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      See Munich Hbf station information

This page explains how to travel by train from Munich to other European cities and how to buy tickets the cheapest way.  Information current for 2022.

Tip:  For a beer or local Bavarian food before your train I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

Before you buy your tickets...

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

European train travel FAQ...

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Munich to Berlin from €17.90.  See the video...

• There's no excuse for flying!  A new section of high-speed line opened in December 2017, cutting the journey from Munich Hbf to Berlin Hbf to as little as 3h58 by luxurious ICE train.  From city centre to city centre it's as fast as flying and a lot less hassle, more comfortable and more civilised.  The ICE trains come with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares start at €17.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.  The Flexpreis is around €139 if you buy on the day, 2nd class.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, less than this when the mid-December timetable change intervenes.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.  

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Munich to Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg & other German destinations...

• Munich Hauptbahnhof is the main station right in the city centre, and all mainline trains leave from there.

• With only one or two exceptions, German trains are never reservation compulsory so you can always just turn up, buy a ticket and get on the next train without a reservation.  However, if you do that you'll pay the highest-priced full-flex Flexpreis.  If you pre-book there are much cheaper Sparpreis fares for €18.90, €27.90, €39.90 etc. for long-distance journeys, so buy in advance if you want to save money.

  Booking now opens up to 6 months ahead, though less when the mid-December timetable change intervenes.

• www.bahn.de will book all German long-distance daytime trains.

  A seat reservation is usually optional, for a small extra charge.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.

  Bahn.de is easy to use, and should have no problem accepting overseas credit cards.  I recommend registering when prompted, as you can then log into your account at any time and check bookings or re-print tickets.  If you do encounter any problems with bahn.de you can also buy German train tickets at exactly the same prices with the same print-at-home tickets and the same lack of any booking fee at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com both of which have implemented a connection to DB's ticketing system.

• Sleeper trains to Hamburg, Koblenz, Cologne, Dusseldorf:  There are Nightjet sleeper trains from Munich to Hamburg, Cologne & Dusseldorf.  These are run by ÖBB (Austrian Railways), to book these, use www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, bit more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

• See the train travel in Germany page for a beginner's guide to train travel in Germany, including how to buy tickets online or by phone and an explanation of the Lander tickets.

Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber...

• Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a much-visited Medieval town in northern Bavaria.  Simply check times and buy a ticket at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  Avoid any departure shown as including a bus, go for departures involving IC or ICE to Nuremberg followed by regional trains, shown as RE or RB.

  Fares start at €29.90 if you book in advance, you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Tip:  Consider a stopover in Nuremberg - the city has a pleasant old town, a railway museum and the thought-provoking Party Rally Grounds.  You can stop for several hours and still do the journey in a day.

Munich to Neuschwanstein, Bavaria's fairytale castle:  See here...

Munich to Berchtesgaden for Eagles Nest:  See here...

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Munich to London & UK...

• See the London to Germany page for full details of the recommended routes, trains, fares & how to buy tickets.

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Munich to Dublin & Ireland...

Option 1, Munich to Dublin via London & Holyhead - daily departures...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to London by high-speed train & Eurostar, see the London-Germany page for times, fares, how to buy tickets.

• Stay overnight in London, see suggested hotels near St Pancras.

• Day 2, travel from London Euston to Dublin on the morning train & ferry service, arriving Dublin Ferryport 17:25, see details here.

  It's only a 10 minute walk between St Pancras & Euston stations.  Rail & Sail is an inexpensive, fun and interesting way to go, see an illustrated account of the journey.  By all means stop off in London for longer if you like.

Option 2, Munich to Dublin via Paris & Cherbourg - several times a week...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Paris by high-speed train on any departure you like, as shown below.

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

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  I recommend changing Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Stay overnight in Paris.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Dublin by train & ferry, taking a morning train from Paris St Lazare to Cherbourg & an overnight ferry 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 full details.

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Munich to Paris from €39.90...

Option 1, Munich to Paris by direct TGV, every morning...

• A TGV Duplex links Munich with Paris every day, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:46 & arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:31.

  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It uses the TGV-Est high-speed line across France at up to 320 km/h (199 mph).  I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  Watch the sun rise and the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video.

Option 2, Munich to Paris by high-speed train, other departures...

• Many other departures are possible with 1 easy change in Stuttgart or Mannheim, check at www.bahn.de.  For example:

  Munich Hbf depart 07:46, change at Stuttgart, Paris Gare de l'Est arrive 14:05.

  Munich Hbf depart 09:28, change at Mannheim, Paris Gare de l'Est arrive 16:54.

  Munich Hbf depart 11:47, change at Stuttgart, Paris Gare de l'Est arrive 18:05.

  Munich Hbf depart 13:47, change at Mannheim, Paris Gare de l'Est arrive 20:41.

  Munich Hbf depart 15:47, change at Stuttgart, Paris Gare de l'Est arrive 22:05.

  All these departures use a superb ICE with restaurant car, changing onto either an ICE3 or an impressive TGV Duplex with cafe-bar.  All trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  On TGV Duplex the best seats are upstairs, any seat number greater than 60.

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

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Tip:  I'd change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 30 minutes.  That gives you a robust connection, avoiding 11-minute connections where a 10-minute delay would see you 2 hours late into Paris.  The train times shown above assume you do that!

  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.

• Tip:  You can also buy tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, but read this advice...

  If you're using the direct Munich-Paris TGV, check both sites!  I've seen www.bahn.de want €44.90 non-refundable when www.sncf-connect.com wanted only €39 for exactly the same train, refundable less €15 up to 3 days before departure.  And www.sncf-connect.com would let me hold the ticket at that price without payment for a week while I completed my planning.  So I bought from www.sncf-connect.com!  Also, www.sncf-connect.com normally lets you choose an exact seat from a plan when travelling 1st class on a TGV, a feature not available when using www.bahn.de.

  But if you have kids, it's better to use www.bahn.de as then the more generous German child age limits apply, under 6 free, under 15 child rate.  Furthermore, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare.  If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate and there's no kids-go-free deal.  So if you have children, it's a no-brainer to buy from the Germans.

  And if you're changing in Stuttgart, it's better to use www.bahn.de as the Germans sell through tickets from almost anywhere in Germany to Paris for one inclusive price, so Munich-Paris always starts from €39.90, it makes no difference whether you use the direct TGV or a departure with a change in Stuttgart.  The French ticketing system charges for each train, so Munich-Paris by direct TGV starts at €39.90, but for Munich to Paris with a change in Stuttgart it adds the cost of two tickets, Stuttgart to Paris from €39 plus perhaps another €40 for the Munich-Stuttgart connecting train making it significantly more expensive than buying from DB where the whole journey starts at €39.90.  It's just the different way the French & German ticketing systems work!

• The Munich-Paris City Night Line sleeper train was sadly discontinued in December 2014, but a new Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Paris is planned from December 2021, watch this space...

Option 3, Munich to Paris by sleeper train - 3 times a week...

• A direct Nightjet sleeper train leaves Munich Ost at 00:04 on Tuesday, Friday & Sunday morning, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:42.

  Remember this means Monday, Thursday & Saturday nights!  Munich Ost is an 8-minute S-Bahn ride from Munich Hbf, see how to transfer.  This is a new Nightjet route, starting December 2021.

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

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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Munich to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Monaco...

Option 1, Munich to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille in a day with one easy change in Frankfurt - the easiest option!

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Mannheim by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:28 and arriving Mannheim Hbf at 13:29.

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

• Step 2, travel from Mannheim to France by TGV Duplex, leaving Mannheim at 14:39 every day arriving Lyon Part Dieu 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:11, Aix en Provence TGV 21:33 & Marseille St Charles 21:49.

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

• Fares from Munich to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Munich to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

  Tip:  Before running the enquiry, change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes for a robust connection in Mannheim with time for a coffee, rather than a risky 11-minute connection where a 10-minute delay would mean missing the once-daily direct train.

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

• Step 3, travel from Marseille to Cannes or Nice next day, fares from €15, check times & buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, a little more fiddly, no fee).  Booking for French trans opens up to 4 months ahead.

The TGV Duplex from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille, about to leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf...

The cafe-bar on the upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwave-style hot dishes...		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Option 2, Munich to Monaco, Nice & Cannes using the Munich-Milan sleeper then a scenic coastal ride...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Milan by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf every day at 20:10 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 08:10.

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

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

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

  Transfer from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale by taxi (€6, 10 minutes) or walk (25 minutes) or local train.

  Spend the morning and have lunch in Milan, as at present there's no earlier robust connection.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Ventimiglia by Frecciabianca train, leaving Milan Centrale at 15:10 and arriving Ventimiglia at 18:54

  This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa & Ventimiglia.  There's a refreshment trolley.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on the train.

• Step 3, travel from Ventimiglia to Monaco, Nice or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 19:25, arriving Monte Carlo 19:55, Nice Ville 20:23, Cannes 21:08.

  The fare is €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available.  2nd class only.

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

  You'll find full details of the journey from Milan to Nice with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Option 3, Munich to Nice & the South of France with an overnight stop in Verona - a scenic trip with mountains and coastline...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Verona by EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf at 15:34 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 20:56.

  By all means take an earlier train for an afternoon or evening in Verona, for example the 11:34 or 13:34 from Munich.

  These EuroCity trains travel through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.  All these trains have a waiter-service restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch or dinner as the mountains roll by. 

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, using Raileurope allows you to book everything in one place) or at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Stay overnight in Verona.  Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire.  Enjoy a morning in Verona.

• Day 2, travel from Verona to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 13:02, changing at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto a Frecciabianca train, arriving Ventimiglia at 18:54.

  It's a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Ventimiglia, through Savona and San Remo.

  Fares start at €38.90 in 2nd class or €59.80 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, this keeps all your bookings together in one place, small booking fee).  It's ticketless, you just quite the booking reference on board.  You can also book at www.trenitalia.com, but you'll need to use Italian-language city names.

• Day 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Menton, Monte Carlo, Nice, Antibes or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 19:25, arriving Monte Carlo at 19:55, Nice Ville at 20:23 & Cannes at 21:08.

  The fare is €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available.  2nd class only.

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.  You can also book at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).

  You'll find full details of the journey from Verona & Milan to Nice with photos & tips on the Nice to Italy by train page.

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Munich to Brussels or Bruges from €39.90...

Option 1, Munich to Brussels by daytime trains... 

• Take a luxurious ICE train from Munich to Cologne and either another ICE to Brussels.  For example:

  Leave Munich Hbf at 06:48, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi at 13:35.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 08:48, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi at 15:35.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 10:51, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi at 17:35.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 12:50, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi at 19:35.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 14:51, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Brussels Midi at 21:35.

  The ICE trains all have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary, so check online.  A change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen couldn't be easier, you get off, remain on platform 7, the onward train normally uses the same platform.

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

• Buy tickets from Munich to Brussels, Bruges or elsewhere in Belgium at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Munich to Brussels using the Munich-Cologne sleeper train - the time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Cologne by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 22:50 & arriving Cologne Hbf at 06:51.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has several couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Cologne to Brussels by high-speed ICE train leaving Cologne Hbf at 07:42 and arriving Brussels Midi at 09:35.

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

  Fares start from €18.90 in 2nd class or €27.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a Cologne-Brussels ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

• Change in Brussels for an Intercity train to Bruges, these run twice an hour, no reservation needed.  You can book through from Cologne to Bruges or anywhere else in Belgium as one ticket at www.bahn.de.

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Munich to Amsterdam from €37.90...

Option 1, Munich to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train - the most time-effective option...

• An excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Munich Hbf at 22:50 every night arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59 next morning.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has several couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways website www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no fee).

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Tip:  If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

  Tip:  For a Bavarian dinner & beer before boarding, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

Option 2, Munich to Amsterdam by daytime trains...

• Superb German ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi link Munich Hbf with Amsterdam Centraal several times a day with one easy change of train, either in Hanover onto an InterCity train or at Frankfurt or Dusseldorf onto another ICE.  It's a chill-out journey with a good book and a restaurant car for your meals.  For example...

  Leave Munich Hbf at 05:53, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 13:29.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 07:47, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 09:51, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 17:29.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 12:50, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 20:29.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 14:27, change at Mannheim Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 21:59.

  Leave Munich Hbf at 15:51 (not Saturdays), change Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, Amsterdam Centraal arrive 23:29.

  But times may vary, so check your date at www.bahn.de and see.  A change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen couldn't be easier, you get off, remain on platform 7, the onward train normally uses the same platform.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices..

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Tip:  Click Add intermediate stop and enter Frankfurt (Main) Flugh as a via station, leaving duration zero.  By default, the system will make you change at Dusseldorf, this way it'll show a change at Frankfurt airport station instead, which is an easier same-platform interchange.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.  See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

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Munich to Luxembourg from €37.90...

• You can travel from Munich to Luxembourg by train in a single day from just €37.90.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the search results, look for journeys with just one change at Koblenz.  Avoid any journey involving a bus.

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

• The journey to Koblenz takes you long the Rhine Valley, past castles, vineyards, river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock, a real treat, see the Rails Down the Rhine page.

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Munich to Zurich, Luzern, Geneva or anywhere in Switzerland from €18.90...

• See the Munich to Zurich by train page for timetable, fares, travel tips & how to buy tickets.

  With the timetable change on 13 December 2020, Munich-Zurich frequency was doubled to 6 trains per day each way & journey time cut to 4 hours, From 12 December 2021, journey time is further cut to 3h32.

  All services are now operated by bullet-nosed ETR610 trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets from Munich to any Swiss town or city at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  You can book tickets from Munich to Geneva, Luzern, Bern, Interlaken, Zermatt, St Moritz or almost any station in Switzerland this way, at one inclusive cheap price if you pre-book, a lot cheaper than buying a separate onward ticket from Zurich at expensive Swiss domestic prices.

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Munich to Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome & Italy from €39.90...

Option 1, Munich to Italy by daytime trains through the scenic Brenner Pass...

• Every couple of hours, a comfortable EuroCity train run by German & Austrian Railways links Munich and Verona via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.  All these trains have an Austrian restaurant car, so treat yourself to lunch or dinner with a beer or some wine as the mountains roll by.  More photos & information about these EuroCity trains.

  Departures from Munich Hbf to Verona Porta Nuova are at 07:34, 09:34, 11:34, 13:34 & 15:34, journey time 5h24.

  The 07:34 from Munich runs beyond Verona to Bologna Centrale on weekdays, to Venice Santa Lucia on weekends arriving 14:25.

  The 09:34 from Munich runs beyond Verona to Bologna Centrale every day arriving 16:19.  28 May to 5 September 2020 it'll run to Rimini.

  The 11:34 from Munich runs beyond Verona to Venice every day, arriving Venice Santa Lucia in central Venice at 18:25.

  Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Milan Centrale.

  Change at Verona Porta Nuova (or on the 09:34, at Bologna) for Florence SMN, Rome Termini and Naples Centrale.

• Fares from Munich to Verona or (on the direct trains) Bologna or Venice start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• To buy tickets from Munich to anywhere in Italy as one seamless transaction, use www.raileurope.com as follows:

  Set up an enquiry from Munich to your Italian destination.  Click More options, enter Verona (any station) (or if taking the 09:34 from Munich and heading for Florence, Rome Naples, enter Bologna) and set stopover duration to 45 minutes.  Then run the enquiry.  www.raileurope.com can be used by anyone from any country, overseas credit cards no problem, you can pay in £ or €.  There's a small booking fee. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for the German/Austrian EuroCity train and up to 4 months ahead for Italian trains.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or smartphone.

• Alternatively, you can buy tickets in two stages as follows:

  Step 1, buy tickets for these direct trains at the German Railways website www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Step 2, buy an onward Italian ticket from Verona Porta Nuova or Bologna Centrale to Florence SMN, Rome Termini, Milan Centrale or Naples Centrale at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, read this advice before using it).  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to change in Verona Porta Nuova in case of any delay.

Option 2, Munich to Milan, Florence, Rome & Venice by sleeper train...

Important:  Due to trackwork, the Munich-Florence/Rome/Milan Nightjets won't run during the month of July 2022.  The Munich-Venice Nightjet will be diverted.

• There are two excellent Nightjet sleeper trains from Munich to Italy:

  The first Nightjet leaves Munich Hbf at 20:10 arriving Bologna Centrale 05:15, Florence SMN 06:32 & Rome Termini 09:10, with a portion for Milan Porta Garibaldi arriving 08:10.

  The second Nightjet leaves Munich Hbf at 23:20 for Venice Santa Lucia, arriving 08:34.

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

• Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Tip:  Dinner before boarding your sleeper?  There's no restaurant car, so for a typically Bavarian dinner & beer or two before boarding, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Tip:  If you like, you can check the formation for these trains, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled at the excellent www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Germany & click nj.

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Munich to Sicily

Option 1, Munich to Sicily using a Rome-Sicily sleeper...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Rome by EuroCity train and Frecciarossa via the scenic Brenner Pass as shown in Munich to Italy section above, leaving Munich Hbf at 09:34 and changing at Bologna to reach Rome Termini around 19:25.  Buy tickets as shown above.

• Step 2, take one of the two daily sleeper trains from Rome Termini direct to Messina, Taormina, Catania, Siracuse, Cefalu or Palermo as shown on the Trains to Sicily page, arriving next morning.  You'll usually find one leaving Rome Termini at 21:05 (21:31 on some days) and another at 23:00.  This train is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, one of the few places in the world that trains go onto ships, and a unique experience, see the video here.  Buy tickets as shown on the Trains to Sicily page.

Option 2, Munich to Sicily using the Munich-Rome sleeper...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Rome by Nightjet sleeper train as shown in Munich to Italy section above, leaving Munich Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Rome Termini at 09:10 next morning.  Buy tickets as shown above.

• Step 2, travel from Rome Termini to Messina, Taormina, Catania, Siracuse, Cefalu or Palermo on the 11:26 Intercity train arriving in the evening, as shown on the Trains to Sicily page.  This train is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, one of the few places in the world that trains go onto ships, and a unique experience, see the video here.  Buy tickets as shown on the Trains to Sicily page.

Option 3, Munich to Sicily with overnight stop in Rome...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Rome by daytime trains through the Brenner Pass as shown above and buy tickets as shown.

• Stay overnight in Rome.

• Day 2, travel from Rome to Messina, Palermo, Catania or Siracuse on one of two daily Intercity trains, see the Rome-Sicily timetable here.

  These trains are shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, one of the few places in the world that trains go onto ships, and a unique experience, see the video here.  Fares start at just €19.90, buy tickets as shown on the Trains to Sicily page.

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Munich to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...

Option 1, Munich to Barcelona in a singe day...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:46 & arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:31

  The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It uses the TGV-Est high-speed line across France at up to 320 km/h (199 mph).  I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views, any seat number greater than 60 is on the upper deck.  Watch the sun rise and the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video.

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

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

• Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.  Have lunch in Paris, I recommend the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:12 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:54.

  This afternoon Paris-Barcelona TGV should run all year round, but due to covid-19 it will only run from 14 June to 30 September 2022.

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

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

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

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

• Step 3, take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona Sants next morning, check times & book at www.raileurope.com.  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.

  For Madrid:  AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Cordoba 13:11 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:04.  Fares start at €45.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the 15:45 AVE S112 high-speed train to Cordoba & Seville.

  For Malaga:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:30 by AVE-S112 high-speed train and change at Cordoba onto a high-speed AVE/Avant train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:56.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the direct 15:45 AVE S112 high-speed train to Malaga.

  For Granada:  Take the direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Granada at 14:52.

  For Valencia & Alicante:  EuroMed trains link Barcelona with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:55 & Alicante 12:45 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 12:55 & Alicante 14:48.  Fares from €23.

  For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.

Option 2, Munich to Barcelona & Madrid with overnight stop in Marseille...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Mannheim by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:28 and arriving Mannheim Hbf 13:29.

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

• Step 2, travel from Mannheim to Marseille by TGV Duplex, leaving Mannheim at 14:39 every day arriving Marseille St Charles 21:49.

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

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

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

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

  Important:  Before running the enquiry, change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes.  This gets you a robust connection in Mannheim with time for a coffee, rather than a risky 11-minute connection.

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

• Step 3, travel from Marseille to Barcelona or Madrid by AVE-S100 high-speed train leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:02 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 12:34 and Madrid Atocha at 15:45.

  Important: This train is suspended until 8 April 2022 due to covid-19, it will resume from 9 April.

  The AVE train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll pass Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Montpelier & Perpignan, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, and get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see the photos & information here.

  Marseille-Barcelona starts at €25 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Marseille-Madrid starts at €35 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Step 4, take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid, Seville, Malaga etc, for example a daily direct AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:45 for Malaga, Cordoba & Seville, arriving in the evening.

  Check times & buy tickets using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, rejects some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but it varies.

Option 3, Munich to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Geneva...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Geneva, leaving Munich Hbf at 14:55 by EuroCity train, changing at Zurich HB and arriving Geneva at 21:18.

  The bullet-nosed EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  By all means travel earlier for more of an evening in Zurich.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Geneve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.

• Step 2, travel from Geneva to Barcelona by train.  Usually you'll find a TER regional train leaving Geneva at 11:30, change trains at Lyon Part Dieu (arrive 13:25, depart 14:28) onto a direct AVE-S100 high-speed train arriving Barcelona Sants at 19:33.

  It's a comfortable & scenic journey.  Between Valence & Barcelona you'll follow the same route taken by the Paris-Barcelona TGVs, see the photos & video on the Paris to Barcelona page.  You'll pass the Chateau de Montfaucon on the river Rhone, Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Montpelier and Perpignan, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, with great views of the massive Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees, visible all the way from Perpignan to Girona.

  Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price €29.40.  Lyon-Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, these fares vary like air fares.

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

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Munich to San Sebastian...

Option 1, Munich to San Sebastian in a day...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:46 & arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:31.

  The TGV Duplex travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the TGV-Est high-speed line, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  Watch the sun rise and the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video.

  Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 70 minutes between trains in Paris.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 16:11 arriving Hendaye at 20:47.

  The 16:11 doesn't run on Saturdays, on Saturdays you leave Paris Montparnasse at 14:06 arriving Hendaye 18:47.

  The double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

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

• Step 3, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt.  Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes.  See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

Option 2, Munich to San Sebastian with overnight stop in Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Paris by EuroCity & TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 15:51, change Stuttgart, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 22:05.

  There are earlier departures if you'd like more of an evening in Paris.  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

  How to change stations in Paris by metro or taxi. 

• Stay overnight in Paris...

  Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews:  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (1-star).

  Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews:  Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the station, 4-star);  Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk from station, 3-star);  La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star);  Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 10:11 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.

  An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 11:47.

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

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

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

• Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes...

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt.  Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes.  See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.

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Munich to Lisbon & Portugal...

• Day 1, travel from Munich Hbf to Paris Gare de l'Est by any suitable afternoon departure, as shown in the Munich-Paris section above.

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

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

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:14 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:54.

  This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, see an account of the sights to see from the train on the way.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 18:25 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 20:55.

  The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More information about trains from Barcelona to Madrid.

  Fares start at €38 in Standard class or €45 in Comfort class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.

• Stay overnight in Madrid.  The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.

• Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.

  Alternatively, travel from Madrid to Porto & on to Lisbon as shown on the Trains from Madrid page.

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Munich to Andorra...

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

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:46 arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:31.

  The TGV Duplex travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the TGV-Est high-speed line, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  Watch the sun rise and the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video.

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

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

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Always allow at least 70 minutes between trains in Paris.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV, there's usually one leaving Paris Montparnasse at 15:11 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 19:23.

  Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Have dinner in Toulouse...

• Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau station to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours, fare €33.  There are 3 services every day run by Andbus, check times at www.andorrabybus.com.  There's normally a bus leaving Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 20:00 arriving Andorra at midnight.

• How to buy tickets...

  Check train times & buy a ticket from Frankfurt to Toulouse Matabiau at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, no fee).   If necessary, book Frankfurt-Paris & Paris-Toulouse separately, to get sufficient time between trains in Paris.

  Booking for Munich-Paris opens up to 6 months ahead, for Paris-Toulouse only 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

  Buy the bus ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.

Option 2, Munich to Andorra using the Paris-Toulouse/l'Hospitalet overnight train...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Paris by EuroCity & ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:51, change Stuttgart Hbf, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 18:05.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no fee).   Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.  I recommend dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz...

• Step 2, take the Intercité de Nuit couchette train leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:14 and arriving l'Hospitalet pres l'Andorre at 08:46.

  This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats. 

  Fares start at €35 including a couchette.  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 $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (more fiddly, in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.

• Step 3, take a taxi or taxi+bus from l'Hospitalet station to Andorra La Vella as explained on the London to Andorra page - just disregard the London-Paris part.

• Alternatively, you can travel from Paris to Toulouse on another Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:45 and arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 07:05.  Have breakfast in Toulouse (I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel around the corner from the station), then take a bus to Andorra la Vella.  A bus run by Andbus (www.andorrabybus.com) leaves from outside Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 11:00, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 15:00. This is also explained in more detail on the London to Andorra page.

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Munich to Salzburg from €17.90...

Trains link Munich Hbf with Salzburg Hbf at least twice an hour from early until late.  However, there are three different types of train, railjet trains (marked RJX or RJ), EuroCity trains (marked EC), and slower regional trains run by the Bayerische Regiobahn marked BRB.  See the Munich to Salzburg page for times, fares, advice & how to buy tickets.

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Munich to Hallstatt from €29.90...

• Step 1, travel from Munich Hbf to Salzburg Hbf as shown above.

• Step 2, then take a train to Attnang Puchheim and a local train to Hallstatt.  Total journey time from Munich is as little as 4h08.

• Step 3, Hallstatt Bahnhof is on the other side of the lake from the town.  A small local ferry called the Stefanie links Hallstatt Bahnhof (Hallstatt station)  with Hallstatt Markt (Hallstatt town marketplace) in connection with most train departures, see www.hallstattschifffahrt.at for a timetable.  You pay for the ferry separately at the quayside before boarding, about €3 per crossing,

• Fares from Munich to Hallstatt Bahnhof start at €27.90 in 2nd class, €37.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

  Tip:  It's worth checking www.thetrainline.com as well, as this links to the Austrian system and can sometimes be cheaper.

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Munich to Vienna from €27.90...

Option 1, Munich to Vienna by railjet - the fastest & most frequent option...

• Smart Austrian railjet trains run from Munich Hbf to Linz & Vienna Hbf at 06:22, 07:23, 09:29 and every two hours until 17:30.

  Munich to Vienna takes only 4 hours city centre to city centre, with a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class, €37.90 in 1st class or €52.90 in business class (= premium 1st) if you pre-book.

  A reserved seat is optional and costs an extra €3-€4.  In business class seat reservation is compulsory, but included in the fare.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

  Tip:  To book business class tickets use www.thetrainline.com as this connects to the Austrian Railways ticketing system.

Option 2, Munich to Vienna by competing Westbahn train - up to 6 per day, cheaper at short notice, great double-deck trains...

• On 8 April 2022, private operator Westbahn started operating up to 6 daily trains from Munich Hbf  to Vienna Westbahnhof.

  Their swish modern double-deck trains will compete directly with the ÖBB's railjet trains, with 1st class, comfort class and 2nd class, see the photos below.  There are power sockets at seats & free WiFi.  There's no restaurant car, but there are self-service areas with vending machines for tea & coffee.  On-board staff can serve you snacks.  In WESTbahn first class, food & drink orders are taken and served at your seat.

• Advance-purchase fares start at €23.99 if you book ahead.  Or pay €79.90 any train, any date, full-flex bought on the day.

• Check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, this will show both the railjets and Westbahn.

Option 3, Munich to Vienna by sleeper train...

• As the daytime journey only takes 4 hours, most people travel by day.  But there's also a sleeper, on its way to Budapest, although it's only a 7 hour journey even by night.

• The sleeper train Kalman Imre leaves Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arrives Vienna Hbf at 06:29.

  This is a Hungarian sleeper train en route from Munich to Budapest, it has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  See the Hungarian sleeping-car video & see photos of the sleeper & couchettes on this train in the Budapest to Munich section.

• Fares start at €49.90 with couchette in 6-berth, €59.90 with couchette in 4-berth, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, or €129.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead and you print your own ticket.

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Munich to Innsbruck from €18.90...

• Trains link Munich Hbf & Innsbruck Hbf regularly, there's a fast mainline route via Kufstein and a slower regional scenic route through Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

• For details, see the Munich to Innsbruck page.

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Munich to Copenhagen from €39.90...

Option 1, Munich to Copenhagen by daytime trains...

• You can travel from Munich to Copenhagen by train in a single day, as follows:

  Munich Hbf depart 06:14, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 17:33.

  Munich Hbf depart 10:22, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen at 21:33.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish Intercity train, see photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen journey.  These trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.

  An altered timetable applies from 18 June to 21 August 2022, check times at www.bahn.de.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  I'd change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes.  Look for journeys with just 1 change at Hamburg.

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

Option 2, Munich to Copenhagen using the Munich-Hamburg sleeper...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 22:50 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 Intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 12:53 and arriving Copenhagen at 17:33.

  An altered timetable applies from 18 June to 21 August 2022, see the timetable here.

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

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

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

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Munich to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö...

Option 1, Munich to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train, starting 1 September 2022 - the time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 13:54 and arriving Hamburg Altona at 20:38.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train you don't want to miss.  Have dinner in Hamburg.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Altona at 21:55 & arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.

  This train starts running from 1 September 2022.  Procured by the Swedish government and run by Swedish Railways SJ, the train has sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  The sleeping-cars are former Austrian Railways AB32s, refurbished.

  Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  Book tickets at either www.sj.se or (as this is a Nightjet partner route) Austrian Railways www.oebb.at.

  Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

Option 2, Munich to Sweden with an overnight stop in Hamburg from €56.90...

• Day 1, travel from Munich Hbf to Hamburg Hbf by ICE train in as little as 5h49.  There are regular departures right up until early evening.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 Intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 and arriving Copenhagen at 13:33.

  An altered timetable applies from 18 June to 21 August 2022, see the timetable here.

• For Malmö, Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Malmö taking 39 minutes, no reservation necessary or possible.

• For Gothenburg, Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Gothenburg every hour taking 3h53, no reservation necessary or possible.

• For Stockholm, take a 200 km/h X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:36.

  From 18 June to 21 August 2022, either take the 06:52 from Hamburg Altona to connect with the 12:19 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm 17:37, or the 10:53 from Hamburg Hbf to connect with the 16:19 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm 21:38.

• How to check times, prices & buy tickets...

  If you want to keep things simple, you can book the straightforward way.  Go to www.bahn.de and book from Munich to Hamburg on day 1.  Then use www.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm on day 2.

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

  However, it's usually cheaper to buy a through ticket from Munich to Stockholm, Malmö or Gothenburg from €56.90, which you can easily do if you pre-programme the overnight stop in Hamburg like this:

  Go to www.bahn.de and enter Munich to Stockholm (or Malmo or Goteborg Central).  Enter a mid-afternoon departure time, click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf in the via box and a time of say 11:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  This will give you an 11-hour stopover in Hamburg.  Click here for a link to bahn.de which I've set up for you.  Adjust the departure time and stopover duration as necessary to get the trains you want.

Option 3, Munich to Sweden with an overnight stop in Copenhagen from €56.90...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Copenhagen by ICE train & Danish Intercity train with one easy change at Hamburg Hbf.

  You'll usually find departures from Munich Hbf at 06:14 arriving Copenhagen at 17:33, or at 10:22 arriving Copenhagen at 21:33.  Take a bottle of wine and a good book and put your feet up!  Check times for your date using www.bahn.de.

  From 18 June to 21 August 2022 an altered timetable applies, leave Munich Hbf 07:17, change Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen 19:33 or there's a later departure from Munich Hbf at 11:56, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 23:33.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen...  Hotels in Copenhagen near the station with good reviews:  Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, if travelling to Stockholm:  Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by 200 km/h X2000 train in around 5h15, there are regular departures.  There's usually one around 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central 13:35, or have a leisurely breakfast and take a later one.

• Day 2, if travelling to Gothenburg:  Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Goteborg Central) by hourly Öresund train, journey time 3h53.

• How much does it cost?

  German Railways sells Sparpreis tickets from Munich to Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm from €56.90. 

  The fare varies, book ahead.

• How to check times & buy tickets...

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Book from Munich to Stockholm or Goteborg Central with a morning departure time entered, but to see these cheap fares you must click Stopover, enter Copenhagen in the via box and a time of (say) 12:00 in the hh:mm stopover box.  This will give you a 12-hour stopover in Copenhagen.  Click here for a link to bahn.de which I've set up for you.  Adjust the overnight stopover time (and Munich departure time) as necessary to get the trains you want.  A little trial and error may be needed.

  Tip:  It can also help to click More means of transport and change admit changes to direct connections in the second drop-down box.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  Tip:  If you want to travel 1st class and don't see any affordable 1st class fares, book Munich to Copenhagen at www.bahn.de, then book Copenhagen to Gothenburg or Stockholm at the SJ website www.sj.se or Omio.com.

Option 4, Munich to Gothenburg using Stena Line's Kiel-Gothenburg overnight ferry...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Kiel by train, leaving in the morning.

  The journey takes around 7h27, you'll typically find a direct train leaving Munich Hbf at around 07:50.  However, you should book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train that arrives at Kiel Hbf around 2 hours before the ferry sails.

  Book the train at the German Railways site www.bahn.de. 

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  In Kiel, the ferry terminal is 750m from the station, a 9-minute walk, see walking map.

• Step 2, sail overnight from Kiel to Gothenburg by Stena Line ferry.

  The ferry normally sails at 18:45 and arrives around 09:15, but times may vary so check online.

  The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.  You can add dinner & breakfast to your ticket when you book.

  Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €75-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.

  Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

  In Gothenburg, the ferry terminal is a short taxi ride (or 4.3 km 53-minute walk) from Goteborg Central station, see walking map.

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Munich to Oslo & Norway...

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

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Copenhagen by train as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Copenhagen.  Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo, leaving Copenhagen at 09:27, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 17:51.

  Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets here.

  Alternatively, spend a morning in Copenhagen, and after lunch take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, arriving Oslo at 09:15 on day 3, as also shown here.  This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill.  Book the ferry at www.dfds.co.uk.

Option 2, Munich to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf at 22:50 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.

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

  Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf by regional train, these leave several times each hour taking 1h10, fixed-price fare around €23.

  In Kiel, the Color Line ferry terminal is just a 5-6 minute walk from Kiel Hbf, but allow several hours between train & ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of delay.

• Day 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges. 

  The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning (Day 3 from Munich).

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

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

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Munich to Helsinki & Finland...

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

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Hamburg, leaving Munich Hbf at 13:19, arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:51 (times may vary).

  Fares start at €23.90 in 2nd class or €33.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Day 1, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines, see the Hamburg page for full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing.

  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding from 22:30 to 24:00 and arriving Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal at 09:00 2 nights later (Day 3 from Munich).

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

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

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

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Munich to Prague from €15 - or €35 in 1st class!

• See the Munich to Prague by train page for details of the train service from Munich to Prague, now increased from 4 to 7 trains per day, now all air-conditioned with minibar & free WiFi in most cars.

• Fares start at €15 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

• Buy Munich-Prague train tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, for English change the Czech flag for the UK flag at top right.  Booking normally opens 3 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Don't use the German Railways website www.bahn.de on this route, as it cannot sell the cheap €15 fares for these trains, only the more expensive Prague Special and expensive full-flex prices.

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Munich to Český Krumlov from €16.55...

Option 1, Munich to Cesky Krumlov via Plzen - cheapest & easiest to book, but 2 hours slower than via Linz.

• This is the cheapest route, although it's the slower one.  For example, at the time I write this, you could leave Munich Hbf at 08:43 and arrive Cesky Krumlov at 18:57 all for €16.55, with time for a Pilsner beer at the station bar in Plzen and a wander round Ceske Budejovice!

  Earlier & later departures are available.  The train from Munich to Plzen is a Munich-Prague Zapadni Express, see the photos & travel tips on the Prague-Munich page.  This train is air-conditioned with a refreshment trolley, power sockets and free WiFi.

• Step 1, go to the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, switch it to English and set up an enquiry from Munich Hbf to Ceske Budejovice.

  Now the science bit:  Before running the enquiry, click More options then Travel via and enter Plzen Hl.n. as a via station.  I also recommend clicking Connection parameters then Transfers and reducing the maximum number of connections from 4 to 1.

  In the search results, you should now see various departures with 1 easy change at Plzen Hlavni (Hl.n. = Hlavni = main station).  Plzen - or Pilsen in English - is of course the city where Pilsner beer originates.

  Cheap First Minute fares from Munich to Ceske Budejovice start at just €15, or about 367 CZK, a bargain.  First Minute fares are limited-availability advance-purchase fares, they are only good for the specific train you book, limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.  If you buy at the station on the day you pay significantly more for a full-flex ticket good for any train.

  Buy this and print out your ticket.  You're now booked all the way from Munich to Ceske Budejovice on one ticket for one inclusive price.  You now just need to add the local train from Cesky Krumlov to Ceske Budejovice...

• Step 2, now check train times from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov at jizdnirady.idnes.cz/vlaky/spojeni.  10 minutes is plenty to change trains, if you miss it you can always have a coffee and catch the next one.  The little green-&-orange GWTR local trains run every hour or so, journey time 44 minutes.  It has luggage space, a toilet, power sockets and free WiFi, it's a leisurely journey on a winding single track branch line past farmland & forest.

• See more useful information about visiting Cesky Krumlov including photos & info on taxis from the station to Cesky Krumlov old town.

Option 2, Munich to Cesky Krumlov via Linz - faster, but more expensive, must be booked in 3 stages...

• This is the fastest and most direct route, with the swisher trains.  For example, at the time I write this, you can leave Munich Hbf at 09:29 and arrive Cesky Krumlov at 16:57, all from €40, with time for a beer in Linz.  Earlier & later departures also available.

• How to check train times...

  Check train times from Munich to Cesky Krumlov at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  This holds timetable data for GWTR & for Czech, Austrian & German railways so it'll show times for the whole journey, although not fares or tickets.  To buy tickets, read on...

  Tip:  I recommend at least 40 minutes between trains in Linz.  When the search results appear, choose the departure you want and click Show details.  If the interchange time is much less than 40 minutes, click Adjust the transfer time against the change of train in Linz and select Later departure from Linz, and at least 40 minutes.

• The journey...

  Step 1, travel from Munich Hbf to Linz Hbf in 2h45 by swish Austrian railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at seats & free WiFi.

  At Linz Hbf, changing trains simply means stepping off one train, walking to another train and stepping on, but as you will be on separate tickets I'd allow at least 40 minutes between trains in case of delay.

  Step 2, travel from Linz Hbf to Ceske Budejovice in around 2h02 by comfortable air-conditioned express, with power sockets at seats.  There may be a refreshment trolley, but it's best to take you own food & drink for this bit.

  At Ceske Budejovice you simply step off one train and walk to the other train, if necessary via the underpass between platforms.  Changing trains only takes 3 minutes, if you miss one you have a beer and catch the next one.

  Incidentally, Ceske Budejovice might sound more familiar by its former Germanic name, Budweis.  That's right, where the name of the beer comes from!  The town is worth a look around in its own right.  Why not take an earlier train and have a wander into the old town?

  Step 3, travel from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov on the little green-&-orange GWTR local train.  This runs every hour or so, journey time 44 minutes.   The GWTR local train has luggage space, a toilet, power sockets and free WiFi, it's a leisurely journey on a winding single track branch line past farmland & forest.

• How much does it cost?

  (1)  Munich to Linz:  Cheap Sparschiene fares start at €27.90.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  (2)  Linz to Ceske Budejovice:  Cheap advance-purchase fares called Sparschiene by ÖBB Austrian Railways or First Minute by CD Czech Railways start at just €9.

  (3)  Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov costs 40 CZK, about €1.55.

  Sparschiene & First Minute fares are limited-availability advance-purchase fares, they are only good for the specific train you book, limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans - hence the advice to allow 40 minutes between trains in Ceske Budejovice!  If you buy at the station on the day you'll pay the standard price which costs significantly more, but has unlimited availability and is good for any train that day.

• How to buy tickets...

  (1)  Munich to Linz:  Buy tickets using either www.thetrainline.com (easiest, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly) and print your own ticket.

  (2)  Linz to Ceske Budejovice:  Buy tickets using www.thetrainline.com, or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at or Czech Railways www.cd.cz and print your own ticket - buy from whichever is cheaper, they all sell tickets for the same trains.

  Booking should open 6 months ahead on Thetrainline & oebb.at, 90 days ahead on cd.cz, less than this when the mid-December timetable change is approaching.  But you only need to book days or weeks ahead to get the cheap fares, no need to book many months ahead.

  (1)  Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov:  The local trains on this line are now run by private operator GWTR, so you need to buy this ticket separately, either at the station at Cesky Krumlov on the day or simply hop on the train and buy from the on-board ticket machines which accept cash or (reportedly) contactless Visa & MasterCard.  No reservation is necessary or possible, just turn up and go...

• See more useful information about visiting Cesky Krumlov including photos & info on taxis from the station to Cesky Krumlov old town.

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Munich to Brno...

• There are two possible routes, Munich-Prague-Brno or Munich-Vienna-Brno, both of which can be done with just 1 change.  The fastest route is via Vienna, total journey time in the region of 6h.

• Now the catch:  None of the booking sites can book the whole trip at cheap prices.  So you split the booking like this:

  First use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Munich to Vienna.  A fast modern railjet train with restaurant car & free WiFi leaves Munich Hbf every 2 hours, taking 4h to reach Vienna Hbf, with fares from €19.90.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

  Then use the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz to book from Vienna to Brno, allowing at least 45 minutes between trains at Vienna Hbf.  A fast modern railjet train leaves Vienna Hbf every 2 hours, taking 1h27 to reach Brno hl.n. (= Brno main station).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

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Munich to Ostrava...

• The fastest route is Munich-Vienna by railjet train in 4h, Vienna to Ostrava by EuroCity train in 2h50, total journey time in the region of 7h30.

• Now the catch:  None of the booking sites can book the whole trip at cheap prices.  So you split the booking like this:

  First use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book from Munich to Vienna.  A fast modern railjet train with restaurant car & free WiFi leaves Munich Hbf every 2 hours, taking 4h to reach Vienna Hbf, with fares from €19.90.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

  Then use the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz to book from Vienna to Ostrava, allowing at least 40 minutes between trains at Vienna Hbf.  An air-conditioned EuroCity train with restaurant car leaves Vienna Hbf several times a day, taking 2h50 to reach Ostrava hl.n (= Ostrava main station).  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

• You can also take a Munich to Prague express then a Prague-Ostrava train, although this takes longer than going via Vienna.  To book this route, you'd first book from Munich to Prague from €15 at Czech Railways www.cd.cz, then use it again to book Prague to Ostrava.  You can in fact book Munich to Ostrava in one go, but you need to click Travel via then add Prague as a via station before running the enquiry.  Then look for journeys with just 1 change.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

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Munich to Karlovy Vary...

• There are various departures from Munich Hbf to Karlovy Vary taking between 4h16 and 5h10, with changes of train at Nuremberg & Cheb.  Advance-purchase Sparpreis fares start at €18.90.

• Check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

  You can also book at the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz, again you simply print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

  Tip: Look for journeys with 2 changes, and avoid ones with 3 or more.  Check for tight connections in Nuremberg, a 7 minute connection is a bit risky if the Munich-Nuremberg ICE is late, so you might want to use the Adjust transfer time feature to make it show an earlier ICE with a longer more robust connection in Nuremberg, I'd prefer at least 20 minutes in case of delay. 

  Tip:  The journey can in fact be done with just 1 change, via Plzen (where Pilsner beer comes from) but this takes longer, around 7h25, fares from €20.  If you'd like to go this way, book at the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz, but click Travel via and enter Plzen hl.n. as a via station before running the enquiry.  Look for journeys with just 1 change.

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Munich to Bratislava from €40...

• Every hour or two, a smart Austrian railjet train links Munich Hbf with Vienna Hbf in just 4h00, change at Vienna Hbf for the hourly regional express train to Bratislava Hlavna taking 1h07.

  Tip:  If you have a 1st class ticket for Munich-Vienna train, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea & coffee.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case can't show it on a mobile device, it must be printed out.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

  Tip:  To avoid it putting you on a train to the less-convenient Bratislava Petrzalka station, select the specific station Bratislava hl. st. as your destination rather than the generic BRATISLAVA.  Then it'll show you trains & tickets to the more central Bratislava Hlavna station.

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Munich to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice from €46.90...

Option 1, Munich to Poprad-Tatry or Kosice in a day...

• There are several possible departures from Munich Hbf early & late morning by smart modern railjet train to Vienna Hbf, hourly regional train to Bratislava Hlavna and air-conditioned Slovakian express train with restaurant car along the scenic route to Poprad Tatry & Kosice, arriving in the evening.

• Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Tip:  You can use the Stopover feature to give yourself a few hours stopover (or even an overnight stopover) at Vienna or Bratislava, for the same price.

Option 2, Munich to Poprad-Tatry or Kosice using the Prague-Slovakia sleeper - time-effective, with dinner in Prague...

• Step 1, take an afternoon train from Munich Hbf to Prague Hlavni in just over 5h30 from €15, booked at Czech Railways www.cd.cz.  The trains have comfortable air-conditioned cars, power sockets at seat & free WiFi.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your smartphone.

  See the Munich to Prague by train page for timetable photos, tips and more information.  Make sure you allow at least 1.5 hours between trains in Prague.  Tip:  Why not allow time for dinner and an evening wander around Prague's old town?  See my restaurant suggestions in Prague.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Poprad-Tatry & Kosice by sleeper train Slovakia, leaving Prague Hlavni at 22:05 and arriving Poprad-Tatry around 06:40 & Kosice around 08:25 next morning.

  The Slovakia has Slovakian 4 & 6 berth couchettes, a modern Slovakian air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and several modern air-conditioned Czech sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet.

  Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 3 months ahead.

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Munich to Budapest from €39.90...

Option 1, Munich to Budapest by daytime trains...

• Smart Austrian railjet trains leave Munich Hbf for Budapest Keleti at 07:23, 09:29, 11:29, 13:29 & 17:30 taking 6h50 city centre to city centre.

  From 21 May until 1 August 2022 an altered timetable will apply with trains leaving a bit earlier.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class or €84.90 in business class (= premium 1st ).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  A reserved seat is optional and costs an extra €3-€4.  In business class it's automatically included in the fare.

  The trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi  In 1st & business class restaurant car orders are taken and food served at your seat, so treat yourself to lunch or dinner.  Look out for a great view of Salzburg citadel on the right as the train crosses the Rover Salzach approaching Salzburg Hbf.  See more information about railjet trains.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

  To book business class tickets use www.thetrainline.com instead.

Option 2, Munich to Budapest by sleeper train - the time-effective option...

• The EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre leaves Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arrives at Budapest Keleti at 09:19.

  It has a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car & sleeping-car.  The sleeper fare includes morning tea or coffee, see more information about the sleeper train Kalman Imre.

• Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

  If you have any problems (for example, you see no sleepers), also try the Hungarian Railways site at www.mavcsoport.hu - see my advice on using it first.

• Tip:  For a Bavarian dinner & beer or two before boarding, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Tip:  If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Germany & click EN, then look for Kalman Imre.

Sleeper train Kalman Imre, boarding on platform 12 at Munich Hbf.  More information about this train.

2 bed sleeper, can also be set up as 1 or 3 bed.		4-berth couchettes.		6-berth couchettes.

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Munich to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest from €79...

Option 1, Munich to Romania using the sleeper train Ister from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Munich Hbf at 09:29 arriving Budapest Keleti 16:19.

  The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all sears & free WiFi.

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

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov 09:23 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 11:59 next day.

  This comfortable train has an air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  There's no restaurant car (although a bar-bistro is attached within Romania) so take a picnic and bottle of wine.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.

  Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens 90 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  You print your own ticket.

  You can also normally book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your smartphone.  However, since MAV revamped its website in 2020, it can't book couchettes or sleepers, only seats, though this should be fixed at some point.

  Tip:  If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Hungary & click IC.

Option 2, Munich to Romania using the sleeper train Dacia Express from Vienna to Timisoara, Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest.

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Munich Hbf at 13:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:30.

  The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all sears & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the EuroNight sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day & arriving next day in Simeria 07:36, Sighisoara 10:09, Braşov 13:26, Ploeşti 15:08 & Bucharest Nord at 15:47.

  The Dacia Express has modern & comfortable Romanian sleeping-cars (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, including a couple of deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet) and couchettes (4-berth & 6-berth compartments).  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat...

  From 12 December 2021 the Dacia Express will also convey a second portion from Vienna to Bucharest via Timişoara, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Timişoara Nord at 05:52, Craiova 12:42 & Bucharest Nord at 16:05.  This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.

  From 12 December 2021 the Dacia Express will convey a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 08:19.  This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.

  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.  If it says not available you can't book it, but if a Sparschiene fare is shown you can.  You collect tickets from  an ÖBB ticket machine at Vienna Hbf.

  You can also (as of 2022) book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket.  Tip:  Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

  Tip:  If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click D, then look for Dacia.

Option 3, Munich to Romania with overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Budapest Keleti in 6h50 on any railjet train you like.

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

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

• Stay overnight in Budapest.  For an inexpensive hotel with great reviews right next to Keleti Station, try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel or the inexpensive Baross City Hotel just across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.  More hotels in Budapest

• Day 2, take a comfortable air-conditioned Intercity train from Budapest Keleti to Cluj, Timisoara, Sibiu, Sinaia, Brasov or Bucharest.  It's an all-day daytime run right across Transylvania, see the Trains from Budapest page for full details.

  Fares start at €26.30 in 2nd class or €40.50 in 1st class (where it's available).  These are limited-availability online fares.

  Check times & buy tickets at Hungarian Railways www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your smartphone.

  You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You print your own ticket.

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Munich to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik from €37.90...

Option 1, Munich to Ljubljana & Zagreb by daytime trains - the scenic option...

• Several trains a day link Munich with Ljubljana & Zagreb:

  The morning train leaves Munich Hbf at 08:17, this is smart Austrian railjet train from Munich to Villach on the Austrian/Slovenian border where there's a simple cross-platform 10-minute change onto a Slovenian & Croatian train to for Lesce-Bled, Ljubljana & Zagreb.

  The afternoon train leaves Munich Hbf at  12:17, this is a direct air-conditioned train with restaurant car to Lesce-Bled, Ljubljana & Zagreb.

  The journey is wonderful, a chance to relax as you cross through the mountains of Austria, then between Ljubljana and Zagreb the train wends its way through the hills along the lovely River Sava, see the photos below.  Highly recommended!

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class if you book ahead.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

  Tip:  If you don't see any cheap fares from Munich to Zagreb using bahn.de (for example, if it says No special fares available), try going to the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and booking from Salzburg to Zagreb on the same train (it will leave Salzburg about 1h55 after leaving Munich), then using www.oebb.at again to add a ticket from Munich to Salzburg on the same train.

• Onwards to Split & Dubrovnik...  There are daytime trains and a sleeper between Zagreb and Split, from where buses run to Dubrovnik, for details see here.

• Suggested hotels in Zagreb & Split, suggested hotel in |Ljubljana.

Option 2, Munich to Ljubljana & Zagreb by sleeper train - the time-effective option...

• An excellent Croatian sleeper train called the Lisinski leaves Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arrives Ljubljana 06:00 & Zagreb 08:32.

  It has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see the Croatian sleeper video here.

• Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares so bo0opk ahead.

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

• Tip:  For a Bavarian dinner & a beer or two before boarding the sleeper, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

• Onwards to Split & Dubrovnik...  There are daytime trains and a sleeper between Zagreb and Split, from where buses run to Dubrovnik, for details see here.

Option 2, Munich to Split & Dubrovnik using the Budapest-Split sleeper train Adria, runs June-September...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Budapest by railjet train leaving Munich Hbf at 09:29 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 16:19.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Buy a ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Make sure you allow at least an hour in Budapest between trains to be on the safe side.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Split by direct sleeper train called the Adria.

  This runs from mid-June to early September, leaving Budapest Keleti around 18:53 every evening arriving Split around 08:56 next morning.  It has a comfortable Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments and a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments.

  The fare is around €79 with couchette or from €92 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper.

  Check to see if it is bookable online at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  If not, you will need to book at the station or by phone with a ticketing agency in your home country.

• For Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split.  There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies.  Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17.  Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

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Munich to Belgrade, Sofia & Montenegro...

Option 1, Munich to Zagreb by sleeper, onward train to Belgrade - fastest option, especially as the Budapest-Belgrade line is blocked by track work...

• Day 1, take the excellent overnight Croatian sleeper train Lisinski leaving Munich Hbf at 23:20 and arriving Zagreb at 08:32.

  It has a smart air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see the photos & sleeper video here.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.

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

• Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  This train is still currently suspended due to Covid-19.

  This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class.  There's no dining-car, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.

  The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, tickets cannot be bought online.

  Tip:  Although Belgrade Centar is slightly closer to the city centre, you have to rely on a single bus line.  Trams 7 & 9 link Novi Beograd station with the site of the now-defunct old Belgrade station on the edge of the old city every 5-10 minutes so you may prefer to get off at Novi Beograd and take a tram, see the Belgrade station page for more information.

• if you're going to Sofia...

  Stay overnight in Belgrade.  I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva at the start of the main pedestrianised street through the old centre.

  Day 3, take a daytime train from Belgrade to Sofia, see the Belgrade to Sofia page for timetable, fares, tips & photos.

• If you're going to Montenegro...

  A daytime and overnight train link Belgrade Topcider station with Podgorica and Bar over one of the most scenic lines in Europe, fare around €22 paid at the station on the day.  For train times, fares & photos see the Belgrade to Montenegro page.  Change at Podgorica for a bus to Budva or Kotor.

Option 3, Munich to Sofia via Bucharest - currently the easiest option for Sofia...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Munich Hbf at 07:23 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 14:19.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.  To book business class tickets use www.thetrainline.com instead.

• Day 1, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:06.

  The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  A Romanian sleeping-car is attached from Timişoara Nord (depart 22:00) to Bucharest.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

  Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

  Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

  If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Timisoara to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Timisoara from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.  (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Timisoara Nord to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown on the train from Bucharest page.  You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:55 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:10 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 around €34.

  Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

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Munich to Warsaw & Krakow from €39.90...

Option 1, Munich to Warsaw & Krakow in a day... 

• You can travel from Munich to Warsaw in a single day, for example,

  Munich Hbf depart 07:55 daily, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna at 19:35.

  Munich Hbf depart 09:55 daily, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna at 21:33.

  Munich Hbf depart 11:56 daily except Saturdays, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 23:35.

  You travel from Munich to Berlin by superb high-speed ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then from Berlin to Warsaw by comfortable Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car.  Take a good book, a bottle of wine and put your feet up...

• You can also travel from Munich to Krakow in a single day:

  Munich Hbf depart 05:56, change Berlin Hbf, arrive Krakow Glowny at 17:52.

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

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

  Tip:  Although you're covered for a missed connection with a through ticket, I recommend adjusting the Duration of transfer on bahn.de from standard to at least 40 minutes to ensure a robust connection in Berlin even if there's a delay.  I have taken this into account in the times shown above.

Step 1, Munich to Berlin by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Various types of ICE operate this route.  More information about ICE.

2nd class seats on an ICE3.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3.  Larger photo.

Restaurant...		Dinner in the diner...

Option 2, Munich to Warsaw in a day via Prague - cheaper, but takes a bit longer... 

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Prague by air-conditioned express train leaving Munich Hbf at 06:43 & arriving Prague Hlavni 12:21.

  Fares start at €15 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

  Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Warsaw by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Prague Hlavni at 14:02 and arriving Warsaw Centralna 22:33.

  Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

  Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 60 days ahead.

Option 3, Munich to Krakow & Warsaw using the Prague-Warsaw sleeper - the time-effective option... 

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Prague by air-conditioned express train leaving Munich Hbf at 14:43 & arriving Prague Hlavni 20:21.

  Fares start at €15 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

  Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Poland by EuroNight sleeper, leaving Prague Hlavni 22:05, arriving Krakow Glowny 05:46, Warsaw Gdanska 08:52.

  This train has a modern air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus two deluxe 1 or 2 bed compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below.  It also has a couchette car with economical 4 & 6 bunk compartments.

  Fares start €29 with couchette in 6-berth, €39 with couchette in 4-berth, €39 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper or €49 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or around €75 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Booking normally opens 60 days ahead.

Option 4, Munich to Krakow & Warsaw using the Vienna-Warsaw sleeper - also time-effective, bit faster, bit more expensive...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Munich Hbf at 15:30 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 19:30.

  The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You could take the 17:30 instead, but when catching a sleeper I'd play safe and take the earlier one with time for dinner in Vienna.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Poland by sleeper, leaving Vienna Hbf at 22:10, arriving Krakow Glowny 05:46 & Warsaw Gdanska 08:52.

  The EuroNight sleeper train Chopin has a modern air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus two deluxe 1 or 2 bed compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below.  It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments.

  Vienna to Krakow starts at €19, Vienna to Warsaw at €29.  These are the cheapest possible advance-purchase Sparschiene fares, the price varies with limited availability at each price level.  You then need to add one of the following supplements to get a bed:

  €20 for a couchette in 6-berth, €30 for a couchette in 4-berth, €35 for a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €50 for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, €100 for a bed in a single-bed sleeper, €70 for a bed in a 2-berth deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet, or €120 for a single-bed deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet (all per person, berths are sold individually).

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

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Munich to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn...

Option 1, Munich to Lithuania using the Prague-Warsaw sleeper, morning free in Warsaw...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Prague by afternoon express train, have dinner in Prague then take the Prague to Warsaw by EuroNight sleeper train as shown in option 3 in the Munich to Warsaw section above.  Book this as shown in that section.  You've now a morning free in Warsaw.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius, leaving Warsaw at lunchtime, changing at Bialystok and arriving Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening, with connections to Vilnius, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.  Warsaw-Vilnius costs around €24.

• Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga, see here.

• Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn, see here.

Option 2, Munich to Lithuania with overnight stop in Berlin - faster, Sundays-Fridays only, with a very early start from Berlin...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Berlin by ICE train in the afternoon or early evening.  It takes as little as 4 hours.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  The 3-star InterCity Hotel (my favourite) or Meininger Hotel are right next to Berlin Hbf, a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or 15 minutes from the Brandenburg Gate, relatively inexpensive with good reviews.  The Steigenberger Hotel is more upmarket, also right next to the station with great reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, the famous & historic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate.  If you're on a tight budget, the cheaper Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or see www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 05:43 Mondays-Saturdays only arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:42.

  The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to a cooked breakfast the restaurant car.

  Munich to Warsaw starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.

  Buy tickets from Munich to Warsaw at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopover, enter Berlin Hbf and a suitable stopover duration, say 10 hours.  Adjust departure time & stopover duration to get the trains you want either side of Berlin, a little trial & error may be required.

  Tip: You may be able to buy a through ticket from Munich to Bialystok covering both the Munich-Berlin-Warsaw & Warsaw-Bialystok trains for almost the same price as Munich to Warsaw.  In which case, you just need to buy a Bialystok-Kaunas/Vilnius ticket at the station in Warsaw, or on board the train.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius, leaving Warsaw at lunchtime, changing at Bialystok and arriving Kaunas in Lithuania in the evening, with connections to Vilnius, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page for details.  Warsaw-Vilnius costs around €24.

• Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

• Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

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Munich to Lviv, Kiev & Ukraine...

Option 1, Munich to Lviv & Kiev via Vienna - the easiest option...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Vienna by railjet train, for example, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 15:30.

  Personally, I'd take an earlier train and have a bit more time in Vienna.  The railjets have a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kiev by direct sleeping-car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42, arriving Lviv at 10:26 next day & Kiev 16:21.

  Introduced in December 2017, this is a direct Ukrainian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below.  At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-car is jacked up to have its wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  This will only book one-way or round trip starting in Vienna because tickets need to be collected from an ÖBB station in Austria.  They cannot be collected in Ukraine.  The sleeper has become popular, it can sell out.

  If you have any problems or want a one-way ticket starting in Ukraine, you can also book the Vienna-Kiev train via reliable agency www.polrail.com, with tickets posted or couriered to you for a small fee.  Polrail are based in Poland so charge in zlotys, but as they have access to Ukrainian ticketing system they are good for booking this train.  Suggested hotel in Lviv:  The famous George Hotel.

  Booked through oebb.at:

  Vienna to Kiev costs €80.50 in a 3-berth sleeper, €90.50 in a 2-berth sleeper or €152.90 in a single sleeper.

  Vienna to Lviv costs €62.10 in a 3-berth sleeper, €70.10 in a 2-berth sleeper or €119.30 in a single sleeper.

  Booked through Polrail:

  Vienna to Kiev costs around €138 in a 3-berth sleeper €149 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €241 in a single-berth sleeper.

  Vienna to Lviv costs around €120 in a 3-berth sleeper €129 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €207 in a single-berth sleeper.

  Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kiev to Vienna costs around €80, Lviv to Vienna around €60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.

Boarding the Vienna to Kiev sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.  Photo courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

The Vienna-Kiev sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf... Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.		The sleeper corridor.  Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.		1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment.

The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Kiev Pass.  Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

Option 2, Munich to Kiev via Warsaw...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Warsaw as shown above, either by daytime trains and staying overnight or by railjet & sleeper train.  Either way, you then have a day to explore Warsaw.

• Step 2, travel from Warsaw to Kiev on the Kiev Express, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:48 & arriving Kiev at 11:00 next day.

  This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin.  There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and perhaps some wine or beer.  The train is jacked up at the border to have its wheelsets changed from standard gauge to the slightly wider Russian/Ukrainian gauge.

  The fare is around €46 in a 3-bed sleeper if you manage to book via the Ukrainian Railways website.  If you book it through Polrail it costs around €57 including a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €66 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €110 in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

  To buy tickets, first see if you can book online with Ukrainian Railways at booking.uz.gov.ua/en - but please, please, please read the important notes here which explain how to book this train using that website.  If that doesn't work for you, book with reliable Polish agency Polrail at booking.polrail.com. Booking opens 60 days ahead.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.  Polrail are also pretty good at arranging the return reservation back from Kiev as they have close contacts with Ukrainian Railways.

• To book onward trains from Kiev to Odessa & other places in Ukraine, see the Ukraine page.

Boarding in Warsaw...		1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper...		...with washbasin.

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Munich to Moscow & Russia...

Option 1, Munich to Moscow using the Warsaw-Moscow sleeper, every day - goes via Belarus...

• Day 1, travel from Munich to Warsaw as shown above, and stay overnight.  Spend the next day exploring Warsaw.

• Day 2 evening, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day.  You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.

  The train is currently suspended due to Covid-19...

  This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers.  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague.  There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.

  You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at http://booking.polrail.com.  Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.

Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.

Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

Option 2, Munich to Moscow using the Berlin-Moscow sleeper train, twice a week - also goes via Belarus...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Berlin from €29.90 in as little as 3h58.  For example, the 13:47 from Munich Hbf arrives Berlin Hbf at 18:25, but by all means take an earlier train and have dinner in Berlin.  Book this at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Moscow by direct Russian sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 20:08 on Mondays & Saturdays, arriving at Moscow Belorussky station at 21:24 next day.

  The train is currently suspended due to Covid-19...

  This train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (Russian for swift) which started running in 2016.  It has ordinary seats, 2nd class 4-berth sleepers, 1st class 1 or 2 berth sleepers with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth sleepers with en suite shower & toilet.  There's a restaurant & bistro car.  See photo of 2-berth sleeper on this train.

  Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the Talgo train runs through a special gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...

  You can book the Berlin-Moscow train at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and print your own ticket, it's a little fiddly but usually works, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here.

  Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.  See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

Option 3, Munich to Moscow via Kiev, avoiding Belarus with daily departures...

• Step 1, travel from Munich to Vienna by railjet train, for example, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:29 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 15:30.

  Personally, I'd take an earlier train and have a bit more time in Vienna.  The railjets have a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Kiev by direct sleeping-car. leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 every day and arriving in Kiev at 17:21 next day.

  Introduced in December 2017, this is a comfortable direct Ukrainian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin.

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  Tickets must be collected from ÖBB in Vienna.  The sleeper has become popular, it can sell out.

  If you have any problems, you can also book the Vienna-Kiev train via reliable agency www.polrail.com, with tickets posted or couriered to you for a small fee.  Polrail are based in Poland so charge in zlotys, but as they have access to Ukrainian ticketing system they are good for booking this train.

  Booked through oebb.at:

  Vienna to Kiev costs €80.50 in a 3-berth sleeper, €90.50 in a 2-berth sleeper or €152.90 in a single sleeper.

  Vienna to Lviv costs €62.10 in a 3-berth sleeper, €70.10 in a 2-berth sleeper or €119.30 in a single sleeper.

  Booked through Polrail:

  Vienna to Kiev costs around €138 in a 3-berth sleeper €149 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €241 in a single-berth sleeper.

  Vienna to Lviv costs around €120 in a 3-berth sleeper €129 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €207 in a single-berth sleeper.

  Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kiev to Vienna costs around €80, Lviv to Vienna around €60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.

• Step 3, travel from Kiev to Moscow by sleeper train, for example Train 6 leaves Kiev at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya around 10:09.

  These trains are currently suspended due to Covid-19...

  The fare is around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.

  You can ask www.polrail.com to book this for you too, or you can book tickets from Kiev to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect tickets at the station in Kiev.  Feedback appreciated!

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Munich to Athens, Corfu & Greece...

Option 1, Munich to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely option with an Adriatic cruise thrown in...

• The best and most comfortable option is to pick up a ferry in Bari.  The whole scenic and relaxing journey from Munich to Athens will take around 2 nights & 3 days, depending how the connections work out on your particular date.

• Day 1, travel from Munich Hbf to Verona Porta Nuova through the scenic Brenner Pass with a restaurant car for lunch & dinner.  There are various departures, journey time 5h18, you can leave in the afternoon.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Stay overnight in Verona.  Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Sole Hotel Verona right next to the station, Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire.

• Day 2, travel from Verona to Bari, leaving Verona Porta Nuova around 07:50.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Book this at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or www.trenitalia.com.  Booking normally opens 120 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote the reference on the train.

  In Bari it's a 10 minute taxi ride or 25 minute walk to the ferry terminal next to Bari's pleasant old town.  I'd allow at least 3 hours between train and ferry in Bari, including the 2-hour ferry check-in.

• Day 2, sail from Bari to Patras with Superfast Ferries.  The ferry normally sails at 19:30 daily except Sundays arriving Patras at 13:00 the next day (day 3).  On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Verona.

  Check ferry times, dates, prices & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com. 

  The ship is modern and comfortable, with restaurants, bars, lounges and sun decks.  You can book a deck place (a nice cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag) or a reclining seat or a berth in various types of cabin, including luxury cabins with private shower & toilet.  Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

  In Patras, the ferry arrives at the new South ferry terminal a few km from the town centre.  Bus number 18 links the port with the town bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €7, journey time 15-20 minutes.

• Day 3, from Patras it's 3 hours to Athens by bus/train combo.  There's a bus/train combined timetable from Patras to Athens on www.trainose.gr but it takes a bit of finding.  Buy the bus ticket when you reach Patras, it costs around €18.

2 or 4-berth cabin with private toilet & shower.		Relaxing on deck...

At sea, passing Cephalonia & Ithaca.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

Option 2, Munich to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - a rail adventure across the Balkans...

• You can also travel overland by train from Munich to Athens via Belgrade & Thessaloniki.  It'll take 3 nights, with the romance and adventure of an epic train ride through the Balkans.  But it now only works properly from June to September, and not during the pandemic.

• In Munich you pick up the London-Munich-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens route explained in detail on the London to Greece page.  Just disregard the London-Munich part.

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Munich to Istanbul & Turkey...

• You can pick up the London-Bucharest-Istanbul route suggested on the London to Turkey page in Munich.

• See the London to Turkey page for full details, just ignore the London-Munich part.

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Find hotels in Munich & other cities

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all in one place here.  You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens.  It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.  I never book hotels non-refundably.  I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0. Tip:  It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites:  HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others.  Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

Other hotel sites worth trying...

• www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.

Backpacker hostels...

• www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

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