How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online to avoid phone booking fees and see for yourself which trains are cheapest.  Most agencies only work weekday office hours, you can book online 24/7.  But if you want to book by phone, see my list of UK-based ticketing agencies.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Gare du Nord station guide.

Eurostar e320 at Paris Nord.  More about Eurostar.		1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

Standard class.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex   See the video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  The train has power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris & Stuttgart, a relaxing journey with reading book & glass of wine.  Book an upstairs seat for the best views.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, 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.

3. Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper

This is an Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train, with sleeping-car, couchettes & seats.  The Comfortline sleeping-car has nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  The sleeper berths come made up with sheets and duvets, all sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment next morning.  Towels & toiletries are provided, including shampoo and shower gel in the deluxe sleepers.  In the more economical couchettes, you can book a couchette in a cheaper 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & small bottle of water.  Couchette passengers get tea or coffee, rolls & jam in the morning.  More about Nightjet trains.

The Nightjet sleeper train to Venice at Munich 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.

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

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

The Nightjet sleeper train arrived at Venice Santa Lucia.  More about nightjets.

Back to top

Option 4, London to Italy via Switzerland

This route through the Swiss Alps remains open, a scenic alternative to the line blocked by the landslide.

The Paris-Milan trains in options 1 & 2 are the fastest & cheapest trains between Paris & Italy and that route is fairly scenic.  But you can also travel from Paris to Italy via Switzerland, travelling from Paris Gare de Lyon to either Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria high-speed train in 3h10-4h05 from €29, then taking a EuroCity train from any of those cities to Milan Centrale in 3h30-4h30, also from €29.  Change at Mussolini's magnificent Milan Centrale for Venice, Florence, Rome or anywhere in Italy.  You can get from London to Milan in a single day, but a journey from London to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples requires an overnight stop in either Paris, Switzerland or Milan.

See summary timetable for London/Paris-Milan via Switzerland.

Incidentally, if it's ultimate Swiss Alpine scenery you're after, go for option 5, the fabulous narrow gauge Bernina Express, at least in one direction.  This is much slower than any of the routes described here, Zurich to Milan on 3 trains in one amazing day instead of one train in 3½ hours - but it's worth it!

  Train times, London ► Italy

  Train times, Italy ► London

  How much does it cost?

  How to buy tickets

  What's the journey like?

London ► Italy (in a day, via Geneva)

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:31 arriving Paris Nord 12:50.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.

  Tip:  Book an earlier Eurostar for a more robust connection & time for lunch in Paris, for example at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Geneva by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:18 arriving Geneva 17:29.

  The 300 km/h (186 mph) TGV-Lyria is a double-deck TGV, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  For the last hour the Paris-Geneva TGV takes the Haut-Bugey Line with fabulous scenery, including crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge, the best view will be on the left hand side, see the scenery photos here.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

• Day 1, travel from Geneva to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Geneva at 18:27 and arriving Milan Centrale 22:50.

  This train also calls at Stresa on Lake Maggiore at 21:48.

  This EuroCity Astoro train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to dinner with wine in the restaurant car!

  It takes the Simplon route, in summer when it's light it's a lovely scenic ride, see the photos here:  The train runs along the shores of beautiful Lake Leman all the way from Geneva through Lausanne to Montreux.  The lake will be on the right hand side, look out for the impressive Chillon Castle right by the tracks.  The train speeds south across Switzerland, shortly after Brig it enters the famous Simplon Tunnel, 19 km (12 miles) long and opened in 1906.  This was the longest rail tunnel in the world from 1906 until 1982 when a longer tunnel opened in Japan.  When you leave the tunnel you're in Italy, the train calls at Domodossola and descends from the Alps to the plains, running alongside Lake Maggiore before arriving at the imposing Milan Centrale.

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

• Day 2, travel from Milan to anywhere in Italy:  Trains run at least every hour from Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com to find one that suits you.

London ► Italy (in a day, via Zurich)

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 07:01 Monday-Friday arriving Paris Nord 10:20 or 07:31 Saturdays arriving Paris Nord 10:48.  No sufficiently robust connection on Sundays.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:22 arriving Zurich HB 17:29.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV-Lyria is a double-deck TGV, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  Have an early dinner in Zurich, perhaps steak-frites at the Brasserie Federal.

• Day 1, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:33, arriving Como S. Giovanni 22:08 & Milan Centrale 22:50.

  This EuroCity Giruno train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to dinner with wine in the restaurant.

  This train takes the Gotthard route, via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel.  In summer when it's light it's a lovely scenic ride through the Alps and along the shore of Lake Lugano and Lake Como.

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

• Day 2, travel from Milan to anywhere in Italy:  Trains run at least every hour from Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome & Naples, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com to find one that suits you.

London ► Italy (overnight in Paris, via Geneva)

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like.

  The last one leaves London St Pancras at 20:01 arriving Paris Nord 23:18.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for catching an early train next morning and great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort.  Other recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon include the Citizen M Hotel (a 2-minute 160m walk from the station, great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Geneva by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 08:18 arriving Geneva 11:29.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV-Lyria is a double-deck TGV, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  For the last hour the Paris-Geneva TGV takes the Haut-Bugey Line with fabulous scenery, including crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge, the best view will be on the left hand side, see the scenery photos here.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

• Day 2, travel from Geneva to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Geneva at 13:27 and arriving Milan Centrale 17:50.

  This EuroCity Astoro train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to dinner in the restaurant!

  This train takes the Simplon route, a lovely scenic ride, see the photos here:  The train runs along the shores of beautiful Lake Leman all the way from Geneva through Lausanne to Montreux.  The lake will be on the right hand side, look out for the impressive Chillon Castle right by the tracks.  The train speeds south across Switzerland, shortly after Brig it enters the famous Simplon Tunnel, 19 km (12 miles) long and opened in 1906.  It was the longest rail tunnel in the world from 1906 until 1982 when a longer tunnel opened in Japan.  When you leave the tunnel you're in Italy, the train calls at Domodossola and descends from the Alps to the plains, running alongside Lake Maggiore before arriving at the imposing Milan Centrale.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to anywhere in Italy...

  For Verona, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 700 at 18:45 arriving Verona Porta Nuova 19:58.

  For Venice, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 700 at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 21:42.

  For Florence, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 18:10 arriving Florence SMN 20:04.

  For Rome, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 18:10 arriving Rome Termini 21:49.

  For Naples, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 18:10 arriving Naples Centrale 23:13.

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

London ► Italy (overnight in Paris, via Zurich)

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any evening Eurostar you like

  The last one leaves London St Pancras at 20:01 arriving Paris Nord 23:18.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

  Change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for catching an early train next morning and great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort.  Other recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon include the Citizen M Hotel (a 2-minute 160m walk from the station, great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:22 arriving Zurich HB 11:26.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV-Lyria is a double-deck TGV, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 12:33, arriving Como S. Giovanni 15:08 & Milan Centrale 15:50.

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

  The train takes the Gotthard route, a lovely scenic ride through the Alps and along the shore of Lake Lugano and Lake Como.  It uses the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to anywhere in Italy

  For Verona, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 700 at 16:45 arriving Verona Porta Nuova 17:58.

  For Venice, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 700 at 16:45 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 19:12.

  For Florence, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 17:10 arriving Florence SMN 19:04.

  For Rome, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 17:10 arriving Rome Termini 20:50.

  For Naples, leave Milan Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 17:10 arriving Naples Centrale 22:13.

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

London ► Italy (overnight in Zurich)

• Day 1, travel from London to Zurich using any of the departures shown in the London to Zurich timetable here.

  You travel from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar in 2h20, change trains & stations in Paris, then take a 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich HB in 4h05.  You can leave London as late as 12:31.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Italy by EuroCity Giruno train, these link Zurich & Milan every hour or two, some go to other cities, for example:

  Leave Zurich HB at 06:33, arriving Como S. Giovanni 09:08, Milan Centrale 12:50 & Bologna Centrale 12:30.

  Leave Zurich HB at 07:33, arriving Como S. Giovanni 10:08, Peschiera del Garda 13:12,  Verona Porta Nuova 13:28 & Venezia Santa Lucia 14:42.

  Leave Zurich HB at 08:33, arriving Como S. Giovanni 12:08 & Milan Centrale 14:50.

  Leave Zurich HB at 09:33, arriving Como S. Giovanni 13:08 & Genoa Piazza Principe 15:52.

  Or there are later trains from Zurich to Como & Milan.  All these trains take the Gotthard route, a lovely scenic ride through the Alps and along the shore of Lake Lugano and Lake Como.  The trains use the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel.

  Change in Milan for Florence, Rome, Naples & anywhere else in Italy.  Check times using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

Italy ► London (in a day, via Basel)

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Milan.  Trains run at least every hour from Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice & Verona to Milan, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com to find one that suits you.

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

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Basel by EuroCity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 07:10, Como S. Giovanni at 07:54, arriving Basel SBB 11:32.

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

  The train takes the Simplon route.  You'll get great views over Lake Maggiore before climbing into the Alps and passing through the famous Simplon Tunnel, 19 km (12 miles) long and opened in 1906, the longest rail tunnel in the world from 1906 until 1982.  Shortly after Brig, the train passes through the 34 km (21 mile) Lötschberg Base Tunnel and the route through Spiez & Bern to Basel.

• Day 2, travel from Basel to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Basel SBB at 12:34 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 15:38.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:12 and arriving London St Pancras 19:39.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

Italy ► London (in a day, via Zurich)

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Milan.  Trains run at least every hour from Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice & Verona to Milan, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com to find one that suits you.

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

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 09:10, Como S. Giovanni at 09:50, arriving Zurich HB 12:27.

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

  The train takes the Gotthard route, via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel.  It's a lovely scenic ride through the Alps and along the shore of Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

  Have lunch in Zurich, I recommend the steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal.

• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 14:34 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 17:38.

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

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 20:12 and arriving London St Pancras 21:30.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

Italy ► London (in a day, via Geneva)

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Milan.  Trains run at least every hour from Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice & Verona to Milan, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com to find one that suits you.

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

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Geneva by EuroCity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:10, arriving Geneva 12:31.

  This train also picks up at Stresa on Lake Maggiore at 09:11.

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

  It takes the Simplon route, a lovely scenic ride, see the photos here: The train runs alongside Lake Maggiore before climbing into the Alps and entering the famous Simplon Tunnel, 19 km (12 miles) long and opened in 1906.  It was the longest rail tunnel in the world from 1906 until 1982 when a longer tunnel opened in Japan.  When you leave the tunnel you're in Switzerland.  The train reaches Lake Leman and runs along the lakeside all the way through Montreux & Lausanne to Geneva.  The lake will be on the left hand side, look out for the impressive Chillon Castle right by the tracks.

• Day 2, travel from Geneva to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Geneva at 14:30 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 17:42.

  The 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV-Lyria is a double-deck TGV Duplex, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 

  For the first hour Geneva-Paris TGVs use the Haut-Bugey Line with great scenery, including crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge, the best view will be on the right hand side, see the photos here.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 20:12 and arriving London St Pancras 21:30.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

Italy ► London (overnight in Paris)

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Milan.

  Leave Naples Centrale by Frecciarossa 1000 at 06:55 (06:40 Sundays) arriving Milan Centrale 11:35 (11:50 Sundays).

  Leave Rome Termini by Frecciarossa 1000 at 08:50 arriving Milan Centrale 11:58.

  Leave Florence SMN by Frecciarossa 500 at 09:55 arriving Milan Centrale 11:50.

  Leave Venice Santa Lucia by Frecciarossa 700 at 07:18 arriving Milan Centrale 09:45.

  Leave Verona Porta Nuova by Frecciarossa at 10:32 arriving Milan Centrale 11:45.

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

• Day 1, travel from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train, leaving Milan Centrale at 13:10, arriving Zurich HB 16:27.

  This EuroCity Giruno train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to lunch as the mountains roll by.

  This train also calls at Como S. Giovanni at 13:50, handy if you're returning from Como to London.

  The train takes the Gotthard route via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel.  It's a lovely scenic ride through the Alps and along the shore of Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

• Day 1, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 18:34 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 22:42.

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

• Stay overnight in Paris.  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for catching an early train next morning and great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort.  Other recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon include the Citizen M Hotel (a 2-minute 160m walk from the station, great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London on any Eurostar you like.

  The first train leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:12 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving London St Pancras 08:30.

  On Sundays the first train leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 08:12 arriving 09:30.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.

Italy ► London (overnight in Zurich)

• Day 1, travel from Italy to Zurich.

  EuroCity Giruno trains link Milan & Zurich every hour or two, a few of these come from other cities, for example:

  Leave Milan Centrale at 17:10 or Como S. Giovanni at 17:50, arriving Zurich HB 20:27.

  Leave Venice SL at 15:18, Verona PN 16:32, Peschiera del Garda 16:48, Milan Centrale 18:10 & Como S. Giovanni 18:50, arriving Zurich HB 21:27.

  Leave Milan Centrale at 19:10 or Como S. Giovanni at 19:50, arriving Zurich HB 22:27.

  Leave Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:10 or Como S. Giovanni at 20:50, arriving Zurich HB 23:27.

  Or there are earlier trains from Milan & Como to Zurich, of course.  All these trains take the Gotthard route via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel.  It's a lovely scenic ride through the Alps and along the shore of Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

  Coming from Naples, Rome, Florence or anywhere else in Italy, simply check times to Zurich using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

• Stay overnight in Zurich.  For something special, the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, just across the road from the station.  They'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you & carry your bags from the train.  For something cheaper, also next to the station with great reviews, try the Ruby Mimi Hotel or the excellent 3-star Hotel St. Josef, 7 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.  If you're on a budget, book a private rooms in a 1-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 1, travel from Zurich to London using any of the departures shown in the Zurich to London timetable here.

  You travel by 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria from Zurich HB to Paris Gare de Lyon in 4h05, change trains & stations in Paris, then travel from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras by Eurostar in 2h20.  If you leave Zurich at 07:34 you can reach London at 16:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).

• Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.

• Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train starts at €29 each way 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

• Milan to Florence or Venice starts at €19.90 each way in standard class (2nd) or €29.90 in business class (1st).  Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 in standard class (2nd) or €39.90 in business class (1st).

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

How to buy tickets

• You can buy all your tickets together in one place at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

  Each train requires a separate ticket, but www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com can book each of these trains as they connect to the British, French and Italian train ticketing systems.  Both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards accepted, small booking fee.

  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

  Tip:  www.thetrainline.com allows you to select seats from a seat map when booking 1st class on TGV-Lyria or in any class on a Frecciarossa.

• When does booking open?

  Eurostar bookings open up to 11 months ahead.  TGV-Lyria opens up to 4 months ahead, I recommend waiting until all trains open for sale so you can check TGV-Lyria arrival/departure times before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.

  Switzerland-Italy EuroCity trains open for bookings 3 or 4 months ahead.  This is squeezed to as little as 60 days for travel on dates immediately after the annual European timetable change in mid-December.

• One-way or round trip?

  If you are returning, book the London-Paris Eurostar as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are cheaper than two one ways.  Beyond Paris, trains are priced one-way so it makes no difference, it's often easier to book one way at a time!

• How to book?

  Identify each specific train you want to book and note it down.  Do a dry run first to check all trains.  Then book from London to Paris (and back, if returning) and add to basket.  Now book each of the other trains you need, one way at a time, one train at a time.  Add each train to your basket & check out.

Other ways to buy tickets

• You can of course buy tickets from each train operator's own website.  This means multiple bookings on different sites, prices should be the same, but no booking fee.  I recommend doing a dry run on all websites before booking for real.

• Step 1, book your London-Paris tickets at www.eurostar.com.

  You can print out your own ticket, collect it at London St Pancras or load it into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.

• Step 2, book your Paris-Switzerland TGV-Lyria ticket at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  You can select seats from a seat map when booking a 1st class ticket.

• Step 3, book tickets from Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to anywhere in Italy at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both offer ticketless travel for mainline trains, you print the booking reference or show it on your phone.  You can select your seats from a seat map on Frecciarossas using either of these sites.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to book online to avoid phone booking fees and see for yourself which trains are cheapest.  Most agencies only work weekday office hours, you can book online 24/7.  But if you want to book by phone, see my list of UK-based ticketing agencies.

Or have your trip arranged as a package

• Railbookers can put together a holiday as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  Their website has a range of suggested tours & holidays by rail which can be customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens such as a strike or delay.  Their most popular trips include UK to Venice via the Alps, UK to Lake Como via the Alps, UK to Florence via the Alps, UK to Rome via the Alps, UK to Amalfi Coast via the Alps, all of which are customisable to add extra nights or extra cities, with train travel on the outward or return journey, or by train throughout with no flying necessary, it's up to you.  They now have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

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

    In the USA call 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com

    Canada call 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com

    Australia call 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au

    New Zealand call 0800 000 554 or see website

• Byway (Byway.travel) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm, with a 5-star TrustPilot rating.  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a UK-Italy journey for you as a package, including overnight hotels, starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

  To see pre-configured packages from the UK to Italy by train, www.byway.travel/.../italy-by-train.

  Or they can build a trip to your requirements, call 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form.  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

• Tailor Made Rail also offers packages from the UK to Italy by train which can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip, with any stopovers you want.  Indeed, they can organise a trip for you entirely based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

  Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/italy.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Paris Gare du Nord station guide.  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

Eurostar e320 at Paris Nord.  More about Eurostar.		1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

Standard class.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyrias are now double-deck TGV Duplex as shown here, with 3 classes:  Standard (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points at all seats & free WiFi in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways, see more about TGV-Lyria.  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide.  Geneva station guide.  Zurich HB station guide.

TGV-Lyria euroduplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains now operate all TGV-Lyria services.

The cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, 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 the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.		A TGV-Lyria at Paris Gare de Lyon.  You enter the lower deck, 9 easy stairs to top deck.

3. Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train

Trains from Zurich to Milan are operated by smart Swiss Giruno trains, trains from Geneva to Milan are operated by Italian or Swiss Astoro trains.  Both have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, a pleasure to travel on.  More about these EuroCity trains.  Geneva station guide.  Lausanne station guide.  Basel SBB station guide.  Zurich HB station guide.  Milan Centrale station guide.

A Giruno train at Zurich HB.

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

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

Villages & vineyards on the Zurich-Milan Gotthard route on a wintry day.

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

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Option 5, via the scenic Bernina Express

This is a much slower option, but you can still leave London on day 1 afternoon, arriving Milan on day 2 in the afternoon, after a slow and fabulous journey on the narrow-gauge Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano through the Swiss Alps.  See the Bernina Express page.

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Option 6, via Munich & the Brenner Pass

You may prefer some Austrian efficiency on your way to Italy, as well as some great scenery, see the Brenner route video.  Travel London to Munich by Eurostar & TGV on day 1, stay overnight, then travel through the Brenner Pass to Italy on day 2.  It may look like a long way round on the route map above, but cheap fares and high-quality German and Austrian-run trains now make this an attractive option.

London ► Italy

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:24 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Nord 13:50.

  On Saturdays, leave London St Pancras at 12:31 arriving Paris Nord at 15:48.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.

  In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.

  On Saturdays it leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 17:54 arriving Munich Hbf 23:26.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  Times may vary, so check your date at int.bahn.de.

  On Saturdays if you'd prefer an earlier arrival in Munich you can also leave London at 09:31 to connect with a TGV leaving Paris at 13:54 for Stuttgart, change there for Munich arriving 19:12.

  Alternatively, you can travel from London to Munich by Eurostar & ICE train via Brussels & Cologne, see the London to Munich timetable here.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews.  Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center.  For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.  If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Italy by railjet train, leaving Munich Hbf at 09:33 & arriving Verona Porta Nuova 15:01 & Bologna Centrale 16:08.

  This swish Austrian railjet train has 2nd, 1st & business class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves them at your seat.

  The scenery through the Brenner Pass is wonderful, see the Brenner route video.  For the best views find a seat on the right hand side of the train.

  Change in Verona for Venice, change in Bologna for Florence, Rome or Naples, using www.trenitalia.com to find a suitable onward connection.  I'd allow at least 45 minutes for connections in Verona or Bologna.

  Alternatively, have a look round Munich, then take the direct railjet train leaving Munich Hbf at 11:32 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia 18:25, also travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass - the direct train is usually cheaper as one ticket gets you all the way to Venice from as little as €27.99.

Italy  ► London

• Day 1, travel from Italy to Munich by railjet, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 11:35 or Verona P. Nuova 13:01, arriving Munich Hbf 18:28.

  This swish Austrian railjet train has 2nd, 1st & business class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves them at your seat.

  Enjoy the scenery in the Brenner Pass, see the Brenner route video.  Arguably the best Alpine views are on the left-hand side of the train.

  Coming from Rome or Florence, look for a train to Verona using www.trenitalia.com, allowing at least 45 minutes in Verona for the connection, to allow for any delay.

  A later departure is possible, leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:35 Saturdays & Sundays only, Venice Mestre any day of the week at 15:47 or Verona P. Nuova any day of the week at 17:01, arriving Munich Hbf 22:28.

• 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.  If you're on a budget you can book inexpensive private rooms in a one-star hotel or backpacker hostel near the station at www.hostelworld.com.

• Day 2, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf at 06:51, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 12:32.

  The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.  Watch the sun rise over Bavaria as the morning mists clear, see this video.  Times may vary, check your date at int.bahn.de.

  In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:12 & arriving London St Pancras 16:30.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine.

  If you'd prefer a leisurely breakfast and later departure from Munich, see the Munich to London timetable here.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).

• Paris to Munich by TGV starts at €39.99 each way 2nd class, or €69.99 in 1st class.

• Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice by railjet starts at €27.99 each way 2nd class, €39.99 in 1st class.

• On both the Paris-Munich and Munich-Verona legs, accompanied children under 15 go free if you book at int.bahn.de.

• Onward tickets from Verona to Florence start at €19.90 each way 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class.  Verona to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class.

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

How to buy tickets

• You can book all your tickets together in one place at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, in plain English, in €, £ or £.

  Step 1, book London-Paris (and back, if returning)

  Step 2, book Paris-Munich.

  Step 3, book from Munich to anywhere in Italy.

  Add each leg to your basket, checkout & pay.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.  For Italian high-speed trains it's ticketless, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  There's a small booking fee.

  If you are returning, book London-Paris as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are cheaper than two one ways.  Beyond Paris, all the onward trains are priced one-way so a return is simply two one-ways and it makes no difference.  It's usually easier to book one way at a time!

  Tip:  www.raileurope.com and www.thetrainline.com can book from Munich to (for example) Rome, but they may allow only 15-30 minutes for the connection in Verona or Bologna when I'd want at least 45 minutes in case of delay as this involves two separate tickets, not a through ticket.  Simply split the booking into Munich-Bologna + Bologna-Rome or use www.raileurope.com, click More options, enter Verona (any station) as a via station with a duration of 45 minutes.

• You can also book each train direct with the relevant operator.  More work and prices should be the same, but no booking fee:

  Step 1, book London-Paris & back at www.eurostar.com.

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

  Step 3, book the direct train from Munich to Verona/Bologna/Venice as a second transaction at int.bahn.de.

  Step 4, book onward Italian trains from Verona or Bologna to Florence, Rome, Naples and so on using www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in plain English, they'll refund seat61 users the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks so see advice on using it, no booking fee).

  In all cases, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Paris Gare du Nord station guide.  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		1st class: Plus or Premier seating.

Standard class.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex  See the TGV Duplex video

Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The TGV has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi in both classes.  A cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  First class passengers on this route are given a simple but tasty meal box with a small bottle of beer or wine served at their seat, included in the fare.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods and farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  After an hour or two, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart and Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.  Munich Hbf station guide.

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris & Munich, a relaxing journey with reading book & glass of wine.  Book an upstairs seat for the best views.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, 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.

3. Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice by railjet

These swish new railjet trains took over the Brenner route in 2024.  They have economy (2nd), first and business class (in that order!), with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Business class consists of four 4-seat compartments.  There's a restaurant car with small seating area, first and business class passengers can have food & drink orders taken and served at their seat, no need to visit the restaurant unless you want to.  Some cars have vending machines for tea & coffee operated with contactless bank cards which saves going to the restaurant.  Another innovation is luggage racks with built-in cable ties to secure your bags for peace of mind, they are secured with any NFC card such as a contactless bank card.   These new-generation railjets are easily distinguished from previous railjets as 7 of the 9 cars have low floor centre sections for easy level boarding.  See video inside the new generation railjets.  See seat map.

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

Economy class, open saloon.		Economy class.  Note the wireless charging pad.

Economy class, 6-seat compartment.		First class, all in open saloons.  Larger photo.

Business class = just four 4-seat compartments.		Restaurant car.

Mountains on the Brenner route.  More scenery photos on the Brenner Pass railjet page

More mountains on the Brenner route, between Brixen and Bolzano.

Watch the video: Through the Brenner

The video takes you through the Brenner on one of the old EuroCity trains, before replacement by railjets in 2024.

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Option 7, via the Harwich - Hoek van Holland ferry

The ferry alternative!  If Eurostar fares are expensive, or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, you can travel by train & ferry instead.  The obvious route seems Dover-Calais and if you want to travel this way, see the London to Paris by train & ferry page - once in Paris you can pick up any of the routes to Italy shown above.  However, I don't recommend this route unless you live near Dover as involves awkward bus or taxi transfers between train & ferry on both sides of the Channel.

Instead, I recommend the Harwich to Hoek van Holland ferry, marked in black on the route map above.  This is the best ferry to use, with integrated ticketing and trains arriving directly at the ferry terminal.  It's also a great option if you live in East Anglia, there's a direct train connection from Cambridge to Harwich connecting with the night boat.  Indeed, you may simply prefer a relaxing cruise overnight on the Stena Line superferry in a luxurious cabin with shower, toilet, satellite TV & free WiFi, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video.

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Italy

• Day 1, travel from London to Hoek van Holland overnight, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for details.

  You leave London Liverpool Street at 19:36 Mondays-Fridays, 19:04 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  Or leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  The Rail & Sail fare is valid from any Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.

  At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Hollandica.

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  Comfort & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi.  You can board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant or Stena Plus lounge and settle into your cabin.

  The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 next morning, Dutch time.

  On arrival at Hoek van Holland, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Walk down the gangway into the ferry terminal, through passport control, out of the terminal and across the road to the metro station.

• Day 2, take the frequent metro from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum then a Dutch Intercity train from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal arriving 10:24.  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

  At Amsterdam Centraal, have a coffee at the delightfully retro Cafe 1e Klas and give my regards to Elvis, the cockatoo on the bar.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart by ICE, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Stuttgart 18:38.

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

• Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Venice Santa Lucia 08:34.

  Important:  Unfortunately, this sleeper won't run from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025 due to major work in the Tauern Tunnel.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Day 3, take an onward train from Venice to Florence, Rome or Naples, allowing at least an hour between trains in Venice.

Italy ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

• Day 1, catch a connecting train from Naples, Rome or Florence to Venice.  I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Venice.

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

  Important:  Unfortunately, this sleeper won't run from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025 due to major work in the Tauern Tunnel.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam by ICE, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:23, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 15:29.

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

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

  You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:36 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.  At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk at least 45 minutes before sailing time, then walk up the gangway onto the Stena Line superferry.

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  Comfort & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi.  You can board the ferry around 8pm, have dinner in the restaurant or Stena Plus lounge and settle into your cabin.

  The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time.

  In the morning (day 3), take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:54 or from Harwich to Cambridge, arriving 09:42 (10:39 Sundays).

How much does it cost?

• London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland starts at £62 per person each way, plus cabin.

  Cabins start at £34 for a single berth cabin or £45 per cabin for a 2-berth, and are compulsory on the night sailing.  For full details of fares and cabin types and costs, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.

  The special fare from London is valid from any Abellio Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.

  Hoek to Schiedam by metro costs around €4.  Schiedam to Amsterdam by train costs €17.20.

• Amsterdam to Stuttgart starts at €37.99 each way 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.

• Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet starts at €59.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

• Venice to Florence starts at €19.90 each way.  Venice to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 each way. 

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

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.

  Buy the onward metro & train ticket to Amsterdam as shown on that page.

• Step 2, book the train from Amsterdam to Stuttgart at 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.

• Step 3, book the sleeper from Stuttgart to Venice at www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

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

• Step 4, book onward tickets from Venice to anywhere in Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

Or take daytime trains to Italy with an overnight stop in Munich

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Munich by ICE, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Frankfurt Flughafen, arriving Munich Hbf 20:20.

  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.  Check times for your date at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 45 minutes.

• Stay overnight in Munich.  Recommended hotels near Munich Hbf include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, 25 Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian, Hotel Excelsior, Eden Hotel Wolff, Drei Loewen, or InterCity Hotel.

• Day 3, travel from Munich to Verona & Italy through the scenic Brenner Pass, see the Munich to Venice Brenner Pass page.

  A EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 07:32 daily for Verona Porta Nuova, going direct to Venice Santa Lucia Saturdays & Sundays arriving 14:25.

  A railjet train leaves Munich Hbf at 09:33 every day for Verona Porta Nuova & Bologna Centrale.  Change in Bologna for Florence & Rome.

  A railjet train leaves Munich Hbf at 11:32 every day for Verona Porta Nuova & Venice Santa Lucia arriving 18:25.

• Fares start at €37.99 each way in 2nd class or €69.99 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.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• It works in the return direction too.  A EuroCity train leaves Venice Santa Lucia at 13:35 every day, calling at Verona Porta Nuova then travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass to Munich Hbf arriving 20:26.  Stay overnight in Munich, then travel to Amsterdam as shown above.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferries Stena Hollandica & Stena Britannica are the largest ferries of their kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's a self-service restaurant and there are cafes and bars.  The extra-cost Stena Plus lounge offers a quiet haven with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks and red & white wine.  The journey is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.  See the video.

The Stena Hollandica boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo.  360º photo.  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

2. Amsterdam to Stuttgart on ICE trains

ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains.

An ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal.  Click on the interior images for larger photos.

The 16-seat restaurant car.  Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.		Lunch: I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

3. Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.

The Nightjet sleeper train to Venice.  More photos & information about Nightjet trains.

2-berth deluxe sleeper.		...en suite toilet & shower.		4-berth couchettes.

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

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Option 8, via the Portsmouth - Caen ferry

This route is ideal if you live on the south coast.  It's also a good alternative to Eurostar from London if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel or if Eurostar fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) - although the train/ferry/train transfers are much easier via Harwich & Hoek van Holland as stations & ferry terminals are integrated, on the Portsmouth-Caen route a taxi transfer is needed between train & ferry in Portsmouth, and a bus or taxi transfer in Caen.

• Step 1, travel from London or Portsmouth to Paris overnight by train & ferry.

  You leave London around 18:00 by train to Portsmouth, take a taxi to the Continental Ferry Port and sail overnight from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries, sleeping in a cosy private cabin with shower & toilet 22:45-06:45.

  Next morning, transfer to Caen station by bus or taxi and take a train into Paris St Lazare, arriving around 11:05.  Transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro.

  For full details, see the London to Paris by train & ferry page.

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin or Milan on the afternoon TGV or Frecciarossa through the French Alps.

  Stay overnight in Turin and take an onward train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples next morning.

  For details, click one of these: Paris-Venice, Paris-Florence, Paris-Rome or Paris-Naples.

The luxurious Normandie at Portsmouth.

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You can take a train up to London and travel from London to Italy as described above, of course, and this is often the easiest and fastest option.  If you want to do this, read this advice on buying connecting train tickets up to London.  But DFDS Seaways run an excellent daily overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries sail overnight from Hull to Holland.  Then there's a Nightjet sleeper from Cologne to Innsbruck for onward EuroCity trains through the scenic Brenner Pass to Italy.  So why not by-pass London, and have a day in Amsterdam into the bargain before travelling on to Italy?

Newcastle & Hull ► Italy

• Day 1, take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for you.

  In Hull, transfer to P&O ferry terminal and sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam by P&O ferry, with bus/train connection to Amsterdam Centraal.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For full details, see the Hull-Rotterdam page.

  In Newcastle, transfer to the DFDS ferry terminal at North Shields and sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam by DFDS ferry.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For full details, see the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

• Day 2, spend the rest of the day in Amsterdam, all the sights are an easy walk from Amsterdam Centraal.  Left luggage lockers are available.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 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.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

• Day 3, take a swish Austrian railjet train through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona & Italy.

  The 11:24 from Innsbruck arrives Verona Porta Nuova 15:01 and Bologna Centrale 16:08.

  Change in Verona for Venice & Milan.  Change in Bologna for Florence, Rome and Naples.  Check times & prices from Innsbruck to anywhere in Italy at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.

Italy ► Hull & Newcastle

• Day 1, travel from anywhere in Italy to Innsbruck via the scenic Brenner Pass, check train times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.  I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Innsbruck.

  For example, the 11:35 railjet train from Venice Santa Lucia arrives Innsbruck Hbf 16:36.

  The 14:58 railjet train from Verona Porta Nuova arrives Innsbruck Hbf 18:36.

• Day 1, take the Nightjet sleeper train leaving Innsbruck Hbf at 20:44 and arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:50.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 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.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Spend some time in Amsterdam, left luggage lockers are available at Amsterdam Centraal.

• Day 2, travel overnight by ferry either with P&O Ferries from Rotterdam to Hull or with DFDS from IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) to Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for you.  Next morning (day 3) transfer to the station and take a train home.

  For full details & how to buy tickets, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book the Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry at www.dfds.com or the Hull-Rotterdam ferry at www.poferries.com.

• Step 2, book the Amsterdam-Innsbruck sleeper train at www.thetrainline.com, looking for the direct Nightjet train with 0 changes.

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

• Step 3, book the train from Innsbruck to Verona, Bologna or Venice from €27.99 at either int.bahn.de or www.thetrainline.com.

• Step 4, book onward trains within Italy at either www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares from Milan to Florence, Rome, Naples or Venice from just €19.90 upwards.  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks, although one advantage is that it allows you to select specific seats.

• Step 5, buy train tickets to Hull or Newcastle as shown on the UK page.

What's the journey like?

You sail overnight by ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (DFDS) or Hull to Rotterdam (P&O), with private en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, a floating hotel.  If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning.  If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal, from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht.

DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam.  The ferry also has deluxe Commodore class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.  See the video.		A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort.  The ferry also has deluxe class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.		A standard outside cabin with shower & toilet on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam from Hull to Rotterdam.

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Option 10, by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

This is the luxury option, London to Verona or Venice aboard the fabulous Venice Simplon Orient Express.  It's not cheap, but yes, it's definitely worth it if you have the money - London to Venice costs over £3,000 per person one way including sleeper and excellent meals, wine extra.  The VSOE usually runs once weekly from March until October leaving London on Thursday mornings.  You travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, then from Paris to Verona or Venice aboard beautifully restored 1920s sleeping-cars via the scenic Arlberg Pass, Innsbruck and the equally scenic Brenner Pass, arriving in Venice in the evening the day after leaving London.  For departure dates, timetable, advice & photos, see the Venice Simplon Orient Express page.

A sleeping-car attendant greets passengers outside his 1929-built LX-series Wagons-Lits.

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Como is such a popular lakeside destination!  Como San Giovanni is the mainline station on the Zurich-Milan main line.  Zuriuch-Miulan trains call here and there are also frequent regional trains between Como San Giovanni and Milan Centrale.

Destinations on the eastern side of Lake Como such as Lecco, Varenna (for the ferry to Bellagio) and Bellano are on the local line linking Milan Centrale with Tirano near the Swiss border.

To reach Como there are two basic options:

• Option 1, London-Paris-Zurich-Como:

  Take Eurostar to Paris, a high-speed TGV-Lyria to Zurich HB.  Then take a EuroCity train through the Alps to Como San Giovanni.

  You can do the whole journey in a day, or break it up with an overnight stop in either Paris or Zurich.

  For times, fares & how to buy tickets, see the London to Italy via Switzerland section above.

• Option 2, London-Paris-Milan-Como:

  Take the 09:31 Eurostar from London to Paris then the aft6ernoon TGV from Paris arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:49 as shown in the London to Milan section above.  It's quite a scenic route.  A regional train then leaves Milan Porta Garibaldi at 23:09 arriving Como San Giovanni at 00:08, fare €5.20, buy at the station in Milan.  This is the fastest option, London to Como in a day.

  By all means stay overnight in Milan and see a bit of the city next morning.  Regional trains link Milan Centrale and Como San Giovanni every hour throughout the day, fare €5.20, use www.trenitalia.com to find train times.  No reservation is possible or necessary for these regional trains, just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

  This option is suspended due to landslide until spring 2025, so use option 2 below.

To reach Lecco, Varenna (for ferry to Bellagio) or Bellano:

• Option 1, first travel from the UK to Milan by Eurostar & TGV as shown in the London to Milan section above, stay overnight in Milan (or Turin if you prefer), then take a regional train from Milan Centrale next morning.  You can check times for these regional trains at www.trenord.it.

• Option 2, Bernina Express:  It may be slower and a bit more expensive, but it's the ultimate scenic route from the UK to Bellano, Varenna or Lecco.  You take Eurostar & TGV from London to Zurich on day 1, stay overnight, on day 2 you take the fabulous Bernina Express Swiss panoramic train to Tirano and a connecting regional train from Tirano to these Lake Como destinations.  See the Bernina Express page for details.

For Lake Como ferry services, including the ferries to Bellagio & excursions, see www.navigazionelaghi.it

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London to Lake Garda

The station for Lake Garda is either Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda.  Both stations are on the Milan-Verona main line.  As well as regional trains, some fast Milan-Verona-Venice trains call at Peschiera or Desenzano.

• Option 1, via Paris & Milan

  Take the 09:31 Eurostar from London to Paris then the afternoon TGV from Paris to Milan as shown in the London-Milan section above, a nice scenic ride arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 21:49.

  On Fridays & Saturdays, take a taxi (10 minutes, €7) to Milan Centrale for the 23:25 regional train to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione arriving 00:48. 

  Or on any day of the week, stay in Milan and travel on next morning, in which case you could also consider stopping in Turin instead.  Turin is one of Italy's most under-rated cities - even if you're not a fan of the film The Italian Job.  You'd reach Turin just after 8pm on day 1, in time for a late dinner, have a leisurely breakfast next morning and perhaps an hour or two looking around the city, then take a direct train from Turin to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano, you can find times and buy cheap tickets online at www.trenitalia.com.

• Option 2, via Paris & Zurich

  Take Eurostar to Paris and a high-speed TGV-Lyria to Zurich HB.  Stay overnight in Zurich.  Next morning, a EuroCity train leaves Zurich HB at 07:33 and travels through the Alps direct to Peschiera del Garda.  A similar service operates in the other direction.

  For details, see the London to Italy via Switzerland section, look for the journey marked overnight in Zurich.

• Option 3, via Munich & Verona

  Take the scenic route from London to Verona via Munich, as shown in the London to Italy via Munich section above.

  You take Eurostar to Paris, a high-speed TGV from Paris to Munich, stay overnight then take a EuroCity train through the lovely Brenner Pass to Verona.

  Then take any regional train the short hop from Verona to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione, you can find times for this at www.trenitalia.com.

• Alternatively, take a train to Verona Porta Nuova.  Buses run frequently times an hour from outside the station to the eastern shores of Lake Garda including Lazise, Bardonlino & Garda, see the bus company website www.atv.verona.it.

• You can also travel to Brescia, then take frequent buses to the western shore of Lake Garda, see the bus company website brescia.arriva.it.

• For Lake Garda ferry services, including excursions, see www.navigazionelaghi.it

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Pisa is famous for its leaning tower, Siena for simply being a fabulous city in the heart of Tuscany.  They are easy to reach by train from London, no flight necessary.

London ► Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Livorno

• Travel from London to Florence using any option shown in the London to Florence section above.

• By all means stop off in Florence for a few hours, there's a left luggage office, see left luggage opening hours & prices.

• For Pisa, regional trains link Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) with Pisa Centrale every hour taking 1h20.

  The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is a 2 km 30 minute walk from Pisa Centrale station, taxis available.

  Tip:  If you are going to the leaning tower, Pisa S. Rossore station (one stop beyond Pisa Centrale) is only 5-10 minutes walk from the tower.  Some trains from Florence go direct to Pisa S. Rossore, others require a change at Pisa Centrale.  Map of Pisa showing tower & railway stations.

• For Siena, there are regional trains from Florence SMN to Siena every hour or so through the day, taking 1h30.

  In Siena, the station is at the foot of the hill and it used to be a steep trek up to the old town.  However, there's now a series of escalators and moving walkways that ferry you painlessly to the top of the hill, from where it's just a few minutes walk to the Porta Camollia at the entrance to the old town.  From the Porta Camollia it's a pleasant 15 minute stroll to the famous Piazza del Campo.

• For Lucca, regional trains run from Florence SMN throughout the day taking around 1h20.

• For Livorno, regional trains link Florence SMN with Livorno Centrale at least every hour taking around 1h14.

• You can check times & fares for any of these regional trains at www.trenitalia.com.

London ► Modena, Ravenna

• Travel from London to Bologna using any of the options shown in the London to Bologna section above.

• Frequent trains link Bologna with Modena in less than 30 minutes, and trains link Bologna with Ravenna every hour or two in around 1h25.

• You can check times & fares for any of these regional trains at www.trenitalia.com.

How much does it cost?

• For fares between London and Bologna or Florence, see the London to Florence & Bologna section.

• Florence to Pisa costs €9.30 each way, Florence to Siena €10.20 each way.

  Fixed-price, unlimited availability.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book from London to Bologna or Florence, see the London to Florence & Bologna section above.

• Step 2, buy the regional ticket from Bologna or Florence to Sienna, Pisa, Lucca, Modena or Ravenna.

  You can buy this at the station when you get to Florence or Bologna.  No reservation is necessary, you buy a ticket and hop on.

  You can buy from the ticket office or from the many Trenitalia ticket machines (quicker & easier than going to the ticket office).  The ticket machines have a touch screen with an English language button and they accept coins & notes or credit cards.

  You can also buy online at www.trenitalia.com or in the Trenitalia app, but you must check-in online for a specific train before boarding, read more about how online tickets work for Italian regional trains.

What are regional trains like?

Italian regional trains come in many different shapes & sizes.  Below, trains of this type link Florence with Pisa, Livorno & Siena.

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	The Circumvesuviana Railway links Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento every 30 minutes, see www.eavsrl.it.
	Up Pompeii!  The Circumvesuviana train from Naples arrives at Pompei Scavi Villa di Misteri.  The entrance to the ruins of Pompeii is just across the road, for visitor info see www.pompeiisites.org.
	The ferry from Naples, arrived at Capri. For ferry information, see www.snav.it

Sorrento, Pompeii & Herculaneum

• Travel from London to Naples using any of the options shown in the London to Naples section.

• Then take the Circumvesuviana Railway (www.eavsrl.it) from Naples to Herculaneum (Ercolano), Pompeii or Sorrento.  These little narrow-gauge electric suburban trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day, no reservation necessary (or even possible), you just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.

• The Circumvesuviana trains leave from Naples Garibaldi station, downstairs from Naples Centrale where your mainline train arrives.  Just follow the signs to Circumvesuviana, down steps or escalators from the main concourse, along a passageway, the Circumvesuviana platforms are underground.  Don't follow signs to Piazza Garibaldi as this is another set of mainline platforms in the same station complex.

• Naples to Pompeii costs €3.20, journey time 40 minutes.

  Naples to Sorrento costs €4.50, journey time 55-65 minutes.

• The Circumvesuviana trains are old and have no air-con, but some new air-conditioned trains are in service.  You'll get great views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius on the way to Sorrento.  Outside the weekday rush hours it's not usually crowded, there are lots of seats, frequent trains and it's easy to use.  Luggage just goes on the floor.

• Check train times at the Circumvesuviana Railway website www.eavsrl.it.

  Check fares at public transport website www.unicocampania.it, if you can work out how to use it!

  Note that the Circumvesuviana is a private railway, separate from Trenitalia, so railpasses and ordinary Trenitalia tickets are not valid.  For the same reason you won't find train times & fares to Pompeii or Sorrento on www.trenitalia.com, although there's another (less convenient) Pompeii station on a regional route run by Trenitalia, but this is further from the ruins.

• For more about visiting Pompeii by train, see the Pompeii page which also explains how to take a bus to the summit of Vesuvius.

Capri

• First, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.

• Then take a taxi or walk (about 29 minutes) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.

  Fast ferries link Naples Beverello with Capri every hour or two between 07:00 &18:00, taking 45 minutes, see www.snav.it for times & fares.

• The ferry costs around €25, plus a euro or two for each item of large luggage.  No pre-booking is necessary, just turn up and buy a ticket.

• Alternatively, you can take the local Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento (www.eavsrl.it), from where there are regular ferries to Capri, crossing time about 25 minutes, fare around €20.  Just be aware that it's a longish steep walk from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station down the hill to the ferry terminal.

• Ferries from both Naples & Sorrento arrive at Capri's busy Marina Grande, there's a funicular railway up the steep hillside to Capri town itself.  Bring plenty of money to Capri, even a small beer costs over €7!

Ischia

• First, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.

• Then take a taxi or walk (about 29 minutes walk) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.

• Sail from Naples to Porto Ischia with either www.caremar.it (sailings every hour or two, crossing time 45 minutes by fast ferry or 90 minutes by conventional ferry) or www.alilauro.it.

Elba

• First, travel from London to Florence using any of the options explained in the London to Florence section.

• Then take a local train from Florence SMN to Piombino Marittima via Pisa and Campiglia.  www.trenitalia.com will give you train times.  Moby Lines (www.moby.it) sail every hour or so from Piombino to Portoferraio on Elba, crossing time 1 hour, foot passengers €12 one-way.

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Amalfi, see from a bend in the winding Amalfi coast road.  SITA buses (www.sitabus.it) link Amalfi with both Salerno & Sorrento.

• Step 1, travel from London to Naples using any of the options explained in the London to Naples section.

  Many of Frecciarossas from Turin or Milan to Naples continue to Salerno, try booking to Salerno.

  You can check train times & fares and buy tickets from anywhere in Italy to Salerno at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.  Private train operator Italo also goes direct from Milan or Florence to Salerno several times daily, buy tickets at www.italotreno.it.

• Step 2, regular SITA buses link Salerno with Amalfi, running every hour or better between 06:00 & 22:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, slightly less frequently on Sundays, journey time 1h15, fare about €2.80 one-way, you buy a ticket at the tobacconists shop inside Salerno station.

  To check bus times, use www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click Orari then Campania).

  To check fares, use public transport site www.unicocampania.it, click English top right then Fares & Tickets.

• Alternatively, a nicer option is to take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi or Positano, see www.coopsantandrea.com.  These small coastal ferries sail from Salerno's Concordia dock, a 650m 8-minute walk from Salerno railway station, journey time 35 minutes to Amalfi, or 70 minutes to Positano.  This is a pleasant way to go and in summer it avoids the heavy traffic on the coastal road.

  At time of writing, they had departures from Salerno at 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 14:10 & 15:30, with additional sailings at 13:00, 16:40 & 18:00 via Cetara/Maiori taking 60 minutes to Amalfi, but check www.coopsantandrea.com for current timings.  Fare around €11.50 Salerno to Amalfi or €16.50 Salerno to Positano, large luggage €3 extra.

• Alternatively, regular buses link Sorrento (see above for how to reach Sorrento) with Positano, Praiano & Amalfi, with the occasional bus direct from Naples, also operated by SITA, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click Orari then Campania).  Sorrento-Amalfi takes 1h40, buses run hourly or at times half-hourly, fare around €3.  The journey along the coast road is dramatic, the bus hugging the cliff and it rear end swinging out precariously at every hairpin bend, with regular stand-offs where the bus cannot pass oncoming traffic on the narrow roads without someone backing up!!

• Private transfer from Naples Centrale station to Praiano, Positano or Amalfi hotels?  If cost is no problem, a private transfer from Naples Centrale railway station to Positano or Praiano costs around €95 one-way for up to 3 people, or around €110 to Amalfi.  Try www.amalfishuttle.com or www.positanoshuttle.com (it's the same people - click 'transfer' at the top).  I have not had any reports about them yet, so feedback would be appreciated. They will also do transfers from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station, which would reduce the cost.

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You can travel via Paris then either Milan or Nice.  Both routes are shown here, though the route via Nice is arguably more scenic, possibly cheaper, and you won't have to get up as early!  You can also travel by daytime trains with an overnight hotel stop in either Milan, Turin, Paris or Zurich.

Option 1, by Eurostar & TGV

This is the cheapest, fastest and most comfortable option from London to Genoa.  The whole journey can be done in just one day.

The Paris-Milan line is blocked by a landslide until March 2025.  In the meantime, travel from London to Milan using option 4 instead, then take a train from Milan to Genoa.

London ► Genoa, Cinque Terre, La Spezia

• Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:31, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:50.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D. 

  Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Turin by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45, arriving Turin Porta Susa 20:23.

  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide.  The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & hot dishes.

  In Turin, transfer by metro, taxi or 25 minute walk from Turin Porta Susa to Turin Porta Nuova.

• Step 3, travel from Turin to Genoa by regional train, leaving Turin Port Nuova at 21:30, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe 23:30.

• For Cinque Terre & La Spezia, stay overnight in Turin, and continue the next day.  You can check train times from Turin to La Spezia or Monterosso or any of the other 4 Cinque Terre villages at www.trenitalia.com.

La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Genoa ► London

• Step 1, travel from Cinque Terre, La Spezia or Genoa to Turin on any train you like, check train times at www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

  Transfer by metro, taxi or 25 minute walk from Turin Porta Nuova station to Turin Porta Susa.

• Stay overnight in Turin.  The Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano, Hotel & Residence Torino Centro - Stazione Porta Susa or small Al Porta Susa B&B, are next to Turin Porta Susa station from where the TGV to Paris leaves next morning, all with good or great reviews.  Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre next to Porta Nuova station where trains from La Spezia & Genoa arrive, and you can transfer to Porta Susa by metro or taxi next morning.

• Step 2, travel from Turin to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Turin Porta Susa at 07:36, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 13:16.

  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from Italy into France via the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps and Modane, see the video guide.  The TGV has 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & hot dishes.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord (2 stops on RER line D).

• Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord on at 15:12, arriving London St Pancras 16:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).

• Paris to Turin starts at €29 each way 2nd class, from €44 in 1st class.

• Turin to Genoa costs €14.45 by regional train or €20.50 by InterCity train, fixed-price.

How to buy tickets

• If you're going to Genoa, you can book from London to Genoa all in one go at www.raileurope.com.  Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London or a later Eurostar back from Paris if it's cheaper or if you'd like to stop off in Paris.  To book London to Turin with a stopover for lunch in Paris, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

• If you're going to La Spezia or Cinque Terre, step 1 is to go to www.raileurope.com and book from London to Turin and add this to your basket.  To book London to Turin with a longer stopover in Paris for lunch, simply click More options and enter Paris with a duration of however many hours you want.  Step 2, now use www.raileurope.com to buy a ticket from Turin to Monterosso or La Spezia for the following day, add this to your basket and check out.

• Alternatively, you can book the London to Paris Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.  Then buy a TGV ticket from Paris to Turin at www.sncf-connect.com (no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com (small booking fee), again with a print-at-home or show-on-phone ticket.  Then book from Turin to your chosen Italian destination at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.  Regional trains require no reservation, so you may as well buy this ticket at Turin station when you get there, but InterCity trains require a reservation and have cheaper fares if you pre-book, so book this up to 90 days ahead at either www.italiarail.com or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com.

• To buy tickets by phone:  It's cheaper and easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  However, if you still want to phone someone, see my list of UK-based train ticketing agencies.

Option 2, by Eurostar & TGV via Nice

London ► San Remo, Genoa

• Day 1, travel from London to Nice by Eurostar & TGV, using any option shown on the London to France page.

• Stay overnight in Nice.  The Hotel 64 is just 3 minutes walk from the station, 15 minutes walk from the old town & sea front, and gets great reviews.  The Hotel Paganini is also just outside the station with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia on the Italian border by TER local train, then from Ventimiglia to San Remo & Genoa either by fast Intercity train or slower regional train.  There are various departures to choose from, see the timetable here.

  For example you can leave Nice at 09:20, change at Ventimiglia, arriving San Remo at 11:18 and Genoa Piazza Principe at 13:05.

  The scenery between Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo & Ventimiglia is wonderful, as the railway runs along the coast past villas, rocky inlets and yacht-filled harbours.

Genoa, San Remo ► London

• Day 1, travel from Genoa or San Remo to Ventimiglia on the French border either by fast Intercity train or slower regional train, then from Ventimiglia to Nice by TER local train.  There are various departures to choose from, see the timetable here.

  For example, leave Genoa Piazza Principe at 15:43 or San Remo at 17:45 by regional train, change at Ventimiglia, arriving Nice Ville at 18:54.

• Stay overnight in Nice.  The Hotel 64 is just 3 minutes walk from the station, 15 minutes walk from the old town & sea front, and gets great reviews.  The Hotel Paganini is also just outside the station with good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Nice to London in a day by TGV & Eurostar, using any option shown on the London to France page.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).

• Paris to Nice by TGV starts at €25 in 2nd class or around €45 in 1st class, each way.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

• Nice to Ventimiglia by TER costs €8, fixed-price, though €7.50 or even €5 promotional fares are sometimes offered.

• Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train starts at €9.90 in 2nd class or €19.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, go to  www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and book from London to Nice and back.  Add this to your basket.

• Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book a suitable journey from Nice to San Remo or Genoa, add this to your basket and check out.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  For more advice on booking tickets from Nice to Italy via Ventimiglia, see the Nice to Italy page.  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes at Ventimiglia when connecting into an Intercity train.  20 minutes is fine when connecting into a regional train.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  If you still want to phone someone, see my list of UK-based train ticketing agencies.

Option 3:  By Eurostar and sleeper train via Nice

London ► San Remo, Genoa

• Day 1, travel from London to Nice by Eurostar & Intercité de Nuit sleeper train, as shown on the London to France page.

  You leave London by Eurostar at 15:31 and sleep on the train from Paris to Nice, arriving Nice Ville 09:08.

• Day 2, travel from Nice Ville to Ventimiglia on the Italian border by TER local train, then from Ventimiglia to San Remo & Genoa either by fast Intercity train or by regional train.  There are various departures to choose from, check times at www.thetrainline.com.

  For example you can leave Nice at 10:36, change at Ventimiglia onto a regional train, arriving San Remo 12:11 & Genoa Piazza Principe 14:17.

  The scenery between Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo & Ventimiglia is wonderful, as the railway runs along the coast past villas, rocky inlets and yacht-filled harbours.

Genoa, San Remo ► London

• Step 1, travel from Genoa or San Remo to Ventimiglia on the French border either by fast Intercity train or slower regional train, then from Ventimiglia to Nice Ville by TER local train.  There are various departures to choose from, check times at www.thetrainline.com.

  For example, you can leave Genoa Piazza Principe at 13:43, San Remo at 15:45, change at Ventimiglia, arriving Nice Ville 17:25.  Never cut it fine, always book trains which get you to Nice at least an hour before the sleeper leaves, ideally more.  Have an early dinner in Nice!

• Step 2, travel from Nice to Paris by Intercité de Nuit sleeper train and Paris to London by Eurostar, as shown on the London to France page.

  You leave Nice Ville at 19:00 by sleeper to Paris on day 1, a Eurostar gets you to London St Pancras at 12:30 on day 2.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).

• Paris to Nice by overnight train starts at €19 in a reclining seat, €29 in a 2nd class couchette or €59 in a 1st class couchette.

  Eurostar & Intercité de nuit fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

• Nice to Ventimiglia by TER costs €9.20, fixed-price, but €7.50 or even €5 promotional fares are sometimes offered.

• Ventimiglia to Genoa costs €17.10 by regional train, fixed-price, cannot sell out.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and book the sleeper from Paris to Nice & back.  Add this to your basket.

• Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, now book the recommended Eurostar connection from London to Paris & back.  The Eurostar departures recommended on the London to France page give you at least 90 minutes between trains to cross Paris, both southbound and northbound.

• Step 3, still on www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, book a suitable journey from Nice to San Remo or Genoa, add this to your basket and check out.  There's a small booking fee.

  Tip:  For more advice on booking tickets from Nice to Genoa & Italy via Ventimiglia, see the Nice to Italy page.  I recommend allowing at least 45 minutes at Ventimiglia when connecting into an Intercity train.  20 minutes is fine when connecting into a regional train.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's better to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  But if you still want to phone someone, see my list of UK-based train ticketing agencies.

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• Civitavecchia is the cruise port just north of Rome, often used as a starting point for Mediterranean cruises.  It's also a departure point for ferries to Sardinia.  Civitavecchia is on the main Genoa-Pisa-Rome rail route, just 81 km (51 miles) north of Rome.  Frequent Frecciabianca, InterCity and regional trains link Rome Termini with Civitavecchia, and you'll also find direct trains from Genoa & Pisa to Civitavecchia.

  The InterCity trains from Rome take 50 minutes and cost €11.50, the Frecciabianca trains take 40 minutes and cost €16, but Frecciabianca & IC trains only run every couple of hours.

  The regional trains take 49-68 minutes but run at least once per hour, often up to 3 times an hour, and cost only €4.60 one-way, no reservation necessary, buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

• For travel from the UK to Civitavecchia, it's usually easiest and fastest to travel to Rome, then back north to Civitavecchia by regional train.  See the London-Rome section above, then use www.trenitalia.com to find train times and fares from Rome to Civitavecchia.  Buy tickets as far as Rome in advance, but it's just buy your Rome-Civitavecchia ticket at the station on the day, using the Trenitalia ticket machines which have a touch screen with English language facility.  No reservation is required or even possible for regional trains, you just buy a ticket and hop on the next train.

• In Civitavecchia, the station is an easy 10 minute walk from the port entrance, though if you have heavy bags you may prefer to use a taxi.

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London ► Rimini, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Lecce

• Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:31, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:50.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

  Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?

• Step 2, travel from Paris to Milan by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45 and arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.

• Step 3, an air-conditioned Frecciarossa 500 leaves Milan Porta Garibaldi at 10:13, arriving Rimini 12:38, Ancona 13:34, Pescara 14:44, Foggia 16:19, Bari Centrale 17:27, Brindisi 18:24 & Lecce 18:50.  The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  There are earlier departures from Milan if you're in a hurry, but these leave from Milan Centrale so you need to transfer from Porta Garibaldi to Centrale by metro or taxi.  Check train times using www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

Lecce, Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Rimini  ► London

• Day 1, an air-conditioned Frecciarossa 500 leaves Lecce 12:06, Brindisi 12:29, Bari Centrale 13:30, Foggia 14:36, Pescara 16:10, Ancona 17:25, Rimini 18:17, arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 20:47.

  If you'd like more of an evening in Milan there are earlier departures, but these go to Milan Centrale so you need to transfer to Porta Garibaldi.  Check train times using www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to London, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 06:00 by high-speed TGV to Paris then Eurostar to London arriving in the evening, as shown in the London to Milan section.

How to reach San Marino

• For San Marino, take the train to Rimini. 

• Buses to San Marino leave from the road outside Rimini railway station every hour or so between 08:10 & 19:25 in winter, between 06:45 & 20:30 in summer, less frequently on winter Sundays, journey time 50 minutes.  Run by Bonelli Bus, the buses are air-conditioned with WiFi.

  The fare is €6 one-way.  Buses often leave full, so pre-book online if you can.

  To reach the bus stop, walk out of Rimini station main exit and turn right, walk 170m, then cross to the far side of the road, see walking map.

  If you still need to buy a ticket when you get to Rimini, walk out of the station, cross the road and turn left.  Two doors beyond Burger King there is a tobacconist shop which sells bus tickets.

• Buy tickets at the Bonelli Bus website www.bonellibus.it/collegamento-rimini-san-marino (please let me know if that link changes).

How much does it cost?

Fares for the London-Milan part of the journey are shown in the London-Milan section above.

You can check these fares & fares for other journeys using www.trenitalia.com.  Advice for using trenitalia.com.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, go to www.raileurope.com, book from London or any station in Britain to Milan for day 1 and add this to your basket.

  All international credit cards are accepted, and you'll get either print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  If you want a stopover in Paris for lunch, simply click More options and enter Paris with however many hours you want. There's a small booking fee.

• Step 2, still on www.raileurope.com, now book from Milan to Rimini, Ancona, Bari or wherever for day 2, add this to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.  www.raileurope.com connects to Trenitalia's ticketing system as well as the French system, so can sell all of Trenitalia's cheap advance-purchase tickets with print-at-home ticket delivery.

• Alternatively, you can book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com and the Paris-Milan TGV separately at either www.sncf-connect.com (a bit fiddly, has been known to reject some overseas cards, but no booking fee) or www.thetrainline.com, making sure you allow at least 60 minutes to cross Paris between trains southbound, 90 minutes northbound (as this must include the 30 minute Eurostar check-in).  Both sites give print-at-home tickets and accept all international credit cards.

  You can then book your onward trains from Milan to Rimini, Ancona, Bari, and so on online at either www.italiarail.com (they'll refund the small booking fee to seat61 users if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com, looking for cheap super-economy or economy fares.  Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply print out the booking reference or show it on your phone.  However, Italiarail.com is in plain English and happily accepts English place names, whereas Trenitalia.com requires Italian-language place names, for example 'Roma' for Rome, 'Napoli' for Naples, 'Firenze' for Florence, 'Venezia Santa Lucia' for Venice and has a few quirks, although one advantage is that it allows you to select specific seats.

How to buy tickets by phone

• It's cheaper and easier to buy online, as you can see for yourself which departures are cheapest for each stage of the journey and you avoid phone booking fees.  Online booking is possible 24/7, but most telephone booking agencies only work office hours on weekdays.  But if you still want to phone someone, see my list of UK-based train ticketing agencies.

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Along with Turin, I'd say Trieste is one of Italy's most under-rated cities, figuratively left out in the cold when it comes to the Venice, Florence, Rome tourist trek.  Which is a shame, as like Turin it's a wonderful city to visit with a significant history.

• Travel from the UK to Venice using any of the options suggested above.

• Regional trains link Venice and Trieste every hour, journey time 2h05, fare €16 each way.

  No reservation is necessary or possible, tickets cannot sell out, and you can simply buy a ticket from the Trenitalia self-service machines at Venice Mestre or Venice Santa Lucia and hop on the next train.

• You can check Venice-Trieste train times at www.trenitalia.com.  Tip:  Some Venice-Trieste trains take 3h via a longer & more expensive route, so look for one taking 2h05 or so.

• There are a couple of direct Milan-Trieste Frecciabianca trains every day, you can also check these at www.trenitalia.com.

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	Easy does it!  The Milan to Palermo Intercity Notte sleeper is shunted onto the ferry at Villa San Giovanni.  Yes, the trains to Sicily really are direct, and really do get shunted onto a ferry to cross the straits from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. More about the trains to Sicily. Watch the train ferry video

London to Sicily

UK to Sicily by train?  No problem.  You can travel all the way by train, experiencing one of Europe's last train ferries where the train is shunted onto a ship for the short sea voyage across the Straits of Messina to Sicily, or you can use an overnight cruise ferry to Sicily from either Genoa or Naples.  Each of these three options is explained below.

Option 1, London to Sicily in 48 hours

This is the fastest option: London to Milan by Eurostar & high-speed TGV on day 1, an overnight hotel in Milan, then Milan to Sicily on day 2.  By all means spread it out more by stopping off in Paris, Milan, Rome or Naples on the way, or travel one way using this fast option and the other way using more leisurely option 2.  It's your call!

London ► Sicily

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 09:31 & arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:50.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D. 

  Or book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Milan by TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:45 & arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 21:49. 

  This train is cancelled until spring 2025 due to the landslide in the Alps, so travel from London to Milan using option 4 instead.

  The TGV has a cafe-bar serving drinks, snacks & tray-meals, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey:  After a high-speed dash across France the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, see the video guide.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.  In the morning it's 5 minutes by metro or an 8-minute taxi ride to Milan Centrale.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Naples by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:30 and arriving Naples Centrale 13:10.

  The Frecciarossa 1000 has standard, premium, business & executive classes with free WiFi & cafe-bar.

• Day 2, travel from Naples to Sicily by InterCity train, leaving Naples Centrale at 13:45 arriving Palermo 23:05, Catania 21:37 & Siracuse 22:53.

  Yes, all this InterCity train really is direct from Naples to Sicily (in fact, it starts in Rome).  It's a lovely run, along the Italian coastline often just feet from the water.  When the train reaches Villa San Giovanni at 18:05, the whole train is shunted onto a ship and ferried across the Straits to Messina, see video & more about the trains to Sicily.  The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and you can either remain on board the train in the ferry's hold, or get out and go up on deck for some fresh air.  Travelling on both a train and a ship at the same time is a fascinating experience!  The train has no catering car, so remember to take your own picnic and bottle of wine for the journey.

  If you want to stop off in Rome or Naples, you'll find two daytime InterCity trains and an overnight sleeper linking Rome and Naples with Sicily, see the Trains to Sicily page.

Sicily ► London

• Day 1, travel from Sicily to Naples by InterCity train, leaving Siracuse at 07:32, Catania 08:41 or Palermo 06:50, arriving Naples Centrale 16:17.

  This InterCity train is shunted onto a train ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, a fascinating experience in itself, see video & more about the trains to Sicily.  It's a lovely run, along the Italian coastline often just feet from the water.  The train has no catering car, so remember to take your own picnic and beer or bottle of wine for the journey.  The train continues to Rome, but you should get off in Naples.

• Day 1, travel from Naples to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Naples Centrale at 18:30 and arriving Milan Centrale 23:00.

  The Frecciarossa 1000 has standard, premium, business & executive classes with free WiFi & cafe-bar.

  There's an earlier 17:25 from Naples, but I'd allow longer in case the InterCity from Sicily is late.  In Milan it's 5 minutes by metro or an 8-minute taxi ride from Centrale to Porta Garibaldi.

• Stay overnight in Milan.  The AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is 350m from Milan Porta Garibaldi and gets good reviews.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Paris by high-speed TGV, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi daily at 06:00 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 13:16.

  The TGV has a café-bar serving drinks, snacks & light meals, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from Italy into France via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel through the Alps, see the video guide above.

  This train is cancelled until spring 2025 due to the landslide in the Alps, travel from Milan to London using option 4 instead.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare du Nord, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:12 arriving London St Pancras 16:39.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return.

• Paris to Milan starts at €29 each way in 2nd class or €44 each way in 1st class.

• Milan to Naples starts at €29.90 each way in standard class, €39.90 each way in business class.

• Naples to Catania, Siracuse or Palermo starts at €19.90 each way in 2nd class, €29.90 each way in 1st class.

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

What is the InterCity train like?

These InterCity trains are composed of older carriages, but comfortable and fully air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class in open-plan carriages, 2+2 across the car width in 2nd class, 2+1 in 1st class.  There may be a refreshment trolley, but take your own picnic & wine.  Seat reservation is now compulsory on all InterCity trains. 1st class has power sockets for laptops, 2nd class usually doesn't.

This is the Rome-Sicily Intercity train on board the ferry for the voyage across the Straits of Messina.  You can leave your heavy luggage on the train while you go up on deck for some sea air and a cappuccino.  Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

2nd class on the Rome-Sicily Intercity.  Larger photo.		1st class on the Rome-Sicily Intercity.  Larger photo.

Vesuvius & the Bay of Naples, seen from the Intercity train soon after leaving Naples.  Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

Yes, the train really does go onto a ferry! Courtesy Discoverbyrail.com.

Option 2, using the Milan-Sicily sleeper

This is a more leisurely 2-night option, with 1 night in a hotel in Paris and one night on the Milan-Sicily InterCity Notte sleeper train, an epic journey from Northern Italy to the toe of Italy, then across the Straits of Messina to Sicily on a train ferry - a unique experience.  There's some truly great scenery on the way, through the Alps on the Frecciarossa and along the Italian coastline on the sleeper in daylight.  By all means travel one way using this option, the other way using option 1.

London ► Sicily

• Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any Eurostar you like.

  The last one usually leaves London St Pancras at 20:01 daily arriving 23:27, by all means book an earlier one and spend a pleasant afternoon or evening in Paris.

  Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

• Stay overnight in Paris:  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for catching an early train next morning and great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort.  Other recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon include the Citizen M Hotel (a 2-minute 160m walk from the station, great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

  Perhaps have dinner at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.

• Day 2, travel from Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa 1000, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon 07:25, arriving Turin P. Susa 13:18 & Milan Centrale 14:07.

  The Frecciarossa has a 4 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  After a high-speed dash across France the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, see the scenery photos here.

  Tip:  On a few dates this Frecciarossa is retimed to run a little earlier, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon 06:35, arriving Turin P. Susa 12:45 & Milan Centrale 13:50.  Check times for your date online.

  Have an early dinner in Milan, I recommend the excellent and typically Italian restaurant Noblesse Oblige, 5 minutes walk from Milan Centrale, see www.ristorantenoblesseoblige.com & See map showing walking route.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Sicily overnight by InterCity Notte sleeper train, leaving Milan Centrale at 20:10 every day, one portion arriving next day at Palermo at 16:55, the other portion arriving at Catania Centrale at 14:32 & Siracuse at 15:48, see the timetable here.

  It's the longest sleeper ride in Italy, and one of the longest in Europe.  The train has sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and 4-berth Comfort couchettes, see the photos below.  There's no restaurant car, so take your own supplies and maybe a bottle of wine, although in the sleepers the attendant will serve you morning tea or coffee, included in the fare.

  The train travels overnight out of Milan, then by daylight all along the coast of southern Italy to Villa San Giovanni, often just a few feet from the water's edge.  At Villa San Giovanni, the train is shunted onto a ferry for the sea crossing to Messina in Sicily, a unique experience.  You can remain on the train on the ferry's train deck, or leave the train and go up on deck for some sea air and those sea views.  It's a great experience!

Sicily ► London

• Day 1, travel from Sicily to Milan by direct InterCity Notte sleeper train, leaving Palermo at 12:58 every day, another portion leaving Siracuse at 13:35 & Catania Centrale at 14:54, arriving at Milan Centrale at 11:20 next morning.

  The sleeper train travels along the coast of Sicily, then crosses the Straits of Messina from Messina to Villa San Giovanni aboard a train ferry, a unique experience.  The train then travels by daylight all along the coast of southern Italy, often only feet from the sea with some lovely views before travelling through the night to Milan.

  Have lunch in Milan, I recommend the excellent and typically Italian restaurant Noblesse Oblige, 5 minutes walk from Milan Centrale, see www.ristorantenoblesseoblige.com & See map showing walking route.

• Day 2, travel from Milan to Paris by Frecciarossa 1000 leaving Milan Centrale 15:53 or Turin P. Susa 16:41, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 22:34.

  The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a relaxing and comfortable journey, passing directly from France into Italy via Modane and the Mont Cénis tunnel, meandering through the Alps before a last dash over the high-speed line to Paris, see the scenery photos here.

• Stay overnight in Paris.

  Recommended hotels near the Gare de Lyon:  Citizen M Hotel (just along the road from the station with great reviews, 4-star); Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star).

  Next morning, transfer by metro or taxi to Paris Gare du Nord.

• Day 3, travel from Paris to London on any Eurostar you like.

  The first train currently leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 07:03 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving London St Pancras 08:30, or at 08:13 on Sundays arriving 09:30, but by all means book a later train and have a leisurely breakfast.

How much does it cost?

• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return.

• Paris to Milan by Frecciarossa starts at €29 each way in standard (2nd) class, €36 in business (1st) class or €165 in executive class.

• Milan to Catania, Siracuse or Palermo starts at €39.90 in a 4-berth comfort couchette, €49.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €59.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a single-bed sleeper. Prices are per person per bed.

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

What's the Milan-Sicily sleeper like?

The Milan to Sicily sleeper train at Messina.  More about the sleepers to Sicily.

Single sleeper (singolo)		Double sleeper (doppio)		Triple sleeper (tripla)

Above, a Comfort couchette car on the Milan-Palermo overnight train, boarding at Milan Centrale.

Comfort couchettes, view towards the corridor.		Comfort couchettes, daytime seats mode.

Room with a view.  The Milan to Sicily sleeper travels overnight across northern Italy, then runs down the coast to the toe of Italy.  While you travel in a sleeper that converts to a private sitting room.  Remember a picnic & bottle of wine!  Courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Train on a ferry.  The Milan-Sicily sleeper train is ferried across the Straits of Messina on a ferry.

Travellers' reports

Traveller Andrew Clayton reports:  "We took the daytime InterCity train from Naples to Siracuse, having first loaded up with essential supplies (water, bread, cheese, wine etc.) as there is no catering on the train.  Rather than buy at Naples Centrale where there's only limited food shopping, we went out of the station and found nearby shops that sold all we needed – at much lower prices.  There was attractive scenery - sea and mountains - almost all the way to Villa San Giovanni where the train is loaded onto the ferry to Sicily in two sections.  We were in the last coach and discovered that, if you went to the end, you could look through a glass door to see the coaches go onto the ferry and be tied down. It is safe to leave large luggage on the train during the crossing when most people go up on deck."

Traveller Kathryn Vale reports:  "Our train trip to Palermo was a success: London to Paris by Eurostar, TGV to Toulon then local train to Monte Carlo (all stops to visit family!).  Then Ventimiglia-Genoa and Genoa-Palermo all for €68 including 4 bed 'couchette promiscuo' with juice and newspaper on waking (although no food to buy on board) AND the amazing train on the boat to Messina. We had blue sea on our right shoulder from daybreak in the couchette and all round the coast and some lovely interior trips within Sicily by train too.  The trains were great, the time keeping fine (except the Genoa train which was 40 minutes late, but we caught up on the next day), the staff were helpful - even with not much English/Italian between us!"

Traveller Steve Hutchinson reports:  “We picked up the Rome to Sicily sleeper after having arrived in Rome earlier that morning on the DB sleeper from Munich, enabling an interesting comparison between overnight trains! We had a T3 3-berth sleeper on the Sicily train, which was very comfortable with ample room for our luggage. Despite it being around 30c on departure at 2120 the air conditioning was working quite well, so a comfortable night’s sleep was assured. We woke in the morning as the train was running along the Calabrian coast with amazing views of mountains in the distance. The train then arrived at Villa San Giovanni around 06:00 where it was shunted onto the train ferry. It was effectively split into two portions to fit on the boat. The crossing took about half an hour. We all got off the train and went to the upper deck of the ship to see the views of Sicily on the approach and to get some coffee, which was very welcome! After arriving at Messina the two portions of the train – one for Palermo, the other for Catania and Siracuse - were hauled into the station. This gave the opportunity for anyone who’d got on the wrong portion in the hold of the ferry to change over! There were excellent views of Mount Etna as the Siracuse portion ran along the east coast of the island. The whole journey was amazing; you felt you’d actually travelled and arrived, rather than being delivered in a sterile aircraft. On the return a week later we boarded the sleeper train at Siracuse after an excellent meal at a restaurant round the corner from the station. Arrival at Rome was the following morning around 10:00, after a good night’s sleep”

Traveller Edward Rolands reports:  "We took the overnight train to Sicily, booking a 4 berth “comfort” couchette. Booking in advance at www.trenitalia.com meant it only cost €34.  It had a lot more space than the 6 berth variety and the air conditioning was functioning a lot more effectively too making for a much better nights sleep. We woke up in the morning as the train was pacing along the Calabrian coast with some lovely views of mountains in the distance and cliffs dropping in to the sea. The train then arrives at Villa San Giovanni where it’s shunted on to the ferry, a process which takes about half an hour.  You may be shunted on to the ferry, then shunted off again, then shunted back on again, as the train is broken up so that it fits!  The crossing takes about half an hour and you can get off and go on deck to enjoy the view - and get some basic refreshments.  On arrival at Messina it takes about half an hour to reconstruct the train which will now be in two bits, one for Palermo, one for Catania & Syracuse. Our Siracuse section was shunted into the platform at Messina Centrale first, 5 minutes before its departure time.  However it was held there until the other section was reconstructed and shunted in to another platform, so we ended up leaving over 20 minutes late.  The final section along the Eastern coast of Sicily has some great views of the mountains in the distance and of course Mt Etna. The train arrived at Taormina only 15 minutes late - the staff seemed keen to make up more time as it didn’t hang around before carrying on it’s journey South.  Overall the journey was brilliant and much better than any flight!"

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A Tirrenia Line ship arrives in Sardinia.

London to Sardinia by train & ferry

• Getting from the UK or mainland Europe to Sardinia without flying is easy, there are a whole range of ferries from both France (Toulon or Nice) and Italy (Genoa, Civitavecchia, Livorno & others).

• You can travel by train from London to Toulon or Nice, then take Corsica Ferries to Porto Torres in Sardinia.

  Step 1, check sailing dates & times using the Direct Ferries website or at www.corsica-ferries.co.uk. 

  Step 2, check train times to connect using the London to France page allowing at least 2 hours between train & ferry, preferably more to allow for taxi transfer to port, check-in time, and for any delay.

• The ferries from France aren't the most frequent, so you might prefer to travel via Italy.  Grandi Navi Veloci and Tirrenia Lines have overnight sailings from Genoa to Porto Torres in Sardinia on most nights of the year, as well as sailings from other Italian ports.  Another ferry company with regular sailings to Sardinia from Civitavecchia near Rome is Sardinia Ferries.  Start by visiting the Direct Ferries website which can book most ferry routes and operators, or see each ferry company's own website to confirm sailing dates, times and fares.  Then see the London to Genoa or London to Rome sections above to arrange trains to connect.  Remember to allow several hours for a safe connection between train and ferry, to include ferry check-in time, transfer from station to port, and to allow for any delay.

How to buy tickets

• Book the ferry first.  You can buy tickets for all operators in one place at www.directferries.com, or use the Sardinia Ferries, Grandi Navi Veloci or Tirrenia Lines websites.

• Then book the train from London to Genoa or Rome as shown on this London to Italy page, or from London to Marseille or Toulon as shown on the London to France page.

Trains on Sardinia:  See the train travel in Italy page

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Holidays & tours by train

The following companies can arrange a short break, tour or longer holiday to your own specification, either within Italy or from the UK to Italy by train, leaving on any date you like.  As you're effectively booking a package, not travelling independently, another advantage is that they'll look after you if anything goes wrong, for example a strike or major delay.

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk

Railbookers are an experienced train travel specialist who arrange holidays or short breaks with train travel, transfers & hotels all arranged.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it out for you.

Their most popular trips include UK to Venice via the Alps, UK to Lake Como via the Alps, UK to Florence via the Alps, UK to Rome via the Alps, UK to Amalfi Coast via the Alps, all of which are customisable to add extra nights or extra cities, with train travel on the outward or return journey, or by train throughout with no flying necessary, it's up to you.

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

  In the USA call free 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com.

  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com.

  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au.

  New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

Byway, byway.travel

Byway (Byway.travel) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating.  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a holiday to Italy for you as a package, including train travel from the UK and hotels, starting from any British station you like.

To see pre-configured packages from the UK to Italy by train, www.byway.travel/.../italy-by-train.

Or they can build a trip to your requirements, call 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form.  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail also offers packages from the UK to Italy by train which can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip, with any stopovers you want.  Indeed, they can organise a trip for you entirely based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/italy.

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European Rail Timetable & maps

The European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map.  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

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Guidebooks

If you have a decent guidebook you'll see so much more and know so much more about what you're looking at.  It's a sound investment when you remember what you're spending on the whole trip!  I think the Lonely Planets or Rough Guides are the best ones out there for the independent traveller.  My own book is an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61".  Published in June 2008 and revised April 2010, it's available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website, from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

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Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels in key Italian cities, conveniently located for arrival by train and all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com.

In Turin

• If you're only stopping overnight en route between London/Paris and Venice/Florence/Rome/Naples, the Paris-Milan trains serve Turin Porta Susa station so you want a hotel nearby.

  Hotels near Porta Susa station with good or great reviews include the Hotel Torino Porta Susa, Hotel Diplomatic, Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano (across the road from the now-defunct original Porta Susa station building, immediately north of the new one), or the small but highly-recommended Al Porta Susa B&B.

• If you're stopping for longer to visit Turin (and you should, it's one of Italy's most under-rated cities) I'd choose a hotel near the Turin Porta Nuova station as it's more central and most high-speed trains to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples start here.

  Look no further than the lovely Turin Palace Hotel, perfectly located in the heart of the city directly opposite the side exit from Turin Porta Nuova, with friendly staff, beautiful rooms, rooftop bar.

  If the Turin Palace Hotel is full, an excellent alternative is the Starhotels Majestic Hotel, 200m from Turin Porta Nuova.

The lovely Turin Palace Hotel, directly opposite the via Paolo Sacchi side exit from Turin Porta Nuova.

In Milan

• There are lots of hotels near Milan Centrale, used by the Frecciarossa to/from Paris, the EuroCity trains to/from Switzerland and the majority of Italian domestic trains.

  Affordable hotels & guesthouses with good or great reviews just outside the station include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.

  More upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

  At the top end, the 5-star Excelsior Hotel Gallia is just across the road, you won't go wrong with that.

• Near Milan Porta Garibaldi (used by the TGV to/from Paris), the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is just 350m from the station and gets good reviews.  Also try the Holiday Inn Porta Garibaldi, which offers family rooms.

In Verona

• Hotels near Verona Porta Nuova 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.

In Venice

• Location, location, location!  Some people try to save money by staying on the mainland at Mestre, hotels in Mestre being naturally cheaper.  It's an option, but don't do it if you don't have to.  You want to be a resident in Venice, not a serial day-tripper, so try to find an affordable place in the historic city of Venice itself.

• Venice Santa Lucia station is walking distance from everywhere in central Venice including the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, so a hotel near the station which you can easily walk to with your bags makes a lot of sense.

  Relatively inexpensive places with good reviews near Venice Santa Lucia include Albergo Marin, Hotel Marte, La Loggia della Luna, Albergo ai Tolentini.

  An excellent upmarket choice just 5 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia is the small and intimate Hotel Canal Grande - I've stayed there myself.  Also try the Abazzia De Luxe.

  For the least expensive places in central Venice check www.hostelworld.com.  Use the map view to see places in Venice itself.

  Of course, if you have the financial backing for a water taxi, then fine, stay near San Marco or wherever you like.  My son nagged me continually until I caved in and splurged €70 on a water taxi from Santa Lucia station to St Marks.  I have to say that it was the best thing I have ever done in Venice, and that includes a gondola ride!

• If you do decide to stay in Mestre to save money and travel in & out of Venice by train every day, try the Hotel Cris which has great reviews 200m from Venezia Mestre station, and the Best Western Plus Hotel Bologna.

In Florence

• For something fancy, try the Hotel Santa Maria Novella with a 9/10 review score and rooftop terrace overlooking the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.  It's a mere 5-minute 400m walk from Florence Santa Maria Novella station.

• For something more affordable but also an easy walk from the station, try the Hotel Art Atelier.

• Other hotels nearby with good reviews include C-hotels Club, 7Florence B&B, Hotel Lombardia.

In Rome

• There are many hotels near Rome Termini.  However, an affordable top choice with a 9/10 review rating is the Hotel Diocleziano, a 5-minute 400m walk from Roma Termini's main entrance, set in a 19th century building next to the Terme di Diocleziano ancient Roman baths.

• An upmarket option near the station is Hotel Le Petit, an 8-minute 700m walk from the station, also with great reviews.

• Other hotels near the station with good or great reviews include The Hive Hotel, Dream Station, The Republic Hotel.

In Naples

• There are lots of hotels near Naples Centrale.

• The Starhotel Terminus is just across the road from the station, gets great reviews and has a roof terrace with views over the Bay of Naples.

• The Hotel Potenza is only a little further into the Piazza Garibaldi, cheaper, also with good reviews.

• The Unahotel Napoli is highly recommended, on Piazza Mancini overlooking Piazza Garibaldi, on the far side facing the station.

• Also consider the Pit Stop Napoli Centrale.

Hotels close to Paris Gare de Lyon

• If you need to stop overnight in Paris on your way to or from Italy, these hotels near the Gare de Lyon get good reviews: 

• Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station forecourt itself next to the station's famous clock tower, 4-star);

• Citizen M Hotel (just along the road from the station, 4-star, great reviews);

• Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star);

• Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star);

• Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star);

• Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star);  More Paris hotels.

Entrance to the Mercure Hotel at the Gare De Lyon, right next to the station's famous clock tower.  Handy for early trains!

Booking.com for hotels

I generally use Booking.com for hotels for 3 reasons: 

(1) It keeps all my hotel bookings together in one place;

(2) I've come to trust Booking.com's review scores;

(3) Booking.com usually offers a clearly-marked Free cancellation option. 

Free cancellation means you can secure hotels risk-free even before trains open for booking, and if necessary change those bookings if your plans evolve.

If I'm only staying a night or two, I look for a hotel near the station to make arrival & departure easy.  You can enter the station name (e.g. Berlin Hbf) as search location.  If staying longer, I look for a hotel close to the sights, entering the name of a city attraction as the search location, then using map view.

I then look for a hotel with a review score of 8.0 or over, any hotel scoring over that won't disappoint.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels:  Hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com offers online booking of dorm beds or cheap private rooms in backpacker hostels most European cities at rock-bottom prices.  It's one way to cut costs significantly compared to using a hotel every night.

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Car hire

Car hire comparison: www.carrentals.co.uk

The award-winning website www.carrentals.co.uk compares many different car hire companies including Holiday Autos, meaning not only a cheapest price comparison but a wider choice of hire and drop off location.

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Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

 

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