• Step 1, travel from Venice to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 07:18 every day arriving Milan Centrale at 09:45.

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

  Fares start at €19.90 in standard or €29.90 in business.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

On arrival, have a coffee in Milan's magnificent Centrale station, well worth a look around in its own right - maybe you'll spot Mussolini.

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Frankfurt by 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 23:29.

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

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

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

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

  You can also use www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, which keeps everything together in one place, if you don't mind the small booking fee.  See suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

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 2, Venice to Amsterdam via the scenic Brenner Pass then the Innsbruck-Amsterdam Nightjet sleeper train - comfortable, scenic & time-effective.

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Innsbruck by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 every day & arriving Innsbruck Hbf 18:36.

  This is a wonderful journey, over the causeway across the lagoon from central Venice to the mainland, over to Verona and up the wonderfully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

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

  Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, using this allows you to book everything together in one place) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Innsbruck Hbf, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Innsbruck to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 20:44 & arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:59.

  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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, 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 the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no fee).  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 1, Venice to Innsbruck by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is a EuroCity train at Innsbruck.

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.

Mountains on the Brenner route between Verona & Innsbruck.

Step 2, Innsbruck to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train.  Above, a Comfortline sleeping-car on the Nightjet train about to leave Innsbruck.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Option 3, Venice to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Munich - easy, scenic, ideal if you prefer day trains to sleepers.

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Munich Hbf at 20:26.

  On Saturdays & Sundays there's also a later EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

  This is a wonderful journey, across the causeway over the lagoon from central Venice to the mainland, on to Verona and through the mountains via the wonderfully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video here.

  Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €65.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Amsterdam by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf 07:45, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 15:29.

  By all means choose a later departure.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Check times and buy tickets at int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.  Easy!

A EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.  More photos & information about these 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.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

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

Mountains on the Brenner route.

Option 4, Venice to Amsterdam using the Venice-Stuttgart Nightjet sleeper train - a comfortable and time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf at 08:38.

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam by ICE, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:51, change Cologne Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 15:29.

  The superb German ICE train has 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.

  Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Tip:  Change Transfer time from Normal to minimum 30 minutes.  I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Stuttgart.

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

Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet.  Above, the Nightjet at Venice Santa Lucia.

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

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

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Venice to Luxembourg

Option 1, Venice to Luxembourg using the Venice-Stuttgart Nightjet sleeper train - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 every night, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.

  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.

• Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Luxembourg, leaving Stuttgart at 09:37 by Intercity train, change at Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg 15:23.

  Fares start at €32.90 in 2nd class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

  Tip:  To avoid buses and get an all-train journey, click Stopovers and enter Igel as a stopover, leaving length of stay as 00:00.

Venice to Munich by Nightjet.  Above, the Venice-Munich Nightjet at Venice Santa Lucia.

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

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

Option 2, Venice to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Zurich

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Zurich by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:18 and arriving Zurich HB at 19:27.

  Later departures are possible with a change of train at Milan Centrale, but don't risk any tight connections into last trains.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  Booking usually opens up to 90 days 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 16:23.

  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 19:23.

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

  Tip:  To get an all-train journey and avoid journeys with a bus, click Stopovers and enter Igel as a stopover, leaving length of stay as 00:00.

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Venice to Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, Basel, Zermatt & Switzerland from €18

Choose between fast, comfortable & scenic (using mainline trains, either option 1 direct or option 2 with a change in Milan) and slow, comfortable, fabulous world-class highlight-of-your-trip scenic (option 3, via the narrow-gauge Bernina Express).

Option 1, Venice to Switzerland by direct train, twice a day - first see if these direct trains suit your schedule

• 15:18 direct train from Venice & Verona to Zurich

  A direct EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 15:18 & Verona P. Nuova at 16:32 every day, arriving Zurich HB 21:27.

  Change at Arth Goldau for Lucerne.  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the photos here.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, recognises English place names, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, choice of paying in €, $ or £, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (a bit more fiddly to use, you must use Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).  Booking usually opens 90 days in advance.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  Update 2023: If you're using the Gotthard Base Tunnel route to Zurich, please see the update on the Italy-Switzerland page.

• 16:18 direct train from Venice to Brig, Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva.

  A direct  EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 16:18 & Verona P. Nuova at 17:32 every day, arriving Geneva 23:56.

  This train is a bullet-nosed ETR610 EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the photos here.  It also calls at Brig (change in Brig for Zermatt), Montreux & Lausanne.

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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, recognises English place names, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, choice of paying in €, $ or £, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (a bit more fiddly to use, you must use Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first).  Booking usually opens 90 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 2, Venice to Switzerland with a change in Milan - if the direct trains don't suit you

• Step 1, take one of the hourly Frecciarossa train from Venice Santa Lucia to Milan Centrale in 2h25.

  Frecciarossas have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Frecciarossa page.

• Step 2, then take a EuroCity train from Milan Centrale to Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Brig, Bern, Lucerne, Lugano, Basel SBB or Zurich HB.

  It only takes a few minutes to change trains at Milan Centrale, as it's a terminus you have easy level access between all platforms with no steps or stairs.  The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  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.

  Update 2023: If you're using the Gotthard Base Tunnel route to Luzern & Zurich, please see the update on the Italy-Switzerland page.

• 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?

  Venice to Milan start at €19.90 in 2nd (standard) class or €29.90 in 1st (business) class.

  Milan to Zurich, Geneva, Bern & 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

  Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Both 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 Italian domestic trains & the international EuroCity trains normally opens 4 months ahead.  However, booking for Swiss domestic trains only opens 60 days ahead.

  Italian high-speed trains & the EuroCity trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Swiss domestic tickets can be printed out or a mobile ticket can be shown on your phone.

• 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 int.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 Venice to Zermatt.  You'd pick a journey that suits you:  A high-speed Frecciarossa from Venice 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 Venice 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.

An ETR610 train used on Milan-Switzerland EuroCity trains and the direct Venice-Geneva & Venice-Zurich trains.  More information about Switzerland-Italy 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.

Sion castle, as seen from a Venice to Geneva train.  This route train passes through the famous Simplon Tunnel, opened in 1906, on the very route used by the celebrated Simplon Orient Express of Agatha Christie fame.

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

Option 3, Venice 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 arguably the best Swiss Alps train ride of them all, an amazing experience.  See video of a Milan to Zurich journey via the wonderful Bernina route.

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

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 06:48 & arriving Milan Centrale 09:15.

  Frecciarossas have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Frecciarossa page.  By all means leave later in the morning if you don't want to use the panoramic Bernina Express itself but are happy on one of the hourly local trains.

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

  Book this at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• Step 2, travel from Milan Centrale to Tirano by Trenord regional 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 Milan-Tirano regional 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.  At Tirano, the Italian railways station is opposite the Rhätische Bahn station on the same town square.

• Step 3, travel from Tirano to St Moritz & Chur on the Bernina Express or one of the hourly Rhätische Bahn trains.

  This is the fabulous Bernina 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.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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Venice to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

Option 1, Venice to Barcelona & Spain via Lyon - the easiest & usually cheapest option

• Day 1, travel from Venice Santa Lucia to Milan Centrale on any afternoon or evening train you like.

  It takes just 2h20, trains leave every hour, all these trains have cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• Day 2, travel from Milan to 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 by AVE S100 high-speed train, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:32 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 19:34.

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE-S103 high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 21:20, arriving Madrid Atocha at 23:50.

  Earlier departures may be available with other operators, but I recommend allowing at least an hour between trains in Barcelona and it's better to stick with the same operator if you can when making connections, in this case Renfe.

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

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

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

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

  For Valencia & Alicante:  EuroMed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:10 & Alicante 12:38 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.

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

• How much does it cost?

  Venice to Milan starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

  Milan to Lyon starts at €25 in standard (2nd), €36 in business (1st) or €149 in executive class (premium 1st).

  Lyon to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €49 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 Venice 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 print your ticket or select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.  For AVE and other Spanish trains you print your own ticket.

• 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 Venice 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 own website www.trenitalia.com, for that you'll need to use Italian-language place names, see this advice on using it.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. 

  Step 2, if using the direct train from Lyon to Barcelona run by Renfe, book at the Spanish Railways website, www.renfe.com (in €, fiddly, see advice on using it).  If using the alternative trains run by SNCF, book these at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

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

Option 2, Venice 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 Venice late 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 Venice to Geneva by direct ETR610 EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 16:18 and arriving Geneva at 23:54.

  By all means take an earlier train to enjoy the scenery in daylight through the Alps and arrive earlier in Geneva, although you'll then need to change trains in Milan.

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

  Book this at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee), using these 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.  Booking opens 90 days ahead.  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

• 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 16:31.

  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 €, no booking fee).

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

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

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

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

  For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station.  Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & 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.

Venice to Geneva by EuroCity train, seen here at Milan Centrale.  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.

The view from the train:  Lake Leman on a wintry day.

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 3, Italy to Barcelona by luxury cruise ferry

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

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Venice to Lisbon & Portugal

Option 1, Venice to Lisbon via Barcelona & Madrid

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Madrid as shown in the Venice to Madrid section above.

  You travel from Venice to Geneva, stay overnight, then travel from Geneva to Barcelona on day 2 and catch an evening train to Madrid.

• 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, Venice to Faro & the Algarve using a bus from Seville

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

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

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Seville by AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 07:32 and arriving Seville Santa Justa at 13:54.

  Fares start at around €46, book this at www.raileurope.com (easiest, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, only in €, may reject some international credit cards).

• 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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Venice to Andorra

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

  Book this at 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 09:27 & arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 13:19.

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

  Book this train at 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 €, no booking fee).

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

• Step 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.

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

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Venice to Berlin from €39.90

Option 1, Venice to Berlin in a single day - a chill-out day via the scenic Brenner Pass

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Verona by Frecciarossa, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 06:48 arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 08:00.

  Frecciarossas have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Frecciarossa page.  A later departure from Venice is possible, but I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona in case of delay which is why I suggest this departure.

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

• Step 2, travel from Verona to Berlin, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 09:01 by EuroCity train, changing at Munich Hbf (arrive 14:26, depart 14:56) onto an ICE train, arriving Berlin Hbf at 19:31.

  The comfortable Austrian EuroCity train travel along the scenic Brenner Pass, a real treat, see the Brenner Pass photos & video here.  The German ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• A later journey is also possible, exactly the same as above, but two hours later:  Leave Venice Santa Lucia at 09:02, change at Verona, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 11:04, change at Munich Hbf and arrive Berlin Hbf 21:29.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com as follows:  Set up an enquiry from Venice to Berlin, click More options, enter Verona (any station) as a via station and set duration to 45 minutes.  Now run the enquiry, looking in the search results for journeys with 2 changes that match the times above.  The Venice-Verona train is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For Verona-Berlin you print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead (up to 6 months for the Verona-Germany section).  There's a small booking fee.

• Alternatively, you can book the Venice to Verona train at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund their 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).  Then book from Verona to Berlin using the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee).

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.

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 2, Venice to Berlin using the Venice-Munich Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 and arriving Munich Ost at 05:50.

  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's 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 several 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, 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 little more fiddly, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  Transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 minutes.

• Step 2, travel from Munich to Berlin by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 07:55 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 11:53.

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

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

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

Step 1, Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  Above, the Nightjet at Venice Santa Lucia.

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.

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.		Step 2, Munich to Berlin by ICE.

Restaurant car.  Larger photo.		Bar car.  Larger photo.

Boarding an ICE at Berlin Hbf.		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

Option 3, Venice to Berlin using the Zurich-Berlin sleeper

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 11:48 and arriving Milan Centrale at 14:15.

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, 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 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 Berlin by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 20:59 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 07:20.

  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.  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.

Zurich to Berlin 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.		Nightjet couchette car.

Option 4, Venice to Berlin with overnight stop in Munich - same as option 1 but with an overnight stop

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Munich Hbf at 20:26.

  On Saturdays & Sundays there's also a later EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

  This comfortable Austrian EuroCity train goes via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video here.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

• Day 2, travel from Munich Hbf to Berlin Hbf by comfortable ICE train on any departure you like, they leave regularly taking as little as 3h58.

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

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

• Buy tickets from Venice to Berlin at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours.  Adjust as necessary to get the trains you want either side of Munich.  A little trial & error is sometimes needed!

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

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Venice to Munich from €39.90

Option 1, Venice to Munich by EuroCity train - the scenic daytime option!

• A smart Austrian EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia every day at 13:35 and arrives Munich Hbf at 20:26.

  On Saturdays & Sundays there's a second Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

  These trains travel via the beautifully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.

• Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €65.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

• You can leave Venice earlier if you change trains in Verona - a good idea in winter, so as not to miss scenery when it gets dark earlier.

  You can travel from Venice to Verona Porta Nuova by hourly Frecciarossa trains, then from Verona Porta Nuova to Munich Hbf by Austrian EuroCity train, these leave every twp hours.  So you can leave Venice earlier or later than the direct 13:35 train if you like.  Just make sure you allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona in case of any delay as you will be on separate tickets.

  Venice to Verona by Frecciarossa train starts at €9.90, Verona to Munich by EuroCity train starts at €39.90.

  To check train times & book a journey with a change of train in Verona, go to www.raileurope.com and enter Venice Santa Lucia to Munich Hbf.  But before running the enquiry, click More options and enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration at least 45 minutes.  Raileurope.com connects to both the Trenitalia & German ticket systems so can sell both tickets as one transaction.  Look for options with 1 change.  Easy!

  Alternatively, you can of course book from Verona Porta Nuova to Munich or any other chosen German destination using the German Railways website int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.  Then book a suitable connecting train from Venice Santa Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.  Price should be the same as Raileurope.com.

A EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.  More photos & information about these 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.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

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

Mountains on the Brenner route.

Option 2, Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train - The time-effective overnight option

• Every evening, a direct Nightjet sleeper train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 and arrives Munich Ost at 05:50 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's 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 several 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, 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 Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Venice to Munich by Nightjet.  Above, the Venice-Munich Nightjet at Venice Santa Lucia.

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

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

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Venice to Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg & Germany

Option 1, Venice to Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf or Hamburg in a day via the scenic Brenner Pass - a scenic daytime option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Verona by Frecciarossa, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 06:48 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 08:00.

  Frecciarossas have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Frecciarossa page.  A later departure from Venice is possible, but I'd allow plenty of time in Verona in case of delay which is why I suggest this one.

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

• Step 2, travel from Verona to Cologne, Dusseldorf or Hamburg, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 09:01 by EuroCity train, changing at Munich Hbf onto an ICE train to Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf or Hamburg arriving early evening.

  The comfortable Austrian EuroCity train goes via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photo & video here.  The superb German ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

• A later journey is also possible on same route, running two hours later, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:00, change at Verona, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 11:01, changing at Munich Hbf onto an ICE to Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf or Hamburg.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com as follows:  Set up an enquiry from Venice to your German destination, click More options, enter Verona (any station) as a via station and set duration to 45 minutes.  Now run the enquiry, looking in the search results for journeys with 2 changes that match the times above.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, although the Verona to Germany part opens up to 6 months ahead.  There's a small booking fee.

  The Venice-Verona journey is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For Verona to Germany you print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

  Alternatively, you can book the Venice to Verona train at www.trenitalia.com (you'll need to use Italian place names) then book from Verona to Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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

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 2, Venice to Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf or Hamburg in a day via Switzerland - another scenic daytime option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 07:18 every day arriving Milan Centrale at 09:45.

  Frecciarossas have 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Frecciarossa page.

  Fares start at €19.90 in standard or €29.90 in business.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, it's ticketless you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

  On arrival, have a coffee in Milan's magnificent Centrale station, well worth a look around in its own right, maybe you can spot Mussolini!

• Step 2, travel from Milan to Frankfurt by 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.  Until 9 December 2023, it travels via the famous Simplon & Lötschberg route, along Lake Maggiore and through the Swiss Alps.  From 10 December it uses the Gotthard route, past Lake Como and Lake Lugano, via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest railway tunnel.  See photos and video of the Gotthard route here.

  Change in Frankfurt for Cologne, Dusseldorf and 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 int.bahn.de or www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for the 11:20 departure.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

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 from the train.

Option 3, Venice to Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf or Hamburg by EuroCity train to Innsbruck then Nightjet sleeper train - scenic & time-effective

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Innsbruck by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 18:36.

  This is a wonderful journey, over the causeway across the lagoon from central Venice to the mainland, over to Verona and up the wonderfully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.

  Fares start at €19.90 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 $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with tea, coffee & free WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Innsbruck to Germany by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 arriving next morning at Cologne Messe-Deutz at 06:53 & Düsseldorf 07:23, with a separate portion to Hamburg Hbf arriving 08:47.

  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's 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 several 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, 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 Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a little more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Step 1, Venice to Innsbruck by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is a EuroCity train at Innsbruck.

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.

Mountains on the Brenner route between Verona & Innsbruck.

Step 2, Innsbruck to Cologne, Düsseldorf or Hmaburg by Nightjet sleeper train.  Above, the Nightjet train is about to leave Innsbruck.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Option 4, Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet sleeper train, onwards by daytime ICE train - another time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 and arriving Stuttgart Hbf at 08:38.

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

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

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

• Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf or Hamburg by ICE train, allowing at least 60 minutes in Stuttgart.

  If you leave Stuttgart after 09:40 you'd reach Cologne 12:05, Düsseldorf 12:35, Hamburg 16:14.

  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.

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

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

Venice to Stuttgart by Nightjet.  Above, the Nightjet at Venice Santa Lucia.

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

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

Option 4, Venice to anywhere in Germany by daytime trains with overnight stop in Munich - same as option 1 but with an overnight stop

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Munich Hbf at 20:26.

  On Saturdays & Sundays there's also a later Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

  This comfortable Austrian EuroCity train goes via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video here.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

• Day 2, take an ICE or IC train from Munich to anywhere in Germany.  ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Fares from Venice to Germany start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €65.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets from Venice to any German destination at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours.  Adjust as necessary to get the trains you want either side of Munich.  A little trial & error is sometimes needed!

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

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Venice to Vienna & Austria from €28.30

Option 1, Venice to Vienna by railjet train - the scenic daytime option

• Swish Austrian railjet trains link Venice with Vienna twice a day, city centre to city centre over the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains.  The journey isn't mere transportation, it's a highlight of your trip.  Watch the video, Vienna to Venice by railjet.

  The morning railjet train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arrives Vienna Hbf at 17:36.

  The afternoon railjet train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55 and arrives Vienna Hbf at 23:36.

• These modern railjet trains have a restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer & wine, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's also the option of business class, = premium 1st class, a real treat.  Just remember that the afternoon train may pass the best Semmering scenery after dark, depending on the time of year.

  See the Vienna to Venice by train page for more information, tips, photos & video.

• Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  Look for the direct RJ train with 0 changes.  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 2, Venice to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option

• An excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 every night, arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:58 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 (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

A comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train at Vienna Hbf.  More information about Nightjets.

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

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

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Venice to Salzburg from €21.90

Option 1, Venice to Salzburg via the scenic Tauern route - the daytime option, fastest route

• A comfortable railjet train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55, final destination Vienna.  Change at Villach and arrive Salzburg Hbf 15:48.

  A second daily railjet train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55, final destination Vienna.  Change at Villach and arrive Salzburg Hbf 21:48.

  This takes you over the scenic Tauern route through the mountains across Austria.

  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 across a platform.  In any case you'll have a through ticket so will be looked after if there's a missed connection.

• Fares start at €21.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets 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 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 2, Venice to Salzburg via Innsbruck scenic Brenner route - the daytime option, alternative route

• This is a couple of hours slower, but offers departures roughly every two hours from early morning until early afternoon.

• There's a direct EuroCity train from Venice Santa Lucia to Innsbruck Hbf at 13:35, change at Innsbruck, arriving Salzburg Hbf 21:01.

  There are other departures by Italian Frecciarossa to Verona, then EuroCity train to Innsbruck and connecting train to Salzburg.

  These travel via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner photos & video here.

• To find journeys & buy tickets via this route, use www.raileurope.com as it can sell both Italian and Austrian tickets and has a stopover duration feature.  Set up an enquiry from Venice to Salzburg, click More options and enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 45 minutes.  That gets you a robust connection where the tickets change over.

  The Frecciarossa is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the Austrian trains, you print your own ticket.

Option 3, Venice to Salzburg by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option

• A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 arriving Salzburg Hbf at 04:04 (ouch!)  But you don't need to get up that early.

  The sleeper costs exactly the same whether you book it to Salzburg or to Linz, St Pölten or Vienna, so I suggest booking it from Venice to Linz (06:04) or perhaps St Pölten (at 07:09), then simply hop on the next hourly double-deck Westbahn train back to Salzburg Hbf, journey time 1h05 from Linz, 2h02 from St Pölten.  You pay the €14 fare from Linz or €22 fare from St Pölten to the conductor on board, no reservation necessary, see www.westbahn.at.  Then there's no need to get up at 4am.  Simples!

• The 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 for the Nightjet 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 the Nightjet 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 and you print your own ticket.

Venice to Linz or Vienna by Nightjet.  Above, the Nightjet at Venice Santa Lucia.

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.

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Venice to Innsbruck from €19.90

Option 1, Venice to Innsbruck by direct train - the best option, if the afternoon departure suits you

• A direct Austrian EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 every day, arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 18:36.

  On Saturdays & Sundays a second direct Austrian EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35, arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:36.

  These EuroCity trains travel through the wonderfully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.

• Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, looking for the 13:35 or 15:35 EC train with 0 changes.

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

  You can also book using www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices but a bit more fiddly).  These use the Austrian ticketing system, prices may differ from the German system.

Option 2, other departures with a change in Verona - if you want a morning departure

• You take an Italian Frecciarossa train from Venice Santa Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova, then an Austrian EuroCity train to Innsbruck, these run every two hours.  I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona where you switch tickets.

• Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com as it can sell both Italian and Austrian tickets and has a stopover duration feature.  Set up an enquiry from Venice to Innsbruck, click More options and enter Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 45 minutes.  That gets you a robust connection where the tickets change over.

  The Frecciarossa is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the Austrian train, you print your own ticket.

A EuroCity train at Innsbruck.  More photos & information about these 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.

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.

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Venice to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm & Scandinavia

Option 1, Venice to Copenhagen & Stockholm using the Zurich-Hamburg sleeper - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Milan by Frecciarossa, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 11:48 and arriving Milan Centrale at 14:15.

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

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

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian language place names, see advice on using it).  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 20:59 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 EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 & arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.

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

  Book from Hamburg to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de or (if you want to keep all your bookings together in one place) www.thetrainline.com.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Step 5, travel from Copenhagen to Sweden by train.

  For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:37.

  For Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central by Öresund train, these leave every hour taking 3h53.

  For Malmo, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central by Öresund train every 20-30 minutes taking 39 minutes.

  All these trains cross the water from Denmark to Sweden over the impressive Öresund fixed link. 

  Fares from Hamburg to Sweden start at €56.90.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Hamburg to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö as one transaction at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  Gothenburg is listed as Göteborg Central.  If you have any problems, for example if you don't see any affordable 1st class fares, split the booking, booking Hamburg to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de and booking Copenhagen to anywhere in Sweden at either Omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small fee) or www.sj.se (in SEK, has been known to reject some overseas credit cards).

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Option 2, Venice to Copenhagen using the Innsbruck-Hamburg Nightjet sleeper train

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Innsbruck by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 18:36.

  This is a wonderful journey, over the causeway across the lagoon from central Venice to the mainland, over to Verona and up the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

  Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with tea, coffee, soft drinks & free WiFi.

• Step 2, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 20:44 arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47 next morning.

  Until 9 December 2023, 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.

  From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is due to be operated by a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

  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 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, 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 the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

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

• Step 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 and arriving Copenhagen at 15:34.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de,  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

Step 1, Venice to Innsbruck by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is a EuroCity train at Innsbruck.

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.

Mountains on the Brenner route between Verona & Innsbruck.

Step 2, Innsbruck to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train.  Above, a Comfortline sleeping-car on the Nightjet train about to leave Innsbruck.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

Step 3, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink.  More information about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Option 3, Venice to Copenhagen using the Venice-Munich sleeper - also a time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05, arriving Munich Ost at 05:50.

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

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

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

  Transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 minutes.

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

  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 EuroCity train, there's 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 int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

• Step 3 if you're going to Malmo, simply take a regular Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central in 39 minutes, these leave at least twice an hour.  You can book through from Munich to Malmö from €39.90 at int.bahn.de and print your own ticket.

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

Option 4, Venice to Copenhagen by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Munich

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Munich Hbf at 20:26. 

  This train takes the scenic Brenner Pass route, see the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video here.

  On Saturdays & Sundays there's also a later Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen by train, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:20, 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 19:34.

  Or there's a later departure leaving Munich Hbf at 10:21, 1 easy change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:34

• How much does it cost? 

  Venice to Munich starts at €37.90 in 2nd class, €65.90 in 1st class.

  Munich to Copenhagen starts at €37.90 in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book from Venice to Munich at the German Railways website int.bahn.de looking for the EC train with 0 changes leaving at 13:35.

  Step 2, now use int.bahn.de again to book from Munich to Copenhagen looking for a convenient option with just 1 change. 

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

Option 5, Venice to Copenhagen, Gothenburg & Stockholm by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Hamburg

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Hamburg, leaving Venice Santa Lucia 08:48, changing Verona P. Nuova & Munich Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf 22:53. 

  An earlier 06:48 departure is also available if you prefer, on the same route.  You travel via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.

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

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 & arriving Copenhagen 13:34.

• Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Sweden.

  For Stockholm, take an X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm, leaving Copenhagen at 14:21 & arriving Stockholm Central 19:36.

  For Malmo or Gothenburg, Öresund trains run hourly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central in 3h53 and every half hour or better from Copenhagen to Malmö Central in 39 minutes.

• How much does it cost? 

  Venice to Hamburg starts at €39 in 2nd class, €69 in 1st class.

  Hamburg to Copenhagen starts at €29 in 2nd class, €59 in 1st class.

  Hamburg to Stockholm or Gothenburg starts at €29 in 2nd class, €59 in 1st class.

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

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book from Venice to Hamburg at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) as one journey, first clicking More options, entering Verona Porta Nuova as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 45 minutes.  That gets you a robust connection.

  Alternatively, book the Venice-Verona train at Italian Railways www.trenitalia.com then book Verona to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, allowing at least 45 minutes between trains in Verona.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  The Italian train is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the Austrian/German trains you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone

  Step 2, book from Hamburg to Copenhagen, Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm at int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone

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Venice to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Venice to Oslo by train all the way

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05, arriving Munich Ost at 05:50.

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

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

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

  Transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 minutes.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen by ICE & EuroCity train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:21, making one easy change at Hamburg Hbf and arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.

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

  Book Munich to Copenhagen at the German Railways site int.bahn.de.  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.

• 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 09:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 17:44.

  Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & information 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 16:30 and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as also shown here.  This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill.  Book the ferry at www.dfds.co.uk.

Option 2, Venice to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Innsbruck by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 18:36.

  This is a wonderful journey, over the causeway across the lagoon from central Venice to the mainland, over to Verona and up the wonderfully scenic Brenner Pass, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.

  Fares start at €19.90 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 $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no fee).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

• Day 1, travel from Innsbruck to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 arriving at Hamburg Hbf at 08:47.

  Until 9 December 2023, 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's 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 several 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.

  From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is due to be operated by a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

  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, 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 Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a little more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf by regional train, these leave several times each hour taking 1h10, fixed-price fare around €23.

  In Kiel, the Color Line ferry terminal is only 6 minutes walk from Kiel Hbf, but allow several hours between train & ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of delay.

• Day 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges.  The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning (day 3).

  Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or www.colorline.com.

  Money-saving tip:  It appears that it's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164.  You'll need to use Google Chrome translation to translate the Norwegian.  You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details.  Feedback appreciated.

  Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord.  The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre.  Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis.  If you have little luggage it's possible to walk.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Step 1, Venice to Innsbruck by Austrian EuroCity train.  This is a EuroCity train at Innsbruck.

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.

Mountains on the Brenner route between Verona & Innsbruck.

Step 2, Innsbruck to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train and transfer to Kiel by regional train.  Above, the Nightjet train about to leave Innsbruck.  More information about Nightjets.

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

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

Step 3, sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line.  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...

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Venice to Helsinki & Finland

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

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 and arriving Stuttgart Hbf at 08:38. 

  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.  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 Stuttgart to Hamburg by ICE train, leaving Stuttgart at 09:51 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:14.  Times may vary.

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

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

• 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 Hamburg page.

  Finnlines sail from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 4 from Rome).  Check sailing dates, times & book the ferry at www.finnlines.com.

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

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

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

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

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Venice to Prague, Cesky Krumlov & the Czech Republic

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

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 21:05 arriving Vienna Hbf at 07:58 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 €, more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

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

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Prague by Czech railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:10 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 13:11.

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

  These swish railjet trains have a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the railjet information page. 

  Why not 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.

  Book this train at either www.thetrainline.com or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.  Check prices on both sites as one is often cheaper than the other for the same train.  Booking opens 6 months ahead on www.thetrainline.com, 90 days ahead at www.cd.cz.  You print your own ticket.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

• 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, Venice to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train arrived at Vienna Hbf.  More information about Nightjet trains.

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

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

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, Venice to Prague in a single day from €48, comfy, scenic

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:36.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, free WiFi & power sockets at all seats.  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 €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 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.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Prague by swish modern Czech railjet train leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:10 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 23:16.

  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 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 3, Venice to Prague by day trains with overnight stop in Vienna - same as option 3 but an overnight stop breaks up the journey nicely

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 23:36.

  This train takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route, you might see something of this at least in summer when it's light until ten.  The air-conditioned railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  See the Venice to Vienna by train page for more information, tips, photos & video.

  Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (= premium 1st class, a real treat).  Fares vary like air fares.

  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.

• 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 Prague by Czech railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:10 arriving Prague Hlavni at 11:35. 

  Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the 09:10 arriving 13:35.  Your call.

  The excellent air-conditioned railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  You arrive in the city centre, walking distance from the old city.  Why not book a later Railjet & spend some time exploring Vienna?  Trains to Prague leave every two hours, see the timetable here, left luggage lockers are available.

  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 either www.thetrainline.com or www.cd.cz - check prices on both sites as one is often cheaper than the other for the same train.  Booking opens 6 months ahead on www.thetrainline.com, 92 days ahead at www.cd.cz.  You print your own ticket.

Option 4, Venice to Prague by day trains with overnight stop in Munich - from €37.90, the cheapest option

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Munich by EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 13:34 and arriving Munich Hbf at 20:26. 

  This train takes the scenic Brenner Pass route, see the Brenner Pass scenery photos & video here.

  On Saturdays & Sundays there's also a later Austrian EuroCity train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 22:27.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

• Day 2, travel from Munich Hbf to Prague Hlavni by air-conditioned express train in 5h40, see the timetable here. 

  The trains have a refreshment trolley & free WiFi.  More information about Munich to Prague trains.

• Fares from Venice to Prague 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 int.bahn.de.

  To build in the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours.  Adjust the length of stay to get an earlier or later train from Munich to Prague.

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

  If you have any problems booking this way, book each train separately.  First book the Venice to Munich train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, then book a Munich to Prague train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (booking at cd.cz opens 92 days ahead).

This is a EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.  More photos & information about these 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 1, Venice to Romania by railjet to Vienna and Dacia Express sleeper train to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:36.

  The air-conditioned 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, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.  Treat yourself to lunch as the mountains glide by.

  Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (= premium 1st class).  Fares vary like air fares. 

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest, 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.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day and arriving next day in Simeria 07:10, Sighisoara 09:13, Braşov 12:36, Ploeşti 14:28 & Bucharest Nord at 15:06.

  It has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, plus several deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  It has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and 2nd class seats.

  A Hungarian restaurant car operates between Vienna and Budapest, treat yourself to dinner.  A bar car is attached in the morning between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks & snacks.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.

  The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:47.  This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.

  Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.  You collect tickets from an ÖBB ticket machine in Vienna.

  You can also book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket.  Tip:  Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

Step 1, Venice to Vienna by railjet, seen here 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, Venice to Romania by Dacia Express seen here at Vienna Hbf.  This is the sleeping-car.  Sleeper photo courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.  Larger photo.

The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf.  Larger photo.

Transylvania:  The Dacia Express crosses rural Transylvania.  Courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.

The Carpathian mountains:  Almost Alpine scenery between Brasov & Bucharest.  Courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom

Option 2, Venice to Romania using the sleeper from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest - longer, sometimes cheaper, with afternoon in Budapest.

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

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

• Step 2, take the overnight sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov at 08:50 & Bucharest Nord at 11:30 next day. 

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

• Alternative step 2:  Stay overnight in Budapest, top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station.  Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.  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.  You show the ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

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 @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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

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Venice to Ljubljana & Slovenia, Zagreb

Option 1, Venice to Ljubljana & Zagreb via Villach - a comfortable option, easily booked

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Villach in Austria by railjet, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55, arriving Villach 19:11.

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

  Step 2, travel from Villach to Ljubljana by train, leaving Villach at 20:53 and arriving Ljubljana at 22:30.

  Step 3 for Zagreb:  Stay overnight in Ljubljana and continue to Zagreb next day, see suggested hotels near the station in Ljubljana.

• Fares start at €26.50 in 2nd class or €39.40 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Option 2, Venice to Ljubljana & Zagreb via Trieste - the historic direct route, with no need to pre-book

• Take an hourly regional train from Venice to Trieste, then one of 3 daily trains from Trieste to Ljubljana, over the original direct route from Italy to Slovenia, once used by the Simplon Orient Express.  If you've ever wondered where prosecco comes from, you'll find out on this route!

  Venice to Ljubljana costs around €24, no need to book in advance, just turn up, buy and go.

• See the Venice to Ljubljana & Zagreb page for timetable, fares & full details.

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.

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Venice to Dubrovnik & Split

• 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 Venice Santa Lucia 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 afterwards.  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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Venice to Belgrade & Sofia

• Step 1, travel from Venice to Villach in Austria by railjet train, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:55 and arriving Villach at 19:11.

  Book this from €19 at either www.thetrainline.com (easiest) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at.  You print your own ticket.

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

• Step 2, travel from Villach to Zagreb by train, leaving Villach at 06:25 and arriving Zagreb at 10:39.

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

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

• Step 3, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

  This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and is still suspended in 2024.

  The train is comfortable, 2nd class only, it has no catering so bring your own food & drink.

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

  While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

  It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

  A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.

  The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

• If you're going to Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade. I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva.

• Step 4, travel from Belgrade to Sofia by daytime train, see the Belgrade to Sofia page for details.

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Venice to Bar, Budva, Kotor & Montenegro

• This is an excellent way to reach beautiful Montenegro from Venice.  Make sure you're on deck with your camera ready as the ship approaches the lovely Montenegrin coast!

• Step 1, travel from Venice Santa Lucia to Bari Central, an enjoyable and scenic ride along the Adriatic coast.  Obviously, check ferry operating dates and times first and work out a suitable connecting train after booking the ferry.  You should choose a train which arrives in Bari at least 3 hours before the ferry sails, to allow for transfer to the port and check-in.

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

  Book the 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 it's a 25 minute walk via Bari's pleasant old town to the ferry terminal, or a 10 minute taxi ride.

• Step 2, sail from Bari to Bar in Montenegro by overnight ferry with a comfortable en suite cabin.  Montenegro Lines ceased trading in early 2017, but Croatian ferry line Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) will resume sailings shortly with one sailing per week all year round, twice a week in high summer.  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.

• Trains link Bar with Podgorica and indeed with Belgrade on the spectacular Bar-Belgrade Railway.  Regular buses link Bar bus station with Budva and Kotor.

The Montenegro Lines ferry to Bari at Bar ferry terminal.

• You can leave Venice in the morning on a fast train to Bari, sail overnight to Patras in Greece and take a bus/train into Athens arriving in the early evening.  See the Italy to Athens page for details of times, fares & how to buy tickets.

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

• Day 1, travel from Venice to Vienna by railjet, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 09:55 and arrives Vienna Hbf at 17:35.

• Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bucharest overnight on the sleeper train Dacia Express as shown in the Vienna to Romania section.

• Day 2, stay overnight in Bucharest.  The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord is walking distance from the station, inexpensive and gets great reviews.

• Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Istanbul by sleeper train as shown in the Bucharest to Istanbul section, arriving in the morning on Day 4.

Railbookers custom-made tours

If you just want to buy train tickets at the cheapest price, book online as shown on this page.  However, if you want someone to sort out your whole trip for you, arranging all your trains, hotels and transfers, and to look after you if anything affects your arrangements, talk to Railbookers.  Railbookers can tailor-make a train trip around Europe to your own specification.  Just tell them what you want and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels.  They get good reports and a lot of repeat business!  They now have offices in the UK, North America and Australia.

  UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

  US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.