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UK to Malta without flying
It's easy to reach Malta from London by train & ferry, and you get to see the Alps and Italy on the way. This page explains how to plan and book the journey.
Take a morning Eurostar to Paris and a high-speed TGV to Milan on day 1, and stay overnight. On day 2, take a morning high-speed train to Rome and board the sleeper to Siracuse in Sicily. The Rome-Sicily sleeper is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, a unique experience. Day 3, spend the morning in Siracuse then transfer to the little town of Pozzallo for the 90-minute ferry crossing to Valletta on Malta. Virtu Ferries operate fast catamarans from Sicily to Malta up to 6 days a week with up to 3 sailings per day, dates & times vary.
Malta is one of the friendliest islands in the Mediterranean or anywhere else for that matter, and it's a great place for a week or two's holiday, with plenty to see and do.
Train times, fares & information
Hotels & accommodation on Malta
General information on
train travel in Europe
Luggage Taking your bike Taking your dog
Route map
Useful country information
London to Valletta
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Write your own Malta Story. As the Virtu Ferries fast ferry enters Valetta Harbour, you get a real sense of arrival. Photo courtesy of David Smith |
There are many possible routes and trains between London and Sicily for the ferry to Malta, but here I'll suggest the cheapest, quickest, most direct rain & ferry journey from the UK to Malta. Feel free to take an extra day or two and stop off on the way, it makes no difference to the cost as each train is ticketed separately. You can see more possible routes and trains from the UK to Italy on the London to Italy page.
Train times from the UK to Malta
Train times from Malta to the UK
London ► Malta
Option 1: Works most days, with an evening ferry from Pozzallo
This option works on most dates all year round, typically 5 days a week in winter and 6 days a week in summer, when there's an evening ferry at around 19:30 or 21:00 from Pozzallo on Sicily to Valletta on Malta. The journey takes 2 nights, 3 days which includes an afternoon in Rome and a day in Siracuse.
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Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like.
The last one leaves London St Pancras at 20.01, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 23:18, but by all means book an earlier one.
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Stay overnight in Paris: The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for catching an early train next morning and great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort. Other recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon include the Citizen M Hotel (a 2-minute 160m walk from the station, great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Turin by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 06:39, arriving Turin P. Susa 12:23.
The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Chambéry, Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps. What's the journey like? See the video!
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Day 2, travel from Turin to Rome by Frecciarossa high-speed train, leaving Turin Porta Susa at 14:00, arriving Rome Termini 18:10.
The Frecciarossa has a cafe bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Important update 2024: The direct Paris-Milan line via Modane was blocked by a landslide on 27 August 2023 and is likely to remain blocked until at least March 2025. So the Paris-Turin train shown above is cancelled until further notice. Until the line is reopened, you should travel from London to Milan via Switzerland instead, see the alternative London-Italy timetable here.
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Day 2, travel from Rome to Sicily by Intercity Notte sleeper train, leaving Rome Termini at 20:31 arriving Siracuse 09:01 (day 3).
This Intercity Notte has 4-berth Comfort couchettes and sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. What are Italian sleeper trains like? Yes, this sleeper train really is direct from Rome to Sicily! The train reaches Villa San Giovanni early next morning where it is shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina to Sicily. The crossing takes about 30 minutes and you can either remain in bed on the train or go up on deck for some sea air. Travelling on a train and a ferry at the same time is a unique experience, see this video! Spend most of day 3 at leisure in Siracuse.
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Day 3, in late afternoon or early evening, transfer the 60 km (40 miles) from Siracuse to Pozzallo by irregular local train, bus or taxi.
You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com. On dates when the ferry sails at 19:30 there's usually a local train from Siracuse around 14:10 arriving Pozzallo at 15:26. On dates when the ferry sails at 21:00 there's usually a local train from Siracuse around 17:41 arriving 18:49. Alternatively, there are regular buses from Siracuse to Pozzallo or you could use a taxi all the way.
In Pozzallo, it's a 40-minute 3 km walk or taxi ride from the station to the Virtu Ferries ferry terminal, see walking map. At the port, large luggage is placed on a trailer which goes onto the ferry's car deck, you reclaim it on arrival in Valetta. There are no toilets or retail facilities at the quayside, so stock up before going here.
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Day 3 evening, sail from Pozzallo to Valletta on Malta with Virtu Ferries.
The ferry departure time from Pozzallo varies between 19:30 and 21:00, arriving Valletta between 21:00 and 22:30, check sailing dates and times at www.virtuferries.com.
The ferry has economy and club class seats plus a cafe. The crossing takes just 90 minutes, you sail into the wonderful Valletta harbour and arrive at the Valletta ferry terminal which is walking distance from Valletta city centre, or there will be taxis waiting. Virtu Ferries' current vessel is the modern 110m-long 900-passenger catamaran Saint John Paul II, introduced in 2019.
Option 2: For days when there's a morning ferry from Pozzallo
This option is almost a day faster than option 1, taking 2 nights and 2 days, but only works on certain dates when there's a morning ferry from Pozzallo around 09:15, and you don't get the leisure time in Rome or Siracuse. So first check ferry times for the date you want to arrive in Malta at www.virtuferries.com.
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Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:31 arriving Paris Nord 12:50.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.
Tip: I'd book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.
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Important update 2024: The direct Paris-Milan line via Modane was blocked by a landslide on 27 August 2023 and is likely to remain blocked until at least March 2025. The afternoon Paris-Milan train shown below is running, but with a bus around the landslide and later arrival in Milan, until further notice. Alternatively, until the line is reopened you can travel via Switzerland instead, with an earlier departure from London, see the alternative timetable here, more information here.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:48, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49.
The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Chambéry, Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps. What's the journey like? See the video!
Stay overnight in Milan. The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews. In the morning it's a 25 minute walk or 8-minute €8 taxi ride to Milan Centrale.
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Day 2, travel from Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa 500 high-speed train, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:00, arriving Naples Centrale 12:33.
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Day 2, travel from Naples to Sicily by InterCity train, leaving Naples Centrale at 13:45 arriving Siracuse 22:53.
Yes, all this InterCity train really is direct from Naples to Sicily - in fact, it starts in Rome. The train reaches Villa San Giovanni at 18:05, and to reach Messina on Sicily, the train is shunted on board a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, you can either remain on board the train or go up on deck for some sea air. Travelling on a train and ferry at the same time is a unique experience, see this video! The train has vending machines, but it's best to take your own picnic and bottle of wine.
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Stay overnight in Siracuse.
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Day 3 early morning, transfer the 60km (40 miles) from Siracuse to Pozzallo, by irregular local train, bus or taxi.
You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com, on Mondays-Saturdays there may be an 05:36 train arriving Pozzallo 06:48, but sometimes there isn't a train or bus early enough so you may have to take a taxi.
In Pozzallo, it's a 40-minute 3 km walk or taxi ride from the station to the Virtu Ferries ferry terminal, see walking map. At the port, large luggage is placed on a trailer which goes onto the ferry's car deck, you reclaim it in Valetta. There are no toilets or retail facilities at the quayside, so stock up before going here.
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Day 3 morning, sail from Pozzallo in Sicily to Valletta on Malta with Virtu Ferries.
On dates when there's a morning ferry, it usually sails from Pozzallo at 09:15 and arrives in Valletta at 10:45, check sailing dates & times at www.virtuferries.com.
The ferry has economy & club class plus a cafe. The crossing takes just 90 minutes, you arrive at the Valletta ferry terminal, walking distance from Valletta city centre or there will be taxis waiting. Virtu Ferries' current vessel is the modern 110m-long 900-passenger catamaran Saint John Paul II, introduced in March 2019.
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.
Lunch in Paris at the Train Bleu restaurant?
The trains to Italy leave from the magnificent Gare de Lyon in central Paris. Why not have lunch (or at least a drink in the bar) at the fabulous Train Bleu Restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon (pictured above right) before catching the train to Turin or Milan? Paris Gare de Lyon station guide.
2. Paris to Milan by TGV
SNCF (French Railways) operates three daily TGV trains from Paris to Milan, now operated entirely by SNCF, officially via a new Italian subsidiary, Società Viaggiatori Italia. There is no Trenitalia involvement. On leaving Paris they sprint over the high-speed line at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) as far as Lyon, they then slow right down to meander through the Alpine foothills on conventional lines via Chambéry, crossing into Italy at Modane and heading through Turin to Milan. These TGVs have 1st & 2nd class seats with interiors designed by Christian Lacroix. There are power sockets for laptops and mobiles at every seat and there are baby-changing facilities and designated spaces for passengers in wheelchairs. There's a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals, or feel free to bring your own food & wine along. You can now buy Paris metro tickets from the bar car, too. 1st class TGV passengers can use the Grand Voyageurs lounge at Paris Gare de Lyon. Incidentally, SNCF's experienced in-house designer still hasn't forgiven Christian Lacroix for breaking the unwritten rule and using warm colours in 2nd class, cooler colours in 1st class, see what you think!
3. Milan to Rome by Frecciarossa Frecciarossa information Watch the video
4. Rome to Siracuse by sleeper
Or by daytime InterCity train
5. Siracuse to Pozzallo by local train
6. Pozzallo to Malta by Virtu Ferries
Malta ► London
Option 1: On days when there's an early morning ferry from Malta
You'll find an early morning ferry from Valletta to Pozzallo on most dates, typically 05:00 or 06:45 or 07:00 up to 5 days a week in winter, 6 days a week in summer. Check ferry times for your travel date at www.virtuferries.com. The following itinerary works with this morning ferry, and gives you a day at leisure in Siracuse. By all means spend more time in Naples or Rome, you'll find other Rome-London options on the Italy page.
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Day 1, sail with Virtu Ferries from Valletta on Malta to Pozzallo on Sicily.
The ferry departure time varies between 05:00 & 07:00, check sailing dates & times at www.virtuferries.com.
Valletta ferry terminal is walking distance from Valletta city centre, there's a 1-hour check-in time for foot passengers. The ferry has economy & club class plus a cafe. You sail out of Valletta's wonderful harbour into the Mediterranean, the crossing to Sicily takes just 90 minutes.
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Day 1, take a taxi from Pozzallo ferry terminal to Pozzallo town centre or railway station, about €15.
There'll usually be taxis waiting on the quayside when the ferry arrives. Then travel the 40 miles from Pozzallo to Siracuse by irregular local train or bus, check train times for your date of travel at www.trenitalia.com. Alternatively, you can take a taxi all the way to Siracuse.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Siracuse.
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Day 1, travel from Sicily to Rome by Intercity Notte sleeper train, leaving Siracuse at 19:10, arriving Rome Termini 07:18 (day 2).
The Intercity Notte has 4-berth Comfort couchettes and sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. The train is ferried from Sicily to the mainland on a train ferry, a unique experience, see the trains to Sicily page. What are Italian sleeper trains like?
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Important update 2024: The direct Milan-Paris line via Modane was blocked by a landslide on 27 August 2023 and will remain blocked until at least March 2025. The Turin-Paris train below is running, but with altered times and a bus around the landslide in the middle. Or you can travel from Rome to Milan, then from Milan to Paris via Switzerland, see the alternative Italy-London timetable here.
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Day 2, travel from Rome to Turin by high-speed Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Roma Termini at 10:50, arriving Turin Porta Susa 15:10.
Travelling at up to 300 km/h, the Frecciarossa 1000 has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Day 2, travel from Turin to Paris by TGV, leaving Turin P. Susa at 17:38, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 23:19.
The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide.
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Stay overnight in Paris: If you want a hotel room on arrival at the Gare de Lyon, I suggest the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon as it's part of the station complex, just metres from where your train arrives. If you'd prefer to stay near the Gare du Nord I suggest the excellent 25 Hours Terminus Nord, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord with great reviews & great feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de Lyon or Gare du Nord.
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Day 3, travel from Paris to London next morning on any Eurostar you like.
The first train usually leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:12 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving London St Pancras at 08:30, but by all means book a later one. On Sundays the first train is the 08:12 arriving London at 09:30.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.
Option 2: On days when there's an afternoon ferry from Malta
On some dates, especially in summer, you'll find an afternoon ferry from Malta to Pozzallo, usually sailing from Valletta around 16:30. The following itinerary works with this ferry and it's the fastest option, although you don't get any time in Siracuse or Rome unless you add an extra day.
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Day 1, sail with Virtu Ferries from Valletta on Malta to Pozzallo on Sicily.
On many dates you'll find a 16:30 ferry from Malta arriving Pozzallo 18:00, check sailing dates and times at www.virtuferries.com.
Valletta ferry terminal is walking distance from Valletta city centre, there's a 1-hour check-in for foot passengers. The ferry has economy & club class plus a cafe. You sail out of Valletta's wonderful harbour into the Mediterranean, the crossing to Sicily takes just 90 minutes.
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Day 1, take a taxi from Pozzallo ferry terminal to Pozzallo town centre or railway station for around €15.
There'll usually be taxis waiting on the quayside when the ferry arrives. Then travel the 40 miles from Pozzallo to Siracuse by irregular local train or bus. You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com, there's usually a train at 20:25 arriving Siracuse at 21:30. Alternatively, you can take a taxi all the way to Siracuse.
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Stay overnight in Siracuse.
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Day 2, travel from Sicily to Naples by InterCity train, leaving Siracuse at 07:32, arriving Naples Centrale 16:17.
There are vending machines, but it's better to take your own picnic and beer or wine. The train is ferried from Sicily to the mainland by train ferry, a unique experience, see the trains to Sicily page.
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Day 2, travel from Naples to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Naples Centrale at 18:30, arriving Milan Centrale 23:00.
There's an earlier 17:25 train from Naples, but I'd allow longer to change trains in case the InterCity from Sicily is late. In Milan it's a 10 minute €6 taxi ride from Milan Centrale to Milan Porta Garibaldi.
Stay overnight in Milan. The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi with good reviews.
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Day 3, travel from Milan to Paris by TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 06:00, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 13:16.
There is a café-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals, and it's a scenic journey through the Alps via the Mont Cénis tunnel, Modane and Chambéry. What's the journey like? See the video guide.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord, 2 stops on RER line D.
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Important update 2024: The direct Milan-Paris line via Modane was blocked by a landslide on 27 August 2023 and will remain blocked until early 2025. The train above is cancelled until further notice. Until the direct line is reopened. travel from Milan to Paris via Switzerland instead, see the alternative Italy-London timetable here, more information here.
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Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:12 arriving London St Pancras 16:30.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.
How much does it cost?
Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the fare for each stage of the journey.
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).
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Paris to Milan by TGV starts at €29 each way 2nd class, €44 each way 1st class.
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If you use option 1, Milan to Rome by high-speed Frecciarossa train starts at €29.90.
Rome to Siracuse by sleeper train costs from €35 with a Comfort couchette or from €66 per person in a 2-bed sleeper.
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If you use option 2, Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa starts at €29.90.
Naples to Siracuse by InterCity train costs from €19.90.
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All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Siracuse to Pozzallo by local train costs around €5. Taxi fare not known.
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Pozzallo to Malta by ferry costs around €55 one-way or €96 return off-season, rising to €94 one-way or €129 return in the summer peak.
Children under 4 travel free, children aged 4 but under 14 are charged a child rate. Two adults can take up to 2 children free of charge, but must pay port taxes. You can check prices at www.virtuferries.com. Club class costs an extra €15 or so each way.
How to buy tickets
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The best way to book is online. It involves one website for the ferry and another for the trains, so first sketch out your itinerary, listing the date & time for each individual train you need to book.
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When does booking open?
You can book the ferry way in advance, and you can also book your hotels well ahead, risk-free at www.booking.com with free cancellation. Booking for Eurostar opens up to 11 months ahead. Booking for the Paris-Italy trains and Italian domestic trains usually opens up to 4 months ahead. I recommend waiting until the TGV and onward Italian trains are open for booking so you can confirm times before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. More about when booking opens.
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Step 1, book the ferry at www.virtuferries.com.
Why start with the ferry? Well, it only runs on certain days and sailing times vary, so it makes sense to find a suitable sailing first and work backwards to find suitable connecting trains as these run every day.
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Step 2, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and book the Eurostar & TGV from London to Milan and back, add to your basket. See detailed booking tips here.
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Step 3, still at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, now book each of your Italian trains.
Book from Milan to Rome & from Rome to Siracuse if you're using option 1, or Milan to Siracuse via Naples as one journey if you're using option 2. Add these to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.
You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.
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Tickets for the Siracuse-Pozzallo local train are easily bought at the station when you get to Siracuse. At Pozzallo there's no ticket office, so going northbound, buy a ticket on board the train or using the Trenitalia app on your phone.
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Alternatively, you can each train separately with the relevant operator with no booking fees: Book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com, the Paris-Milan TGV at www.sncf-connect.com and Italian trains at either www.italiarail.com (in plain English, they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (using Italian place names, a bit more fiddly, but no booking fee). However, using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com you can book all your tickets in plain English in one place, with payment in €, £ or $.
How to buy tickets by phone
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It's doubtful that any agency can arrange your train tickets and the ferry. So first check ferry times & dates at www.virtuferries.com so you know what ferry you need train tickets to connect with, and book the ferry by calling Viamare Travel on 020 8206 3420.
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Then call an agency to book your trains to Sicily, see my list if UK ticketing agencies.
For a journey between the UK & Sicily I'd call Ffestiniog Travel, International Rail or Trainseurope.
Book early for the cheapest prices, ideally 2-3 months ahead, as prices increase close to departure, just like air fares,
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Let Tailor Made Rail arrange it
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The hassle-free way to arrange a trip to Malta by train is to ask Tailor Made Rail to book it for you as a package. Their suggested tour from London to Malta is at www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/malta, this can be customised your requirements, indeed they can arrange a trip with any stopovers you want, one-way or round trip, via any route. They welcome complex itineraries!
As it's a package they'll take care of you if anything happens, for example, a national strike. They're TTA-protected, similar to ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.
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Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.
From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461. Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.
Alternative ferry to Malta: www.grimaldi-lines.com
Grimaldi Ferries (www.grimaldi-lines.com) offers a weekly ferry from Salerno & Catania to Valletta in Malta, which can be cheaper than Virtu Ferries. You can find information on train travel from the UK to Naples & Salerno to connect with this ferry on the UK to Italy page.
Bus travel in Malta & Gozo
Buses link Valletta with towns and villages all over Malta. Valletta bus station is just outside the city’s main gate, it has ticket machines and a ticket office. International bus operator Arriva took over bus lines in Malta in 2011, when the traditional routes numbers all changed, things changed again when the Government took back the bus operations in 2014. Malta's traditional orange buses (many of them very old) are sadly now replaced by modern buses in the bus company's own colours.
For Malta bus information see www.publictransport.com.mt.
Fares are cheap, usually €2 (winter) or €2.50 (summer) for a ticket valid for 2 hours on any bus or series of buses, and buses run at least every half hour throughout the day on most routes. You can buy inexpensive tickets giving you unlimited bus travel all over Malta for 1 day or 7 days.
As the buses used to be, only a few years ago. Brightly-painted Maltese buses at Valletta bus station, just outside the city's main gate. These wonderful old Maltese buses have now all been replaced by characterless modern buses in the bus operator's own colours.
Valletta to Gozo
Option 1, by bus + ferry
Take bus number 41 or 42 from Valletta bus station to Cirkewwa ferry terminal, for the ferry to Gozo. Bus 41/42 runs every 15 minutes throughout the day, journey time 1h25, fare €1.30, see www.publictransport.com.mt. The Gozo Channel ferry (www.gozochannel.com) links Cirkewwa on Malta with Mgarr on Gozo every 45 minutes throughout the day, crossing time 25 minutes. There's no charge to cross from Malta to Gozo, you only pay to come back from Gozo to Malta, the fare is €4.65, children aged from 3 to 12, €1.15. Buses link Mgarr with all main points on Gozo.
Option 2, by fast ferry
A fast ferry links Valetta's Lascaris Wharf with Mgarr on Gozo, up to a dozen times a day taking 45 minutes, see www.gozohighspeed.com. It's a chance to sail out of Valetta's impressive harbour! The ferry has two classes, standard and club class. See www.gozohighspeed.com for fares & booking. The fast ferry is cancelled in bad weather, so check online before travelling.
European Rail Timetable & maps
The
European Rail Timetable
(formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair
travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of
publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing
department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and
resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.
You can buy it online at
www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted. See an extract from the map. Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
Hotels on Malta
Backpacker
hostels
www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.
Travel insurance & other tips
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Always take out travel insurance
You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card! Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I also get some commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone. You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.
Touring cities? Use hill walking shoes!
One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa. They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities. My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!