Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Steps 2 & 3, Hamburg to Mannheim & Mannheim to Paris by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is an ICE3 (class 407) at Paris Gare de l'Est.  More about ICE trains.

Restaurant car.		Lunch in the restaurant car, with an Erdinger Weissbier.

2nd class seats.		1st class seats.

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Copenhagen to Strasbourg

Option 1, Copenhagen to Strasbourg in a single day

• Until 15 July 2024:  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 20:34.

  From 16 July 2024:  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 19:34.

  From 16 July 2024:  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 21:34.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Offenburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Offenburg to Strasbourg by regional train.

  Faster journeys with risky connections are possible, but these are the robust departures I'd recommend, also likely to be cheaper..

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Offenburg starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Offenburg to Strasbourg costs €11, fixed-price, unlimited availability.

• How to buy tickets

  Go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Step 1, click Stopovers and enter Offenburg, leaving length of stay zero,  Run an enquiry from Copenhagen to Strasbourg, look for a 2-change option leaving at 07:26 or 09:26.  At this stage it only shows silly-money fares, so split the booking to book as follows:

  Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Offenburg looking for the 07:26 departure and a 1-change option.

  Step 3, now use int.bahn.de again to but a regional ticket from Offenburg to Strasbourg.  This ticket is good for any SWE local train that day.

  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 2, Copenhagen to Strasbourg with an overnight stop in Hamburg

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

• 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 Strasbourg, for example:

  Leave Hamburg Hbf at 07:28, change at Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg 15:33.

  Leave Hamburg Hbf at 09:28, change at Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg 17:33.

  Hamburg to Offenburg is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Offenburg to Strasbourg is by regional train.

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Hamburg to Offenburg starts at €17.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Offenburg to Strasbourg costs €11, fixed-price.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book the Copenhagen to Hamburg train. 

  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 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Offenburg, looking for a direct train.

  Step 3, use int.bahn.de again to book from Offenburg to Strasbourg on the regional service marked SWE RB25.

  Tip:  You can save a few euros by booking Copenhagen to Offenburg as one journey.  Set departure time as 15:00.  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours.  Adjust stopover duration as necessary to get the Hamburg-Offenburg train you want next morning.

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Copenhagen to Lyon, Avignon, Nice & other French cities from €68

Option 1, Copenhagen to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille with an overnight stop in Hamburg.  This option by-passes Paris.

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

• 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 Mannheim or Frankfurt by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Until 15 July 2024, leave Hamburg Hbf at 09:24, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:00.

  From 16 July 2024, leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:24, arriving Mannheim 13:27.

• Day 2, travel to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence or Marseille by TGV Duplex.

  Until 15 July, leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56 every day arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:33 & Marseille St Charles at 21:46.

  From 16 July 2024, leave Mannheim at 14:39 every day arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:33 & Marseille St Charles at 21:46.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

• Stay overnight in Marseille and travel to Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan next morning (Day 3).

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.

  Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book from Copenhagen to Hamburg.

  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 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille, but - and this is important - make sure you change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes before running the enquiry.  If you don't, it'll put you on a later train from Hamburg with a risky 9-minute connection, a simple 10-minute delay and you're toast.

  Book onward trains within France at either www.thetrainline.com (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 for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

The TGV Duplex from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille, about to leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

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

1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Step 2, Hamburg to Switzerland by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.

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

Couchette car.		6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Switzerland by daytime trains in a single day

• There are several daytime options:

  Copenhagen depart 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Basel SBB 18:55 & Zurich HB 20:00.

  Copenhagen depart 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Basel SBB 20:55 & Zurich HB 22:00.

  Copenhagen depart 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arrive Basel SBB 23:04.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Switzerland by superb German ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary, so check your date at int.bahn.de.  More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Swiss cities start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €79.90 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 can book to almost any Swiss town or city.  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, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Basel by ICE4, seen here arrived at Zurich HB.  Most Hamburg-Switzerland ICEs are now ICE4.  Click on the interior images below for larger photos.

1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car.  See current month's menu.

Bar counter, other end of the restaurant car.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Switzerland by daytime trains with an overnight stop

• You can travel from Copenhagen to a suitable stopover point in Germany on day 1, then on to Switzerland on day 2.  Possible stopover points might include Hamburg, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg.

• For example, leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

  Stay overnight in Cologne, the good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, the entrance is left of the station entrance, many rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

  Next day leave Cologne Hbf at 07:55 arriving Basel SBB at 11:47 or Zurich at 13:00.

  Tip:  The 08:53 EuroCity train EC9 from Cologne Hbf runs direct to Basel, Bern & Interlaken via the classic Rhine Valley line, a scenic treat, passing river boats, vineyards, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock.  It has a Swiss 1st class panorama car & Swiss restaurant car, see the Rails Down the Rhine page.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Swiss cities start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €79.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Book from Copenhagen to your chosen Swiss destination.  To get the overnight stop, click Stopovers and enter the place you want your overnight stop, for example Cologne with a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.  To get a journey along the classic Rhine Valley route, add Koblenz Hbf as a second stopover station with length of stay left as 00:00.

  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.

EuroCity train at Zurich HB.

2nd class seating.  Larger photo.		The Swiss restaurant car:  Treat yourself!  Larger photo.

Panorama car with 1st class seats, available on train EC9.  Make sure you reserve a seat in car 263 as there is just one 1st class panorama car and two other regular 1st class cars.  See advice on booking it.

Pfalzgrafenstein castle on the Rhine.  See the Rails Down the Rhine page.

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Copenhagen to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from €75

Option 1, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper & the Gotthard route - the most time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

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

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

  You print your own ticket or show it on your 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 this at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee) which keeps all your tickets together on one place.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:07 and arriving Zurich HB at 10:05.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 or 2-berth standard compartments with washbasin and several 1 or 2-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus several 3-berth compartments with washbasin.  There are toilets 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 guide to Nightjet 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 €, more fiddly, same prices).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

• Step 3, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 11:33 & arriving Milan Centrale 14:50. 

  This train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It takes the scenic Gotthard route through the Alps, past Swiss & Italian lakes.  Do not risk a connection with the earlier 10:33.

  Zurich to Milan starts at €29 in 2nd class, €49 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Change in Milan for regular Frecciarossa trains to Verona P. Nuova, Venice Santa Lucia, Florence SMN (1h40), Rome Termini (2h55) & Naples Centrale.  Milan to Florence starts at €19.90, Milan to Rome or Naples at €29.90.

  Buy tickets from Zurich to any Italian destination at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names).  Zurich to Italy journeys are now ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.

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

Couchette car.		6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.

Step 3, Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train.  This is a SBB Giruno train about to leave Zurich HB.  More about Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains.

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

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

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train on the Gotthard route.  On the Zurich-Milan Gotthard route you'll also pass the Zugersee & the Vierwaldstattersee in Switzerland, and if it's a train routed via Como, you'll glimpse Lake Como too.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Innsbruck sleeper & the Brenner route - another time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.

  A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 20 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

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

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

  From 10 December 2023 this train is 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 €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €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.

  Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks & snacks.

• Step 3, travel from Innsbruck to Italy by railjet, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 11:24, arriving Verona P. Nuova 14:58 & Bologna Centrale 16:19.

  The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves you at your seat.  The train travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & video on the Brenner Pass page.

  Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Venice.  Change at Bologna Centrale for Florence, Rome & Naples. 

  If you'd like a morning in Innsbruck, a later railjet leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 13:24 running via Verona direct to Venice Santa Lucia, arriving 18:25.

  Tip:  Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 train to Verona, I'd play safe and stick with the 11:24.

  Fares from Innsbruck Verona or Bologna (or, on the direct train, Venice) start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

  Onward fares from Bologna to Florence or Rome start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  Step 1, book the Copenhagen-Hamburg train at the German Railways website www.bbahn.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 2, book the nightjet sleeper from Hamburg to Innsbruck 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).  Look for the train marked NJ (Nightjet) with 0 changes.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

  Step 3, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book from Innsbruck to Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy.  This connects to both the German, Austrian and Italian ticketing systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place.  You print your own ticket for the Austrian train and the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead, but it can vary.  There's a small booking fee.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

Comfort Plus sleeper with shower & toilet.		Comfort sleeper with shower & toilet

4-berth couchettes.		Mini-cabins - enclosed individual capsules.

Step 3, Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice by new generation railjet.  Courtesy of @SimplyRailway.  Interior photos courtesy of ÖBB.

Economy class, open saloon.		Restaurant car.

First class, all in open saloons.		Business class = just four 4-seat compartments

Mountains on the Brenner route.

Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner as the train heads for Trento & Verona.

Watch out for hilltop fortresses.  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains via the Gotthard route, with overnight stop in Frankfurt

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26, changing Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 21:00.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, Hamburg to Frankfurt by high-speed ICE train with 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.  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 Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have stayed at and can recommend.  There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 07:52 and arriving Milan Centrale at 15:50.

  The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's routed via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest railway tunnel.  But you still get excellent views of Swiss mountains and Swiss and Italian lakes, see the photos and video of the Gotthard route here.

  Fares from €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 and print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.

• Day 2, now take a high-speed Frecciarossa train to Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples.

  For Venice, leave Milan Centrale at 16:45 arriving Verona P. Nuova 17:58 and Venice Santa Lucia 19:12 (later on Saturdays).

  For Florence, Rome & Naples, a Frecciarossa leaves Milan Centrale at 16:58 arriving Florence SMN 18:50, Rome Termini 20:35, Naples Centrale 22:03.

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

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

  Book from Milan to Florence, Rome, Naples or any Italian destination at www.italiarail.com (they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names).  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains via the Brenner route, with overnight stop in Munich

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Munich in one leisurely day.

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26 by EuroCity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf 18:40.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26 by EuroCity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf 20:45.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26 by EuroCity train, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE train, arriving Munich Hbf 22:36.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley.  Then by German ICE train from Hamburg to Munich with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

  Buy a ticket 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 Italy by railjet, leaving Munich Hbf every couple of hours.

  The 07:34 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova & Bologna Centrale on Mondays-Fridays or to Verona Porta Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia at weekends, arriving 14:25.

  The 09:34 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova and Bologna Centrale every day, change in Bologna for Florence, Rome & Naples, or change in Verona for Venice arriving 16:40.

  The 11:33 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona & Venice every day, arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 18:25.

  These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves you at your seat.  The trains travel through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the photos & video on the Brenner Pass page.

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

  To buy tickets for a direct train from Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no booking fee) or www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee).  You print your own tickets.

  To buy tickets for journeys which involve a change of train (meaning any journey to Florence, Rome or Naples, or to Venice on a departure which isn't direct), use www.raileurope.com, clicking More options, entering Verona Porta Nuova (or if you want the 09:34 from Munich and you're heading for Florence, Rome or Naples, Bologna Centrale) with a stopover duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection.  www.raileurope.com connects to both the Trenitalia and DB systems so can source both tickets either side of Verona or Bologna as one transaction.  You print your own tickets for the Austrian train or can show it on your phone, for Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Easy!  Booking for the German/Austrian train opens up to 6 months ahead.  Onward Italian trains normally open up to 4 months ahead, but this can vary.

A new generation railjet at Innsbruck, note the low-floor section for easy boarding.  Courtesy of @SimplyRailway.  Interior photos courtesy of ÖBB.

Economy class, open saloon.		Restaurant car.

First class, all in open saloons.		Business class = just four 4-seat compartments

Mountains on the Brenner route.

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Copenhagen to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain from €114

Option 1, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  Book this as shown.

  Change stations in Paris from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

  From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  It's a scenic and comfortable journey, click here for the sights to see on the way.

  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 sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

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

  Until 14 December 2024:

  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.

  From 15 December 2024:

  For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.

  Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

  For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:10, Seville Santa Justa 21:25.

  For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:45.

  For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

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

  Check times & buy onward tickets in Spain at either www.raileurope.com (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 first) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in $, small mark-up).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it can vary.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Steps 2 & 3, Hamburg to Mannheim & Mannheim to Paris by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  This is an ICE3 (class 407) at Paris Gare de l'Est.  More about ICE trains.

Restaurant car.		Lunch in the restaurant car, with an Erdinger Weissbier.

2nd class seats.		1st class seats.

Step 4, Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets & free WiFi. More about Paris-Barcelona TGVs.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.		2nd class seats, on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating.  360º photo..

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

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

Option 2, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Cologne

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne on one of these two departures.

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 16:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 18:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Cologne by ICE with 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 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 Cologne.  The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, the entrance is left of the station entrance, many rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.

• Day 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

  Eurostar has 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

  Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 & arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:27.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  It's a scenic and comfortable journey, click here for the sights to see on the way.

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

  Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  It's sometimes cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here.

• 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, take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona Sants next morning, check times & book at www.raileurope.com.  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it can vary.

  For Madrid:  AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35.

  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 S103 high-speed train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:51.

  For Cordoba & Seville:  Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 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 Coruña & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stops in Hamburg & Marseille - avoids the need to change trains & stations in Paris

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

  Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 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 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.

• 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 Frankfurt by ICE train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 09:24 every day arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:00.

  The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to an early lunch on board.

  Then travel from Frankfurt to Marseille by TGV Duplex, leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56 every day arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:46.

  The impressive double-deck 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

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

  Buy a ticket from Hamburg to Marseille at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Tip:  Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to ensure a robust connection.  Times may vary, you may need to leave Hamburg at 08:24 and change at Mannheim instead of Frankfurt on some dates.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Important, make sure you change Transfer time from normal to minimum 40 minutes before running the enquiry.  If you don't, it'll put you on a later train from Hamburg with a risky 9-minute connection, a simple 10-minute delay and you're toast.  So make sure it books you the earlier train with time for a coffee at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

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

• Day 3, travel from Marseille to Barcelona & Madrid by AVE S100 high-speed train, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:04 and arriving Barcelona Sants 12:38 & Madrid Atocha 15:45.

  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 about AVE S100 & this journey.

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

  Fares from Marseille to Madrid start at €44 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or using Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Day 3, take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante or from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Malaga.

  A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:35 every day, arriving Cordoba 18:34 & Malaga Maria Zambrano 19:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 16:30 daily except Saturdays arriving Seville Santa Justa at 19:03.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Madrid Atocha at 18:00 arriving Seville Santa Justa at 20:43.

  An AVE high-speed train leaves Madrid Atocha at 20:05 every day, arriving Granada 23:36.

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

  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 60 days ahead, but it varies.  I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona or Madrid.

The TGV Duplex from Frankfurt to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille, about to leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

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

1st class seats on the upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		The TGV to Marseille, boarding at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

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Copenhagen to San Sebastian

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  Book this as shown.

• Stay overnight in Paris.

  Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews:  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (1-star).

  Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews:  Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the station, 4-star);  Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk from station, 3-star);  La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star);  Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 10:11 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.

  An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 11:47.

  The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.

  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.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites 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).  French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

• Day 2, travel from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara by Euskotren, every 30 minutes, journey 37 minutes, fare €2.75.

  Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is just 50m away.  Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara.  Check times at www.euskotren.eus.  More about the journey from Paris to San Sebastian.

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Copenhagen to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  Book this as shown.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

  From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

  This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, see an account of the sights to see from the train on the way.

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

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.

• Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Until 14 December 2024, leave Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  From 15 December 2024, leave Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.  Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

  Fares start at €38 in Standard class or €45 in Comfort class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.

• 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.

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Copenhagen to Andorra

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  Book this as shown above.

• Stay overnight in Paris. Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews:  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 1-star).

  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to other Paris stations.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV, one usually leaves Paris Montparnasse at 11:11 arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 15:38.

  Fares start from €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

  Have dinner in Toulouse.

• Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau station to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours, fare €36.  There are several services every day run by Andbus, check times at Andbus.net or Omio.com.  I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay.  There's normally a bus leaving Toulouse Matabiau station (bus stand 15) at 17:45 arriving Andorra at 21:45.

• How to buy tickets

  Book from Copenhagen to Paris as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  Book from Paris to Toulouse Matabiau at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website 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.

  Buy the bus ticket at Andbus.net or Omio.com.

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Copenhagen to Hamburg

Option 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by daytime trains

• Direct EuroCity train link Copenhagen with Hamburg Hbf 5 times a day, up to 7 times in summer, see the timetable here.

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

• Check times & 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.

• See the Copenhagen to Hamburg page for details.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays, 31 March to 1 November 2024

• Step 1, take a local train from Copenhagen main station to Ørestad station, a local station 5km south of Copenhagen city centre.

  These run every 15 minutes or so taking 8 minutes, fare around €4, check times and prices at www.dsb.dk.

  Don't cut things fine when catching a sleeper.  But remember that Ørestad is only a local station with very few facilities, buy food & drink before leaving downtown Copenhagen.

• Step 2, travel from Ørestad to Hamburg by Snälltåget sleeper train, run by private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se).

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 31 March to 1 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Ørestad station at 22:55 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31.

  The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for 1 to 6 people.

  Check dates & times at www.snalltaget.se, entering København H to Hamburg, it will then show times from København Ørestad.

  Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a reclining seat, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.

• Tip:  For a better experience, consider booking the sleeper from Malmö to Hamburg instead of Ørestad.  Then use a Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö to connect with it, these run every 20 minutes taking 39 minutes.  Malmö Central is a main station with far more facilities then little local Ørestad and is a better place to find a restaurant for dinner before the sleeper.  The Snälltåget train spends an hour or so in the terminus platforms at Malmö Central before it leaves, so boarding is relaxed and you can get to bed earlier.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm & Copenhagen to Hamburg & Berlin.  The train is shown at Stockholm Central about to make its very first departure.  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Copenhagen to Berlin

Option 1, Copenhagen to Berlin by daytime trains

• A range of daily departures link Copenhagen with Berlin with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 14:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 16:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 20:20.

  Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 22:23.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with 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 at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE.  Various types operate between Hamburg & Berlin, this is an ICE-T.  More about ICE trains.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant.  In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on an ICE-T.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays, 31 March to 1 November 2024

• Step 1, take a local train from Copenhagen main station to Ørestad station, a local station 5km south of Copenhagen city centre.

  These run every 15 minutes or so taking 8 minutes, fare around €4, check times and prices at www.dsb.dk.

  Don't cut things fine when catching a sleeper.  But remember that Ørestad is only a local station with very few facilities, buy food & drink before leaving downtown Copenhagen.

• Step 2, travel from Ørestad to Hamburg & Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, run by private operator Snälltåget (www.snalltaget.se).

  It runs daily except Saturdays from 31 March to 1 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Ørestad station at 22:55 and arrives Berlin Hbf at 08:47.

  The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for 1 to 6 people.

  Check dates & times at www.snalltaget.se, entering København H to Berlin, it will then show times from København Ørestad.  It may arrive at Berlin Gesundbrunnen on certain dates, instead of Berlin Hbf.

  Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a reclining seat, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.

• Tip:  For a better experience, consider booking the sleeper from Malmö to Berlin instead of Ørestad.  Then use a Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö to connect with it, these run every 20 minutes taking 39 minutes.  Malmö Central is a main station with far more facilities then little local Ørestad and is a better place to find a restaurant for dinner before the sleeper.  The Snälltåget train spends an hour or so in the terminus platforms at Malmö Central before it leaves, so boarding is relaxed and you can get to bed earlier.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm & Copenhagen to Berlin.  The train is shown at Stockholm Central about to make its very first departure!  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Copenhagen to Cologne & Düsseldorf

• Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Düsseldorf & Cologne with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train arriving Düsseldorf 16:25 & Cologne Hbf 16:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train, arriving Düsseldorf 19:22 & Cologne Hbf 18:46.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train, arriving Cologne Hbf 20:47.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE4 train arriving Düsseldorf 22:25 & Cologne Hbf 22:49.

  Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE4 train arriving Cologne Hbf 00:51.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, with power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. then Hamburg to Düsseldorf & Cologne is by ICE train with 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 at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopover, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.		Step 2, ICE.  More about ICE trains.

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

Boarding an ICE.		1st class seats.  Larger photo.

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Copenhagen to Frankfurt

• Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Frankfurt with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:00.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 18:00.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 20:00.

  Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 23:00.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Frankfurt is by superb German ICE train with 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 at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

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Copenhagen to Munich

Option 1, Copenhagen to Munich by daytime trains

• Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Munich with one easy change in Hamburg:

  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:40.

  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 20:45.

  Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 22:40.

  Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride.  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Munich is by superb German ICE train with 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 at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  In the bahn.de search results, look for options with 1 change.  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:  If you'd like a few hours stopover in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a specify the number of hours.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Munich by ICE-T.  More about ICE-T trains.

Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration.  There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant.  In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on an ICE-T.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Munich using the Hamburg-Munich sleeper train

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.

  A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 25 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

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

  Book this train 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.

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 & arriving Munich Hbf at 07:06 next morning.

  From 10 December 2023 this train is 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 €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this 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 and you print your own ticket.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

Comfort Plus sleeper with shower & toilet.		Comfort sleeper with shower & toilet

4-berth couchettes.		Mini-cabins - enclosed individual capsules.

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Copenhagen to anywhere else in Germany

Option 1, Copenhagen to Germany by daytime trains

• Direct EuroCity trains link Copenhagen with Hamburg Hbf at 07:26, 09:26, 11:26, 13:26 & 15:26, see the timetable here.

  Change at Hamburg Hbf for connecting trains to anywhere in Germany, centre to centre with no check-in or trek to and from remote airports.

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

• Check times & 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.

Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Option 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg or Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays 31 March to 1 November 2024

• Step 1, take a Öresund train from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central.  These run every 20 minutes or so taking 39 minutes.

• Step 2, travel from Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train.

  The sleeper train runs daily except Saturdays from 31 March to 1 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

  It leaves Malmö at 22:25 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31 & Berlin Hbf at 08:47.  Check times at www.snalltaget.se as there's a later arrival in Berlin on certain dates.

  The train has ordinary seats, reclining seats, and 6-berth couchettes.  A fixed price is charged for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy, the same price for 1 person or any number of people up to 6, unlike normal overnight trains berths are not sold individually.

  Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a reclining seat, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

  See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets online.

  Tip:  Book from Kobenhavn H to Hamburg or Berlin, this will then include the connecting Öresund train.

• Step 3, take an onward train from Hamburg or Berlin to anywhere in Germany.  I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg or Berlin, ideally a bit more.  Check times and buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm & Copenhagen to Berlin.  The train is shown at Stockholm Central about to make its very first departure!  Courtesy of Robert Enskog.

The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people.  Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor.  Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

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Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €78

Option 1, Copenhagen to Austria using the Hamburg-Vienna/Innsbruck sleeper train - the comfortable, time-effective option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 18:03.

  A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 20 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

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

  Book this train 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.

  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Linz or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 & arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17 next morning with another portion going to Innsbruck, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

  Change at Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg, arriving Salzburg Hbf at 08:49.

  From 10 December 2023 both portions of this train are operated by new generation Nightjet trains 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 €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this 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.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Vienna or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets.

Comfort Plus sleeper with shower & toilet.		Comfort sleeper with shower & toilet

4-berth couchettes.		Mini-cabins - enclosed individual capsules.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Frankfurt

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26 by EuroCity train, changing at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 21:09.

• Stay overnight in Frankfurt.  Hotels next to the station with good or great reviews include the Flemings Express Hotel & Hotel Hamburger Hof, both of which I have stayed at and can recommend.  There's also The Frankfurt and the inexpensive Hotel Topas.

• Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Austria on any train you like.

  The 06:21 ICE-T train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arrives Vienna Hbf at 12:47, but by all means enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they run every 2 hours.

  The 06:53 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a change at Munich Hbf will get you to Salzburg Hbf at 11:59, but by all means take a later one, they leave regularly.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Frankfurt to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.

  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.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Hamburg

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.

• 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 Vienna, Salzburg or anywhere in Austria.

  For example, a direct ICE-T train with restaurant car leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.

  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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Copenhagen to Malmö & Gothenburg

• Copenhagen to Malmö

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen main station to Malmö Central every 20-30 minutes, journey time 39 minutes.

  No reservation is necessary or possible, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next one.

• Copenhagen to Gothenburg

  An Öresund train runs from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Goteborg Central) every hour through the day, journey time 3h53.

  No reservation is necessary or possible for these Öresund trains, you just turn up, buy a ticket at a fixed price and hop on the next train.

  You'll also see options involving SJ fast trains with a change of train & seat reservations, but it's easiest to stick with the Öresund trains.

• All these trains use the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

• You can check train times and (if you like, to save time buying at the station) buy tickets online at www.sj.se (Swedish Railways, no booking fee, see my advice on using it here).

Öresund trains link Copenhagen with Malmö every 20 minutes, in under 40 minutes

2nd class seats.  Larger photo.		1st class seats.  Larger photo

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

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Copenhagen to Stockholm from 346 SEK (€31)

Option 1, Copenhagen to Stockholm by SJ daytime train - fastest and most frequent

• Every few hours, a 200 km/h (125 mph) tilting X2000 train links Copenhagen with Stockholm Central in around 5h15.

  With no check-in to worry about, from city centre to city centre it takes little longer than flying, and it's a lot more comfortable.  The trains have a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  These trains are run by SJ, Swedish Railways.  More about X2000 trains.

  These trains cross from Denmark to Sweden over the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden, it's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

  1st class passengers can use the DSB first class lounge at Copenhagen, or the SJ 1st class lounge at Stockholm Central.

• How much does it cost?

  Fares start at 346 SEK (€31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (€47) in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• How to buy tickets

  You can buy tickets at Omio.com which links directly to the SJ (Swedish Railways) ticketing system, same prices as SJ, quick & easy to use, small booking fee, no problem with overseas credit cards, you can pay in various currencies including Swedish Kr, £, € and $.

  Or buy using SJ's own website www.sj.se.  You pay in Swedish krona, no booking fee, you can usually select your seat from a seat map, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards.  See advice on using sj.se.

  Whichever site you buy from, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  You can also try Swedish booking site www.snalltaget.se, or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (there's a phone menu option for English).

  Tip:  Booking doesn't open a set number of days ahead:  Instead, SJ releases tickets in blocks 4 times a year, for example in early December for the period from early April to mid-June, in early April for the period from mid-June to mid-August and in mid-May for the mid-August to mid-December.  You can see the exact dates on www.sj.se on their FAQ page.

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, Copenhagen to Stockholm by Snälltåget daytime trains - in competition with SJ in summer 2024!

• From 16 May to 29 September 2024, open-access operator Snälltåget will operate two trains a day most days from Copenhagen to Stockholm:

  A morning train leaves Copenhagen Ørestad station (well south of the city centre) at 07:02, arriving Stockholm Central at 13:20.

  An afternoon train leaves Copenhagen main station at 16:07 arriving Stockholm Central at 22:10.

• The trains are one class only and feature Snälltåget's excellent restaurant car called the Krogen.

  Although not as swish as SJ's X2000 trains, these classic cars offer spacious old-school comfort and cheaper fares, with the added attraction of a delicious Swedish meatballs and a beer or two in the Krogen.

• Fares start at only 299 SEK, about €26.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Buy tickets at www.snalltaget.se/en.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

A Snälltåget train at Malmö Central station.

Snälltåget's excellent restaurant, the Krogen.		Seating on a Snälltåget train.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Stockholm by sleeper train - the time-effective option

• Step 1, take any evening Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö Central.

  You can take the 20:47 departure or the earlier 20:27, these trains run every 20 minutes, journey time 39 minutes. 

  Or travel earlier and have dinner in Malmö.  The train uses the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

• Step 2, travel from Malmö to Stockholm by sleeper, leaving Malmö Central daily except Saturdays at 22:32 arriving Stockholm Central 05:37.

  The train has 1st class sleeping-cars with private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with en suite shower & toilet, 2nd class sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth sleeper compartments with washbasin, one 2nd class couchette car with shared 6-berth compartments, and a seats car.

  Times may vary slightly, and remember there's no sleeper train on Saturday nights.  Expect to board shortly after 22:00.  On arrival in Stockholm, you can remain on board until 07:00.

• How to buy tickets

  Buy tickets from Copenhagen to Stockholm at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se, looking for the sleeper option.

  There are some great cheap deals available if you book in advance.  SJ.se sometimes rejects overseas credit cards, so if you can't get your credit card to work, first try alternative Swedish train booking site www.snalltaget.se, then try agency site www.acprail.com or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (touch tone 6 for English).

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  The ticket allows you to take any Öresund train from Copenhagen to Malmo, not just the one shown when you book, so by all means take an earlier one and have dinner in Malmo.

  Alternatively, you can easily book the Malmo-Stockholm sleeper train at Omio.com, overseas cards no problem, but it will only book a seat or couchette in a 6-berth compartment, not a sleeper.  You first need to book Malmo to Stockholm and look on the last page of the search results for the overnight train.  Book that, then add a Malmo to Copenhagen ticket.  You can pay in £, €, $ or Krona, there's a small booking fee, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The overnight sleeper to Malmö, about to leave Stockholm Central. Courtesy of Andrew Henry.

1st class sleeper with en suite shower & toilet, shown in day mode (above left) and night mode set up as a single with upper berth folded against the wall (above centre).  Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.  Click the images for larger photos.

6-berth couchettes - the economy option.  Larger photo.		The sleeper at Malmö Central.  This is the sleeping-car with private 1 or 2-berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

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Copenhagen to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Copenhagen to Oslo by train - the overland daytime option

• Take the hourly Öresund train Copenhagen to Gothenburg then a Norwegian train every 2 hours from Gothenburg to Oslo.

  See the Copenhagen to Oslo page for timetable, fares & how to buy tickets.

Scenery between Gothenburg & Oslo. Photo courtesy of @Simply_Railway.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Oslo by ferry - the luxury overnight option

• A luxurious overnight cruise ferry sails from Copenhagen to Oslo every night.

  See the Copenhagen to Oslo page for timetable, fares & how to buy tickets.

The huge DFDS luxury overnight cruise ferry Crown Seaways berthed at Oslo.  Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

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Copenhagen to Helsinki & Finland

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by fast & comfortable X2000 train.

  The journey takes around 5h and costs from €28 booked at Swedish Railways www.sj.se or at Omio.com.  Allow plenty of time in Stockholm for transfer to the ferry terminal and for the ferry check-in, I'd start by checking ferry times first and work backwards to arrange a suitable train.

  These trains cross from Denmark to Sweden on the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

  You can also travel to Stockholm overnight using the Malmö-Stockholm sleeper train, daily except Saturday nights, see above.

• Step 2, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki overnight, using either Silja Line's superb direct Stockholm-Helsinki cruise ferry (the nicer experience) or a Viking Line Stockholm-Turku ferry with train connection from Turku to the magnificent Helsinki station (faster & cheaper).

  Silja Line sails from Stockholm at 16:45 arriving Helsinki at 10:30 next morning.

  Viking Line sails from Stockholm at 20:00 arriving Turku Port 07:35, the connecting train arrives at Helsinki station at 10:23.

  For full details of the Stockholm to Helsinki journey via both these routes see the Trains from Stockholm page.

  Step 1, book the Stockholm-Helsinki ferry at www.tallinksilja.com or book the Stockholm-Turku ferry at www.sales.vikingline.com.

  Step 2, buy a Turku-Helsinki train ticket online at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.  You'll find a train leaves Turku Harbour station (= Turku Satama) right next to the ferry terminal, shortly after the ferries arrive.

Step 1, 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.

The Silja Serenade at Helsinki.  Sister ship Silja Symphony is virtually identical.

A class cabin on Silja Serenade.  Larger photo.		Deluxe cabin on Silja Serenade.  Larger photo.

Grande Buffet on the Silja Serenade.		Central promenade on Silja Serenade.  Larger photo.

Good night Sweden!  Sunset as the Silja Serenade sails slowly past the many islands out of Stockholm into the Baltic.

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Copenhagen to Prague from €37.90

Option 1, Copenhagen to Prague in a single day

• Leave Copenhagen at 07:26 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf, arriving Prague Hlavni 19:24.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Berlin to Prague is by Czech EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets and free WiFi.

  In summer when it's light this is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the scenery photos and video here.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

• How much does it cost?

  Copenhagen to Prague starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• To buy tickets

  Buy a ticket 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'd like to stop off for a couple of hours in Hamburg or Berlin, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg or Berlin and specify the number of hours.  In Berlin, you can stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate in just 17 minutes from Berlin Hbf.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

Step 2, Hamburg to Prague by EuroCity train, seen here calling at Berlin Hbf.

1st class seats.		2nd class seats in a compartment car.

So civilised!  A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden.  Most Berlin-Prague trains use Czech carriages like this, a few use Hungarian air-conditioned carriages.  See more photos, tips & info for the Berlin to Prague train ride.  Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Scenery along the Elbe river between Dresden & Prague.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Prague with overnight stop in Hamburg - as option 1, but with an overnight stop

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

• 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 Prague by Czech EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 06:48 & arriving Prague Hlavni at 13:24.

  Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:51 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:24, or there are later trains.

  This is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the scenery photos and video here.  The trains have free WiFi and a restaurant car serving meals, snacks, beer & wine.

• How much does it cost?

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

• To buy tickets

  Book from Copenhagen to Prague or any Czech station at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Prague.  A little trial and error is sometimes needed.

  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.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Prague with overnight stop in Berlin - another time-effective option

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:23.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  By all means take the earlier 11:26 or 13:26 from Copenhagen and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train on any train you like, see the timetable here.

  The 07:16 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:24 with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley, see the scenery photos and video here, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the 09:16 or 11:16, they leave every two hours.

• How much does it cost?

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

• To buy tickets

  Book from Copenhagen to Prague at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. 

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  To build in the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Berlin to Prague.  A little trial and error is sometimes needed.

  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.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Prague using Copenhagen-Berlin sleeper - summer-only

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin by Berlin Night Express sleeper train as shown here.  This runs twice a week March-September, daily in high summer.

• Step 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:16 arriving Prague Hlavni 15:24.

  This is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the scenery photos and video here.  By all means stop off in Berlin and catch a later train to Prague, they leave every 2 hours, see the Berlin-Prague timetable here.  Berlin's Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate are just 15 minutes walk from the station.  See suggested hotels in Prague.

  Book Berlin to Prague at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

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Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest from €63

Option 1, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest with overnight stop in Berlin

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 by EuroCity train, change at Hamburg Hbf arriving Berlin Hbf 22:23.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  By all means take the earlier 11:26 or 13:06 from Copenhagen and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Bratislava or Budapest on the comfortable EuroCity train Hungaria, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:15 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna 18:02 & Budapest Nyugati at 20:28.

  The Hungaria uses Hungarian Railways' air-conditioned cars with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's a Hungarian restaurant car serving inexpensive meals with beer or wine and there's lovely scenery along the Elbe River valley between Dresden & Prague, see the photos & video here.  A day well spent!

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

  Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket, but in this case it cannot be shown on a mobile device.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings at any time.

  Tip:  It's slightly cheaper to book from Copenhagen to Budapest as one transaction from €49.90, using the Stopover feature to build in a 10-hour overnight stopover in Berlin.  However, in this case you end up with tickets by post, posted to you for a small extra fee.  They can take up to 2 weeks to arrive.  I'd book as shown above to get digital tickets that can be printed.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish 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 and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

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

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

The Berlin-Budapest Hungaria. Courtesy of David Frankal. Photos below courtesy of Siddhartha Verma.

2nd class seats on the Hungaria.  Larger photo.		Restaurant car on the Hungaria.  Larger photo.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Prague-Budapest sleeper

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Prague, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 by EuroCity train, change at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf onto a comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, arriving Prague Hlavni 19:24.

  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.  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.

  Have dinner in Prague, see suggested restaurant.

• Step 2, travel from Prague to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni 22:03, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 06:02 & Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

  This has a comfortable Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.

  Fares start at €49 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €69 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €80 in a single-bed sleeper.

  Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.  Booking normally opens 90 days ahead.  You print your own ticket.

Washstand, soap & towels provided.  Larger photo.		Czech Railways 2-bed 'double' sleeper on the Prague-Budapest route.  Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds.  Larger photo.		The corridor.  Each compartment locks securely.  Larger photo.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper - same as option 2, but with an afternoon in Berlin

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf at 14:20.

  You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Enjoy an afternoon in Berlin.

  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.  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 2, travel from Berlin to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arriving Bratislava Hlavna 06:02 & Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

  This has a comfortable Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats,  In sleepers, morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.  More about this sleeper train.

  Departure from Berlin is at 19:47 from 10 August to 13 December 2025.

  Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, 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.

The Berlin to Budapest sleeper train Metropol, boarding at Berlin Hbf.  More about this sleeper train.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2 bed.  Larger photo.		4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

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Copenhagen to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania

Option 1, Copenhagen to Romania using the Budapest-Bucharest Ister - the fastest option

• Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 18:03.

  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 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.

• Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17 next morning.

  From 10 December 2023 both portions of this train are operated by new generation Nightjet trains 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 €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this 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.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 13:19.  Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest.

  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 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.

• Step 3, travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov at 08:50 & Bucharest Gara de Nord at 11:30 next day.

  This sleeper train Ister 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, and ordinary seats.  There's no restaurant car so take a picnic and bottle of wine.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.  Ister is the ancient name for the Danube.

  Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. 

  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  Click EN top right for English.  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

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

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

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

Option 2, Copenhagen to Romania using the Vienna-Bucharest Dacia Express

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.

• 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 Vienna by ICE train with restaurant car, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

• Fares from Copenhagen to Vienna start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for cheapest prices.

• Book from Copenhagen to Vienna at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.

  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, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, and arriving next day in Simeria 07:17, Sighisoara 09:17, Braşov 12:50, Ploeşti Vest 14:47 & Bucharest Nord 15:26 (day 3).

  The Dacia Express has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin and several deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  It has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.

  A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna & Budapest, treat yourself to dinner with wine.  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.

  The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:44. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth 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 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.  For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone..  Tip:  Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

The Dacia Express sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.  The Dacia has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car of their most modern type.  Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple.  Most have a washbasin, two compartments have a shower & toilet.  Beds fold away to form a private sitting room for day use.  Interior photo courtesy of Jose Carlos Barbosa.  Larger photo.

The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf.  There is one Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments, bedding provided.  Larger photo.

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

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

Option 3, Copenhagen to Romania with overnight stops in Berlin & Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels to sleepers

Copenhagen to Vilnius

Option 1, Copenhagen to Vilnius via the Karlshamn-Klaipeda ferry - the fastest & easiest route

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Karlshamn by train, leaving Copenhagen around 13:47 and arriving Karlshamn around 16:20.

  Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Karlshamn every hour taking 2h33.  Don't cut it fine, allow several hours in Karlshamn between train and ferry in case of delay.

  The fare is around 310 DKK, about €42, fixed-price.

  Check train times and buy a ticket at www.oresundstag.se or buy at the station.

  In Karlshamn, the ferry terminal is 3 km outside the town, a 40 minute walk (see walking map) or take a taxi for about €20.  If you want a taxi, pre-book one from either Karlshamns Taxi +46 454 150 65 or Sverigetaxi +46 454 122 67).

• Day 1, sail from Karlshamn to Klaipeda by comfortable overnight ferry.

  Two ferry lines operate this route, DFDS and TT Line.  DFDS have the more modern ships with the better facilities, they sail daily, typically leaving Karlshamn at 19:00 and arriving Klaipeda at 09:00.  TT line also sail daily with more basic ships, typically sailing at 20:00 and arriving 10:00.  Check-in closes 1h before sailing time.

  There is a restaurant and a range of cosy shared or private cabins, all with en suite toilet & shower.

  Fares start at just €60 with a bed in a shared cabin.

  Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website (which can compare and book both TT Lines and DFDS) or book DFDS at www.dfds.com.

• Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Vilnius by train.

  In Klaipeda, it's 5 km from the DFDS ferry terminal to the railway station (see walking map), there's a frequent city bus service or take a taxi.  The TT ferry arrives further away, 8.4 km from Klaipeda station.

  If you arrive at 09:00 by DFDS you should make a train leaving Klaipeda at 11:00 on most days and arriving Vilnius at 15:11, or there are later trains, check times at ltglink.lt.

  The train fare is €24.80 in 2nd class, €35.30 in 1st class.

  Book the train at the station, check times & prices at ltglink.lt, you can buy online if you like.

Step 1, take the hourly Öresund train from Copenhagen to Karlshamn.  More about Öresund trains.

Step 2, sail overnight from Karlshamn to Klaipeda with DFDS.  That's the Luna Seaways on the right, arrived at Klaipeda.  Courtesy of Matias Lq.

Step 3, take a train from Klaipeda to Vilnius.  Above left, Klaipeda station. Above right, the express train to Vilnius.  Photos courtesy of Lewis Baston.

Vilnius station.  Photo courtesy of Yuk Wah Chu.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Vilnius via Berlin & Warsaw - the overland route, by train all the way

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Warsaw, leaving Copenhagen 07:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf & Berlin Hbf arriving Warsaw Centralna 21:14.

  You take a comfortable EuroCity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg, a superb German ICE train from Hamburg to Berlin, and a comfy Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car to Warsaw.  In Berlin you've time between trains to stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

  Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Book from Copenhagen to Warsaw at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.  Booking to Poland normally opens 60 days 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.

• Stay overnight in Warsaw.  The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station.  For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum.  Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.

• Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Kaunas & Vilnius on the daily train service, as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.

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Copenhagen to Riga

Option 1, Copenhagen to Riga via the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry.

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by train & Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry, as shown in the Copenhagen-Tallinn section.

• Day 2, take a train or bus from Tallinn to Riga, as shown on the Tallinn to Riga page.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Riga via the Karlshamn-Klaipeda ferry.

• Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Karlshamn by train & Karlshamn to Klaipeda by overnight ferry, as shown in the Copenhagen-Vilnius section.

• Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Riga by bus, direct buses take around 4h30, check times & buy tickets at Omio.com.

  Allow at least a couple of hours between ferry arrival and bus departure in Klaipeda.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Riga via Berlin, Warsaw & Vilnius - the overland route, a longer way round

• Days 1 & 2, travel from Copenhagen to Vilnius by train via Warsaw as shown in the Copenhagen to Vilnius section.

• Day 3, take a bus or train from Vilnius to Riga as shown on the Vilnius to Riga page.

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Copenhagen to Tallinn

Option 1, Copenhagen to Tallinn via the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry - the fastest & easiest way

• Step 1, take a morning X2000 train from Copenhagen to Stockholm as shown above.

  I'd allow several hours in Stockholm between train & ferry to allow for the station-ferry transfer and ferry check-in as well as any likely delay.

• Step 2, sail from Stockholm to Tallinn by comfortable overnight ferry every second day, as shown here.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Tallinn via Berlin, Warsaw & Vilnius - the overland route, a longer way round

• Days 1 & 2, travel from Copenhagen to Vilnius by train via Warsaw as shown in the Copenhagen to Vilnius section.

• Day 3, take a bus from Vilnius to Tallinn, check times & buy tickets at Omio.com.

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For advice on hotels in Copenhagen, see the hotels section on the Copenhagen station page.