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.

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 2025

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 buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?".  How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

European train travel FAQ

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

• The Spanish national rail operator is Renfe, on several major routes you'll also find competing operators Ouigo & Iryo.

  All Spanish long-distance trains and even many regional trains are all-reserved, so yes, trains can sell out and often do, at least at busy times.  Outside busy periods it's easy to buy tickets on the day of travel.

  Renfe (Spanish national railways) has airline-style fares, as do Ouigo & Iryo, so tickets are much cheaper booked in advance.  Mid-week is usually cheaper than Fridays, Sunday afternoons or Mondays, February cheaper than June.

  For more information including an explanation of Renfe's fare types & classes, see the train travel in Spain page.

• How to buy tickets

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

  These connect 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.

• You can also book Spanish trains online in US$ in plain English with no payment problems at www.petrabax.com.  This US-based agency also links to Renfe's ticketing system, with a small mark-up.

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

• Babies & infants:  Under 4s go free, but Spain is unusual in requiring them to have a €0 ticket for travel on any long-distance train wholly within Spain.  So either add them to the booking or get a free infant ticket at a Renfe ticket office before boarding, see the advice here.

• For advice on trains between Madrid & Barcelona, see the Madrid to Barcelona to page.

A Barcelona-Madrid AVE (type S103) at Madrid Atocha.  See virtual tour

Comfort (1st) class seating on an AVE train.		Cafe-bar on an S103 AVE train.

A meal is included if you pay the Premium fare.		Standard (2nd class) seating on an AVE.

Madrid to  Barcelona

• Four competing train services link Madrid & Barcelona in as little as 2h30, see the Madrid to Barcelona 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 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, not minutes!) to transfer between the station and ferry terminal in Valencia or Barcelona and check-in for the ferry

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.

• 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 Alvia train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 08:05, arriving San Roque-La Linea 13:23 & Algeciras 13:37.

  The Alvia S730 train is an air-conditioned articulated train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  It travels at up to 250 km./h (155 mph) on the high-speed line.  Near Antequera it passes through a gauge-changing shed and its axles adjust from standard gauge used on the high-speed line (4'8½) to Iberian-gauge (5' 6") to complete the journey over classic lines.  There's great scenery between Madrid and Antequera through the mountains and on the classic line twisting through the hills from Antequera to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar.  See a video of the journey here.

  An afternoon departure is possible with a change of train, usually at Antequera-Santa Ana.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  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 San Roque-La Linea, all trains to Algeciras call here about 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.

Above left, comfort (1st) class seats on an Alvia S730 train.  Above right, these Alvias are nicknamed Pato, duck.  No prizes for guessing why!

Above right, standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia S730.

Cafe-bar, with bar stools.		Algeciras station, across the road from the bus station.

Bus M-120 boarding at Algeciras bus station		Rock of Gibraltar, seen from a taxi near La Linea.

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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).  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 train travel between London & Spain in either direction.

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Spain to Dublin & Ireland

Option 1, Spain to Dublin using a direct ferry from Spain to Ireland

• Step 1, travel to Bilbao by train.

  There are two direct trains per day from Madrid Chamartin to Bilbao Abando station, journey time around 4h50.

  Check ferry sailing times and dates first, then check train times & buy tickets from anywhere in Spain to Bilbao at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $) or www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly).  Look for a train which arrives several hours before the ferry sails, to allow for any delay and the transfer to the port.  If necessary travel the day before.

  There are also hourly narrow gauge trains from San Sebastian (Donostia-Amara) to Bilbao's Matiko station every hour or half-hour, taking 2h35, see www.euskotren.eus.

• On arrival at Bilbao Abando, take the metro to Santurtzi metro station, 21-23 minutes, see www.metrobilbao.net.  Then take a 5 km €18 taxi ride to the ferry terminal at Zierbena, 16 km northwest of central Bilbao.

• Step 2, sail from Bilbao to Rosslare with Brittany Ferries.

  The ferry sails twice a week for most of the year, typically either sailing at 13:01 arriving at 20:46 next day, or sailing at 18:00 and arriving at 06:00 2 nights later.  Check sailing dates and book online at www.brittany-ferries.ie.

  The ferry has restaurants, bar, lounges, and cosy private cabins all with shower & toilet.

• Step 3, take a train from Rosslare to Dublin, www.irishrail.ie.  Rosslare ferry terminal is a few minutes walk from the railway platform.

Madrid to Bilbao by train. Courtesy of Pádraic Fogarty		Bilbao to Rosslare by ferry.  Courtesy of Pádraic Fogarty

Option 2, Spain to Dublin via Paris and ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin

• Day 1, travel to Paris as shown below.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near Paris stations.

• Day 2, take a morning train to Cherbourg & ferry overnight to Dublin as shown in the Paris to Dublin section, arriving in the morning on Day 3.

  Irish Ferries sails Cherbourg-Dublin several times a week.  Start by booking the ferry at www.irishferries.com and add a train connection using www.thetrainline.com, see the Paris to Dublin section for details.

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

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

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Spain to Paris

Madrid to Paris by high-speed TGV

Option 1, Madrid to Paris in a single day

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha at 11:30, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  On Mondays-Saturdays you can also take an Iryo train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 12:25, arriving Barcelona Sants 15:10.

  The AVE-S103 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Fares start from  €17.05 in standard class (2nd) or €68.05 in comfort class (1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

• Book from Madrid to Paris at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com

  Both are easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  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, book from Madrid to Barcelona at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) then book the Barcelona-Paris TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Option 2, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants on any evening AVE you like.

  There are departures almost every hour taking as little as 2h30, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Check times & fares at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

  Competing Iryo and Ouigo trains are also available from only €9, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  Other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com

  Book from Madrid to Barcelona, add to basket, book Barcelona to Paris for the following day and add to basket, then check out.

  Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  Booking for the Barcelona-Paris TGVs opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

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

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking TGV 1st class tickets.

TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants, a 320 km/h double-decker. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.  Watch TGV video.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved 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.		TGV Duplex boarding at Barcelona Sants.  The '1' indicates 1st class.  Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.

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 about what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.

Option 3, 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 17:37, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 22:47.

  Alternatively, an earlier Intercity train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 14:46 daily except Saturdays, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 19:41.

  If you'd like an afternoon in San Sebastian, an Alvia train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 07:20, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 12:43.

  These smart air-conditioned S120 Alvia & Intercity 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, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  In San Sebastian it's a 10 minute walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara station, see walking route.

• Stay overnight in San Sebastian - 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, travel from San Sebastian Amara to Hendaye on the French border by Euskotren (www.euskotren.eus).

  These metro trains leave San Sebastian Amara every 30 minutes all day, journey time 37 minutes, fare €2.90, buy at the station with cash or card 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 information on the Paris to San Sebastian page.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Océane, for example leaving Hendaye at 09:34, arriving Paris Montparnasse 14:22.

  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 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 €, no booking fee).

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

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

  You'd take the 07:20 Alvia train from Madrid Chamartin to San Sebastian Renfe station, then transfer from San Sebastian Amara to Hendaye by Euskotren and take the 16:12 TGV to Paris Montparnasse.  Or, daily except Saturdays, spend some time in San Sebastian and take the later 18:12 TGV to Paris.

Option 4:  Madrid-Paris using a French overnight train.

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

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

  Fares start at €17.05 in standard (2nd) class or €68.05 in comfort (1st) class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 advice on using it).

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

  You take a mid-afternoon local train from Barcelona Sants to either Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or to Cerbère 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, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com  (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville or Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante or Valencia, if you'd like more time in Barcelona.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Malaga, Seville or Granada to Barcelona starts at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $ allows you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com  (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

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

• Step 1 from Seville or Cordoba:  Travel from Seville or Cordoba to Barcelona by Iryo, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 06:54 or Cordoba at 09:35 arriving Barcelona Sants 12:45.

  Fares start at around €35.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the Iryo website iryo.eu.

• Step 1 from Alicante or Valencia:  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by Euromed train, leaving Alicante at 06:55 or Valencia Nord at 09:05, arriving Barcelona Sants 12:16.

  Fares start at around €30.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this 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 details & how to buy tickets.

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

Vigo, A Coruña & Santiago de Compostela to Paris

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

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

  On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Vigo Guixar at 07:48 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:35.

  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves A Coruña at 08:12 & Santiago de Compostela at 08:41, arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:35.

  An Intercity train provides a guaranteed connection every day, leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 16:45, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 18:50.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $ allows you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

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

• Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye by Euskotren, leaving San Sebastian Amara at 08:15.

  These metro trains run every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, buy a ticket at the station with cash or card and hop on the next train.  Check times at www.euskotren.eus.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Hendaye daily at 09:34, arriving Paris Gare Montparnasse 14:22.

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  By all means take a 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, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com  (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Galicia to Barcelona by high-speed Alvia train:

  On Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Vigo Guixar at 07:48, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:35.

  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves A Coruña at 08:12 & Santiago de Compostela at 08:41, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:35.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $ allows you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme.  Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station.  Other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com  (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

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Spain to Bordeaux

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

• Step 1, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 07:20, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 12:43.

  It's 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 at €16.25 in standard class (2nd) or €30.25 in comfort class (1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, it's a 10 minute walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara, see walking route.  Then take the little local Euskotren from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye, this runs every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes.  Fare €2.90, buy from the ticket machines or staffed counters with cash or card.  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 17:40, or a TGV around 16:12 arriving Bordeaux St Jean 18:36.

  The fare is around €41.50 by TER or €32 for TGV paid on the day, or from €20 by TGV if booked in advance.

  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 €, 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 17:37, arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 22:47.

  There are earlier trains if you want more of an evening in San Sebastian.

  It's 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 at €16.25 in standard class (2nd) or €30.25 in comfort class (1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  In San Sebastian it's a 10 minute walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara, see walking route

• 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 and take the little local Euskotren to Hendaye.  This runs every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, fare €2.90, buy at the station from the ticket machines or staffed counters with cash or card.  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 train in around 2h30.

  Trains leave every hour or two, some are TGVs which require pre-booking and have dynamic pricing, others are TER regional trains with no pre-booking and fixed prices that can be paid on the day.

  The fare is €41.50 by TER or €32 for TGV paid on the day, or from €20 by TGV if booked in advance.

  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 €, no booking fee).  Booking 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 Carcassonne & Toulouse.

  There are two daily departures from Barcelona Sants at 09:28 & 16:25 all year with one easy change at Narbonne.

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

  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 €, 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 09:28 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 day

• Step 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, change at Valence, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 21:36 (time may vary).

  You travel from Barcelona to Valence 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.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  More about the journey.

  You then travel from Valence 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, so book ahead.

• 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 open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  French trains open up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking as little as 2h30, or take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona by train page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own tickets.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more bout this journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, significantly more fiddly, see advice on using it).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Above left, the AVE to Lyon at Barcelona Sants.  Above, right, 2nd class seats, all with power sockets & free WiFi. Panorama photo of 2nd class.

Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, snacks & hot dishes.		1st class seats on an S100 AVE, all with power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class.

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.

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Spain to Avignon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes & Nice

Option 1, using the direct AVE from Madrid to Avignon, Aix & Marseille - fewest changes, recommended

• Step 1, take a morning train to Madrid or Barcelona:

  Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Travel from Seville to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 08:40, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE, leaving Granada at 06:55, arriving Madrid Atocha 10:32.

  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by Euromed, leaving Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord at 11:25 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Malaga or Seville to Barcelona start at around €45.

  Book 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, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

• Step 2, travel from Madrid or Barcelona to Avignon, Aix & Marseille by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 or Barcelona Sants at 16:34, arriving Avignon TGV 20:54, Aix-en-Provence TGV 21:17 & Marseille St Charles 21:32.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• For Cannes, Nice or Monaco, stay overnight in Marseille.  Inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

• Step 3, travel from Marseille to Toulon, Cannes, Antibes, Nice & Monte Carlo on any suitable train next day, for example:

  Leave Marseille St Charles at 07:57 by TER local train, arriving Cannes 10:02 & Nice Ville 10:38.

  Leave Marseille St Charles at 09:55 by TER local train, arriving Cannes 12:02 & Nice Ville 12:38.

  But why not spend a morning in Marseille?  An interesting city, well worth a look around, see the Marseille St Charles station guide.

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

Above left, 2nd class seats, all with power sockets & free WiFi. Panorama photo of 2nd class.  Above right, AVE at Madrid Atocha.

Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, snacks & hot dishes.		1st class seats on an S100 AVE, all with power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class.

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.

Option 2, with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like more time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille Cannes or Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28 every day, change at Narbonne, arriving Marseille St Charles 14:38.  Change at Marseille St Charles for Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville 17:38.

  Barcelona to Narbonne 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 between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey here.

  Narbonne 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, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (also easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).

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

  Tip:  www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees.  Seen from the train and one of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline all the way from Girona to Perpignan.

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Spain to Brussels from €68

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Barcelona - via Lyon, avoids crossing Paris

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral on the left, see more about the journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, see advice on using it).

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

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Brussels by French TGV, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 13:59, arriving Brussels Midi 17:43.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It by-passes Paris using the high-speed line through Marne la Vallée & CDG.

  If you'd like lunch in Lyon and a more robust connection, given that this involves two different operators, a later TGV leaves Lyon Part Dieu at 16:59 arriving Brussels Midi 20:43.  Suggested restaurant near Lyon Part Dieu.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €39 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

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

Step 1, Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, seen here at  Barcelona Sants.		2nd class seats, all with power sockets & free WiFi. Panorama photo of 2nd class.

1st class seats on an S100 AVE, all with power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class.		Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks & hot dishes.

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 Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.

Step 2, Lyon to Brussels by TGV.  Above left, 2nd class seats with a mix of unidirectional seats & tables for 4.  Seats 2+2 across car width. Larger photo.

Cafe-bar selling tea, coffee, beer, wine, cold snacks & microwaved dishes.  Larger photo.		1st class with mix of unidirectional seats, solo seats, tables for 2 & 4.  Seats 2+1 across car width.  Larger photo.

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

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Brussels by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:55, arriving Brussels Midi 19:17.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (which keeps all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Brussels on any Eurostar (formerly Thalys) you like, they leave every hour or so.

  The 06:22 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Brussels Midi 07:44, but by all means book a later one.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h double-decker. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.  Watch TGV video.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved 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.		TGV Duplex boarding at Barcelona Sants.  The '1' indicates 1st class. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.

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.

Paris to Brussels by Eurostar, seen here in Paris.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

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Spain to Amsterdam from €74

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  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.

  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 between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see photos, tips & journey information.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Paris Nord at 18:25, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 21:50.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (which keeps all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) on any departure you like.

  The 06:22 from Paris arrives Amsterdam 09:50, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they leave every hour or two.

  Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h double-decker. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.  Watch TGV video.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved 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 boarding at Barcelona Sants.  The '1' indicates 1st class.  Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.

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 about what to see on the Paris-Barcelona journey.

Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar, seen here in Paris.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

The train sweeps across the Moerdijk Bridge over the Hollands Diep one lazy evening, between Rotterdam & Antwerp.

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Spain to Luxembourg

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:40, arriving Luxembourg 19:52.

  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, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (which keeps all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Luxembourg by TGV.

  On Mondays-Fridays the 07:28 from Paris Gare de l'Est arrives Luxembourg 09:44.

  On Saturdays & Sundays, check times online.

  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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings in one place) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Spain to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland from €59

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral on the left.  More about the journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, see advice on using it).

  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38, arriving Geneva 16:35.

  These TER trains use former inter-city Corail carriages, old but comfortable.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a lovely journey along the river Rhône and through the Jura.

  Lyon to Geneva costs €33.40 in 2nd class, €50.80 in 1st class.  Fixed-price, unlimited availability.

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

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

• Step 3, take onwards trains from Geneva to anywhere in Switzerland.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Swiss Railways site www.sbb.ch.

Step 1, Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, seen here at  Barcelona Sants.		2nd class seats, all with power sockets & free WiFi. Panorama photo of 2nd class.

1st class seats on an S100 AVE, all with power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class.		Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, snacks & hot dishes.

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 Girona to Perpignan, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou.

Step 2, Lyon to Geneva by TER:  The trains are air-conditioned French diesel TER trains like this (photographed on the line between Toulouse & Latour de Carol).  They have 1st & 2nd class, toilets, room for luggage.  There's no catering so bring your own food & drink.

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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, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Lyon, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, change at Sète, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 21:36 (time may vary).

  You travel from Barcelona to Sète 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 Sète to Lyon, also with with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  In summer when it's light 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 by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about the journey.

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

  Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.

• 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.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, sit back and enjoy the ride.  More about this journey here.

  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 $, international 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, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train 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 by the tracks after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral.  More about this journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

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

  You now have time for lunch and a wander around Lyon, see suggested restaurant near the station.

• 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.

  The Frecciarossa 1000 has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, sit back and enjoy the ride.  More about this journey here.

  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 this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names).

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

• 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 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 Frecciarossa 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).

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 3, Spain to Italy with an overnight stop in Marseille

• Day 1, take a morning train to Madrid or Barcelona:

  Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:58 Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha 12:03.  On Sundays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:05 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:43.  Fares start at around €30.

  Travel from Seville to Barcelona by AVE S103 high-speed train, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 09:36 arriving Barcelona Sants 12:12.  Fares start at around €45.

  Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE high-speed train leaving Granada at 06:58 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:38.  Fares start at around €30.

  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by Euromed train, leaving Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord at 11:25 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.  Fares start at around €35.

  Book 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, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

• Day 1, travel from Spain to Marseille by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha 13:25 or Barcelona Sants 16:34, arriving Marseille St Charles 21:32.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral on the left, see more about the journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in Marseille.  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 by TER regional train, leaving Marseille St Charles at 09:57, arriving Nice Ville 12:36.

  This is a regional express train, there's no catering so bring your own supplies.  It's a lovely scenic run along the French coast.

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

• Day 2, now travel from Nice to Genoa, Milan, Verona or Venice, leaving Nice Ville on the 13:19 departure shown on the Nice to Italy page.

  You take the 13:19 double-deck TER regional train from Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border, then the 15:10 Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa & Milan.  Change in Milan for Verona, Venice, Florence & Rome, see the timetable on the Nice to Italy page.

  Book from Nice to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, but please read my booking advice for this route on the Nice-Italy page.

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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.

  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.  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's been permanently discontinued.  A direct fast daytime train may start in 2027 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.

Wonderful arid scenery on the Spanish plateau between Madrid & Badajoz.  Photo courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

Changing trains at Badajoz station.  The express from Madrid to Badajoz is on the left, the single-coach Allan Railcar from Badajoz to Entroncamento is on the right..  Photo courtesy of Giles Baker.

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 Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 11:20, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 15:38.

  Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  From Vigo Urzaiz it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.

  Have a wander around Vigo & an early dinner.

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

  The fare is €16.25, fixed price.

  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 trains.  There are regular departures through the day, spend some time in Porto before taking a train south!  More about Porto to Lisbon trains.

  Fares start at just €9.90 if you book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.cp.pt or Omio.com.

Step 1, Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train.  Above left, comfort class seats, recently refurbished in tan leather.

The cafe-bar.  Above right, an Iberico meal deal from the cafe-bar on an Alvia train.

Above left, boarding at Madrid Chamartin.  Above right, standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia S730 from Madrid to Vigo.

Scenery at high-speed, north of Madrid.

Scenery between Madrid & Vigo, a little way south of Ourense.

Step 2, Vigo to Porto by Celta regional express.

Above, crossing the Minho river which forms the border between Spain and Portugal.

Day 2, travel from Porto to Lisbon by Alfa Pendular

2nd class, arranged 2+2 across the car width.		Cafe-bar serving sandwiches, snacks & drinks.

Luggage racks at the end of each car.		1st class seats, arranged 1+2 across the car width.

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.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, see advice on using it).

• 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.  If you're starting in Malaga, look for Alsa buses that start from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same-station train-bus interchange.

  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com.

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

  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 (easy to use, in €, £ or $).  You print your own ticket.  More about Faro-Lisbon trains.

  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 Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 11:20, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 15:38.

  Alvia trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.

  Fares start at €33 in standard class (2nd) or €40 in comfort class (1st).  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, in €, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  From Vigo Urzaiz it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.

  Have a wander around Vigo & an early dinner.

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

  The fare is €16.25, fixed price.  2nd class only.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (more fiddly).

Step 1, Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train.  Above left, comfort class seats, recently refurbished in tan leather.

The cafe-bar.  Above right, an Iberico meal deal from the cafe-bar on an Alvia train.

Above left, boarding at Madrid Chamartin.  Above right, standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia S730 from Madrid to Vigo.

Scenery between Madrid & Vigo, north of Madrid.

Scenery between Madrid & Vigo, a little way south of Ourense.

Step 2, Vigo to Porto by Celta regional express.  Below, the Minho river forms the border between Spain and Portugal.

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

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 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 and power sockets at all seats.  Spend a pleasant afternoon in Vigo.

  Fares start at €33 in standard class (2nd) or €40 in comfort class (1st).  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, in €, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  From Vigo Urzaiz it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.

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

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

  The fare is €16.25, fixed price.  2nd class only.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (more fiddly).

Malaga & Seville to Porto

• Step 1, trains link Malaga Maria Zambrano 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.

  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com.

  Several bus companies run on this route including Alsa, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  I recommend Alsa as their buses start from right outside Seville Santa Just station for an easy train-bus connection.  They arrive in Faro at the Eva bus terminal, next to the excellent Eva Senses Hotel and 2 minutes walk from the station.

  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 Alfa Pendular.

  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 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.

  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, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 9 months ahead, though this varies.

• Step 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, journey time 2h30 to 3h15.

  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check online at Omio.com. 

  I'd allow at least 40 minutes between train & bus. 

  Several bus companies run on this route including Alsa, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  Look for a bus that starts from Seville Santa Justa station, so it's an easy same station train-bus interchange.  To find the Alsa bus departure point, walk out of Seville Santa Justa's main exit and turn right, the buses stop opposite McDonald's.

  The Alsa-Rede Express bus has power sockets, but no WiFi or toilet.  There's a brief toilet stop at Tavira bus station.

  In Faro, the Alsa-Rede Express buses arrive at the Eva bus station adjacent to the excellent Eva Senses Hotel and 2 minutes walk from Faro railway station.  The bus continues to Lagos, or you can have a coffee and continue to Tunes & Lagos by train.

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

  Buy tickets for any of these bus companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.

Step 1, Madrid to Seville by AVE.  This is an AVE-S100 at Madrid Atocha.

Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, snacks & hot dishes.		1st class seats with power sockets & free WiFi. Panorama photo of 1st class.

2nd class seats on an S100 AVE with power sockets & free WiFi.  Panorama photo of 2nd class		AVE S100.

Step 2, Seville to Faro by bus.  This is an Alsa bus to Faro & Lagos, at its departure point right outside Seville Santa Justa station main exit.

The bus crosses the Guadiana river, which forms the border between Spain and Portugal at this point.

An Alsa-Rede Express bus at Faro's Eva bus station, next to the Eva Senses Hotel & 2 minutes walk from Faro station.

Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Faro

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

  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, see advice on using it).  Booking opens anything from 15 days to several months ahead.

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

  Buses typically leave Seville at 08:30, 09:30, 11:30 & 16:00, but it varies so check at Omio.com. 

  Several bus companies run on this route including Also, Damas, EuroLines and Iberobus.  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

Option 1, via Lleida - cheapest & fastest from Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga

• Step 1, take a train from Madrid Atocha to Lleida, also known as Lerida.  AVE trains leave every couple of hours, journey time 2h05.

  There are also occasional AVE trains direct from Seville, Cordoba & Malaga to Lleida.

  I'd allow at least an hour between train & bus in Lleida.

  Buy tickets 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 advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, with small mark-up). 

• Step 2, travel from Lleida to Andorra by bus.

  Buses leave every few hours taking 2h15 to Andorra La Vella.  Andbus, Hife & Alsa all run buses, Andbus is the most frequent.

  Andbus buses leave from a stop outside Lleida railway station.  To reach the bus stop, leave the station and turn left along the main road for about 50m, see location map.

  The fare is €25, buy tickets at andbus.net.

Option 2, via Barcelona - easiest from Alicante & Valencia

• 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.

  Buy tickets 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 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, 7 or 8 buses leave Barcelona Sants every day for Andorra La Vella, journey time 3 hours.

  Barcelona Sants bus station is on the north side of Barcelona Sants railway station, see location map.

  The fare is €30.50, buy tickets at www.andorradirectbus.es or Omio.com.

  Using Omio.com, enter Barcelona Sants as your starting point to avoid seeing buses that go from the airport.  These buses appear on Omio as DirectBus.

 

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

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

  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 in Paris from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord (for Cologne) or Gare de l'Est (for Frankfurt).

• Day 2 for Cologne:  Leave Paris Gare du Nord at 17:55 daily except Saturdays by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) arriving Cologne Hbf 21:15.

  The Eurostar (formerly Thalys) has a cafe area, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54 by TGV Duplex and change at Karlsruhe, arriving Cologne Hbf 23:06.

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Day 2 for Frankfurt:  Leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 by ICE, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 22:59.

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

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Day 2 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 plain English, in €, £ or $, international 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 & ICE opens up to 4 months ahead, 60 days ahead for Spanish trains although this varies.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  When booking Barcelona to Germany at Raileurope, click More options, enter 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. Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  In Barcelona there's a brief X-ray baggage check to access the platforms.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• Day 2, take a high-speed train from Paris to Germany.

  For Berlin:  A direct ICE3 train leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:55 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:03.

  For Cologne:  A Eurostar (formerly Thalys) leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:55 Monday-Saturday, arriving Cologne Hbf 11:15.

  For Frankfurt:  A TGV Duplex leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06 every day, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 12:59.

  For Hamburg:  An ICE3 train leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06 daily, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.

  For Munich:  A TGV Duplex leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06 daily, change at Mannheim. arriving Munich Hbf 15:27.

  Other departures are available, check times for your date using int.bahn.de.

  ICE3 trains have a restaurant car, TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, all these trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

  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 or can show them on your phone.

  Booking for the TGV & onward trains opens up to 4 months ahead, booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more work, same prices, but no booking fee:

  Book the Spanish trains with Renfe at www.renfe.com, but see advice on using it.  Book from Barcelona to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Paris to Cologne by Eurostar at www.sncf-connect.com or Paris to Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and other stations in Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Option 3, Madrid to Munich & Berlin using the Paris-Germany sleeper - 3 times a week

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

  Have an early dinner in Paris, see suggested restaurants near the Gare de l'Est.

• Step 3, travel from Paris to Berlin or Munich by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.

  One portion of this train goes to Berlin, arriving Berlin Hbf 08:26.  Another goes to Munich, arriving Munich Ost 05:50 (en route to Vienna).

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  Each portion of 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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

A Nightjet sleeper train at Berlin Hbf.  More about Nightjets.

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

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

• Day 1, take a morning train from Spanish cities to Madrid or Barcelona:

  Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:58 Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha 12:03.  On Sundays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:05 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:43.  Fares start at around €30.

  Travel from Seville to Barcelona by AVE S103 high-speed train, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 09:36 arriving Barcelona Sants 12:12.  Fares start at around €45.

  Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE high-speed train leaving Granada at 06:58 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:38.  Fares start at around €30.

  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by Euromed train, leaving Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord at 11:25 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.  Fares start at around €35.

  Book 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, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

• Day 1, travel from Spain to Marseille by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha 13:25 or Barcelona Sants 16:34, arriving Marseille St Charles 21:32.

  The Spanish AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral.  More about the journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, significantly more fiddly).

  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 08:12, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 15:59.

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

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Marseille to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  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 phone.

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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

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

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

  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 Austria by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26 & Vienna Hbf 10:13 (day 3).

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about this journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38, arriving Geneva 16:35.

  These TER trains use former inter-city Corail carriages, old but comfortable.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a lovely journey along the river Rhône and through the Jura.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €33.40 in 2nd class, €50.80 in 1st class.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

A railjet to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna about to leave Zurich HB.

Railjet first class, with black leather seats.		Business class.  About.		Restaurant.

Railjet is Austrian Railways premier train. More photos & information about railjet trains		Economy class on railjet, in open saloons with large windows.  Some seats around tables, most unidirectional.

Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.

Brooding skies over the Arlberg pass.  The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.  More photos & information about this route.

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Spain to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo & Scandinavia

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

• Day 1, take a morning train from Spanish cities to Madrid or Barcelona:

  Travel from Malaga to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:58 Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha 12:03.  On Sundays, leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:05 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:43.  Fares start at around €30.

  Travel from Seville to Barcelona by AVE S103 high-speed train, leaving Seville Santa Justa at 09:36 arriving Barcelona Sants 12:12.  Fares start at around €45.

  Travel from Granada to Madrid by AVE high-speed train leaving Granada at 06:58 arriving Madrid Atocha 10:38.  Fares start at around €30.

  Travel from Alicante or Valencia to Barcelona by Euromed train, leaving Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord at 11:25 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.  Fares start at around €35.

  Book 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, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

• Day 1, travel from Spain to Marseille by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha 13:25 or Barcelona Sants 16:34, arriving Marseille St Charles 21:32.

  The Spanish AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral.  More about the journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, significantly more fiddly).

  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 08:12, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:30.

  Marseille to Frankfurt is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Frankfurt to Hamburg is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

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

• Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.

  If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

• Day 3, take an onward train from Copenhagen to Sweden & Norway:

  For Stockholm, take an X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.

  Times may vary, a change at Malmö Central may be necessary.  Book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from €56.99 in 2nd class or €75.99 in 1st class at int.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  If you have any problems, book Hamburg-Copenhagen at int.bahn.de, Copenhagen-Stockholm at www.sj.se.

  For Malmö, Öresund trains link Copenhagen & Malmö Central 2 or 3 times each hour taking 40 minutes.

  For Gothenburg, Öresund trains link Copenhagen & Gothenburg (Göteborg Central) every hour taking 3h50.

  For Oslo, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo in the afternoon & evening as shown on the Copenhagen to Oslo page.

  Book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (= Göteborg Central) as one transaction from €56.99 at int.bahn.de.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Book 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 €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  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 either Cologne or Frankfurt:

  Daily except Saturdays, leave Paris Gare du Nord at 17:55 by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), arriving Cologne Hbf 21:15.

  The Eurostar (formerly Thalys) has a cafe area, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Does not run on Saturdays.

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

  On any day of the week you can leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07 by ICE, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 22:59.

  The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com.

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

• Stay overnight in Cologne or Frankfurt.

  In Cologne, the good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, the entrance is left of the station entrance, many rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

  In Frankfurt, hotels next to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with good or great reviews include the Flemings Hotel Frankfurt-Central & 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 Cologne or Frankfurt to Copenhagen by train, taking an ICE train to Hamburg then a EuroCity train to Copenhagen. 

  For example, leave Cologne Hbf at 08:11, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 17:38.

  Or leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 17:38.

  Fares start at from €37.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Cologne or Frankfurt to Copenhagen at int.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 phone.

  Tip:  It's a good idea to change Transfer time from normal to 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 & Malmö, using a through ticket from only €59.99 booked at int.bahn.de.  Depending on the day and date, you can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:58 and arrive at 23:38, 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.

  Travel from Frankfurt to Copenhagen, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:58, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 17:38.

  Frankfurt to Hamburg is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Hamburg to Copenhagen is by EuroCity train with power sockets & refreshments.

  Fares start at €39.99.  Book this at int.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  Stay overnight in Copenhagen, then take a train from Copenhagen to Oslo with 1 easy change at Gothenburg, see the timetable here.

  Book this from €46 with Swedish Railways at www.sj.se or as shown here.

  Alternatively, spend the morning exploring Copenhagen and take the overnight cruise ferry to Oslo with comfortable cabins, bars and restaurants, see more about this option & how to buy tickets.

Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2026.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.  There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo.  Larger photo.

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

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

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

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

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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, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

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

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hamburg, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.

  Paris to Frankfurt is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Frankfurt to Hamburg is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

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

• 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 at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 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.

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

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.		Gym with a view.		Sauna.

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

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants at 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Munich, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06 by TGV Duplex, changing at Mannheim, arriving Munich Hbf 15:27.

  Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or €, small booking fee) or using the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee).

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 3, travel from Munich to Prague by express train, leaving Munich Hbf at 16:44, arriving Prague Hlavni 22:22.

  This train is air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi in most cars, see the Munich to Prague page.

  Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz & print your 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, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  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 it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Linz by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Linz at 08:46.

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international 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, arriving Prague Hlavni 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  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 it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international 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 56 minutes, fare €11, 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.    Important: If travelling before 10 October 2025, see the update here.

  You can check train times & prices at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		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 overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about this journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38, arriving Geneva 16:38.

  These TER regional trains use former inter-city Corail carriages, old but comfortable.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a lovely journey along the river Rhône and through the Jura.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €33.40 in 2nd class, €50.80 in 1st class.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• 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 08:35, change at Zurich HB onto the 12:40 railjet train arriving Bratislava Hlavna 21:51.

  The Zurich-Bratislava railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  1st & business class passengers have food & drink orders taken & served at their seat.

  The journey takes you through the beautifully scenic Arlberg Pass, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page.  Have your camera ready!

  Book from Geneva to Bratislava at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €).

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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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, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  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 it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 3, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		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, Barcelona to Budapest with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Lyon by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:19, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:20.

  This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Look out for the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes between Narbonne & Montpellier, and Béziers cathedral, see more about this journey.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check before boarding.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international 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 normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Geneva by TER, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:38, arriving Geneva 16:38.

  These TER regional trains use former inter-city Corail carriages, old but comfortable.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a lovely journey along the river Rhône and through the Jura.

  Lyon to Geneva costs a fixed-price €33.40 in 2nd class, €50.80 in 1st class.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• 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 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.

  The train snakes through the beautiful Arlberg Pass from Switzerland into Austria, see the photos & video on the Arlberg Pass page.

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

Zurich to Budapest by railjet.  A railjet about to leave Zurich HB.

Business class.  About.		Restaurant car.

First class.		Economy class.

Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.

Brooding skies over the Arlberg pass.  The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.  More photos & information about this route.

The railjet has landed!  Arrived on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti station.

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Spain to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania

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

• Step 2. travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest as shown here.

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Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb

Option 1, Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Paris-Salzburg sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week

• Day 1, travel from Spanish cities to Barcelona in the afternoon or early evening:

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 16:20 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 16:37 or Cordoba 17:32 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:36.

  Leave Granada at 15:35 by AVE S112 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:54.

  Leave Alicante at 16:50 or Valencia Nord at 18:55 by Euromed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 22:04.

  Leave Madrid Atocha by AVE S103 high-speed train for Barcelona Sants on any departure you like taking around 2h30.

  There's also a morning train from Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and earlier trains from Alicante & Valencia if you'd like some time in Barcelona.

  From Madrid to Barcelona you can also take a competing Iryo or Ouigo train, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.  You can leave early evening, but trains leave almost every hour so by all means travel earlier for a pleasant evening in Barcelona.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, overseas cards no problem) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

  Spanish trains open for booking anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  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 it on your phone.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Salzburg by Nightjet, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26.

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (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, make a quick and easy change at Villach onto a connecting train arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:32 & Zagreb 20:45.

  This is a comfortable EuroCity train from Salzburg to Villach near the Slovenian border, with a restaurant car.  It's a spectacular journey through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route.  The connecting train takes you into Slovenia and along the beautiful Sava river to 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Scenery between Ljubljana & Zagreb along the river Sava..

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.

• 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.

Inside the ETR563.  Larger photo.		The train to Ljubljana about to leave Trieste.  Courtesy of Marc Williams.

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Spain to Belgrade & Serbia

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

• Step 2. travel from Budapest to Belgrade as shown here.

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Spain to Sofia & Bulgaria

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

• Step 2. travel from Budapest to Bucharest as shown here.

• Stay overnight in Bucharest.  The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord, Hello Hotels Gara de Nord & Euro Hotel Grivita are all just a 350m 5 minute walk from the station, inexpensive with good reviews.  I personally didn't get on with the Grivita in spite of its good reviews, perhaps try Hello Hotels Gara de Nord.  The Ibis Styles Bucharest Center is an 18-minute hike from the station (see walking map), but would be a reliable choice.  However, if you want a landmark hotel in the city centre, go for the Athenee Palace Hotel, see why I love that hotel here.

• Step 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest-Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page.

  You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:11 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:35 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria.  In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  The fare is €36.

  Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

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Spain to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland

Option 1, Madrid to Poland using the Paris-Berlin sleeper - 3 times a week

• Day 1, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE on any departure you like.  On most days you can leave Madrid Atocha as late as 21:07, arriving Barcelona Sants 23:59, but by all means take an earlier train, they leave every hour or two through the day.

  AVE trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme.  Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station.  Other suggested hotels near the station.

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Berlin by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Berlin Hbf 08:26.

  Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.

  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 two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

  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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Poland by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 09:52, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 12:52, arriving Wroclaw 16:53, Katowice 19:12 & Krakow Glowny 20:06.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 14:52 for Gdansk & Gydnia, or take the earlier 09:52 and change.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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

A Nightjet sleeper train at Berlin Hbf.  More about Nightjets.

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

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Warsaw, with overnight stop in Paris - runs Sunday to Thursday only

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

  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 Warsaw in a day.  High-speed trains make it possible to do this on Mondays-Fridays, but not weekends.

  You leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 07:18, change at Mannheim & Berlin Hbf, arriving Warsaw Centralna 23:00.

  It's a chill-out journey across Europe, using a 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex from Paris to Mannheim with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, a superb German ICE train from Mannheim to Berlin with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, and a EuroCity train from Berlin to Warsaw with restaurant car.  In Berlin, you've time between trains for a stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.

  Paris-Berlin starts at €59.99 in 2nd class or €89.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.

  Berlin-Warsaw starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest fares.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Before running a Paris to Warsaw enquiry, click Transfer time and change it from normal to 40 minutes, then click Stopovers and enter Mannheim as stopover with length of stay left as 00:00.

  It should show a 2-change option, but at this stage you'll only see silly-money €240+ fares.  Ignore these, note down the trains you need.

  Then split the booking:  First use int.bahn.de to book from Paris to Berlin.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, look for a journey with 1 change.  Then use int.bahn.de again to book from Berlin to Warsaw.

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

Option 3, Spain to Warsaw & Krakow with overnight stops in Paris & Berlin - runs daily

• Day 1, travel from Madrid or other Spanish city to Barcelona:

  Leave Madrid Atocha at 11:30 by AVE S103 high-speed train, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:42.

  Leave Alicante at 09:15 or Valencia Nord 11:25 by Euromed train arriving Barcelona Sants 14:33.

  Leave Seville Santa Justa at 08:40 or Cordoba at 09:36 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Leave Malaga Maria Zambrano at 08:25 by AVE S103 arriving Barcelona Sants 14:21.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Madrid-Barcelona starts at €17.05, Seville, Malaga or Granada to Barcelona at around €45.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  When does booking open?

  This sells Iryo, Renfe & SNCF tickets so you can buy all your tickets in one place.  Or you can book Iryo trains at the Iryo website iryo.eu (in €), or Renfe trains at the Renfe website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).

• Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:25, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:18.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  Remember there's an X-ray bag check at Barcelona Sants.

  The train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees with views of 2,784m Mt Canigou, after Perpignan it passes the Fort de Salses, colonies of flamingos on the lakes in southern France, and Béziers cathedral.  It then speeds along the Rhône Valley towards Paris.  More about the journey.

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

  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 (in €, no booking fee).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  Change trains & stations in Paris.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex.  If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare de l'Est I suggest the Libertel Gare de l'Est Français or OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est, both right next to the station with great reviews.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Berlin, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:55 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:03.

  This comfortable direct ICE3 train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €59.99 in 2nd class or €89.9990 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or with German Railways at int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) and print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 3 for Warsaw, travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna in 5h25 on any EuroCity train you like, see the timetable here.

  On Mondays-Saturdays the 05:51 from Berlin Hbf arrives Warsaw Centralna 11:00.

  Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:52 arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00.

  Or spend a morning in Berlin and take a later train. The EuroCity trains have a restaurant car, treat yourself!

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Day 3 for Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw, travel from Berlin to Krakow by air-conditioned EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:52, arriving Wroclaw 12:52, Katowice 15:09 & Krakow Glowny 16:09.  Later trains are available, see the timetable here.

  The EuroCity train Galicija is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.

  Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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Spain to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

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

• Stay overnight in Warsaw.  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius by train, as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Stay overnight in Vilnius.  Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, a 6-minute walk from the station, or the Conti Hotel Vilnius, a 9-minute walk from the station towards the old town, both with excellent reviews.

• Step 3, travel from Vilnius to Riga (Latvia) or Tallinn (Estonia) by train, as shown on the Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn page.

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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.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car at Kyiv Pass.  Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.		The sleeper corridor.  Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.		1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment.

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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.

• Stay overnight in Milan:  Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.  Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Athens as shown on the Italy to Athens 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).

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.		Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.		Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras.

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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

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

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 with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

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

  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  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 money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  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, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use 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.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.

 

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