A double-deck 186 mph TGV Duplex about to leave Paris for Nice.  Far better than flying...

Travelling from Cannes or Antibes?  This page shows departure times from Nice, but all trains heading west towards Marseille, Lyon or Paris call at Antibes 14-25 minutes after leaving Nice and Cannes 25-35 minutes after leaving Nice so you can pick up the train there.  Going east towards Italy, Nice-Ventimiglia local trains come from Cannes or Antibes so you can pick them up there, as shown on the Nice-Italy page.

Travelling from Monaco or Menton?  Trains heading east from Nice to Italy all call at Monte Carlo 15-20 minutes after leaving Nice and Menton 35-40 minutes after leaving Nice.  If you're going west towards Marseille, Lyon or Paris, catch a local train every 30 minutes from Monte Carlo to Nice, allowing plenty of time for connections.  Although there's usually at least one through train between Monte Carlo & Paris each day.

Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets.  It answers all the usual questions, "Must I 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

Nice to Paris by TGV from €25

• See the Paris to Nice by train page for train times, fares, how to buy tickets, tips and advice.

• Every day, high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex trains link Nice with Paris in as little as 5h40, city centre to city centre.  That's little more than it takes by plane, and a lot less hassle.  It's a lovely journey, initially at low speed snaking along the coast past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas, then past Marseille with the Château d'If visible in the bay, then at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the high-speed line up the Rhone Valley past picturesque French villages with pretty churches.

Nice to Paris by sleeper train from €19

• The Nice to Paris sleeper train is back!  Discontinued in 2017, the Nice-Paris Intercité de Nuit was restored in 2021.

  It leaves Nice Ville at 19:07 every day, Antibes 19:36, Cannes 19:48, St Raphael (for St Tropez) 20:13, arriving Paris Austerlitz 07:53.

• It has 1st class 4-berth couchettes from €59, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes from €29 & reclining seats from €19.

  More information about Intercités de Nuit.  You can secure sole occupancy of a 4 or 6 berth compartment for 1, 2, 3 people by paying the Espace Privatif supplement or by booking phantom children.

• Book 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 (in €, no booking fee).

Nice to Cannes, Juan les Pins, Monte Carlo, Menton by local train

• Frequent TER (Train Exprès Regional) local trains link all the towns along the Cote d'Azur. 

• No reservation is necessary or even possible, just turn up, buy a ticket at the station from the ticket office of self-service machines and hop on the next train.  Remember to composte (validate) your ticket before you board in the little machines at the entrance to the platforms.

• You can check times and prices at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Nice to Marseille, Avignon, Lyon, Perpignan, Toulouse & other destinations in France

• See the Train Travel in France page for a beginner's guide to domestic train travel wholly within France.

The view from the train...

Trains from Nice to Paris skirt the Cote d'Azur between Nice & St Raphael, past rocky headlands, yacht-filled bays and millionaires' villas.  This is the way to arrive!  Photo courtesy of Mike Sloan.

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Nice to London

• See the London to France page, this has times, fares & how to buy tickets between London and Nice, in either direction.

• Travel from Nice to Paris by TGV in 5h45, then from Paris to London by Eurostar in 2h20.  Or take the overnight sleeper train from Nice to Paris, then a morning Eurostar to London.

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class:  Standard Premier or Business Premier.

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

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Nice to Dublin & Ireland

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Paris overnight by sleeper train as shown above.

  You can book this at www.thetrainline.com from €29 with couchette.

  Or travel Nice to Paris on a daytime TGV and stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.

• Day 2, take a morning train to Cherbourg & 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 then add a train connection using www.thetrainline.com, see the Paris to Dublin section for full details.

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

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

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Nice to Brussels or Bruges

Option 1, Nice to Brussels using the Nice-Paris overnight train - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Paris by Intercité de Nuit overnight train, leaving Nice Ville at 19:07, Antibes 19:36, Cannes 19:48, St Raphael 20:13 & Toulon 21:13, arriving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 07:53 next morning.

  The Intercité de Nuit overnight train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats.  You can book a 1st class 4-berth compartment for sole occupancy by 1, 2 or 3 people if you like.  See more information about Intercités de Nuit overnight trains.

  Cross Paris from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare du Nord by taxi or metro.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Brussels by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 09:22 & arriving Brussels Midi 10:44.

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

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Paris starts at €19 in a reclining seat, €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €59 in a 1st class couchette.

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

• How to buy tickets

  Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

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

  Tip:  To book a whole 4-berth couchette compartment for 1, 2 or 3 people, see the instructions on the Intercités de Nuit page.

  You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Intercité de nuit sleeper train at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.  More about Intercités de Nuit.

2nd class 6-berth couchettes.		A cosy 2nd class couchette.

1st class couchette, made up for the night.		1st class 4-berth couchettes.

A Eurostar at Paris.  See panorama photos inside the train.  More information about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

Option 2, Nice to Brussels using a direct Marseille-Brussels TGV train - the easiest option, avoids changing trains & stations in Paris

• This is the easiest option, a chill-out day crossing France and Belgium with great scenery along the Cote d'Azur between Nice and Toulon, over the Rhone at Avignon with the Palais des Papes visible in the distance to your right, and up the Rhone Valley.  Times vary, but for example:

  Nice Ville depart 08:25 by TER, change at Marseille St Charles onto the 12:12 direct TGV to Brussels Midi, arriving 17:43.

  Nice Ville depart 11:25 by TER, change at Marseille St Charles onto the 15:12 direct TGV to Brussels Midi, arriving 20:43.

  Nice Ville depart 13:25 by TER, change at Marseille St Charles onto the 17:12 direct TGV to Brussels Midi, arriving 22:47.

  These journeys use direct TGV high-speed trains from Marseille St Charles to Brussels Mid which by-pass Paris on the high-speed avoiding line through Marne la Vallée & CDG.  They all have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Change at Brussels Midi for a Belgian domestic train to Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent and so on.

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Marseille by TER is a fixed-price €36 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.

  Marseille to Brussels by TGV starts at €76 in 2nd class or €110 in 1st class.

  TGV fares work like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• How to buy tickets

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

  Tip:  If necessary, book Marseille to Brussels looking for the direct train, add to basket, then add a connecting Nice-Marseille ticket allowing say half an hour between trains in Marseille.

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

Option 3, Nice to Brussels via Paris - a wider choice of departures, often cheaper fares, if you don't mind crossing Paris

• Step 1, travel from Nice Ville to Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV Duplex in as little as 5h40, see the timetable here.

  The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely journey, initially at low speed snaking along the coast past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas, then past Marseille with the Château d'If visible in the bay, then at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the high-speed line up the Rhone Valley past picturesque French villages with pretty churches.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.  How about lunch between trains at the fabulous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi by Eurostar (formerly Thalys).  Trains leave every hour or so, taking 1h25.

  These 300 km/h high-speed trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More information about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Paris starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

  Paris to Brussels starts at €29 in 2nd class or €55 in 1st class.

  Fares work like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

• How to check times & buy tickets

  Book from Nice or Cannes to Paris 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 €, no booking fee).

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

  Tip:  Use www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour.  That gets you a robust connection across Paris.  By default, the French Railways system allows cross-Paris connections as short as 40 minutes, which I consider too tight.  Increase the stopover time if you'd like lunch in Paris.  Or just book Nice-Paris, add to basket, book Paris to Brussels, add to basket and check out.

Option 4, Nice to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Nice Ville at 16:57 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:46.

  The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Earlier departures are possible, see the timetable here.

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Brussels by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), for example leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 07:25 arriving Brussels Midi 08:44, but earlier or later departures are available as trains leave every hour or better.

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

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

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

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

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Nice to Amsterdam

Option 1, Nice to Amsterdam using the Nice-Paris overnight train - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Paris by Intercité de Nuit overnight train, leaving Nice Ville at 19:07, Antibes 19:36, Cannes 19:48 & St Raphael 20:13, arriving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 07:53 next morning.

  The Intercité de Nuit overnight train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats.  You can book a 1st class 4-berth compartment for sole occupancy by 1, 2 or 3 people if you like.  See more information about Intercités de Nuit overnight trains.

  Cross Paris from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Gare du Nord by taxi or metro.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 09:22, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 12:44.

  The Eurostar has 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More information about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Paris starts at €19 in a reclining seat, €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €59 in a 1st class couchette.

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

• How to buy tickets

  Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

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

  Tip:  To book a whole 4-berth couchette compartment for 1, 2 or 3 people, see the instructions on the Intercités de Nuit page.

  You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Intercité de nuit sleeper train at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.  More about Intercités de Nuit.

2nd class 6-berth couchettes.		A cosy 2nd class couchette.

1st class couchette, made up for the night.		1st class 4-berth couchettes.

A Eurostar at Paris.  See panorama photos inside the train.  More information about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

Option 2, Nice to Amsterdam in a day

• Step 1, take a TGV Duplex from Nice Ville to Paris Gare de Lyon in as little as 5h40, see the timetable here.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely scenic run, initially at low speed along the Cote d'Azur, past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours, then at high-speed up the Rhône Valley.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord.  How about lunch between trains at the fabulous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 2, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal.  They leave every hour or two, taking 3h20.

  Eurostar trains run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More information about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

• How to check times & buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Nice or Cannes to Amsterdam 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 €, no booking fee). 

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

  Tip:  Using www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Paris (any station) as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour.  That gets you a robust connection, by default the system allows cross-Paris connections as tight as 40 minutes.  Increase the stopover duration to 2 or 3 hours if you want lunch in Paris.  See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

Option 3, Nice to Amsterdam with an overnight stop in Paris - time-effective, with minimal impact on the working day

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Nice Ville at 16:57 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:46.

  The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Or there are earlier departures, see the timetable here.

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train, for example leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 07:25 arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 10:44, but earlier or later departures are available as trains leave every hour or two.

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

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

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

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

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Nice to Luxembourg

Option 1, Nice to Luxembourg using a direct Marseille to Luxembourg TGV - avoids the need to change stations in Paris

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Marseille by double-deck TER regional train, leaving Nice at 11:25 and arriving Marseille St Charles at 14:03.

  This is a lovely run along the scenic Cote d'Azur, past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours.  At Marseille St Charles, walk out of the station and have a look over the city and harbour.  Have a late lunch in Marseille.

• Step 2, travel from Marseille to Luxembourg by TGV high-speed train leaving Marseille St Charles at 15:56 and arriving Luxembourg 23:49.

  This train runs on Fridays and various other days when SNCF feels like it. Other days it doesn't run. Go figure...

  The TGV has a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.  It by-passes Paris on the high-speed avoiding line through Marne la Vallée & CDG.

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Marseille is a fixed-price €36 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.

  Marseille to Luxembourg starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Nice or Cannes to Luxembourg 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 €, no booking fee). 

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

  Tip:  If necessary, book from Marseille to Luxembourg first, looking for the direct train.  Add that to your basket,  then add the connecting train from Nice or Cannes to Marseille as a separate ticket, add to basket and check out.  See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

Option 2, Nice to Luxembourg via Paris

• This involves crossing Paris, but it can be faster & cheaper this way, with a wider choice of departures.  How about lunch between trains at the fabulous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 1, take a TGV Duplex from Nice Ville or Cannes to Paris Gare de Lyon in as little as 5h40, see the timetable here.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely scenic run, initially at low speed along the Cote d'Azur, past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours, then at high speed up the Rhône Valley.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de Lyon to Gare de l'Est Nord.

• Step 2, travel from Paris Gare de l'Est to Luxembourg in 2h15, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Paris starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

  Paris to Luxembourg starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

• How to buy find trains & buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Nice or Cannes to Luxembourg 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 €, no booking fee).

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

  Tip:  Using www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Paris (any station) as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour.  That gets you a robust connection, by default the system allows cross-Paris connections as tight as 40 minutes.  Increase the stopover duration to 2 or 3 hours if you want lunch in Paris.

2nd class with mix of unidirectional seats & tables for 4.  Seats 2+2 across car width. Larger photo.		TGV arrived at Paris Gare de l'Est.

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

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Nice to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland from €44

Option 1, Nice to Switzerland via Lyon - usually the best route if you're heading for Geneva, Lausanne or Montreux

• Travel from Nice to Lyon by high-speed TGV, then Lyon to Geneva by TER regional train.  For example:

  Leave Nice Ville at 07:00 by TGV, change at Lyon Part Dieu onto the 12:38 TER regional train arriving Geneva at 14:35.

  Leave Nice Ville at 14:40 by TGV, change at Lyon Part Dieu onto the 20:38 TER regional train arriving Geneva at 22:34.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It runs along the scenic Côte d'Azur past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas to Marseille, then up the Rhône Valley, a very enjoyable ride.  The Lyon-Geneva regional train takes you through mountains and along Rhône for much of the way.

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Lyon starts at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• How to buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Nice or Cannes to Geneva 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 €, no booking fee). 

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

  If you are going beyond Geneva to anywhere else in Switzerland, buy a separate ticket from Geneva to your Swiss destination at either www.thetrainline.com or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.  Swiss trains open for booking 60 days ahead.  Regular Swiss fares are good for any train from Geneva to your Swiss destination that day, no reservation is necessary or possible, but if you book ahead you may find Supersaver fares saving up to 70% off the normal full-flex fare.

Option 2, Nice to Switzerland via Milan - usually the best route if you're heading for Lugano, Lucerne, Brig, Interlaken, Zermatt or Zurich

• Morning departure:

  Leave Nice Ville at 09:20 by TER local train, change at Ventimiglia onto the 11:03 Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale 14:58, see the Nice to Milan page for details.  Then leave Milan Centrale at 17:10 by direct EuroCity train to Zurich HB, arriving 20:27.

• Afternoon departure:

  Leave Nice Ville at 13:21 by TER local train, change at Ventimiglia onto the 15:10 Intercity train arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05, see the Nice to Milan page for details.  Then leave Genoa Piazza Principe at 18:09 by direct EuroCity train to Zurich HB, arriving 23:27.

• It's a lovely journey along the coast from Ventimiglia to Genoa & Milan, see the photos & information on the Nice-Milan page, then a scenic ride through the Alps past various Italian & Swiss lakes, see the photos & video on the Milan-Switzerland page.

• How much does it cost?

  Nice to Ventimiglia costs €8, fixed-price, cannot sell out.  Cheaper €5 or €7.50 fares are sometimes available.

  Ventimiglia to Milan starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.

  Milan to Zurich starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  First book from Ventimiglia to Switzerland as one transaction at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Using www.raileurope.com it can help to click More options and specify Milan Centrale or Genoa Piazza Principe as a via station.  Using www.thetrainline.com, look for the via field and enter Milan Centrale or Genoa Piazza Principe

  Add this to your basket, then add the recommended Nice-Ventimiglia connection allowing at least 45 minutes between trains at Ventimiglia.  More about this connection at Ventimiglia and why we allow 45-60 minutes.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  Ventimiglia to Zurich is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the TER local train you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• For Zermatt, book from Nice to Brig at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com then add a Brig-Zermatt local ticket either at www.thetrainline.com or the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.

• For Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Grindelwald, book Nice to Spiez at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com then add a local ticket from Spiez to your final Swiss destination either at www.thetrainline.com or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.

• For St Moritz, book Nice to Tirano at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com then buy a Tirano-St Moritz ticket at the station or buy it at www.rhb.ch.

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich EuroCity train on the Gotthard route.

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Nice to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from €27.90

Option 1, Nice to Italy in a single day

• See the Nice to Italy page for train times & details.

  It's a great trip with lovely coastal scenery between Cannes, Nice and Genoa.

  You take a TER local train along the coast from Cannes, Antibes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Allowing at least 45 minutes between trains, you then take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa Piazza Principe & Milan Centrale.

  Change at Genoa for La Spezia, Monterosso (Cinque Terre) & Pisa.  Change at Milan Centrale for a high-speed Frecciarossa to Verona, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome or Naples.

• Fare €8 for Nice-Ventimiglia.  Fares from €19.90 for Ventimiglia-Italy.

  The French TER fare is fixed-price, good for any train that day, unlimited availability.  The Italian fare varies like air fares and comes with a reservation on a specific train (which is why we allow 45 minutes in Ventimiglia, not 10 minutes, in case of delay), so book ahead.

• Buy tickets from Cannes or Nice to any Italian destination as shown on the Nice to Italy page.

Option 2, Nice to Italy with an overnight stop in Genoa or Milan - the time-effective way

• Day 1, travel from Cannes or Nice to Milan, leaving Nice Ville at 17:34 (17:21 weekends) by TER local train, changing at Ventimiglia onto a fast Italian Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale at 22:56, as shown on the Nice to Italy by train page.

  Fares start at €27.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets from Cannes or Nice to Milan as shown on the Nice to Italy page.

• Stay overnight in Genoa or Milan.

  In Milan, cosy guesthouses near the station with good reviews include the Household Settembrini 17, Teodora B&B, Hotel Milano Central Station.  Modern hotels nearby with good reviews:  Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.  At the top end, the 5-star Excelsior Hotel Gallia is just across the road.

• Day 2, travel from Genoa to Pisa or Rome, or from Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples, on any morning train you like.  Milan Centrale to Rome Termini by high-speed Frecciarossa takes as little as 2h55, Milan Centrale to Naples Centrale takes around 4h33, Milan Centrale to Venice Santa Lucia takes 2h27.  From Milan to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples you can also try competing private high-speed operator Italo.

  Buy tickets for from Genoa or Milan to any Italian destination at either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  You can book Italo on those sites too, keeping all your bookings together, or www.italiarail.com (Italiarail will refund their €3.50 booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com after booking).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Here, a train has arrived at the magnificent Milan Centrale.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take a high-speed Frecciarossa from Milan to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples.  This is a Frecciarossa 1000 at Milan Centrale.  More information about Frecciarossas & explanation of the 4 classes.

Standard class, 2+2 across width.  Larger photo.		Executive class, 1+1 across width.  Larger photo

Business class seats 1+2 across car width, with tables for 2 and tables for 4 and complimentary prosecco. Larger photo.		In business class you can order a meal at your seat, around €18.  More information about Frecciarossas.

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Nice to Sicily

There are many ways to travel from Nice to Sicily with various possible stopovers on the way.  But the simplest is as follows:

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21, arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

  Times may vary, but always allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

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

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

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

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Milan Centrale 18:58.

  Fares start at €9.90 in 2nd class or €19.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find details of the Nice-Milan journey with photos, tips and how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page. 

  Earlier departures are possible from Nice if you'd like more time for dinner in Milan, see the timetable on the Nice to Italy page.

• Day 1, travel from Milan to Sicily by Intercity Notte sleeper train leaving Milan Centrale at 20:10 every night and arriving next day (day 2) at Catania 14:32, Siracuse 15:48 with another portion to Palermo arriving 16:55.

  This is Italy's most epic train ride.  The Intercity Notte sleeper train has 4-berth Comfort couchettes and a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments.  The portion to Catania & Siracuse also has a few 1 or 2 bed Excelsior sleeper compartments with en suite toilet & shower.

  Next day this train is ferried across the Straits of Messina to Sicily on a train ferry, a unique experience and one of the few places in the world where trains go onto ships.  See the Trains to Sicily page for more information, photos & travel tips.

  Fares start at €39.90 in a 4-berth comfort couchette, €49.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €59.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per bed.

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

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, you print your own ticket out or show it on your phone.

Room with a view.  The sleeper travels overnight from Milan to southern Italy, then along the coast in daylight, often right next to the water, before being shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina to Sicily.  Courtesy Philip Dyer-Perry.

2-berth sleeper.  It converts to a sofa by day.  Larger photo		Yes, the train goes onto a ferry!  This is the Milan-Sicily sleeper train on board the train ferry crossing the Straits of Messina. Photos courtesy of Andrew Harris.

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Nice to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

Option 1, Nice to Barcelona in a single day

• Step 1, travel from Nice or Cannes to Barcelona

  Leave Nice at 08:25, change at Marseille St Charles & Nimes onto a TGV Duplex, arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:34.

  Leave Nice at 12:02, change at Marseille St Charles & Béziers onto a TGV Duplex, arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:25.

  It's a great trip:  The train takes you along the Provencal coastline past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas, then through Marseille with the Château d'If (France's Alcatraz) visible in the bay and the distinctive Eglise Notre Dame visible on its hill.  Look out for flamingos in the étangs (lakes) beyond Montpellier.

  The TGVs to Barcelona also call at Figueres (for the amazing Salvador Dali museum) and Girona.

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

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

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

• Step 2 for Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia, Alicante.

  A same-day connection is possible, if you take the morning train from Nice. 

  A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.

  Check times & buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with a small mark-up) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.

• Step 2 for Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada:

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

  For Granada:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE S112 high-speed train arriving Granada at 13:10.

  For Malaga:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:51.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Cordoba 13:42 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.

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

  Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with a small mark-up) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas cards, see advice on using it).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.

Option 2, Nice to Barcelona & Madrid with overnight stop in Marseille - breaks up the trip & you see a little of Marseille

• Day 1, travel from Nice Ville to Marseille St Charles on any train you like, taking around 2h35.

  You can leave as late as 19:25, but ideally take an earlier train and see a bit of Marseille as it's a great place for a stopover.  This train runs along the Cote d'Azur, past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas.

  Fares start at €15 if you use a TGV and book ahead.  The fixed-price fare is €36 if you use a TER regional train.

  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 at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). 

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

• 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.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Spain by AVE S100, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:04, arriving Barcelona Sants 12:38 & Madrid Atocha 15:45.

  This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Look out for Béziers cathedral on the right, colonies of flamingos on the étangs in southern France, the Fort de Salses on the right approaching Perpignan and great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees.  More information about AVE S100 & this journey.

  Fares from Marseille to Barcelona start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Fares from Marseille to Madrid start at €44 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or using Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Day 2, take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante or from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Malaga.

  A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:35 every day, arriving Cordoba 18:34 & Malaga Maria Zambrano 19:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:30 daily except Saturdays arriving Seville Santa Justa at 19:03.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Madrid Atocha at 18:00 arriving Seville Santa Justa at 20:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 20:05 every day, arriving Granada 23:36.

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

  Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up).  You print your own ticket.

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies.  I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona or Madrid.

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

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Nice to San Sebastian

Option 1, Nice to San Sebastian in a day

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Hendaye, leaving Nice Ville at 08:25, changing at Marseille St Charles & Bordeaux St Jean, arriving Hendaye 20:47.

  You'll travel along the scenic Cote d'Azur past rocky headlands, millionaires' villas and yacht-filled harbours, later 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 the walled city of Carcassone.

  Times may vary, so check trains for your date of travel and buy a ticket 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 €, no booking fee).

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

• Step 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every half-hour, journey time 37 minutes.

  At Hendaye, walk out of the mainline station, the little Euskotren platform is outside to your right in the corner of the forecourt.  Metro trains leave every 30 minutes to San Sebastian-Donostia Amara station, journey time 37 minutes, fare €2.74, buy a ticket at the station from the staffed counter or the ticket machines.  You can check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. 

  See photos and help with this Hendaye-San Sebastian transfer here.  See suggested hotels in San Sebastian.

Option 2, Nice to San Sebastian with overnight stop in Barcelona

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Barcelona as explained above.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to San Sebastian on the mid-afternoon direct Alvia train, arriving in the evening.

  Fares start at €22.90 in standard (2nd) class or €29.90 in comfort (1st) class.  Fares vary 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 it varies.  You print your own ticket.

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Nice to Lisbon, Porto, Faro & Portugal

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Madrid as shown in the Nice to Spain section above, leaving Nice at 08:25 & arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55.

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

• Day 2, travel from Madrid to Porto by daytime trains via Vigo, as shown on the Trains from Madrid page.  Or...

• Day 2, travel from Madrid to Faro via bus from Seville, as shown on the Trains from Madrid page.

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Nice to Andorra

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Toulouse, leaving Nice Ville at 12:02, changing at Marseille St Charles and arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 19:18.

  Fares start at €56 in 2nd class or €74 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Nice or Cannes to Toulouse 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 (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.

• Step 2, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau (bus stand 15) at 20:00 arriving Andorra 24:00.

  The fare is €36.  The bus is run by Andbus, check times & buy a ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.

• An earlier departure may also be possible most days, leaving Nice Ville at 06:23, changing at Marseille St Charles for Toulouse Matabiau and connecting with a late afternoon bus from Toulouse to Andorra.  Check train times from Nice to Toulouse at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, then check the bus times at www.andorrabybus.com.

Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus, seen at bus stand 15.  The bus station is next to the rail station.		Bus station in Toulouse Matabiau forecourt.  Photos courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.

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Nice to Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin & Germany

Option 1, Nice to Munich or Berlin using the Genoa-Munich sleeper - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets 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 phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 & arriving Munich Hbf 09:20.

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Munich to Berlin, Leipzig, Frankfurt or anywhere in Germany.  You can reach Berlin Hbf by 15:30, Hamburg Hbf by 16:00.

  I'd allow at least an hour between the scheduled arrival of the nightjet and an onward departure.  Check times and book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, or you can book this at www.thetrainline.com too.

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

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Genoa to Munich.  More information about Nightjet trains.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Option 2, Nice to Cologne, Dusseldorf or Frankfurt in a day, via Paris

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV Duplex in as little as 5h40, see the timetable here.

  The 300 km/h double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Cross Paris by taxi or metro, allowing at least an hour between trains in Paris.

• Step 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Cologne Hbf by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) in 3h25, or from Paris Gare de l'Est to Frankfurt by ICE train in 3h50.

  Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains usually have a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, both types have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Change at Mannheim or Cologne for destinations all over Germany.

• Check times and buy tickets from Nice or Cannes to anywhere in Germany at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Tip:  Using www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station with stopover duration of at least 1 hour.  That forces the system to find journeys via Paris, and gives you a robust connection.  By default, the system allows cross-Paris connections as tight as 40 minutes.  If necessary, book Nice-Paris and Paris-Germany separately, adding each to your basket and checking out at the end.

Option 3, Nice to Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin with overnight stop in Marseille

• Day 1, travel from Nice Ville to Marseille St Charles on any train you like, taking around 2h35.

  You can leave as late as 19:25, but ideally take an earlier train and see a bit of Marseille as it's a great place for a stopover.  This train runs along the Cote d'Azur, past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas.

  Fares start at €15 if you use a TGV and book ahead.  The fixed-price fare is €36 if you use a TER regional train.

  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 at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

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

• 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.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Frankfurt by TGV Duplex leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:11 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 15:59.

  Change in Frankfurt for Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin or anywhere in Germany.  You can reach Berlin Hbf at 20:29.

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

  Book from Marseille to anywhere in Germany at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no fee) looking for the 08:11 departure.

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

The direct TGV Duplex from Marseille to Frankfurt, arrived at Frankfurt am 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 4, Nice to Munich or Berlin with overnight stop in Verona - a scenic option with coastline and mountains

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Verona, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21, change at Ventimiglia & Milan Centrale arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:28.

  Fares start at €8 for Nice-Ventimiglia and €39.80 for Ventimiglia-Verona.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  See the Nice to Italy page for details of times, fares, & how to buy tickets.

• Stay overnight in Verona.  By all means catch a morning train from Nice to Verona, or a later train from Verona to Germany, to spend some time here.  Hotels & B&Bs 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 great reviews) the Relais Empire.

• Day 2, travel from Verona to Munich, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 09:01 and arriving Munich Hbf at 14:27. 

  This is a lovely journey on a Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car through the wonderful Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video here.  Change in Munich for ICE and IC trains to destinations all over Germany.

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

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

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

The restaurant car on a EuroCity to Munich, seen at Verona.  You don't need to book a table, just go along and sit down.  Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this.

Second class seats, mostly in 6-seat compartments with side-corridor like this, but some cars are open-plan saloons.				First class leather seats.  On a few trains you'll find 6-seat compartments too.

Watch out for hilltop fortresses.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads from Verona to Innsbruck.

Mountains on the Brenner route.

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Nice to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria

Option 1, Nice to Salzburg & Vienna using the Genoa-Vienna nightjet sleeper train- the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Salzburg or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Salzburg Hbf 06:49 & Vienna Hbf 08:52.

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

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

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

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, Genoa to Salzburg or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Option 2, Nice to Austria with an overnight stop in Venice - a scenic option to Vienna or Salzburg

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

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

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Make sure you allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Venice, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 by Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale 18:58, then leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:42.

  Fares start at €39.80.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets from Ventimiglia to Venice at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  See the Nice to Italy by train page for full details of the journey from Nice to Milan with photos, tips & how to buy tickets.  A morning departure is available if you'd like an evening in Venice, as shown on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Stay overnight in Venice - for a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia.

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf 17:42.

  The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the railjet information here.  It takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains, you might see something of this at least in summer when it's light until ten.

  Change in Villach for Salzburg Hbf.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class, €44 in 1st class or €59 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Venice to Vienna or Salzburg 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 (same prices, in €, more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Scenery between Venice & Vienna.  More photos & information about the Venice to Vienna journey.

Option 3, Nice to Austria with an overnight stop in Verona - a scenic option to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Vienna

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Verona, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21, change at Ventimiglia & Milan Centrale arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:28.

  Fares start at €8 for Nice-Ventimiglia and €39.80 for Ventimiglia-Verona.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  See the Nice to Italy page for details of times, fares, & how to buy tickets.

• Stay overnight in Verona.  By all means catch the morning train from Nice to Verona, or a later train from Verona to Germany, to spend some time here.  Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Sole Hotel Verona, Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire.

• Day 2, travel from Verona to Innsbruck, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 09:04 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 12:32. 

  This is a lovely journey on an Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car through the wonderful Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass video here.

  Change at Innsbruck for a modern Austrian Railjet train to Salzburg Hbf & Vienna Hbf, taking just a few hours more.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €34.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Verona to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna or anywhere in Austria at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, same fares, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

The restaurant car on a EuroCity to Munich, seen at Verona.  You don't need to book a table, just go along and sit down.  Dining on the move as the scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this.

Second class seats, mostly in 6-seat compartments with side-corridor, some cars are open-plan saloons.				First class leather seats.  On a few trains you'll find 6-seat compartments too.

Watch out for hilltop fortresses.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads from Verona to Innsbruck.

Mountains on the Brenner route.

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Nice to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo & Stockholm

Option 1, Nice to Denmark, Norway & Sweden using the Genoa-Munich sleeper

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Munich Hbf 09:20.

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Munich to Copenhagen, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:21, changing Hamburg Hbf & arriving Copenhagen 21:34.

  You travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then from Hamburg to Copenhagen by comfortable EuroCity train.

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

  Buy this ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  Tip:  I recommend changing Transfer time from Normal to minimum 45 minutes.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between the sleeper and the onward train in Munich, in case of delay.

• For Stockholm, stay overnight in Copenhagen and take a fast X2000 train to Stockholm next day.

  You can book this at www.sj.se but it's usually cheaper to book from Munich to Stockholm all in one go at int.bahn.de, clicking Stopovers, entering Copenhagen and a length of stay of (say) 9 hours.  You can then get a Munich-Stockholm ticket with an overnight stop built in.

• For Malmo or Gothenburg, stay overnight in Copenhagen then take an Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central or Gothenburg Central.

  You can book this at www.sj.se or buy at the station, no reservation required, but it's usually cheaper to book from Munich to Malmö or Gothenburg all in one go at int.bahn.de, clicking Stopovers, entering Copenhagen and say 09:00 as length of stay.  You can then get a Munich-Malmö or Munich-Gothenburg ticket from €56.90 with an overnight stop pre-programmed in.  Note that Gothenburg is listed on bahn.de as Goteborg Central.

• For Oslo & Norway, stay overnight in Copenhagen and take an Öresund train to Gothenburg next day with connecting train to Oslo Sentral, see the Copenhagen-Oslo section on the Copenhagen page.

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Genoa to Munich.  More information about Nightjet trains.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More information about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

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

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

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

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Option 2, Nice to Denmark & Sweden with overnight stops in Marseille & Hamburg - if you prefer day trains & hotels to sleepers

• Day 1, travel from Nice Ville to Marseille St Charles on any train you like, taking around 2h35.

  You can leave as late as 18:11, but ideally take an earlier train and see a bit of Marseille as it's a great place for a stopover.  This train runs along the Cote d'Azur, past rocky headlands, yacht-filled harbours and millionaires' villas.

  Fares start at €15 if you use a TGV and book ahead.  The fixed-price fare is €36 if you use a TER regional train.

  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 at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

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

• 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.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Frankfurt by TGV Duplex leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:11 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 15:59.  Then take an onward ICE train to Hamburg Hbf, arriving 20:29.

  The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, the ICE has a restaurant car, both trains have 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, so book ahead.

  Book from Marseille to Hamburg at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no fee) looking for the 08:11 departure.

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

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

• Day 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 & arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

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

  Book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Norway & Sweden.

  For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:37.  You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from €56.90 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

  For Malmo or Gothenburg, Öresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central in 3h53 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmö Central in 39 minutes.  You should book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (= Goteborg Central) as one transaction from €56.90 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

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Nice to Helsinki & Finland

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

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Day 1, travel from Genoa to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Munich Hbf 09:20.

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

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

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

  Tip:  If you like, you can check the train formation, 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.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE4 train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:21 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:54.

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

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

• Day 2, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by local train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines, as shown in detail on the Trains from Hamburg page.  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 4 from Nice).  Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry at www.finnlines.com.

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

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

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.		Gym with a view.		Sauna.

Option 2, Nice to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry

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

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

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Nice to Prague & the Czech Republic

Option 1, Nice to Prague using the Genoa-Vienna sleeper - a time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Vienna Hbf 08:52.

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

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Vienna to Prague by Czech railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:10 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:13.

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

  Fares start at €14 in 2nd class, €29 in 1st class or €34 in business class (= premium 1st class).

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, small booking fee) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in koruna, booking opens 3 months ahead), whichever is cheaper.  You print your own ticket.

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Genoa to Vienna.  More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Option 2, Nice to Prague with an overnight stop in Venice - the scenic option, if you prefer day trains & hotels to sleepers

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Venice, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 by Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale 18:58, then leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:42.

  Fares start at €39.80.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets from Ventimiglia to Venice at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  See the Nice to Italy by train page for full details of the journey from Nice to Milan with photos, tips & how to buy tickets.

  A morning departure is available if you'd like an evening in Venice, as shown on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Stay overnight in Venice - for a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia.

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:58 and arriving Vienna Hbf 17:42.

  The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about railjet.  It takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains, you might see something of this at least in summer when it's light until ten.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class, €44 in 1st class or €59 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Venice to Vienna or Salzburg 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 (same prices, in €, more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Tip:  If you have a 1st or business class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee, WiFi.

• Step 3, travel from Vienna to Prague by Czech railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:10 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 23:16.

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

  Fares start at €14.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, Booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in koruna, booking normally opens 3 months ahead), whichever is cheaper.  You print your own ticket.

Scenery between Venice & Vienna.  More photos & information about the Venice to Vienna journey.

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Nice to Bratislava & Slovakia

Option 1, Nice to Bratislava using the Genoa-Vienna sleeper - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train. leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Vienna Hbf 08:52.

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

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna on the hourly regional express train, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station for €11.00 and hop on the next train, journey time 1h09, see the timetable here.  You can check times (and buy a ticket if you like, just to save time) at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.  Above, an Intercity at the magnificent Milan Centrale.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Genoa to Vienna.  More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Step 4, Vienna to Bratislava by hourly regional express train. More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains.

Option 2, Nice to Bratislava with an overnight stop in Venice - the scenic option

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Venice, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 by Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale 18:58, then leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:42.

  Fares start at €39.80.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets from Ventimiglia to Venice at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  See the Nice to Italy by train page for full details of the journey from Nice to Milan with photos, tips & how to buy tickets.

  A morning departure is available if you'd like an evening in Venice, as shown on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Stay overnight in Venice - for a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia.

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf 17:42.

  The smart Austrian railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about railjet.  It takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains, you might see something of this at least in summer when it's light until ten.

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class, €44 in 1st class or €59 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Venice to Vienna or Salzburg 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 (same prices, in €, more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Tip:  If you've a 1st or business class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

• Step 3, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna on the hourly regional express train, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station for €11.00 and hop on the next train, journey time 1h09.  See the timetable here.  You can check times (and buy a ticket if you like, just to save time) at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.

Scenery between Venice & Vienna.  More photos & information about the Venice to Vienna journey.

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Nice to Budapest & Hungary

Option 1, Nice to Budapest using the Genoa-Vienna sleeper - another time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

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

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

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

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Vienna Hbf 08:52.

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

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:42 & arriving Budapest Keleti at 12:19.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about railjet.  Why not book a later train & spend some time in Vienna?  Trains to Budapest leave every hour, left luggage lockers are available.

  Buy a ticket from Vienna to Budapest as a second transaction at www.thetrainline.com (or www.oebb.at).

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

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper from Genoa to Vienna.  More information about Nightjets.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Step 4, Vienna to Budapest by railjet, seen here arrived on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti station.  More information about railjets.

Business class.  About business class.		Restaurant.  In 1st & business you're served at your seat.

First class.		Economy (2nd) class.

Option 2, Nice to Budapest with an overnight stop in Venice - the scenic option, if you prefer day trains & hotels to sleepers

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Venice, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 by Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale 18:58, then leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:42.

  Fares start at €39.80.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets from Ventimiglia to Venice at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  See the Nice to Italy by train page for full details of the journey from Nice to Milan with photos, tips & how to buy tickets.

  An earlier 09:06 morning departure is available if you'd like an evening in Venice, as shown on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Stay overnight in Venice - for a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia.

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf 17:42.

  The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the railjet information here.  It takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains, you might see something of this at least in summer when it's light until ten.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Venice to Vienna or Salzburg 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 (same prices, in €, more fiddly).

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

  Tip:  If you have a 1st or business class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee, WiFi.

• Step 3, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:42 & arriving Budapest Keleti at 21:19.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44 in business class (= premium 1st class).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy a ticket from Vienna to Budapest as a second transaction at www.thetrainline.com (or www.oebb.at).

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

Scenery between Venice & Vienna.  More photos & information about the Venice to Vienna journey.

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Nice to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Budapest via the Genoa-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train, as shown in the Nice to Budapest section above.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:50 & Bucharest Nord 11:30.

  This comfortable sleeper train has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  There's no restaurant car (although a bar-bistro is usually 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 60 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Hungary to Romania journeys you print your own ticket.

  You can also 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 phone.

1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.		The sleeping-car (vagon de dormit) on the westbound Ister at Bucharest.  Sleepers convert from beds to private sitting rooms for day use.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.

The vagon cuseta (couchette car) on the westbound Ister, boarding at Bucharest.  Couchettes convert from bunks at night to seats by day.  Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com .		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

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Nice to Ljubljana & Zagreb

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Venice, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 by Intercity train arriving Milan Centrale 18:58, then leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:42.

  Fares start at €39.80.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets from Ventimiglia to Venice at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  See the Nice to Italy by train page for full details of the journey from Nice to Milan with photos, tips & how to buy tickets.

  A morning departure is available if you'd like an evening in Venice, as shown on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Stay overnight in Venice.  For a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia.

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Ljubljana or Zagreb by train as explained on the Venice to Ljubljana page.

  The fixed-price fare is around €24.

  No reservations are necessary for any of this journey, just turn up, buy a ticket and go.  There are two departures every day.

Inside the ETR563.  Larger photo.		The train to Ljubljana about to leave Trieste.  Courtesy of Marc Williams.

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Nice to Belgrade & Montenegro

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Zagreb as explained in the Nice to Zagreb section above.

• Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade as explained on the Trains from Zagreb page.

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 buses to Budva or Kotor.

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Nice to Sofia

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Bucharest as shown above.

• Step 2, travel from Bucharest to Sofia as shown on the Trains from Bucharest page.

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Nice to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Step 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 & arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:05.

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

  Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You'll find full details of the Nice-Genoa-Milan journey with photos, tips & how to buy tickets on the Nice to Italy by train page.

• Step 3, travel from Genoa to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 arriving Vienna Hbf 08:52.

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

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Vienna to Warsaw by EuroCity train Polonia, leaving Vienna Hbf 14:10 arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:29.

  For Krakow, change at Katowice, arriving Krakow Glowny at 21:12.

  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 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 to Warsaw opens up to 6 months ahead.  Booking to Krakow with a change of train in Poland opens 60 days ahead, but you can buy the Vienna-Katowice ticket up to 6 months ahead and add the connecting ticket later at the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl.  You print your own ticket.

Step 1, take a TER local train from Cannes or Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes - the TERs also call here.

Coastal scenery from the upper deck of the TER from Cannes & Nice to Ventimiglia.

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Genoa.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.

2nd class.  Larger photo.		1st class.  Larger photo.

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Genoa to Vienna.  More information about Nightjet trains.

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.		Nightjet couchette car.

Step 4, Vienna to Warsaw by EuroCity train, seen here at Vienna Hbf.  On these PKP Polish Railways cars, the green stripe above the windows indicates 2nd class.  Yellow indicates first class.  Red indicates the restaurant car.  Courtesy of Jennifer Delaney.

Most 2nd class cars have compartments like this with side corridor & 6-seat compartments, although one or two cars may have open-plan saloons.  All 1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments on these trains.  Click images for larger photos.

Restaurant car.

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Nice to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

• Day 1 & 2, travel from Nice to Warsaw as shown in the Nice to Warsaw section above.

• Stay overnight in Warsaw.  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius by train as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

• Day 4, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

• Day 5, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

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Nice to Kyiv, Lviv & Ukraine

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Vienna as explained above (option 1).  You arrive at Vienna Hbf by sleeper at 08:52.

• Step 2, travel on the direct train from Vienna to Lviv and Kyiv leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 and arriving at Lviv at 09:20 & Kyiv at 16:03, as explained on the trains from Vienna page.

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

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

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Nice to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia

Nice to Moscow via Kyiv - avoids Belarus

• Step 1, travel to Kyiv as shown in the Nice to Kyiv section above.  It takes 2 nights.

• Step 2, take one of the Kyiv to Moscow sleeper trains, for example train 6 leaves at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09.

  These trains were suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions & the war in Ukraine.

  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 Kyiv 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 Kyiv.  Feedback appreciated!

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Nice to Athens & Greece

• Nice to Athens takes less than 48 hours this way, an epic adventure, and a great journey.  Recommended!

• Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:21 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:13.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Milan by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 and arriving Milan Centrale at 18:58.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  See the Nice to Italy by train page for full details of the journey from Nice to Milan with photos, tips & how to buy tickets.  A later departure from Nice at 17:06 is also available.

• Stay overnight in Milan:  Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.  Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Bari, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:05 on a pleasant journey along the Adriatic coast arriving Bari Centrale 15:27.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• In Bari, transfer from station to port, see map of Bari showing station, port entrance, check-in building & Superfast Ferries berth.

  You can walk the 1.9 km from the station to the port entrance in 25 minutes, a stroll through Bari's pleasant old town, see correct walking map from the station to the port entrance gate - if Google tells you any different, trust me, not Google!

  Alternatively, bus 50 runs from Bari Centrale station to the road outside the port gate roughly every 40 minutes.  A taxi will take 10 minutes.

• Day 2, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with Superfast Ferries.

  The ferry sails from Bari at 19:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Patras at 13:00 next day (Day 3).

  On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Milan.

  You can check sailing times & dates at using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com.

  You should check in at the Superfast desk on the ground floor of the cruise terminal (Terminal Crociere) at Bari port with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3 hours before departure in summer, although in practice 2 hours or even 1½ hours is normally fine.

  You then walk 500m from check-in to the ferry, board the ferry via the foot passenger gangway at the stern and head up the escalator to the main lounge and reception desk to get your cabin key.

  The ship is comfortable, with self-service restaurant, lounge, bar and sun deck.  You can book a deck place (a good & cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag), a reclining seat or various types of cabin, all 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 18 links the port with the Patras bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

• Day 3, travel from Patras to Athens by Greek Railways bus/train combo.

  Hellenic Train (Greek Railways) operate an integrated bus/train service from Patras to Athens every hour or two, total journey time 3h02, fare around €18.  No prior reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket to Athens at Patras railway station ticket office.

  For example, at the time I write this, buses leave from outside Patras railway station at 14:15, 15:15, 16:00, 17:15 & 18:15, taking 90 minutes to reach Kiato railway station near Corinthos.  At Kiato they connect with a modern air-conditioned regional train taking 78 minutes to Athens Larissa Station in downtown Athens.  You can check Patra to Athens bus/train times using the journey planner at www.hellenictrain.gr.

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.		Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.		Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras.

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Nice to Istanbul

• Step 1, travel from Nice to Bucharest using any option shown above.

  Do not risk any tight connections in Bucharest, I'd allow a minimum of 2 hours, or plan an overnight stop.

• Step 2, travel overnight from Bucharest to Istanbul as shown on the Bucharest to Istanbul page.

• Book online as shown on those pages, but you should consider using an Interrail pass for the flexibility it gives.  You'll find more info about using a pass for a journey like this on the London to Istanbul page.

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Hotels in Nice

• The Hotel Negresco is Nice's most famous & historic hotel, on the Promenade des Anglais itself facing the Med.  Named after its founder, Henri Negresco, it has been an institution in Nice since 1912.  More about the hotel at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Negresco.

• The Hotel La Villa Nice Promenade is in a similar location, one road back from the seafront's Promenade des Anglais, but much cheaper!

• Consider staying between the Promenade des Anglais and Nice old town, such as the Hotel de la Mer.  More hotels in Nice.

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

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

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Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance

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

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

  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

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

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

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com.

 

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