 A TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon |
This page explains how to travel by train from Paris to other cities all over Europe and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2025.
Tip: If leaving from the Gare de Lyon, have a meal before your train at the fabulous Train Bleu restaurant or use the Big Ben bar as your VIP waiting lounge. If leaving from the Gare du Nord, I recommend the Brasserie Terminus Nord across the road.
Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. They answer the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
Paris
station guides
Paris to anywhere else in France
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You can buy tickets for suburban & regional trains at the station, they usually have fixed prices that don't change and no reservation is necessary or possible. This includes RER (Paris suburban trains) and TER (Trains Exprès Regionaux).
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However, almost all French long-distance trains including high-speed TGVs & Intercités have compulsory reservation and every ticket comes with a reserved seat. Like airlines they offer cheap inflexible fares if you book well in advance, much more expensive flexible fares if you buy closer to departure date. So book ahead!
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Buy tickets at SNCF's own website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
You usually print your tickets or can show them on your phone, or you can collect tickets from any main French station. Anyone from any country can use these sites.
When booking 1st class tickets on TGVs & Intercités, www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map.
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See the Train Travel in France page for a beginner's guide to train travel within France. Going to Mont-Saint-Michel?
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Competing operator Paris-Lyon-Avignon-Aix-Marseille:
Italian operator Trenitalia runs regular Frecciarossa 1000 trains from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part Dieu in competition with SNCF, and from June 2025 it will also run from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon TGV, Aix-en-Provence TGV and Marseille St Charles.
Trenitalia's Frecciarossa trains have standard (2nd), business (1st) and executive (premium 1st) classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Like SNCF's TGVs, they run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee), www.trenitalia.com (in €) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com). You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Nice from €25, see the Paris to Nice page
Impressive 300 km/h (186 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex trains link Paris & Nice in as little as 5h45 centre to centre from €25. A flight takes 4 hours of train, airport, flight, airport & bus, and pumps up to 10 times the CO2 emissions into the upper atmosphere. As an experience, there's no comparison: After speeding down the scenic Rhone Valley at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), the trains slow down, passing Marseille with the Chateau d'If visible out in the bay. After St Raphael, the train skirts the Cote d'Azur past rocky headlands, yacht-filled bays and millionaires' villas. There's a sleeper option, too. More about trains from Paris to Nice. Scenery photo courtesy of Mike Sloan.
Paris to Corsica
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Toulon by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:10, arriving Toulon 14:10.
The TGV Duplex has a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
In theory you can leave Paris later, but you need to allow for getting from station to ferry terminal and for the ferry check in and for any delay, so I'd stick with this departure. Have an early dinner in Toulon.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.
Tip: Check ferry times before booking your train.
In Toulon, it's a 1.6 km 21-minute walk from station to the Corsica Ferries terminal, see walking map, or take a taxi.
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Step 2, sail overnight from Toulon to Ajaccio or Bastia on Corsica with Corsica ferries, typically sailing around 20:00 and arrives around 07:00.
There's a range of comfortable cabins available with shower & toilets.
Fares start at around €33 plus cost of cabin.
Check times, fares & buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or see www.corsica-ferries.co.uk.
Paris to London from €57
Option 1, Paris to London by Eurostar
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Eurostar links Paris Gare du Nord with London St Pancras almost every hour or so through the day in around 2h20.
See the London to Paris by Eurostar page for more about Eurostar, the journey, tips for choosing the best seats & video guide.
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Fares start at €57 one-way or €99 return. Eurostar has airline-style pricing so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at either www.eurostar.com, www.sncf-connect.com or www.thetrainline.com.
You print your own ticket or can download the Eurostar app and show it on your phone. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
However you buy, after booking you can load it into the Eurostar app and (if you like) view or change your seats on a seat map.
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Buy onward tickets from London to other British towns & cities at www.thetrainline.com.
You collect tickets from the self-service ticket machines or in many cases you can print them out or show it on your phone.
If you're booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train leaves from St Pancras, Kings Cross or Euston, I'd allow at least 1 hour between Eurostar arrival and any onward train to allow for delay, even though it only takes 3 minutes to walk across the road to Kings Cross or 9 minutes to walk to Euston. I'd allow 90 minutes if booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train goes from Paddington, Waterloo or Liverpool Street as then you'll need to change stations by Underground or taxi.
Option 2, by train & ferry
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You can still travel from Paris to London by train, ferry and train, either in a day via Calais/Dover or Dieppe-Newhaven, or via routes with a longer sea crossing such as Caen-Portsmouth which offers a 'sleeper' service where you can sleep on the ferry overnight.
Paris to Dublin from £88.50
Option 1, Paris to Dublin via a direct France-Ireland ferry
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Step 1, take a train from Paris to Cherbourg.
On most days you'll find a train leaving Paris St Lazare around 10:59 arriving in time to connect with a 16:30 ferry.
However, you should book the ferry first & confirm sailing time, then book a train that arrives at least 2-3h beforehand, remembering the 1-hour ferry check-in.
Fares start from €20 if you book ahead and commit to a specific train, or costs around €55 if you turn up and buy on the day.
Check train times from Paris to Cherbourg at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
In Cherbourg, it's a 3.2 km 10-minute taxi ride or a 2.9 km 37-minute walk from the station to the ferry terminal, see walking map.
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Step 2, sail from Cherbourg to either Rosslare or Dublin
Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.com or www.directferries.com) sail from Cherbourg to Dublin every 2-3 days all year. The ferry typically sails at 16:30 and arrives 10:45 next morning. Fares from around €51 + mandatory private cabin. Cabins start from around €74 for a 4-berth with shower & toilet. You can easily buy tickets at www.directferries.com in multiple languages, in £ or €.
This is the easiest route to use, their luxurious new superferry WB Yeats carries foot passengers on this route, a wonderful cruise with bars, restaurants & cosy private cabins. Their smaller ferry Epsilon doesn't carry foot passengers. Check schedules at www.irishferries.com.
Stena Line (www.stenaline.co.uk or www.directferries.com) sail every few days from Cherbourg to Rosslare, foot passengers carried. Sailings are overnight, times vary. A range of comfy private cabins is available. Trains link Dublin Connolly, Wicklow, Wexford & Rosslare Harbour, see www.irishrail.ie.
Option 2, Paris to Dublin via London
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Step 1, take an evening Eurostar from Paris Gare dui Nord to London St Pancras in just 2h20.
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Stay overnight in London, see suggested hotels near St Pancras. It's a 9 minute walk from St Pancras to Euston station.
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Day 2, travel from London Euston to Dublin on the morning train & ferry service, arriving Dublin Ferryport 17:25, see the London-Dublin page for times, fares & how to buy tickets. Rail & Sail is an inexpensive, fun and interesting way to go, see more about this journey.
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Or you can travel overnight. Take a late afternoon Eurostar from Brussels to London. Allow at least 90 minutes in London between trains to ensure a robust connection, even though it's only a 9 minute walk between St Pancras & Euston stations. Then take the overnight London to Dublin train & ferry service arriving in Dublin next morning, see the timetable here. It's basically a red-eye service, but you can pay for a cabin when you board the ferry, so can at least get 3 hours sleep!
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How much does it cost?
Paris to London starts at €57. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
London to Dublin costs either £53.40 or £60.10, one or other fare always applies, even on the day of travel.
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How to buy tickets
Book from Paris to London at www.eurostar.com.
Book from London to Dublin Ferryport at tfw.wales as explained on the train & ferry to Dublin page.
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There's more about Eurostar on the Eurostar page, more about London to Dublin on the London to Dublin page.
Paris to Brussels from €29
Option 1, Paris to Brussels by high-speed train in 1h25
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High-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains run from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi every hour or so in around 1h25.
It's faster than flying and a lot more relaxing. The trains run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line, with cafe area, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Plus (1st class) & Premier (1st class with at-seat food & wine included in the fare and access to lounges in Paris & Brussels). See more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Fares start at €29 in standard, €55 in plus or €115 in premier.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. If you buy on the day it can cost over €100 in standard class, ouch! All tickets come with a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific train you book. The cheapest fares mean limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.
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Buy tickets at www.eurostar.com (easy to use, in € or £, no booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket (A4 paper, Letter size is fine) or can show it on your phone.
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Tip: Check what the price is for a journey from Paris to Rotterdam or Aachen on the same train, as it's often cheaper than the fare to Brussels. If so, buy to Rotterdam/Aachen and simply get off in Brussels!
A Eurostar (formerly Thalys) at Paris. More info about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Option 2, Paris to Brussels by lo-cost train in 3h
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In December 2024, SNCB (Belgian Railways) and SNCF (French Railways) launched 3 daily trains from Paris to Brussels via the classic (non-high-speed) line, at up to 200 km/h (125mph), taking 3h03. They also call at Creil, Aulnoye & Mons.
They're sold under SNCF's Ouigo lo-cost brand as Ouigo Train Classique. They're fast, modern and air-conditioned, a much cheaper but slower alternative to the high-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains. There's no catering so bring your own food & drink.
Each train has 8 cars, cars 2-7 are standard class with seats arranged 2+2 across the car width. Car 1 is a first class car with more spacious seats arranged 1+2 across the car width, Ouigo brands these seats as 'XL'. You'll normally find car 1 at the Paris end of the train.
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Departures are as follows:
Leave Paris Gare du Nord 08:18, arriving Brussels Midi 11:21.
Leave Paris Gare du Nord 12:28, arriving Brussels Midi 15:21.
Leave Paris Gare du Nord 19:15, arriving Brussels Midi 22:21.
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How much does it cost?
Fares start at €10, the maximum fare is €59 even bought on the day. There are two price levels:
The Essential fare is the bare minimum, +€5 for an oversize bag, +€3 for seat selection, +€7 for an XL seat.
The Ouigo full fare includes an oversize bag, includes seat selection, includes an XL seat (if available).
Fares vary like air fares. No refunds, specified train only. Read the luggage size limits carefully.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets from French Railways www.sncf-connect.com with no booking fee.
Tickets are only sold online, not at stations. Look for trains which take 3h, branded Ouigo Train Classique.
To book an XL (first class) seat you must pick a seat in car 1, all seats in this car are XL.
You can also book at www.thetrainline.com, small booking fee.
The morning Ouigo train from Paris to Brussels at Paris Nord. Photo courtesy of Marc Debrincat.
Paris to Antwerp or Liege from €35
Option 1, Paris to Antwerp or Liège by direct high-speed train
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Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains run from Paris Gare du Nord to Antwerp Central (en route to Amsterdam) every hour or two.
Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains run from Paris Gare du Nord to Liège Guillemins (en route to Cologne) several times a day.
Additional departures are possible with a change in Brussels.
The trains run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line, with cafe area, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Plus (1st class) & Premier (1st class with at-seat food & wine included in the fare and access to lounges in Paris & Brussels). See more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Fares start at €35 in standard, €79 in plus or €135 in premier.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. If you buy on the day it costs over €100 full-flex in standard class, ouch! All tickets come with a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific train you book. The cheapest fares mean limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.
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Buy tickets at www.eurostar.com (easy to use, in € or £, no booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
A Eurostar (formerly Thalys) at Paris. More info about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Option 2, Paris to Antwerp or Liège using a lo-cost train between Paris & Brussels
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Step 1, take the 3-times-a-day lo-cost Ouigo train from Paris to Brussels, see option 2 in the Paris to Brussels section.
Especially at short notice, this can be a lot cheaper than the high-speed option.
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Step 2, take a Belgian domestic train from Brussels to Antwerp or Liège, www.belgiantrain.be.
Paris to Bruges or Ghent from €35
Option 1, using a high-speed Eurostar between Paris & Brussels - fastest & most comfortable
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Take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi in 1h22 and make one easy change onto a twice-hourly Belgian InterCity train from Brussels Midi to Ghent St Pieters taking 30 minutes or Bruges taking 55 minutes.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line, with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Plus (1st class) & Premier (1st class with at-seat food & wine included in the fare and access to Thalys lounges in Paris & Brussels). More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Changing trains at Brussels Midi only takes 5 minutes, you step off one train, walk to another platform and step onto an onward train.
The Belgian domestic trains run every half hour, so don't obsess about whether you'll make that 10-minute connection or not, RELAX, if you miss it there's another one in half an hour! There are no reserved seats on Belgian domestic trains, you sit where you like.
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Eurostar fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) as this can sell both the Eurostar ticket and the Belgian ticket from Paris to anywhere in Belgium.
Or buy the Paris-Brussels Eurostar ticket at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) and buy a Belgian ticket from Brussels onwards at www.belgiantrain.be.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket (A4 paper, Letter size is fine) or can show it on your phone.
Step 1, Paris to Brussels by Eurostar, seen here at Brussels Midi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Step 2, Brussels to Ghent or Bruges by Belgian intercity (IC) train, seen here about to leave Brussels Midi. Most trains on this route are double-deck.
Above left, the entrance and stairs to upper & lower decks. Above right, 2nd class upper deck seats on a Brussels-Luxembourg train.
Above left, the rather nice steampunk-style 1st class, on these trains all 1st class seats are on the upper deck. Above right: Bruges station.
Option 2, using a lo-cost train between Paris & Brussels - slower & cheaper
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Step 1, take the 3-times-a-day lo-cost Ouigo train from Paris to Brussels, see option 2 in the Paris to Brussels section.
Especially at short notice, this can be a lot cheaper than the high-speed option.
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Step 2, take a Belgian domestic train from Brussels to Ghent or Bruges, www.belgiantrain.be.
Paris to Amsterdam from €35
Option 1, by high-speed train in 3h25
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Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains link Paris Gare du Nord with Amsterdam Centraal every hour or two in 3h25.
It's not only faster than flying, it's more relaxing, nobody in their right mind flies this route.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Plus (1st class) & Premier (1st class with food & wine included and access to lounges in Paris & Brussels). See more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). Suggested hotels in Amsterdam.
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Fares start at €35 in standard, €72 in plus or €135 in premier.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. If you buy on the day it can cost up to €175, ouch! All tickets come with a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific train you book. The cheapest fares mean limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.
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Buy tickets from French Railways www.sncf-connect.com or Dutch Railways www.nsinternational.com.
www.nsinternational.com can book you from Paris to almost any station in the Netherlands, adding an NS domestic ticket as part of one easy transaction with no booking fee. www.sncf-connect.com can book from anywhere in France to Rotterdam or Amsterdam.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your ticket (A4 paper, U.S. Letter size is fine) or can show it on your phone.
You can also buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, and as they sell tickets for multiple operators including trains in France, Spain & Italy you can keep all (or most) of your European train bookings together in one place. Small booking fee. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
A Eurostar in Paris. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
You'll know when your train reaches Holland! North & South Holland are two provinces of the 12 that make up the Netherlands. To understand the difference between Holland and The Netherlands, watch this nifty video.
Option 2, Paris to Amsterdam using a Paris-Brussels lo-cost train
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You'd only consider this if you were on a very tight budget, or at short notice when Eurostar is expensive, or if all the Eurostars were booked up. It's much slower and involves a change of train in Brussels.
However, at the time I write this, if I needed to travel tomorrow, Eurostar fares are €109 on some trains and €125 on others. I can buy a lo-cost Ouigo ticket from Paris to Brussels for €22 and a Brussels-Amsterdam ticket for €48, total €70.
It's also an option for Interrail & Eurail passholders if all the passholder places are sold out on Eurostar. Passes are valid on Eurocity Direct, no reservation necessary or possible. They're not valid on Ouigo, so you'd need to buy a lo-cost ticket for Paris-Brussels.
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Timings are as follows, allowing around 1h25 between trains in Brussels:
Depart Paris Gare du Nord 08:18 daily, change at Brussels Midi (arrive 11:21, depart 12:49), arrive Amsterdam Zuid 14:56.
Depart Paris Gare du Nord 12:28 daily, change at Brussels Midi (arrive 15:21, depart 16:49), arrive Amsterdam Zuid 18:56.
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Step 1, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi in around 3h by Ouigo Classique.
There are 3 of these lo-cost Ouigo trains a day, running over the old classic line between Paris & Brussels. There's no catering so bring your own supplies. Check luggage rules carefully, large bags may require an extra fee. More about these Paris-Brussels lo-cost trains.
Fares start at €10, the maximum fare is €59 even bought on the day.
Buy a ticket at www.sncf-connect.com, looking for a Ouigo Classique departure.
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Step 2, travel from Brussels Midi to Amsterdam Zuid by Eurocity Direct.
These run every hour, using the high-speed line at up to 200 km/h. There's no catering so bring your own supplies. More about Brussels-Amsterdam Eurocity Direct trains.
Fares start at €25, the on-the-day full-flex fare is €64.10.
Book at www.nsinternational.com.
I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Brussels in case of delay - you carry the risk of any missed connection yourself.
A Ouigo Classique train at Paris Nord. Photo courtesy of Marc Debrincat.
Paris to Luxembourg from €39
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High-speed TGV Duplex trains link Paris Gare de l'Est with Luxembourg in 2h14 up to 6 times a day.
The trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
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Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: When booking 1st class tickets, www.sncf-connect.com and www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map.
Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Zurich from €29
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TGV-Lyria high-speed trains link Paris Gare de Lyon with Geneva (3h10), Lausanne (3h40), Basel SBB (3h03) & Zurich HB (4h03).
They have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
It's quicker than flying and far more relaxing. TGV-Lyria trains are double-deck with 3 classes: Standard class (2nd class), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (separate 1st class seating with flexible tickets and a hot meal & drinks included in the fare).
Change at Basel SBB for Bern, Interlaken, Lucerne, Lugano. Change at Geneva or Lausanne for Montreux, Brig & Zermatt. Change at Zurich HB for Chur, St Moritz, Davos or Klosters.
The Paris-Geneva route is the most scenic of the TGV-Lyria routes. After 2 hours dashing along the high-speed line past pretty French villages at 300 km/h the train slows right down and for the last hour winds through the French hills of the Haut-Bugey Line and over the dramatic Cize-Bolozon viaduct across the Ain gorge, see the Paris-Geneva photos.
Tip: Why not have a meal at the remarkable Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before taking a TGV-Lyria to Switzerland?
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Fares start at €29 in standard class, €51 in standard première or €184 in business première.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. No refunds or changes to travel plans with the cheapest tickets.
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How to buy tickets for TGV-Lyria, without any onward Swiss train
If you are going to a destination directly served by TGV-Lyria, in other words Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich, buy tickets at either the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: When booking 1st class tickets, www.sncf-connect.com and www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map.
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How to buy tickets to anywhere in Switzerland
If you're going further into Switzerland, for example Paris to Zermatt, Interlaken, Bern, Luzern or St Moritz, book at www.thetrainline.com.
Why Thetrainline.com in this case? Trainline has a connection to both the SNCF (French Railways) and the SBB (Swiss Railways) ticketing system so can sell cheaper Swiss Supersaver fares & Saver Day Pass for the Swiss part of the journey. Raileurope & www.sncf-connect.com only connect to the SNCF system so can only sell expensive full-flex fares for the Swiss section.
The Paris-Geneva route has the nicest scenery of all the TGV-Lyria routes. The TGV leaves the high-speed line and slows right down to join the Haut-Bugey Line for the last hour or so into Geneva. After a short tunnel the train crosses the spectacular Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge (above), the major structure on the Haut-Bugey line. The best view from the viaduct is on the left hand side of the train, pictured above.
A Paris-Geneva TGV-Lyria crosses the Cize-Bolozon viaduct. Photo courtesy of David Thirlwall.
The train snakes through the hills on the wonderfully scenic Haut-Bugey line.
More scenery as the Paris-Geneva TGV-Lyria heads through the hills along the river valley between Bourg en Bresse & Bellegarde. This great view is on the right hand side, although you can't pick sides when booking.
Nearing Switzerland, the train passes a lake, probably the Lac de Nantua, left hand side.
Paris to Turin & Milan
Option 1, Paris to Turin & Milan by French Railways TGV - direct trains, 3 per day
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Every day, 2 or 3 French Railways high-speed TGV trains link Paris Gare de Lyon with Turin Porta Susa (5h40) & Milan Porta Garibaldi (7h) from €39, see the Paris to Milan by train page for details.
Option 2, Paris to Turin & Milan by Trenitalia Frecciarossa - direct trains, 2 per day.
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Every day, 2 Italian high-speed Frecciarossa trains link Paris Gare de Lyon with Turin Porta Susa (5h40) & Milan Centrale (7h) from €35, see the Paris to Milan by train page for details.
Option 3, Paris to Milan via Switzerland
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You can also take a TGV-Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to either Geneva, Lausanne, Basel SBB or Zurich HB from €29, then a EuroCity train through the Alps to Milan Centrale from €29. There are many possible departures, I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains.
This route usually works out more expensive than options 1 or 2, but can be just as fast, Paris-Lausanne in 3h40, Lausanne-Milan in 3h19. There's some great scenery through the Alps, although nothing as spectacular as the Bernina route.
This route remains open, see the Paris-Milan timetable here.
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Find trains using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both of which are capable of booking both the Paris-Switzerland train and the Switzerland-Milan train.
Option 4, Paris to Milan via the fabulous alpine Bernina route - slower but amazingly scenic & worth considering
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Take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich HB, stay overnight in Zurich, then take the spectacular narrow-gauge Bernina route from Zurich to Tirano & Milan. See the Bernina Express page.
Paris to Verona & Venice
Paris to Florence
Paris to Rome & Naples
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See the Paris to Rome page or the Paris to Naples page.
Paris to Genoa, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Livorno
Option 1, Paris to Genoa, Cinque Terre, La Spezia, Pisa & Livorno in a day - early departure, every day
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:30 every day, arriving Milan Centrale 14:07.
It's a scenic & relaxing journey on a modern air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. After an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, the train slows right down and snakes through the Alps into Italy.
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Step 2, travel from Milan to Genoa & beyond by air-conditioned Intercity train leaving Milan Centrale at 16:05, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 17:44, Monterosso (Cinque Terre) 19:08, La Spezia 19:24, Pisa 20:28 & Livorno 20:50.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Milan starts at €35 in standard (2nd) class, €49 in business (1st) class or €165 in Executive class.
Milan to Genoa, La Spezia, Monterosso, Pisa, Livorno starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, whichever you prefer.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Option 2, Paris to Genoa & Cinque Terre in a day - late morning departure on Saturdays & Sundays
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:43 Monday-Friday, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 16:50.
This departure also runs on weekdays at certain periods, check online.
It's a scenic & relaxing journey on a modern air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. It's an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, but south of Lyon the train slows right down and snakes through the mountains into Italy.
Transfer from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.
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Step 2, travel from Milan to Genoa, La Spezia or Monterosso (Cinque Terre) by Intercity train leaving Milan Centrale at 19:05, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 20:44, La Spezia 22:23, Pisa Centrale 23:32 & Livorno 23:50.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Milan starts at €39 in 2nd class, €59 in 1st class.
Milan to Genoa, La Spezia, Pisa or Livorno starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, whichever you prefer.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. For the TGV you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. The onward Italian train is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Option 3, Paris to Genoa, Cinque Terre & Pisa with an overnight stop in Milan
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:18, arriving Milan Centrale 22:07.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic & relaxing journey on a modern air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. It's an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, but south of Lyon the train slows right down and snakes through the mountains into Italy.
Fares start at €29 in standard class, €36 in business class or €165 in Executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
By all means take the competing French TGV if it has cheaper prices, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49. Just remember that the TGVs arrive at Milan Porta Garibaldi so you'd need to transfer to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Genoa, Monterosso (Cinque Terre), La Spezia, Pisa or Livorno by any suitable train.
Find times using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Milan starts at €39 in 2nd class, €59 in 1st class.
Milan to Genoa, La Spezia, Monterosso, Pisa or Livorno starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, whichever you prefer.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. For a TGV you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. For Frecciarossa and onward Italian trains it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Paris to Sicily
Option 1, Paris to Sicily via Milan - the simplest option, using Italy's most epic sleeper train
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:30 daily, arriving Milan Centrale 14:07.
It's a scenic & relaxing journey on a modern air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. It's an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, but south of Lyon the train slows right down and snakes through the mountains into Italy. Enjoy an afternoon in Milan and have an early dinner.
Fares start at €35 in standard (2nd) class, €49 in business (1st) class or €165 in Executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, whichever you prefer. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
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Day 1, travel from Milan to Sicily on Italy's most epic train ride, the direct sleeper train to Sicily leaving Milan Centrale at 20:10 every night (19:40 on some Saturdays), arriving next day (day 2) at Catania 14:32, Siracuse 15:48 with another portion for Palermo arriving 16:55.
The Milan-Palermo portion of this train has a standard sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and 4-berth Comfort couchettes.
The Milan-Catania-Siracuse portion has an Excelsior sleeping-car with 4 deluxe compartments with toilet & shower and 6 compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds and washbasin. It also has 4-berth Comfort couchettes.
The 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. More about trains to Sicily.
Fares start at €39.90 with a couchette, €59.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.
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, you print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Paris to Sicily via Rome or Naples
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Rome as shown here or Paris to Naples as shown here using any option you like.
You can either stay overnight in Rome or Naples, or connect with a sleeper. However, if making a same-day connection with a sleeper you should allow several hours not minutes between trains in Rome, in case of any delay coming from Paris.
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Step 2, travel from Rome or Naples to Sicily by direct train, either a daytime train or a sleeper, as shown on the Rome & Naples to Sicily page.
All these Rome-Sicily trains are 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. More about trains to Sicily.
Paris to Barcelona from €39
Option 1, Paris to Barcelona, Girona, Figueres by high-speed train from €39
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Two double-deck TGV Duplex trains link Paris with Barcelona every day all year round, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42 & 14:42, taking around 6h45 to Barcelona Sants, see the timetable here.
These TGVs also call at Figueres Vilafant station (for the excellent Salvador Dali museum) & Girona.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
A flight from Paris to Barcelona takes up to 5 hours when you include ground transportation, check-in and airport security hassle, it's more interesting and relaxing to take a Paris-Barcelona TGV train from city centre to city centre while you chill out, in reality it takes hardly any longer.
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Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.
Tip: www.thetrainline.com & www.raileurope.com can also book onward trains in Spain, www.sncf-connect.com can't.
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For details of times, fares, how to buy tickets and a money-saving tip, see the Paris-Barcelona TGV page.
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Travel tip: Why not have lunch at the remarkable Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before taking the afternoon TGV to Barcelona?
The afternoon TGV to Barcelona, about to leave Paris Gare de Lyon. Watch TGV Duplex video.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Perpignan to Girona, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.
Option 2, Paris to Barcelona by overnight train via Latour de Carol
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The Paris-Barcelona Elipsos sleeper train was discontinued in 2013, but you can still travel overnight, using the French overnight train from Paris to Latour de Carol, then a local train through the scenic Pyrenees to Barcelona Sants. Departure from Paris around 21:40, arrival in Barcelona around 14:00 next day.
Option 3, Paris to Barcelona by overnight train via Perpignan/Cerbère
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Similar to option 2, but using the Paris-Perpignan-Cerbère overnight train, so you go along the coast rather than directly through the Pyrenees. This night train runs daily in summer, usually only Fridays & Sundays in winter. Departure from Paris around 20:00, arrival in Barcelona around 14:00 next day.
Paris to Madrid
Option 1, Paris to Madrid in a day - the fastest option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.
Or on any day of the week, leave Barcelona Sants at 16:00, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.
These AVE S103 high-speed trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Madrid starts at €17.05 in standard class (2nd) or €68.05 in comfort class (1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book from Paris to Madrid at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These websites connect to both SNCF & Renfe ticketing systems so can sell tickets for both trains together in one place.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.
Alternatively, you can book the Paris to Barcelona TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee), then book the Barcelona to Madrid AVE at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly), although booking this way obviously takes more effort. Renfe also has some quirks to negotiate and may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it.
Step 1, Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, seen here about to leave Paris Gare de Lyon. Watch TGV Duplex video.
Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees. One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right all the way from Perpignan to Girona, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canigou. More photos of what to see on the Paris-Barcelona train journey.
Step 2, Barcelona to Madrid by AVE. Above, an AVE type S103 at Madrid Atocha. See virtual tour
Scenery from the high-speed AVE between Barcelona & Madrid. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Madrid Atocha station. One of my favourite stations, the grand old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden complete with turtle pool. See the Madrid Atocha station guide.
Option 2, Paris to Madrid in a day via San Sebastian - a slower but cheaper route from €42
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 07:11 Monday-Saturday, arriving Hendaye 11:47.
This TGV Duplex Océane travels at up to 300km/h, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. You may not have heard of Hendaye, but it has had its moments, Hendaye station is where Hitler met Franco on 23 October 1940. You'll be treading the same platforms.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. Both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no booking fee.
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Step 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.90.
Walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara. Check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
In San Sebastian it's a 12-minute walk from San Sebastian Amara to San Sebastian Renfe station, see walking map.
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Step 3, travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 16:52, arriving Madrid Chamartin 22:13.
The air-conditioned Alvia train has a cafe-bar & power sockets at all seats, a pleasure to travel in.
There's great scenery winding down out of the Pyrenees. These trains have an interesting party trick: During the journey they pass slowly through a shed, and axles adjust from Iberian gauge (5'6") to standard gauge (4'8½") before taking the modern high-speed line to Madrid.
Fares start at €23 in standard class or €29 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You can also book at www.renfe.com, much more fiddly and may reject some overseas payment cards.
Option 3, Paris to Madrid with an overnight stop in Barcelona - the fastest route, but with overnight stop
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
There's also a morning train if you'd like an afternoon in Barcelona, see timetable.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE on any departure you like in only 2h30.
Or choose a competing Iryo, Avlo or Ouigo train, the 4 competing Barcelona-Madrid train services are explained here.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Madrid starts at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class. Lo-cost trains start at only €7.
Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These websites connect to both SNCF and Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy tickets for both trains together in one place. www.thetrainline.com can also book the competing Iryo, Avlo & Ouigo trains.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.
First book Paris to Barcelona & add to basket, then book Barcelona to Madrid for the following day & add to basket, then check out.
Alternatively, book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, then book Barcelona to Madrid at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com. Booking this way obviously takes more effort, but there's no booking fee. Renfe.com has some quirks to negotiate and may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it.
Option 4, Paris to Madrid with overnight stop in San Sebastian
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by TGV Duplex Océane, using any departure you like.
On Mondays-Fridays you can take any departure up to the 16:11 TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse arriving Hendaye at 20:47.
On Saturdays & Sundays you can also use the 18:11 TGV from Paris Montparnasse arriving Hendaye 22:47, as Euskotren run late-night trains from Hendaye to San Sebastian on those evenings, check that there are late enough trains at www.euskotren.eus.
The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at just €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com,.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. Both are easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. . You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no booking fee.
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Day 1, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.90.
Walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara. The last train leaves Hendaye around 22:30 on weekdays, but later trains run at weekends. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
In San Sebastian it's a 12-minute walk from San Sebastian Amara to San Sebastian Renfe station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian, a lovely city, well worth a longer stop. The Pension San Ignacio Centro is just 10 minutes walk from San Sebastian Renfe station and gets great reviews. If you want somewhere in the old town try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda.
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Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 08:47 arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:51.
If you need to be in Madrid earlier, on Mondays-Fridays an Intercity train leaves San Sebastian at 05:00 arriving Madrid Chamartin at 09:53.
If you'd like a day in San Sebastian, an afternoon Intercity train leaves San Sebastian at 16:52, arriving Madrid Chamartin 22:13.
The smart air-conditioned Alvia trains have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats, a pleasure to travel in.
There's great scenery winding down out of the Pyrenees. These trains have an interesting party trick: During the journey they pass slowly through a shed, and axles adjust from Iberian gauge (5'6") to standard gauge (4'8½") before taking the modern high-speed line the rest of the way to Madrid.
Fares start at €23 in standard class or €29 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You can also book at www.renfe.com, much more fiddly and may reject some overseas payment cards.
Option 5, Paris to Madrid using an overnight train to the Spanish border
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Step 1, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or from Paris to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz in the evening. Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving at lunchtime.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha in just 2h30 on any afternoon AVE train you like.
I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Barcelona.
Check times and buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see advice on using it).
Paris to Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz from €79
Option 1, Paris to Cordoba, Seville or Malaga by train in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Andalucía by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:10, Seville Santa Justa 21:25 & (a separate portion of the same train) Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:45.
The AVE S103 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Seville or Malaga starts at €50.60 in standard class or €67.30 in comfort class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These sites connect to both the SNCF & Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy the tickets for both trains together in one place, in plain English. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Step 1, book Paris to Barcelona looking for the direct afternoon TGV, and add to basket.
Step 2, book Barcelona to Cordoba, Malaga, Seville or Granada for the next day, add to basket & check out, paying for both tickets together.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket. More about when bookings open.
Alternatively, you can book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com in €, no booking fee), then book Barcelona to Seville/Malaga/Cordoba at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Barcelona to Cordoba, Malaga or Seville by AVE. This is an S103 AVE at Barcelona Sants. See virtual tour
Scenery from the high-speed AVE between Barcelona & Seville. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Option 2, Paris to Andalucía with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
There's also a morning train if you'd like an afternoon in Barcelona, see timetable.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Andalucía by AVE high-speed train:
For Granada: Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE S112 high-speed train arriving Granada at 13:11.
For Malaga: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 15:05.
For Cordoba & Seville: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train arriving Cordoba 13:27 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
Or spend the morning in Barcelona and take the afternoon 15:15 AVE to Malaga, Cordoba & Seville.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Seville or Malaga starts at €50.60 in standard class or €67.30 in comfort class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. These sites connect to both the SNCF & Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy the tickets for both trains together in one place, in plain English. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Step 1, book Paris to Barcelona looking for the direct afternoon TGV, and add to basket.
Step 2, book Barcelona to Cordoba, Malaga, Seville or Granada for the next day, add to basket & check out, paying for both tickets together.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 6 months ahead, booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
Alternatively, you can book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com in €, no booking fee), then book Barcelona to Seville/Malaga/Cordoba at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Option 3, Paris to Andalucía using a French overnight train
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Step 1, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or from Paris to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz in the evening. Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving at lunchtime.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Cordoba, Seville or Malaga by AVE S103 train leaving Barcelona Sants 15:15, arriving in the evening.
Fares start at around €45.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see advice on using it).
Paris to Valencia or Alicante from €65
Option 1, Paris to Valencia or Alicante by high-speed train in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante by Euromed, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:10, arriving Valencia Nord 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.
The Euromed has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. If you pay the premium fare a hot meal is included, served at your seat.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Alicante starts at around €23 in standard class or €47 in comfort class.
Barcelona to Valencia starts at around €18 in standard class or €37 in comfort class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets from Paris to Valencia or Alicante at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Both are easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline. These sites connect to both the SNCF & Renfe ticketing systems so you can buy the tickets for both trains together in one place, in plain English.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. In the search results, look for the option with just 1 change. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee), then book Barcelona to Valencia/Alicante at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Option 2, Paris to Valencia or Alicante by high-speed trains with overnight stop in Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
There's also a morning train if you'd like an afternoon in Barcelona, see timetable.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante by Euromed train on any departure you like.
A Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Valencia Nord 10:10 & Alicante 12:38.
Another Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Nord 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.
By all means spend a morning in Barcelona and book a later train, they leave regularly throughout the day.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Alicante starts at around €23 in standard class or €47 in comfort class.
Barcelona to Valencia starts at around €18 in standard class or €37 in comfort class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Both are easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking for the TGV opens up to 6 months ahead. Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
First book Paris to Barcelona, and add to basket. Then book Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante for the following day, add to your basket and check out. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee), then Barcelona to Valencia/Alicante at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it.
Option 2, Paris to Valencia or Alicante using a French overnight train to the Spanish border & onward trains
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Step 1, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or from Paris to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz around 21:00. Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving at lunchtime.
See the Paris to Barcelona by sleeper train page for details.
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Step 2, travel from Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante by Euromed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:10, arriving Valencia Nord at 19:02 & Alicante at 21:34. Fares start at €40.
Check times and buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, see my advice before using it).
Barcelona to Valencia or Alicante by Euromed train, seen here at Barcelona Sants. These trains are known as Patito (little duck) by staff, for obvious reasons.
Paris to San Sebastian from €29
Paris to Bilbao
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Step 1, travel from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Hendaye on the Spanish border by TGV Duplex Océane.
This takes only 4h36, there's a range of departures through the day, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
You'll need to leave Paris by lunchtime at the latest if you want to reach Bilbao the same day.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Paris to Hendaye at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
There's a small booking fee. You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no fee.
Tip: If you use www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com, you can choose your seats from a seat map when booking 1st class on a TGV.
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Step 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren.
This Euskotren metro service runs every 30 minutes early until late, journey time 37 minutes. No reservation is necessary or possible, just turn up and go. It only takes a few minutes to switch trains at Hendaye.
To find the Euskotren station, walk out of the main exit of Hendaye's mainline SNCF station, turn right and walk over to the little narrow-gauge Euskotren station 50m away in a corner of the car park.
Buy a ticket from Hendaye to Bilbao Matiko for €7.00 from the ticket machines or staffed counter.
Then go through the ticket gates and hop on the next metro train to San Sebastian Amara. Hendaye's Euskotren station is a terminus, there are only 2 platforms and all trains go to San Sebastian Amara. Easy!
Remember that San Sebastian is Donostia in Basque, and San Sebastian-Donostia Amara station is often shown as simply Amara. You can check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the journey from Paris to San Sebastian by TGV and Euskotren.
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Step 3, travel from San Sebastian Amara to Bilbao Matiko by Euskotren.
This narrow-gauge Euskotren service leaves Amara every hour at xx:50 past each hour until the last train at 19:50.
Journey time is 2h35 to Matiko station (the end of the line, 18 minutes walk from the Guggenheim Museum) or only 2h29 to Zazpi Kaleak station which is closer to both the old quarter and the 19th century new town, but further from the Guggenheim (22 minutes walk).
Check times at www.euskotren.eus, remembering that San Sebastian to Bilbao will be listed as Amara-Donostia to Matiko-Bilbao as those are the station names. The adult one-way fare is shown as 'ida'.
Paris to Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, A Coruña
Option 1, Paris to Galicia with an overnight stop in San Sebastian
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 12:11 arriving Hendaye at 16:47, or leaving Paris Montparnasse at 16:11 (Mon-Fri & Sun) arriving Hendaye at 20:47.
The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You may not have heard of Hendaye, but it has had its moments, Hendaye station is where Hitler met Franco on 23 October 1940. You'll be treading the same platforms.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 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 cards no problem, small booking fee) or using 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.
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Day 1, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.90.
Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara. Check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
In San Sebastian it's a 12-minute walk from San Sebastian Amara to San Sebastian Renfe station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 08:47, arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:51.
The high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar and standard & comfort class seats.
It's a lovely run down out of the Pyrenees onto the plains. For the first part of the journey the train uses classic lines, then it passes slowly through a shed and automatically changes track gauge from Spanish 5'6" broad gauge to standard gauge 4' 8½". It then joins the high-speed line for a final dash at up to 250km/h (155 mph) to Madrid.
Fares start at €23 in standard class or €29 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (keeping both bookings together in one place) or use the Spanish Railways website renfe.com, although this is more fiddly and may reject some overseas credit cards.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have a late lunch in Madrid.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Galicia by air-conditioned Alvia train.
An Alvia train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 16:00, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 20:12.
Another Alvia train leaves Madrid Chamartin at 17:45 & arrives Santiago de Compostela at 21:28 & A Coruña at 21:59.
The high-speed Alvia train have a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats.
Fares start at €23 in standard class or €29 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (keeping both bookings together in one place) or use the Spanish Railways website renfe.com, more fiddly and may reject some overseas credit cards.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Alternatively, there's a later departure from San Sebastian, depending on the day of the week. An Intercity train leaves San Sebastian (Renfe station) at 11:58 every day arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 13:43. This is a guaranteed connection into the Barcelona-Galicia Alvia train leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 14:03 every day. On Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it goes to Vigo Guixar arriving 23:35. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays it goes to Santiago de Compostela (arriving 22:22) and A Coruña (arriving 22:54).
The connection at Vitoria-Gasteiz: On the right, the Intercity train from San Sebastian has arrived at Vitoria/Gasteiz. On the left, the Alvia train from Barcelona to Galicia picks up passengers. These Alvia trains are nick-named Patito (little duck) by staff, no prizes for guessing why. They have adjustable axles so can run on standard-gauge high-speed lines at up to 250 km/h or on Iberian broad gauge classic lines at lower speed. Photo courtesy of Ekain Munduate.
Comfort (1st) class seats on an Alvia train. Above right, a menu Iberico meal deal from the cafe-bar.
The cafe-bar and standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia train.
Scenery as the train enters Galicia on its way to Vigo. Photo courtesy of Martin Hill.
Option 2, with overnight stop in Barcelona - Easier than option 1, though it takes a fraction longer and costs a little more.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
There's also a morning train if you'd like an afternoon in Barcelona, see timetable.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Galicia by direct high-speed air-conditioned Alvia train with cafe-bar & power sockets at all seats.
On Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays it leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:05 and goes to Vigo Guixar, arriving 22:51.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays it leaves Barcelona Sants at 09:05 and arrives Santiago de Compostela 21:48 & A Coruña 22:24.
Fares start at €25 in Standard class or €29 in Comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline. These connect to both the SNCF and Renfe ticketing systems.
First book from Paris to Barcelona looking for the direct afternoon TGV, and add to basket.
Then book from Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña or Vigo for the following day, add to basket & check out.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, for Alvia trains anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.
Alternatively, book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com in €, no booking fee), then Barcelona to Galicia at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Paris to Ibiza & Mallorca
Option 1, Paris to Menorca or Mallorca by ferry from Toulon - the most convenient option, several times a week April-October.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Toulon by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:10, arriving Toulon 14:10.
The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
You should book the ferry first to confirm dates & times, then book the train.
Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, cruise overnight from Toulon to Menorca or Alcudia (Mallorca) with Corsica Ferries.
Sailings operate several times a week, April to October, typically sailing around 18:00, arriving around 09:00, some going to Menorca and others to Alcudia. Their comfortable ships have bars, restaurants, and private cabins with en suite toilet & shower.
Fares start at around €25 for a foot passenger + a private cabin from around €32, Fares & cabin charges vary by date.
Check times, fares & buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or see www.corsica-ferries.co.uk.
The Mega Express Two (on the right) is one of the ferries used from Toulon to Mallorca & Menorca. Photographed in Nice.
Option 2, Paris to Ibiza or Mallorca via Barcelona
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using 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.
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In Barcelona, it's a 4 km 46-minute walk from Barcelona Sants to the Trasmed and Balearia ferry terminal at the foot of La Rambla, near the Columbus monument, see walking map. A taxi costs around €20 & takes 13 minutes or take metro line L3 from Barcelona Sants to Drassane metro station (see www.tmb.cat), from where the Balearia terminal is 7 minutes walk, the Trasmed terminal 9 minutes walk. Map of Barcelona showing station & Trasmed/Balearia ferry terminals.
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Step 2, sail overnight from Barcelona to Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca by ferry.
Ibiza: Trasmed offer an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza most nights of the week around 22:00, arriving 07:00. Times & dates vary, check times & buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmed.com. Check-in for the ferry closes 30 minutes before sailing time. You can pre-print your boarding pass to save time at the terminal. Balearia also run an overnight ferry to Ibiza most nights of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails at 22:00, arriving in Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) at 06:00. Buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.balearia.com.
Mallorca: There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins, both usually sailing from Barcelona around around 22:00 and arriving in Palma around 07:00. One ferry is run by Trasmed (www.trasmed.com), the other run by Balearia (www.balearia.com). Buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website.
Balearia ferry in Ibiza harbour. Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.
Option 3, Paris to Ibiza or Mallorca using a French overnight train
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Step 1, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the Pyrenees or from Paris to Cerbère on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz in the evening. Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbère to Barcelona Sants arriving at lunchtime. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring Barcelona.
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In Barcelona, it's a 4 km 46-minute walk from Barcelona Sants to the Trasmed and Balearia ferry terminal at the foot of La Rambla, near the Columbus monument, see walking map. A taxi costs around €20 & takes 13 minutes or take metro line L3 from Barcelona Sants to Drassane metro station (see www.tmb.cat), from where the Balearia terminal is 7 minutes walk, the Trasmed terminal is 9 minutes walk. Map of Barcelona showing station and Trasmed/Balearia ferry terminals.
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Step 2, sail overnight from Barcelona to Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca by ferry.
Ibiza: Trasmed operate an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza on most nights of the week sailing at or around 22:00, arriving 07:00. Times and dates vary, buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmed.com. Check-in for the ferry closes 30 minutes before sailing time. You can pre-print your boarding pass to save time at the terminal. Balearia also operate an overnight ferry to Ibiza on most nights of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails at 22:00, arriving in Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) at 06:00. Buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.balearia.com.
Mallorca: There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins, both usually sailing from Barcelona around around 22:00 and arriving in Palma around 07:00. One ferry is run by Trasmed (www.trasmed.com), the other run by Balearia (www.balearia.com). Buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website.
Paris to Gibraltar
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.
Or on any day of the week, leave Barcelona Sants at 16:00, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.
The comfortable AVE S103 high-speed trains has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha station with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also just across the road from the station.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Algeciras by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 08:05, arriving San Roque-La Linea 13:23 & Algeciras 13:37.
The Alvia S730 train is an air-conditioned articulated train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
It travels at up to 250 km./h (155 mph) on the high-speed line. Near Antequera it passes through a gauge-changing shed and its axles adjust from standard gauge used on the high-speed line (4'8½) to Iberian-gauge (5' 6") to complete the journey over classic lines. There's great scenery between Madrid and Antequera through the mountains and on the classic line twisting through the hills from Antequera to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar. See a video of the journey here.
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Day 2, take a bus or taxi from Algeciras to la Linea & walk into Gibraltar.
A taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea costs €24.75 and takes about 22 minutes. Taxis don't use the meter on this run, and aren't normally allowed to cross the border into Gibraltar.
To go by bus, cross the roundabout outside Algeciras railway station and enter the San Bernado bus station, then take bus M-120 to La Linea for around €2.50. Bus M-120 runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri at xx.00 and xx.30 past each hour or every 45 minutes at weekends, journey time about 45 minutes to La Linea, for bus information see siu.ctmcg.es.
La Linea is the Spanish town outside the border crossing to Gibraltar, and La Linea's bus stop and taxi rank are right outside the entrance to Gibraltar. Walk through the Spanish then UK passport checkpoints into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes). Then either (a) keep walking straight ahead of you into Gibraltar town, it's takes about 15 minutes to the centre or (b) take a frequent local Gibraltar bus from the border into town or (c) look for the taxi stop on the right just after the passport check and wait for a taxi to your hotel for a few pounds - Gibraltar taxis will accept euros. The walk from the border to Gibraltar's Main Street takes you across Gibraltar airport's runway, though they stop cars and pedestrians when an aircraft is landing or taking off! Map of Algeciras - La Linea - Gibraltar area.
Alternative via San Roque-La Linea station: The closest station to Gibraltar is actually San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras. So if you prefer, you can get off here and take a taxi to La Linea, or walk the 1.6 km (1 mile) to the Bar La Redonda bus stop on the main road on the M-120 bus route from Algeciras to La Linea. Buses run to La Linea every 30 minutes weekdays, every 45 minutes weekends. Taxis are usually available outside San Roque station, San Roque to the La Linea/Gibraltar border is about 16 km (10 miles) and it takes just over 30 minutes depending on traffic.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Madrid starts at €38 in standard class or €45 in comfort class.
Madrid to Algeciras starts at €25 in standard class or €38 in comfort class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy the train tickets
You can buy all your tickets together at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
First book from Paris to Madrid, add to your basket, then book Madrid to Algeciras for the following day, add to your basket & check out.
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, for Spanish trains anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book Paris to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) then Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Algeciras at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Madrid to Algeciras by Alvia train. Above left, comfort class seats. Above right, these Alvias are nicknamed Pato, duck. No prizes for guessing why!
Above right, standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia S730. Above right, these Alvias are nicknamed Pato, duck. No prizes for guessing why!
Andalusian scenery seen from the train to Algeciras. The rail line to Algeciras is one of my favourite routes, especially the last part from Antequera southwards, a scenic treat. Watch the video.
Paris to Lisbon & Portugal
Option 1, Paris to Lisbon via Barcelona & Madrid - the fastest option
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead. You print out your ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.
Or on any day of the week, leave Barcelona Sants at 16:00, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.
The comfortable AVE S103 high-speed trains has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €38 in standard class or €45 in comfort class. Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Lisbon as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.
Option 2, Paris to Lisbon via San Sebastian, Vigo & Porto - slower, but can be cheaper
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 16:11 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, arriving Hendaye 20:47.
On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare Montparnasse at 18:11, arriving Hendaye 22:47.
By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in San Sebastian, Paris-Hendaye trains leave Paris every few hours.
The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.
Fares start at €25 each way in 2nd class, €40 each way in 1st class. The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using 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.
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Day 1, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.90.
Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara. Check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
In San Sebastian it's a 12-minute walk from San Sebastian Amara to San Sebastian Renfe station, see walking map. The Renfe station is currently being reconstructed, access to the platforms is from the far side of the tracks, so allow a little extra time.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 2, travel from San Sebastian to Vigo on one of these two possible departures:
Morning departure, every day: Travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 08:47, arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:51. Then travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 20:12. The comfortable high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar, standard & comfort class. Vigo Urzaiz is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
Afternoon departure, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays only: Spend the morning in San Sebastian. An Intercity train leaves San Sebastian Renfe station at 11:30 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 13:35. This is a guaranteed connection into the Barcelona-Galicia Alvia train which leaves Vitoria/Gasteiz at 14:03 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar at 22:51.
San Sebastian to Vigo starts at €23 each way. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: If using the daily departure with a change in Madrid, you might need to treat San Sebastian-Madrid & Madrid-Vigo as separate bookings.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.
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Day 3, travel from Vigo to Porto by Celta regional express, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58, arriving Porto Campanhã 10:20.
The fare is €16.25, fixed price. 2nd class only.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking should open 60 days ahead, but it varies.
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Day 3, travel from Porto to Lisbon by Alfa Pendular, leaving Porto Campanhã at 11:40, arriving Lisbon Santa Apolonia 14:30.
Or book a later train and spend some time exploring wonderful Porto.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (in €, £ or $).
Paris to Porto
Option 1, Paris to Porto via Barcelona & Vigo - fastest option
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
There's also a morning train if you'd like an afternoon in Barcelona, see timetable.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. -
Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:00, arriving Madrid Atocha 11:45.
The high-speed AVE train has a cafe bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Have lunch in Madrid and transfer to Madrid Chamartin by suburban train.
Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly, only in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 20:12.
The high-speed Alvia train has power sockets at all seats & cafe-bar.
Fares start at €33 in standard class or €40 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly, only in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
From Vigo Urzaiz it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
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Alternatively, a direct Alvia train links Barcelona with Vigo three times a week, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:05 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar 23:35.
Fares start at €25 in standard class or €29 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (more fiddly, only in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
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Day 3, travel from Vigo to Porto by Celta regional express.
There are 2 trains every day, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58 & 19:56, arriving at Porto Campanhã 1h30 later.
The fare is €16.25, fixed price. 2nd class only.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking should open 60 days ahead, but it varies.
Option 2, Paris to Porto via San Sebastian & Vigo - slower, but can be cheaper.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 16:11 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, arriving Hendaye 20:47.
On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare Montparnasse at 18:11, arriving Hendaye at 22:47.
The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.
By all means take an earlier train for more of an evening in San Sebastian, Paris-Hendaye trains leave Paris every few hours.
Fares start at €25 each way in 2nd class, €40 each way 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.
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Day 1, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.90.
Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara. Check Euskotren times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.
In San Sebastian it's a 12-minute walk from San Sebastian Amara to San Sebastian Renfe station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 2, travel across Spain from San Sebastian to Vigo on one of these two possible departures:
Morning departure, every day: Travel from San Sebastian to Madrid by Alvia, leaving San Sebastian Renfe station at 08:47, arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:51. Then travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00, arriving Vigo Urzaiz 20:12. The comfortable high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar, standard & comfort class. Vigo Urzaiz is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
Afternoon departure, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays only: Spend the morning in San Sebastian. An Intercity train leaves San Sebastian Renfe station at 11:30 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 13:35. This is a guaranteed connection into the Barcelona-Galicia Alvia train which leaves Vitoria/Gasteiz at 14:03 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar at 22:51.
San Sebastian to Vigo starts at €23 each way. The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking for Spanish trains opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: If using the daily departure with a change in Madrid, you might need to treat San Sebastian-Madrid & Madrid-Vigo as separate bookings.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.
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Day 3, travel from Vigo to Porto by Celta regional express, leaving Vigo Guixar at 08:58, arriving Porto Campanhã 10:20.
If you'd like to spend some time in Vigo, a later train leaves Vigo Guixar at 19:56, arriving Porto Campanhã 21:18.
The fare is €16.25, fixed price. 2nd class only.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking should open 60 days ahead, but it varies.
Paris to Faro & the Algarve
Option 1, Paris to the Algarve using a bus from Seville to Faro - fastest & cheapest
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class, a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches, then past Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35, arriving Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
The AVE S103 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €50.60 in standard class or €67.30 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in €, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice).
Spanish trains normally open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.
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Day 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, an Alsa-Rede Express bus usually leaves Seville Santa Justa station at 15:30 arriving Faro 18:00.
Times vary so check at Omio.com, I'd allow at least 40 minutes between train & bus. Remember the 1h time difference between Spain & Portugal.
Several other bus companies run this route including Damas, EuroLines & Iberobus, all leaving from Seville Plaza de Armas bus station. I recommend Alsa-Rede Express as their buses start from outside Seville Santa Justa station for easy train-bus connections. Simply walk out of the main exit and turn right, you'll see the pale blue Alsa-Rede Express bus waiting opposite McDonalds, see the photo below.
The Alsa-Rede Express buses also call at Seville Plaza de Armas bus station after leaving Santa Justa, a better departure point if you're visiting Seville city centre. The bus has power sockets, but no WiFi or toilet. There's a brief toilet stop at Tavira bus station.
In Faro, the Alsa-Rede Express buses arrive at the Eva bus station adjacent to the excellent Eva Senses Hotel and 2 minutes walk from Faro railway station. The bus continues to Lagos, or you can have a coffee and continue to Tunes & Lagos by train.
The fare is around €17-€21 each way.
Buy tickets for any of these bus companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
Barcelona to Seville by AVE. This is an S103 AVE at Barcelona Sants. See virtual tour
Seville to Faro & Lagos by Alsa-Rede Express bus, seen here at its departure point right outside Seville Santa Justa station.
The bus crosses the Guadiana river, which forms the border between Spain and Portugal at this point.
An Alsa-Rede Express bus at Faro's Eva bus station, next to the Eva Senses Hotel & 2 minutes walk from Faro station.
Option 2, via Lisbon, the all-train option, slower
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Lisbon as shown above.
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Step 2, travel from Lisbon Oriente to Faro by air-conditioned Intercity train in around 3h30.
Buy tickets from €15 at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt. I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Lisbon.
Paris to Andorra
Option 1, Paris to Andorra by train to Toulouse, then bus - the daytime option
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Step 1, take a high-speed TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Toulouse Matabiau on one of these departures:
Leave Paris Montparnasse at 06:10 Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 10:44.
Leave Paris Montparnasse at 11:11 every day, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 15:45.
Leave Paris Montparnasse at 15:07 every day, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 19:41.
TGVs have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: www.sncf-connect.com & www.thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seat from a seat map when booking 1st class tickets.
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Step 2, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours.
If you left Paris at 06:10, a bus leaves Toulouse Matabiau at 13:45, arriving Andorra La Vella 17:45.
If you left Paris at 11:11, a bus leaves Toulouse Matabiau at 17:45, arriving Andorra La Vella 21:45.
If you left Paris at 15:07, a bus leaves Toulouse Matabiau at 21:45, arriving Andorra La Vella 01:45.
The buses leave from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routière (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station.
Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below. The bus arrives at Andorra La Vella bus station.
Make sure you allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, in case of delay.
The fare is around €36 one-way.
Book the bus at Andbus.net or Omio.com.
Step 1, Paris to Toulouse by TGV Duplex: This is a TGV Duplex at Paris Gare Montparnasse. Click the images below for larger photos.
TGV Océane cafe-bar (above left) and 2nd class seats (above right).
TGV Océane 1st class seats. All 1st class seats (except the end ones) rotate to face direction of travel. There are USB & 2-pin outlets above each drop-down table.
Option 2, Paris to Andorra by sleeper train to Toulouse then bus - the daily overnight option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Toulouse by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:13, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 07:44.
This train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats. More about Intercité de Nuit.
Fares start at €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €60 in a 1st class couchette. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but this train has an annoying habit of opening late for booking, less than the expected 4 months ahead, so don't be impatient. You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Tip: On arrival in Toulouse, I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the nearby Pullman Hotel.
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Step 2, travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 09:45, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 14:00.
The bus is run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net. I'd allow at least an hour between train & bus in Toulouse in case of delay.
The bus leaves from bus stand 15 in the Gare Routière (bus station) outside Toulouse Matabiau railway station. Walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework, see the photos below.
The fare is €36 one-way. Book the bus at Andbus.net.
Option 3, Paris to Andorra by sleeper train to l'Hospitalet then taxi - the nicest option with only 38 km by road
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Andorre-l'Hospitalet by Intercité de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 22:13, arriving Andorre-l'Hospitalet 09:43.
In 2025 this sleeper only runs to l'Hospitalet on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, daily from June to September.
It should run daily all year, but frequency is reduced in 2025 due to badly-planned trackwork. The sleeper's final destination is Latour de Carol.
The train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats. More about Intercités de Nuit.
It's a beautiful journey as the train climbs up into the Pyrenees. Andorre-l'Hospitalet is the closest station to Andorra, just 38 km away by road.
Fares start at €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €59 in a 1st class couchette. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
This train also has an annoying habit of opening late for booking, less than the expected 4 months ahead, so don't be impatient.
Buy tickets at either www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Raileurope) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, about Trainline).
See advice for booking sole occupancy of a 4 or 6 berth couchette compartment.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella by bus or taxi.
A bus run by Hife leaves l'Hospitalet station at 10:15, arriving Andorra La Vella bus station 11:30.
This should run every day, but in summer 2025 only seems to be running on Fridays & Saturdays, check at www.hife.es.
The bus timed to connect with the train, book the bus at www.hife.es.
Alternatively, a taxi from Andorre-l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella costs around €115 per taxi, 38 km taking around 47 minutes, feedback appreciated. Pre-book with Altitud Taxis, 00 376 856255 or 00 33 561644714.
Above, the Hife bus to Andorra, at Andorre-l'Hospitalet station. Courtesy of Jim Bannerman.
Above, it's a scenic ride as the bus climbs towards Andorra! Courtesy of Andrew Mcintyre.
Paris to Berlin from €59.99
Option 1, Paris to Berlin by high-speed train - the chill-out daytime option
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A direct ICE3 train leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:55 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:03.
The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat. This new direct service started in December 2024.
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Other journeys are possible with a change of train, for example:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 06:54 Mondays-Saturdays by TGV Duplex, change Karlsruhe onto an ICE, arrive Berlin Hbf 15:29.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18 Mondays-Saturdays by TGV Duplex, change Mannheim onto an ICE, arrive Berlin Hbf 16:32.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54 by ICE3, change at Karlsruhe onto an ICE train, arrive Berlin Hbf 19:29.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:10 by ICE3, change at Mannheim onto an ICE, arrive Berlin Hbf 22:32.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:54 by TGV Duplex, change at Karlsruhe onto an ICE, arrive Berlin Hbf 23:31.
The TGVs have a cafe-bar, the ICEs have a restaurant car, both have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. See the Paris-Frankfurt ICE video.
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Fares start at €59.99 in 2nd class or €89.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
If you're not booking the direct train, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to give a robust connection, the times above include this.
In the search results, look for journeys with 0 changes (if you want the direct train) or just 1 change and a price shown in €.
Ignore journeys with 2 or 3 changes or those shown as Determine price. The latter involve a non-DB train such as a Eurostar or a couple of TGVs not run in co-operation with DB where DB cannot sell through tickets and you may not be protected for missed connection.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Incidentally, I recommend booking with DB at int.bahn.de over rather than with French Railways www.sncf-connect.com for two reasons:
First, the German system prices the whole journey from €59.99 even if you have to change trains. The French system can't do this, it'll apply a price to the direct Paris-Karlsruhe train, then add a separate fare, perhaps another €40 for the Karlsruhe-Berlin train.
Second, bahn.de applies more generous German child age limits, under 6 free, under 15 child rate. In addition, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare. If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate and there's no kids-go-free deal. So if you have children, buy from the Germans!
Above left, the restaurant car. Above right, in 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders and brings them to your seat.Option 2, Paris to Berlin by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option, 3 times a week
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A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Berlin Hbf 08:26.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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 and search for NJ 469.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
Option 3, Paris to Berlin with overnight stop in Frankfurt - almost as time-effective as the sleeper, but cheaper and daily!
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Frankfurt by ICE, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 22:59.
Or on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays you can take the earlier 17:10 ICE3 arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 20:59.
ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat
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Stay overnight in Frankfurt. Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Hotel Frankfurt-Central & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have used myself and can recommend. There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.
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Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Berlin on any morning ICE train you like.
On Mondays-Fridays you can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 05:58, arriving Berlin Hbf 10:03.
On Saturdays & Sundays you can leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 06:14, arriving Berlin Hbf 10:42.
By all means book a later train, they leave regularly. ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat
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Paris to Frankfurt starts at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.
Frankfurt to Berlin starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
First book Paris to Frankfurt. Then book Frankfurt to Berlin.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
Option 4, Paris to Berlin using the Karlsruhe-Berlin sleeper train - another time-effective option, runs every day
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Karlsruhe by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54, arriving Karlsruhe Hbf 20:25.
The impressive 320 km/h TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. You've time for dinner in Karlsruhe between trains - if you find a good restaurant let me know!
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have dinner in Karlsruhe: The Erste Fracht Braugasthaus (www.erste-fracht.de) is just across the road from the station's main exit and serves German food & beer, open until late 7 days a week. The Wirtshaus Wolfbräu (www.wolfbräu.de) is an 18-minute 1.4 km walk away but has been suggested as better by one seat61 correspondent, see walking map. There is also a decent Indian restaurant, the Maharaja (www.restaurantmaharaja-ka.de) across the road and to the right. There is a MacDonald's inside the station, open until late.
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Step 2, travel from Karlsruhe to Berlin by Nightjet, leaving Karlsruhe Hbf at 23:07, arriving Berlin Hbf 07:20.
This Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has a Comfortline sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and 1, 2 & 3 berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, and couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments. The sleeper & couchette fare includes a light breakfast. More about Nightjets.
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 to yourself. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the nightjet at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, about Trainline) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 5, Paris to Berlin with an overnight stop in Amsterdam
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This is a round-about route, but Amsterdam is such a great place for a stop and the journey so easy & convenient, it's worth considering. The stations are all very central, you can stroll from Amsterdam Centraal to most city centre hotels, and a stroll from Berlin Hbf past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate takes just 17 minutes.
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Day 1, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train in 3h20.
There's a departure every couple of hours through the day, you can leave Paris as late as 19:25.
These trains run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), with 3 classes, power sockets & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €72 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, using this means you can book everything in one place) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Amsterdam. Suggested hotels with good or great reviews: The Park Plaza Victoria Hotel is across the road from Amsterdam Centraal station and gets great reviews, I've stayed here myself. Other mid-range hotels include the Hotel Luxer, 7 minutes walk from the station & Hotel Sebastians, 10 minutes walk from the station. Cheaper hotels include the fun floating boat hotel AmiciA, just 15 minutes walk from the station. If you want to push the boat out, the top end famous Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is 10 minutes walk from the station.
Incidentally, you can do the journey in one day if you like, with a few hours in Amsterdam. But an overnight stop breaks up the trip nicely.
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Day 2, travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Hbf by InterCity train in 5h51 on any departure you like, see the timetable here.
The train has power sockets at all seats, a refreshment trolley, and most cars now have WiFi. It's a pleasant way to spend the morning, you can arrive in downtown Berlin at lunchtime, see the Amsterdam to Berlin timetable & sights to see on the way.
Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Hamburg from €49.99
Option 1, Paris to Hamburg in a single chill-out day
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You can travel from Paris to Hamburg city centre to city centre in a day, with a range of departures:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18 by TGV Duplex, change at Mannheim onto an ICE, arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:36.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06 by TGV Duplex, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54 by ICE3, change at Karlsruhe onto another ICE, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:36.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:10 by ICE3, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:39.
You travel from Paris to Mannheim or Karlsruhe on a superb high-speed ICE3 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, or on an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change and a price shown in €.
Ignore journeys with 2 or 3 changes. Also ignore journeys shown as Determine price, these are journeys which involve a non-DB train such as a Eurostar or a couple of TGVs run solely by SNCF not in co-operation with DB. DB cannot sell through tickets for such journeys so you may not be protected if there's a delay and missed connection.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Incidentally, I recommend booking with DB at int.bahn.de over booking with French Railways www.sncf-connect.com for two reasons:
First, the German system prices the whole journey from €49.99 even if you have to change trains. The French system can't do this, it'll apply a price to the direct Paris-Mannheim train, then add a separate fare, perhaps another €40 for the Mannheim-Hamburg connection.
Second, bahn.de applies more generous German child age limits, under 6 free, under 15 child rate. In addition, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare. If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate and there's no kids-go-free deal. So if you have children, buy from the Germans!
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You can book to Bremen, Lübeck, Kiel in the same way.
Option 2, Paris to Hamburg using the Freiburg-Hamburg Nightjet sleeper train
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The most time-effective way from Paris to Hamburg is taking an early-evening high-speed TGV to Freiburg then the Nightjet sleeper to Hamburg as explained below. It allows a full business or sightseeing day and Paris followed by a full business or sightseeing day in Hamburg, it gives time for dinner in Freiburg and saves a hotel bill, too.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Freiburg by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:25, arriving Freiburg (Breisgau) 20:26.
The 320km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views, and seat number above 60 is upper deck.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or 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.
Have dinner in Freiburg. Suggested restaurants include Die Wirtschaft zum Meyerhof (www.grosser-meyerhof.de) 11 minutes walk from the station, see walking map or the Restaurant Drexlers (drexlers-restaurant.de), 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. Or Tom's (toms-freiburg.de), 9 minutes walk away, see walking map. Check opening hours, they don't open every day.
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Step 2, travel from Freiburg to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Freiburg (Breisgau) at 22:58, arriving Hamburg Hbf 07:53 & Hamburg Altona 08:09.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. 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 fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Paris to Munich from €49.99
Option 1, Paris to Munich by direct TGV, every afternoon
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An impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex links Paris with Munich every day.
On Mondays-Fridays & Sundays it leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays it leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54, arriving Munich Hbf 23:26.
Times may vary, so check them online at int.bahn.de. The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the video. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
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Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, look for a journey with 0 changes.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Tip: You can also buy tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, but here's some advice:
When booking the direct Munich-Paris TGV, check both sites! I've seen int.bahn.de want more for a non-refundable ticket when www.sncf-connect.com wanted €5 less for exactly the same train, refundable less €15 up to 3 days before departure. And www.sncf-connect.com would let me hold the ticket at that price without payment for a week while I completed my planning. So I bought from www.sncf-connect.com! Also, www.sncf-connect.com normally lets you choose an exact seat from a plan when travelling 1st class on the TGV, a feature not available when using int.bahn.de.
If you have kids, it's better to use int.bahn.de as then the more generous German child age limits apply, under 6 free, under 15 child rate. Furthermore, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare. If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate and there's no kids-go-free deal. So if you have children, it's a no-brainer to buy from the Germans.
Option 2, Paris to Munich using other departures through the day
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In addition to the direct train there are other departures through the day with one easy change.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 06:54 by ICE3, change at Stuttgart, arriving Munich Hbf 12:49.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18 by TGV Duplex, change at Mannheim, arriving Munich Hbf 14:49.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06 by TGV Duplex, change at Mannheim onto an ICE, arriving Munich Hbf 16:26.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54 by ICE3, change at Stuttgart onto another ICE, arriving Munich Hbf 16:49.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:54 by TGV Duplex, change at Stuttgart onto an ICE, arriving Munich Hbf 20:10.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 15:55 by TGV Duplex (not Saturdays), direct, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 17:54 by TGV Duplex, change Stuttgart (direct on Saturdays), arriving Munich Hbf 00:26.
Times may vary, check your date at int.bahn.de.
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Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.
Prices vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to give a robust connection, the times shown above include this.
In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Incidentally, I recommend booking at German Railways int.bahn.de over French Railways www.sncf-connect.com for two reasons:
First, the German system prices the whole journey from €39.90 even if you have to change trains. The French system can't do this, it'll apply a price from €39.90 to the direct Paris-Stuttgart train, then add a separate fare, perhaps another €40 for the Stuttgart-Munich connection.
Second, bahn.de applies more generous German child age limits, under 6 free, under 15 child rate. In addition, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare. If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate and there's no kids-go-free deal. So if you have children, buy from the Germans!
Option 3, Paris to Munich by direct Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - the time-effective option
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A Nightjet leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Munich Ost 05:43.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
A Comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.
Paris to Cologne (Köln), Düsseldorf & Dortmund
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Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed trains link Paris Gare du Nord with Cologne Hbf in 3h29 & Düsseldorf in 3h50 several times each day.
Monday-Friday departures: 07:55, 09:55, 11:55, 15:55, 17:55.
Saturday departures: 07:55, 09:55, 11:55, 15:55, 17:55.
Sunday departures: 09:55, 11:55, 15:55 & 17:55.
The 15:55 & 17:55 continue to Dortmund, on other departures change at Düsseldorf.
These trains have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Plus (1st class) & Premier (1st class with at-seat food & drink included in the fare and access to lounges in Paris & Brussels). The trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Fares start at €35 in standard, €72 in plus or €135 in premier.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone following their instructions.
Paris to Koblenz
Option 1, Paris-Koblenz via Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Saarbrücken or Kaiserslautern - with a through ticket
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Step 1, take a TGV Duplex or ICE from Paris Gare de l'Est to Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Saarbrücken or Kaiserslautern.
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Step 2, take a connecting German train to Koblenz Hbf.
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Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
This is a through ticket, so you are protected if there's a delay and missed connection.
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Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for journeys with 1 change. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Paris-Koblenz via Cologne - slightly faster, but with separate tickets
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Step 1, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) train from Paris Gare du Nord to Cologne Hbf in 3h20 with several daily departures.
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Step 2, take a connecting German train from Cologne Hbf to Koblenz Hbf.
Time-wise there's not much in it. But I recommend option 1 . Option 2 involves two separate tickets with 2 different operators.
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Book at www.thetrainline.com as this can book both Eurostar and the onward German train.
Look for journeys with 1 change. It may help to add Cologne Hbf as a via station. You get two separate tickets.
Paris to Trier
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Step 1, take a TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de l'Est to Luxembourg, trains leave several times through the day, journey time 2h15.
The TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
It's fine to allow as little as 10 minutes to change trains in Luxembourg, your onward ticket is good for any train and they leave twice an hour.
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Step 2, take a regional train from Luxembourg to Trier Hbf, these leave twice an hour.
The fast trains take 50 minutes, the stopping trains take 1h01. There are no seat reservations, you buy a ticket, hop on and sit where you like.
The fares is €5.90, fixed price, unlimited availability, good for any train that day.
Buy a ticket ay the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You print it out or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Frankfurt, Stuttgart & other destinations in Germany
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High-speed TGV Duplex & ICE3 trains link Paris with Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt & Stuttgart at up to 320 km/h (199 mph).
Some trains are TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, some are ICE3 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. On TGV Duplex Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Change in Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart or Frankfurt for other German destinations such as Ulm, Augsburg, Nuremberg, Leipzig or Dresden.
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Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Tip: If your journey involves a change of train, I'd change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes.
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Tip: You can also buy tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com, but here's some advice:
If you're using a direct train (without any connections within Germany), check both sites! I've seen int.bahn.de want €44.90 non-refundable for Paris-Frankfurt when www.sncf-connect.com wanted only €39 for exactly the same train, refundable less €15 up to 3 days before departure. And www.sncf-connect.com would let me hold the ticket at that price without payment for a week while I finished my planning. So I bought from www.sncf-connect.com. Also, www.sncf-connect.com normally lets you choose an exact seat from a plan when travelling 1st class on a TGV train to or from Germany, a feature not available on int.bahn.de.
If you have kids, it's better to use int.bahn.de.
If you buy from the Germans, the more generous German child age limits apply, under 6 free, under 15 child rate. Furthermore, DB have a permanent offer, children under 15 go free when accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian using a Sparpreis advance-purchase fare. If you buy from the French, under 4s go free, under 12 get the child rate, and there's no kids-go-free deal. So if you have children, it's a no-brainer to buy from the Germans.
If you're heading deeper into Germany, it's better to use int.bahn.de
The Germans sell through tickets from Paris to almost anywhere in Germany for one inclusive price, so in principle, Paris-Nuremberg also starts from €39.99. The French charge for each train, so that same Paris-Nuremberg journey might be €39.99 for the direct Paris-Frankfurt train + another €40 for the Frankfurt-Nuremberg train, making it significantly more expensive than buying from DB. It's just the different way the French & German ticketing systems work!
Above left, the restaurant car. Above right, in 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders and brings them to your seat.
Paris to St Anton, Innsbruck, Kitzbühel
Option 1, Paris to St Anton, Innsbruck & Kitzbühel in a day - through the scenic Arlberg Pass!
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:21, arriving Zurich HB 11:26.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:52, arriving Zurich HB 16:26.
The impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
Book Paris to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Innsbruck by railjet through the scenic Arlberg Pass:
If you left Paris at 07:21, you leave Zurich HB 12:40, arriving St Anton 15:01 & Innsbruck Hbf 16:11.
If you left Paris at 10:52, you leave Zurich HB 18:40, arriving St Anton 21:01 & Innsbruck Hbf 22:14.
These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat. The trains travel through the beautiful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video. A real treat!
Both trains continue to Wörgl, change there for a local train to Kitzbühel. You arrive in Kitzbühel about 1h10 after Innsbruck.
Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class or €54.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Zurich to anywhere in Austria at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Swiss lakes: Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.
Arlberg Pass: Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.
Mountains near Innsbruck.
Option 2, Paris to St Anton, Innsbruck & Kitzbühel with overnight stop in Zurich - a time-effective option, also via the Arlberg Pass!
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 18:22, arriving Zurich HB 22:26.
Or take the earlier 16:22 or 14:22 departures from Paris and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.
The impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Zurich. For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels, just across the road from the station. They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train. For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to St Anton, Innsbruck or Kitzbühel on any morning train you like:
Leave Zurich HB 06:40 by railjet, arriving St Anton 09:01 & Innsbruck Hbf 10:11.
Leave Zurich HB 08:40 by EuroCity train Transalpin, arriving St Anton 11:01, Innsbruck Hbf 12:11 & Kitzbühel 13:28.
Leave Zurich HB 10:40 by railjet, arriving St Anton 13:01 & Innsbruck Hbf 14:11.
The swish Austrian railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat.
The 08:40 EuroCity train Transalpin has an Austrian restaurant car and a highly-recommended Swiss 1st class panorama car.
All these trains travel through the beautiful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video. A real treat.
Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class or €54.90 in railjet business class (premium 1st). 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, about Trainline) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Paris to Innsbruck with overnight stop in Munich - another time-effective option via Germany
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays it leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54, arriving Munich 23:26. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. I've stayed at both myself, the former is a cosy traditional hotel, the latter has a more modern corporate style. Or try the upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Innsbruck on any morning train you like:
Leave Munich Hbf at 07:32, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.
Leave Munich Hbf at 09:33, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 11:18.
Railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjets.
Fares start at €19.99 in 2nd class or €35.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Salzburg from €49.99
Option 1, Paris to Salzburg by direct Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - the time-effective option
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A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
A Comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.
Option 2, Paris to Salzburg in a day - the fastest & cheapest route, through Germany
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You can travel from Paris Gare de l'Est to Salzburg Hbf in a single day, for example:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18 by ICE3, change at Mannheim, arrive Salzburg Hbf 15:59.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54 by ICE3, change at Stuttgart, arrive Salzburg Hbf 19:59.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:54 by TGV Duplex, change at Stuttgart, arrive Salzburg Hbf 22:02.
Treat it as a chill-out trip. The superb German ICE3 trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat. The double-deck TGV Duplex trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
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Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to get robust connection, the times above include this.
In the search results, look for journeys with just 1 change.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
Tip: On TGV Duplex Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Tip: If you'd like a stopover in Stuttgart or Munich, simply click Stopovers, enter Stuttgart or Munich and a suitable length of stay, and you'll still get a Sparpreis fare with a stopover included. You can add up to 2 stopovers within the 2-day validity of a Sparpreis fare.
Above left, the restaurant car. Above right, in 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders and brings them to your seat.
Option 3, Paris to Salzburg in a day - the scenic route through Switzerland
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Travelling via Switzerland takes a couple of hours longer than going through Germany, but you travel through the superb Alpine scenery of the Arlberg Pass, see photos, video & tips on the Arlberg Railway page.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:21, arriving Zurich HB 11:26.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:52, arriving Zurich HB 16:26.
The impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Paris to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Salzburg by railjet through the scenic Arlberg Pass:
If you left Paris at 07:21, you leave Zurich HB 12:40, arriving Salzburg Hbf 18:03.
If you left Paris at 10:52, you leave Zurich HB 18:40, arriving Salzburg Hbf 00:03.
These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat. These trains travel through the beautiful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video. A real treat!
Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class or €54.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Zurich to Salzburg at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
Swiss lakes: Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.
Arlberg Pass: Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station. Above right, lunch is served. In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Cutting across Germany: East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug. The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.
Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.
Option 4, Paris to Salzburg with overnight stop in Munich - almost as time-effective as a sleeper!
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays it leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54, arriving Munich 23:26. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. I've stayed at both myself, the former is a cosy traditional hotel, the latter has a more modern corporate style. Or try the upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Salzburg on any morning railjet you like:
Leave Munich Hbf at 06:21, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:58.
Leave Munich Hbf at 07:22, arriving Salzburg Hbf 08:58.
Leave Munich Hbf at 09:28, arriving Salzburg Hbf 10:58.
Or there are other trains, and regional trains too, see the Munich to Salzburg page.
The swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjets.
Fares start at €12.99 in 2nd class or €31.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 5, Paris to Salzburg with overnight stop in Zurich - also time-effective, but via the scenic Arlberg route!
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This takes a couple of hours more than the faster route through Germany, but it's worth it. This takes you via the wonderful Arlberg Pass through the Alps from Switzerland into Austria, see the Arlberg Pass video. You can do the whole trip in a day, but it's better if you break it up with an overnight stop in Zurich.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 18:22, arriving Zurich HB 22:26.
Or book the earlier 14:22 or 16:22 departure from Paris and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.
The TGV-Lyria high-speed trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class (standard) or €55 in 1st class (standard première). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or at the French Railways site 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.
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Stay overnight in Zurich. For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station. They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train. For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to Salzburg by railjet through the scenic Arlberg Pass:
You can leave Zurich HB at 06:40, arriving Salzburg Hbf 12:03.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Zurich HB at 10:40, arriving Salzburg Hbf 16:03
These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat. It's a lovely journey through the beautiful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Pass video. More about railjets.
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 this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, international credit cards no problem) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Linz & Vienna
Option 1, Paris to Linz & Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option, 3 times a week
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A Nightjet leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Linz 08:46, Vienna Meidling 10:05, Vienna Hbf 10:13.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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 and search for NJ 469.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
A Comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.
Option 2, Paris to Vienna in a day - the fastest & cheapest route, through Germany
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You can travel from Paris to Vienna by train in a single chill-out day:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18 by TGV Duplex, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE (arrive 10:59, depart 12:22), arriving Vienna Hbf 18:47.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06 by TGV Duplex, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE (arrive 12:59, depart 14:21), arriving Vienna Hbf 20:47.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54 by ICE3, change at Stuttgart onto a Westbahn train (arrive 14:04, depart 15:12), arriving Vienna Hbf 21:52.
The TGV Duplex from Paris to Frankfurt or Stuttgart is an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views,
The ICE-T train from Frankfurt to Vienna has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat - I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!
The Westbahn train is a swish double-decker run by private operator Westbahn. It has3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, but vending machines no bar or restaurant.
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Fares from Paris to Frankfurt start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.
Fares from Frankfurt to Vienna start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
If you want the 07:18 or 09:06 departure, book from Paris to Vienna as one easy transaction and look carefully through the search results to find journeys with 1 change. If you have any problems, split the booking into Paris-Frankfurt and Frankfurt-Vienna.
If you want the 10:54 departure, first book Paris-Stuttgart, add to basket, then book Stuttgart-Vienna on the 15:12 Westbahn, add to basket & check out.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Alternatively, you can book the 07:18 & 09:06 departures at the German Railways website int.bahn.de in € with no booking fee, but it can't sell cross-Germany journeys starting in Paris so you need to split the booking: First book Paris to Frankfurt, then book Frankfurt to Vienna.
If you want the 10:54 departure, book Paris-Stuttgart at int.bahn.de or www.sncf-connect.com, then Stuttgart-Vienna at www.westbahn.at.
Option 3, Paris to Vienna in a day - the scenic route through Switzerland
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Travelling via Switzerland takes a couple of hours longer than going through Germany, but you travel through the superb Alpine scenery of the Arlberg Pass, see photos, video & tips on the Arlberg Railway page.
-
Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:21, arriving Zurich HB 11:26.
The impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Paris to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Vienna by railjet, leaving Zurich HB 12:40, arriving Linz Hbf 19:15 & Vienna Hbf 20:32.
The swish Austrian railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat. The train travels through the beautiful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video. A real treat!
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Zurich to Linz or Vienna at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Swiss lakes: Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.
Arlberg Pass: Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station. Above right, lunch is served. In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Cutting across Germany: East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug. The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.
Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.
Option 4, Paris to Linz & Vienna using the Zurich-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train - a time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:22, arriving Zurich HB 20:26.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
At Zurich HB you've time for dinner, I recommend the steak-frites & a beer at the Brasserie Federal.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40, arriving Linz Hbf 06:14 & Vienna Hbf 07:58.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. 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. You print your own ticket.
Tip: You can check the consist for this train, 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, search for 467 and select NJ467.
Step 1, take a TGV-Lyria from Paris to Zurich. This is the 16:22 to Zurich at Paris Gare de Lyon.
Step 2, take the Nightjet sleeper from Zurich to Vienna. Above, a Comfortline sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf. More about Nightjets.
Option 5, Paris to Linz or Vienna with overnight stop in Munich - almost as time-effective as a sleeper!
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays it leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54, arriving Munich 23:26. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. I've stayed at both myself, the former is a cosy traditional hotel, the latter has a more modern corporate style. Or try the upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Linz or Vienna on any morning railjet train you like:
Leave Munich Hbf at 06:21, arriving Linz Hbf 09:15 & Vienna Hbf 10:32.
Leave Munich Hbf at 07:22, arriving Linz Hbf 10:15 & Vienna Hbf 11:32.
Leave Munich Hbf at 09:28, arriving Linz Hbf 12:15 & Vienna Hbf 13:32.
These swish Austrian railjet trans have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat. More about railjets.
Fares start at €24.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 6, Paris to Vienna with overnight stop in Frankfurt - also almost as time-effective as a sleeper, but cheaper and daily!
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Frankfurt by ICE3, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:07, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 22:59.
Or on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays you can leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:10, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 20:59.
ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat
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Stay overnight in Frankfurt. Inexpensive hotels next to the station with good reviews include the Flemings Hotel Frankfurt-Central & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I've used myself and can recommend. There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.
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Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Vienna by ICE-T, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 06:19, arriving Vienna Hbf 12:47.
Or have breakfast and leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 08:22 by ICE-T, arriving Vienna Hbf 14:47.
ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.
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Paris to Frankfurt starts at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.
Frankfurt to Vienna starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
First book Paris to Frankfurt. Then book Frankfurt to Vienna.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
Option 7, Paris to Linz or Vienna with overnight stop in Zurich - the scenic Arlberg route!
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 18:22, arriving Zurich HB 22:26.
Or take the earlier 16:22 or 14:22 departures from Paris and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.
The impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Zurich. For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels, just across the road from the station. They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train. For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to Linz or Vienna by railjet:
You can leave Zurich HB at 06:40, arriving Linz Hbf 13:15 & Vienna Hbf 14:32.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Zurich HB at 10:40, arriving Linz Hbf 17:15 & Vienna Hbf 18:32.
The swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class a steward takes food & drink orders from the restaurant car menu and serves you at your seat. The train travels through the beautiful Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video. A real treat!
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (premium 1st). 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, about Trainline) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Copenhagen & Denmark
Option 1, Paris to Copenhagen in a single day
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There's a 07:18 departure, this runs daily all year:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18, change at Mannheim, arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:36.
Leave Hamburg Hbf 16:55, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.
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There's 09:06 departure from 12 April to 2 November 2025:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Hamburg Hbf 18:53, arriving Copenhagen 23:46 (runs from 12 April 2025 onwards).
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What's the journey like?
Paris to Mannheim or Frankfurt is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Mannheim or Frankfurt to Hamburg is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train with refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
The Hamburg-Copenhagen trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Hamburg starts at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.
Hamburg to Copenhagen starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Step 1, book from Paris to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Step 2, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen as a second transaction at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 1, Paris to Mannheim by TGV Duplex seen here at Paris Gare de l'Est.
Step 2, Mannheim or Frankfurt to Hamburg by ICE. This is an ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf.
Step 3, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. These trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2026. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.
The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.
Option 2, Paris to Copenhagen using the Freiburg-Hamburg sleeper
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Freiburg by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:25, arriving Freiburg (Breisgau) 20:26.
The 320km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upstairs seat for the best views, and seat number above 60 is upper deck.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have dinner in Freiburg. Suggested restaurants include Die Wirtschaft zum Meyerhof (www.grosser-meyerhof.de) 11 minutes walk from the station, see walking map or the Restaurant Drexlers (drexlers-restaurant.de), 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. Or Tom's (toms-freiburg.de), 9 minutes walk away, see walking map. Check opening hours, they don't open every day.
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Day 1, travel from Freiburg to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Freiburg (Breisgau) at 22:58, arriving Hamburg Hbf 07:53.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.
The train also calls at Kolding (for Legoland) & Odense.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 4, Paris to Copenhagen with overnight stop in Hamburg
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hamburg with a choice of departures:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54, change at Karlsruhe, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:36.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:10, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:39.
Paris to Frankfurt or Karlsruhe is either by ICE3 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, or by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Onward travel is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €49.99 2nd class or €79.99 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.
The EuroCity train has power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about this journey.
The train also calls at Kolding (for Legoland) and Odense.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or you can show it on your phone.
Paris to Stockholm & Sweden
Option 1, Paris to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Hamburg, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:54, change at Karlsruhe, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:36.
You travel on superb ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train. Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near the station.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes. If necessary, click Stopovers and enter Karlsruhe. Look for a journey with 1 change and a price shown in €.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight sleeper train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with toilet & shower, couchette cars with 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book this train at SJ's website www.sj.se.
Booking opens several months ahead, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Paris to Stockholm using the Freiburg-Hamburg sleeper
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Freiburg by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:25, arriving Freiburg (Breisgau) 20:26.
The 320km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has 1st & 2nd class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upstairs seat for the best views, and seat number above 60 is upper deck.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have dinner in Freiburg. Suggested restaurants include Die Wirtschaft zum Meyerhof (www.grosser-meyerhof.de) 11 minutes walk from the station, see walking map or the Restaurant Drexlers (drexlers-restaurant.de), 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. Or Tom's (toms-freiburg.de), 9 minutes walk away, see walking map. Check opening hours, they don't open every day.
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Day 1, travel from Freiburg to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Freiburg (Breisgau) at 22:58, arriving Hamburg Hbf 07:53.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In sleepers & couchettes, a light breakfast is included. 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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Sweden:
If you're going to Malmö, catch the next Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central, these run every 20-30 minutes taking 40 minutes. Book from Hamburg to Malmö as a through journey at int.bahn.de from €56.99.
If you're going to Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central by Öresund train, these run every hour, journey time 3h50. Book from Hamburg to Göteborg Central as one journey at int.bahn.de from €56.99.
If you're going to Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37. Times may vary, an extra change at Malmö Central may be needed. Book Hamburg to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de, then Copenhagen to Stockholm with Swedish Railways at www.sj.se.
Option 3, Paris to Malmö, Gothenburg & Stockholm with overnight stop in Hamburg
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hamburg with a choice of departures:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54, change at Karlsruhe, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:36.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:10, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:39.
Paris to Frankfurt or Karlsruhe is either by ICE3 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, or by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Onward travel is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €49.99 2nd class or €79.99 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.
The EuroCity train has power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about this journey.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or you can show it on your phone.
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Day 2 for Malmö & Gothenburg:
For Malmö, hop on the next Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central, these leave every 15 minutes taking 40 minutes.
For Gothenburg, hop on the next Öresund train from Copenhagen to Göteborg Central, these leave every hour taking 3h50.
There are through fares from Hamburg to Malmö & Gothenburg, you can book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg as one transaction at int.bahn.de. Gothenburg is listed as Göteborg Central.
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Day 2 for Stockholm:
Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.
SJ's X2000 trains have a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They use the impressive Öresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark,
Update 2025: Unfortunately, SJ is short of X2000s and until further notice you'll need to change at Malmö:
On Mondays-Fridays, leave Copenhagen 15:59, change at Malmö Central, arriving Stockholm Central 21:33.
On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Copenhagen 14:59, change at Malmö Central, arriving Stockholm Central 20:36.
Book from Copenhagen to Stockholm using www.sj.se (in SEK) or using Omio.com (in SEK, €, £ or $, small booking fee).
Option 4, Paris to Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm with overnight stop in Copenhagen
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Copenhagen in a day:
There's an 07:18 departure, daily all year:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18, change at Mannheim, arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:36.
Leave Hamburg Hbf 16:55, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.
There's an 09:06 departure from 12 April to 2 November 2025:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Hamburg Hbf 18:53, arriving Copenhagen 23:46 (runs from 12 April to 2 November 2025).
Paris to Mannheim or Frankfurt is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Mannheim or Frankfurt to Hamburg is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train with refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
If you're going to Malmö, hop on the next Öresund train to Malmö Central, these run regularly, taking 40 minutes.
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen.
The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star)
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Day 2 for Gothenburg: Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (Göteborg Central) by Öresund train, journey time 3h50.
These trains leave every hour, using the impressive Öresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark.
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Day 2 for Stockholm: Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000, leaving Copenhagen at 08:21, arriving Stockholm Central 13:34.
SJ's X2000 trains have a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They use the impressive Öresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark.
Update 2025: Unfortunately, SJ is short of X2000s and until further notice you'll need to change at Malmö:
On Mondays-Fridays, leave Copenhagen 08:59, change at Malmö Central, arriving Stockholm Central 14:39.
On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Copenhagen 08:44, change at Malmö Central, arriving Stockholm Central 14:32.
Or there are earlier & later departures, check times at www.sj.se or Omio.com.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Hamburg starts at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.
Hamburg to Malmö starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €57.99 in 1st class
Hamburg to Gothenburg starts at €56.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class
Hamburg to Copenhagen starts at €27.99 in 2nd class, €37.99 in 1st class.
Copenhagen to Stockholm starts at 280 SEK (€28).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets to Malmö or Gothenburg
Step 1, book from Paris to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Step 2, book from Hamburg to Malmö or Gothenburg (Göteborg Central) also using int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen (needed if going to Gothenburg, optional for Malmö), click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours. Set departure time to either 16:00 or 18:00 and adjust the length of stay to get the onward train you want in the morning. A little trial & error may be needed!
Or just book Hamburg to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de and Copenhagen to Malmö or Gothenburg at www.oresundstag.se.
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How to buy tickets to Stockholm
Step 1, book from Paris to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Step 2, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen as a second transaction at int.bahn.de.
Step 3, book Copenhagen to Stockholm for the following day using www.sj.se (in SEK) or using Omio.com (in SEK, €, £ or $, small booking fee).
Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2026. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.
The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.
Paris to Oslo & Norway
Option 1, Paris to Oslo with overnight stop in Hamburg - by train all the way
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hamburg with a choice of departures:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54, change at Karlsruhe, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:36.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 13:10, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:39.
Paris to Frankfurt or Karlsruhe is either by ICE3 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, or by impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Onward travel is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €49.99 2nd class or €79.99 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is 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.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Gothenburg by EuroCity train & Öresund train:
Leave Hamburg Hbf 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38. Leave Copenhagen at 14:30, arriving Göteborg Central 18:20.
The EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey. The Öresund train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.
Have an early dinner in Gothenburg.
Fares start at €56.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Hamburg to Gothenburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: If you don't see any through fares, split the booking: First book Hamburg to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de. Then buy a ticket from Copenhagen to Göteborg Central at www.oresundstag.se.
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Day 2, travel from Gothenburg to Oslo by Norwegian train, leaving Göteborg Central at 20:10, arriving Oslo Sentral 23:47.
The smart modern Norwegian train is run by Vy, it has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.
Fares start at 249 Krone (€24) if you book a few weeks ahead.
Book this at the Vy website www.vy.no or at www.entur.no.
Option 2, Paris to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen - by train all the way
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Copenhagen in a day.
There's an 07:18 departure, daily all year:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 07:18, change at Mannheim, arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:36.
Leave Hamburg Hbf 16:55, arriving Copenhagen 21:38.
There's an 09:06 departure from 12 April 2025 onwards:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Leave Hamburg Hbf 18:53, arriving Copenhagen 23:46 (runs from 12 April 2025 onwards).
Paris to Mannheim or Frankfurt is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Mannheim or Frankfurt to Hamburg is by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train with refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & WiFi whilst in Denmark. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
How much does it cost?
Paris to Hamburg starts at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.
Hamburg to Copenhagen starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets
Step 1, book from Paris to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Step 2, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen as a second transaction at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
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Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train, leaving Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 15:47.
Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets.
Alternatively, spend a morning in Copenhagen, and after lunch take the overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.gonordiccruiseline.com or using the Direct Ferries website.
Gothenburg to Oslo by Norwegian train. Above, scenery between Gothenburg & Oslo. Courtesy of @Simply_Railway.
Above right, the Norwegian train arrived at Oslo Sentral. Photos courtesy of @AndyBTravels & @Marcos Castro.
Option 3, Paris to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Kiel on any suitable train, for example:
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Kiel Hbf 18:43.
Leave Paris Gare de l'Est 10:54, change at Stuttgart, arriving Kiel Hbf 21:41.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Kiel. The InterCity Hotel Kiel gets good reviews, is relatively inexpensive and is right next to the station and a few minutes walk from the ferry. The B&B Hotel Kiel City is also next to the station with good reviews, and is even cheaper. For something upmarket, the Atlantic Hotel Kiel gets great reviews and is in Bahnhofsplatz in front of the station.
In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map.
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Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges. The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning. The scenery as you sail up Oslo Fjord next morning is superb.
Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.colorline.com.
Money-saving tip: It appears that it's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164. You'll need to use Google to translate the Norwegian. You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details. Feedback appreciated.
Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord. The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre. Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis. If you have light luggage it's possible to walk. See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.
Sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line. It's just a 6 minute walk across from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line terminal. There's a lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you've booked one of Color Line's 5 star suites, check in at the desk rather than the machines to be directed to a VIP lounge with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi. You'll have priority boarding & free access to the on-board spa. Photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry except where shown.
Above left, cabin with TV, shower & toilet, luxury suites are also available. Above right, restaurant with a view.
Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.
Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.
The Color Line ferry, arrived at Oslo. Above right, there's a transfer bus to Oslo Sentral, photo courtesy of Andrew Leo.
Paris to Helsinki & Finland
Option 1, Paris to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest route
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Hamburg, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:06, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:35.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for a journey with 1 change. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
Tip: You should book from Paris to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lübeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the train from Amsterdam to Hamburg, the regional train to Lübeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal.
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck by regional train then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemünde.
Sail from Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry. Finnlines sail from Travemünde 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 3 from Paris).
For details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing, see here.
Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.
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Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.
Option 2, Paris to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry
Paris to Prague & Czechia
Option 1, Paris to Prague using the Karlsruhe-Prague sleeper train - the most time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Karlsruhe by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54, arriving Karlsruhe Hbf 20:25.
This 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Have dinner in Karlsruhe: The Erste Fracht Braugasthaus (www.erste-fracht.de) is just across the road from the station's main exit and serves German food & beer, open until late 7 days a week. The Wirtshaus Wolfbräu (www.wolfbräu.de) is an 18-minute 1.4 km walk away but has been suggested as better by one seat61 correspondent, see walking map. There is also a decent Indian restaurant, the Maharaja (www.restaurantmaharaja-ka.de) across the road and to the right. There is a MacDonald's inside the station, open until late.
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Step 2, travel from Karlsruhe to Prague by sleeper train, leaving Karlsruhe Hbf at 23:07, arriving Prague Hlavni 09:23.
The sleeper train has a air-conditioned Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in regular sleepers. There are also 4 & 6-berth couchettes. A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the sleeper fare.
A Czech restaurant car is attached to the train between Leipzig (around 06:00) and Prague, if you'd prefer a cooked breakfast.
The train arrives at Prague Hlavni, just 15 minutes walk from Prague's historic old town. Prague Hlavni station guide. Suggested hotels in Prague.
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. Berths in deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet cost a bit more. Fares vary like air fares.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a bit more fiddly, same prices, in €).
You'll see the train listed twice, once for the seats cars (marked DB if you're using Trainline) and once for the sleepers & couchettes (marked ÖBB on Thetrainline). Needless to say, you should select the version that offers the couchettes and sleepers.
Booking opens up to several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Paris to Prague using the Basel-Prague sleeper - another time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Basel by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:22, arriving Basel SBB 19:26.
This impressive double-deck high-speed train travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), with 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. More about TGV-Lyria.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
You've now time for dinner at Zurich HB, I recommend the steak-frites & beer at the Brasserie Federal on the station concourse.
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Step 2, travel from Basel to Prague by sleeper train Canopus, leaving Basel SBB at 21:13, arriving Prague Hlavni 09:23.
The EuroNight sleeper train Canopus has two Czech Comfortline sleeping-cars, each with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in sleepers. In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast is included in the fare. There is a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. More about the Zurich-Basel-Prague sleeper train. Suggested hotels in Prague.
A Czech restaurant car is attached to the train between Leipzig (around 06:00) and Prague, if you'd like a cooked breakfast.
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. Berths in deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet cost a bit more. Fares vary like air fares.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a bit more fiddly, same prices, in €).
You'll see the train listed twice, once for the seats cars (marked DB if you're using Trainline) and once for the sleepers & couchettes (marked ÖBB on Thetrainline). Needless to say, you should select the version that offers the couchettes and sleepers.
Booking opens up to several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Paris to Prague in a day from €56 - usually the cheapest option, but not as time-effective as options 1 & 2
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Munich, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 07:16, change at Mannheim, arriving Munich Hbf 14:49.
You travel from Paris to Mannheim on an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
You travel from Mannheim to Munich by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Prague by express train, leaving Munich Hbf at 16:44, arriving Prague Hlavni 22:22.
This train is air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats, there's a minibar serving drinks & snacks, and free WiFi in most cars.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking usually opens 92 days ahead and you print your own ticket. See my tips for using cd.cz. In the search results look for departures marked No transfers (ALX). More about these Munich-Prague trains. Suggested hotels in Prague.
Option 4, Paris to Prague using the Paris-Linz Nightjet sleeper 3 times a week - another time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Linz by Nightjet, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Linz Hbf 08:46.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats . A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the Linz-Prague train, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Linz Hbf for at least some of the time between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Linz to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Linz Hbf at 11:54, arriving České Budějovice 13:52 & Prague Hlavni 15:39.
This comfortable air-conditioned Czech EuroCity train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in CZK, booking opens 92 days ahead). You print your own ticket.
If you're going to Český Krumlov, get off the train at České Budějovice. The branch line train from České Budějovice to Český Krumlov runs every hour or two, journey time 40 minutes, there's usually one leaving 13:59 arriving 14:46 or there are later ones, check times at www.cd.cz. Buy a ticket from České Budějovice to Český Krumlov at the distinctive orange-&-green ticket kiosk in the booking hall at České Budějovice or on board the GWTR branch line train, the on-board ticket machines accept contactless bank cards.
Option 5, Paris to Prague with overnight stop in Munich - same as option 1, but with an overnight stop
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Est at 15:55 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays it leaves Paris at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 23:26.
By all means take an earlier departure with a change of train, see the Paris-Munich section.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. I've stayed at both myself, the former is a cosy traditional hotel, the latter has a more modern corporate style. Or try the upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Prague by express train on any departure you like, see the timetable here.
If you're in a hurry (or an early riser), the 04:44 train from Munich Hbf arrives Prague Hlavni 10:22. Or the 06:44 arrives Prague Hlavni 12:22. Or take the 08:44 arriving Prague Hlavni 14:22. Or there are later trains.
These trains have power sockets at all seats, a minibar serving drinks & snacks, and (in most cars) free WiFi.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.
Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking usually opens 92 days ahead, you print your own ticket. See my tips for using cd.cz - in the search results look for departures marked No transfers (ALX) and avoid any departure shown as bus. More about trains from Munich to Prague.
Paris to Bratislava & Slovakia
Option 1, Paris to Bratislava in a single day, via the scenic Arlberg Pass
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:22, arriving Zurich HB 11:26.
This impressive double-deck high-speed train travels at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), with 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. More about TGV-Lyria.
Why not break the journey up by travelling the day before & staying overnight in Zurich? See suggested hotels near the station.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Bratislava by railjet train, leaving Zurich HB at 12:40, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 21:51.
This is a lovely scenic ride on a modern Austrian railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It travels through the wonderful Arlberg Pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (premium 1st). 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 fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3 for Poprad Tatry or Kosice, stay overnight in Bratislava and take an onward train to Poprad Tatry or Kosice next day. The Slovakian Railways website is www.zssk.sk.
Swiss lakes: Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.
Arlberg Pass: Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station. Above right, lunch is served. In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Cutting across Germany: East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug. The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.
Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.
Option 2, Paris to Bratislava using the Paris-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - the time-effective option, recommended
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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 and search for NJ 469.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna by regional express train. These run every hour taking 56 minutes, fare €11, no reservation necessary or even possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train. More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains. Important: If travelling before 10 October 2025, see the update here.
You can check train times & prices at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices) and buy a ticket if you like, just to save time at the station.
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Step 3 for Poprad Tatry or Kosice, change at Bratislava Hlavna for an onward train. The Slovakian Railways website is www.zssk.sk, but in this case you are better off booking a cheap advance-purchase fare from Vienna to Poprad Tatry or Kosice at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at. I'd allow at least 50-60 minutes between trains in Vienna when booking an onward train-specific cheap fare.
Option 3, Paris to Bratislava using the Zurich-Vienna nightjet sleeper - another time-effective option, every day
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Vienna using the Zurich-Vienna sleeper as shown in the Paris to Vienna section.
The most time-effective option is to take an afternoon TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich HB then the nightjet sleeper train from Zurich to Vienna Hbf overnight.
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Step 2, now travel from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna by regional express train.
These run every hour taking 56 minutes, fare €11, no reservation necessary or even possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train. More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains. Important: If travelling before 10 October 2025, see the update here.
You can check train times & prices at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices) and buy a ticket just to save time at the station.
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Step 3 for Poprad Tatry or Kosice, change at Bratislava Hlavna for an onward train. The Slovakian Railways website is www.zssk.sk, but in this case you are better off booking a cheap advance-purchase fare from Vienna to Poprad Tatry or Kosice at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at. I'd allow at least 50-60 minutes between trains in Vienna when booking an onward train-specific cheap fare.
Paris to Budapest & Hungary
Option 1, Paris to Budapest using the Zurich-Budapest sleeper - the most time-effective option, runs every day
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by high-speed TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:22, arriving Zurich HB 20:36.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria. Have dinner in Zurich, I recommend a beer & steak-frites at the Brasserie Federal on the station concourse.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 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 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.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Budapest on the Esleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Zurich HB at 21:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.
The EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast is included in the fare. More about this sleeper train. Watch the video.
Fares start at €59 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in 4-berth, €99 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper 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 fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for the direct EuroNight (EN) train with 0 changes. 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, then search for Kalman Imre.
Step 1, Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, a 320 km/h double-deck high-speed train. This is the 16:22 TGV-Lyria boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon.
Step 2, Zurich to Budapest by Hungarian sleeper train. Above, the sleeper attendant waits to greet passengers outside his sleeping-car at Zurich HB. Some complimentary Hungarian sparkling wine awaits you in your sleeper. More about this sleeper train.
Option 2, Paris to Budapest using the Paris-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - also a time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
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 and search for NJ 469.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Child under 6? See here.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.
The swish modern railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. An earlier connection is possible, but I'd allow at least an hour between trains when connecting with a sleeper train just in case of delay. By all means book a later train and spend some time in Vienna, trains to Budapest leave every hour, see the timetable here.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket for the Nightjet or a 1st or business class ticket for the railjet you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Paris to Budapest in a single day
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Yes, it can be done! It's possible to get from Paris to Budapest in a single day on Mondays-Saturdays, right across Europe in a chill-out day with a good book and lunch in the restaurant car. The scenery on this route across Germany & Austria is very pleasant, although not spectacular. For a more time-effective overnight journey, see options 1 or 2 above. If it's scenery you want, see option 5 through the lovely Arlberg Pass with an overnight stop in Zurich.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Frankfurt TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 07:18 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 10:59.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Frankfurt to Vienna by ICE-T leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 12:22, arriving Vienna Hbf 18:47.
The 230 km/h ICE-T has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary refreshments & WiFi.
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Step 3, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42, arriving Budapest Keleti 22:19.
This classic air-conditioned EuroCity train has a Hungarian restaurant car for dinner.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Frankfurt starts at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class.
Frankfurt to Budapest starts at €46.99 in 2nd class or €65.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy tickets is to use www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com as they (should) let you book from Paris to Budapest in one go, in €, £ or $, small booking fee. Look for a journey with 2 changes that matches the times above.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or phone.
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Another way to buy tickets
You can also book at German Railways int.bahn.de with no booking fee, but you need to split the booking.
First book from Paris to Frankfurt. Then use int.bahn.de again to book from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Budapest Keleti.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 4, Paris to Budapest using the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper -Similar to option 1, but using the Stuttgart portion of the Kalman Imre sleeper
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Step 1 travel from Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.
On Saturdays (or any day of the week, if you prefer), you leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:54 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, see the TGV Duplex video. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
Tip: In Stuttgart, the bar at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel across the road makes a good VIP waiting lounge, or try the nearby Biergarten im Schlossgarten, see the advice here.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.
The Kalman Imre has a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. The sleeper fare includes a light breakfast. More about this sleeper train.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. 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 Germany & click EN, then look for Kalman Imre.
Option 5, Paris to Budapest with an overnight stop in Munich
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays you can leave Paris earlier at 13:51 and change at Stuttgart Hbf, arriving Munich at 19:12 or take the direct TGV Duplex leaving Paris at 17:55 arriving Munich 23:26. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
The impressive 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. I've stayed at both myself, the former is a cosy traditional hotel, the latter has a more modern corporate style. Or try the upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Budapest by railjet, leaving Munich Hbf at 07:22, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the 09:28 railjet from Munich Hbf arriving Budapest Keleti 16:19.
These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for views of Salzburg citadel as you cross the river Salzach approaching Salzburg Hbf. If you like, you can add a stopover in Salzburg of a few hours or a day or two at no extra charge using the Stopover feature at int.bahn.de. Left luggage lockers are available.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 6, Paris to Budapest via the scenic Arlberg Pass, with overnight stop in Zurich - the all-daytime scenic route
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria high-speed train, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 18:22, arriving Zurich HB 22:26.
Or take the earlier 16:22 from Paris arriving Zurich 20:26 or an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.
The TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 in 1st class. Fares very like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Zurich. For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station. They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train. For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to Budapest by railjet train RJX 165, leaving Zurich HB at 10:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.
Railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The train travels through the lovely Arlberg pass, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video. Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant car, or you can be served at your seat in 1st & business class.
Fares start at €44.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class or €84.90 in business 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 $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). You print your own ticket.
Swiss lakes: Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.
Arlberg Pass: Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass. The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.
Arlberg Tunnel: Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station. Above right, lunch is served. In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Cutting across Germany: East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here. All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug. The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.
Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.
Paris to Bucharest & Romania
Option 1, Paris to Romania using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable option
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Spend a day in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
You now have a choice:
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Step 2, option A: spend the day in Vienna and travel direct from Vienna to Bucharest on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42, arriving next day in Simeria 07:17, Sighisoara 09:17, Braşov 12:50, Ploiești Vest 14:47 & Bucharest Nord 15:26.
The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of the latest type with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus several 1 or 2 bed compartments with shower & toilet. It has a Romanian couchette car with 4-berth & 6-berth compartments, and 2nd class seats.
A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna & Budapest, treat yourself to dinner. However, there's no catering beyond Budapest so bring a picnic & bottle of wine. There's wonderful Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a treat!
Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes. If it says not available you can't book it, but if a Sparschiene fare is shown you can. You collect tickets from an ÖBB ticket machine in Vienna.
You can also book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti. It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers. For Austria to Romania journeys you can now print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!
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 D and look for Dacia.
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Step 2, option B: You can get to Bucharest sooner if you change in Budapest.
Travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Then take the sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Braşov 08:48, Ploiești 10:55 & Bucharest Nord 11:35.
The Ister has a comfortable air-conditioned Romanian sleeping car with 1, 2 or 3-bed compartments and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-bunk couchettes, and ordinary seats. There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and bottle of wine.
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 up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers. 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.
For Timişoara : Take a railjet train from Vienna to Budapest, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving in Budapest Keleti at 14:19. A comfortable air-conditioned Intercity train then leaves Budapest Keleti at 15:10 arriving Timişoara Nord at 21:38.
The Dacia Express sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf. The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of their most modern type. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple. All compartments have a washbasin, some have shower & toilet. Beds fold away to form a private sitting room for day use. Larger photo.
The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf. There is one Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments, bedding provided. Larger photo.
Option 2, Paris to Romania using the Budapest-Bucharest sleeper - daily departures
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Budapest as shown in option 1, 3, 4 or 5 of the Paris to Budapest section above.
You can leave Paris by TGV high-speed train at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sundays or 13:55 on Saturdays, changing in Munich onto the EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19 next day.
You now have a free day in Budapest, left luggage lockers are available.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Braşov 08:48 & Bucharest Nord 11:35.
The Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth 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 great scenery through the Carpathian mountains beyond Brasov, 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 up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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.
Option 3, Paris to Romania using daytime trains with overnight stops - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Budapest as shown in the Paris to Budapest section.
If you choose option 1, you can get from Paris to Budapest in a single day on Mondays-Saturdays, but by all means choose another option.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Step 2, travel on one of the daytime air-conditioned Intercity trains from Budapest Keleti to Cluj, Arad, Timisoara, Simeria, Sibiu, Brasov & Bucharest. You'll find details of these trains in the Budapest to Romania section on the Budapest page,
Fares start at €26.30 in 2nd class or (where available) €40.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.
Check times & buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using mavcsoport.hu.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You show the ticket in the MAV app on your phone.
You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Paris to Ljubljana & Zagreb
Option 1, Paris to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Stuttgart-Zagreb sleeper - the most time-effective option, recommended
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.
Or on any day of the week you can leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:51 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.
This 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. See the TGV Duplex video. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, using Trainline means you can book all your tickets together in one place).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: In Stuttgart, the bar at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel across the road makes a good VIP waiting lounge, or try the nearby Biergarten im Schlossgarten, see the advice here.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart by sleeper, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Lesce-Bled 07:13, Ljubljana 08:09 & Zagreb 10:39.
This is the Croatian sleeper train Lisinski, which has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats, see the Croatian sleeper video here.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Paris to Ljubljana & Zagreb with overnight stop in Munich - the scenic option, if you prefer day trains to sleepers
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays you can either leave Paris earlier at 13:55 and change at Stuttgart Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf 19:13 or you can take the direct TGV Duplex leaving Paris at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 23:13.
This 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. See the TGV Duplex video. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. I've stayed at both myself, the former is a cosy traditional hotel, the latter has a more modern corporate style. Or try the upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16 by railjet, make an easy cross-platform change at Villach onto a waiting Slovenian & Croatian EuroCity train Sava, arriving Lesce-Bled on Lake Bled at 13:50, Ljubljana 14:31 & Zagreb 17:10.
The scenery is wonderful through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route and along the lovely River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb, have your camera ready.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in at any time and check or re-print your tickets. You print your own ticket or can show on your phone.
Tip: If you don't see any cheap fares from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb using bahn.de (for example, if it says No special fares available), go to the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and book and book from Salzburg to Ljubljana or Zagreb on the same train (these trains leave Salzburg about 1h55 after leaving Munich), then using www.oebb.at again to add a ticket from Munich to Salzburg on the same train.
Option 3, Paris to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Paris-Salzburg Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week
Not the fastest option because of the time between trains in Salzburg, but what's not to like about a morning in that wonderful city? With just 1 change, a high-quality Nightjet sleeper train and a lovely scenic journey in the afternoon across the mountains of Austria, this option is worth considering.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Salzburg by Nightjet, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Salzburg Hbf 07:26.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Enjoy a morning in Salzburg, a wonderful city to visit. Left luggage lockers are available.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Salzburg Hbf for up to 1½ hours before departure, with complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Salzburg to Ljubljana & Zagreb by EuroCity train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 14:12, make one easy change at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:32 & Zagreb 20:45.
There's a restaurant car between Salzburg & Villach on the Slovenian border, reached late afternoon. It's a spectacular journey through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route, then into Slovenia and along the lovely Sava river to Croatia & Zagreb.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (same prices, in €). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, Paris to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper - similar to option 1, but with sleeper from Zurich rather than Munich
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:22, arriving Zurich HB 16:26.
The double-deck TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
Have dinner in Zurich, I recommend steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal at Zurich HB.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline) or the French Railways site 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.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Ljubljana or Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 20:40, arriving Ljubljana 08:13 & Zagreb 10:39.
This train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats. Watch the Croatian sleeper video.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Paris to Dubrovnik & Split
Option 1, Paris to Split & Dubrovnik by train via Zagreb - the scenic overland route
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zagreb as shown in the Paris to Zagreb section above.
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Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Split by train then by bus from Split to Dubrovnik, see the Zagreb-Split-Dubrovnik section.
Option 2, Paris to Split & Dubrovnik by ferry from Italy - a lovely way to reach Croatia
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:18, arriving Milan Centrale 22:07.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
It's a scenic & relaxing journey, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. After an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps into Italy.
Fares start at €29 in standard class, €36 in business class or €165 in Executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
By all means take the competing French TGV if it has cheaper prices, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49.
Or you could take the earlier 09:43 or 12:46 TGV as this would give you more of an evening in Milan and (in winter) show you more of the scenery in daylight, see the Paris-Milan timetable here. Just remember that the TGVs arrive at Milan Porta Garibaldi so you need to transfer to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Bari by Frecciarossa, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:05. It's a lovely run, much of it along the coast.
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.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, 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.
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Have dinner in Bari, then catch the overnight ferry from Bari to Split or Dubrovnik, arriving next morning (day 3). Comfortable en suite cabins are available, and there is a bar & restaurant on board, see here for details of times, fares & how to buy tickets.
Paris to Belgrade & Serbia
Option 1, Paris to Belgrade using the Zurich-Budapest sleeper - due to start 8 October 2025, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by high-speed TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:22, arriving Zurich HB 20:26.
The impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double deck TGV-Lyria has 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria. Have dinner in Zurich, I recommend a beer & steak-frites at the Brasserie Federal on the concourse at Zurich HB.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €51 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 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.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Budapest on the sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Zurich HB at 21:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.
The EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre has a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast is included in the fare. More about this sleeper train. Watch the video.
Fares start at €59 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69 with a couchette in 4-berth, €99 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper 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 fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Look for the direct EuroNight (EN) train with 0 changes. 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, and search for Kalman Imre or 467.
Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.
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Step 3, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Step 1, Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, a 320 km/h double-deck high-speed train. This is the 16:22 TGV-Lyria boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon.
Step 2, Zurich to Budapest by Hungarian sleeper train. Above, the sleeper attendant waits to greet passengers outside his sleeping-car at Zurich HB. Some complimentary Hungarian sparkling wine awaits you in your sleeper. More about this sleeper train.
Step 3, Budapest to Belgrade on a connecting 3-train combo, starts 8 December 2024. This includes a 200 km/h double-deck Serbian SOKO train from Subotica to Belgrade Centar, with refreshments, toilets, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi. Soko is Serbian for falcon, hence the logo! Photo courtesy of Hugo van Vondelen.
Option 2, Paris to Belgrade using the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper -due to start 8 October 2025, see updates.
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Step 1 travel from Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.
On Saturdays, you leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:51 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04, have dinner in Stuttgart.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, see the TGV Duplex video. Times may vary, check them at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
Tip: In Stuttgart, the bar at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel across the road makes a good VIP waiting lounge, or try the nearby Biergarten im Schlossgarten, see the advice here.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.
The EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre has a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast is included in the fare. More about this sleeper train.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. 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 Germany & click EN, then look for Kalman Imre.
Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.
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Step 3, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade, for details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Option 3, Paris to Belgrade using the Stuttgart-Zagreb sleeper -currently involves a bus
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04.
Or on any day of the week you can leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:51 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.
This 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views. See the TGV Duplex video.
Fares start at €39.99 in 2nd class or €49.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29, arriving Zagreb 10:39.
The Croatian sleeper train Lisinski has a smart air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats, see the Croatian sleeper video here.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar 18:12.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended in 2024.
This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no dining-car, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.
The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
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For Montenegro, take the overnight sleeper Lovcen from Belgrade Centar to Podgorica & Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the summer-only daytime train Tara next day. See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule & how to buy tickets.
Option 4, Paris to Belgrade using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper - similar to option 3, but using the sleeper from Zurich rather than Munich
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:22, arriving Zurich HB 16:26.
TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
Have dinner in Zurich, I recommend steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline) or the French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no booking fee. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 20:40, arriving Zagreb 10:39.
This train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats. Watch the Croatian sleeper video.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04, arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar 18:12.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended in 2024.
This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no dining-car, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.
The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
Paris to Sofia & Bulgaria
Option 1, Paris to Sofia via Bucharest
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Vienna overnight as shown above, using the Paris-Vienna sleeper 3-times-a-week.
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 €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.
The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take an earlier train if you'd like more time in Budapest, perhaps for lunch.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Bucharest Nord 11:35 (day 3)
This comfortable train has 4 & 6 berth couchettes and an air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. There's no restaurant car so take a picnic and bottle of wine. There's great Alpine-style scenery in the morning over breakfast through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest.
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 up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
You can also try booking this 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.
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Day 3, stay overnight in Bucharest. The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord, Hello Hotels Gara de Nord & Euro Hotel Grivita are all just a 350m 5 minute walk from the station, inexpensive with good reviews. I personally didn't get on with the Grivita in spite of its good reviews, perhaps try Hello Hotels Gara de Nord. The Ibis Styles Bucharest Center is an 18-minute hike from the station (see walking map), but would be a reliable choice. However, if you want a landmark hotel in the city centre, go for the Athenee Palace Hotel, see why I love that hotel here.
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Day 4, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest-Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page
You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:11 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:35 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria. In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
The fare is €36.
Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Paris to Sofia via Belgrade
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Currently not a viable option while Zagreb-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.
Paris to Bar, Podgorica, Budva & Kotor & Montenegro
Option 1, Paris to Montenegro by train all the way - the adventurous overland option
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Step 2, a daytime and overnight train link Belgrade Centar with Podgorica and Bar over one of the most scenic lines in Europe, for times, fares & photos see the Belgrade to Montenegro page. Change at Podgorica for a bus to Budva or Kotor.
Option 2, Paris to Montenegro by train to Italy then overnight ferry across the Adriatic - a lovely way to reach Montenegro, once or twice a week
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:18, arriving Milan Centrale 22:07.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
It's a scenic & relaxing journey, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. After an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps into Italy.
Fares start at €29 in standard class, €36 in business class or €165 in Executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
By all means take the competing French TGV if it has cheaper prices, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49.
Or you could take the earlier 12:46 TGV as this would give you more of an evening in Milan and (in winter) show you more of the scenery in daylight, see the Paris-Milan timetable here. Just remember that the TGVs arrive at Milan Porta Garibaldi so you need to transfer to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Ancona by Frecciarossa, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:05.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a lovely ride along the coast for much of the way.
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.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, 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.
Allow several hours in Ancona, check ferry check-in times and procedures carefully.
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Day 2, take the overnight ferry from Ancona to Bar in Montenegro, arriving next morning (Day 3).
Montenegro Lines used to sail from Bari to Bar but ceased trading in early 2017, Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) took over this route but then abandoned it. In 2024, Adria Ferries started a twice-weekly ferry from Ancona to Bar, which may run again in 2025. Days and times varied.
Check sailing dates & book online at www.adriaferries.com/en/lines/ancona-bar.html.
You can book a private cabin or berth in a shared cabin. There are also reclining seats, but a bed in a cabin means a safe & secure night's sleep.
In July & August 2025 you'll also find a weekly ferry from Bari to Bar on Tuesdays run by Jadrolinija, www.jadrolinija.hr.
If you find no sailings to Bar, book a sailing from Bari to Dubrovnik in Croatia with www.jadrolinija.hr. From Dubrovnik it's a 3h45 bus ride to Bar.
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.
Paris to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland from €68
Option 1, Paris to Warsaw in a day - possible Mondays-Fridays
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Berlin, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 07:18 Mondays-Fridays, change at Mannheim, arriving Berlin Hbf 16:32.
It's a chill-out journey across Europe, using a 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex from Paris to Mannheim with cafe-bar & power sockets at all seats, then a superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi from Mannheim to Berlin.
In Berlin, you've time for a stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train leaving Berlin Hbf at 17:52 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Warsaw Centralna 23:00.
The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals. Treat yourself to an inexpensive dinner with a beer or two, I recommend the zurek soup & kotlet schabowy. More about Berlin-Poland EuroCity trains.
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How much does it cost?
Paris to Berlin starts at €59.99 in 2nd class or €89.99 in 1st class.
Berlin to Warsaw starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Do a dry run first to check times and prices for both sectors.
Step 1, use int.bahn.de to book from Paris to Berlin.
Before running the enquiry, click Stopovers and enter Mannheim with a 30 minute length of stay. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, look for a journey with 1 change.
Step 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Berlin to Warsaw.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time. You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
Option 2, Paris to Krakow or Warsaw using the Paris-Berlin Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - the time-effective option
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Berlin by Nightjet, leaving Paris Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Berlin Hbf 08:26.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Poland by train:
For Warsaw, leave Berlin Hbf at 09:52 by EuroCity train, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00.
For Wroclaw & Krakow, leave Berlin Hbf at 12:52 by EuroCity train, arriving Wroclaw Glowny 16:53, Katowice 19:12 & Krakow Glowny 20:06.
For Gdansk & Gydnia, leave Berlin by direct EuroCity train at 14:52, or take the earlier 09:52 and change, check times at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Paris to Poland using the Paris-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train 3 times a week - a comfortable option with lunch in Vienna
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 19:12 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 10:13.
Update: This train will run until mid-December 2025 and will then be discontinued.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Enjoy a morning in Vienna and have lunch there.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Warsaw on the EuroCity train Polonia leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:10, arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:55.
For Krakow, travel from Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train Danubius, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:10, arriving Krakow Glowny at 21:25.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, Paris to Warsaw or Krakow with overnight stop in Berlin
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Berlin by high-speed train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:55 daily, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:03.
The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat. This new direct service started in December 2024. Other departures are available with a change of train, see the Paris-Berlin section.
Fares start at €59.99 in 2nd class or €89.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.
You print your own ticket or show
it on your phone. -
Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2 for Warsaw
Travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train. The first one leaves Berlin Hbf at 05:51 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Warsaw Centralna 11:00 or there's one at 09:52 every day arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at int.bahn.de,
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.
You print your own ticket or show
it on your phone.
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Day 2 for Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw
Travel from Berlin to Krakow by air-conditioned EuroCity train Galicija, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 12:52, Katowice 15:09 & Krakow Glowny 16:09. Later trains are available, see the timetable here.
The EuroCity train is comfortable & air-conditioned with restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.
You print your own ticket or show
it on your phone.
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Day 2 for Gdansk & Gydnia
A direct EuroCity train leaves Berlin at 14:52 for Gdansk & Gydnia, or you can take an earlier train and change, check times at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.
You print your own ticket or show
it on your phone.
Paris to Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn
Option 1, Paris to Vilnius with overnight stop in Warsaw
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Warsaw as shown in the Paris to Warsaw section. On weekdays you can do this in a single day.
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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 guide.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius by train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 07:55, change at Mockava, arriving Vilnius 17:29.
For photos, fares & how to buy tickets, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.
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Stay overnight in Vilnius. Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, a 6-minute walk from the station, or the quirky Grotthuss Boutique Hotel, a 11-minute walk from the station towards the old town, both with excellent reviews. At the upmarket end, the Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel gets great reviews and is just a 13 minute walk from the station.
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Day 3, travel from Vilnius to Riga (Latvia) or Tallinn (Estonia) by train as shown on the Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn page.
Option 2, Paris to Vilnius with overnight stop in Berlin - possible from 14 December 2025, 6 days a week
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Berlin by high-speed train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:55 daily, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:03.
The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat. This new direct service started in December 2024. Other departures are available with a change of train, see the Paris-Berlin section.
Fares start at €59.99 in 2nd class or €89.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.
You print your own ticket or show
it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 05:51 Mondays-Saturdays only, arriving Warsaw Centralna 11:00.
The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car, treat yourself to a cooked Polish breakfast.
You've time for lunch in Warsaw, or a visit to the Palace of Culture.
Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at int.bahn.de,
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius by train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 14:57, change at Mockava, arriving Vilnius 23:??.
For details including fares & how to buy tickets, see the Warsaw to Vilnius page.
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Stay overnight in Vilnius. Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, a 6-minute walk from the station, or the quirky Grotthuss Boutique Hotel, a 11-minute walk from the station towards the old town, both with excellent reviews. At the upmarket end, the Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel gets great reviews and is just a 13 minute walk from the station.
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Day 3, travel from Vilnius to Riga (Latvia) & Tallinn (Estonia) by train, see the Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn page.
Above, the Warsaw to Vilnius train service involves a simple cross-platform change at Mockava from a Polish train to a Lithuanian one.
Paris to Kyiv & Ukraine
Option 1, Paris to Lviv & Kyiv via Vienna - fastest & most comfortable, but often fully-booked
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Vienna overnight by Nightjet sleeper train on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays as shown in the Paris-Vienna section. Book this as shown.
If you need to leave on another day of the week, see the other daily options in the Paris-Vienna section.
Enjoy the best part of a day in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
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Day 1, travel from Vienna to Ukraine by sleeping-car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 daily, arriving Lviv 09:59 & Kyiv 16:41 (day 3).
Introduced in 2017, this train consists of 2 or sometimes 3 direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars attached to a Vienna-Zahony EuroCity train. The sleeping-cars have comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').
Vienna to Lviv costs €71.20 in a 3-berth sleeper, €79.20 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €130 in a single sleeper.
Vienna to Kyiv costs €89.60 in a 3-berth sleeper, €99.60 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €170 in a single sleeper.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking for these direct sleeping-cars opens 20 days ahead, but tickets sell out a day or two after booking opens, so book as soon as the booking period opens. If the ÖBB website says Ticket not available within 20 days it means fully-booked, if it says that more than 20 days ahead it means booking isn't open yet.
Tickets can now be printed out so you can book in either direction. However, you must print the ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.
Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kyiv to Vienna costs around €80, Lviv to Vienna around €60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.
Option 2, Paris to Lviv & Kyiv via Budapest - comfortable, easy to book, usually with good availability.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Vienna overnight by Nightjet sleeper train on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays as shown in the Paris-Vienna section. Book this as shown.
If you need to leave on another day of the week, see the other daily options in the Paris-Vienna section.
Enjoy the best part of a day in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.
The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all sears & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Ukraine by sleeper train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 22:40, arriving Lviv 13:38 & Kyiv Pass 19:11 (day 3).
The sleeper train Transcarpathia consists of up to 8 Ukrainian sleeping-cars, with one car of 1st class 2-berth compartments (spalny vagon), and up to 7 cars of 2nd class 4-berth compartments (kupé).
Bedding is provided, there are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor. The sleeper attendants can provide snacks and delicious Ukrainian tea, but bring your own food as there's no catering car. The train is jacked up at Chop on the Ukrainian border to have its bogies changed from standard gauge (4' 8½") to Ukrainian gauge (5').
You can check the consist and car numbers for this train using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, and search for Transcarpathia.
Fares start at:
€63.10 with a bed in a 2nd class 4-berth sleeper.
€76.10 with a bed in a 2-berth 1st class sleeper.
These are limited-availability fares book online in advance.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my tips for using it.
Booking opens 3 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone in the MAV app.
Tip: You should select 2-bed compartment (double) or sleeping-car, 4-bed compartment. Single and triple options are shown, but result in a ticket without reservation. If it says x Reservation not included, do not proceed. Like I said, select double or 4-berth!
Above left, the Transcarpathia on its first day of operation. Above right, a 1st class 2-bed sleeper. Courtesy of Ukrainian Railways Укрзалізниця.
Paris to Moscow & Russia
Option 1, ride the Paris to Moscow Express from €245! See the Paris-Moscow Express page.
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There is an excellent direct Russian sleeper train from Paris Gare de l'Est to Moscow once a week all year on Thursday nights, taking 2 nights.
This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & the war in Ukraine.
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For days of running, fares, how to buy tickets and photos of what the train is like, see the Paris-Moscow Express page.
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For St Petersburg it's best to travel via Moscow. Moscow to St Petersburg takes as little as 3h50 by daytime Sapsan trains, or can be done an a number of traditional overnight sleepers. See the train travel in Russia page to buy tickets within Russia.
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.
Option 2, Paris to Moscow using the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper train
This option may not be as glamorous as the direct Paris-Moscow Express, but it's very comfortable and runs every day. It can be cheaper as there are advance-purchase fares for the Paris-Berlin-Warsaw part of the trip, and you can stop off in Warsaw on the way.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Berlin by high-speed train, as shown in the Paris to Berlin section above for more details.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:00.
Tip: On Mondays-Saturdays there's an earlier Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train at 05:51 arriving 11:00 which would give you time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city guide. Warsaw's historic old town is a 30 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant (www.ufukiera.pl) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town. The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at int.bahn.de. Booking opens 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
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Day 2 evening, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 every day, arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 next day. You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.
This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & the war in Ukraine
This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers. Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth. The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague. There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.
You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com - their booking system is at booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.
Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.
Option 3, Paris to Moscow via Kyiv - avoiding the need for a Belarus visa and any problems reaching Russia via Belarus
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It's not that difficult to get a Belarus transit visa and the Paris-Moscow Express is a superb train. But some people want to avoid the cost & bureaucracy of yet another visa, and you can easily travel via Kyiv.
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Step 1, travel from Paris to Kyiv as shown in the Paris to Kyiv section above.
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Step 2, travel from Kyiv to Moscow by overnight train. There are several night trains and times vary by date, but for example train 6 leaves Kyiv around 19:36 and arriving in Moscow Kievskaya station next morning at around 10:09, with 2-berth & 4-berth sleepers available. Check times for your date using int.bahn.de. Note that there's also a direct train from Kyiv to St Petersburg, but this passes through a small corner of Belarus, requiring a Belarus visa.
Kyiv-Moscow trains were suspended due to Covid-19, now cancelled - and lines blown up - due to the war in Ukraine
Kyiv to Moscow costs around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.
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Use reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com to book both your Warsaw-Kyiv and Kyiv-Moscow trains. Tickets are collected in Warsaw.
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You can also 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!
Paris to Athens & Greece
Option 1, Paris to Athens by train & ferry via Italy - the leisurely way in less than 48 hours, recommended
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:18, arriving Milan Centrale at 22:07.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic & relaxing journey on a modern air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see for yourself on the Paris-Milan by train page. It's an initial dash at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) along the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, but south of Lyon the train slows right down and snakes through the mountains into Italy.
Fares start at €35 in standard class, €49 in business class or €165 in Executive class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
By all means take the competing French TGV if it has cheaper prices, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49. Or on weekdays you could take the earlier 12:46 TGV as this would give you more of an evening in Milan and (in winter) show you more of the scenery in daylight, see the Paris-Milan timetable here. Just remember that the TGVs arrive at Milan Porta Garibaldi so you need to transfer to Milan Centrale by train, taxi or on foot.
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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.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Bari by Frecciarossa, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:05, arriving Bari Centrale 15:27.
The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic run along the Adriatic coast, past small towns & seaside resorts.
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.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Corfu: The Bari-Patras ferry calls at Corfu on certain dates in summer. It calls at Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland on all departures year-round. If you can't find a direct ferry to Corfu, book the ferry from Bari to Igoumenitsa, then take the local ferry from Igoumenitsa to Corfu with Kerkyra Lines (kerkyralines.com). These sail half a dozen times a day, crossing time 60-90 minutes, fare around €5-€10. Buy a ticket at kerkyralines.com or when you get to Igoumenitsa.
Option 2, Paris to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade - an overland adventure
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The overland route from Paris to Athens via Munich, Zagreb, Belgrade, Thessaloniki sn't practical at the moment as train service on various parts of it are suspended.
Paris to Istanbul & Turkey
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Paris to Istanbul is an epic and adventurous 3 or 4 night journey right across Europe into the Balkans. For details of how to plan and book a journey from Paris to Istanbul by train, see the London to Istanbul page and simply ignore the London to Paris part.
Hotels in Paris
A special hotel for a romantic break in Paris
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There are the obvious choices: The famous Paris Ritz in the Place Vendôme (€490+ a night) or the similarly famous & expensive Le Meurice, which Von Choltitz made his headquarters during the occupation of Paris in WW2.
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But if you want a really special hotel for a luxury break or romantic weekend and can afford around €280 a night, I'd recommend the small, sumptuous, intimate L'Hotel. It's on the bohemian left bank, walking distance from the Seine, the Ile de la Cité & Notre Dame. Playwright Oscar Wilde spent the last days of his life here in room 16, famously quipping, "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.". Fortunately the wallpaper is now all in very good taste. The hotel has been used by many famous people since then, from Sinatra to Mick Jagger. Rooms are on the cosy side, but they are beautifully decorated and have character that bigger and flashier hotels lack. Check prices & book a stay at l'Hotel.
Hotels close to the Gare du Nord & other Paris stations
If you need to stay over between trains, here are some suggestions that are both very close and get good reviews:
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Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews: Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station); Art Hotel (3-star); Avalon Hotel (2-star); Hotel Cambrai (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 1-star).
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Hotels near Paris Gare de l'Est with good reviews: Libertel Gare de l'Est Français (opposite the station, 3-star); Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (350m from the Gare de l'Est, 2-star). OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est (2-star).
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Hotels near Paris Gare de Lyon with good reviews: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star);
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Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews: Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the Gare Montparnasse, 4-star); Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk to Gare Montparnasse, 3-star); La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star); Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).
Backpacker hostels:
www.hostelworld.com
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 Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.