Madrid Atocha station.  This page covers journeys starting in Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Alicante, Valencia To buy train tickets in Spain, www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $) or www.petrabax.com (US$) are much easier to use than www.renfe.com.

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This page explains how to travel by train from Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Alicante, Valencia to other European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way.  Information current for 2023

Before you buy your tickets...

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets.  It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?".  Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.

European train travel FAQ...

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Buy train tickets for Spain:  See the train travel in Spain page...

• All Spanish long-distance trains and even many regional trains require seat reservation and have variable pricing, so yes, trains can 'sell out' and sometimes they do, at least at busy times.  Outside busy periods it's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel if you want.

• Renfe (Spanish national railways) has airline-style fares, so tickets will be much more expensive bought on the day, much cheaper booked in advance.  So pre-book if possible.

• How to buy tickets...

  The easiest way to buy Spanish train tickets is online at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  These connect directly to Renfe's ticketing system to sell Renfe's cheap fares with Renfe's print-your-own tickets, but in plain English without any of Renfe's confusing translations or credit card rejection problems.  There's a small booking fee, but it's worth it.

  www.thetrainline.com can also book the Ouigo & Iryo trains that compete with state-owned Renfe on the Barcelona-Madrid route and others.

  Babies & infants:  Although infants under 4 go free, for journeys on any Renfe mainline long-distance train wholly within Spain, you'll need to obtain a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.

• You can also book Spanish trains online in US$ in plain English with no payment problems at www.petrabax.com,  a US-based agency that also links to the Renfe ticketing system, so has the same trains and cheap prices, although they add a small mark-up.  It issues the same print-at-home tickets as renfe.com, so anyone from any country worldwide can use it, including the United States, Canada & Australia.

• Alternatively, you can of course buy tickets direct from Spanish Railways at www.renfe.com with no booking fee, but it has more than its fair share of quirks, so please read my advice on using Renfe.com.  The quirks include some odd English translations and a reputation for rejecting a significant proportion of overseas credit cards with various error messages.  Although I have to say it has always worked OK with my credit card and now accepts PayPal.

• For trains between Madrid & Barcelona, see the Madrid to Barcelona to page for route-specific info, trips & advice.

Madrid to  Barcelona...

• Four competing train services link Madrid & Barcelona in as little as 2h30, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page.

Ferries to Ibiza & Mallorca...

• Step 1, look up a suitable ferry from Valencia or Barcelona to Ibiza or Mallorca, using the Direct Ferries website as this covers all ferry operators.  You'll find ferries run by Acciona Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es and Balearia (www.balearia.com). 

• Step 2, now add a suitable train connection from Madrid or any other Spanish city to Valencia or Barcelona using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Allow plenty of time (several hours) to transfer between the station and ferry terminal in Valencia or Barcelona, allowing for the ferry check-in.

Ferries to Tenerife, Gran Canaria & the Canary islands...

• Three ferry companies sail from mainland Spain to the Canary islands, all with comfortable ships with a choice of reclining seats or private en suite cabins, bars & restaurants.  The voyages takes 1 night & 1½ days or 2 nights, 1 day.

• Naviera Armas sail weekly from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.navieraarmas.com or book on the Direct Ferries website.

• Fred Olsen/Balearia ferries sail 2 or 3 times a week all year round from Huelva to Tenerife & Gran Canaria, see www.fredolsen.es or book on the Direct Ferries website.

• Acciona Trasmediterranea sail from Cadiz in mainland Spain with Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas and Tenerife once or twice a week, taking 2 nights, www.trasmediterranea.es.

• Check train times and buy tickets to Huelva or Cadiz at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. 

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Madrid to Gibraltar...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train, leaving Madrid Atocha twice a day, usually at 08:35 & 15:05, journey time 5h25.

  Check that both trains are running, there may be some service reductions due to Covid-19.

  The air-conditioned Intercity train is an articulated Talgo train with cafe-bar.  There's great scenery both on the high-speed line between Madrid and Cordoba through the mountains and on the classic line twisting through the hills to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar.  See a video of the journey here.

  Fares start at €25 in Standard class or €38 in Comfort classes.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own tickets.

• Step 2, take a bus or taxi from Algeciras to la Linea & walk into Gibraltar.

  A taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea costs €24.75 and takes about 22 minutes.  Taxis don't use the meter on this run, and aren't normally allowed to cross the border into Gibraltar.

  To go by bus, cross the roundabout outside Algeciras railway station and enter the San Bernado bus station, then take bus M-120 to La Linea for around €2.50.  Bus M-120 runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri at xx.00 and xx.30 past each hour or every 45 minutes at weekends, journey time about 45 minutes to La Linea, for bus information see siu.ctmcg.es.

  La Linea is the Spanish town outside the border crossing to Gibraltar, and La Linea's bus stop and taxi rank are right outside the entrance to Gibraltar.  Walk through the Spanish then UK passport checkpoints into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes).  Then either (a) keep walking straight ahead of you into Gibraltar town, it's takes about 15 minutes to the centre or (b) take a frequent local Gibraltar bus from the border into town or (c) look for the taxi stop on the right just after the passport check and wait for a taxi to your hotel for a few pounds - Gibraltar taxis will accept euros.  The walk from the border to Gibraltar's Main Street takes you across Gibraltar airport's runway, though they stop cars and pedestrians when an aircraft is landing or taking off!   Map of Algeciras - La Linea - Gibraltar area.A

• Alternative via San Roque-La Linea:  The closest station to Gibraltar is actually San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras.  So if you prefer, you can get off here and take a taxi to La Linea, or walk the 1.6 km (1 mile) to the Bar La Redonda bus stop on the main road on the M-120 bus route from Algeciras to La Linea.  Buses run to La Linea every 30 minutes weekdays, every 45 minutes weekends.  Taxis are usually available outside San Roque station, San Roque to the La Linea/Gibraltar border is about 16 km (10 miles) and it takes just over 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Other Spanish cities to Gibraltar...

• Step 1, take a train to Algeciras:  There are direct trains from Granada, Cordoba & Ronda to Algeciras.  From Malaga you can go by train with a change at Bobadilla or Antequera-Santa Ana, although it means a journey inland then a journey back to the coast.  There are also Malaga-Algeciras buses that use the coast road.

  Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first).  You print your own tickets.

• Step 2, follow the bus & taxi instructions above to reach Gibraltar.

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Spain to London...

• See the London to Spain page for details.  The information on that page works for both directions.

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Spain to Paris...

Madrid to Paris by high-speed TGV...

Option 1, Madrid to Paris in a day, early morning departure...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona, leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20 by AVE train.

  Or any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Fares start at around €35 for the AVE, or from just €7 for Avlo.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

• Book from Madrid to Paris at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

  Alternatively, you can book from Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

Option 2, Madrid to Paris in a day, late morning departure...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.

  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Fares start at around €35 for the AVE, or from just €7 for Avlo.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

• Book from Madrid to Paris at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, you can book from Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

Option 3, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants on any evening AVE-S103 high-speed train you like.

  It takes as little as 2h30 and fares start at around €35.  There are departures almost every hour, pick any that suits.  Check times & fares at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.

  Competing Iryo trains and lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are also available from just €7, see the Madrid to Barcelona page for details.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

• To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book from Madrid to Barcelona and add to basket, book from Barcelona to Paris for the following day and add to basket, then check out.  Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, you can book Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deckers link Paris with Barcelona.  Watch TGV Duplex video.

Cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes....		2nd class seats on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.		A TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

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

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

Option 4, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in San Sebastian - a slower but cheaper route, San Sebastian makes a great stopover...

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:05 and arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 21:28.

  If you'd like an afternoon in San Sebastian, there's also a morning train leaving Madrid Chamartin at 08:00 and arriving San Sebastian at 13:24.

  These smart air-conditioned Alvia trains have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats, a pleasure to travel on.  They have an interesting party trick:  After travelling at up to 250km/h on the standard gauge high-speed line from Madrid, they slow right down and pass through a shed where axles adjust from standard gauge (4'8½") to Iberian gauge (5'6").  They then complete the second half of the journey over classic lines, with great scenery winding up into the Pyrenees approaching San Sebastian.

  Fares start from €17 in Standard class (2nd class) or €22 in Comfort class (1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in San Sebastian - it's a lovely city, well worth a longer stop.  The Pension San Ignacio Centro is just 10 minutes walk from San Sebastian Renfe station and gets great reviews.  If you want somewhere in the old town try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.

• Day 2, transfer from San Sebastian to Hendaye on the French border by Euskotren (www.euskotren.eus).

  These metro trains leave San Sebastian Amara station (10 minutes walk from the Renfe station) every 30 minutes all day, journey time 37 minutes, fare around €2.75, buy at the station and hop on the next train.  In Hendaye the Euskotren station is in the station forecourt of the mainline SNCF French Railways station, but obviously make sure you get to Hendaye in good time for your train to Paris.  See the Euskotren photos & information on the Paris to San Sebastian page.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Océane, for example leaving Hendaye at 09:28 and arriving Paris Montparnasse 14:08.

  By all means spend some time in San Sebastian and book a later one, they leave every few hours through the day.  The TGV Duplex is usually of the latest Océane type with a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a bit more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Or travel from Madrid to Paris in a single day using this route...

  You'd take the 08:00 Alvia train from Madrid Chamartin to San Sebastian Renfe station, then transfer from San Sebastian Amara to Hendaye by Euskotren and take the 15:28 TGV to Paris.  Or, daily except Saturdays, have lunch in San Sebastian and take the later 18:28 TGV to Paris.

Option 5:  Madrid-Paris using a French overnight train.

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 09:30 arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:37.

  More information about trains from Madrid to Barcelona, including lo-cost trains.  Have lunch in Barcelona.

  Fares start at around €35.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see my advice on using it).

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, see the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.

  You take a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebère on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.

Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Alicante, Valencia to Paris...

Option 1, Spanish cities to Paris in a single day...

• Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take a morning EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Cordoba, Seville or Granada:  Unfortunately, no same-day journey is possible.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

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

• To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can usually book from Spain to Paris as one transaction, but if necessary split the booking into Alicante to Valencia to Barcelona and Barcelona to Paris, ensuring at least an hour between trains.

  Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

Option 2, Spanish cities to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona - breaks the trip up nicely, recommended...

• Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

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

• To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. 

  Book the Spanish train and add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Paris for the following day, add to basket and check out.  Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

Option 3, Seville or Cordoba to Paris using a French overnight train.

• Step 1 from Seville or Cordoba:  Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Seville Santa Justa at 08:48 or Cordoba at 09:41 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Fares start at around €45.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see my advice on using it).

• Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 09:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 11:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:55.

  Fares start at around €30.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see my advice on using it).

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris overnight, see the Barcelona to Paris by sleeper train page for times, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.

  You take a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerebère on the French border, then a French sleeper train overnight to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.

  Important:  If you're travelling from Seville, Cordoba or Granada, arriivng at 14:20 and leaving 14:31 by local train for Latour de Carol is just too tight for comfort, so only use the Cerbère-Paris sleeper (when running), do not try and use the Latour to Paris route.

Vigo, A Coruna & Santiago de Compostela to Paris...

Option 1, Vigo, A Coruna, Santiago to Paris with overnight stop in San Sebastian.

• Day 1, travel from Vigo, A Coruna or Santiago de Compostela to Vitoria by Alvia train. 

  On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Vigo Guixar at 07:42 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:33.

  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves A Coruna at 08:05 & Santiago de Compostela at 08:34, arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:33.

  An Intercity train (an articulated Talgo train) provides a guaranteed connection to San Sebastian every day, leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 16:45 and arriving San Sebastian (Renfe station) at 18:20.

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

• Day 2, take the 08:15 Euskotren metro from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye next morning.  These metro, trains run every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.  You can check times at www.euskotren.eus.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Hendaye daily at 09:36 and arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 14:21.

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.  By all means take an earlier or later TGV, check times from Hendaye to Paris for your date of travel at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

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

• To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Book the train from Galicia to Hendaye and add to basket, then book from Hendaye to Paris for the following day, add to basket and check out.  Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Hendaye-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

Option 2, Vigo, A Coruna, Santiago to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Day 1, travel from Galicia to Barcelona by high-speed air-conditioned Alvia-S130 train.

  On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Vigo Guixar at 07:42 and arrives Barcelona Sants at 21:35.

  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves A Coruna at 08:05 & Santiago de Compostela at 08:34, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:35.

  The Alvia-S130 train is comfortable, air-conditioned with cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:46.

  From 2 July to 28 August 2022 this train runs a bit later, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:47.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  It's a scenic ride, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

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

• To buy tickets, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Book the Spanish train and add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Paris for the following day, add to basket and check out.  Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, you can book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).

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Spain to Bordeaux...

Option 1, Madrid to Bordeaux in a single day.  Lunch in San Sebastian?

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 08:00 & arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 13:24.

  This is an interesting journey - the train has adjustable axles, it runs over the standard-gauge high-speed line to Burgos at up to 250 km/h (155 mph), then passes slowly through a changeover shed which switches axles to Iberian broad gauge for the rest of the journey over classic lines.  There's then great scenery as the train snakes its way up into the foothills of the Pyrenees to San Sebastian.

  Fares start from €17 in Standard class (2nd class) or €22 in Comfort class (1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara station (850m, 10 minutes).  Then take the little local Euskotren from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye, this runs every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes.  The fare is €2.75, buy at the station from the ticket machines or staffed counters.  See www.euskotren.eus.  At Hendaye, the Euskotren station is adjacent to the mainline SNCF station.

• Step 3, travel from Hendaye to Bordeaux St Jean by mainline train.  These leave every hour or two, some TGVs that require pre-booking and have dynamic pricing, some TER regional trains with no pre-booking and fixed prices that can be paid on the day.  Allow about 2h from arrival at San Sebastian to departure from Hendaye.  But by all means have lunch in San Sebastian and take a later train!

  For example, there's usually a TER at 15:04 arriving Bordeaux St Jean 17:41, or a TGV around 16:12 arriving Bordeaux St Jean at 18:40.

  The fare is around €38 by TER or €38 for TGV paid on the day, or from €23 by TGV if booked in advance.

  Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Option 2, Madrid to Bordeaux with overnight stop in San Sebastian.  A morning to explore San Sebastian?

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:05 and arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 21:28.

  This is an interesting journey - the train has adjustable axles, it runs over the standard-gauge high-speed line to Burgos at up to 250 km/h (155 mph), then passes slowly through a changeover shed which switches axles to Iberian broad gauge for the rest of the journey over classic lines.  There's great scenery as the train snakes its way up into the foothills of the Pyrenees to San Sebastian.

  Fares start from €17 in Standard class (2nd class) or €22 in Comfort class (1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in San Sebastian.  If your budget will stretch, the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra is a classic, with great character perfectly located right on the sea front, a few minutes walk from the old town and 10 minutes walk from Amara station.  For something cheaper but still with great reviews in the old town, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.

• Day 2, spend as little or as long as you like in San Sebastian, then go to San Sebastian Amara station and take the little local Euskotren to Hendaye.  This runs every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, fare €2.75, buy at the station from the ticket machines or staffed counters.  See www.euskotren.eus.  At Hendaye, the Euskotren station is adjacent to the mainline SNCF station.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Bordeaux St Jean by mainline train in around 2h30.  These leave every hour or two, some are TGVs which require pre-booking and have dynamic pricing, others TER regional trains with no pre-booking and fixed prices that can be paid on the day.

  The fare is around €38 by TER or €38 for TGV paid on the day, or from €23 by TGV if booked in advance.

  Check times & buy tickets at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.

From Valencia. Alicante, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga you'd take a fast train to Madrid Atocha, transfer to Madrid Chamartin by suburban train, then travel Madrid to Bordeaux as above.  Check times at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com or renfe.com.

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Spain to Toulouse...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid Atocha, Alicante, Valencia, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga to Barcelona Sants.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona Sants to Narbonne & change for a train to Carcassone & Toulouse. There are two daily departures from Barcelona Sants at 10:33 & 14:32 all year round with one easy change at Narbonne.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Check times and buy tickets from Madrid to Toulouse at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

  Tip:  If using www.raileurope.com, you can click More options, enter Barcelona Sants as a via station, and specify a duration.  I'd specify 45 minutes for a relaxed connection, or you can specify several hours if you'd like a stopover for lunch.

• Alternatively, consider catching an afternoon train to Barcelona and staying there overnight.  Next morning, either take the 10:33 high-speed train to Toulouse with a simple change at Narbonne or use the cheap and scenic local train route from Barcelona to Toulouse through the Pyrenees via Latour de Carol explained here.

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Spain to Lyon...

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Lyon in a single day...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Montpellier Saint-Roche, arrive Lyon Part Dieu at 19:48.

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

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV, also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).

  Try booking the whole journey in one go, if this doesn't work try booking the Spanish train to Barcelona, add to basket, then Barcelona to Lyon, add to basket & check out.

  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

  Alternatively, more work and usually the same prices, book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards) and the Barcelona-Lyon journey at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly).

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Lyon with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, changing at Nimes and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 15:50.

  Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Lyon is on another TGV, also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  First book the Spanish train to Barcelona and add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Lyon for the following day, add to basket & check out.

  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the Barcelona-Lyon train opens up to 4 months ahead. 

  Alternatively, more work and usually the same prices, book the Spanish train at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards) and the Barcelona-Lyon train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no booking fee).

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Spain to Avignon, Marseille, Cannes & Nice...

Option 1, early departure...

• Step 1 from Madrid, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20.  Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.  Fares for the AVE start at around €35, Avlo fares start at just €7.

  Step 1 from Alicante & Valencia, travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants in the station itself.  There are various afternoon or early evening trains to choose from, check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants in the station itself.  An AVE-S112 high-speed train leaves Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:50 & Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46. 

  Buy tickets for this at www.raileurope.com or www.renfe.com.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille Cannes or Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 16:37.  Change at Marseille St Charles for Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville at 19:37.

  Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

  Marseille to Cannes & Nice is by TER regional train.

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

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

  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 2, later departure...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Avignon or Marseille, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Avignon Centre 19:28 or Marseille St Charles 20:36.

  Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.  Nimes to Avignon is by TER regional train.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 3, travel from Marseille to Cannes & Nice...

  At weekends there's a connection from Marseille to Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville at 23:31, you can book Barcelona to Cannes or Nice as one transaction.

  On weekdays there's no same-day connection, so stay overnight in Marseille.  Suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

  Then travel from Marseille to Cannes or Nice on any suitable train, trains leave regularly through the day.

  For example, the 07:57 TER local train from Marseille St Charles arrives Nice Ville 10:37, or an 08:27 TGV arrives Nice 11:06, and so on.  But why not spend a morning in Marseille?  It's a wonderful city, well worth a look around, see the Marseille page.

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

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

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Spain to Brussels from €68...

Option 1, Madrid to Brussels in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20.  Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.  Fares for the AVE start at around €35, Avlo fares start at just €7.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.  Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Brussels by Thalys train, there's usually one leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 19:25 arriving Brussels Midi 20:47.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €55 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as you can buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Try booking from Madrid or Valencia to Brussels as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but booking only opens 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  If booking the whole trip in one go, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris).  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a small booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Brussels by Thalys train, there's usually one leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 19:25 arriving Brussels Midi 20:47.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €55 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Barcelona, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Brussels all in one go for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  When booking Barcelona to Brussels using Raileurope, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris).  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a small booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Step 3, next morning take any Thalys you like from Paris to Brussels, the 06:13 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Brussels Midi at 07:45, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or so.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €55 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Brussels for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a small booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then also book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.

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Spain to Amsterdam from €74...

Option 1, Madrid to Amsterdam in a day...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20.  Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.  Fares for the AVE start at around €35, Avlo fares start at just €7.

  No same-day connection is possible from Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Thalys, leaving Paris Nord at 19:25 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 22:44.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Try booking from Madrid or Valencia to Amsterdam as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  If booking the whole trip in one go on Raileurope, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris).  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a small booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Thalys, leaving Paris Nord at 19:25 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 22:44.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about Thalys.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Barcelona, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Amsterdam all in one go for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  When booking Barcelona to Amsterdam at Raileurope I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris).  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding the booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Step 3, next morning travel from Paris to Amsterdam on any Thalys you like.  The 06:25 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Amsterdam Centraal at 09:44, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or two.

  Thalys trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.

  Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Amsterdam for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys usually opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a small booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then also book the Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com.

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Spain to Luxembourg...

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

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20.  Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.  Fares for the AVE start at around €35, Avlo fares start at just €7.

  No same-day connection is possible from Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day and stay overnight in Barcelona.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:40 Sat & Sun arriving Luxembourg 20:52 or 19:40 Mon-Fri, arriving Luxembourg 21:52.  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Try booking from Madrid or Valencia to Luxembourg as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  If booking the whole trip in one go at Raileurope, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour.  This ensures a robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a small booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Luxembourg at www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 60 minutes to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:39 Sat & Sun arriving Luxembourg 20:52 or 19:40 Mon-Fri, arriving Luxembourg 21:52.  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Barcelona, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Luxembourg all in one go for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  When booking Barcelona to Luxembourg I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour .  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding the booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris-Luxembourg at www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  It's a scenic ride, see here for the sights to see from the train on the way.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Step 3, next morning travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV.  On Mondays-Fridays the 07:28 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Luxembourg at 09:44.  On Saturdays, the 08:13 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Luxembourg at 10:32.  On Sundays, the 10:40 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Luxembourg at 12:52.  Or there are later trains.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Luxembourg for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than the booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here.  Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then also book Paris-Luxembourg at www.sncf-connect.com.

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Spain to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland from €59...

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland in a single day...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Narbonne & Lyon Part Dieu arriving Geneva 22:34.

  You travel from Barcelona to Narbonne by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, see the photos, tips & information here.  You then travel from Narbonne to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  For other destinations in Switzerland you'll need to stay overnight in Geneva and continue next day.

• Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

• Book from Barcelona to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Then add an onward ticket from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland also at www.thetrainline.com.  If you buy the Swiss ticket in advance (but less than 60 days ahead) you may find Swiss Supersaver fares or a Saver Day Pass available, saving up to 50% off regular Swiss rail fares.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no booking fee) then onward Swiss tickets at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi. 

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants 10:33, change Montpellier Saint-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  Buy tickets from Barcelona to Geneva at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

• Step 3, take an onward train from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland.  Check times and buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF).  If you buy in advance you may find Swiss Supersaver fares available, saving up to 70% off regular Swiss rail fares.  Booking for Swiss trains opens 60 days ahead.

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Spain to Milan, Venice, Rome & Italy...

Option 1, Spain to Italy with an overnight stop in Lyon - from the Pyrenees to the Alps...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.

  Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly).  You print your own ticket.

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, change at Narbonne, arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:48.

  You travel from Barcelona to Narbonne by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then on another TGV from Narbonne to Lyon, also with with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Lyon, The Ibis Budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu is affordable & right next to Lyon Part Dieu station with good reviews, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon also gets great reviews and is just a few minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Turin & Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Lyon Part Dieu 09:30 & arriving Turin Porta Susa 13:18 & Milan Centrale 14:07.

  This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, see the photos & information here.  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, sit back and enjoy the ride.

  Fares start at €29 in standard (2nd class) or €36 in business (1st class) or €165 in executive class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Lyon to anywhere in Italy at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, no booking fee).  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples by connecting high-speed train.

  Fares from Milan to Venice or Florence start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this as a single transaction from Lyon to anywhere in Italy.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Italy with overnight stops in Barcelona & Milan...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  Check times & fares at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take any afternoon or evening EuroMed train you like from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, changing at Montpellier St-Roch & arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 15:50.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Turin & Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Lyon Part Dieu 17:20 & arriving Turin Porta Susa 21:18 & Milan Centrale 22:07.

  This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, see the photos & information here.  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, sit back and enjoy the ride.

  Fares start at €29 in standard (2nd class) or €36 in business (1st class) or €165 in executive class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Stay overnight in either Turin or Milan...

  Personally I'd choose Turin, a lovely city even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job which was set there.  I'd allow some time for a look around next morning...

  In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all right next to Turin Porta Susa station where the TGV arrives and where your onward train leaves next morning, with good or great reviews.  Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station, a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop €1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk from Porta Susa, but next morning you can board your train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples at Porta Nuova station where these trains start their journey.

  In Milan, hotels near Milan Centrale with good or great reviews include Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Day 3, take a morning train to anywhere in Italy...

  For Florence, Rome or Naples take a 300 km/h (186 mph) Frecciarossa train from Turin Porta Nuova, Turin Porta Susa or Milan Centrale to Florence SMN from €19.90, to Rome Termini or Naples Centrale from €29.90.  There are regular departures throughout the day, Turin-Florence takes 2h48, Milan-Florence takes 1h40, Turin-Rome 3h55, Milan-Rome 2h55.

  For Verona or Venice take a 186mph  Frecciarossa high-speed train from Turin Porta Nuova, Turin Porta Susa or Milan Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova or Venice Santa Lucia.  Milan to Venice takes 2h35 from €19.90.  Turin to Venice takes 3h25 from €19.90.  It's easier to change in Turin as that's a same-station change.  In Milan, a transfer from Porta Garibaldi to Centrale is a 25 minute walk or €8 8-minute taxi ride.

  For Cinque Terre take a train from Milan Centrale to Monterosso, some direct in as little as 2h57 from €19.90, or there are other departures involving a change.  There are also trains from Milan Centrale to Genoa (1h32) and Pisa (3h47).

• How to buy tickets...

  The easiest way to buy tickets is to use www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, as you can buy all the tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  About Raileurope.  About Thetrainline.

  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Booking for the other trains opens up to 4 months ahead.

  Go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book the Spanish train to Barcelona.  Then book the direct morning train from Barcelona Sants to Lyon Part Dieu for day 2 and add this to your basket.  Then book the direct afternoon train from Lyon St Exupéry to Turin or Milan and add that to your basket.  Then book a train from Turin or Milan to your final Italian destination for the following morning (day 3), add to basket and check out.  Raileurope.com can book both Trenitalia and Italo trains, you'll see both operators listed.

  For the TGV you can print your ticket or select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.  Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• How to buy tickets, advanced...

  You can of course book each train separately with the relevant operator, with no booking fee.  This means more work and it won't necessarily make it any cheaper.

  Step 1, book from Barcelona to Lyon at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com.  Step 2, use www.sncf-connect.com again to book Lyon to Turin or Milan.  Step 3, now buy onward Italian train tickets online from Milan or Turin to anywhere in Italy at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Trenitalia site www.trenitalia.com, but for that you'll need to use Italian-language place names and it has a few quirks so see this advice on using it.  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

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Spain to Lisbon & Portugal...

Option 1, Madrid to Lisbon in a day, the leisurely direct way...

• You can travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains with 2 changes, see the Madrid to Lisbon page for details.

  It's cheap, comfortable, scenic, although not fast.  A leisurely ride across Extremadura, look out for the beautiful tiling on some of the rural Portuguese stations. 

  Consider the more round-about journey via Vigo & Porto shown in option 2 below.  As each new section of the Madrid-Galicia high-speed line opens the Madrid-Vigo part of the journey gets faster & faster.  With the attractions of Porto as an overnight stop then Portugal's premier rail route from Porto to Lisbon next day, you may prefer that option.

• Sleeper train discontinued:  The Lusitania Trenhotel was suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19.  Renfe did not want to reinstate it, and it has now been permanently discontinued.  A direct fast daytime train may start in 2024 when new lines are completed in both Spain & Portugal, but until the only link between Madrid & Lisbon is a 3-train combo by day, see the Madrid to Lisbon page for details...

Option 2, Madrid to Lisbon with overnight stop in Porto - a roundabout route, but with high-speed trains & a great stopover...

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by high-speed Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 11:20 and arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 15:38.

  Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar. 

  Fares start at €33 in Standard class (2nd class) or €40 in Comfort class (1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, in €, see this advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

  Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map.  Have a wander around Vigo & an early dinner...

• Day 1, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train, leaving Vigo Guixar at 19:56 and arriving Porto Campanhã at 21:18.

  The fare is €14.80, 2nd class only, buy a ticket at the station or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

• Stay overnight in Porto...  The Poviera Hotel is a small and very inexpensive hotel with good reviews directly opposite Campanhã station.  The Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is also inexpensive, gets great reviews, a stone's throw from Campanhã station.  If you'd rather stay in the old town, top choice is the InterContinental Hotel, a 5-star converted monastery-cum-palace a stone's throw from the beautiful Sao Bento railway station. Or try the cheaper PortoBay Teatro Hotel.

• Day 2, travel from Porto Campanhã to Lisbon Santa Apolonia on any train you like, the first train gets to Lisbon around 09:30.

  The journey takes as little as 2h58, by 200 km/h tilting Alfa Pendular or comfortable 160 km/h Intercity.  There are regular departures through the day, spend some time in Porto before taking a train south!

  Fares from €15 if you book ahead at www.cp.pt or Omio.com.  See the Porto to Lisbon by train page for more information.

Option 3, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Lisbon...

• Step 1, travel from Malaga Maria Zambrano, Granada or Cordoba to Seville Santa Justa by train.  Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.renfe.com.

• Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.

  Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com.  If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.

  The fare is around €17-€21 each way.

  Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.

• Step 3, travel from Faro to Lisbon Oriente by train, various departures through the day, journey time 3h05-3h41.

  Fares start at €15 if you book ahead.

  Check times and buy a ticket at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (in €, £ or $).  You print your own ticket. 

  I'd allow at least 1 hour between bus and train in Faro.

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Spain to Porto...

Madrid to Porto...

Option 1, Madrid to Porto using a Madrid-Vigo high-speed train - the comfortable daytime train option...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by high-speed Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 11:20 and arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 15:38.

  Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar.

  Fares start at €33 in Standard class (2nd class) or €40 in Comfort class (1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, in €, see this advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

  Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map.  Have a wander around Vigo & an early dinner...

• Step 2, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train, leaving Vigo Guixar at 19:56 and arriving Porto Campanhã at 21:18.

  The fare is €14.80, 2nd class only, buy a ticket at the station or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

Option 2, Madrid to Porto with overnight hotel in Vigo - same as option 1, but with overnight stop.  Can be more time-effective...

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by high-speed Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00 & arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 20:12.

  Daily except Saturdays you may find a later 19:15 departure arriving 23:46.

  Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar.  Have lunch and spend a pleasant afternoon in Vigo.

  Fares start at €33 in Standard class (2nd class) or €40 in Comfort class (1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, in €, see this advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

  Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map.

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

• Day 2, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58 and arriving Porto Campanhã at 10:20.

  The fare is €14.80, 2nd class only, buy a ticket at the station or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

Malaga & Seville to Porto...

• Step 1, trains link Malaga Maria Zambrano station with Seville Santa Justa in 1h55 several times through the day.  Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.renfe.com.

• Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.

  Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com.  If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.

  The fare is around €17-€21 each way. 

  Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.

• Step 3, travel from Faro to Porto by train, usually with a change at Lisbon Oriente, but there's usually a late afternoon direct train.

  Fares start at €20.50 if you book ahead.

  Check times and buy a ticket at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (in €, £ or $).  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  I'd allow at least 1 hour between bus and train in Faro.

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Spain to Faro & the Algarve...

Madrid to Faro...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid Atocha to Seville Santa Justa in 2h35, trains run every couple of hours through the day.

  Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly).  Booking opens 60 days ahead, though this varies.

• Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.

  Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com.  If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.  I'd allow at least 40 minutes between train & bus.

  The fare is around €17-€21 each way. 

  Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.

Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Faro...

• Step 1, travel from Malaga Maria Zambrano station to Seville Santa Justa in 1h55, trains run at various times through the day.  Trains also run from Granada & Cordoba to Seville Santa Justa.

  Check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly).

• Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, with a departure roughly every 2-3 hours.

  Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com.  If you're starting in Malaga, look for buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.

  The fare is around €17-€21 each way. 

  Check times and buy tickets for all these companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.

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Spain to Andorra...

• Step 1, take a train from anywhere in Spain to Barcelona Sants, there are direct trains to Barcelona Sants from Madrid Atocha, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Alicante and Valencia, to name just a few.

  Check times and buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see this advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, with small mark-up).  I'd allow at least an hour between train & bus in Barcelona.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Andorra by bus.  6 or 7 buses leave Barcelona Sants station every day for Andorra La Vella, capital of Andorra, journey time 3 hours, fare around €29, see www.autocarsnadal.com.

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Spain to Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin & Germany from €79...

Option 1, Madrid to Cologne or Frankfurt in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays only, arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20.  Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 by lo-cost Avlo train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering, free WiFi.  Fares for the AVE start at around €35, Avlo fares start at just €7.

  No same-day connection is possible from Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 1 hour to change trains & stations from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord (for Cologne) or Gare de l'Est (for Frankfurt).

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Germany by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.

  Change at Mannheim for Cologne Hbf, arriving 00:07.

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

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  Try booking from Madrid or Valencia to Germany as one transaction, if you have any problems, book each train separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  If booking the whole trip in one go at Raileurope, I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour.  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding a booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com (much m ore fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it here). Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book the Thalys to Cologne at www.sncf-connect.com or the ICE to Frankfurt at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Barcelona...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  You can check train times & prices for all these routes at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Allow at least 1 hour to change trains & stations in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord (for Cologne) or Gare de l'Est (for Frankfurt).

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Germany by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.

  Change at Mannheim for Cologne Hbf, arriving 00:07.

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

• Step 4 for Hamburg, Berlin:  Stay overnight in Cologne and take any onward train you like next day.

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Barcelona, add to basket, then book from Barcelona to Cologne or Frankfurt all in one go for the following day & add to your basket, also book any onward train from Cologne to Hamburg or Berlin, add to basket then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & Thalys opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  When booking Barcelona to Germany at Raileurope I recommend clicking More options, entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a stopover duration of 1 hour (or longer, if you'd like more time in Paris).  This gets you a more robust connection, by default the SNCF ticketing system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider far too tight for comfort.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding the booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Take the 10:30 AVE-S103 high-speed train from Madrid Atocha arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15, with fares from around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take a EuroMed train to Barcelona, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so see other options.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Step 3, take onward high-speed trains to anywhere in Germany next morning.  Leaving Paris around 07:00 you could be in Frankfurt at 10:58, Cologne 11:15, Berlin at 15:25, Munich at 13:27.  Or by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take later trains.

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.

  First book from any Spanish city to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Germany for the following day and add that to your basket, then check out.  You print your own tickets.  Booking for the TGV & onward trains opens up to 4 months ahead, but only 60 days ahead for Spanish trains.  There's a small booking fee.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although it's more effort and unlikely to make it materially cheaper, other than avoiding the booking fee:  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it here. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Cologne by Thalys at www.sncf-connect.com or Paris to Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and other stations in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

Option 4, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Marseille, avoids changing stations in Paris...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.

  Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 20:36.

  You travel from Barcelona to Nimes by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There are great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

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

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

  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Frankfurt by direct TGV Duplex leaving Marseille St Charles 08:10 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 15:58.

  Change at Karlsruhe, Mannheim or Frankfurt for onward ICE & IC trains to Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, www.bahn.de will give you train times from Marseille to anywhere in Germany on this departure.

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

  Book from Marseille to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You can also book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com at the same prices, which would keep all your bookings in one place with one retailer.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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Spain to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €88...

Option 1, Spain to Austria using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Step 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Step 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for all these routes at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

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

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro.  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Salzburg or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Salzburg Hbf at 07:26 and Vienna Hbf at 10:12.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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...

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna with overnight stop in Geneva - the scenic option...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE-S103 high-speed train.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35.  Check times & fares at www.raileurope.com.  More information about trains from Madrid to Barcelona, including lo-cost trains.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take any afternoon or evening EuroMed train you like from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Montpellier St-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  Book from Barcelona to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Then add an onward ticket from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland also at www.thetrainline.com.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.  Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 3, take a frequent Swiss domestic train from Geneva to Zurich HB then a smart Austrian railjet train from Zurich HB to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz or Vienna.  This is a lovely journey through the wonderful Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Railway page.

  Geneva to Innsbruck starts at €29.90, to Salzburg or Vienna at €39.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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Spain to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo & Scandinavia...

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Scandinavia with overnight stops in Marseille & Hamburg...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville.

  Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 20:36.

  You travel from Barcelona to Nimes by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There are great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.  Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

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

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

  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Hamburg, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:11 by TGV Duplex, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:30.

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

  Book from Marseille to Hamburg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  Tip:  Change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes to avoid tight connections.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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

• Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish intercity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 and arriving Copenhagen 13:34.

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

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

  If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• For Stockholm, take an X2000 train from Copenhagen Stockholm, leaving Copenhagen at 14:21 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:36.

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

  You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from €59.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  Book Hamburg to Stockholm departing 08:56 using this special link which I have set up with the necessary parameters.

• For Malmö or Gothenburg, Öresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg in 3h53 and every 20 minutes from Copenhagen to Malmö in 39 minutes.

  Book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (= Göteborg Central) as one transaction from €39.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Scandinavia with overnight stops in Barcelona & Frankfurt...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.

  Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Frankfurt by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have stayed at and can recommend.  There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 3 for Copenhagen...

  Travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by train, taking an ICE train from Frankfurt to Hamburg then a Danish intercity train to Copenhagen.  For example the 08:58 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.  But times may vary.

  Fares start at from €37.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Frankfurt to Copenhagen at www.bahn.de looking for departures with 1 change.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  It's a good idea to click Stopover and change Duration of transfer standard to at least 30 minutes, to ensure robust connections.

• Day 3 for Stockholm...

  It's just about possible to travel from Frankfurt to Stockholm in a day with changes at Hamburg, Copenhagen & Malmo, using a through ticket from just €59.90 booked at www.bahn.de.  Depending on the day and date, you can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:58 and arrive at 23:41, see what bahn.de gives you.  There may be some tight connections but with a through ticket you're protected and will be taken forward by later trains if there's a delay and you miss the onward train.  Alternatively, stay overnight in Copenhagen and take an onward 200 km/h X2000 train to Stockholm on day 3, from around €23 booked at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways).

• Day 3 for Oslo & Norway...

  Take an ICE from Frankfurt to Hamburg and Intercity train to Copenhagen.  Book this at www.bahn.de and you'll see various departures from €39.90 with 1 change, for example the 08:58 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  Stay overnight in Copenhagen, then take a train from Copenhagen to Oslo with 1 easy change at Gothenburg, booked from €46 at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways).  Alternatively, spend the morning exploring Copenhagen and take the overnight cruise ferry to Oslo with comfortable en suite cabins, bars and restaurants, see www.dfds.co.uk.  See more information on Copenhagen-Oslo options here.

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Spain to Helsinki & Finland...

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

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day or use another option.

  Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hamburg, you'll usually find a departure from Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 17:36.

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

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

• Day 2, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Trains from Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.

  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding from 22:30 to 24:00 and arriving Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal at 09:00 2 nights later (Day 4 from Spain).

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

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

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

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry...

• Step 1, travel from Spain to Stockholm as shown above.

• Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki either by direct overnight cruise ferry, or by daytime or overnight ferry to Turku and connecting train to Helsinki as shown on the Trains & ferries from Stockholm page.

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Spain to Prague & the Czech Republic...

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Prague with overnight stop in Paris...

• Step 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day & stay in Barcelona.

  Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, but no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.  Change stations from Gare de Lyon to Gare de l'Est by metro or taxi.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Munich, leaving Paris Est at 09:06 by TGV Duplex to Mannheim with connection to Munich Hbf arriving 15:13.

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or €, small booking fee) or the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

• Step 4, travel from Munich to Prague by express train, leaving Munich Hbf at 16:43 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 22:17.

  This train is fully air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats and free WiFi in most cars, see the Munich to Prague page for more details & photos of these trains.

  Fares start at €15 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz & print your own ticket or show it in the CD app.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Prague using the Paris-Linz sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Buy a ticket at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.

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

  Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro.  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Linz by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Linz at 08:46.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Day 3, travel from Linz to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Linz at 11:54 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:39.

  The modern Czech EuroCity train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €29 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets for this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.  Booking opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Spain to Bratislava & Slovakia...

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Bratislava using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE-S103 high-speed train.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35.  Check times & fares at www.raileurope.com.  More information about trains from Madrid to Barcelona, including lo-cost trains.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take any afternoon or evening EuroMed train you like from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.

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

  Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro.  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:12.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Day 3, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna by regional express train.  These run every hour taking 1h06, fare €9.80, no reservation necessary or even possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.  More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains.

  You can check train times & prices at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a bit more fiddly, same prices, in €) and buy a ticket if you like, just to save time at the station.

Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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...

Option 2, Spain to Bratislava with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Montpellier St-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  Book from Barcelona to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Then add an onward ticket from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland also at www.thetrainline.com.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.  Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 3, travel from Geneva to Bratislava, leaving Geneva at 09:15 by Swiss Intercity train and changing onto the 12:40 railjet train from Zurich HB to Bratislava Hlavna, arriving 21:51.

  This direct Zurich-Bratislava train started running in December 2018, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The journey takes you through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page.  Have your camera to hand!

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

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Spain to Budapest & Hungary...

Option 1, Barcelona to Budapest using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Buy a ticket at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.

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

  Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro.  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:12.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Day 3, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40 & arriving Budapest Keleti at 14:19.

  The swish modern railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  An earlier connection is possible, but I'd allow at least an hour between trains when connecting with a sleeper train just in case of delay.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

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

Option 2, Barcelona to Budapest with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Geneva, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33, change Montpellier St-Roch & Lyon Part Dieu, arriving Geneva 18:35.

  You travel from Barcelona to Montpellier by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & information here.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views.

  You then travel from Montpellier to Lyon on another TGV also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and from Lyon to Geneva along the Rhône by TER regional train.

  Fares from Barcelona to Lyon start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €29.40, 2nd class only.

  Book from Barcelona to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Then add an onward ticket from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland also at www.thetrainline.com.

  Alternatively, book  Barcelona-Geneva at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly, but no fee).

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.  Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 3, travel from Geneva to Zurich by Swiss train leaving Geneva at 07:15, change onto the 10:40 railjet train from Zurich HB to Budapest Keleti arriving 21:19.

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

  This journey passes through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page.  Have your camera to hand!

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

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Spain to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania...

• Step 1, travel from Spain to Budapest as shown above.

• Step 2. travel by sleeper train from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest as shown here.

  Or if you prefer, stay overnight in Budapest and take a daytime train the following day.

• For example, you can travel from Madrid to Barcelona on day 1, Barcelona to Zurich on day 2, take the overnight sleeper from Zurich to Budapest, spend day 3 exploring Budapest, then take the overnight sleeper to Brasov & Bucharest arriving on day 4.

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Spain to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade & Sofia...

Option 1, Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Paris-Salzburg sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 by AVE S-103 high-speed train, or by competing Iryo train or lo-cost Avlo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page for details.  You can leave in the evening, but trains leave almost every hour so why not travel earlier and have a pleasant evening in Barcelona.  Fares start at around €35 by AVE or from just €7 by Avlo.  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Lo-cost Avlo & Ouigo trains are one-class, no catering, free WiFi.

  Tip:  If you don't mind the early start, a same-day connection from Madrid into the 10:33 TGV to Paris is possible with no need to stay overnight in Barcelona.  You can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:30 Mondays-Fridays by AVE train arriving Barcelona Sants 09:20, or you can leave Madrid Atocha at 06:20 on any day of the week by Avlo lo-cost train arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:50.

  Day 1 from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba:  Take the afternoon AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:35, Seville Santa Justa at 14:48 or Cordoba at 15:40, arriving Barcelona Sants at 20:22, with fares from around €46.

  Day 1 from Granada:  Take the once-daily direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Granada at 08:15 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:20.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Take an afternoon or evening EuroMed train from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona.  On Mondays-Fridays a fast EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 17:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 21:55.  On Saturdays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 16:20 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 18:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 20:55.  On Sundays a EuroMed train leaves Alicante at 18:30 & Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 20:15 arriving Barcelona Sants 22:55.  Or there are earlier trains, of course.

  Buy tickets for any of these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own tickets.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 10:33 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 17:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Buy a ticket at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.

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

  Transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare de l'Est by taxi or metro.  Have dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Salzburg by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Day 3, travel from Salzburg to Ljubljana & Zagreb by EuroCity train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 14:12 & arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:32 & Zagreb 20:45.

  This comfortable EuroCity train has a restaurant car between Salzburg & Villach on the Slovenian border, reached late afternoon.  It's a spectacular journey through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route, then into Slovenia and along the Sava river to Croatia & Zagreb.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Stay overnight in Zagreb and continue to Belgrade next day, see here for details.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb via Marseille & Venice...

• Day 1, travel from Spain to Marseille as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Marseille.  Suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Nice, Ventimiglia, on to Milan and then Venice.

  See the Spain to Venice section for full details & how to buy tickets from Spain to Venice, and suggested hotels in Marseille.

• Day 3 early morning (Monday-Friday only), travel from Venice to Trieste then Trieste to Ljubljana by regional trains, then on to Zagreb, see the timetable & Venice-Ljubljana-Zagreb journey information here.  Alternatively, any day of the week, spend a morning & early afternoon in Venice then take the afternoon train Venice-Trieste-Ljubljana, see the timetable & journey information here.

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Spain to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland...

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Warsaw, with overnight stop in Paris - the fastest option, runs Sunday to Thursday only...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day and stay in Barcelona.

  Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Warsaw in a day.  Remarkably, high-speed trains make it possible to travel from Paris to Warsaw in a single day, at least on Mondays-Fridays.  It's not possible at weekends.

  You'll usually find a journey leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 07:20, changing Mannheim & Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 23:16.

  It's a chill-out journey across Europe, using a 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar & power sockets at all seats between Paris & Mannheim, a superb high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats from Mannheim to Berlin, and a EuroCity train with restaurant car from Berlin to Warsaw.  In Berlin, you have time between trains to wander past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 15 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.

  Paris-Berlin starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.

  Berlin-Warsaw starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €37.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  First run a Paris to Warsaw enquiry, but before you run it, click Stopover and change Duration of transfer from Standard to at least 40 minutes.  I also recommend entering Mannheim as a via station.

  It should show a 2-change option, although you'll only see silly-money €240+ fares.  Ignore these, note down the trains you need.

  Then split the booking like this:  First use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Paris to Berlin.  Booking for this opens up to 6 months ahead, look for a journey with 1 change.  Then use www.bahn.de again to book from Berlin to Warsaw.  Booking for Berlin-Warsaw trains only opens 60 days ahead.

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

Option 2, Spain to Warsaw & Krakow with overnight stops in Paris & Berlin - runs daily...

• Day 1 from Madrid:  Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 10:30 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 13:15.  Fares start at around €35.  By all means take an earlier train and have lunch in Barcelona.

  Day 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by EuroMed train, leaving Alicante at 07:25 or Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 09:15 arriving Barcelona Sants at 11:55.  Fares start at around €35.

  No same-day connection is possible from Malaga, Cordoba or Seville, so travel the previous day and stay in Barcelona.

  Buy tickets for these trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards, see this advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 14:32 & arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:18.

  This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.

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

  Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly, in €, but no fee).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.  Change trains & stations in Paris.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Berlin, there are various options from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class with a change at either Mannheim, Frankfurt or Cologne.  For example, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, change at Mannheim and arrive Berlin Hbf at 18:29.

  Check prices at www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) and print your own ticket. 

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

• Day 3 for Warsaw:  Travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna in 5h30 on any EuroCity train you like, see the timetable here.

  On Mondays-Saturdays the 05:52 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Warsaw Centralna at 11:16 with breakfast in the restaurant car.  Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:51 arriving 15:22.  By all means take a later train to have a morning in Berlin.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Day 3 for Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw:  Travel from Berlin to Krakow by air-conditioned EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 14:50, Katowice 16:58 & Krakow Glowny 18:01.  The Wawel is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.

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Spain to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn...

• Step 1, travel from Spain to Warsaw as shown above.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius as shown here.

• Step 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, see here.

• Step 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, see here.

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Spain to Kyiv, Lviv & Ukraine...

• Step 1, travel from Spain to Vienna as shown in the Spain to Vienna section above.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv by direct sleeping-car as shown on the Trains from Vienna page.

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Spain to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia...

There is currently no service to Russia from anywhere.

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Spain to Athens & Greece...

• Step 1, travel from Spain to Milan as shown in the Spain to Italy section above.

  You travel to Barcelona on day 1 and stay overnight.  Then Barcelona to Lyon and on to Milan on day 2.

• Stay overnight in Milan:  Hotels near Milan Centrale with good reviews include the Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Athens as shown on the Trains from Milan page.

  You travel from Milan to Bari by train, then sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece.  A bus/train combo gets you to Athens early evening (day 4 from Spain).

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Spain to Istanbul & Turkey...

• Step 1, travel from Spain to Budapest as shown in the Spain to Budapest section above.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest and on to Istanbul as shown on the Trains from Budapest page.

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Railbookers custom-made tours

If you just want to buy train tickets at the cheapest price, book online as shown on this page.  However, if you want someone to sort out your whole trip for you, arranging all your trains, hotels and transfers, and to look after you if anything affects your arrangements, talk to Railbookers.  Railbookers can custom-make a train trip around Europe to your own specification.  Just tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels.  They get good reports and a lot of repeat business!  They now have offices in the UK, North America and Australia.

  UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

  US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

  New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

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Find hotels in Europe

Other hotel sites worth trying...

• www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.

Backpacker hostels...

• 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.

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Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance...

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

In the UK, reliable insurers include Columbus Direct.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com.

You can use Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many different insurers.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

A Curve card saves on 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.

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

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

 

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