxembourg station

Luxembourg station, a 15 minute walk to the old town, see station information.

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      Luxembourg station information

This page explains how to travel by train from Luxembourg to other key European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way.  Information current for 2023.

bullet pointBefore 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.

bullet pointEuropean train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel

 

Senior fares (over 60)

 

Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)

Important tips for buying European train tickets

Youth fares (under 26)

 

Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)

How to check European train times

Child fares & child age limits

 

Couchettes & sleepers on night trains

Do I need to book in advance?

Luggage on European trains

 

Train seat numbering plans

How far ahead can I book?

Luggage storage at stations

 

Wheelchairs & special needs

Can I stop off on the way?

Taking a bike by train

 

Real-time service updates

Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?

Taking a car by train

 

Hotels & accommodation

How long to allow for connections?

Taking dogs & pets by train

 

Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi

How early to arrive at the station?

Maps of the European rail network

 

What to do when things go wrong...


Train travel within Luxembourg...

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Luxembourg to London from €81...
Eurostar e320   Eurostar e320 first class seats

A Eurostar e320...

 

Standard Premier/Business Premier.  Larger photo.

Eurostar e320 2nd class   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.

 

One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

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Luxembourg to Dublin & Ireland...

Option 1, Luxembourg to Dublin via London...

Option 2, Luxembourg to Dublin using the direct ferry from France to Ireland - avoiding the UK, several departures a week...

Irish Ferries' WB Yeats

Sail from Cherbourg to Dublin aboard Irish Ferries' WB YeatsWB Yeats photos courtesy of Irish Ferries.

Irish Ferries' WB Yeats club cabin   Irish Ferries' WB Yeats deluxe cabin

Club cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet.

 

Deluxe cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet...

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Luxembourg to Paris from €25...
TGV Duplex at Luxembourg

A TGV Duplex at Luxembourg...

TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats   TGV Duplex cafe-bar

2nd class seats on upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

 

Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.

An TGV Duplex at Luxembourg   First class on board a TGV Duplex

A TGV Duplex at Luxembourg.

 

1st class seats on upper deck. 360º photo.

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Luxembourg to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Montpellier, Cannes, Nice from €35...

Option 1, by high-speed TGV avoiding Paris - the easiest option for Dijon, Lyon, and the South of France...

TGV Duplex at Luxembourg

A TGV Duplex at Luxembourg...

TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats   TGV Duplex cafe-bar

2nd class seats on upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

 

Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.

An TGV Duplex at Luxembourg   First class on board a TGV Duplex

A TGV Duplex at Luxembourg.

 

1st class seats on upper deck. 360º photo.

Option 2, via Paris - works for all French destinations, involves changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi...

Option 3, Luxembourg to Toulon, Cannes, Antibes & Nice, using the Paris-Nice overnight train...

TGV Duplex at Luxembourg

Step 1, Luxembourg to Paris by TGV Duplex.  This is a TGV Duplex at Luxembourg...

TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats   TGV Duplex cafe-bar

2nd class seats on upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

 

Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.

An TGV Duplex at Luxembourg   First class on board a TGV Duplex

A TGV Duplex at Luxembourg.

 

1st class seats on upper deck. 360º photo.

Intercite de nuit overnight train in Paris

Step 2, Paris to Cannes, Antibes or Nice by Intercité de Nuit. Above, an Intercité de Nuit boarding at Paris AusterlitzMore information about Intercités de NuitPhoto courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

InterCite de Nuit 1st class couchette, 4-berth   InterCite de Nuit 2nd class couchette, 6-berth   French couchette car corridor

1st class 4-berth couchettes, as recently refurbished.  Courtesy of @Bristol_Phil.  Photo in 2nd class courtesy Dan Chester.

 

2nd class 6-berth couchettes

 

Couchette car corridor.  Courtesy Dan Chester.

InterCite de Nuit 2nd class upper berth couchettes   InterCite de Nuit couchette

Upper berths, 2nd class, showing compartment lighting & temperature controls above door.  Courtesy of Dan Chester.

 

Each couchette is provided with pillow, lightweight sleeping bag, bottled water & kit with ear plugs and eye mask.

The Paris to Nice sleeper running along theMediterranean coast

The Paris to Nice Intercité de Nuit running along the Côte d'Azur in the morning sun.  Photo courtesy of Noam auf Gleis 13.

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Luxembourg to Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Colmar...

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Luxembourg to Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp...
Belgian intercity train from Brussels to Luxembourg

A Belgian intercity (IC) train from Luxembourg to Brussels, at platform 1 at Luxembourg station.  The yellow stripe above the windows indicates first class.  It's a push-pull train with a locomotive at one end, and another driving cab at the other.

2nd class on a Brussels-Luxembourg train 1st class on a Brussels-Luxembourg train

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.

1st class seats.  Larger photo.

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Luxembourg to Amsterdam from €35.90...

Option 1, Luxembourg-Brussels by Intercity train, Brussels-Amsterdam by high-speed Thalys - fastest & most comfortable, but inflexible, expensive at short notice.

Belgian intercity train from Brussels to Luxembourg

Step 1, Luxembourg to Brussels by intercity (IC) train, seen here at Luxembourg platform 1.

2nd class on a Brussels-Luxembourg train 1st class on a Brussels-Luxembourg train

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.

1st class seats.  Larger photo.

A Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris

Step 2, Brussels to Amsterdam by Thalys.  This is a Thalys at Amsterdam Centraal.  More information about Thalys.

1st class (Comfort & Premium) seating on Thalys   2nd class seats on a Thalys train from Paris to Amsterdam

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

 

Standard seats, 2+2 across.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Luxembourg to Amsterdam by Intercity trains all the way - the cheap & flexible option, but slower...

Belgian intercity train from Brussels to Luxembourg

Step 1, Luxembourg to Brussels by intercity (IC) train, seen here at Luxembourg platform 1.

2nd class on a Brussels-Luxembourg train 1st class on a Brussels-Luxembourg train

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.

1st class seats.  Larger photo.

InterCity train at Brussels

Step 2, Brussels to Amsterdam by Intercity train, jointly run by NS & SNCB (Dutch & Belgian railways).

2nd class seats on an Amsterdam to Brussels InterCity train   1st class seats on an Amsterdam to Brussels InterCity train

InterCity train 2nd class seats.  See larger photo.

 

InterCity train 1st class seats.  See larger photo.

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Luxembourg to Rotterdam, Utrecht & other cities in the Netherlands...

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Luxembourg to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from €37.90...

Option 1, via Metz, Strasbourg & Basel - the fastest & most direct route...

A Basel to Strasbourg train at Basel SBB

A Strasbourg - Mulhouse - Basel TER train at Basel SBB platform 31.

1st class on a Basel to Strasbourg TER train   2nd class on a Basel to Strasbourg TER train

1st class on a Basel-Strasbourg TER.

 

2nd class on a Basel-Strasbourg TER...

Option 2, Luxembourg to Switzerland via Koblenz & Basel - slower but much cheaper & easier to book, with through tickets...

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg

Scenery along the Moselle between Luxembourg & Koblenz in the morning sun, the mists still clearing.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side of the train going east from Luxembourg, left hand side going west from Koblenz.

Option 3, Luxembourg to Geneva using the direct Luxembourg-Lyon TGVs - longer,  simplest option for Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux...

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Luxembourg to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples & Italy...

Option 1, Luxembourg to Italy in a single day...

TGV Duplex at Luxembourg

Step 1, Luxembourg to Paris by TGV Duplex, seen here at Luxembourg...

TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats   TGV Duplex cafe-bar

2nd class seats on upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

 

Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes.

An TGV Duplex at Luxembourg   First class on board a TGV Duplex

A TGV Duplex at Luxembourg.

 

1st class seats on upper deck. 360º photo.

A Paris-Milan Frecciarossa at Paris Gare de Lyon

Step 2, Paris to Turin or Milan by Frecciarossa seen here at Paris Gare de Lyon.  More about the Paris-Milan FrecciarossaInterior photos in this section courtesy of Nicholas Brooke.

Frecciarossa 1000 standard class   Frecciarossa 1000 Premium class seats

Standard class, with seats arranged 2+2 across the car width.  Larger photo.

 

Premium class seats, identical to Standard class but in leather, sold as Standard on this route.  Larger photo.

Frecciarossa 1000 Business class seats   At-seat meal on Frecciarossa 1000

Business class seats 1+2 across car width, with tables for 2, tables for 4 & complimentary prosecco. Larger photo.

 

In business class you can order a simple meal at your seat, around €18...

Frecciarossa 1000 executive class   Frecciarossa executive meeting room

Executive class at one end of the trainLarger photo.

 

The Executive class meeting room.  Larger photo.

Mountains from the TGV train to Italy

The Frecciarossa dashes from Paris to Lyon then slows right down through the Alpine foothills.  These are mountains in France, in autumn...

Scenery from the train between Oulx and Turin

...And these are mountains in Italy in summer.  Scenery between Oulx and Turin, courtesy of www.discoverbyrail.com.

Option 2, Luxembourg to Italy via Basel...

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Luxembourg to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...

Option 1, Luxembourg to Barcelona by train in a single day...

TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon

Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex. Here, a TGV Duplex is boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon.  Watch TGV Duplex video.

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

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

Option 2, Luxembourg to Barcelona using a French sleeper train between Paris & the Spanish border...

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Luxembourg to San Sebastian from €63...

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Luxembourg to Lisbon & Portugal...

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

Option 2, Luxembourg to Lisbon via San Sebastian, Vigo & Porto - slightly slower, can be cheaper...

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Luxembourg to Andorra...

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

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

  • Step 3 if you go via Toulouse (slower, longer road journey, but cheaper):  Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus.

    A bus run by Andbus (www.andorrabybus.com) typically leaves Toulouse at 11:00, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 15:00.  Check current times at www.andorrabybus.com, I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.

    The bus leaves from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routière (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station.  Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right.  The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.

    Book the bus at www.andorrabybus.com.  The fare is around €36 one-way.

  • Step 3 if you go via l'Hospitalet (fastest, more rail & less road, but with expense of a taxi):  Enjoy the scenic train ride into the Pyrenees to l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre, then travel from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella by road, see the London to Andorra page for taxi details.

Intercite de nuit overnight train   Intercite de nuit couchette

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

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Luxembourg to Trier & Koblenz...
  • Regional trains link Luxembourg with Trier & Koblenz every hour taking 52 minutes to Trier & 2h24 to Koblenz.

    It's a scenic run, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side when going east from Luxembourg.

  • Luxembourg to Trier costs €5.40 in 2nd class, €11.60 in 1st class, fixed price.

    Luxembourg to Koblenz costs €31.50 in 2nd class or €53.40 in 1st class, fixed price. 

    If you are travelling after 09:00 weekdays, any time at weekends, Luxembourg to Koblenz costs just €26 with a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket + Luxemburg ticket, only available in 2nd class..

  • Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.deBooking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  • No reservation is necessary or possible, you can just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.  It can't sell out!

Double-deck train between Koblenz, Trier & Luxembourg

Luxembourg to Trier & Koblenz by double deck regional train.  This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.

1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train   1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

 

2nd class on the upper deck.  Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side of the train going east from Luxembourg, left hand side going west from Koblenz.

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Luxembourg to Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin & Germany...
  • Hourly regional express trains link Luxembourg with Koblenz in 2h24, connecting with trains to towns & cities all over Germany.

    Luxembourg to Koblenz is a scenic run, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side when going east from Luxembourg.

  • Advance-purchase fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • Check times & buy tickets from Luxembourg to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de

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

    Tip:  Avoid any journeys shown in the search results as including a 'bus' as this is indeed just a bus and not a train.  To de-clutter the search results by removing journeys involving a bus, click Stopover before running the enquiry and enter Igel as a via station, leaving stopover duration as 00:00.

    Tip:  There's a direct train from Luxembourg to Cologne & Dusseldorf every day at 06:18.  It's a Luxembourg Railways double-deck train like the one shown below.

Double-deck train between Koblenz, Trier & Luxembourg

Luxembourg to Koblenz by double deck regional train.  This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.

1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train   1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

 

2nd class on the upper deck.  Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side of the train going east from Luxembourg, left hand side going west from Koblenz.

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Luxembourg to Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna...

Option 1, by daytime trains...

  • Luxembourg to Munich takes as little as 6h56.  Even Luxembourg to Vienna can be done on a day, with morning departure and evening arrival, most of the journey uses superb ICE trains with restaurant car.

    The Luxembourg to Koblenz part of the journey is a scenic run, much of it along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side when going east from Luxembourg.

  • Luxembourg to Munich starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.

    Luxembourg to Vienna starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

    Tip:  Avoid any journeys shown in the search results as including a bus as this is indeed just a bus and not a train.  To de-clutter the search results by removing journeys involving a bus, simply click Stopover before running the enquiry and enter Trier as a via station, leaving stopover duration as 00:00.

Double-deck train between Koblenz, Trier & Luxembourg

Luxembourg to Koblenz by double deck regional train.  This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.

1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train   1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

 

2nd class on the upper deck.  Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side of the train going east from Luxembourg, left hand side going west from Koblenz.

Option 2, by Nightjet sleeper train...

  • Step 1, travel from Luxembourg to Koblenz by regional train, leaving Luxembourg at 19:33 & arriving Koblenz Hbf at 21:56.

    Or take the earlier 17:33 or 18:33 and have dinner in Koblenz, try the restaurant Koenigsbachertreff which is just 50m from the station, see koenigsbachertreff.cafelists.com.

    The train ride from Luxembourg to Koblenz is very scenic, at least in summer when it's light, the line runs along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side when going east from Luxembourg.

    The fare is €26 in 2nd class or €53.40 in 1st class, fixed price, always available.

    Buy a ticket at the station on the day or at the German Railways website www.bahn.de

    You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

    Tip:  Alternatively, you could take the 17:33 from Luxembourg to Cologne (changing at Koblenz) with advance-purchase fares from €27.90.  Then you can board the sleeper earlier, at 22:16.

  • Step 2, travel from Koblenz to Munich, Innsbruck or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Koblenz Hbf at 23:46 and arriving Munich Hbf 07:09, Innsbruck 09:14 and (a separate portion) Vienna Hbf 09:14.  Change in Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg Hbf, arriving 08:49.

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

    Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning.

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

The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

A Nightjet sleeper train at Vienna.  More information about Nightjet trains.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo Video of deluxe room

 

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.

 

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.

 

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes...

 

4-berth couchettes...

 

Couchette car on the Nightjet train...

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Luxembourg to Copenhagen & Denmark from €37.90...
  • Fares from Luxembourg to Copenhagen start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    Tip:  If you want to stop in Hamburg overnight, click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf and a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours.  Adjust the departure time and stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg.

Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Hamburg Hbf

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

A Danish IC3 train at Copenhagen station...   1st class seats on an IC3 train from Hamburg to Copenhagen

Boarding a Danish IC3 train at Hamburg Hbf...

 

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

2nd class seats on an IC3 train from Hamburg to Copenhagen   A Danish IC3 train at Copenhagen station...

2nd class seats on a IC3 train.  Larger photo.

 

An IC3 train to Copenhagen at Hamburg.

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Luxembourg to Stockholm & Sweden from €59.90...
  • German Railways sell through tickets from Luxembourg to Malmo from €49.90, Gothenburg or Stockholm from €59.90.

  • Step 1, travel from Luxembourg to Hamburg Hbf with one easy change at Koblenz.  There are various departures, check times at www.bahn.de.

  • Stay overnight in Hamburg.  The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews.  Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski.  If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.

  • Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish Intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 and arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

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

  • Step 3 for Malmö, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central on the next Öresund train, these leave every 20-30 minutes taking 39 minutes.

    Step 3 for Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central on the next hourly Öresund train, taking 3h53.

    Step 3 for Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 14:21 & arriving Stockholm Central 19:36.

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

  • Book from Luxembourg to Malmo, Gothenburg or Stockholm at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, but read the tips below!

    For Gothenburg, enter Göteborg Central.  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf and a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours.

    Look for journeys with the fewest changes.  Adjust the departure time & stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg, this can take a bit of trial & error to get sensibly-timed connections with the fewest possible changes on both days.

    If all else fails, use www.bahn.de to book Luxembourg to Hamburg on day 1, then book Hamburg to Malmo, Gothenburg or Stockholm as a separate ticket on day 2.  This may cost a little more than buying a through ticket, that's all.

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

Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Copenhagen station

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

2nd class seats on an IC3 train from Hamburg to Copenhagen   1st class seats on an IC3 train from Hamburg to Copenhagen

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

 

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

An X2000 train at Stockholm Central

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

1st class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train 2nd class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

1st class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

 

2nd class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train   Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

 

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

On the Oresund link!

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

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Luxembourg to Oslo & Norway...

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

Option 2, Luxembourg to Oslo using the Kiel to Oslo cruise ferry - the luxury option...

  • Day 1, travel from Luxembourg to Kiel in northern Germany on any departure you like, for example leaving Luxembourg at 12:33, change at Koblenz & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Kiel Hbf at 22:34.  It's not possible to reach Kiel in time to check in for that same day's sailing.

    Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  • Stay overnight in Kiel.  The InterCity Hotel Kiel gets good reviews, is relatively inexpensive and is right next to the station and a few minutes walk from the ferry.  The B&B Hotel Kiel City is also next to the station with good reviews, and is even cheaper.  For something upmarket, the Atlantic Hotel Kiel gets great reviews and is in Bahnhofsplatz in front of the station.

    In Kiel the Color Line ferry terminal is just a 5-6 minute walk from Kiel Hbf.

  • Day 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 (Day 3 from Luxembourg). 

    Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.colorline.com.

    Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord.  The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre.  Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis.  If you have little luggage it's possible to walk.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Germany to Oslo Color Line ferry at Kiel

This photo is taken from the exit of Kiel station, so you can see how close the ferry is.  It's a 5-6 minute walk across the harbour, with a street lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you have reserved one of what Color Line call their "5 star suites", check in at the desk rather than the machines and you'll be directed to a special lounge to wait with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi.  You'll also have priority boarding of the ship.  Photos courtesy of Andrew Leo.

Boarding the ferry in Kiel

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

Kiel to Oslo ferry, Color Class suite   Kiel to Oslo ferry, restaurant

A 5 Star Suite on the ferry...

 

More cruise liner than ferry!  The restaurant.

View from Color Line ferry to Oslo

Wake up to this....

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Luxembourg to Helsinki & Finland...

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

  • Day 1, travel from Luxembourg to Hamburg by Regional train & ICE train, leaving Luxembourg at 09:33 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:53.

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

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

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

    Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Frankfurt).  See the Trains from Hamburg page for full details.

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

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

Finnlines ferry Travemunde-Helsinki

Finnlines operate the Finnstar, Finnmaid & Finnlady on the Travemünde-Helsinki route.  Photo courtesy of Hubert Bartkowiak.  Photos below courtesy of Chris Russell.

Cabin on Finnlines ferry Travemunde-Helsinki   Gym on Finnlines ferry   Sauna on Finnlines ferry

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.

 

Gym with a view...

 

Sauna...

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

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Luxembourg to Prague from €37.90...

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Luxembourg to Bratislava, Budapest, Bucharest, Ljubljana & Zagreb, ...

Option 1, using the Koblenz-Vienna sleeper...

  • Step 1, travel from Luxembourg to Koblenz by regional train, leaving Luxembourg at 19:33 & arriving Koblenz Hbf at 21:56.

    Or take the earlier 17:33 or 18:33 and have dinner in Koblenz, try the restaurant Koenigsbachertreff which is just 50m from the station, see koenigsbachertreff.cafelists.com.

    The train ride from Luxembourg to Koblenz is very scenic, at least in summer when it's light, the line runs along the Moselle valley past river boats and vineyards.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side when going east from Luxembourg.

    The fare is €26 in 2nd class or €53.40 in 1st class, fixed price, always available.

    Tip:  Alternatively, you could take the 17:33 from Luxembourg to Cologne (changing at Koblenz) with advance-purchase fares from €27.90.  Then you can board the sleeper earlier, at 22:16.

  • Step 2, travel from Koblenz to Munich or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Koblenz at 23:46 and arriving Vienna Hbf 09:14.  Another portion of this train goes to Munich Hbf arriving 07:09.

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

    Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  • For Bratislava, book the nightjet to Vienna, then take a regional express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, these leave every hour taking 1h06, fare €10.20, you can buy this at the station on the day or at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.

  • For Budapest, book the nightjet to Vienna, then take the 10:42 EuroCity train from Vienna Hbf to Budapest Keleti arriving 13:19.  Add a Vienna-Budapest ticket from €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.  You print your own ticket.

  • For Ljubljana or Zagreb, book the nightjet to Munich and add a Munich-Ljubljana or Munich-Zagreb ticket from €39.90 at www.bahn.de.  There's usually a train leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16 for Ljubljana & Zagreb.  Change in Zagreb for Split & Dubrovnik, see details here.

  • For Bucharest & Romania, first travel to Budapest as shown above, then take the sleeper train Ister to Brasov & Bucharest as shown here.

Double-deck train between Koblenz, Trier & Luxembourg

Step 1, Luxembourg to Koblenz by double deck regional train.

1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train   1st class on a Koblenz-Luxembourg train

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

 

2nd class on the upper deck.  Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing.  For the best river views, sit on the right hand side of the train going east from Luxembourg, left hand side going west from Koblenz.

The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

Step 2, Koblenz to Munich or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper trainMore information about Nightjet trains.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo Video of deluxe room

 

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.

 

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.

 

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes...

 

4-berth couchettes...

 

Nightjet couchette car...

Option 2, Luxembourg to Budapest, Ljubljana, Zagreb by sleeper from Stuttgart...

  • Step 1, travel from Luxembourg via Koblenz to Stuttgart.

    Check times and buy a ticket from €37.90 at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Make sure you have no tight connections and arrive in Stuttgart at least an hour before the sleeper leaves, ideally 2 hours.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  • Step 2, take the 20:29 sleeper train from Stuttgart to Budapest, or from Stuttgart to Ljubljana & Zagreb.  Both sleepers have a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and couchettes with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  See the Stuttgart-Budapest page for more details of the sleeper to Budapest.

    Book the sleeper at at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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Luxembourg to Belgrade, Sofia, Montenegro...

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Luxembourg to Warsaw & Krakow from €37.90...

Option 1, Luxembourg to Warsaw in a day...

  • Leave Luxembourg at 06:18, change at Cologne Hbf and Berlin Ostbahnhof, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 21:16.

    Luxembourg to Cologne is by Luxembourg Railways double-deck air-conditioned regional train.  Cologne to Berlin is by superb high-speed ICE2 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Berlin to Warsaw is by air-conditioned EuroCity train with restaurant car.

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

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

Option 2, Luxembourg to Warsaw or Krakow with an overnight stop in Berlin - breaks up the journey...

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Luxembourg to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn...

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Luxembourg to Kyiv & Moscow...

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Luxembourg to Athens & Greece...

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Luxembourg to Istanbul & Turkey...

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Hotels in Luxembourg

For somewhere near the station with good reviews, try the City Hotel, Hotel Perrin or Park Inn by Radisson.

In the old town, try the Hotel Simoncini or the good old-school Grand Hotel Cravat.

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com

www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all 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 feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.  I never book hotels non-refundably.  I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0.

Tip:  It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites:  HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others.  Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

Other hotel sites worth trying...

Backpacker hostels...

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Travel insurance & VPN

 

Staysure travel insurance

 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance...

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

UK flagwww.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

UK flagwww.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  US flag If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

 

Curve card

A Curve card saves foreign transaction fees...

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

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

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

 

Express VPN

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

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

 

Anker Powerrbank

Carry an Anker powerbank...

With so much now held on your mobile phone (tickets, reservations, vaccination records, etc) I recommend carrying an Anker powerbank.  This can recharge your phone several times over if you're on the move and can't get to a power outlet.  I never travel without one.

 


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