Trains from Prague to other European cities

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This page explains how to travel by train from Prague to other cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.

Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these important tips for buying European train tickets. They answer all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

European train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel	Senior fares (over 60)	Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)
Important tips for buying European train tickets	Youth fares (under 26)	Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)
How to check European train times	Child fares & child age limits	Couchettes & sleepers on night trains
Do I need to book in advance?	Luggage on European trains	Train seat numbering plans
How far ahead can I book?	Luggage storage at stations	Wheelchairs & special needs
Can I stop off on the way?	Taking a bike by train	Real-time service updates
Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?	Taking a car by train	Hotels & accommodation
How long to allow for connections?	Taking dogs & pets by train	Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi
How early to arrive at the station?	Maps of the European rail network	What to do when things go wrong...

Prague to Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov is the 2nd most-visited place in the Czech Republic after Prague, a lovely picturesque town. It's easy to get there from Prague by train, you can do it as a day trip. For times, fares, photos & tips, see the Český Krumlov page.

Check train times from Prague to Cesky Krumlov at int.bahn.de or jizdnirady.idnes.cz.

There are regular departures with a change at Ceske Budejovice onto a branch line train, or there is one direct air-conditioned express every day leaving Prague Hlavni at 09:21, arriving Cesky Krumlov 11:50.
The fare is 386 CZK (€16) in 2nd class or 484 CZK (€20) with 1st class travel on the mainline train.

This is a OneTicket fare, which covers both the CD mainline train and the GWTR branch line train.

How to buy tickets

The branch line trains between Ceske Budejovice & Cesky Krumlov are run by private operator GWTR, but you can buy a through ticket between Prague & Český Krumlov at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz or at the CD ticket office at Prague Hlavni.

For more information see the Český Krumlov page.

Prague to Brno, Ostrava, Karlovy Vary & elsewhere in the Czech Republic

You can buy tickets at the Czech Railways (CD) website www.cd.cz, see my tips & advice for using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Within the Czech Republic, reservation is unnecessary, you can usually just turn up, buy a full-flex ticket and hop on the next train. Tickets are valid on any train that day, or for journeys over 100km, on any train that day and the following day. Indeed, you can even just hop on a train and pay on board if you find the conductor immediately and don't mind paying an extra CZK 40 (about €1.50).

The exception is the premier SuperCity (SC) pendolino trains which require a seat reservation in addition to a ticket.

Prague to Brno

Prague to Brno takes about 2h40, full-flex fare about 429 CZK (€18) or book an advance-purchase fare from 289 CZK (€12). Private operator www.regiojet.com also operates trains on this route, see what Regiojet trains are like here.

Prague to Ostrava

Prague to Ostrava takes about 3h01 using CD's excellent tilting pendolino SuperCity (SC) trains, or 3h25 by slightly slower InterCity or EuroCity trains. The full-flex SuperCity fare is about 530 CZK (€22) bought on the day, but advance-purchase fares start at 289 CZK (€12).

In addition to the regular Czech Railways (CD) trains, two good private operators now link Prague and Ostrava, RegioJet (www.regiojet.com) and Leo Express (www.leoexpress.com). Unlike CD's tickets, tickets for both Regiojet & Leo Express automatically include a reservation but are only valid on the specific train you book. What are Regiojet trains like? What are Leo Express trains like?

Prague to Plzen takes about 1h35, full-flex fare about 219 CZK (€9), or slightly cheaper if you book ahead.

Prague to Karlovy Vary takes about 3h13 by train, the fare is about 484 CZK (€20) or slightly cheaper if you book ahead.

SuperCity pendolino trains. These modern pendolino tilting trains operate the premium SuperCity services linking Prague and Ostrava, the Czech Republic's second city. Reservation is compulsory and there's a cafe-bar & free WiFi on board.


SuperCity 1st class. Courtesy of CD.		SuperCity 2nd class. Courtesy of CD.

Suggested day trips from Prague

You can check times for all these trips at www.cd.cz and either buy online or simply buy at the station on the day.
Cesky Krumlov: See the Cesky Krumlov page. The route to Cesky Krumlov takes you via Ceske Budejovice, formerly known as Budweis, and you can visit the brewery centre there home of the original Budweiser, www.budejovickybudvar.cz.
Karlštejn castle: Frequent stopping trains from Prague Hlavni towards Beroun, get off at Karlštejn station, it's then a delightful 1 km walk up through the village to the castle. See www.hrad-karlstejn.cz.
Konopište castle, home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: Regular express trains run from Prague Hlavni towards Ceske Budéjovice, get off at Benešov (where Franz Ferdinand had a private waiting room), then walk a 2 km footpath through the Konopište estate. See www.zamek-konopiste.cz.
Kutna Hora old town: Regular express trains run from Prague Hlavni towards Brno, get off at Kutna Hora Hlavni (main) station outside town and change onto a little 4-wheel railbus train which goes into a siding, reverses, then heads off to Kutna Hora Mesto (town) station for the cathedral and silver mines. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutná_Hora.
Křivoklat castle: Take a fast train from Prague Hlavni to Beroun, then a little railbus train up the lovely Berounka valley line towards Rakovnik. Křivoklat is a request stop, then follow your nose to the castle. See www.hrad-krivoklat.cz.

Prague to London

See the London to Prague page for train travel between London & Prague in either direction.

Prague to Paris from €55

Option 1, Prague to Paris overnight, using the Prague-Karlsruhe sleeper - easily the most time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Prague to Karlsruhe by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni 18:28 & arriving Karlsruhe Hbf at 05:07.
The sleeper train has a Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in regular sleepers. There are also 4 & 6-berth couchettes. A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the sleeper fare. The destination of this train is Zurich.

A Czech restaurant car is attached to the train between Prague and Leipzig (reached around 22:00), treat yourself to dinner with wine or a beer.

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. Berths in deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet cost a bit more. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the sleeper train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Booking opens 2 or 3 months ahead.

Leave 2nd class selected. Do not select 1st class even if you want a deluxe sleeper as the sleeper train won't show up. The train will appear in the search results twice, both marked No transfers. The first appearance is the seats carriages marked EC (EuroCity), ignore this. Click the buy button against the second appearance of this train, with a sleeper & couchette symbol marked EN for EuroNight, and continue. Use the modify & edit features to adjust the type of couchette & sleeper. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

You can also try booking at the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at.

Tip: At Karlsruhe Hbf there are various bakeries and cafes open from 6am. The Schwarzwaldstube restaurant in the Schlosshotel Karlsruhe (www.schlosshotelkarlsruhe.de) serves breakfast from 06:00, it's open to non-residents, just across the road from the station & to the right.

Step 2, travel from Karlsruhe to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Karlsruhe Hbf daily at 07:32, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 10:13.
This 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.

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 www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, about Trainline) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Alternatively, if you'd rather not get up for a 5am arrival at Karlsruhe and don't mind a later arrival in Paris.
You can book the sleeper from Prague to Basel instead, it arrives at Basel SBB at the much more agreeable hour of 07:20. Then travel from Basel to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Basel SBB at 10:34 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 13:40. Fares are similar, you book this in exactly the same way, first the sleeper, then the Basel-Paris TGV.

Step 1, Prague to Karlsruhe by sleeper train. This is a Czech sleeping-car of the Comfortline type, as used on the Prague-Karlsruhe-Basel-Zurich sleeper train.

Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open. Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds. Larger photo.

Same sleeper with beds folded away & seats folded out, washstand closed. Similar to a deluxe, without the shower & toilet. Larger photo.

Deluxe sleepers are virtually identical to standard, but with more floorspace & compact shower & toilet. Larger photo.

Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car. There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.

Step 2, Karlsruhe to Paris by TGV Duplex, seen here arrived at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris & Germany. Book an upstairs seat for the best views.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.

2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.

A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

Option 2, Prague to Paris using the Prague-Zurich sleeper - also a time-effective option, very similar to option 1 above

Step 1, travel from Prague to Zurich by sleeping-car, leaving Prague Hlavni at 18:20 every day and arriving Zurich HB 08:20 next morning.
This is an air-conditioned Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with three 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet and nine 1, 2 or 3 bed compartments with washbasin - there are no couchettes on this train, just a sleeping-car. It leaves Prague attached to the front of a Prague-Linz express with bistro car. You can have dinner with beer or wine in the bistro car, or feel free to take your own picnic & bottle of wine into your sleeper. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the standard sleepers, and morning tea or coffee is included in the fare. More about the Prague to Zurich sleeper.
Fares start at €45 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €59 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper, or €112 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself, all per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: Leave 2nd class selected, as all sleeper accommodation is classified 2nd class, even deluxe sleepers. To change the type of sleeper, simply change Sleeper - Automatically to Deluxe sleeper - automatically and edit the type of sleeper (1, 2 or 3 bed) using the edit symbol.
Tip: The sleeping-car leaves Prague attached to a train to Linz, so look for 18:21 to Linz Hbf on the departure screens at Prague Hlavni.
Tip: On some dates the sleeper may not run due to engineering work. If so, book the Nightjet sleeper from Vienna to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at, then buy a ticket from Prague to Vienna at www.cd.cz, allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Vienna.
Tip: If you have no joy with www.cd.cz, you can also book this sleeper at www.oebb.at, although the prices may be higher.
Coming from Cesky Krumlov? You can leave Cesky Krumlov at 16:59, have dinner in Ceske Budejovice, and board the sleeper when it calls at Ceske Budejovice at 20:05. Buy the Cesky Krumlov to Ceske Budejovice ticket separately, at the station.
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria high-speed train, leaving Zurich HB daily at 09:34, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 13:38.
TGV-Lyrias have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about TGV-Lyria.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class (standard) or €51 in 1st class (standard premier). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

The Prague to Zuirch sleeping car boarding in Prague

Step 1, Prague to Zurich by sleeping-car. Above, the Prague to Zurich sleeping-car boarding at Prague Hlavni platform 6. More about the Prague to Zurich sleeper.


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

TGV-Lyria from Zurich to Paris, at Zurich HB

Step 2, Zurich to Paris by TGV in 4h03. Above, a 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria boarding at Zurich HB.


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, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. Larger photo.		A TGV-Lyria at Paris Gare de Lyon. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

Option 2, Prague to Paris using the Linz-Paris Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - also safe, comfortable & time-effective

Step 1, travel from Prague to Linz by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 14:21 and arriving Linz Hbf at 18:06.

This comfortable air-conditioned Czech EuroCity train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in CZK). Booking opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the CD app.
Tip: Don't risk any tight connections when you have a sleeper train to catch. Have dinner in Linz.

Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Linz Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi. Open every day until 21:00.

Step 2, travel from Linz to Paris by Nightjet, leaving Linz Hbf at 19:36 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:39.
Until 14 December 2024, the days of running are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (more fiddly, in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Step 1, Prague to Linz by EuroCity train. The train has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The car nearest the camera is the combined 1st class & bistro-car.

2nd class seats, most in open-plan cars like this, but there are often one or two cars with side corridor & classic 6-seat compartments.

1st class seats are open plan, in half of the bistro car, with the steward taking bistro orders at your seat.

An inexpensive meal in the bistro car with wine or draught beer.

Bistro. 2nd class passengers may use these leather seats next to the counter when eating or drinking.

Step 2, Linz to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.

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

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Couchette car.

Option 3, Prague to Paris in a single day from €54.90 - the cheapest option, a chill-out day

You can travel from Prague to Paris in one chill-out day, with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi:
Leave Prague Hlavni 05:35, arrive Munich Hbf 11:18. Leave Munich Hbf 13:28, change at Mannheim, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 20:43.

Leave Prague Hlavni 07:35, arrive Munich Hbf 13:18. Leave Munich Hbf 15:27, change at Mannheim, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 22:13.

You travel from Prague Hlavni to Munich Hbf by express train with a minibar serving drinks & snacks, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.

You travel from Munich Hbf to Mannheim by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

You then travel from Mannheim to Paris Gare de l'Est by TGV Duplex with 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.

How much does it cost?
Prague to Munich starts at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class.
Munich to Paris 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, book from Prague to Munich at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

You can also use int.bahn.de, but the Czech site is usually cheaper. Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. Change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English and for 1st class click More options and select it before running the enquiry. Look for options marked No transfers (ALX). You print your own ticket.

Step 2, book from Munich to Paris at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, exact times may vary. Make sure you have at least 45 minutes between trains in Munich. 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, Prague to Munich by air-conditioned express with smart modern Czech Railways open-plan cars & comfortable Länderbahn 'Alex' compartment cars, power sockets at all seats, refreshment trolley & free WiFi.


Choose a Länderbahn compartment car.		Or a Czech Railways open-plan car.

Step 2, Munich to Paris using a TGV Duplex, an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train.


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


1st class seats on upper deck, 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.

Option 4, Prague to Paris with overnight stop in Munich, from €55 - As option 2, but an overnight stop in Munich breaks up the trip nicely

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by air-conditioned express train, taking either the 13:35, 15:35 or 17:35 departure from Prague Hlavni, depending how much of an evening you want in Munich, see the timetable here.
These trains are air-conditioned with a minibar serving drinks & snacks, power sockets at all seats & (in most cars) free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. Change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English and for 1st class click More options and select it before running the enquiry. Look for options marked No transfers (ALX). You print your own ticket.

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 Paris by high-speed train, using any departure you like.
A direct TGV Duplex leaves Munich Hbf at 06:51, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:32.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Watch the sun rise & the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upstairs.
Or have a leisurely breakfast and take a later train with one easy change at Stuttgart or Mannheim, check times at int.bahn.de.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes. Look for journeys with no more than 1 change.
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.

Prague to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence, Marseille

Option 1, Prague to Lyon & southern France with an overnight stop in Munich

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train using either the 13:35, 15:35 or 17:35 trains from Prague Hlavni, see the timetable here.
I'd suggest the 13:35 for a pleasant evening and good night's sleep in Munich. All these Prague-Munich trains are now air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & (in most cars) free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.
Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. Switch it to English by selecting the UK flag and look in the search results for departures shown as No transfers (Ex). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Day 2, travel from Munich to Mannheim by ICE train, leaving Munich Hbf at 10:46 and arriving Mannheim Hbf at 13:28.

Then travel from Mannheim to France by TGV Duplex, leaving Mannheim at 14:39 arriving Lyon Part Dieu 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:31 & Marseille St Charles 21:46.

The ICE train has a restaurant car, the TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, both trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi

Fares from Munich to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares.

Book from Munich to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes. This gets you a robust connection in Mannheim with time for a coffee, not a risky 11-minute connection.

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.

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.

Option 2, Prague to Lyon & southern France using the Prague-Zurich sleeper

Step 1, travel from Prague to Zurich by overnight sleeping-car as shown in the Prague to Switzerland section below.
Step 2, travel from Zurich to Geneva by Swiss Intercity train, journey time 2h45. These run twice an hour.
Step 3, travel from Geneva to Lyon by TER regional train, these run every two hours or so, taking 2h. You should make the 13:14 arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 15:22, although you might find an earlier connection is possible on some dates.
How to buy tickets

Book the Prague Zurich sleeper as shown in the Prague to Switzerland section below.

Book from Geneva to Lyon using www.thetrainline.com. You print your own tickets.

Prague to Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo

Option 1, Prague to Nice & the South of France using the Vienna-Milan sleeper

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:42 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:49.
This excellent air-conditioned railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Or book an earlier train and spend an afternoon in Vienna.

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

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or www.cd.cz (in CZK, booking normally opens 92 days ahead), whichever is cheaper. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Genoa by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Step 3, travel from Genoa to Ventimiglia by Intercity train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 12:58 & arriving Ventimiglia 14:54.
This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Step 4, travel from Ventimiglia to France by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia 15:16, arriving Monte Carlo 15:47, Nice Ville 16:11, Cannes 16:53.

The fare is €9.20, promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

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

You'll find more about the journey from Genoa to Nice on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Czech Railjet train to Vienna at Prague Hlavni station

Step 1, take a fast modern railjet train from Prague to Vienna. This is a Czech railjet boarding at Prague Hlavni. More about Prague-Vienna railjets.


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


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

Step 2, Vienna to Genoa by Nightjet sleeper train. More about Nightjets.


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


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

Step 3, Genoa to Ventimiglia by Intercity train. Above, an Intercity at the magnificent Milan Centrale.


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

Step 4, take a TER local train from Ventimiglia to Monaco, Nice & Cannes. Here, a TER rolls into Juan les Pins station, between Nice & Cannes.

Coastal scenery between Nice & Ventimiglia

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

Option 2, Prague to Nice & the South of France with an overnight stop in Verona - mountains and coastline

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 07:35 arriving Munich Hbf at 13:18.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

Buy a ticket at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. Change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English and for 1st class click More options and select it before running the enquiry. You print your own ticket.

Have lunch in Munich, I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52 near Munich Hbf, see walking map.

Day 1, travel from Munich to Verona by railjet, leaving Munich Hbf at 15:34, arriving Verona Porta Nuova 20:56.
This 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 scenery photos & video on the Brenner Pass page.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at 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 Verona. Hotels near the station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast, Novo Hotel Rossi, Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire. Enjoy a morning in Verona.

Day 2, travel from Verona to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Verona Porta Nuova at 08:32, changing at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto an Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia at 14:54.
It's a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Ventimiglia, through Savona and San Remo. If you'd like a morning in Verona, a 13:02 departure from Verona to France is also available, see the timetable here.

Fares start at €38.90 in 2nd class or €59.80 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. You can also book at www.trenitalia.com, but you'll need to use Italian-language city names.

Day 2, travel from Ventimiglia to France by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:16, arriving Monte Carlo 15:45, Nice Ville 16:11, Cannes 16:52.
The fare is €9.20, promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. You can also book at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
You'll find full details of the journey from Verona & Milan to Nice on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Option 3, Prague to Nice & the South of France with overnight stop in Venice - A little longer than option 2, but with a stopover in Venice

Day 1, travel from Prague to Venice in a single day, as shown in the Prague to Venice section.
You leave Prague at 06:42, arriving Venice at 20:04, a chill-out day through great scenery with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Book as shown below.

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

Day 2, travel from Venice to Ventimiglia on the French border, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 11:48, changing at the magnificent Milan Centrale onto a Intercity train, arriving Ventimiglia at 18:54.
It's a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Ventimiglia, through Savona and San Remo.

Fares start at €38.90 in 2nd class or €59.80 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. You can also book at www.trenitalia.com, but you'll need to use Italian-language city names.

Day 2, travel from Ventimiglia to Menton, Monte Carlo, Nice, Antibes or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 19:17, arriving Monte Carlo at 19:47, Nice Ville at 20:11 & Cannes at 20:52.
The fare is a fixed-price €9.20, promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. You can also book at the French Railways website, www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
You'll find full details of the journey from Verona & Milan to Nice on the Nice to Italy by train page.

Prague to Brussels & Bruges

Option 1, Prague to Brussels direct by European Sleeper - a time-effective & scenic option, 3 times a week

The European Sleeper leaves Prague Hlavni at 18:02 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:27.

The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in the sleepers. More about the European Sleeper.

Bring a bottle of wine with you and enjoy the scenic evening run along the Elbe river valley between Prague & Dresden, the river will be on the right hand side.
This train is extended to start in Prague from 26 March 2024, creating the first direct Prague-Brussels train for decades.
Fares start at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this varies. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
For Bruges, change in Brussels. Belgian domestic trains link Brussels Midi and Bruges twice an hour taking around an hour, buy a ticket at www.belgiantrain.be/en or at the station when you get to Brussels and hop on the next train.

The European Sleeper. This is the stainless-steel sleeping-car, beyond it a 5-berth couchette car boarding at Prague Hlavni.


1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a single.		5-berth couchette compartment.


5-berth couchettes, night mode.		Breakfast can be added when you book.

European Sleeper runs along the Elbe river valley

In summer when it's light you'll see great scenery along the Elbe river between Prague & Dresden. This is a morning view from the eastbound sleeper.

Option 2, Prague to Brussels in a day - a chill-out day with free WiFi and some great scenery

You can travel from Prague to Brussels in a day:
Leave Prague Hlavni at 06:28, change at Berlin Hbf & Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 19:35.

Leave Prague Hlavni at 08:28, change at Berlin Hbf & Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 21:35.

You travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, Berlin to Cologne by ICE2, then Cologne to Brussels by ICE3.
All these trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Enjoy a cooked breakfast in the Czech restaurant car on the EuroCity train as you roll along the scenic Elbe river valley between Prague & Dresden, sit on the right hand side for the river views. What's the Prague to Berlin train & scenery like?

Prague to Brussels starts at €46.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the route via Berlin with robust connections and a good-value through ticket, click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf as stopover 1 and Brussel Noord as stopover 2, with length of stay left as zero. Then change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Entering Brussel Noord eliminates Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from the results as they don't stop at Brussels Nord, therefore it finds an ICE instead and as these are run by DB it can offer a through ticket, which is what you want. Easy when you know!
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Czech restaurant car on a Berlin to Prague train

Lunch in the restaurant car between Berlin & Prague

Step 1, Prague to Berlin by EuroCity train. It's so civilised: A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Prague-Berlin express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Most Prague-Berlin trains use Czech carriages like this, a few use Hungarian air-conditioned carriages. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.


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

Step 2, Berlin to Cologne & Cologne to Brussels by ICE. More about ICE trains. Above, an ICE3neo at Brussels Midi. Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.


The restaurant car. See current month's menu.		1st class seats on an ICE3neo. Larger photo.


2nd class seats on an ICE3neo. Larger photo		Lunch and a beer!

Option 3, Prague to Brussels using the Berlin-Brussels Nightjet sleeper - another time-effective option, 3 times a week

Step 1, travel from Prague to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:33 and arriving Berlin Hbf 16:43.

This comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Treat yourself to dinner with wine as the train rolls along the scenic Elbe valley towards Dresden. More about this EuroCity train.

Fares start at €18.90 each way in 2nd class, €27.40 each way 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 phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

In Berlin, the bar of the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food. You've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
Step 2, travel from Berlin to Brussels by Nightjet, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:06 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:55.
Until 14 December 2024, the days of running are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. 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, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.


Step 1, Prague to Berlin by EuroCity train. It's so civilised: A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Prague-Berlin express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.


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

Step 2, Berlin to Brussels by Nightjet. Above, a Nightjet at Berlin Hbf.


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


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

Option 4, Prague to Brussels with an overnight stop in Berlin - same as option 2 but with an overnight stop

Day 1, travel from Prague Hlavni to Berlin Hbf in 4 hours or so on any afternoon or early evening train you like, see the timetable here.
You can leave Prague Hlavni at 16:28 arriving Berlin Hbf 20:43, but by all means take the earlier 12:28 or 14:28 and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin. There's great scenery on the right hand side of the train along the Elbe river valley between Prague and Dresden too, see the scenery photos & video on the Prague to Berlin page. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant car as the scenery glides by. In Berlin, take an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg gate just 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.
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 Brussels using a comfortable ICE train from Berlin to Cologne and an ICE3 high-speed train on to Brussels with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. For example:
Leave Berlin Hbf 06:56, change at Cologne Hbf, arrive Brussels Midi 13:35.
Leave Berlin Hbf 08:56, change at Cologne Hbf, arrive Brussels Midi 15:35.
Leave Berlin Hbf 10:57, change at Cologne Hbf, arrive Brussels Midi 17:35.

Or spend a morning in Berlin and take the 14:56 from Berlin which will get you to Brussels Midi at 21:35. Don't forget to visit Checkpoint Charlie museum and climb the tower at Berlin Alexanderplatz!
How much does it cost?
Prague to Berlin starts at €46.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get an overnight stop in Berlin click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf, with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours.
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.

Prague to Amsterdam from €46.90

Option 1, Prague to Amsterdam by European Sleeper - the most direct & time-effective option, 3 times a week

The European Sleeper leaves Prague Hlavni at 18:02 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 06:26 next morning.

The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in the sleepers. More about the European Sleeper.

Bring a bottle of wine with you and enjoy the scenic evening run along the Elbe river valley between Prague & Dresden, the river will be on the right hand side.
This train is extended to start in Prague from 26 March 2024, restoring a welcome direct train from Prague to Amsterdam for the first time in 10 years. Well done European Sleeper!
Fares start at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this varies. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The European Sleeper. This is the stainless-steel sleeping-car, beyond it a 5-berth couchette car, boarding at Prague Hlavni.


1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a single.		5-berth couchette compartment.


5-berth couchettes, night mode.		Breakfast can be added when you book.

In summer when it's light you'll see great scenery along the Elbe river between Prague & Dresden. This is a morning view from the eastbound sleeper.

Option 2, Prague to Amsterdam in a single day - how about a few hours in Berlin?

You can travel from Prague to Amsterdam in a single chill-out day with a good book and a bistro or restaurant car for your meals and the odd beer or glass of red. And why not stop off for a few hours in Berlin? For example:
Leave Prague Hlavni 06:28 by EuroCity train, change at Berlin Hbf onto an InterCity train, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 18:00.

Leave Prague Hlavni 08:28 by EuroCity train, change at Berlin Hbf onto an InterCity train, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 20:00.

Leave Prague Hlavni 10:28 by EuroCity train, change at Berlin Hbf onto an InterCity train, arrive Amsterdam Centraal 22:00.
You travel from Prague Hlavni to Berlin Hbf by air-conditioned EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, with great scenery along the scenic Elbe valley between Prague & Dresden. More about the Prague-Berlin journey.

You then travel from Berlin to Amsterdam on a comfortable InterCity train with power sockets at all seats and refreshment trolley. More about the Berlin-Amsterdam journey. Suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Before running the enquiry, click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf with length of stay 40 minutes. This ensures a robust connection.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change. 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.

Stopover in Berlin?
By taking the 06:28 from Prague to Berlin and booking the 16:06 from Berlin to Amsterdam, you'll get over 5 hours in Berlin. By taking the 08:25 you'd still get over 3 hours. In Berlin, you can stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate in just 17 minutes from the station, so even a couple of hours stopover is a worthwhile experience. Left luggage lockers are available. To book a ticket with a stopover, simply use int.bahn.de, click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf and enter a desired length of stay. With the cheap advance tickets, you can programme up to 2 stopovers within the 2-day ticket validity.


Step 1, Prague to Berlin by EuroCity train. It's so civilised: A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Prague-Berlin express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Most Prague-Berlin trains use Czech carriages like this, a few use Hungarian air-conditioned carriages. See the photos & video on the Prague to Berlin page. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.


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

Step 2, Berlin to Amsterdam by Intercity train. More about Berlin-Amsterdam Intercity trains.


A meal in the bistro car.		2nd class seats.

Option 3, Prague to Amsterdam with an overnight stop in Berlin - same as option 1 but with an overnight stop

Day 1, travel from Prague Hlavni to Berlin Hbf in just over 4 hours on any afternoon train you like, see the timetable here.
You can leave Prague Hlavni at 16:28 arriving Berlin Hbf 20:43, but by all means take the earlier 12:28 or 14:28 for a pleasant evening in Berlin.
There's great scenery on the right hand side of the train along the Elbe river valley between Prague and Dresden too, see the scenery photos & video here. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant car as the scenery glides by. 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 Amsterdam by comfortable InterCity train in 5h52, see the timetable here.
The 06:06 arrives Amsterdam Centraal 12:00, the 08:06 arrives at 14:00. Or book a later train, they leave every 2 hours.
These smooth-riding trains have power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about the journey from Berlin to Amsterdam. Suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

How much does it cost?
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 14 hours. Adjust the departure time and increase or decreases the length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Berlin. A little trial and error is sometimes needed!

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

Tip: If you can possibly build in an afternoon or morning in Berlin, do so, it's a truly fascinating city. Don't forget to visit Checkpoint Charlie museum and climb the landmark TV tower at Berlin Alexanderplatz!

Prague to Luxembourg from €46.90

You can travel from Prague to Luxembourg from €46.90. For example:

Leave Prague Hlavni at 07:35, changing at Regensburg & Koblenz arriving Luxembourg 20:22.

Leave Prague Hlavni at 09:35, changing at Regensburg & Koblenz arriving Luxembourg 21:29.

You travel from Prague to Regensburg by express train with minibar serving drinks & snacks, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Regensburg to Koblenz is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

This train travels via the scenic Rhine Valley between Mainz & Koblenz, past river boats, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock, see the Rails Down the Rhine page.

Koblenz to Luxembourg is by double-deck regional train, sit upstairs for the best views as the train snakes along the Moselle river.
Fares start at €46.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Before running the enquiry, click Stopovers and enter Regensburg with a length of stay of 30 minutes. This ensure a robust connection. A tight connection in Koblenz doesn't matter, if you miss it there's another train in an hour.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Koblenz to Luxembourg by double deck regional train. This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.

1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

2nd class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing. For the best river views, sit on the left hand side of the train going west from Koblenz.

Back to top

Prague to Zurich, Basel, Geneva & Switzerland from €37.90

Option 1, Prague to Basel & Zurich by sleeper train - safe, comfortable, time-effective

Since December 2022 there's been a second overnight train between Prague & Zurich, in addition to the Prague-Zurich sleeping-car routed via Linz & Austria shown in option 2. This train is routed via Dresden & Basel and has both a sleeping-car & couchettes. It saves time compared to flying and saves a hotel bill, too!

The sleeper train leaves Prague Hlavni 18:28 & arrives Basel SBB 07:20 & Zurich HB 09:05.
The train has a Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet. There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in regular sleepers. There are also 4 & 6-berth couchettes. A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the sleeper fare.

A Czech restaurant car is attached to the train between Prague and Leipzig (reached around 22:00), treat yourself to dinner with wine or a beer.

Change at Basel SBB or Zurich HB for destinations all over Switzerland.

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.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking opens 2 or 3 months ahead. Leave 2nd class selected. Do not select 1st class even if you want a deluxe sleeper as the sleeper train won't show up. The train will appear in the search results twice, both marked No transfers. The first appearance is the seats carriages marked EC (EuroCity), ignore this. Click the buy button against the second appearance of this train, with a sleeper & couchette symbol marked EN for EuroNight, and continue. Use the modify & edit features to adjust the type of couchette & sleeper.

You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. You can also try booking at the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at.

A Czech sleeping-car of the Comfortline type used on the Prague-Basel-Zurich train.

Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open. Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds. Larger photo.

Same sleeper with berths folded away & seats folded out, washstand closed. Similar to a deluxe, without the shower & toilet. Larger photo.

Deluxe sleepers are virtually identical to standard, a bit more floorspace & compact shower & toilet instead of washstand. Larger photo.

Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car. There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.

6-berth couchettes. There are also 4-berths. Larger photo.

Couchette car on the inaugural departure from Prague, leased from RDC as CD don't have enough 200km/h couchette cars of their own. Photos courtesy of @_wrzlbrnft_

Option 2, Prague to Zurich by direct sleeping-car - safe, comfortable, time-effective

A direct sleeping-car leaves Prague Hlavni at 18:20 every day and arrives at Zurich HB at 08:20 next morning.
Change at Zurich HB for destinations all over Switzerland.
This is an excellent air-conditioned Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments (choice of standard compartments with washbasin or deluxe compartment with shower & toilet). There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the standard sleepers. There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic & bottle of wine with you into your sleeper and have a blast. Incidentally, there are no couchettes on this train, it's a through sleeping-car. More about the Prague to Zurich to sleeper.
This through sleeping-car is routed via Ceske Budejovice, Linz & Innsbruck. It leaves Prague attached to a EuroCity train to Linz, at Linz it is attached to the sleeper train from Budapest & Vienna to Zurich.
Tip: On the departure boards at Prague Hlavni, look for the train with destination Linz Hbf, not destination Zurich (the train shown as going to Zurich is the other sleeper to Switzerland!)

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

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. See tips for using cd.cz.
You can book from Prague not just to Zurich but to many cities in Switzerland including Interlaken, Basel, Geneva, Brig, St Moritz. Your ticket then includes an onward Swiss domestic train, much cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket.
Tip: Leave 2nd class selected, as all sleeper accommodation is technically 2nd class, even deluxe sleepers!
Tip: To book a sleeper, click Modify against Sleeper berths when the reservations page appears and change Sleeper - automatically to Sleeper deluxe - automatically if you want a deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet. Just remember there are only 3 such compartments on the whole train! Click the pencil icon to toggle the type of sleeper between 1, 2 & 3 bed. You are booking berths, not compartments, one person = one ticket = one bed, so if you book 2 people in a 2-berth you get the whole compartment, if you book 2 people in a 3-berth the third bed may be sold to another passenger of the same gender.

Tip: Unless you ask for every passenger to get their own ticket, you'll get one ticket for however many people your are booking, only one passenger name is needed to support the ticket.
Tip: If you have no joy with www.cd.cz, you can also book this sleeper at www.oebb.at, although the prices may be higher.
Tip: There are occasional nights when this sleeper doesn't run due to engineering work. Either book the other sleeper train to Zurich or book the Nightjet sleeper from Vienna or Linz to Zurich using www.oebb.at, then buy a ticket from Prague to Linz or Vienna using www.cd.cz. I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Linz or Vienna. You arrive in Zurich at the same time as the Prague-Zurich sleeper would have done, it's the same train between Linz and Zurich.

The sleeping-car to Zurich, boarding at Prague Hlavni platform 6. More about the Zurich to Prague sleeper.

Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open. Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds. Enlarge photo.

Same sleeper with berths folded away & seats folded out, washstand closed. Similar to a deluxe, without the shower & toilet. Larger photo.

Deluxe sleepers are almost identical to standard ones, a bit more floorspace & compact shower & toilet instead of washstand. Larger photo.

Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car. There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.

The sleeping-car from Prague, arrived at Zurich HB.

Option 3, Prague to Switzerland in a single day from €37.90 - the cheapest option

This is the fastest, easiest and usually cheapest option. Prague to Switzerland in one day with not an airport in sight!

Leave Prague Hlavni at 05:35 arriving Munich Hbf 11:18. Leave Munich Hbf at 12:54 arriving Zurich HB 16:27.

Leave Prague Hlavni at 07:35 arriving Munich Hbf 13:18. Leave Munich Hbf at 14:54 arriving Zurich HB 18:27.

Leave Prague Hlavni at 09:35 arriving Munich Hbf 15:18. Leave Munich Hbf at 16:53 arriving Zurich HB 20:27.

Leave Prague Hlavni at 11:35 arriving Munich Hbf 17:18. Leave Munich Hbf at 18:51 arriving Zurich HB 22:27.

Change in Zurich for onward Swiss trains to Lucerne, Bern, Geneva & other destinations all over Switzerland.
You travel from Prague to Munich by express train, with minibar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Prague-Munich trains. You then travel from Munich to Zurich by bullet-nosed EuroCity train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Munich-Zurich trains.

How much does it cost?

Prague to Switzerland starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

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

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. In the search results, look for a journey with 1 change (or 2 changes, if going beyond Zurich), marked EX, ALX, EC. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Tip: If you have any problems or don't see any cheap prices, split the booking: First book the Prague to Munich train from €16 at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Then book the Munich to Switzerland train from €27.90 at the German Railways site int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Prague to Munich by air-conditioned express with smart modern Czech Railways open-plan cars & comfortable Länderbahn 'Alex' compartment cars, power sockets at all seats, refreshment trolley & free WiFi.

Choose a Länderbahn compartment car.

Or a Czech Railways open-plan car.

Step 2, Munich to Zurich by EuroCity train, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, seen here on platform 27 at Munich Hbf. More about Zurich-Munich EuroCity trains.

1st class seats. Larger photo.

Restaurant car. Larger photo.

Lunch in the restaurant.

2nd class. Larger photo. 360 degree photo.

Option 4, Prague to Switzerland with an overnight stop in Munich - same as option 3, but with an overnight stop in Munich.

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train using either the 13:35, 15:35 or 17:35 from Prague Hlavni, see the timetable here.
I'd suggest the 13:35 for a pleasant evening and good night's sleep in Munich. All these Prague-Munich trains are air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & (in most cars) free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.

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 Zurich by EuroCity train. You can leave Munich Hbf at 06:54 arriving Zurich HB 10:27, or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Munich Hbf at 08:54 or 10:54, see the timetable here.
These comfortable EuroCity trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Munich-Zurich trains.

Change in Zurich for onward Swiss trains to Lucerne, Bern, Geneva & other destinations all over Switzerland.

How much does it cost?

Prague to Switzerland starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

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

To get the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers, enter Munich Hbf and a suitable length of stay, say, 10 hours.

In the search results, look for a journey with 1 change (or 2 changes, if going beyond Zurich), marked EX, ALX, EC.

Adjust the length of stay and departure time until you get the Prague-Munich train you want on day 1 and the Munich-Zurich train you want on day 2. If you have any problems, split the booking: First book from Prague to Munich at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Then book from Munich to Switzerland at int.bahn.de,
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 5, Prague to Switzerland with overnight in Salzburg, from €54 - a recommended option, great scenery & chance to see Salzburg

OK, so this route takes a tad longer than via Munich, it usually costs a euro or two more and involves two changes of train not one. But the scenery through the wonderful Arlberg Pass between Austria and Switzerland makes it worth considering.

Day 1, travel from Prague to Salzburg in 5h25, there are various departures using comfortable air-conditioned trains with 1 easy change at Linz, see the timetable here.

Fares start at €23.70 in 2nd class or €42.50 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English. If you want 1st class click More options and select it before running the enquiry. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Salzburg. The Austria Trend Hotel Europa and H+ Hotel Salzburg are across the road from Salzburg Hbf with good reviews.

Day 2, travel from Salzburg Hbf to Zurich HB in 5h24 by smart Austrian Railjet train, there's a departure every two hours.

These trains travel through the lovely scenic Arlberg Pass, with a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about railjets. See the Arlberg Pass scenery video.

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

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

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Prague to Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples & Italy

Option 1, Prague to Italy using the Vienna-Rome or Vienna-Venice Nightjet sleeper train - the most comfortable & time-effective option, recommended!

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:42 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:49.
The railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €14.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

By all means book an earlier train and spend some time in Vienna, left luggage is available. Suggested restaurants for dinner.

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz, it's worth checking prices on both sites, see tips & advice for using cd.cz. Booking opens up to 92 days ahead on cd.cz, but up to 6 months ahead at www.thetrainline.com. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee & free WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Italy overnight by Nightjet sleeper train.

A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every evening, with a portion arriving Verona Porta Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38 & La Spezia 11:10, another portion arriving Bologna Centrale 05:36, Florence SMN 06:42 & Rome Tiburtina 11:05.

Another Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:39, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 08:34.

From 10 September 2024, the Nightjet to Bologna, Florence & Rome becomes a new generation Nightjet 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.

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

Fares for the new-generation Nightjet 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.

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

Step 3, book onward trains from Rome to Naples, Rome to Sicily or Milan to Genoa (for example) at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, recognisees English place-names) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first). I'd allow at least an hour between the nightjet arrival and any onward train. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead.

Step 1, Prague to Vienna by fast modern railjet train. This is a Czech railjet boarding at Prague Hlavni. More about Prague-Vienna railjets.

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

First class. Mainly unidirectional, with some tables for 2 & tables for 4. Larger photo

Restaurant car for snacks, meals, beer, wine, tea & coffee. You don't need to reserve, just turn up & sit down. There's waiter-service at tables or order at the counter & take back to your seat. Larger photo.

Business class = premium 1st class. Just 6 seats at one end of the 1st class car. Same seats but very different layout from business class on Austrian railjet. Larger photo.

Step 2, Vienna to Italy by nightjet sleeper train. This is the sleeper from Vienna to Florence & Rome boarding at Vienna Hbf. More about Nightjets.

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

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

Nightjet couchette car.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Sunrise as the Munich-Venice Nightjet crosses the causeway over the lagoon into Venice. Courtesy of Andreas Wiedenhoff.

Option 2, Prague to Venice in a single day from €44.80, comfy, scenic

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by Czech railjet train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 06:42 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:49.

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

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in CZK, booking normally opens 92 days ahead). It's worth checking prices on both sites, buy from whichever is cheapest. See my tips & advice for using cd.cz. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket you can use the ÖBB 1st class lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Venice by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 12:24 & arriving Venice Santa Lucia 20:04.
This smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It takes the beautifully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route from Vienna to Graz, a real treat - see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway. Treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains glide by. More about the Vienna to Venice journey.
Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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 €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

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

Step 3, next day take a train from Venice Santa Lucia to Milan, Florence, Rome or Naples.

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

The afternoon railjet to Venice, about to leave Vienna Hbf. More photos & info about Vienna-Venice railjets.

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

Business class. About business class.

First class.

Economy class.

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

Option 3, Prague to Venice with an overnight stop in Vienna from €44.80 - same as option 2, but an overnight stop breaks up the journey nicely

Day 1, travel from Prague to Vienna on any railjet train you like in 4h05, see the Prague-Vienna timetable here.

You can leave Prague Hlavni as late as 18:44 arriving Vienna Hbf at 22:49, but I'd book an earlier train and spend a leisurely evening in Vienna. The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

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

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in koruna, booking normally opens 92 days ahead, see tips for using it) - it's worth checking prices on both sites. You print your own ticket.

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

Day 2, travel from Vienna to Venice by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:24, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:14.

Or spend the morning in Vienna and take the 12:24 railjet train from Vienna Hbf, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 20:04.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It takes the beautifully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route, a real treat - see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway. Treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains glide by. More about the journey from Vienna to Venice.
Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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 €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Option 4, Prague to Florence or Rome by scenic daytime trains with overnight stop in Munich, from €54

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train using either the 13:35, 15:35 or 17:35 from Prague Hlavni, see the timetable here.
I'd suggest the 13:35 for a pleasant evening and good night's sleep in Munich. All these Prague-Munich trains are air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & (in most cars) free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares
Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, switch it to English by selecting the UK flag and look in the search results for departures shown as No transfers (Ex). Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

Day 2, take a railjet train from Munich to Verona, leaving every 2 hours.
The 07:34 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova daily and direct to Venice at weekends, arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 14:25.
The 09:34 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova & Bologna Centrale daily, change in Bologna for Florence, Rome & Naples.
The 11:33 from Munich Hbf goes to Verona Porta Nuova & Venice daily, 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. They travel through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the scenery photos & video on the Brenner Pass page.
To buy tickets for a direct train from Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice, use 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.
To buy tickets for journeys which involve a change of train at Verona or Bologna (fore example, Munich to Florence, Rome or Naples, or to Venice or Bologna 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 instead) with a stopover duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection. Booking for the onward Italian trains opens up to 4 months ahead
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 EuroCity train or can select a mobile ticket, for the Italian high-speed train it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. Easy!

Munich to Italy by new generation railjet, seen here at Innsbruck. 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.

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Prague to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

Option 1, Prague to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Munich

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train using either the 13:35, 15:35 or 17:35 trains from Prague Hlavni, see the timetable here.
I'd suggest the 13:35 for a pleasant evening and good night's sleep in Munich. All these Prague-Munich trains are now air-conditioned with power sockets at all seats & (in most cars) free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.
Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.
Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, switch it to English by selecting the UK flag and look in the search results for departures shown as No transfers (Ex). Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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 Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:51, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:32.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck. Watch the sun rise and the morning mists clear, see the Munich-Paris TGV video.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €69 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.
Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare de Lyon and perhaps have lunch at the celebrated Train Bleu Restaurant.

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

The high-speed TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views, any seat number >60. It's a scenic and very comfortable journey, see more about the journey from Paris to Barcelona.

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).

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

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

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

Book trains in Spain at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.

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 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 2, Prague to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris

Day 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 07:35 and arriving Munich Hbf at 13:18.
The train has a minibar serving drinks & snacks, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about these Prague-Munich trains.

Fares starts at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

You can also use int.bahn.de, but the Czech site is usually cheaper. Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. Change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English and for 1st class click More options and select it before running the enquiry. Look for options marked No transfers (ALX). You print your own ticket.

Day 1, travel from Munich to Paris, leaving Munich Hbf at 15:27, change at Mannheim, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:13.

You travel from Munich to Mannheim by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Then Mannheim to Paris by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, 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.

Before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, exact times may vary. Make sure you have at least 45 minutes between trains in Munich. 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.

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

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 high-speed TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. I recommend an upstairs seat for the best views. It's a comfortable and scenic journey. More about the journey from Paris to Barcelona.

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

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).

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

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.

Book trains in Spain at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.

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

Option 3, Prague to Barcelona & Spain using the Prague-Zurich sleeper & with overnight stop in Marseille - a pleasant alternative

Day 1, travel from Prague to Zurich by direct sleeping-car, leaving Prague Hlavni at 18:20 & arriving Zurich HB at 08:20.

This comfortable Czech Comfortline sleeping-car has nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. More about this Prague to Zurich sleeper train.

Fares start at €45 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €59 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper, or €112 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper.

Book this train at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Zurich to Marseille by high-speed TGV, leaving Zurich HB 13:34, changing at Dijon and arriving Marseille St Charles 19:47.

Times vary, check your date online. The Zurich-Dijon TGV-Lyria & Dijon-Marseille TGV have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at around €60. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this journey 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 fee).

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

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 Spain by AVE S100, leaving Marseille St Charles at 08:04, 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 & the 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 €, much 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.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Renfe's own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it). You print your own ticket.

Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona or Madrid.

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Prague to San Sebastian

Step 1, travel from Prague to Paris by sleeping-car & TGV-Lyria as shown in the Prague to Paris section above.

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

Step 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye on the Spanish border by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 16:11 arriving Hendaye 20:47.
The 16:11 TGV doesn't run on Saturdays, on Saturdays leave Paris at 15:11 and change at Bordeaux.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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 fee).

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

Step 3, travel from 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. More about the Paris to San Sebastian journey.

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Prague to Lisbon & Portugal

Day 1, travel from Prague to Paris as shown above. It can be done in a single day.

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.

This 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey. More about the journey from Paris to Barcelona.

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.

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 normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.

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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Prague to Andorra

Day 1, travel from Prague to Paris as shown above. It can be done in a single day.

Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the stations.

Day 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by train and Toulouse to Andorra by bus, as shown on the Trains from Paris page.

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Prague to Berlin from €18.90 or Dresden from €15

Comfortable EuroCity trains with restaurant car link Prague Hlavni with Berlin Hbf in 4h09 every 2 hours, see the timetable here.

Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €37.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book at int.bahn.de or www.cd.cz and print your own ticket.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead on int.bahn.de, 92 days ahead on cd.cz.

For times, fares, tips, photos, video & how to buy tickets, see the Prague to Berlin page.

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. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

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Prague to Munich from €15

Every day, 7 comfortable trains link Prague Hlavni with Munich Hbf, see the Prague to Munich page.

Fares start at just €16 or from €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

It's a great journey by train, with air-conditioning, power sockets and (in most cars) free WiFi. Pleasant Bohemian woodland and farm scenery comes as standard.

Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see tips & advice for using it. Look for trains marked No transfers (Ex).

Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print out your own ticket. Easy!

Also check the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but CD is usually cheaper.

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Prague to Frankfurt from €19

Buy tickets from Prague Hlavni to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 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.

Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €36.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

In the search results you'll see various options with 1, 2 or 3 changes. Here's how to make sense of what you see:
Option 1, via Dresden with 1 change: This would be my first choice, a lovely journey. You'll see this option every two hours with 1 transfer marked EC, ICE. If you click the Show details link you'll see the change is at Dresden with just over an hour between trains.

I'd choose this option even though it's not the fastest, as it's the simplest with only 1 change of train. It uses a comfortable EuroCity train from Prague to Dresden and a high-quality ICE train from Dresden to Frankfurt, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, it takes you over the scenic line along the Elbe river valley between Prague and Dresden, see the photos & video. The bonus? An hour or so in Dresden is enough time for a look-round, the Frauenkirche is 22 minutes walk from the station. Or just have a coffee. What's not to like?

Tip: If you'd like a longer stop in Dresden, either a few hours or an overnight stop, click Stopovers, enter Dresden and a suitable length of stay in hours. Dresden is well worth a stop, even for a few hours left luggage lockers are available.

Option 2, via Regensburg with 1 change. This uses an express train then an ICE train. Journey time is similar to option 1, but option 1 would still be my first choice because of the scenery and the better quality train with restaurant car on the initial leg.
Option 3, via Cheb with 3 changes, marked IC, RE, RE, ICE: This is usually the fastest option, using a swish air-conditioned Czech Interjet train to Cheb, then a smart German regional express from Cheb to Marktredwitz to Nuremberg and a superb German ICE train to Frankfurt. You'll see it roughly every couple of hours, The trains are comfortable, scenery pretty enough, you can see what the trains and scenery are like on this route on the Prague via Cheb page. But with an extra change in Marktredwitz needed in 2024, it's just too many changes.

You can also buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, but int.bahn.de seems better at offering the route via Dresden. Booking normally only opens 92 days ahead if you use cd.cz.

Czech Interjet trains like this link Prague with Cheb, change for Nuremberg & Frankfurt.

2nd class on an Interjet train with power outlets & free WiFi. Larger photo.

1st class on an Interjet train with power outlets & free WiFi. Larger photo.

Hills & forest between Prague & Cheb. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux.

Scenery between Cheb & Nuremberg. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux.

Easy & relaxed interchange at Cheb. The blue train on the left is the Czech train arrived from Prague, the red train on the right is the German regional train to Nuremberg. As you can see, it takes only seconds to walk from one train to the other at Cheb. The German train will wait a bit if the Czech train is late.

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Prague to Nuremberg from €17

Trains link Prague with Nuremberg every hour, departures from Prague Hlavni are at 05:35 then every hour at xx:35 until 17:35.

Departures on odd-numbered hours take 4h40 with 1 change at Schwandorf, using a Prague-Munich express train as far as Schwandorf then a German regional train.

Departures on even-numbered hours take 4h45 with 2 changes at Cheb & Marktredwitz, using a swish Czech Interjet train from Prague to Cheb, then two German regional trains. Both changes are easy, the interchange at Cheb simply means walking a few metres across the platform. More about the journey from Prague to Nuremberg via Cheb.

German Railways (DB) and Czech Railways) both sell these same trains, but with different pricing. Use whichever suits.

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de - more flexible

If you buy from the Germans, the fare is €39 one-way or €72 return with a Prague Special fare.

A Prague Special ticket is good for any departure that day via either Cheb or Schwandorf. You can buy at this price even on the day of travel.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz - cheaper, if you pre-book and go via Cheb

Cheap advance-purchase First Minute fares start at €17 (422 CZK) or €32 (794 CZK) in 1st class.

However, you'll only find these cheap fares on the route via Cheb. For the route via Schwandorf Czech Railways only offer full-flex fares (shown as International ticket) for €72 (1796 CZK). Obviously, you'd be better off buying a €39 Prague Special from the Germans!

Booking opens 92 days ahead, specified departure only, no changes, no refunds. You can find First Minute fares even booking a week or two ahead and you simply print your own ticket.

Czech Interjet trains like this link Prague with Cheb, change for Nuremberg & Frankfurt.

2nd class on an Interjet train with power outlets & free WiFi. Larger photo.

1st class on an Interjet train with power outlets & free WiFi. Larger photo.

Hills & forest between Prague & Cheb. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux.

Scenery between Cheb & Nuremberg. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux.

Easy & relaxed interchange at Cheb. The blue train on the left is the Czech train arrived from Prague, the red train on the right is the German regional train to Nuremberg. As you can see, it takes only seconds to walk from one train to the other at Cheb. The German train will wait a bit if the Czech train is late. See more photos, information & travel tips on Prague to Nuremberg via Cheb here.

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Prague to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from €25

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a much-visited medieval town in Germany. It's easy to travel there by train:

06:35, changing Cheb, Marktredwitz, Nuremberg, Ansbach & Steinach arriving Rothenburg 12:51.

08:35, changing Cheb, Marktredwitz, Nuremberg, Ansbach & Steinach arriving Rothenburg 14:51.

10:35, changing Cheb, Marktredwitz, Nuremberg, Ansbach & Steinach arriving Rothenburg 16:51.

12:35, changing Cheb, Marktredwitz, Nuremberg, Ansbach & Steinach arriving Rothenburg 18:51.

14:35, changing Cheb, Marktredwitz, Nuremberg, Ansbach & Steinach arriving Rothenburg 20:51.

The changes are easy - at Cheb, it's literally walking 20 feet across the width of a platform from the excellent Czech Interjet train to the waiting German regional express to Nuremberg. And there's some nice scenery, and these are all comfortable trains with toilets, luggage space and room to move. More about the journey from Prague to Nuremberg via Cheb.

There are also departures via Schwandorf, buy DB don't offer affordable Sparpreis fares on that route, only €140+ flexible fares, so stick with the route via Cheb.

Fares start at €20.90 in 2nd class or €33.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
For this journey, Czech Railways (www.cd.cz) don't sell any affordable fares via any route, so buy from int.bahn.de.

How about a stopover in Nuremberg?
Nuremberg has a pleasant old town, a railway museum and the thought-provoking historic Party Rally Grounds. You can stop for several hours and still do the journey in a day, or stop overnight and have a more leisurely look round.
To get a stopover, click Stopover, enter Nuremberg and specify a number of hours.

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Prague to Passau €18

Option 1, Prague to Passau through Austria, via Linz

Prague to Passau (where many river cruises start) takes 5h30 or so by train with 1 easy change in Linz in Austria.

You travel from Prague Hlavni to Linz on a comfortable air-conditioned Prague-Linz EuroCity train with bistro car, power sockets & free WiFi, then from Linz to Passau Hbf on a superb German ICE-T train with restaurant car, power sockets & free WiFi.

Fares start at around €18 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class.

These are advance-purchase First Minute fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. Look for journeys with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: To see only sensible 1-change options via Linz in the search results, go to www.cd.cz, enter Prague to Passau and your date of travel, click More options, click Travel via and enter Linz, now click Connection parameters, then Transfers, then reduce the desired number of transfers to just 1. Easy when you know how!

Option 2, Prague to Passau through Germany, via Regensburg

This takes slightly longer, 5h50 to 6h50 depending how connections work, with 1 easy change at Regensburg.

You travel from Prague Hlavni to Regensburg on a comfortable Prague-Munich express train with refreshment trolley, power sockets & free WiFi, then from Regensburg to Passau Hbf on a superb German ICE-T train with restaurant car, power sockets & free WiFi.

If you fancy a stroll in Regensburg, use the Stopover feature to add a stopover of a few hours.

Fares start at around €20.90 in 2nd class or €33.90 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. Look for journeys with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

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Prague to Cologne, Hamburg & other German cities

Prague to other German cities by train

The German Railways website int.bahn.de sells tickets from Prague to anywhere in Germany from €18.90 upwards.

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.

The Czech railways website www.cd.cz also sells tickets to Germany. Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as a EuroCity express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river towards Dresden, Berlin & Hamburg. Change in Dresden or Berlin for Düsseldorf & Cologne. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

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Prague to Vienna in 4 hours from €14.90

Option 1, Prague to Vienna by railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi

Smart railjet trains link Prague Hlavni with Vienna Hbf every 2 hours taking 4 hours from city centre to city centre.
Fares start at €14.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class.

See the Prague to Vienna page for details.

Since December 2017 these railjets have been joined by up to four daily trains run by competing private operator Regiojet with fares from just €15, see the Vienna to Prague page.

A blue Czech Railjet train from Prague to Vienna, seen at Prague Hlavni. More about Prague-Vienna trains.

Option 2, by competing Regiojet train from €15 with free WiFi, power sockets & at-seat service

See the Prague to Vienna page for details

A RegioJet train at Vienna Hbf.

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Prague to Linz, Hallstatt & Salzburg from €23.70: See the Prague-Salzburg page

Prague to Salzburg

You can easily travel from Prague Hlavni to Salzburg Hbf by comfortable air-conditioned train from just €23.70 with one easy change in Linz, centre to centre in around 5h25 with various departures through the day every day, see the Prague to Salzburg page.

Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead.

Prague to Linz

Direct trains with swish air-conditioned Czech carriages link Prague with Linz several times a day in 4h05, fares from €19. See the Prague to Linz & Salzburg page.

Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead.

Prague to Hallstatt

You can book Prague to Hallstatt at www.cd.cz with fares from €19 and print your own ticket.

Look for journeys with 1 easy change at Linz, journey time as little as 6h26. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead.

The train arrives at Hallstatt railway station (Hallstatt Bahnhof) on the east side of the Hallstatter See (Hallstatt Lake). Hallstatt town is on the west side of the lake, so you need to take a small local ferry called the Stefanie from Hallstatt Bahnhof (to Hallstatt town, this sails shortly after most train arrivals and takes 15-20 minutes, see www.hallstattschifffahrt.at for a timetable. You pay for the ferry separately at the quayside before boarding, around €3 per crossing, children under 4 free, children under 14 at a reduced fare.

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Prague to Innsbruck from €19

You can travel from Prague to Innsbruck in comfort by train with one easy change in Linz, centre to centre in 7h23 from €19.

It's an air-conditioned Czech EuroCity train from Prague Hlavni to Linz in 3h45, then a swish Austrian railjet train from Linz to Innsbruck Hbf in 2h56. There's a range of departures to choose from through the day.

On the Czech EuroCity train there's a bistro car serving drinks & meals, 1st class passengers are served at their seat, there are power sockets at all seats, free WiFi and plenty of room for luggage.

On the Austrian railjet train there's a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi - 1st class passengers have food and drink orders taken and served at their seat.

Fares start at a bargain €19 (around 550 CZK) if you pre-book. Indeed, you'll often find these €19 First Minute fares available online even looking just a few days ahead. Or treat yourself to 1st class from €39.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz looking for journeys from Prague to Innsbruck with 1 transfer at Linz. See my tips & advice for using cd.cz. Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Switching trains in Linz only takes a few minutes - just so you don't worry, in the unlikely event that there's a delay and you miss the onward train, you're entitled to travel onwards on a later train at no charge, even with a cheap train-specific ticket. Trains run regularly from Linz to Innsbruck.

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Prague to Copenhagen, Malmö, Gothenburg & Stockholm

Option 1, Prague to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Prague to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:28 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 19:12.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near the station.

Fares start at €18.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 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 on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.

The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

Option 2, Prague to Copenhagen in a day from €39.90. Onwards to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Oslo next day.

Step 1, travel from Prague to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Prague Hlavni at 08:28 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 15:12.
The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at seats and free WiFi. There's lovely scenery on the right hand side of the train along the scenic Elbe river valley between Prague and Dresden. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 16:53 and arriving Copenhagen 21:34.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

Step 3, take an onward train to Sweden:
For Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central at 13:34.
For Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central on any hourly Öresund train you like, journey time 3h50.

How much does it cost?
Prague to Copenhagen starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

Prague to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmo starts at €69.90 in 2nd class or €99.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets
Book from Prague to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö 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.

When booking from Prague to Stockholm or Gothenburg, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a length of stay of (say) 10:00. This gets you the overnight stop in Copenhagen.
If you have any problems booking from Prague to Sweden (for example you find no affordable 1st class fares), split the booking. First book from Prague to Copenhagen using int.bahn.de. Then book from Copenhagen to Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm using www.sj.se or Omio.com.

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

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

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

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

1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.

2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Option 3, Prague to Copenhagen with an overnight stop in Hamburg

Day 1, travel from Prague Hlavni to Hamburg Hbf by EuroCity train leaving Prague Hlavni at 14:28 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 21:17.
Or take the earlier 10:28 or 12:28 from Prague Hlavni for more of an evening in Hamburg. The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at seats and free WiFi. There's lovely scenery on the right hand side of the train along the scenic Elbe river valley between Prague and Dresden. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin.

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

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

Day 2 afternoon, travel from Copenhagen to Sweden or Norway.

For Malmo, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central by Öresund train, these run several times each hour, journey time 39 minutes.

For Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central by Öresund train, these run every hour, journey time 3h50.

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

How much does it cost?

Prague to Copenhagen starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

Prague to Stockholm starts at €69.90 in 2nd class or €99.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

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

To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want each side of 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.

Option 4, Prague to Copenhagen with an overnight stop in Berlin

Step 1, travel from Prague to Berlin by EuroCity train with restaurant car leaving Prague Hlavni at 16:28, arriving Berlin Hbf 20:43.
Or take the earlier 12:28 or 14:28 for more of an evening in Berlin, see the timetable here.
In summer when it's light there's lovely scenery on the right hand side of the train along the scenic Elbe river valley between Prague & Dresden. See the scenery photos & video on the Prague to Berlin page.

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.

Step 2, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf 08:38, change Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 15:34.
Or there are later trains.

How much does it cost?

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

How to buy tickets

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

To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want each side of Berlin.

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

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Prague to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Prague to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen - by train all the way

Day 1, travel from Prague to Copenhagen in a single day as shown above.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).

Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train, leaving Copenhagen at 09:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 17:44.

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

Alternatively, spend a morning in Copenhagen, and after lunch take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as also shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.

Option 2, Prague to Oslo with overnight stop in Hamburg - by train all the way

Day 1, travel from Prague Hlavni to Hamburg Hbf by EuroCity train leaving Prague Hlavni at 14:28 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 21:17.
Or take the earlier 10:28 or 12:28 from Prague Hlavni for more of an evening in Hamburg. The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at seats and free WiFi. There's lovely scenery on the right hand side of the train along the scenic Elbe river valley between Prague and Dresden. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin.
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 on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

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 Oslo via Copenhagen & Gothenburg as shown here, arriving in Oslo late at night. Book as shown.

Option 3, Prague to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most comfortable way to Oslo

Step 1, travel from Prague to Kiel by direct train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:28 arriving Kiel Hbf at 20:20.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €36.90 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 Kiel. The InterCity Hotel Kiel gets good reviews, is relatively inexpensive and is right next to the station and a few minutes walk from the ferry. The B&B Hotel Kiel City is also next to the station with good reviews, and is even cheaper. For something upmarket, the Atlantic Hotel Kiel gets great reviews and is in Bahnhofsplatz in front of the station.
In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map.

Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, normally sailing at 14:00 and arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning.
The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy have a full range of en suite cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges. Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord. The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre. Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis. If you have little luggage it's possible to walk. See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.
Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.colorline.com.
Money-saving tip: It appears that it's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164. You'll need to use Google Chrome translation to translate the Norwegian. You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details. Feedback appreciated.

Sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line. It's just a 6 minute walk across from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line terminal. There's a lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal. If you've booked one of Color Line's 5 star suites, check in at the desk rather than the machines to be directed to a VIP lounge with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi. You'll have priority boarding & free access to the on-board spa. Photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry except where shown.

Above left, cabin with TV, shower & toilet, luxury suites are also available. Above right, restaurant with a view.

Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.

Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.

The Color Line ferry, arrived at Oslo. Above right, there's a transfer bus to Oslo Sentral, photo courtesy of Andrew Leo.

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Prague to Helsinki & Finland

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

Day 1, travel from Prague to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 10:28 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:11.

The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at seats & free WiFi. There's great scenery between Prague and Dresden along the Elbe river, see the photos & video here.

Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €36.90 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.
Tip: You should book from Praha hl.n. to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lübeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the train from Prague to Hamburg, the regional train to Lübeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal. If you'd like time for dinner in Lübeck (see suggested restaurant here), click Stopovers and enter Lübeck Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 2 hours, entering an earlier departure time.

Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck by regional train then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemünde.

Tip: Have dinner in Lübeck's old town, see suggested restaurant here.

Sail from Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry. Finnlines sail from Travemünde to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Prague).

For details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing, see here.

Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.

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

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

Standard cabin. Larger photo.

Gym with a view.

Sauna.

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

Step 1, travel from Prague to Stockholm as shown above.

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

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Prague to Bratislava from €15

Option 1, Prague to Bratislava by EuroCity train run by the Czech & Slovakian & national railways - the most frequent option

Comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity trains with restaurant car link Prague Hlavni with Bratislava Hlavna roughly every 2 hours through the day, journey time around 3h58, see the timetable here.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. Reservation is optional, so the trains can never sell out and train tickets can easily be bought at the station on the day. You print your own ticket.

For train times, fares & how to buy tickets, see the Prague to Bratislava page.

A EuroCity train from Prague to Budapest about to leave Prague Hlavni. More about Prague-Bratislava trains.

1st class.

2nd class compartment seating.

Restaurant car.

Lunch & a beer.

Option 2, Prague to Bratislava by competing Regiojet train - 4 per day, can be cheaper, with great on-board service

Private operator Regiojet also runs several trains a day between Prague & Bratislava with low prices from €11.90 and good service in several comfort classes, see more about RegioJet trains & classes here.

Buy Regiojet tickets at www.regiojet.com. It's ticketless.

For train times, fares & how to buy tickets, see the Prague to Bratislava page.

A RegioJet train in its distinctive yellow & grey colours. More about Regiojet trains & their 4 classes

Business class. Larger photo. 360° photo.

Relax class. Larger photo. 360° photo..

Standard class Astra car. Larger photo. 360° photo.

Regiojet Astra car at Vienna.

Option 3, Prague to Bratislava by sleeper train - the time-effective option

The sleeper train Metropol leaves Prague Hlavni 22:03 every night and arrives Bratislava Hlavna at 06:02.
It has an excellent air-conditioned Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin. Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.   The train's final destination is Budapest.

Book at Czech Railways www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

For full details, see the Budapest to Prague sleeper train section.

The Czech sleeping-car from Budapest & Bratislava to Prague, boarding at Budapest Nyugati on a summer evening.

Washstand, soap & towels provided. Larger photo.

Czech Railways 2-bed 'double' sleeper. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple sleeper. Larger photo.

The corridor. Each compartment locks securely. Larger photo.

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Prague to Poprad Tatry & Košice

Option 1, Prague to Poprad Tatry & Kosice by daytime train - choose from 3 competing operators

Czech Railways (CD) run an early morning and mid-afternoon SuperCity train from Prague to Poprad Tatry (6h30) or Kosice (7h25).
SuperCity trains are high-quality tilting Italian-designed pendolinos, all seats reserved, with cafe-bar, food & drink orders taken and served at your seat, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. See the SuperCity train information on the CD website (please let me know if this link stops working).

If you book ahead even a few days or weeks, First Minute advance-purchase fares with the SuperCity reservation included start at €19 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. Full-price bought on the day is around €55 in 2nd class.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.

Private operator Regiojet operate an excellent morning and afternoon train, with 4 classes, on-board at-seat catering and free WiFi, see more about Regiojet trains and their 4 classes. Fares are cheap, even at short notice - I can recommend their Business & Relax classes!
Book at www.regiojet.com and show you booking on your phone.

Private operator Leo Express run an afternoon train, with air-con, free WiFi, at-seat catering. Leo Express premium class has the most comfortable seat of any train I've tried, see more about Leo Express trains here. Book at www.leoexpress.com.

SuperCity pendolino trains. These modern pendolino tilting trains link Prague with Poprad Tatry & Kosice twice per day. Reservation is compulsory and there's a cafe-bar & free WiFi on board.

SuperCity 1st class. Courtesy of CD.

SuperCity 2nd class. Courtesy of CD.

Option 2, Prague to Poprad Tatry & Kosice by sleeper train

An overnight sleeper train links Prague with Poprad Tatry & Košice, leaving Prague Hlavni at 22:16.
The sleeper train has 4 & 6 berth couchettes and comfortable air-conditioned sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.
Tip: The final destination of this sleeper is Humenné, this is what's shown on the departure boards in Prague.

Even booked a week or two in advance, First Minute advance-purchase fares start at around €22 with a couchette (simple bunk in 4 or 6 bunk compartment) or €35 with a bed in a 2-bed double sleeper or €45 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. If you buy on the day, expect to pay perhaps €40 more full-price.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz
For sleeper trains, leave 2nd class selected. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

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Prague to Budapest from €16

Option 1, Prague to Budapest by daytime train

Air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Prague Hlavni & Budapest Nyugati every couple of hours in 6h30. The trains are clean, comfortable, have power sockets and a restaurant car serving meals with wine or there's draught beer on tap. More about these trains.

Fares start at €21 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class.

These First Minute fares have limited availability, no refunds, no changes. They're often available even just a few days ahead.

The full-flex fare is around €67 in 2nd class if you buy on the day at the station.

Book at Czech Railways www.cd.cz and print your own ticket. Booking usually opens 60 days ahead.

Note that these trains switched to using Budapest Nyugati station, not Keleti, from December 2017.

For train times, fares, tips & how to buy tickets, see the Prague to Budapest page.

A EuroCity train from Prague to Budapest about to leave Prague Hlavni. More about Prague to Budapest trains.

1st class.

2nd class compartment seating.

Option 2, Prague to Budapest by competing Regiojet train

In addition to the EuroCity trains run by the national rail operators, since July 2020 private open-access operator Regiojet operates 2 trains a day from Prague to Budapest with 4 classes (lo-cost, standard, relax & business) with fares from just €16, more information here.

Book at www.regiojet.com.

A RegioJet train at Vienna Hbf. More about Regiojet trains & their 4 classes.

Business class. Larger photo. 360° photo.

Relax class. Larger photo. 360° photo..

Standard class Astra car. Larger photo. 360° photo.

Regiojet Astra car at Vienna.

Option 3, Prague to Budapest by sleeper train - the time-effective option

A time-effective sleeper train leaves Prague Hlavni at 22:03 every night and arrives at Budapest Nyugati at 08:29 next morning.

The train has a comfortable Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, morning tea or coffee and a light breakfast are included in the sleeper fare.

For full details, see the Prague to Budapest sleeper train section.

The Czech sleeping-car from Budapest to Prague, boarding at Budapest Nyugati on a summer evening.

Washstand, soap & towels provided. Larger photo.

Czech Railways 2-bed 'double' sleeper. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple sleeper. Larger photo.

The corridor. Each compartment locks securely. Larger photo.

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Prague to Brasov & Bucharest from €48

Option 1, Prague to Romania using the Budapest-Bucharest sleeper - the most time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 09:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 16:28.

The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. On arrival in Budapest, walk, tram, taxi or metro from Nyugati to Keleti.

Fares start at €21 (around 500 Czech Koruna) in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see my tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov 08:50 & Bucharest Gara de Nord 11:30 next day.

This safe & comfortable train has a Romanian air-conditioned sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. There's no restaurant car so take a picnic & bottle of wine. Enjoy the lovely Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov & Bucharest.

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

Book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. 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. If www.mavcsoport.hu won't offer tickets for a 2-bed or 1-bed sleeper, book 3 tickets in a 3-bed sleeper to get sole occupancy.

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, Prague to Romania by daytime trains with overnight stop from €48 - if you prefer day trains & hotels to sleepers

Day 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 15:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 22:30.

By all means take an earlier train to enjoy an afternoon and/or evening in Budapest. The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. On arrival in Budapest, walk, tram, taxi or metro from Nyugati to Keleti station.

Fares start at €21 (around 500 Czech Koruna) in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see my tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Transylvania & Bucharest by daytime train.

An air-conditioned InterCity train called the Traianus leaves Budapest Keleti at 07:10 via Arad & Timisoara arriving Bucharest Nord 01:09.

Another air-conditioned IC train leaves Budapest Keleti 09:10 via Simeria & Sibiu arriving Brasov at 22:42.

There are also IC trains to Cluj-Napoca, see the trains from Budapest page.

Fares start at €26.30 in 2nd class or €40.50 in 1st class (where available).

Book these trains at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You show your ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.

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

The daytime train from Budapest to Bucharest has modern air-conditioned Romanian carriages. Three cars travel all the way, additional cars are attached whilst in Hungary, and additional cars and a bar car are attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest.

On the left, the daytime train to Bucharest is about to leave Budapest Keleti.

Comfortable 2nd class seats on the Budapest to Bucharest train. There are power outlets under the tables. Larger photo.

A bar car is attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest. Photos courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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Prague to Ljubljana & Rijeka from €40

Option 1, Prague to Ljubljana, morning departure

Step 1, travel from Prague to Graz by air-conditioned railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 06:42 and arriving Graz at 13:39.

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

Step 2, travel from Graz to Ljubljana by train, leaving Graz at 14:38 and arriving Ljubljana at 17:38.

This is an air-conditioned Slovenian train built by Stadler. There's no catering so bring your own food & drink.

Fares start at around €55 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Prague to Ljubljana at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see tips for using it.

Important: To avoid getting a later departure with a risky few minutes connection in Graz, before running the enquiry, click More options, then Connection parameters then Transfers. Change from regular to 4 hours to from 30 minutes to 4 hours. I'd also reduce Maximum number of transfers to 1.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Prague to Ljubljana, afternoon departure

Step 1, travel from Prague to Graz by air-conditioned railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:42 and arriving Graz at 19:33.

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

Step 2, travel from Graz to Ljubljana by air-conditioned EuroCity train Drava, leaving Graz at 21:38 and arriving Ljubljana at 01:03.

This train has come from Budapest, it's composed of excellent modernised air-conditioned Hungarian carriages with open-plan seating in both 1st & 2nd class. There's no catering car so bring a picnic & some beer or wine. It's routed across Austria via Graz.

Fares start at around €55 in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Prague to Ljubljana at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see tips for using it.

Important: To avoid getting a later departure with a risky few minutes connection in Graz, before running the enquiry, click More options, then Connection parameters then Transfers. Change from regular to 4 hours to from 30 minutes to 4 hours. You could also reduce Maximum number of transfers to 1.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

The Drava from Graz to Ljubljana. The Drava starts in Budapest.

1st class seats on the Drava.

2nd class seats on the Drava.

Option 3, Prague to Ljubljana in a single day via Vienna, all year round

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by air-conditioned railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 10:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:49.

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

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

Book the railjet at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in CZK, booking opens 3 months ahead, see tips for using it). You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:24 by railjet, changing at Villach onto a Slovenian train arriving Lesce-Bled 21:47 & Ljubljana 22:38.

Enjoy the scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Villach.

Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €34.90 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 €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Option 4, Prague to Ljubljana using the Munich-Ljubljana sleeper - the most time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 15:35 and arriving Munich Hbf at 21:18.

By all means take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich. The train has refreshments available, power sockets at all seats and (in most cars) free WiFi. See a timetable and more about trains from Prague to Munich.

Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

Buy a ticket at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Have dinner in Munich - for local Bavarian food and a beer or two before boarding the sleeper I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

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

Step 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Munich Ost at 23:54 and arriving Lesce-Bled 07:13 & Ljubljana 08:09.

It has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below, a modern Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. See the Croatian sleeper video.

On some dates this train conveys a direct Croatian sleeping-car to Rijeka: In 2024 it ran from 22 March to 8 April & 9 May to 29 September, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Rijeka 11:17.
Fares start at €49 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in 4-berth, €89 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Important: This sleeper train is diverted via Graz due to work in the Tauern Tunnel and won't call at Lesce-Bled or Ljubljana from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025. For Ljubljana, either use another option or get off the sleeper at Celja in northern Slovenia at 09:47 then take a local train leaving Celje at 11:36 arriving Ljubljana 12:43. Check times for the local train at potniski.sz.si/en.

Step 3 for Rijeka, change at Ljubljana. Buy a Ljubljana-Rijeka ticket at the station, check times using int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Prague to Munich by air-conditioned express with smart modern Czech Railways open-plan cars & comfortable Länderbahn 'Alex' compartment cars, power sockets at all seats, refreshment trolley & free WiFi, seen here at Munich Hbf.

In 2nd class, choose a Länderbahn compartment.

...or a Czech Railways 2nd class open-plan car.

Step 2, Munich to Ljubljana by sleeper train. Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Ljubljana & Zagreb. It has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor. Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use. A light breakfast is included in the sleeper fare. The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right, also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families. Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

Set up as a single-berth.

4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Option 5, Prague to Ljubljana with an overnight stop in Vienna

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by air-conditioned railjet train on any train you like.

The last one leaves Prague Hlavni at 18:42 arriving Vienna Hbf 22:49, but by all means book an earlier one, see the timetable here.

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

Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in CZK, see tips for using it, booking opens 3 months ahead). You print your own ticket.

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

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana by air-conditioned EuroCity train Emona leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:58, arriving Ljubljana 14:00.

This is a great trip: The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer and wine, and it travels via the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz. A real treat!

Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €34.90 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 €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

The EuroCity train Emona to Ljubljana about to leave Vienna Hbf, with its Slovenian restaurant car in the foreground and two Slovenian cars in rear. The Austrian cars are ahead of the restaurant car.

The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car with inexpensive freshly-cooked scrambled eggs or omelette. How about a glass of fizz to go with that?

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments.

1st class open-plan seating. There's just one section of 1st class seats on this train.

Between Vienna & Graz the Emona travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most.

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Prague to Zagreb from €29

Option 1, Prague to Zagreb via Budapest from €29 - the cheapest option

Step 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 05:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 12:28.

There's a restaurant car for breakfast, have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see timetable & more about Prague to Budapest trains.

Fares start at €21 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

On arrival in Budapest, transfer by walking, tram, taxi or metro from Nyugati station to Deli station.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Zagreb by Intercity train Agram, leaving Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving Zagreb at 21:59.

The Agram has one comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian car with open-plan 2nd class seats and one air-conditioned Croatian car with 6-seat 2nd class compartments, plus various older Hungarian cars only going as far as the border. There's no 1st class and no catering car so take your own picnic & wine.

Fares start at just €9. This is a limited-availability advance-purchase fare.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using it.

Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app. Suggested hotels in Zagreb.

The Intercity train Agram at Budapest Deli, the Croatian car in the foreground, the Hungarian car next to it, then in the distance at the front of the train the older Hungarian cars going as far as the border.

2nd class compartment in the Croatian car.

2nd class open-plan seats in the Hungarian car.

The train runs along the southern shore of Lake Balaton, Hungary's largest lake. Courtesy of Della Mcvay.

The train passes fields of sunflowers. Courtesy of Louise Donnelly.

Option 2, Prague to Zagreb via Vienna from €45 - slightly faster, with a restaurant car on both trains

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by air-conditioned railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 10:35 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:49.

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

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

Book the railjet at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in CZK, see my tips for using it, booking normally opens 3 months ahead). You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58, change in Villach, arriving Zagreb at 22:20.

From Vienna to Villach there's a restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer & wine so treat yourself to dinner, enjoy the scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.

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

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

By all means split the journey over two days with an overnight stop in Vienna, using www.thetrainline.com or www.cd.cz to find any train you like between Prague and Vienna, they run every two hours, and www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at to find journeys between Vienna and Zagreb.

Vienna to Zagreb on the Croatia: This is the EuroCity train Croatia about to leave Vienna Hbf for Zagreb.

2nd class seats, some in open-plan saloons like this, some in 6-seat compartments.

1st class leather seats. You'll also find seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

The elegant Austrian restaurant car. Larger photo.

Dinner with wine on board.

The EuroCity Croatia travels over the famous Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scenery in Slovenia, between Maribor & Zidani Most.

Sevnica Castle, seen from the train between Zidani Most & Zagreb.

Option 3, Prague to Zagreb using the Munich-Zagreb sleeper - the most time-effective option, all year round.

Step 1, travel from Prague to Munich by express train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 15:35 and arriving Munich Hbf at 21:18.

By all means take an earlier one for an afternoon or evening in Munich. The train has a minibar, power sockets at all seats & (in most cars) free WiFi. More about these Prague to Munich trains with timetable.

Have dinner in Munich - for local Bavarian food and a beer or two before boarding the sleeper I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.

Fares start at €16 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares.

Buy a ticket at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking usually opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

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

Step 2, travel from Munich to Zagreb by Croatian sleeper train Lisinski leaving Munich Ost at 23:54, arriving Zagreb at 10:39.

It has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below, a modern Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. See the Croatian sleeper video.

On some dates this train conveys a direct Croatian sleeping-car to Rijeka: In 2024 it ran from 22 March to 8 April & 9 May to 29 September, leaving Munich Ost at 23:54 & arriving Rijeka 11:17.
Fares start at €49 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in 4-berth, €89 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or €129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

Step 1, Prague to Munich by air-conditioned express with smart modern Czech Railways open-plan cars & comfortable Länderbahn 'Alex' compartment cars, power sockets at all seats, refreshment trolley & free WiFi, seen here at Munich Hbf.

In 2nd class, choose a Länderbahn compartment.

...or a Czech Railways 2nd class open-plan car.

Step 2, Munich to Zagreb by sleeper train. Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb. It has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor. Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use. A light breakfast is included in the sleeper fare. The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right, also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families. Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

Set up as a single-berth.

4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava.

Option 4, Prague to Zagreb with an overnight stop in Vienna

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by air-conditioned railjet train on any train you like.

The last one leaves Prague Hlavni at 18:42 arriving Vienna Hbf at 22:49, see the timetable here.

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

Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in CZK, booking opens 92 days ahead, see tips for using it). You print your own ticket.

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

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb, leaving Vienna Hbf at 08:25 by railjet train, changing trains at Villach and arriving Zagreb at 17:10.

The railjet takes you over beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Klagenfurt.

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

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

Option 5, Prague to Zagreb using the Prague-Budapest sleeper - with a morning in Budapest, well worth considering

Step 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by sleeper train as shown above, leaving Prague Hlavni at 22:03 & arriving Budapest Nyugati 08:29.

Fares start at €35 with couchette, booked at www.cd.cz.

On arrival in Budapest, transfer by taxi or metro from Nyugati to Deli station.

Spend a pleasant morning in Budapest. Alternatively, you could of course take a day train and stop overnight in Budapest, the choice is yours.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Zagreb by Intercity train Agram, leaving Budapest Deli at 15:35 and arriving Zagreb at 21:59.

Fares start at just €9 if you book online in advance.

Book this at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using it. Booking opens 60 days ahead.

Incidentally, the Hungarian Railways site only sells cheap advance-purchase fares, it does not sell regular fares. As there are no cheap 1st class fares you can't buy 1st class tickets online, only at the station at full-flex prices. So stick with 2nd class as this is perfectly comfortable, it's simply not worth paying €70 at the station for 2" more legroom when a €9 fare is available in 2nd class.

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Prague to Split & Dubrovnik

Option 1, Prague to Split & Dubrovnik via Zagreb - daily, all year round

Step 1, travel from Prague to Zagreb using any of the options above.

Step 2, stay overnight in Zagreb and take a train from Zagreb to Split next day, a lovely scenic route, see the Trains from Zagreb page for times, fares & photos.

Zagreb to Split by train only costs around €20 in 2nd class, even bought on the day.

Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr.

However, it's not usually a problem to buy on the day. Booking opens 60 days ahead.

Step 3, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik. Buses leave Split bus station every hour or even every half hour and take between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station. There are various operators, the fare is between €13 and €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.

The daytime trains to Split: These fast, tilting, air-conditioned ICN trains link Zagreb & Split once or twice a day through great scenery. Above right, first class seats. You can now buy tickets online at www.hzpp.hr. Exterior photo courtesy of Gareth Davison.

Scenery between Zagreb and Split seen from the train. Photo courtesy of Páraic Maguire.

Option 2, Prague to Split using the Vienna-Split sleeper - 3 times a week May-October, recommended

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by air-conditioned railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:42 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:49.

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

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

Book the railjet at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in CZK, see my tips for using it, booking normally opens 3 months ahead). You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Split by sleeper train, running on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 30 April to 12 October 2025.
It leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:05 and arrives in Split at 09:51 next morning.

This Slovakian sleeper train starts its journey in Bratislava, with three comfortable air-conditioned sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1153.

Fares start at €29.90 in a seat, €49 in a couchette, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €149.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

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

Step 3 for Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split. There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies. Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17. Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

What a journey! Scenery between Zagreb & Split seen from the Bratisloava-Vienna-Split sleeper train. Photos courtesy of Rob Romans.

The comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars on the train from Bratislava & Vienna to Split, arrived at Split station. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple, and comes with soap, towel, fully-made up beds and a washbasin. A light breakfast is included. Larger photo. Photo of 2-berth, courtesy of Michael Allsop.

A couchette car on the train from Bratislava & Vienna, arrived at Split. Larger photo.

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Prague to Belgrade & Montenegro

Option 1, Prague to Belgrade in a day - starts running from 24 November 2024

Step 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 05:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 12:28.

The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about these EuroCity trains.

Fares start at €21 (around 500 Czech Koruna) in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see my tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 14:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 21:19.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 2, Prague to Belgrade using the Prague-Budapest sleeper - starts running from 24 November 2024

Step 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 22:03 and arriving Budapest Nyugati 08:29.
This train has an air-conditioned Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, shower at the end of the corridor, morning tea or coffee included in the fare. More about this sleeper train.

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

For full details, see the Prague to Budapest sleeper train page.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 3, Prague to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - starts running from 24 November 2024

Day 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 15:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 22:30.

The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about these EuroCity trains.

Fares start at €21 (around 500 Czech Koruna) in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see my tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Budapest. For an affordable hotel close to Budapest Nyugati, look no further than the 3-star T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite with funky interior design. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is a few minutes walk away, also with good reviews. The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block along the road from the station. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 05:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 12:38.
Or if you'd prefer a later departure, leave Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.

Option 4, Prague to Belgrade with overnight stop in Zagreb

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by air-conditioned railjet train leaving Prague Hlavni at 10:35 and arriving Vienna Hbf 14:49.

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

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

Book the railjet at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in CZK, see my tips for using it, booking opens 92 days ahead). You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58,change at Villach, arriving Zagreb at 22:20.

There's a restaurant car from Vienna to Villach serving snacks, meals, beer & wine so treat yourself to dinner, and at least in summer enjoy the scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.

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

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

Stay overnight in Zagreb. There are some good hotels just a stone's throw from the station, I suggest the historic Esplanade Hotel, Palace Hotel or Central Hotel.

Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

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

This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no dining-car, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.

The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.
The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

Step 4 for Montenegro, transfer to Belgrade Centar station and either take the overnight sleeper Lovcen to Podgorica and Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day. See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets. Change at Podgorica for regular buses to Budva or Kotor.

If you need to stay overnight in Belgrade, I recommend the historic Hotel Moskva.

Option 5, Prague to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - by train all the way, runs until 23 November 2024

Day 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 13:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 20:28.

By all means book an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Budapest. The train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at €21 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, see my tips for using it.

Booking usually opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.

Stay overnight in Budapest. The highly-recommended 3-star T62 Hotel is across the road from Budapest Nyugati and a traveller's favourite. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is few minutes walk away. The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block away.

Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade as shown on the Budapest-Belgrade page.

You leave Budapest Nyugati at 05:50, change at Szeged, Subotica & Novi Sad, arriving Belgrade Centar at 20:27.

All direct Budapest-Belgrade mainline trains remain suspended until at least 2025 while the line is modernised for 200 km/h operation. However, in 2024 it's possible for the determined traveller to reach Belgrade on local trains via this somewhat round-about route. It's a long but interesting journey, with time for lunch in Subotica.

Serbian local train of the type used between Szeged & Subotica and Subotica & Novi Sad. They are air-conditioned, 2nd class only, with toilets. Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.

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Prague to Sofia

Option 1, Prague to Sofia via Bucharest

Day 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 05:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 12:28.

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

Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi, tram or metro and have lunch in Budapest.

Fares start at €20 in 2nd class or €37 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking opens up to 3 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the CD app on your phone.

Day 1, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:42.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 21:04) to Bucharest. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares

Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.

If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Arad to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket. (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Arad to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by train as shown in the Bucharest>Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page.
You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:47 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:21 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria. In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
The fare is around €34.

Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Prague to Sofia via Belgrade

Not currently a viable option while Zagreb-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.

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Prague to Krakow from €19

Option 1, Prague to Krakow by sleeper train, see the Prague to Krakow page

A safe & comfortable sleeper train leaves Prague Hlavni at 22:16 arriving Krakow Glowny 06:20 next morning.

Fares start at €29 with couchette or €49 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper.

Prague to Krakow is a popular route with tourists, and saves a hotel bill too! See the Prague to Krakow page for details.

Prague to Krakow by sleeping-car. Above, the sleeper to Krakow is boarding at Prague Hlavni.

Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open. Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds. Larger photo.

Same sleeper with beds folded away, washstand closed. Very similar to a deluxe, but without the shower & toilet. Larger photo.

Deluxe sleepers are almost identical to regular ones, but with a shower & toilet instead of washstand. Larger photo.

Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car. There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.

Couchette car to Krakow, boarding at Prague Hlavni.

6-berth couchettes

Option 2, Prague to Krakow by daytime train, see the Prague to Krakow page

A direct Prague-Krakow daytime train called the Cracovia links Prague Hlavni with Krakow Glowny every day.

It has comfortable air-conditioned carriages with power sockets, and a bistro car with draught beer on tap, but by all means take your own picnic and wine or beer, see the Prague to Krakow by train page for details.

Limited-availability advance-purchase fares start at €19. The full-price fare bought at the station is around €42.

Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead and you print your own ticket.

The Cracovia's 1st class & bistro car. Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

1st class seats, in the bistro car on one side of the central kitchen

2nd class open-plan seats. There are also seats in classic 6-seat compartments.

Enjoy an inexpensive meal with wine in the bistro.

Option 3, Prague to Krakow by day train with private operator Leo Express. See the Prague to Krakow by train page

Leo Express (www.le.cz) started a new high-quality air-conditioned train between Prague and Krakow in competition with Czech and Polish Railways in 2018. It runs only 2 or 3 times a week, but should become daily at some point. See the Prague to Krakow by train page.

Buy tickets at www.leoexpress.com.

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Prague to Warsaw from €28

Option 1, Prague to Warsaw by sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option

A safe & comfortable sleeper train leaves Prague Hlavni at 22:16 and arrives Warsaw Centralna 09:08. This option saves time & a hotel bill!

What's the sleeper train like?

The train runs every day all year round with a modern air-conditioned Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with 1, 2 or 3-bed compartments with washbasin and several deluxe compartments 1, 2 or 3 berth with en suite shower & toilet, see the photos below.

There is a comfortable Czech couchette car with 4-berth & 6-berth compartments.

How much does it cost?

Berths are sold individually, so you do not have to pay for sole occupancy if you are a solo traveller. You can book one bed in a 3-bed sleeper and share with other civilised sleeper passengers of the same sex, which is much cheaper.

Advance-purchase fares start at €29 (760 Czech Koruna) with couchette in 6-berth, €39 (1022 Kr) with couchette in 4-berth, €39 (1022 Kr) with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper or €49 (1284Kr) with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or around €75 (2,014 Kr) with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

Bought at the station in Prague, the fare is in the region of €60 for the basic travel ticket plus around €11 supplement for a couchette or €28 for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper. Single occupancy requires a first class ticket (around €80) plus around €55 sleeper supplement. There are normally berths available even on the day of departure, but the sleeper can leave fully-booked, so book in advance to be sure.

How to buy tickets

You can (usually) book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz and print your own ticket, see tips for using cd.cz.

Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. Do read those tips - they include the workarounds for cases when you get a red Your request could not be granted message.

Tip: The sleeping-car & couchette car to Warsaw leaves Prague attached to a sleeper train to Kosice & Humenné in Slovakia, so look for the train to Humenné on the departure boards at Prague Hlavni.

Prague to Warsaw by sleeping-car. Above, the sleeper to Warsaw boarding at Prague Hlavni.

Standard sleeper set up as a 2-berth, with blind down & washstand open. Each room can be used with 1, 2 or 3 beds. Larger photo.

Same sleeper with berths folded away & seats folded out, washstand closed. Very similar to a deluxe, but without the shower & toilet. Larger photo.

Deluxe sleepers are similar to standard ones, but with a bit more floorspace & compact shower & toilet instead of washstand. Larger photo.

Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car. There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.

Prague to Warsaw couchette car boarding at Prague Hlavni.

6-berth couchettes.

Option 2, Prague to Warsaw by daytime train - the chill-out option

Three comfortable EuroCity trains link Prague & Warsaw every day. Take a good book, chill out, and enjoy a meal and beer in the inexpensive restaurant or bistro car as the train rolls through farmland & woods across the Czech Republic and into Poland.

An air-conditioned EuroCity train branded Silesia leaves Prague Hlavni at 06:19 & arrives Warsaw Gdanska 14:33.

This train has 1st & 2nd class seats and a modern bistro car serving drinks, snacks and meals. The 1st class seats are at one end of the bistro car, which is of the same sort used from Prague to Krakow on the Cracovia, see the photos & description here. 1st class passengers have food & drink orders taken and are served food & drink at their seats, an excellent arrangement. In 2nd class, you can choose a seat in an open-plan car or a compartment car, see the photos below.

An air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Cracovia leaves Prague Hlavni at 10:19 & arrives Warsaw Centralna at 19:34.

This train has 2nd class through cars to Warsaw, the rest of the train is for Krakow. You can choose a seat in a 2nd class open-plan car or a 2nd class compartment car, see the photos below. A bistro car is attached as far as Bohumin, see the bistro photos & description here.

An air-conditioned EuroCity train branded Silesia leaves Prague Hlavni at 14:19 & arrives Warsaw Gdanska at 22:49.

This train has 1st & 2nd class seats and a restaurant car. In 2nd class there's a choice of open-plan cars or compartment cars, see the photos below. In 1st class on this particular train the 1st class seats are in a classic side-corridor-and-compartments car with 6-seat and some 4-seat compartments, see the photo below.

Tip: When booking 1st class at www.cd.cz make sure you spot the Select seat from the seating map link and use it to select a seat in more exclusive 4-seat compartment - it doesn't cost any more!

Fares start at €28 (about 745 CZK) in 2nd class or €48 (1297 CZK) in 1st class.

Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket. See tips for using cd.cz.

The afternoon EuroCity train Silesia boarding at Prague Hlavni.

2nd class open-plan seats, available on all 3 trains.

2nd class compartments, available on all 3 trains.

1st class 4-seat compartment on the afternoon Silesia.

Restaurant car on the afternoon Silesia.

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Prague to Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Gdynia

Until 14 December 2024:

You'll typically find these daily departures from Prague to Wroclaw:

Prague Hlavni depart 06:03, change Usti nad Orlici & Lichkov, Wroclaw arrive 11:14.

Prague Hlavni depart 08:03, change Usti nad Orlici & Lichkov, Wroclaw arrive 14:15.

Prague Hlavni depart 11:03, change Usti nad Orlici & Lichkov, Wroclaw arrive 16:14.

Prague Hlavni depart 13:03, change Usti nad Orlici & Lichkov, Wroclaw arrive 18:37.

Prague Hlavni depart 16:03, change Usti nad Orlici & Lichkov, Wroclaw arrive 21:11.

You can normally find these by running an enquiry at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but it won't sell tickets.

Step 1, travel from Prague Hlavni to Usti Nad Ulici.

Buy a ticket at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. There are hourly departures.

Step 2, take the regional train run by Leo Express from Usti Nad Orlici to Wroclaw with an easy change at Lichkov.

Check times at www.leoexpress.com, if that fails look them up at www.cd.cz. There are departures several times a day.

Buy a ticket for these Usti nad Orlici to Wroclaw regional trains at the station.

From 15 December 2024:

A new train service of 4 direct EuroCity trains will link Prague with Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Gdynia every day, leaving Prague Hlavni at approximately 06:50, 10:50, 14:50 & 18:50.

These trains will have 1st & 2nd class, refreshment trolley, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at €28 (about 745 CZK) in 2nd class or €48 (1297 CZK) in 1st class.

Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.

Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket. See tips for using cd.cz.

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Prague to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

Day 1, travel from Prague Hlavni to Warsaw by EuroCity train, as shown in the Prague to Warsaw section.

Or take the overnight sleeper & spend the following day exploring Warsaw.

Fares start at €29.
Buy a ticket at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, you print your own ticket.

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 guide.

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

Day 3, for onward travel from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia, see here.

Day 4, for onward travel from Riga to Tallinn in Estonia, see here.

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Prague to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine

Option 1, Prague to Lviv & Kyiv by Regiojet sleeper train - running in spite of the war, comfortable, cheap, easily booked online

Private open-access train operator Regiojet runs a comfortable daily train service from Prague to Lviv & Kyiv, consisting of a sleeper train from Prague to Przemysl run by Regiojet themselves and a connecting seats train from Przemysl to Lviv & Kyiv run by partner Ukrainian Railways. Regiojet sell this combo online as a fully-integrated service, making it very easy to book with lots of capacity available.

It leaves Prague Hlavni at 21:56 every day, arriving Przemysl at 07:43, connecting train leaves 09:35 arriving Lviv 12:27 & Kyiv at 19:57.

The train has air-conditioned 4-berth couchette compartments which can be booked as private compartments for sole occupancy, or you can book individual couchettes in shared compartments at cheap prices. Bedding & bottled water is provided, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included and there's free WiFi. The train also has ordinary seats, not recommended for an overnight journey.

Fares start at €58 with a berth in a shared compartment, or €119.90 for sole occupancy of a 4-berth couchette compartment for 1 to 4 people.

Book online at www.regiojet.com.
Booking opens 1 month ahead so don't be impatient, but it often sells out so don't leave it till the last minute. You print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Option 2, Prague to Kyiv using the Vienna-Lviv-Kyiv sleeping-car - a comfortable option, easily booked online

Step 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 10:35 & arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:49.

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

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

Book the railjet at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways site www.cd.cz (in CZK, booking normally opens 3 months ahead, see my tips for using it). You print your own ticket.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv by sleeping-car. leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 daily arriving next day in Lviv at 10:20 & Kyiv 17:03.

Introduced in 2017, this train consists of 2 or sometimes 3 direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars attached to a Vienna-Zahony EuroCity train. The sleeping-cars have comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below. At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').

Vienna to Lviv costs €71.20 in a 3-berth sleeper, €79.20 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €130 in a single sleeper.
Vienna to Kyiv costs €89.60 in a 3-berth sleeper, €99.60 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €170 in a single sleeper.

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

Booking for these direct sleeping-cars opens 20 days ahead, but tickets sell out a day or two after booking opens, so book as soon as the booking period opens. If the ÖBB website says Ticket not available within 20 days it means fully-booked, if it says that more than 20 days ahead it means booking isn't open yet.

Tickets can now be printed out so you can book in either direction. However, you must print the ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.

Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kyiv to Vienna costs around €80, Lviv to Vienna around €60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.

Boarding the Vienna to Kyiv sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

The sleeper corridor. Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment.

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

Option 3, Prague to Lviv & Kyiv via Budapest - 3 hours quicker than option 1, unfortunately not bookable online

Step 1, travel from Prague to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 11:42 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 18:28.
Fares start at €20 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this online at www.cd.cz . By all means take an earlier one for more time in Budapest. See tips for using cd.cz.

See the Prague to Budapest by train page. Walk, tram, taxi or metro to Keleti station.

Step 2, travel from Budapest to Lviv or Kyiv by sleeping-car. leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:40 daily, arriving at Lviv at 09:20 & Kyiv at 16:03.
Introduced in December 2017, this is a Ukrainian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the Ukrainian sleeping-car photos above.
The best way to buy tickets for this train is via reliable agency www.polrail.com, with tickets posted or couriered to you for a small fee. Polrail are based in Poland so charge in zlotys, but as they have access to Ukrainian ticketing system they are good for booking this train. You cannot currently book online with ÖBB although you could try emailing or calling their telesales via their website www.oebb.at. Feedback would be appreciated. If you order tickets from Polrail:

Budapest to Kyiv costs around €103 in a 3-berth sleeper €114 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €184 in a single-berth sleeper.

Budapest to Lviv costs around €87 in a 3-berth sleeper €95 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €152 in a single-berth sleeper.

Option 4, Prague to Kyiv via Warsaw

Step 1, travel overnight from Prague to Warsaw or Krakow by direct sleeper train as explained above, booked at www.cd.cz as shown.

Spend a day exploring either Warsaw or Krakow.

Step 2, travel overnight from Warsaw to Kyiv by direct sleeper train Kyiv Express as shown on the Trains from Warsaw page or from Krakow to Kyiv by direct sleeper train as shown on the Trains from Krakow page.
Book this train via the Ukrainian Railways website or reliable Polish ticketing agency Polrail.com as explained on the Trains from Warsaw page.

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Prague to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia

Option 1, Prague to Moscow by direct Russian Railways sleeping-car, every day - via Belarus

Two or three direct Russian Railways sleeping-cars leave Prague Hlavni at 10:02 every day, travelling via Warsaw & Minsk, arriving Moscow Byelorusski at 16:58 next day.
All international trains to/from Russia were suspended due to Covid-19 and remain suspended due to sanctions & war in Ukraine.
The fare is approximately €155 with a bed in a 4-berth sleeper. €230 in a 2-bed sleeper or €265 in a single-bed sleeper.

You can book this train at Czech Railways www.cd.cz and print your own ticket. This is the recommended method.
Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.
This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers. Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth. There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.

Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus. See my important update about travel to Russia through Belarus.

For St Petersburg, take this Prague-Moscow train and change in Moscow, taking either a Sapsan daytime train in 3h50 or an overnight sleeper train, see the train travel in Russia page.

The direct Prague to Moscow sleeping-cars were built in Austria in 2014. Each compartment converts from comfortable sofas to equally comfortable beds and can be used as either 1st class 2-berth with two lower berths or as 2nd class 4-berth with all four berths in use. There are a shower and toilets at the end of the corridor. Compartments have electronic key-card locks, and the cars are very smooth-riding. The sleeper attendant can serve lovely Russian tea for around €0.50 a glass. Highly recommended! Pictured above, the Moscow to Prague train pulls into Prague Hlavni.

Option 2, Prague to Moscow via Kyiv, avoiding Belarus and the need for a Belarusian visa.

Step 1, travel from Prague to Kyiv as shown above, for example taking an afternoon railjet train from Prague to Vienna on day 1 then the direct Ukrainian sleeping-car from Vienna to Kyiv arriving in Kyiv late afternoon on day 2.

Step 2, take a sleeper train from Kyiv to Moscow.
There are several night trains and times vary by date, but for example there's usually one leaving Kyiv at 19:36 and arriving in Moscow Kievskaya station next morning at 10:09 (= day 3 from Prague). 2-berth & 4-berth sleepers available. Incidentally, there's also a direct train from Kyiv to St Petersburg, but this passes through a small corner of Belarus, requiring a Belarus visa and so defeating the object of the exercise.
Kyiv-Moscow trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and are now cancelled - and the lines blown up - due to the war in Ukraine
You can book the Kyiv-Moscow train direct with Ukrainian Railways at booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya. You collect tickets at the station in Kyiv. Feedback appreciated! Or you can arrange via www.polrail.com.

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Prague to Athens & Greece

Option 1, Prague to Athens by train through the Balkans

Not currently viable, there are no international trains to or from Greece.

Option 2, Prague to Athens via ferry from Italy - currently the most viable option

Day 1, travel from Prague to Vienna by railjet train, leaving Prague Hlavni at 12:42 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:49.

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

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

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

Have dinner in Vienna, see suggested restaurants.

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

Day 1, travel from Vienna to Bologna by Nightjet sleeper train leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 arriving Bologna Centrale at 05:36.

From 10 September 2024, this train becomes a new generation Nightjet 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.

Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, can also book onward tickets in Italy) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Bologna to Bari by Frecciarossa, leaving Bologna Centrale at 09:45 arriving Bari Centrale at 15:27.

The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a pleasant run along the scenic Adriatic coast.

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

Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund their small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

In Bari, transfer from station to port, see map of Bari showing station, port entrance, check-in building & Superfast Ferries berth.

You can walk the 1.9 km from the station to the port entrance in 25 minutes, a stroll through Bari's pleasant old town, see correct walking map from the station to the port entrance gate - if Google tells you any different, trust me, not Google!

Alternatively, bus 50 runs from Bari Centrale station to the road outside the port gate roughly every 40 minutes. A taxi will take 10 minutes.

Day 2, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with Superfast Ferries.

The ferry sails from Bari at 19:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Patras at 13:00 next day (Day 3).

On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Milan.

You can check sailing times & dates at using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com.

You should check in at the Superfast desk on the ground floor of the cruise terminal (Terminal Crociere) at Bari port with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3 hours before departure in summer, although in practice 2 hours or even 1½ hours is normally fine.

You then walk 500m from check-in to the ferry, board the ferry via the foot passenger gangway at the stern and head up the escalator to the main lounge and reception desk to get your cabin key.

The ship is comfortable, with self-service restaurant, lounge, bar and sun deck. You can book a deck place (a good & cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag), a reclining seat or various types of cabin, all with private shower & toilet. Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

In Patras, the ferry arrives at the new South ferry terminal a few km from the town centre. Bus 18 links the port with the Patras bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

Day 3, travel from Patras to Athens by Greek Railways bus/train combo.

Hellenic Train (Greek Railways) operate an integrated bus/train service from Patras to Athens every hour or two, total journey time 3h02, fare around €18. No prior reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket to Athens at Patras railway station ticket office.
For example, at the time I write this, buses leave from outside Patras railway station at 14:15, 15:15, 16:00, 17:15 & 18:15, taking 90 minutes to reach Kiato railway station near Corinthos. At Kiato they connect with a modern air-conditioned regional train taking 78 minutes to Athens Larissa Station in downtown Athens. You can check Patra to Athens bus/train times using the journey planner at www.hellenictrain.gr.

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

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.

Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.

Self-service restaurant.

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece. This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras.

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Prague to Istanbul

Prague to Istanbul via Budapest & Bucharest - currently the only viable option

Step 1, travel from Prague to Bucharest as shown above.

Do not risk any tight connections in Bucharest, I'd allow a minimum of 2 hours, or plan an overnight stop.

Step 2, travel overnight from Bucharest to Istanbul as shown on the Bucharest to Istanbul page.

Book online as shown on those pages, but you should consider using an Interrail pass for the flexibility it gives. You'll find more info about using a pass for a journey like this on the London to Istanbul page.

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Railbookers custom-made tours

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

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

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

Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

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Hotels in Prague

Apart from review score and price, I think the three key factors in choosing a hotel are location, location, and (you've guessed it) location. For a longish stay, I'd book a hotel right in the heart of the old town on or near the Old Town Square where the action is. For a shorter stay, especially if you are leaving on an early train, I'd go for a hotel near the station, so there's no time wasted in taxis, you can walk across the road and leave your bags, and it's an easy stroll across the road to the station when it's time to leave - but hotels near the station are still easy walking distance to the old town and sights.

Hotels near Prague's old town square

Ventana Hotel or Old Town Square Hotel (both 5-star), Grand Hotel Prague, Hotel Rott (both 4-star), Zlatý kůň Golden Horse (3-star).

Hotels near Prague Hlavni station

MeetMe23 (3-star, a funky designer hotel with holographic receptionist!), Exe City Park Hotel (3-star), Chopin Hotel (3-star), Falkensteiner Hotel Maria (4-star), Esplanade Hotel (5-star, a top choice which I've used myself).
Personal recommendation: Hotel Carlo IV

The Hotel Carlo IV is a grand 5 star hotel in the classic tradition, in an impressive 19th century building that was originally a bank. It's an easy 3 minute stroll across the park from the station, an easy walk from all the sights, and being in Prague it isn't as expensive as you'd expect a hotel of this top calibre to be. Great location, great staff, nice rooms, excellent breakfast, and it even has a spa and swimming pool.

Hotel Carlo IV, Prague, seen as you arrive from the station.

Room at the Carlo IV Hotel.

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place. I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more. Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip. I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

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

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


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


2nd class seats, most in open-plan cars like this, but there are often one or two cars with side corridor & classic 6-seat compartments.		1st class seats are open plan, in half of the bistro car, with the steward taking bistro orders at your seat.


An inexpensive meal in the bistro car with wine or draught beer.		Bistro. 2nd class passengers may use these leather seats next to the counter when eating or drinking.


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


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.


1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.		2nd class on the upper deck. Larger photo.


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


6-berth couchettes. There are also 4-berths. Larger photo.		Couchette car on the inaugural departure from Prague, leased from RDC as CD don't have enough 200km/h couchette cars of their own. Photos courtesy of @_wrzlbrnft_


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


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


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


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


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


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


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. More about the journey from Prague to Berlin. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.


2nd class on an Interjet train with power outlets & free WiFi. Larger photo.		1st class on an Interjet train with power outlets & free WiFi. Larger photo.


Hills & forest between Prague & Cheb. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux.		Scenery between Cheb & Nuremberg. Courtesy of Arnaud Loneux.


The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo.

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Prague to Český Krumlov

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2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.


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.


Business class. Larger photo. 360° photo.		Relax class. Larger photo. 360° photo..


Standard class Astra car. Larger photo. 360° photo.		Regiojet Astra car at Vienna.


Washstand, soap & towels provided. Larger photo.		Czech Railways 2-bed 'double' sleeper. Each compartment can be sold as a single, double or triple sleeper. Larger photo.		The corridor. Each compartment locks securely. Larger photo.


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.


On the left, the daytime train to Bucharest is about to leave Budapest Keleti.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on the Budapest to Bucharest train. There are power outlets under the tables. Larger photo.


A bar car is attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest. Photos courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.