Take Eurostar & TGV high-speed train from London to Nice, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Avignon, Strasbourg, Perpignan or anywhere in France

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

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      Click here for journeys starting in another city

      See Nice Ville station guide

      Recommended hotels in Nice

      Information current for 2025

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.

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

bullet pointEuropean train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel

  

Senior fares (over 60)

  

Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)

Important tips for buying European train tickets

Youth fares (under 26)

  

Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)

How to check European train times

Child fares & child age limits

  

Couchettes & sleepers on night trains

Do I need to book in advance?

Luggage on European trains

  

Train seat numbering plans

How far ahead can I book?

Luggage storage at stations

  

Wheelchairs & special needs

Can I stop off on the way?

Taking a bike by train

 

Real-time service updates

Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?

Taking a car by train

  

Hotels & accommodation

How long to allow for connections?

Taking dogs & pets by train

  

Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi

How early to arrive at the station?

Maps of the European rail network

  

What to do when things go wrong...
Nice to Paris by TGV from €25

Nice to Paris by sleeper train from €19

Nice to Cannes, Juan les Pins, Monte Carlo, Menton by local train
Nice to Marseille, Avignon, Lyon, Perpignan, Toulouse & other destinations in France
The view from the train...
Coastal views from the train between Toulon and Nice

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
A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

  

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

  

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

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Nice to Dublin & Ireland
Irish Ferries' WB Yeats

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

Club cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet.

  

Deluxe cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet.

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Nice to Brussels or Bruges

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

Intercite de nuit overnight train at Paris Austerlitz

Step 1, Nice or Cannes to Paris by Intercité de nuit sleeper train, seen here at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.  More about Intercités de Nuit.

Intercite de Nuit 2nd class 6-berth couchette   Intercite de Nuit 2nd class couchette

2nd class 6-berth couchettes.

  

A cosy 2nd class couchette.
Intercite de Nuit 1st class couchette   Intercite de Nuit 1st class 4-berth couchette

1st class couchette, made up for the night.

  

1st class 4-berth couchettes.
A Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris

Step 2, Paris to Brussels by Eurostar, seen here at Paris Nord.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

1st class seats on Eurostar formerly Thalys   2nd class seats on 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

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

Option 4, Nice to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris

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Nice to Amsterdam

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

Intercite de nuit overnight train at Paris Austerlitz

Step 1, Nice or Cannes to Paris by Intercité de nuit sleeper train, seen here at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz.  More about Intercités de Nuit.

Intercite de Nuit 2nd class 6-berth couchette   Intercite de Nuit 2nd class couchette

2nd class 6-berth couchettes.

  

A cosy 2nd class couchette.
Intercite de Nuit 1st class couchette   Intercite de Nuit 1st class 4-berth couchette

1st class couchette, made up for the night.

  

1st class 4-berth couchettes.
A Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris

Step 2, Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar, seen here at Paris Nord.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

1st class seats on Eurostar formerly Thalys   2nd class seats on 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

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

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Nice to Luxembourg

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

Option 2, Nice to Luxembourg via Paris

2nd class on a Paris-Milan TGV   TGV from Paris arrived at Luxembourg

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 on the Paris-Milan TGV   1st class on the Paris-Milan TGV

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

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

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train

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

Option 1, Nice to Italy in a single day

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

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Here, a train has arrived at the magnificent Milan Centrale.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
Frecciarossa 1000 at Roma Termini

Step 3, take a high-speed Frecciarossa from Milan to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples.  This is a Frecciarossa 1000 at Rome Termini.  More about Frecciarossas & their 4 classes.
Frecciarossa 1000 standard class   Frecciarossa 1000 premium class

Standard class, seats 2+2 across width.

  

Premium class, seats 2+2 across width.
Frecciarossa 1000 Business class   Frecciarossa 1000 executive class

Business class, seats 1+2 across car width.

  

Executive class, with food & drink included.

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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:

Coastal view from the Palermo to Milan sleeper train

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-bed sleeper, night mode, on the Milan-Sicily sleeper  

Milan-Sicily train on board the train ferry

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, early departure, Mondays-Fridays

Option 2, Nice to Barcelona in a single day, later departure, every day

Option 3, Nice to Barcelona & Madrid with overnight stop in Marseille - breaks up the trip & you see a little of Marseille

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

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

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Nice to San Sebastian

Option 1, Nice to San Sebastian in a day

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

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Nice to Ibiza & Mallorca

Option 1, Nice to Menorca or Alcudia (Mallorca) via Toulon - the most convenient way when running, several times a week, April-October

Option 2, Nice to Ibiza & Mallorca via Barcelona - daily all year round

Balearia ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza

Balearia ferry in Ibiza harbour.  Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.

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Nice to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal

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Nice to Faro & the Algarve

Option 1, Nice to Faro using a bus from Seville to Faro - fastest & easiest

Also bus from Seville to Faro

Option 2, Amsterdam to Faro via Lisbon - a longer way round, but all-train.

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Nice to Andorra
Bus station next to Toulouse Matabiau station   Bus station next to Toulouse Matabiau station

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 Milan-Munich sleeper - the time-effective option

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Rome

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Milan to Munich.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.

Option 2, Nice to Cologne, Düsseldorf or Frankfurt in a day, via Paris - means crossing Paris, by many possible departures

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

Frankfurt to Marseille TGV

The direct TGV Duplex from Marseille to Frankfurt, arrived at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

The cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.

  

2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.
First class on board a TGV Duplex   A TGV Duplex at Frankfurt

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

New generation railjet at Verona

A new generation railjet at Verona Porta Nuova, showing a low-floor section for easy boarding.  More about these railjets.

First class seats in a new generation railjet   Business class 4-seat compartment in a new generation railjet

First class, in open saloons.

  

Business class, in 4-seat compartments.
Restaurant car in a new generation railjet   Economy class seats in a new generation railjet

Restaurant car.

  

Economy (2nd) class.
Hilltop fortresses seen from the Brenner Pass train

Watch out for hilltop fortresses.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.
Scenery (and vineyards!) on the Brenner route   Scenery on the Brenner route

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 Milan-Vienna nightjet sleeper train- the time-effective option

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

Step 3, Milan to Salzburg or Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.

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

Scenery from the train on the Semmering Railway

Scenery between Venice & Vienna.  More 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

New generation railjet at Verona

A new generation railjet at Verona Porta Nuova, showing a low-floor section for easy boarding.  More about these railjets.

First class seats in a new generation railjet   Business class 4-seat compartment in a new generation railjet

First class, in open saloons.

  

Business class, in 4-seat compartments.
Restaurant car in a new generation railjet   Economy class seats in a new generation railjet

Restaurant car.

  

Economy (2nd) class.
Hilltop fortresses seen from the Brenner Pass train

Watch out for hilltop fortresses.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video.
Scenery (and vineyards!) on the Brenner route   Scenery on the Brenner route

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 Milan-Munich sleeper

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Rome

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Milan to Munich.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.
Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Hamburg Hbf

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 2025-2026.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd clas seats on a DB Intercity train

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.

1st class comparment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train   1st class 6-seat compartment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

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

An X2000 train at Stockholm Central

Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central.  More about X2000 trains.
1st class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train 2nd class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

1st class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

  

2nd class on an X2000.  Larger photo.
Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train   Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

  

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.
On the Oresund link!

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

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

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

    For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.  You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from €56.99 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  If you have any problems, book Copenhagen to Stockholm separately at Swedish Railways www.sj.se.  A change at Malmö Central may be necessary at times.

    For Malmö or Gothenburg, Öresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central in 3h50 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmö Central in 40 minutes.  You should book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (= Göteborg Central) as one transaction from €56.99 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 09:17, arriving Ventimiglia at 10:13.

    The fare is €9.20, 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 it 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 10:59, arriving Milan Centrale 15:03.

    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-Milan journey on the Nice to Italy by train page.

    Transfer from Milan Centrale to Milan Lambrate or Milan Porta Garibaldi (as appropriate) by metro, local train or taxi.

  • Day 1, travel from Milan to Munich by Nightjet, leaving Milan Lambrate at 19:40, arriving Munich Hbf 09:21.

    Important: From 29 September to 13 December 2025, the train starts from Milan Porta Garibaldi at 19:25.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

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

  • Day 2, travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE4 train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:21, arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:55.

    Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €56.99 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 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 ferry Travemunde-Helsinki

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

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.

  

Gym with a view.

  

Sauna.

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

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Nice to Prague & the Czech Republic

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

  • Day 1, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 09:17, arriving Ventimiglia at 10:13.

    The fare is €9.20, 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 it 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 10:59, arriving Milan Centrale 15:03.

    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-Milan journey on the Nice to Italy by train page.

    Transfer from Milan Centrale to Milan Lambrate or Milan Porta Garibaldi (as appropriate) by metro, local train or taxi.

  • Day 1, travel from Milan to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Milan Lambrate at 19:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:04.

    Important: From 29 September to 13 December 2025, the train starts from Milan Porta Garibaldi at 19:25.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

    Tip:  If you have a sleeping-car 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.

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Milan to Vienna.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.

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

Scenery from the train on the Semmering Railway

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

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Nice to Bratislava & Slovakia

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

  • Day 1, travel from Milan to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Milan Lambrate at 19:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:04.

    Important: From 29 September to 13 December 2025, the train starts from Milan Porta Garibaldi at 19:25.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

    Tip:  If you have a sleeping-car 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.

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Above, an Intercity at the magnificent Milan Centrale.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

Step 3, take the Nightjet sleeper train from Milan to Vienna.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.
The train from Vienna to Bratislava...   Inside the hourly train from Vienna to Bratislava...

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

Scenery from the train on the Semmering Railway

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

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Nice to Budapest & Hungary

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

  • Day 1, travel from Milan to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Milan Lambrate at 19:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:04.

    Important: From 29 September to 13 December 2025, the train starts from Milan Porta Garibaldi at 19:25.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

    Tip:  If you have a sleeping-car 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.

  • Day 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 13:19.

    This comfortable Hungarian EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to an early lunch and a beer or two.

    There's an earlier 09:42 to Budapest, but this is not a robust connection with the sleeper.  However, trains leave every hour so by all means book a later train & spend some time in Vienna, see the timetable here.  Luggage lockers are available.

    Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

Step 3, Milan to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.
EuroCity train from Vienna to Budapest, at Budapest Keleti

Step 4, Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train.
1st class seats on a Hungarian EuroCity train   2nd class seats on a Hungarian EuroCity train

1st class is usually in 6-seat compartments.  Larger photo.

  

2nd class, open-plan saloon type, modernised.  Larger photo.

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

Scenery from the train on the Semmering Railway

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

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Nice to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania

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

  • Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:48 & Bucharest Nord 11:35.

    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, 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.

2-berth sleeper on the Ister   The Ister at Bucharest Nord

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.
Couchette car on the Ister EuroNight train from Budapest to Bucharest   Romanian couchette car from Vienna to Bucharest

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
2nd class seats on the train from Venice to Ljubljana   The train from Trieste to Ljubljana

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

If you're going to Montenegro:

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Nice to Sofia

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Nice to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland

  • Day 1, travel from Milan to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Milan Lambrate at 19:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:04.

    Important: From 29 September to 13 December 2025, the train starts from Milan Porta Garibaldi at 19:25.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper 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.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

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

    Tip:  If you have a sleeping-car 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.

  • Day 2, travel from Vienna to Warsaw by EuroCity train Polonia, leaving Vienna Hbf 14:10, arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:50.

    Or travel from Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train Danubius, leaving Vienna Hbf 16:10, arriving Krakow Glowny 21:25.

    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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).  You print your own ticket.

TER train at Juans-les-Pins station

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 between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Step 2, take a Trenitalia Intercity train from Ventimiglia to Milan.  Above, an Intercity at Milan Centrale.
2nd class   1st class

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna

Step 3, Milan to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

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

  

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

  

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

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes   Couchette car on sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.
Morning EuroCity train from Vienna to Warsaw

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.
2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train   2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

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.
Polish restaurant car

Restaurant car.

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Nice to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

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Nice to Kyiv, Lviv & Ukraine
The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Kiev Pass

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car at Kyiv Pass.  Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.
Sleeper to Kiev about to leave Vienna   Ukrainian sleeper corridor   1, 2 or 3 bed Ukrainian sleeper compartment

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

  • 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.

Superfast ferry from Bari to Patras in Greece

The ferry Superfast II from Bari to Patras, boarding at Bari.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Boarding the ferry from Italy to Greece   Lounge and reception desk on the ferry to Greece

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.

  

Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.
Lounge & bar on the ferry from Italy to Greece   Self-service restaurant on the ferry from Italy to Greece

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.

  

Self-service restaurant.
En suite toilet & shower on ferry to Greece   Cabin on ferry from Italy to Greece

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

Scenic views from the ferry from Italy to Greece

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

The ferry from Bari arrives at Patras

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras.

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Nice to Istanbul

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Hotels in Nice

Find hotels at Booking.comMy 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

 

Staysure travel insurance
 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance

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

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

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

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

 

Maya.net logo

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.

 

Curve card

Curve card

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.

 

Express VPN

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.

 

Anker Powerrbank

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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