Option 1, Rome to Brussels using the Rome-Munich Nightjet sleeper - a comfortable & time-effective option...

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

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (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.  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 10:28, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 17:35.

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

  Fares start at €37.90 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 ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 1, Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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

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

Step 2, Munich to Brussels by ICE with one easy change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.  ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Above, an ICE3M at Brussels Midi.  More information about ICE.

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Rome to Brussels with overnight stop in Lyon - easy & time-effective...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini at 11:10 arriving Milan Centrale at 14:50.

  High-speed Frecciarossa trains have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More information about Frecciarossas.

• Day 1, travel from Milan to Lyon by Frecciarossa, leaving Milan Centrale at 15:53 and arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 20:12.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a scenic & relaxing run, at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line from Milan to Turin, then a slow meander on the classic line through the alps to Lyon.  Bring a good book and bottle of wine, and make it a relaxing afternoon with your feet up, although some scenery will be in darkness depending on the time of year.  More information, photos & tips about the Milan-Lyon-Paris Frecciarossa.

• Stay overnight in Lyon, The Ibis Budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu is affordable & right next to Lyon Part Dieu station with good reviews, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon also gets great reviews and is just a few minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Brussels by direct TGV, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi:

  On Mondays to Saturdays you can leave Lyon Part Dieu at 05:50 arriving Brussels Midi at 09:43.

  Or on any day of the week you can leave Lyon Part Dieu at 08:27 arriving Brussels Midi at 12:11

• How much does it cost?

  Rome to Milan starts at €29.90 in standard class, €39.90 in business class or €154.90 in executive class.

  Milan to Lyon starts at €25 in standard class, €32 in business class or €149 in executive class.

  Lyon to Brussels starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets for each of these trains at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (whichever you prefer).  Book each train individually, adding it to your basket, then check out.

  www.raileurope.com and www.thetrainline.com connect to both the Italian and French booking systems so you can book all these trains in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  There's a small booking fee.

  The Italian trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the TGV, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• 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 trains at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, seat choice from a seat map, 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 Lyon-Brussels TGV at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

Milan to Lyon by Frecciarossa:  A Frecciarossa 1000 at Milan Centrale.  Interior photos courtesy of Nicholas Brooke.

Standard class, with seats arranged 2+2 across the car width.  Larger photo.		Premium class, identical to Standard but in leather.  Sold as Standard on this route.  Larger photo.

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

Executive class at one end of the train.  Larger photo.		The Executive class meeting room.  Larger photo.

Take a good book, a bottle o' red, and enjoy the scenery from Milan to Lyon with your feet up.  These are mountains in Italy, between Turin and Lyon, courtesy of www.discoverbyrail.com.

And these are mountains in France...

Option 3, Rome to Brussels 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 can take an Italo high-speed train or a Trenitalia Frecciarossa, two competing operators, choose 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 to Paris by TGV, leaving Turin Porta Susa at 07:39 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:13.

  The TGV has 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.  More information about these Paris-Milan TGVs.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by taxi or metro.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Brussels by Thalys, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 14:25 and arriving Brussels Midi at 15:47.

  High-speed Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, WiFi and power sockets at all seats.  More information about Thalys.  Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more.

• 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, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, whichever you like best.

  These connect to both the Trenitalia, Italo & 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 from Rome Termini to Turin Porta Susa and add to basket.  Then book from Turin Porta Susa to Brussels Midi 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the two French trains, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• How to buy tickets, advanced...

  Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more effort, more fiddly, same fares, but no 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 www.sncf-connect.com.

Option 4, Rome to Brussels with overnight stop in Munich - 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 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, for mainline trains you print out your ticket or show it on your phone.

  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 by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:27, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 15:35.

  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Exact times may vary, earlier or later departures are also available.

  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.

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Rome to Amsterdam from €64...

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.

• 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 ETR610 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.  You'll also pass through the world's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the transit takes just 20 minutes.

• Step 3, travel from Frankfurt to Amsterdam by ICE3, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 19:28 and arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 23:28.

  This train runs daily except Saturdays and a few other dates.  ICE3 trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• How much does it cost?

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

  Milan to Amsterdam start at €59.90 in 2nd class or €119.90 in 1st class.

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

• How to buy tickets...

  Step 1, book the train from Florence to Milan at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  Step 2, 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.

The Milan-Frankfurt train at Frankfurt Hbf.  There's a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Photo courtesy of @Nordkommission.

2nd class on a Trenitalia ETR610...		1st class on a Trenitalia ETR610.

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

Option 2, Rome to Amsterdam using the Zurich-Amsterdam Nightjet sleeper train - scenic & time-effective...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Rome Termini at 11:10 and arriving Milan Centrale at 14:50.

  High-speed Frecciarossa trains have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More information about Frecciarossas.

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

  Book from Milan to Zurich to at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Booking usually opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  Tip:  A later departure is possible with a 20-minute connection in Zurich, but as you're catching a sleeper I'd play safe and allow plenty of time between trains in Milan.  The magnificent Milan Centrale is an attraction in its own right, go & find Mussolini!

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train through the Alps, leaving Milan Centrale at 16:10 arriving Zurich HB at 19:27.

  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & fee WiFi.  It's a lovely ride across Switzerland through the Alps past various lakes including Lake Lugano, see the Milan to Zurich video.  Have your camera ready!

  On arrival in Zurich you've time for dinner, I recommend steak-frites and a beer or two at the Brasserie Federal on the main concourse.

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

  Book from Milan to Zurich to at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Booking usually opens up to 4 months ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train.  From the timetable change on 13 December 2021, a Nightjet sleeper train leaves Zurich HB 21:59 every evening, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:14.

  This comfortable Nightjet train has an air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  Watch the Amsterdam-Switzerland sleeper video.

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

  Book this sleeper train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Steps 1 & 2, travel from Rome to Milan by high-speed train & Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train.  Above, a Milan-Zurich EuroCity train is seen at Bellinzona.  The train passes through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel, though the transit takes just 20 minutes.

Giruno, 1st class.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car with bar counter. Larger photo.

Giruno 2nd class.  Larger photo		Level boarding. Note the destination screen in the door.

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

Step 3, Zurich to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.  Watch the sleeper video.

Single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.		Breakfast next morning.  Larger photo.

4 or 6 berth couchettes, bedding provided.  Larger photo.		Couchette car...

Option 3, Rome to Amsterdam using the Rome-Munich sleeper - a safe, comfortable & time-effective option, but not as scenic as option 2...

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

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (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 12:27, 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.  Exact times may vary.

  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.

Step 1, Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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

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

Step 2, Munich to Amsterdam by ICE with one easy change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.  ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Above, an ICE3M at Amsterdam Centraal.  More information about ICE.

2nd class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Proper china, metal cutlery.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!  See current month's menu.		Restaurant car:  This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M.  Larger photo.

Option 4, Rome to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Zurich - if you prefer day trains & a hotel 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 22:27, 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 Lugano and through the 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 really special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the 4-star Hotel St Gotthard or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a tight budget you can book private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Amsterdam by ICE, leaving Zurich HB at 07:59, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 17:29.

  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 5, Rome to Amsterdam 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 P. Nuova) with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then a comfortable Austrian EuroCity train 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, for mainline trains you either print out your ticket or show it on your phone.

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

  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.

A EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.  More photos & information about these Austrian EuroCity trains.

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments.		1st class leather seats.  You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

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 6, Rome to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Paris - the route to use if you want to stop off in Paris...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini at 11:10 arriving Milan Centrale at 14:50.

  High-speed Frecciarossa trains have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More information about Frecciarossas.

• Day 1, travel from Milan to Paris by Frecciarossa, leaving Milan Centrale at 15:53 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:25.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a scenic & relaxing run, at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line from Milan to Turin, then a slow meander on the classic line through the alps, then another high-speed dash on the French high-speed line to Paris.  Bring a good book and bottle of wine, and make it a relaxing afternoon with your feet up, although some scenery will be in darkness depending on the time of year.  For more information, photos & tips, see the Paris-Milan by train page.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by taxi or metro.

• Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon. 

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Amsterdam in 3h18 next morning on any train you like.

  For example, the 07:25 from Paris Gare du Nord arrives Amsterdam Centraal at 10:44, but by all means book a later train, they leave every hour or so.  Thalys trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, WiFi and power sockets at all seats, see more information about Thalys.

• How much does it cost?

  Rome to Milan starts at €29.90 in standard class or €39.90 in business class.

  Milan to Paris starts at €29 in standard class, €36 in business class or €165 in executive class.

  Paris to Amsterdam starts at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  Buy tickets for each of these trains at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (whichever you prefer).  Book each train individually, adding it to your basket, then check out.

  www.raileurope.com and www.thetrainline.com connect to both the Italian and French booking systems so you can book all these trains in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  There's a small booking fee.

  The Italian trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the Thalys, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• 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 trains at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, seat choice from a seat map, 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 Thalys train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

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Rome to Luxembourg...

Option 1, Rome to Luxembourg using the Rome-Munich Nightjet sleeper train...

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

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (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 Stopover and enter Igel as a via station.

Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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

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

Option 2, Rome to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Zurich - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 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 15:20 arriving Zurich HB 22:27, 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 print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something really special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the 4-star Hotel St Gotthard or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a tight budget you can book private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Luxembourg, leaving Zurich HB at 07:59, changing at Mannheim & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 17:24.

  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 Stopover and enter Igel as a via station.

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Rome to Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, Basel & Switzerland from €59...

Choose between fast, comfortable & scenic (option 1, using mainline trains) and slow, comfortable, fabulous world-class highlight-of-your-trip scenic (option 2, via the Bernina Express).  With the daytime trains increasingly fast, there are no longer any sleeper trains between Rome & Switzerland, although there are plans to reintroduce one in 2024, when new rolling stock becomes available.

Option 1, Rome to Switzerland by high-speed train...

• Step 1, travel from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi in 2h55.

• Step 2, travel from Milan Centrale to Switzerland by fast EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  There are hourly EuroCity trains from Milan Centrale to Lugano & Zurich (3h17).  There are regular EuroCity trains from Milan Centrale to Brig, Montreux, Lausanne & Geneva (4h00).  There are several daily EuroCity trains from Milan Centrale to Bern, Lucerne, Spiez and Basel.

  The Milan-Zurich EuroCity trains use the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the world.  Look out for great scenery on the routes from Italy into Switzerland, past lakes and mountains.  Watch the video:  Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train.

• Step 3, take a Swiss connecting train if necessary, for example from Brig to Zermatt or from Spiez to Interlaken.

• 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, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets, the easy way...

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Both are easy to use, in €, £ or $ (www.thetrainline.com can also sell in CHF), overseas credit cards are no problem, there's a small booking fee.

  www.thetrainline.com connects to both the Italian and Swiss ticketing systems.  www.raileurope.com connects to the Italian system and can sell full-flex Swiss tickets through an arrangement with French Railways.  That means both sites can sell from Venice to anywhere in Switzerland, at least in principle.  Each handles the data slightly differently, so I'd check both sites.

  Booking for the international EuroCity trains opens 90 days ahead.  However, booking for Swiss domestic trains only opens 60 days ahead.

  For Italian high-speed trains & the EuroCity trains you either print out your ticket or show it on your phone.  Swiss domestic tickets can be printed out or a mobile ticket can be shown on your smartphone.

• How to buy tickets, advanced...

  Now for the science bit.  Trenitalia's ticketing system can sell tickets for the international EuroCity trains between Italy & Switzerland, and obviously for its own trains within Italy, but cannot access SBB's ticketing system so cannot sell any journey involving a Swiss domestic train.

  Meanwhile, the Swiss ticketing system can sell Swiss domestic tickets & tickets for the international EuroCity trains to Italy which it jointly runs with Trenitalia, but it cannot access Trenitalia's ticketing system so cannot sell Trenitalia's cheap fares within Italy.

  Step 1, run an enquiry on the all-Europe online timetable provided by German Railways at www.bahn.de.  Look for a suitable journey, ideally with as few changes as possible.  Note down the trains you want, identifying the Italian train, the EuroCity train and any Swiss domestic train.

  For example, say you ran an enquiry from Rome to Zermatt.  You'd pick a journey that suits you:  A high-speed Frecciarossa from Rome to Milan, a EuroCity (EC) train from Milan to Brig, then a Swiss train from Brig to Zermatt.  Then you'd split the booking like this:

  Step 2, book the Italian train and EuroCity train using the Italian ticketing system at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both 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 the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).

  In our example, you'd book from Rome to Brig.  Booking opens 90 days ahead.  Italian high-speed trains and the EuroCity are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  Step 3, now add a Swiss domestic ticket separately using either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Swiss Federal Railways site www.sbb.ch (in €, no fee).  Regular Swiss tickets are fixed-price, cannot sell out, and are good for any train that day, so this bit isn't as crucial.  You could buy at the station on the day if you like!

  In our example, you'd book from Brig to Zermatt.  Booking opens 60 days ahead (if necessary, wait to book this bit).  You print your own ticket.

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

1st class seats.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car.  Larger photo.

Lunch in the restaurant car...		2nd class.  Larger photo.  360 degree photo.

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 scenic narrow-gauge Bernina route...

This is much slower and a little more effort to book, but it's an amazing experience, arguably the best Swiss Alpine train ride of them all.  Watch the video:  Milan to Zurich via the wonderfully scenic Bernina route.

• Step 1, travel from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale on a Frecciarossa train arriving before 09:45.

  Book this at either www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.

• Step 2, travel from Milan Centrale to Tirano by Trenord local train...

  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.thetrainline.com or 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.

  In Tirano, the Italian Trenord station is right next to the Rhätische Bahn one on the same town square.

• Step 3, travel from Tirano to St Moritz & Chur on the Rhätische Bahn...

  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 www.thetrainline.com or the 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 the Bernina Express page.

• Step 4, travel from Chur to Zurich by Swiss Intercity train...

  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, Rome to Barcelona & Spain via Lyon - the easiest & usually cheapest option...

• Day 1, travel from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale on any afternoon or evening train you like.

  It takes as little as 2h55, trains leave every hour, all these trains have cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Milan.

  Hotels near Milan Centrale with good reviews include Made to Measure Business, 43 Station Hotel, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Lyon by Frecciarossa, leaving Milan Centrale at 06:25 & arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 11:10.

  This is a lovely ride at low speed snaking through the Alps, see the photos & information here.  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, sit back and enjoy the ride.

• Have lunch in Lyon, see suggested brasserie near Lyon Part Dieu.

• Day 2, travel from Lyon to Barcelona, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:10, changing at Nimes Pont du Gard & arriving Barcelona Sants 21:25.

  Lyon to Nimes Pont du Gard (an out-of-town TGV station) is by TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Nimes Pont du Gard to Barcelona is by TGV Duplex also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  It's an enjoyable & scenic ride, the TGV Duplex passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with (in summer when it's light) great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.

• Stay overnight in Barcelona....

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

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

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

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35 arriving Cordoba 13:22 & Seville Santa Justa at 14:10.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the 15:15 AVE S112 high-speed train to Cordoba & Seville.

  For Malaga:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train and change at Cordoba onto a high-speed AVE/Avant train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:56.  Alternatively, spend a morning in Barcelona and take the direct 15:15 AVE S112 high-speed train to Malaga.

  For Granada:  A direct AVE S112 high-speed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:35 arriving Granada at 15:00.

  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.

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

• How much does it cost?

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

  Milan to Lyon starts at €25 in standard (2nd), €32 in business (1st) or €149 in executive class (premium 1st).

  Lyon to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

  Barcelona to Madrid starts at around €35.  Barcelona to Seville or Malaga starts at around €45.

  All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets...

  The easiest way to buy tickets is to use either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (whichever you prefer) as you can buy all the tickets together in one place, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead.  About Raileurope.  About Thetrainline.

  Step 1, book an afternoon or evening train from Rome to Milan Centrale for day 1 and add this to your basket. 

  Step 2, book the direct morning train from Milan Centrale to Lyon Part Dieu for day 2 and add to your basket. 

  Step 3, book the afternoon train from Lyon Part Dieu to Barcelona for day 2 and add to your basket. 

  Step 4 if going beyond Barcelona, book a train from Barcelona to your Spanish destination for day 3, add to basket & check out.

  The Frecciarossa is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For TGVs you can print your ticket or select a mobile ticket to show on your smartphone.

• How to buy tickets, advanced...

  You can of course book each train separately with the relevant operator, with no booking fee.  This means more work and it won't necessarily make it any cheaper.

  Step 1, buy tickets from Rome to Milan and from Milan to Lyon at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, allows seat choice from a seat map, they'll refund seat61 users their booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or Trenitalia's site www.trenitalia.com, but for that you'll need to use Italian-language place names and it has a few quirks so see this advice on using it.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. 

  Step 2, book from Lyon to Barcelona at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com.

  Step 3, book onward trains in Spain at www.renfe.com (in €, fiddly, see advice).

Option 2, Rome to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Marseille - the most direct route...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Rome Termini at 06:57 by Frecciabianca train, changing at Genoa Piazza Principe onto an Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia at 14:54.  There's great scenery along the coast both between Rome & Genoa and between Genoa & Ventimiglia.

• Day 1, travel from Ventimiglia to Marseille by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia 15:25, changing at Nice Ville, arriving Marseille St Charles 19:32.  There's more great scenery along the coast between Ventimiglia & Toulon.

• 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.  Marseille is well worth a longer stopover.

• Day 2, travel from Marseille to Barcelona leaving Marseille St Charles at 11:24, change at Nimes, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:34.

  Or spend a morning & have lunch in Marseille, then leave Marseille St Charles at 15:27, change at Nimes, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:25.

  You travel from Marseille to Nimes by Intercité and from Nimes to Barcelona by double-deck 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

  The train passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train...

  A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:00, arriving Madrid Atocha 21:12, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriivng Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:02 & Alicante 23:14.

  For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station.  Next morning a direct high-speed AVE train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:35 for Granada, Cordoba & Seville Santa Justa, change Cordoba for Malaga Maria Zambrano.

  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

• How much does it cost?

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

  Genoa to Ventimiglia by regional train is around €14, fixed-price.

  Ventimiglia to Marseille by TER costs around €41, fixed price, but a promotional price of €25 is sometimes available.

  Marseille to Barcelona starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 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 (except for regional & TER trains), 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 or Alicante 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 Trenitalia trains & French trains including the TGV to Barcelona normally opens up to 4 months ahead.  Booking for Spanish domestic trains opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.

  Italian mainline trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For French trains, you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  For Spanish trains & Italian regional 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, but no booking fee...

  Step 1, book from Rome to Ventimiglia using either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, English place names, and they'll refund their €3.50 booking fee 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  Step 2, book from Ventimiglia to Marseille at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Step 3, book from Marseille to Barcelona for day 2 at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

  Step 4, 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, it's a lot easier to use www.thetrainline.com).  You print your own tickets.

By TER local train from Ventimiglia to Nice.  Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes.

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

To Barcelona by TGV.  See more information, photos & tips for the TGV to Barcelona.

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

1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.		A TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

Dinner from the cafe-bar...		View from the train, passing Béziers...

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

Option 2, Rome to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop 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 travel earlier for more of an evening in Geneva.

  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 07:14, change Lyon Part Dieu & Montpelier St-Roch, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:34.

  Geneva to Lyon is by TER regional train along the river Rhône, Lyon to Montpelier is by TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Montpelier to Barcelona is by TGV Duplex also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  The TGV Duplex passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.

  Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price €29.40.  Lyon-Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class, book ahead for the cheapest prices.

  Book from Geneva to Barcelona at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your smartphone.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train...

  A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:00, arriving Madrid Atocha 21:12, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriivng Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:02 & Alicante 23:14.

  For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station.  Next morning a direct high-speed AVE train leaves Barcelona Sants at 08:35 for Granada, Cordoba & Seville Santa Justa, change Cordoba for Malaga Maria Zambrano.

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

  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies.  Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.

Option 3, Rome to Barcelona by 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...

Option 1, Rome to Lisbon via Madrid...

• 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.

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

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

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

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 08:35 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 14:10.

  Fares start at around €45.

  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 09:28 & arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 13:15.

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

  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 www.sncf-connect.com (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 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 09:20.

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (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 10:55 by ICE train and arriving Berlin Hbf at 15:29.

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

  Fares start at €18.90 upwards.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.   I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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

Nightjet couchette car...		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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Germany by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:59 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 07:54 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, 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 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, 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  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.

A EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.  More photos & information about these Austrian EuroCity trains.

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments.		1st class leather seats.  You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• 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 these trains.

1st class seats.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car.  Larger photo.

Lunch in the restaurant car...		2nd class.  Larger photo.  360 degree photo.

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

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 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  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 Hbf 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• 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.		Nightjet couchette car...

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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55 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 Hbf 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.

A Venice-Vienna railjet at Venice Santa Lucia.  More photos & info about Venice-Vienna railjets.

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

First class.		Economy class.

The railjet travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Option 1, Rome to Copenhagen, Gothenburg & Stockholm 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:59 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 07:54.

  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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, 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 08:56 & arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an altered timetable applies, you leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 & arrive Copenhagen at 15:34.

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

  Book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website 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.

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

2-berth sleeper on the 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...

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

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen, leaving Munich Hbf 10:22, changing at Hamburg Hbf and arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an altered timetable applies, leave Munich Hbf 11:56, change Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen 23:34

  Treat this as a chill-out day with a good book and a glass or two of wine (I can recommend DB's Spätburgunder red).  You travel from Munich to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car for lunch, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by comfortable Danish intercity train with free WiFi whilst in Denmark, but no catering car so bring your own food & drink.

  If you're only going as far as Copenhagen, book from Munich to Copenhagen from €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at the German Railways site www.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone.

• 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 Stopover 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 1, Rome to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More information about Nightjets.

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

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

Step 2, Munich to Hamburg by ICE & Hamburg to Copenhagen by Intercity train.  This is an Intercity at Copenhagen.  More about Hamburg to Copenhagen trains.

2nd class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an IC3 train.  Larger photo.

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

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

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

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden...

Option 3, Rome to Copenhagen, Gothenburg & Stockholm with overnight stops in Munich & Copenhagen...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Munich by daytime trains via the scenic Brenner Pass as shown in Rome-Germany option 3 above.

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

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen by train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:22, 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an altered timetable applies, leave Munich Hbf 07:17, change Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen 19:34 or there's a later departure at 11:56 arriving 23:34.

  Fares start at €37.90 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.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone. 

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

• Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg by hourly Öresund train in 3h53, or Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train in around 5h15 with various departures, fares from around €28 upwards.  Book this at Omio.com or the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.

  Tip:  You may be able to save money by buying a Munich-Stockholm or Munich-Gothenburg through ticket from German Railways like this:  Go to www.bahn.de, enter Munich-Stockholm or Munich-Gothenburg.  Before running the enquiry, click Stopover, enter Copenhagen and a stopover duration of (say) 12 hours.  It should then give you a Sparpreis fare with an overnight stop in Copenhagen, specified trains only, limited or no refunds.

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Rome to Oslo & Norway...

Option 1, Rome to Oslo by train all the way, with overnight stops Munich & Copenhagen...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Munich by daytime trains via the scenic Brenner Pass as shown in Rome-Germany section above, option 3.

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

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen by train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:22, 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.

  From 17 June to 20 August 2023 an altered timetable applies, leave Munich Hbf 07:17, change Hamburg Hbf, arrive Copenhagen 19:34.

  Fares start at €37.90 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.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or smartphone. 

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

• Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train, leaving Copenhagen at 09:27, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 17:51.

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

  Alternatively, spend a morning in Copenhagen, and after lunch take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 14:15 and arriving Oslo at 09:15 on day 4, as also shown here.  This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill.  Book the ferry at www.dfds.co.uk.

Option 2, Rome to Oslo using the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Norway...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Rome Termini at 10:50 and arriving Milan Centrale at 13:58.

  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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Day 1, 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Day 1, travel from Zurich to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:59 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 07:54.

  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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Day 2, take a regional train from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel then the overnight Color Line cruise ferry to Oslo.  The ferry sails from Kiel around 14:00, arriving in Oslo around 10:L00 on day 3 from Rome.  For full details of this Hamburg to Oslo journey, see Hamburg-Oslo option 2 on the trains from Hamburg page.

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

2-berth sleeper on the 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...

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

Kiel to Oslo by cruise ferry...  This photo is taken from the exit of Kiel station, so you can see how close the ferry is.  It's a 5-6 minute walk across the harbour, with a street lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you have reserved one of what Color Line call their "5 star suites", check in at the desk rather than the machines and you'll be directed to a special lounge to wait with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi.  You'll also have priority boarding of the ship.  Photos courtesy of Andrew Leo.

Boarding the Color Line ferry to Oslo in Kiel...

A 5 Star Suite on the ferry...		More cruise liner than ferry!  The restaurant.

Wake up to this....

Option 3, Rome to Oslo using the Zurich-Hamburg sleeper & Frederikshavn-Oslo ferry - a cheaper option, more changes, slightly quicker...

• Day 1-2, travel from Rome to Hamburg as shown in option 2 above.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Frederikshavn in the north of Denmark by train, and take the comfortable DFDS overnight ferry from Frederikshavn to Oslo.  This is a cheaper option than the Color Line ferry from Kiel, although Hamburg to Frederikshavn involves 2 changes and the ferry doesn't sail until very late at night.  For full details of this Hamburg to Oslo journey, see Hamburg-Oslo option 3 on the train from Hamburg page.

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Rome to Helsinki & Finland...

Option 1, Rome to Helsinki using the Finnlines ferry from Germany - 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 09:20. 

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (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, so book ahead.

  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.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.  

• 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, Rome to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry...

• 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 using the Rome-Vienna sleeper train - comfortable, safe & time-effective...

• 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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 15:42.

  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 Nightjets.

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

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

Step 2, Vienna to Prague by smart modern railjet train, with economy, first & business class, restaurant car, free WiFi and draught beer on tap.  More information about Vienna-Prague railjets.

Economy (2nd) class...  Mainly unidirectional seating but with some tables for 4.  All seats have power sockets & free WiFi.  Larger photo.		First class...  Mainly unidirectional, with some tables for 2 & tables for 4.  Larger photo

Restaurant car for snacks, meals, beer, wine, tea & coffee.  You don't need to reserve, just turn up & sit down.  There's waiter-service at tables or order at the counter & take back to your seat.  Larger photo.		Business class = premium 1st class.  Just 6 seats at one end of the 1st class car.  Same seats but very different layout from business class on Austrian railjet.  Larger photo.

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

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Zurich by train, leaving Rome Termini at 12:10, changing at Milan Centrale, arriving Zurich HB 19:27.

  You travel from Rome to Milan by Frecciarossa high-speed train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This train takes the scenic Gotthard route past Lake Lugano in the Swiss Alps.  20 minutes of the journey is now in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel but you still get great views either side, see more about this journey here.

  Rome to Milan starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Milan to Zurich starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

  Book from Rome Termini to Zurich HB at either www.raileurope.com, www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.  Make sure you have at least an hour in Zurich to change trains in case of any delay.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  You've time for dinner in Zurich, I can recommend the steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal on the main concourse at Zurich HB.

• Step 2, travel from Zurich to Prague by sleeping-car, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40, arriving Ceske Budejovice 08:52 & Prague Hlavni 10:39.

  The sleeping-car to Prague is a modern Czech Comfortline type with nine 1, 2 or 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three deluxe 1, 2 or 3 bed compartments with en suite toilet & shower.  There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  Morning tea & coffee is included in the sleeper fare.  There are no couchettes on this route.  More information about the Zurich-Prague sleeper.

  Fares start at €45 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €59 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €112 in a single-bed sleeper.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this sleeper at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.  Easy!  Booking normally opens 92 days ahead, see my tips for using cd.cz.

• If you're going to Ceske Krumlov, get off the sleeper at Ceske Budejovice (its former name is Budweis, that's right, where the name of the beer comes from), have a coffee at the station then take the 10:13 express train to Ceske Krumlov arriving 10:50.  In this case you'd use www.cd.cz to book Zurich to Cesky Krumlov, of course looking for the 21:40 departure with 1 change.

Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train, through the Alps.  This is a Giruno train at Bellinzona.  The train passes through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel, though the transit takes just 20 minutes.

1st class.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car with bar counter. Larger photo.

2nd class.  Larger photo		Level boarding. Note the destination screen in the door.

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

Zurich to Prague by sleeping-car, seen at Zurich HB.  More information about this sleeper.

Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open.  Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds.		Same sleeper with berths folded away & seats out, washstand closed.  Very similar to a deluxe, but without shower & toilet.		Deluxe sleepers are similar to standard ones, with a bit more floorspace & compact shower & toilet instead of washstand.		Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car.  There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.

Option 3, Rome to Prague with overnight stop in Venice - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Rome Termini to Venice Santa Lucia by Frecciarossa in just 3h59 using any train you like.

  You can spend almost a full day in Rome before taking an evening train, or take an earlier train and see something of Venice.  The Rialto bridge is just 15 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, the Piazza San Marco is just 25 minutes walk.  Frecciarossas have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee) or Trenitalia's website www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  You can also try high-speed operator Italo for this journey, booked at www.italotreno.it.

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

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:35.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It takes the beautifully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route from Vienna to Graz, a real treat, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.  Treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains glide by.  See the Venice to Vienna by train page for more information, tips, photos & video.

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

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Prague by swish modern Czech railjet train leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:10 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 23:43.

  The excellent air-conditioned railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz, whichever is cheaper.  Booking opens 6 months ahead on www.thetrainline.com, 92 days ahead at www.cd.cz.  You print your own ticket.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

A Venice-Vienna railjet, at Venice Santa Lucia.  More information about Venice-Vienna railjets.

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

First class.		Economy class.

The railjet travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

• Step 2, when you reach Vienna, simply buy a ticket for €9.80 and hop on the next hourly Regional Express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, no reservation necessary or possible, journey time 1h06, 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, 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 Bratislava by hourly Regional Express train, seen at Vienna Hbf.  More about these trains.  Behind the locomotive is a smart Slovakian air-conditioned intercity coach, whilst the rest of the train consists of more basic non-air-con Austrian City Shuttle carriages, with interiors as shown in the photo above right.  Find a seat in the more comfortable Slovakian car if you can!

Option 2, Rome to Bratislava with overnight stop in Venice - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Rome Termini to Venice Santa Lucia by Frecciarossa in just 3h59 using any train you like.

  You can spend almost a full day in Rome before taking an evening train, or take an earlier train and see something of Venice.  The Rialto bridge is just 15 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, the Piazza San Marco is just 25 minutes walk.  Frecciarossas have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee) or Trenitalia's website www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  You can also try high-speed operator Italo for this journey, booked at www.italotreno.it.

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

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:35.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It takes the beautifully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route from Vienna to Graz, a real treat, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.  Treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains glide by.  See the Venice to Vienna by train page for more information, tips, photos & video.

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

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

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

• Day 2, when you reach Vienna, simply buy a ticket for €9.80 and hop on the next hourly regional express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna, no reservation necessary or possible, journey time 1h06.  You can check times using www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.

Venice to Vienna by railjet, seen at Venice Santa Lucia.  More information about Venice-Vienna railjets.

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

First class.		Economy class.

The railjet travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

Vienna to Bratislava by hourly Regional Express train, seen at Vienna Hbf.  Behind the locomotive is a smart Slovakian air-conditioned intercity coach, the rest of the train consists of non-air-con Austrian City Shuttle carriages, as shown in the photo above right.  Find a seat in the more Slovakian car if you can!  More information about these trains.

Option 1, Rome to Budapest using the Rome-Vienna sleeper - safe, comfortable, time-effective...

• 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  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.  A railjet at Vienna Hbf.  More information about railjets.

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

First class.		Economy (2nd) class.

The railjet has landed...  A railjet on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti.  More information about railjets.

Option 2, Rome to Budapest with overnight stop in Venice - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers...

• Day 1, travel from Rome Termini to Venice Santa Lucia by Frecciarossa in just 3h59 using any train you like.

  You can spend almost a full day in Rome before taking an evening train, or take an earlier train and see something of Venice.  The Rialto bridge is just 15 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia, the Piazza San Marco is just 25 minutes walk.  Frecciarossas have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee) or Trenitalia's website www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  You can also try high-speed operator Italo for this journey, booked at www.italotreno.it.

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

• Day 2, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:35.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It takes the beautifully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route from Vienna to Graz, a real treat, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.  Treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains glide by.  See the Venice to Vienna by train page for more information, tips, photos & video.

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

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 21:19. 

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

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

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

A Venice-Vienna railjet, at Venice Santa Lucia.  More information about Venice-Vienna railjets.

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

First class.		Economy class.

The railjet travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, photos & video.

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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 08:40 & Bucharest Nord 11:19.

  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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your smartphone.

• 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.

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

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

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Rome to Ljubljana & Slovenia, Zagreb...

Option 1, Rome to Ljubljana & Zagreb 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.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Boank" href="../booking/trainline.htm">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 09:58, and arriving Ljubljana at 14:00. 

  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, Rome to Ljubljana & Zagreb 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 - and there's now a daily Austrian EuroCity train from Trieste to Ljubljana, too.

  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.

Looking back from the rear of the Austrian EuroCity train as it climbs out of Trieste.  Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

Scenery in Slovenia on the way from Trieste to Ljubljana.  More information about Venice-Trieste-Ljubljana.

Option 3, Rome to Ljubljana & Zagreb with an overnight stop at Villach in Austria - a useful alternative...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Rome Termini at 10:35 & arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:34. 

  The high-speed Frecciarossa train has 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Villach by railjet, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55 and arriving Villach at 19:11.

  The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Villach is in Austria, on the Slovenian border.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (quickest & easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  You print your own ticket.

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

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

  Enjoy the lovely scenery as the train runs along the pretty river Sava from Ljubljana to Zagreb.

  Fares start at €9.90 to Ljubljana or €19.90 to Zagreb, 2nd class only.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (quickest & easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  You print your own ticket.

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Rome to Dubrovnik & Split...

Option 1, Rome to Split & Dubrovnik via Zagreb - by train all the way...

• 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, Rome to Split & Dubrovnik by ferry from Ancona or Bari - more time-effective...

• 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. 

  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, Rome to Belgrade & Sofia with an overnight stop in Villach - the cheapest & simplest option...

• Step 1, travel from Rome to Venice by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Rome Termini at 10:35 & arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:34. 

  The high-speed Frecciarossa train has 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 2, travel from Venice to Villach by railjet, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55 and arriving Villach at 19:11.

  The smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Villach is in Austria, on the Slovenian border.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (quickest & easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  You print your own ticket.

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

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

  Enjoy the lovely scenery as the train runs along the pretty river Sava from Ljubljana to Zagreb.

  Fares start at €19.90, 2nd class only.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.thetrainline.com (quickest & easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  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.

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

  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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  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, Rome to Krakow & Warsaw 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, Kyiv & 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.

• Day 2, enjoy the best part of the day in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.

• Day 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv by direct sleeping-car. leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 and arriving Lviv 11:00 & Kyiv 18:30 next day.

  Introduced in December 2017, this train has one or two direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars 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-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').

  Book the train from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv 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-Kyiv 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 Kyiv 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 Kyiv 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 Kyiv to Moscow.  Train 6 leaves Kyiv at around 19:36 and arrives Moscow Kievskaya at around 10:09 next day (day 4 from Italy).  Taking the route via Kyiv avoids Belarus, so no need for a Belarus visa.

  These trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and are now cancelled - and the lines blown up - due to the war in Ukraine...

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

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

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

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.

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

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Rome to Athens & Greece...

• Day 1, travel from Rome to Bari by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Rome Termini at 10:00 and arriving  Bari Centrale 14:10.

  It's an enjoyable & scenic ride across the spine of Italy on a modern air-conditioned train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  You should book the ferry first and confirm the train afterwards, allowing for station-port transfer and a 2 or 3-hour check-in.  This train gives time for a late lunch in Bari's pleasant old town, next to the ferry terminal, before checking-in for a 19:30 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 simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  In Bari, you can walk (1.9km, 25 minutes, see map) or take a taxi to the ferry terminal, which is next to Bari's attractive old town.

• Day 1, sail from Bari to Patras with Superfast Ferries, sailing daily except Sundays at 19:30 arriving Patras at 13:00 the next day (day 2).

  On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early for connections from Rome, but you can take a train to Bari on Saturday evening and stay overnight in Bari.

  You should report to the Superfast desk at Bari ferry terminal with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3h before departure especially in summer - although 2 hours or even 1½ hours and you'll normally be fine.  You walk onto the ferry and get your cabin key from the reception desk on board.

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

  The ship is 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 €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

• Day 2, travel from Patras to Athens by bus+train combo...

  OSE (Greek Railways) buses run from outside Patras railway station to Kiato station near Corinthos every hour or two, journey time 90 minutes.  At Kiato you board a modern air-conditioned regional train to Athens, journey time 78 minutes, arriving at the mainline Athens Larissa Station.  No reservation is necessary, just buy a bus/train combo ticket to Athens at Patras station ticket office for around €18 (tickets for the bus-train combo are sold at Patras railway station, not the bus station!).

  For example, buses leave from outside Patras railway station at 14:15, 15:15, 16:00, 17:15 & 18:15, total journey time to Athens 3h02.  You can check Patra to Athens bus/train times in English using the journey planner at www.hellenictrain.gr.

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.

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

  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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