• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets for each of these trains at www.raileurope.com, adding each ticket to your basket, then check out.  www.raileurope.com connects to both the Italian and French booking systems so you can book all these trains in the same place, in €, £ or $.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  There's a small booking fee.

  Alternatively, you can book the Italian train at www.trenitalia.com, the French TGV & Thalys at the French Railways website  en.oui.sncf.

Option 2, by high-speed train with overnight stop in Turin...

• Day 1, travel from Rome Termini to Turin Porta Susa on any afternoon or evening train you like.

  You can leave Rome as late as 18:50 arriving Turin 22:59, but I'd take an earlier train as Turin is well worth a stopover.  It's possibly one of Italy's most under-rated cities, even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job.

  You could take one of NTV's Italo high-speed trains or one of Trenitalia's Frecciarossa high-speed trains, two competing operators, take whichever you like the look of.

• Stay overnight in Turin.  I recommend the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano or Al Porta Susa B&B, all all next to Turin Porta Susa station with good or great reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Turin Porta Susa to Paris Gare de Lyon on either of the two morning TGV high-speed trains, see the timetable here.

  The TGVs have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, at low speed through the Alps, then a final dash along the high-speed line to Paris, see the video here.  Bring a good book and a bottle of wine, and make it a relaxing afternoon with your feet up.  For more information see the Paris-Milan by TGV page.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by taxi or metro.

• Day 2, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi in 1h20 by Thalys high-speed train.

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, WiFi and power sockets at all seats, see the Thalys information page.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, preferably a bit more.

• Summary...

  Day 1, leave Rome Termini 18:50, arrive Turin Porta Susa 22:59 or by all means take an earlier train.

  Day 2, leave Turin Porta Susa 07:36, change trains & stations in Paris, arrive Brussels Midi 17:17.

  Day 2 leave Turin Porta Susa 10:06, change trains & stations in Paris, arrive Brussels Midi 18:47.

• How much does it cost? 

  Rome to Turin by Frecciarossa starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Turin to Paris starts at €29 in 2nd class or €44 in 1st class.

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

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

• How to buy tickets...

  The easiest place to buy tickets is at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com as these connect to both the Trenitalia and SNCF ticketing systems so you can book all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  There's a small booking fee.

  First book Rome to Turin and add to basket.  Then book Turin to Brussels for the following day, add to basket & check out.

  Tip:  Before running the Turin to Brussels enquiry at www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via point with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour to ensure a robust connection.  If you don't do this, the system allows cross-Paris connections as tight as 40 minutes, which I consider too tight.

  The Italian train is ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on board.  For the two French trains, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• How to buy tickets, advanced...

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more work, more fiddly, same fares, but saves the booking fee.  First book the Italian train at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund their small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it), then book the TGV & Thalys at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf.

Option 3, using the Rome-Munich Nightjet sleeper train - an easy & time-effective option, with no need to cross Paris... 

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Munich by excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17, arriving Munich Hbf 09:21.

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Brussels by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:45, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 17:35.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

2-berth regular sleeper with washstand.  Larger photo.		The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper...		A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Rome to Munich.  More information about Nightjets.

Austrian couchette car or liegewagen...		6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...

Option 4, by day trains with overnight stop in Munich - if you prefer day trains to sleepers, also avoids crossing Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Munich, leaving Rome Termini at 12:15, changing at Bologna Centrale and arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

  By all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich - you'll find journeys arriving Munich at 16:26, 18:27 or 20:26, for example - just check times at www.raileurope.com.

  You take an Italian high-speed Frecciarossa to Bologna (or on some departures, Verona) with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car for dinner through the scenic Brenner pass to Munich Hbf.  The journey is worth doing in daylight.

  Rome to Bologna or Verona starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Bologna or Verona to Munich starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Rome Termini to Munich Hbf at www.raileurope.com, but (this is important) click More options, enter Bologna Centrale as a via station and a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  Look for journeys with just 1 change.  Now re-run the enquiry with Verona Porta Nuova as a via station also with 45 minutes stopover selected to see if this gives a cheaper or quicker 1-change journey, which it will be on some departures.

  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead for Italian trains, which are ticketless, you simply quote the booking reference on the train.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for the Austrian EuroCity trains, you print your own ticket or can show them on your laptop or smartphone.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno are all right next to the station with good or great reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Brussels on ICE trains, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:45, change in Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 15:35.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

Option 1, Rome to Amsterdam in a single day - daily except Saturdays...

• Incredibly, it's now possible to get from Rome to Amsterdam in a single day using top-quality high-speed trains, with some wonderful views of Italian & Swiss lakes.  It's a long day, however, so consider using a sleeper (option 2) or breaking up the journey with an overnight stop at Zurich or Munich (options 3 & 4).  But here's how to cross Europe in comfort by train in a single day...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini 07:20 (07:10 Sundays), arriving Milan Centrale 10:35 (10:50 Sundays).

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class (standard) or €39.90 in 1st class (business).  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.  it's ticketless, you just quote the reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Frankfurt by ETR610 EuroCity train leaving Milan Centrale at 11:20 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 18:44.

  The  EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely ride through the Alps past Lake Maggiore and via the famous Simplon & Lötschberg route.  Treat yourself to lunch as the lakes & mountains glide by.

• Step 3, travel from Frankfurt to Amsterdam by ICE3, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 19:29 and arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 23:28.  This train runs daily except Saturdays and a few other dates.

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

  Fares from Milan to Amsterdam start at €59.90 in 2nd class or €119.90 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Milan to Amsterdam at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

An ETR610 at Milan Centrale, as used on the direct Milan-Frankfurt EuroCity train.  More information about ETR610 trains.

Table for 4 in 2nd class, ideal for families...		1st class seats on the ETR610 EuroCity train...

Lake Maggiore, seen over lunch in the restaurant car...

The restaurant car on an ETR610...		Dinner in the diner...

Option 2, Rome to Amsterdam using the Rome-Munich sleeper - the safe, comfortable & time-effective option... 

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 and arriving Munich Hbf at 09:21. 

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Amsterdam by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 11:45, making one easy change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 20:28.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Tip:  Change Duration of transfer from standard to at least 40 minutes. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

2-berth regular sleeper with washstand.  Larger photo.		The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper...		A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Rome to Munich.  More information about Nightjets...

Austrian couchette car or liegewagen...		6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...

An ICE3 at Amsterdam Centraal platform 2...		ICE3 2nd class seats.  Larger photo.

ICE3 1st class, with leather seats.  Larger photo.		ICE3 bistro.  See this month's menu.

Option 3, Rome to Amsterdam by day trains with overnight stop in Zurich - if you prefer day trains to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Milan by high-speed Frecciarossa train in 2h55 then from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train in 3h17.

  You can leave Rome Termini at 15:20 arriving Zurich HB at 22:50, but trains leave every hour, so by all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, the EuroCity train has a restaurant car, both trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely ride along Lake Maggiore and through the Swiss Alps, see the Milan to Zurich video.

  Fares from Rome to Milan start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Fares from Milan to Zurich start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.  Booking usually opens 90 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply quote the booking reference on board the train.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, look no further than the superb five-star Hotel Schweizerhof, just across the road from Zurich HB - they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper but also near the station with great reviews, try the Hotel du Théatre or Hotel St Gotthard.  If you're on a tight budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Amsterdam by ICE, leaving Zurich HB at 08:00, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 17:28.

  By all means choose an earlier or later train, check times online.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

Option 4, Rome to Amsterdam by day trains with overnight stop in Munich - Another option if you prefer day trains to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Munich, leaving Rome Termini at 12:15, changing at Bologna Centrale and arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

  By all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich - you'll find journeys arriving Munich at 16:26, 18:27 or 20:26, for example - just check times at www.raileurope.com.

  You take an Italian high-speed Frecciarossa to Bologna (or on some departures, Verona) with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car for dinner through the scenic Brenner pass to Munich Hbf.  The journey is worth doing in daylight.

  Rome to Bologna or Verona starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Bologna or Verona to Munich starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. 

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Rome Termini to Munich Hbf at www.raileurope.com, but (this is important) click More options, enter Bologna Centrale as a via station and a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  Look for journeys with just 1 change.  Now re-run the enquiry with Verona Porta Nuova as a via station also with 45 minutes stopover selected to see if this gives a cheaper or quicker 1-change journey, which it will be on some departures.

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead for Italian trains, which are ticketless, you simply quote the booking reference on the train.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for the Austrian EuroCity trains, you print your own ticket or can show them on your laptop or smartphone.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  Try the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno, all these hotels are right next to the station with great reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Amsterdam by ICE train , leaving Munich Hbf at 07:45, making one easy change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:28 - but by all means choose an earlier or later departure. 

  ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

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

The restaurant car on a EuroCity from Verona to Munich, at Verona.  You don't need to book a table, just go along and sit down.  Dining on the move as the Brenner Pass scenery glides by is one of the pleasures of travelling on trains like this.  More photos & information about these Austrian EuroCity trains.

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

Watch out for hilltop fortresses...

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

Mountains on the Brenner route...  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here...

Option 5, Rome to Amsterdam via Paris - the route to use if you want to stop off in Paris...

• Step 1, travel from Rome Termini to Turin Porta Susa by Frecciarossa high-speed train in 4h15.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, with Italiarail the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).

  If making a same-day connection in Turin I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains, just in case of delay.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply quote the booking reference on the train.

• Step 2, travel from Turin Porta Susa to Paris Gare de Lyon in around 5h40 on one of the three daily TGV trains, see the timetable here.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Paris-Milan TGV information page.  It's a scenic run!

  Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €44 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• If making a same-day connection in Paris, allow at least 60 minutes preferably more to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

• Step 3, travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal by Thalys high-speed train in 3h18.

  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Thalys information page.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or en.oui.sncf.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

Rome to Luxembourg...

Option 1, Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train then daytime trains to Luxembourg...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 every night and arriving Munich Hbf at 09:21.

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Luxembourg, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:28 by ICE train, change at Mannheim, Saarbrucken & Trier, arriving Luxembourg at 17:24.

  Fares start at €32.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Munich to Luxembourg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de, allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Munich.

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

  Tip:  To avoid buses and get an all-train journey, click Add intermediate stops and enter Igel as a via station.

2-berth regular sleeper with washstand.  Larger photo.		The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper...		A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Florence to Munich.  More information about Nightjets.

Austrian couchette car or liegewagen...		6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Zurich...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa & Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train as shown in the Rome to Switzerland section below.

  You can leave Rome Termini as late as 15:25, but an earlier train will give you more of an evening in Zurich.

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply quote the booking reference on board.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, look no further than the superb 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof, just across the road from Zurich station.  One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper but also near the station with great reviews, try the Hotel du Théatre or Hotel St Gotthard.  If you're on a tight budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

• Step 2, travel from Zurich to Luxembourg on any train you like, for example, leaving Zurich HB at 07:59, changing at Mannheim & Trier, arriving Luxembourg at 15:24.

  Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the easiest departure with just 1 change, leaving Zurich HB at 10:59 by direct EuroCity train EC8 to Koblenz, time for coffee in Koblenz, then the 17:06 from Koblenz direct to Luxembourg arriving 19:24.

  These are all comfortable air-conditioned trains and they all head along the scenic Rhine Valley route between Mainz and Koblenz past vineyards, castles, river boats & the legendary Lorelei Rock - see the Rails Down the Rhine page - then along the pretty Moselle river to Trier.  The whole journey is made on a through ticket, so no worries about connections, they normally go like clockwork.  There are earlier or later departures, too, just check online.

  Tip:  EuroCity train EC8 has a Swiss 1st class panorama car, to book it, see the advice on the Rails Down the Rhine page.

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

  Book from Munich to Luxembourg at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

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

  Tip:  To get an all-train journey and avoid journeys with a bus, click Add intermediate stops and enter Igel as a via station.

Back to top

• How much does it cost?

  Rome to Milan start at €29.90 in 2nd (standard) class or €39.90 in 1st (business) class.

  Milan to Geneva, Zurich & other Swiss cities start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class when using a direct train.

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

A EuroCity train about to leave Milan Centrale for Switzerland.  More information about these EuroCity trains.

Table for 4 in 2nd class, ideal for families...		1st class seats on the ETR610 EuroCity train...

Restaurant car on an ETR160...		Lunch!

This is Lake Maggiore, seen from the restaurant car of the 11:25 Milan to Basel EuroCity train over an excellent lunch of salmon tagliatelle & excellent Swiss red wine...

This is Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan-Zurich EuroCity train...

Option 2, Rome to St Moritz, Chur, Zurich via the Bernina route.  This is much slower and a little more fiddly to book, but it's an amazing experience, arguably the best Swiss Alpine train ride of them all...

• This is a slow local route, with part of the journey on the fabulous narrow-gauge Bernina Railway.  But it's one of the most scenic routes in the Alps, or anywhere for that matter.  Watch the video:  Milan to Zurich via the wonderfully scenic Bernina route.

• Step 1, take an early high-speed train from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale, arriving any time before 09:40.  Book this at either www.italiarail.com & www.trenitalia.com.

• Step 2, take a local train from Milan Centrale to Tirano.  The 10:20 from Milan connects with the Bernina Express itself, with time for a sandwich and beer in Tirano, see the Bernina Express page.  However, these trains run every 2 hours throughout the day, fare around €12, you can check train times at www.trenord.it.  No reservation is necessary or even possible, you just buy a ticket to Tirano from the self-service machines at Milan Centrale and hop on the next train.  At Tirano, the Italian railways station is right next to the Rhätische Bahn one on the same town square. 

• Step 3, now take one of the regular Rhätische Bahn trains from Tirano to St Moritz & Chur.  This is the fabulous Bernina Express route over the Bernina Pass.  You can check times & prices from Tirano to St Moritz, Chur or Zurich at the main Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.  If you take one of the regular normal local trains, no reservation is necessary or possible, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.  Only if you want to use the once or twice daily Bernina Express with its special all-reserved panoramic carriages do you need a seat reservation, see www.rhb.ch and the seat61 Bernina Express page.

  How to buy a cheap ticket from Tirano to Zurich from €29.90...  Normal Swiss fares are expensive, so see my instructions for buying a cheap advance-purchase ticket from Tirano to Chur or Zurich here.

• Step 4, on arrival in Chur, simply cross the platform to the waiting half-hourly InterCity or InterRegional train to Zurich.  Again, no reservation necessary or possible, if you're bound for Zurich simply buy a ticket to Zurich in Tirano.  You can check times and fares from Tirano to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com or www.sbb.ch.

Bernina Express 1st class seats...		the Bernina Express uses panoramic carriages...

The Bernina Express descends from the Bernina Pass...

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Rome to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain...

Option 1, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Marseille - usually the cheapest & most direct option...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Marseille, leaving Rome Termini at 07:20 by Frecciarossa high-speed train to Milan Centrale, then taking the 11:10 Thello train from Milan Centrale to Marseille St Charles arriving 18:31.

  This is a lovely journey with fabulous coastal scenery through Genoa, San Remo, Nice & Cannes.  By all means take an earlier train and stop off in Nice or spend an afternoon in Marseille, a great city to visit.  The Thello train has a cafe counter.

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

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Spain by AVE-S100, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:02, arriving Barcelona Sants 12:34 & Madrid Atocha 15:41.

  The AVE-S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You'll pass Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Montpelier & Perpignan, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks, and get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see the photos & information here.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish cities by high-speed train:  There are regular trains from Barcelona Sants to Valencia or Alicante, there's a 15:50 direct AVE from Barcelona Sants to Cordoba, Malaga & Seville arriving in the evening, and a 15:30 Alvia train from Barcelona Sants to Pamplona & San Sebastian, arriving in the evening.

• How much does it cost?

  Rome to Milan starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Milan to Marseille starts at €30.

  Marseille-Barcelona starts at €25 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.  Marseille-Madrid starts at €35 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

  Barcelona to Malaga or Seville starts at around €45.  Barcelona to Pamplona or San Sebastian starts at around €28.

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

• Buy tickets the easy way...

  Go to either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Book from Rome to Marseille on day 1 and add it to your basket.  Then book from Marseille to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Malaga or wherever for day 2, add it to your basket and check out.

  www.thetrainline.com & www.raileurope.com both connect to the Italian, French & Spanish rail ticketing systems, so you can buy all these tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem.  There's a small booking fee.

  Booking for the Marseille-Barcelona-Madrid AVE opens up to 4 months ahead, but trains within Spain normally only open 60 days ahead, although this varies.

  Thello & Italian trains are ticketless, you just quote your booking reference to the conductor on board.  For the AVE, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.  For Spanish trains, you print your own ticket.

• Alternatively, you can book each train separately like this, although it's more work and the fares should be the same...

  Step 1, book from Rome Termini to Marseille St Charles using either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, English place names, and they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com (you'll need to use Italian language place names).  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference to the conductor on board the train.

  Step 2, book from Marseille to Barcelona or Madrid at the French Railways website en.oui.sncf (in €, more fiddly).  You print your own ticket.

  Step 3, book any onward trains within Spain at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it).  You print your own tickets.

Milan to Marseille by Thello.  This is a train to Nice at Milan Centrale.  More photos & information about Thello trains.

2nd class seats on the Thello train.  All seats have power sockets, with plenty of luggage space on racks and between seat backs.		1st class seats.  All seats have power sockets.  There's plenty of room for luggage on racks & between seat backs...

View from the train between Nice & Marseille...

Marseille to Barcelona by AVE.  This is an AVE-S100 at Barcelona Sants.

1st class seats on an AVE S100.  360º photo of 1st class.		Cafe-bar...

These S100 AVE trains operate the TGV/AVE services from Madrid to Marseille, Barcelona to Lyon, Toulouse.  This is an AVE-S100 at Barcelona Sants.		2nd class seats on the S100 AVE, all with power sockets.  Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends or above the seats.  360º photo of 2nd class More photos & info about AVE S100.

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

Option 2, by daytime high-speed trains with hotel in Geneva...

• This is a pleasant way to go, with interesting scenery on the way and a chance to spend some time in Geneva.  Leave Rome mid-afternoon, sleep soundly in a hotel in Geneva, spend a pleasant morning in Geneva next day, then take a TER regional train to Lyon and high-speed AVE to Barcelona arriving in the evening.

• Day 1, travel from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa high-speed train & from Milan Centrale to Geneva by ETR610 EuroCity train.

  You can leave Rome at 13:50, change Milan, arriving Geneva at 21:21.  Or leave Rome at 15:50, change Milan, arriving Geneva at 23:54.

  Fares start at €29.90 for Rome-Milan + €29 for Milan-Geneva.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Rome to Geneva at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee), using either of these websites means all your tickets can be booked together in one place.  Or book at www.italiarail.com in €, £ or $, the small fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com.

• Stay overnight in Geneva.  Suggested hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.  Hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, if you're on a budget you can book budget private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station using www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Geneva to Barcelona, leaving Geneva at 11:30 by TER regional train, change trains at Lyon Part Dieu (arrive 13:25, depart 14:28) onto the afternoon AVE-S100 high-speed train to Barcelona, arriving Barcelona Sants at 19:33.

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

  Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price €29.60.  Lyon-Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, these fares vary like air fares.

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

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

• Day 3, travel from Barcelona Sants to anywhere in Spain by high-speed train.

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

  For Madrid:  AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35, check times at www.raileurope.com.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Cordoba 13:12 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:02.  Fares start at €53.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the 15:50 AVE S112 high-speed train to Cordoba & Seville.

  For Malaga:  Take the 09:00 AVE high-speed train to Madrid Atocha arriving 11:45, then the 13:00 AVE high-speed train to Malaga Maria Zambrano, arriving 16:05.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the direct 15:50 AVE S112 high-speed train to Malaga.

  For Granada:  A direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:30 arriving Granada at 14:52.

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

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

Option 3, Italy to Barcelona by luxury cruise ferry...

• Another excellent option is the Grimaldi Lines cruise ferry from Civitavecchia (an hour by regional train north of Rome) and Barcelona.  The ferry sails daily at 22:15 and arrives at 18:15 next day.  To check times, fares, accommodation and to book online use the Direct Ferries website or go to www.grimaldi-lines.com.  Grimaldi Lines also run a ferry several times a week between Barcelona and Livorno, and between Salerno (near Naples) and Valencia.

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Rome to Lisbon & Portugal...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Marseille, stay overnight, then take the morning AVE high-speed train from Marseille to Madrid on day 2 as shown in the Rome to Madrid section above.  You've an evening in Madrid.

• Day 2, take the excellent overnight sleeper train Trainhotel Lusitania overnight from Madrid to Lisbon as shown in the Madrid to Lisbon page, arriving at 07:30 on day 3.

• Change at Lisbon Oriente for trains to Porto & Faro, as shown in the Madrid to Lisbon section.

Gran Clase sleeper, in evening mode with the seats folded out...		...return from dinner to find the attendant has made up the beds...		Gran Clase sleepers have toilet & shower...		The trainhotel Lusitania from Madrid to Lisbon is an articulated Spanish Talgo train.  Seen here at Madrid Chamartin station.

The trainhotel's café-bar serves drinks & food.  Grab a barstool early, it gets crowded later on!		4-berth tourist class sleepers (Turista Cama), cosy & inexpensive.  They convert from beds to seats.

Option 2, Rome to Faro & the Algarve using a bus from Seville...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Barcelona as shown above.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:30 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:02.

  Fares start at around €46.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com (easiest, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, only in €, may reject some overseas credit cards).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus.  Buses run from Seville Plaza de Armas to Faro several times daily, journey time around 3h40, fare around €16-€20.

  Buses are run by Damas, Eva-Bus & Alsa amongst others, you can check times & buy tickets for various bus companies all in one place at Omio.com.  You print your own ticket.

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Rome to Andorra...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Marseille as shown in the Rome to Nice & Marseille section above.

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Marseille to Toulouse by Intercité leaving Marseille St Charles at 09:31 & arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 13:14.

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

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

• Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau station to Andorra la Vella by bus.  Andbus run several buses per day taking 4 hours, fare €33.  There's a bus leaving Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 15:00 arriving Andorra 19:00.  Check times & book the bus at www.andorrabybus.com.  I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay.

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Rome to Munich, Berlin & Germany from €39...

Option 1, Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train & onward train to Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin or anywhere in Germany - the time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 every night and arriving Munich Hbf at 09:21.

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Munich to anywhere in Germany, for example leaving Munich Hbf 10:51 by ICE train arriving Berlin Hbf at 15:29.

  Book from Munich to any German destination at the German Railways website www.bahn.de with fares from €18.90 upwards, allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Munich.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

2-berth regular sleeper with washstand.  Larger photo.		The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper...		A Comfortline sleeping-car, as used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Rome to Munich.  More information about Nightjets...

Austrian couchette car or liegewagen...		6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...

Option 2, Rome to Hamburg or Berlin using the Zurich-Hamburg/Berlin sleeper - another time-effective option...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini at 10:50 and arriving Milan Centrale at 14:00.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund their small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 15:10 and arriving Zurich HB at 18:27.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely run through the Alps, past Italian and Swiss lakes and passing through the world's longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel.  Have dinner in Zurich, I can recommend the steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal on the main concourse at Zurich HB.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Germany by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:59 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 07:53 or Berlin Hbf 07:38.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has portions.  The Hamburg portion  has two air-conditioned double-deck sleeping-cars (1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin), couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments & ordinary seats.  The Berlin portion has a Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning, See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, tips, photos & video.

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

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

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

Option 3, Rome to Munich & Germany via the Brenner route - a scenic daytime option...

• Take a high-speed train from Rome to Bologna or Verona, then a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car from Bologna or Verona to Munich.  The Verona-Munich EuroCity trains run every couple of hours and it's a lovely run up the Brenner over a meal in the elegant restaurant car, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.  For example:

  Leave Rome Termini at 06:50 daily, change at Verona Porta Nuova onto the 11:01 EuroCity train, arriving Munich Hbf 16:26.

  Leave Rome Termini at 08:35 daily, change at Bologna Centrale onto the 11:52 EuroCity train, arriving Munich Hbf 18:27.

  Leave Rome Termini at 10:50 daily, change at Verona Porta Nuova onto the 15:01 EuroCity train, arriving Munich Hbf 20:26.

  Leave Rome Termini at 12:35 Monday-Friday only, change at Bologna Centrale onto the 15:50 EuroCity train, arriving Munich Hbf 22:27.

• How much does it cost?

  Rome to Bologna starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Rome to Verona starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.

  Bologna or Verona to Munich or anywhere in Germany starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  Book from Rome Termini to Munich or anywhere in Germany at www.raileurope.com, but (and this is important) click More options, enter either Verona (any station) or Bologna Centrale as a via station and a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  Look for journeys with just 1 change to Munich or 2 changes if going beyond Munich.

  www.raileurope.com connects to both the Italian and German ticketing systems so can source both tickets as one seamless booking.  You can pay in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, there's a small booking fee.

  The Italian train opens for booking up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you quote the booking reference on board.  The Austrian/German trains open for booking up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Alternatively, you can book the Italian train at www.italiarail.com (in €, £ or $, the small fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com, then book the Austrian/German trains from Bologna or Verona to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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

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

Watch out for hilltop fortresses...

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

Mountains on the Brenner route...  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here...

Option 4, Rome to Frankfurt & Germany via the Gotthard route - another scenic daytime option...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini 07:20 (07:10 Sundays) arriving Milan Centrale 10:35 (10:50 Sundays).

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  it's ticketless, you just quote the reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Frankfurt by ETR610 EuroCity train leaving Milan Centrale at 11:20 and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 18:44.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels along Lake Maggiore and through the Swiss Alps via the famous Simplon & Lötschberg route.  Change in Frankfurt for Cologne, Dusseldorf & so on.  It's even possible to reach Hamburg or Berlin shortly after midnight!

  Fares from Milan to Germany start at €59.90 in 2nd class or €119.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Milan to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website www.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, allows you to keep all your bookings together in one place), looking for the 11:20 departure.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

An ETR610 at Milan Centrale, as used on the direct Milan-Frankfurt EuroCity train.  More information about ETR610 trains.

Table for 4 in 2nd class, ideal for families...		1st class seats on the ETR610 EuroCity train...

Lake Maggiore, seen over lunch in the restaurant car...

The restaurant car on an ETR610...		Dinner in the diner...

Option 5, Rome to anywhere in Germany with overnight stop in Munich...

• Day 1, take a high-speed train from Rome Termini to Verona Porta Nuova in 2h50, then a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train with restaurant car from Verona Porta Nuova to Munich Hbf via the scenic Brenner Pass in around 5h10, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  You can leave Rome Termini as late as 12:15 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27, but by all means take an earlier train for an evening in Munich.

  Book from Rome Termini to Munich at www.raileurope.com, first clicking More options, entering Verona (any station) as a via station and a stopover duration of 45 minutes.  Look for journeys with just 1 change.  Now re-run the enquiry with Bologna (any station) entered as a via station to see if this gives a cheaper or quicker 1-change journey, once or twice per day it does.

  www.raileurope.com can be used by anyone from any country, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  Italian trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead, it's ticketless, you quote the reference on board.  The EuroCity trains open for booking up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

  Alternatively, book the Italian train at www.italiarail.com (in €, £ or $, the small fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com, then book the EuroCity train from Bologna or Verona to Munich at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, Eden Hotel Wolff, InterCity Hotel or (budget) the Pension Locarno are all right next to the station with good or great reviews.

• Day 2, take comfortable ICE or IC trains from Munich to anywhere in Germany.

  Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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Rome to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €59..

Option 1, Rome to Salzburg & Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option... 

• An excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Rome Termini at 20:17 every night and arrives Salzburg at 06:49 & Vienna Hbf at 08:52.

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

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

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

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

The Nightjet sleeper at Vienna Hbf.  More information about Nightjet trains...

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

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Nightjet sleeper train...

Option 2, Rome to Salzburg or Vienna in a day via Venice - a scenic daytime route with lunch in Venice...

• You can travel from Rome to Vienna by train in a single chill-out day from €58.  How about lunch in Venice?

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciargento high-speed train, leaving Rome Termini at 10:35, arriving Venice S. Lucia at 14:34. 

  If you'd like lunch and a wander around Venice, take an earlier train from Rome, for example the 06:50, 07:50 or 08:50.  The Rialto Bridge is just 20 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, St Mark's Square just 27 minutes walk, see map of Venice showing station.  There's a left luggage office at the station.  Of course if you haven't been to Venice before, I'd recommend an overnight stop, not just a few hours!

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference. 

  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:52 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 23:35.

  This train takes the wonderfully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route, you might see something of the landscape at least in summer when it's light until ten.  The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Venice to Vienna by railjet page.

  For Salzburg, change in Villach arriving Salzburg around 21:48.  Don't worry about the 5-minute interchange at Villach, this is a recognised connection which many people make, it's a simple cross-platform switch from platform 2 to platform 3.  In any case you will have a through ticket so will be looked after if there's missed connection.

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

  Book from Venice to Vienna or Salzburg at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, more fiddly, same fares). 

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

Option 1, using the Zurich-Hamburg sleeper...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini at 10:50 and arriving Milan Centrale at 14:00.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or 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 just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 15:10 and arriving Zurich HB at 18:27.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a lovely run through the Alps, past Italian and Swiss lakes and passing through the world's longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel.  Have dinner in Zurich, I can recommend the steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal on the main concourse at Zurich HB.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:59 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 07:53.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned double-deck sleeping-cars (1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin), couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments & ordinary seats.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning, see the Nightjet information page.

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

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

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

• Step 4, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by Danish IC3 Intercity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:55 & arriving Copenhagen at 13:33.

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

  Book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website www.bahn.de or use www.thetrainline.com to keep all your bookings together.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 5, travel from Copenhagen to Norway & Sweden...

  For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm at 19:36.  You should book from Hamburg to Stockholm as one transaction from €56.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

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

  For Oslo & Norway, take the overnight cruise ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo with bars, restaurants and en suite cabins to Oslo.  She sails from Copenhagen daily around 16:30, arriving in Oslo around 09:45, see www.dfds.co.uk for times, prices & online tickets.

Zurich to Hamburg by Nightjet...  This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.

2-berth sleeper on lower deck...		Stairs down to pair of lower compartments...		1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window.  Set up as 1-bed.  Note how compact the compartment is...

Austrian couchette car or liegewagen...		6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...

• Step 3 if you're going to Malmo, simply take the next available Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö, these leave twice an hour taking 39 minutes.  You can book through from Munich to Malmö from €56.90 at www.bahn.de and print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• Step 3 if you're going to Stockholm or Gothenburg, stay overnight in Copenhagen then travel to Stockholm in just 5h15 by X2000 high-speed train or to Gothenburg in 3h53 by hourly Öresund train.

  You can book tickets from Copenhagen to anywhere in Sweden at the Swedish Railways site www.sj.se, but there's a cleverer way to book if you are coming from Munich.  Use this special link to bahn.de to book from Munich to Stockholm from €56.90 with an overnight stop in Copenhagen programmed in using the Add intermediate stops feature - just enter your date of travel from Munich.  Adjust the intermediate stopover time as necessary to get the trains you want, or if no fares show up initially, it may take a bit of trial & error to get the trains you want.  This method works to book from Munich to Gothenburg, too - you'll find bahn.de lists Gothenburg as Göteborg Central.

• Step 3 for Oslo, stay overnight in Copenhagen and travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train next day as shown here.  Or spend the day in Copenhagen and take the overnight DFDS cruise ferry to Oslo as also shown here.

2-berth regular sleeper with washstand.  Larger photo.		The toilet & shower in a deluxe sleeper...		A Comfortline sleeping-car, as now used on the Austrian Nightjet train from Rome to Munich.  More information about Nightjets.

Austrian couchette car or liegewagen...		6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...

All Hamburg-Copenhagen EuroCity trains are now Danish IC3 trains like this...

A 125 mph X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm....		2nd class seating on the X2000.  All seats have power sockets for laptops & mobiles...		Self-service buffet car on the X2000 to Stockholm. More info on X2000 trains

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Rome to Helsinki & Finland...

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

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 and arriving Munich Hbf at 09:21. 

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

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

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE4 train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:22 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:54.

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

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

• Day 2, transfer from Hamburg Hbf to the Travemünde ferry terminal by local train+bus and sail from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines, as shown in detail on the Trains from Hamburg page.

  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding from 22:30 to 24:00 and arriving Helsinki Vuosaari ferry terminal at 09:00 2 nights later (Day 4 from Rome).  Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry at www.finnlines.com or the Direct Ferries website.

  Transfer from Vuosaari to central Helsinki as shown on the Trains from Hamburg page.

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

One of Finnlines 3 star class ferries to Helsinki.  Courtesy of Finnlines.		Cabin on the ferry...

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

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

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

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Rome to Prague from €68...

Option 1, Rome to Prague overnight via Vienna - comfortable, safe & time-effective, with a chance to see Vienna on the way...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 & arriving Vienna Hbf 08:52.

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

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Prague by swish Czech railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:10 & arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:38.

  The railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more information about railjet.

  Why not book book a later railjet & spend some time exploring Vienna?  Railjets to Prague leave every two hours, see the timetable here.  Left luggage lockers are available in Vienna.  In Prague, you arrive in the city centre walking distance from the old city square.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, Booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in koruna, booking normally opens 92 days ahead, see tips for using it).  You print your own ticket.  Easy!  You can also book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

• Alternative step 2 if you're going to Cesky Krumlov:  Travel from Vienna Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof to Cesky Krumlov in 4h26 as explained here.

Step 1, Rome to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train...  More information about Nightjet trains...

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

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Nightjet sleeper train...

Step 2, take a smart modern railjet train from Vienna to Prague, with economy, first & business class, restaurant car, free WiFi and draught beer on tap...

Restaurant car...  Courtesy David Malone		Economy (2nd) class...  Courtesy Cortney Lollar

Option 2, Rome to Prague or Cesky Krumlov via Zurich - a comfortable, safe & time-effective option...

• Step 2, when you reach Vienna, simply buy a ticket for €11.20 and hop on the next hourly Regional Express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, no reservation necessary or possible, journey time 1h07, see the timetable here.  You can check times using www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at, and buy a ticket online to save time at the station.

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 08:52 next morning.

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

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:42 & arriving Budapest Keleti 12:19.

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

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

  Buy this ticket as a second transaction at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.  Easy!

Step 1, Rome to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train...  More information about Nightjet trains...

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

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Nightjet sleeper train...

Step 2, Vienna to Budapest by railjet, seen arrived on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti station.  More information about railjets.

Economy (2nd) class...  Larger photo.		First class...  Larger photo.

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Rome to Bucharest, Brasov & Romania...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Budapest as shown in the Rome to Budapest section above.

  You leave Rome in the evening by Nightjet sleeper train and change in Vienna onto a railjet train to Budapest, arriving at lunchtime.  You've an afternoon to explore Budapest.

• Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 & arriving Brasov 09:54 & Bucharest Nord 12:33.

  This comfortable train has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see the photos on the London to Romania page.

  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.

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Hungary to Romania journeys you print your own ticket.

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

• Alternative step 2:  Stay overnight in Budapest, for an inexpensive hotel with great reviews right next to Keleti Station, try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel or the inexpensive Baross City Hotel just across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.  Next day, take a daytime train across Transylvania to Cluj, Timisoara, Simeria, Brasov or Bucharest as shown on the Trains from Budapest page.  These daytime trains are also bookable from €26.30 at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using it.  Booking opens 60 days ahead.

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Rome to Ljubljana & Slovenia, Zagreb...

Option 1, using the Rome-Austria Nightjet sleeper train - the most time-effective option.

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Bruck an der Mur by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:17 and arriving Bruck/Mur at 06:39.

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

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Bruck an der Mur to Ljubljana by EuroCity train Emona, leaving Bruck/Mur at 09:59, and arriving Ljubljana at 13:59. 

  Change at Zidani Most for Zagreb, arriving 17:12.

  It's an enjoyable ride with some great scenery.  The Emona  has air-conditioned cars and a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch.

  Fares start at €19.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Option 2, by daytime trains on the direct route through Trieste...

• Direct trains from Italy to Slovenia were restored in September 2018.  Two modern air-conditioned trains now run from Trieste to Ljubljana every day, with connections from Venice.  Just €22 or so gets you from Venice to Ljubljana, any day, any date, no prior reservation necessary, it cannot sell out, just buy at the station on the day.  Change in Ljubljana for Zagreb.  And if you've ever wondered where prosecco comes from, you'll find out on this route!

  It's possible to travel from Rome to Ljubljana in a day this way, although you'll need to stay overnight and catch a train to Zagreb next morning.

  Click here for timetable & fares between Venice, Ljubljana & Zagreb, with photos & an account of the journey.

• Add a ticket from Rome Termini to Venice by Frecciarossa high-speed train from €29.90 at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.

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

Scenery in Slovenia, seen from the train from Trieste to Ljubljana...

Option 3, with overnight stop in Austria - a useful alternative...

From 30 July 2021, to both Ljubljana & Zagreb..

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciargento high-speed train, leaving Rome Termini at 10:35, arriving Venice S. Lucia at 14:34. 

  If you'd like lunch and a wander around Venice, take an earlier train from Rome, for example the 06:50, 07:50 or 08:50.  The Rialto Bridge is just 20 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, St Mark's Square just 27 minutes walk, see map of Venice showing station.  There's a left luggage office at the station.  Of course if you haven't been to Venice before, I'd recommend an overnight stop, not just a few hours!

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Villach in Austria by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:52 and arriving Villach at 19:11.

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

  Fares start at €19.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at.

• Stay in Villach overnight - try the Hotel Goldenes Lamm or Hotel City, both near the station with great reviews.

• Step 3, travel from Villach to Ljubljana & Zagreb by train, leaving Villach at 06:28, arriving Lesce-Bled 07:28, Ljubljana 08:11 & Zagreb 10:43.

  Buy this ticket at the station, likely to be around €20 to Ljubljana, €40 to Zagreb.

Until 29 July 2021, only to Zagreb...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciargento high-speed train, leaving Rome Termini at 10:35, arriving Venice S. Lucia at 14:34. 

  If you'd like lunch and a wander around Venice, take an earlier train from Rome, for example the 06:50, 07:50 or 08:50.  The Rialto Bridge is just 20 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, St Mark's Square just 27 minutes walk, see map of Venice showing station.  There's a left luggage office at the station.  Of course if you haven't been to Venice before, I'd recommend an overnight stop, not just a few hours!

  Book this train from €29.90 at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Bruck an der Mur in Austria by comfortable Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:52 and arriving Bruck an der Mur at 21:44.

  Fares start at €19.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest, keeping all your bookings together in one place) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in Bruck an der Mur - try the Hotel Landskron, 14 minutes walk from the station.

• Step 3, travel from Bruck to Zagreb by train, leaving Bruck an der Mur at 06:20 and arriving Zagreb at 11:27.

  2nd class only, bring your own food & drink along.

  Book this from €29 at either www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.

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Rome to Dubrovnik & Split...

Option 1, by train via Zagreb...

• Step 1, travel overland from Rome to Zagreb by train as shown above.

• Step 2, take a train from Zagreb to Split (daytime or sleeper) then a bus Split to Dubrovnik (4 hours, lots of buses). 

Option 2, it's more time-effective to take a train to Ancona or Bari, then a comfortable overnight ferry to Croatia.

• Step 1, book an overnight ferry with comfortable en suite cabin either from Ancona to Split or from Bari to Dubrovnik.  www.jadrolinija.hr sails on both routes several times a week, leaving 19:45-22:00 and arriving 07:00-08:00.  You can choose a private cabin or cheaper berth in a shared cabin.  There are also reclining seats, but I always recommend a bed in a cabin for a safe and secure night's sleep.  Make sure you're on deck with your camera ready as the ship approaches the beautiful Croatian coast!

• Step 2, now add a train ticket from Rome Termini to either Ancona Centrale or Bari Centrale using www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board. 

  You should choose a train which arrives in Bari or Ancona at least 3 hours before the ferry sails, to allow for transfer to the port and check-in.  In Bari it's a 25 minute walk via Bari's pleasant old town to the ferry terminal, or a 10 minute taxi ride.  In Ancona, take a taxi from station to ferry terminal.

Blue Line & Jadrolinija ferries in Split Harbour...  Above right, a deluxe cabin on the Blue Line ferry, which comes complete with an en suite jacuzzi...  Courtesy of Andrew Leo.

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Rome to Belgrade & Sofia...

Option 1 until at least 30 July 2021 while repair work in the Karawanks Tunnel continues, with overnight stop in Bruck an der Mur, Austria - cheapest & simplest...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Rome Termini at 10:50, arriving Venice S. Lucia at 14:35. 

  If you'd like lunch and a wander around Venice, take an earlier train from Rome, for example the 06:50, 07:50 or 08:50.  The Rialto Bridge is just 20 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, St Mark's Square just 27 minutes walk, see map of Venice showing station.  There's a left luggage office at the station.  Of course if you haven't been to Venice before, I'd recommend an overnight stop, not just a few hours!

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Bruck an der Mur in Austria by comfortable Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:52 and arriving Bruck an der Mur at 21:44.  Book this from €19 at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay overnight in Bruck an der Mur - try the Hotel Landskron, 14 minutes walk from the station.

• Step 3, travel from Bruck to Zagreb by train, leaving Bruck an der Mur at 06:20 and arriving Zagreb at 11:27.  2nd class only, bring your own food & drink along.  Book this from €29 at either www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket.

• Step 4, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train.  Until 31 July 2021 it leaves Zagreb at 13:04 arriving Novi Beograd 20:17 & Belgrade Centar at 20:25.  2nd class only.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink along.  The fare is around €29, it cannot be bought online so buy at the station or on board the train.

• Step 5, if you're going to Sofia, spend the night in Belgrade, I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva.  Travel from Belgrade to Sofia by daytime train, see the Belgrade to Sofia page for full details.  From mid-June to mid-September there's a direct train called the Balkan which leaves Belgrade Topcider station at 09:12 and arrives Sofia Central Station at 20:30.  2nd class only, bring your own picnic and bottle of wine as there's no catering.  At other times of year you leave Belgrade Centar station at 06:10, change at Nis & Dimitrovgrad arriving Sofia at 19:00.  Buy this ticket at the station for €20.60, there are always places available, even on the day.  It cannot be booked online, and there's no need.

Option 1 from 31 July 2021, with overnight stop in Villach, Austria - the cheapest and simplest option...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Rome Termini at 10:50, arriving Venice S. Lucia at 14:35. 

  If you'd like lunch and a wander around Venice, take an earlier train from Rome, for example the 06:50, 07:50 or 08:50.  The Rialto Bridge is just 20 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, St Mark's Square just 27 minutes walk, see map of Venice showing station.  There's a left luggage office at the station.  Of course if you haven't been to Venice before, I'd recommend an overnight stop, not just a few hours!

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Villach in Austria by Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:52 and arriving Villach at 19:11.

  Fares start at €19.90.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Stay in Villach overnight.  The Hotel Goldenes Lamm or Hotel City are both near the station with great reviews.

• Step 3, travel from Villach to Zagreb by train, leaving Villach at 06:28 and arriving Zagreb at 10:43.

  2nd class only, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink along.

  Fares start at €29.90.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  Book this at either www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.

• Step 4, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  2nd class only, there's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink along.

  The fare is around €29, it cannot be bought online so buy at the station or on board the train.

• Step 5, if you're going to Sofia, spend the night in Belgrade, I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva.  Travel from Belgrade to Sofia by daytime train, see the Belgrade to Sofia page for details.  Buy this ticket at the station for €20.60, there are always places available, even on the day.  It cannot be booked online, and there's no need.

Option 2, Rome to Belgrade via the Bari-Bar overnight ferry - a lovely journey via a spectacular railway...

• Step 1, travel from Rome Termini to Bari Central by tilting Frecciargento train in 3h59, an enjoyable and scenic ride across the spine of Italy.  Obviously, check ferry operating dates and times first and work out a suitable connecting train after booking the ferry.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

  On arrival at Bari Centrale, walk 25 minutes or take a taxi from Bari Centrale to the ferry terminal which is adjacent to Bari's pleasant old town.

  Allow at least 3 hours between train arrival and ferry departure.

• Step 2, sail overnight from Bari to Bar in Montenegro with Jadrolinija, as shown in the Rome to Montenegro section below.  The ferry sails weekly all year round, twice weekly in high summer.  In Bar, it's an easy 20 minute walk from ferry terminal to station.

• Step 3, travel from Bar to Belgrade on the spectacular Bar to Belgrade Railway as shown here.  There's a daytime train and a sleeper train.  If the ferry is on time you might just make the one-hour connection between the ferry arrival and the 09:00 departure of the daytime train.

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Rome to Bar, Budva, Kotor & Montenegro...

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Vienna...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Vienna in one day, either via Innsbruck or via Venice, as shown in the Rome to Vienna section above.

• Stay overnight in Vienna.  Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Warsaw or Krakow by comfortable EuroCity train, as shown in the Vienna-Poland section on the Vienna page.

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Rome to Lviv, Kiev & Moscow...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train as shown in the Rome to Vienna section above, leaving Rome Termini in the evening and arriving at Vienna Hbf next morning.

• Enjoy the best part of a day in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kiev by direct sleeping-car. leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 and arriving Lviv 10:14 & Kiev 17:21 next day.

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

  Book the train from Vienna to Lviv or Kiev at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

  This will only book one-way or round trip starting in Vienna because tickets need to be collected from an ÖBB station in Austria.  They cannot be collected in Ukraine.  Booking this way you pay no fee or mark-up, just the official fare.  The sleeper has become popular, it can sell out.

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

  Booked through oebb.at:

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

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

  Booked through Polrail:

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

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

• Day 3, take a sleeper train from Kiev to Moscow.  Train 6 leaves Kiev at around 19:36 and arrives Moscow Kievskaya at around 10:09 next day (day 4 from Italy).  Taking the route via Kiev avoids Belarus, so no need for a Belarus visa!

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

  You can book tickets starting in Kiev at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect tickets at the station in Kiev.  Feedback appreciated!

  Change in Moscow for fast trains to St Petersburg, see the train travel in Russia page.

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

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

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Rome to Athens & Greece...

• Step 1, travel from Rome Termini to Bari Centrale by tilting Frecciargento train in 3h59, an enjoyable and scenic ride across the spine of Italy.  Obviously, book the ferry first and work out a suitable connecting train afterwards.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you just quote your booking reference on board.

  On arrival at Bari Centrale, walk 25 minutes or take a taxi from Bari Centrale to the ferry terminal which is adjacent to Bari's pleasant old town.

  Always allow at least 3 hours between train arrival and ferry departure.

• Step 2, sail from Bari to Patras with Superfast Ferries.  The ferry sails normally daily except Sundays at 19:30 arriving Patras at 13:00 the next day (day 3).  On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Rome but you can take a train to Bari on Saturday evening and stay overnight in Bari.

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

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

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

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

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

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Rome to Istanbul & Turkey...

• Travel from Rome to Vienna by direct overnight sleeper train as shown above and pick up the route to Istanbul via Vienna, Budapest & Bucharest shown on the London to Turkey page.

• Or travel from Rome to Venice by train, then from Venice to Zagreb as shown here, then pick up the route via Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia shown on the London to Turkey page.

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Hotels in Rome & other cities

Hotels near Rome Termini with good or great reviews:  The Hive Hotel, Dream Station, Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica.

Other hotel sites worth trying...

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

Backpacker hostels...

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

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Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance...

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

In the UK, reliable insurers include Columbus Direct.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.

You can use Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many different insurers.

        If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try Columbus Direct's other websites.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

A Curve card saves on foreign transaction fees...

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

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

I have a Curve Blue card myself - I get some commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  VPNs & why you need one explained...

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi.  In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions.  And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN.  VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.

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