Nadrid Atocha station

Madrid Atocha station

This page covers journeys starting in Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Alicante, Valencia

To buy train tickets in Spain, www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $) or www.petrabax.com (US$) are much easier to use than www.renfe.com.

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     Click here for journeys starting in other countries

     Madrid Atocha station guide

     Madrid Chamartin station guide

This page explains how to travel by train from Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Alicante, Valencia to other European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way.  Information current for 2024

bullet pointBefore you buy your tickets

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

bullet pointEuropean train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel

 

Senior fares (over 60)

 

Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)

Important tips for buying European train tickets

Youth fares (under 26)

 

Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)

How to check European train times

Child fares & child age limits

 

Couchettes & sleepers on night trains

Do I need to book in advance?

Luggage on European trains

 

Train seat numbering plans

How far ahead can I book?

Luggage storage at stations

 

Wheelchairs & special needs

Can I stop off on the way?

Taking a bike by train

 

Real-time service updates

Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?

Taking a car by train

 

Hotels & accommodation

How long to allow for connections?

Taking dogs & pets by train

 

Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi

How early to arrive at the station?

Maps of the European rail network

 

What to do when things go wrong...


Buy train tickets for Spain See the train travel in Spain page
An AVE-S103 high-speed train at Madrid Atocha

An S103 AVE train as used between Barcelona & Madrid Atocha, seen at Madrid Atocha station..  Taking as little as 2h30, it's faster than flying.  See virtual tour

Turista class on a Spanish S103 AVE train   Preferente class on a Spanish S103 AVE train

Standard class (2nd class) on an AVE S103.

 

Comfort class (1st class)  seating.

Club class on a Spanish S103 AVE train   Madrid Atocha station - the tropical garden in the old trainshed

Comfort class (1st class) seating (formerly Club) on the AVE train.  A meal with wine is included on Mondays-Fridays.

 

Madrid Atocha station.  One of my favourite stations, the old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden.  AVE trains arrive in the adjacent modern extension.  See the Madrid Atocha station guide.

Madrid to  Barcelona
Ferries to Ibiza & Mallorca
Ferries to Tenerife, Gran Canaria & the Canary islands

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Madrid to Gibraltar
Madrid-Algeciras train at Madrid Atocha

An Intercity train (formerly branded Altaria), about to leave Madrid Atocha for Algeciras.

Cafe-bar on Madrid-Algeciras train   Turista Plus seats on Madrid-Algeciras train

Cafe-bar, with bar stools.

 

Comfort class seats.

Turista seats on Madrid-Algeciras train   Algeciras station

Standard class seats.

 

Algeciras station, across the road from the bus station.

Bus M-120 for La Linea (Gibraltar's frontier) boarding at Algeciras bus station.   The Rock of Gribraltar, viewed from a taxi approaching La Linea

Bus M-120 boarding at Algeciras bus station

 

Rock of Gibraltar, seen from a taxi near La Linea.

Other Spanish cities to Gibraltar

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Spain to London

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Spain to Dublin & Ireland

Option 1, Spain to Dublin using a direct ferry from Spain to Ireland

2nd class seats on a Thalys train from Paris to Amsterdam   1st class (Comfort & Premium) seating on Thalys

Madrid to Bilbao by train. Courtesy of Pαdraic Fogarty

 

Bilbao to Rosslare by ferry.  Courtesy of Pαdraic Fogarty

Option 2, Spain to Dublin via Paris and ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin

Irish Ferries' WB Yeats

Sail from Cherbourg to Dublin aboard Irish Ferries' WB YeatsWB Yeats photos courtesy of Irish Ferries.

Irish Ferries' WB Yeats club cabin   Irish Ferries' WB Yeats deluxe cabin

Club cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet.

 

Deluxe cabin on the WB Yeats with shower & toilet.

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Spain to Paris

Madrid to Paris by high-speed TGV

Option 1, Madrid to Paris in a day, early morning departure

Option 2, Madrid to Paris in a day, late morning departure

Option 3, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona

TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants

TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants, a 320 km/h double-decker. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot Watch TGV video.

TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

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

 

2nd class seats on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating.  360Ί photo.

First class on board a TGV Duplex   An TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants

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

 

TGV Duplex boarding at Barcelona Sants.  The '1' indicates 1st class.  Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.

Lunch from the cafe-bar on the train to Barcelona   The hilltop cathedral at Beziers

Dinner from the cafe-bar.

 

View from the train, passing Bιziers.

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

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

Option 4, Madrid to Paris with overnight stop in San Sebastian - a slower but cheaper route, San Sebastian makes a great stopover

Option 5:  Madrid-Paris using a French overnight train.

Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Alicante, Valencia to Paris

Option 1, Spanish cities to Paris in a single day - runs every day all year

Option 2, Spanish cities to Paris in a single day - runs 6 July to 1 September 2024.

Option 3, Spanish cities to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona - breaks the trip up nicely, recommended

Option 4, Seville, Cordoba, Alicante or Valencia to Paris using a French overnight train.

Vigo, A Coruna & Santiago de Compostela to Paris

Option 1, Vigo, A Coruna, Santiago to Paris with overnight stop in San Sebastian.

Option 2, Vigo, A Coruna, Santiago to Paris with overnight stop in Barcelona

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Spain to Bordeaux

Option 1, Madrid to Bordeaux in a day.  Lunch in San Sebastian?

Option 2, Madrid to Bordeaux with overnight stop in San Sebastian.  A morning to explore San Sebastian?

From Valencia. Alicante, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga you'd take a fast train to Madrid Atocha, transfer to Madrid Chamartin by suburban train, then travel Madrid to Bordeaux as above.  Check times at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com or renfe.com.

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Spain to Toulouse

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Spain to Lyon

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Lyon in a day

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Lyon with overnight stop in Barcelona

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees.  Seen from the train and one of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline all the way from Girona to Perpignan.

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Spain to Avignon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes & Nice

Option 1, using the direct AVE from Madrid to Avignon, Aix & Marseille - fewest changes, recommended

Option 2, alternative departure - Madrid to Nice in one day

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

Mt Canigou & the Pyrenees.  Seen from the train and one of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) high Mt Canigou dominates the skyline all the way from Girona to Perpignan.

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Spain to Brussels from €68

Option 1, Madrid to Brussels in a single day

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Barcelona

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Brussels with overnight stop in Paris

TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants

Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h double-decker. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot Watch TGV video.

TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

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

 

2nd class seats on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating.  360Ί photo.

First class on board a TGV Duplex   An TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants

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

 

TGV Duplex boarding at Barcelona Sants.  The '1' indicates 1st class. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.

Lunch from the cafe-bar on the train to Barcelona   The hilltop cathedral at Beziers

Dinner from the cafe-bar.

 

View from the train, passing Bιziers.

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

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

A Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris

Paris to Brussels by Eurostar, seen here in Paris.  See 360Ί photos inside a ThalysMore about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

1st class (Comfort & Premium) seating on Thalys   2nd class seats on a Thalys train from Paris to Amsterdam

Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across the car.  Larger photo.

 

Standard seats, 2+2 across.  Larger photo.

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Spain to Amsterdam from €74

Option 1, Madrid to Amsterdam in a single day

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Barcelona

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Paris

TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants

Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, a 320 km/h double-decker. Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot Watch TGV video.

TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

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

 

2nd class seats on upper deck with a mix of tables for 4 & unidirectional seating.  360Ί photo.

First class on board a TGV Duplex   An TGV Duplex at Barcelona Sants

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

 

A TGV Duplex boarding at Barcelona Sants.  The '1' indicates 1st class.  Courtesy of Brian's Coffee Spot.

Lunch from the cafe-bar on the train to Barcelona   The hilltop cathedral at Beziers

Dinner from the cafe-bar.

 

View from the train, passing Bιziers.

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

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

A Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris

Paris to Amsterdam by Eurostar, seen here in Paris.  See 360Ί photos inside a ThalysMore about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

1st class (Comfort & Premium) seating on Thalys   2nd class seats on a Thalys train from Paris to Amsterdam

Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across the car.  Larger photo.

 

Standard seats, 2+2 across.  Larger photo.

Crossing the Moerdijk Bridge over the Hollands Diep

The train sweeps across the Moerdijk Bridge over the Hollands Diep one lazy evening, between Rotterdam & Antwerp.

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Spain to Luxembourg

Option 1, Madrid to Luxembourg in a single day

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Barcelona

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Paris

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Spain to Geneva, Zurich & Switzerland from €59

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland in a single day

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Switzerland with overnight stop in Barcelona

Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees

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

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Spain to Milan, Venice, Rome & Italy

Option 1, Spain to Italy with an overnight stop in Lyon - from the Pyrenees to the Alps

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Italy with overnight stops in Barcelona & Milan

Option 3, Spain to Italy with an overnight stop in Marseille

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Spain to Lisbon & Portugal

Option 1, Madrid to Lisbon in a day, the leisurely direct way

Scenery between Badajoz and Madrid

Wonderful arid scenery on the Spanish plateau between Madrid & Badajoz.  Photo courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

Madrid to Lisbon by train: Changing trains at Badajoz

Changing trains at Badajoz station.  The express from Madrid to Badajoz is on the left, the single-coach Allan Railcar from Badajoz to Entroncamento is on the right..  Photo courtesy of Giles Baker.

Option 2, Madrid to Lisbon with overnight stop in Porto - a roundabout route, but with high-speed trains & a great stopover

Alvia train

Day 1, travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train.  Nick-named patito or little duck, for obvious reasons!

Turista Plus seats on an Alvia train   Alvia train at Madrid Chamartin

Comfort class seats on an Alvia train.

 

Alvia train at Madrid Chamartin.

 

Day 1, travel from Vigo to Porto by regional express train.  Photos courtesy of Martin Hill.

Alfa Pendular train from Lisbon to Porto

Day 2, travel from Porto to Lisbon by Alfa Pendular.  Photo courtesy of Matt from www.youtube.com/c/nonstopeurotrip.

1st class on an Alfa Pendular

1st class on an Alfa Pendular train.  Photo courtesy of @rexybexy

Option 3, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Lisbon

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Spain to Porto

Madrid to Porto

Option 1, Madrid to Porto using a Madrid-Vigo high-speed train - the comfortable daytime train option

Alvia train

An Alvia train.  It's nick-named patito or little duck, for obvious reasons!

Turista Plus seats on an Alvia train   Alvia train at Madrid Chamartin

Comfort class seats on an Alvia train.

 

Alvia train at Madrid Chamartin.

 

The regional express train between Vigo & Porto.  Photos courtesy of Martin Hill.

Option 2, Madrid to Porto with overnight hotel in Vigo - same as option 1, but with overnight stop.  Can be more time-effective

Malaga & Seville to Porto

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Spain to Faro & the Algarve

Madrid to Faro

An AVE train to Seville ready to leave Madrid Atocha

Step 1, Madrid to Seville by AVE.  This is an AVE-S100 at Madrid Atocha.

An AVE train to Seville ready to leave Madrid Atocha   Inside the Sala Club (1st class lounge) at Madrid Atocha.

An AVE S100 high-speed train boarding at Madrid Atocha. 

 

Cafe-bar.  All AVEs and most Intercity & Alvia trains have a cafe-bar serving snacks, hot & cold dishes, tea, coffee, beer & wine.

AVE Preferente class on an S100 AVE train   Complimentary at-seat meal in Club class from Madrid to Barcelona

Comfort class (Premium 1st class) with reclining seats, power sockets for laptops & mobiles.

A hot at-seat meal with wine is available in Comfort class on some trains, see info above.

AVE Turista Plus class on an S100 AVE train to Seville   AVE Tourist class on an S100 AVE train from Madrid to Seville

Comfort class (1st class) with reclining seats, power sockets for laptops & mobiles.

Standard class (2nd class) with comfortable seats with power sockets.

Also bus from Seville to Faro

Step 2, Seville to Faro by bus.  This is an Alsa bus to Faro & Lagos, at its departure point right outside Seville Santa Justa station main exit.  Courtesy of Julie Murray.

Malaga, Granada, Cordoba or Seville to Faro

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Spain to Andorra

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Spain to Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin & Germany from €79

Option 1, Madrid to Cologne or Frankfurt in a single day

Option 2, Madrid to Berlin using the Paris-Berlin sleeper - 3 times a week, starts 10 December 2023

The Nightjet sleeper from Berlin to Zurich

A Nightjet sleeper train at Berlin HbfMore about Nightjets.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photoVideo 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 couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Nightjet sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

 

4-berth couchettes.

 

Nightjet couchette car.

Option 3, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Barcelona

Option 4, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Paris

Option 5, Madrid & Spain to Germany with overnight stop in Marseille, avoids changing stations in Paris

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Spain to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €88

Option 1, Spain to Austria using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week

The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Amsterdam

Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper trainMore about Nightjets.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photoVideo 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 couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Brussels-Vienna sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

 

4-berth couchettes.

 

Couchette car.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna with overnight stop in Geneva - the scenic route

A railjet train about to leave Zurich Hbf for Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna

A railjet to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna about to leave Zurich HB.

  Premium class seats on the Munich-Vienna RailJet train   Railjet restaurant car

Railjet first class, with black leather seats.

 

Business classAbout.

 

Restaurant.

Railjet train at Vienna Hbf   Railjet train standard class

Railjet is Austrian Railways premier train. More photos & information about railjet trains

 

Economy class on railjet, in open saloons with large windows.  Some seats around tables, most unidirectional.

The lakes between Zurich and the Austrian border

Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zόrichsee and then the Walensee.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Brooding skies over the Arlberg pass.  The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.  More photos & information about this route.

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Spain to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo & Scandinavia

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Scandinavia with overnight stops in Marseille & Hamburg

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Scandinavia with overnight stops in Barcelona & Frankfurt

Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Copenhagen

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

2nd clas seats on a DB Intercity train

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

1st class comparment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train   1st class 6-seat compartment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

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

An X2000 train at Stockholm Central

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

1st class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train 2nd class seats on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

1st class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

 

2nd class on an X2000.  Larger photo.

Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train   Bistro seating area on a Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 train

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

 

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

On the Oresund link!

Crossing the impressive Φresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

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Spain to Helsinki & Finland

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest option

Finnlines ferry Travemunde-Helsinki

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

Cabin on Finnlines ferry Travemunde-Helsinki   Gym on Finnlines ferry   Sauna on Finnlines ferry

Standard cabin.  Larger photo.

 

Gym with a view.

 

Sauna.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry

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Spain to Prague & the Czech Republic

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Prague with overnight stop in Paris

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Prague using the Paris-Linz sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week

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Spain to Bratislava & Slovakia

Option 1, Madrid & Spain to Bratislava using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week

The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Amsterdam

Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper trainMore about Nightjets.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photoVideo 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 couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Brussels-Vienna sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

 

4-berth couchettes.

 

Couchette car.

Option 2, Spain to Bratislava with overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option

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Spain to Budapest & Hungary

Option 1, Barcelona to Budapest using the Paris-Vienna sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week

The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Amsterdam

Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper trainMore about Nightjets.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photoVideo 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 couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Brussels-Vienna sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

 

4-berth couchettes.

 

Couchette car.

Option 2, Barcelona to Budapest with an overnight stop in Geneva - the most scenic option

A railjet train about to leave Zurich Hbf for Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna

Zurich to Budapest by railjet.  A railjet about to leave Zurich HB.

Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

 

Restaurant car.

Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

First class.

 

Economy class.

The lakes between Zurich and the Austrian border

Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zόrichsee and then the Walensee.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Brooding skies over the Arlberg pass.  The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.  More photos & information about this route.

A railjet train from Vienna to Budapest, arrived at Budapest Keleti

The railjet has landed!  Arrived on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti station.

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Spain to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania

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Spain to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade & Sofia

Option 1, Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the Paris-Salzburg sleeper - the most comfortable & time-effective option, 3 times per week

Scenery between Ljubljana & Zagreb

Scenery between Ljubljana & Zagreb along the river Sava..

Scenery between Ljubljana, Zagreb & Belgrade

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Ljubljana & Zagreb via Marseille & Venice.

2nd class seats on the train from Venice to Ljubljana   The train from Trieste to Ljubljana

Inside the ETR563.  Larger photo.

 

The train to Ljubljana about to leave Trieste.  Courtesy of Marc Williams.

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Spain to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland

Option 1, Madrid to Poland using the Paris-Berlin sleeper - 3 times a week, starts 10 December 2023

The Nightjet sleeper from Berlin to Zurich

A Nightjet sleeper train at Berlin HbfMore about Nightjets.

Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photoVideo 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 couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Nightjet sleeper train

6-berth couchettes.

 

4-berth couchettes.

 

Nightjet couchette car.

Option 2, Madrid & Spain to Warsaw, with overnight stop in Paris - runs Sunday to Thursday only

Option 3, Spain to Warsaw & Krakow with overnight stops in Paris & Berlin - runs daily

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Spain to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

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Spain to Kyiv, Lviv & Ukraine
The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Kiev Pass

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car at Kyiv Pass.  Photos courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

Sleeper to Kiev about to leave Vienna   Ukrainian sleeper corridor   1, 2 or 3 bed Ukrainian sleeper compartment

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper about to leave Vienna Hbf. Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

 

The sleeper corridor.  Courtesy Helmut Uttenthaler.

 

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper compartment.

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Spain to Moscow, St Petersburg & Russia

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Spain to Athens & Greece
Superfast ferry from Bari to Patras in Greece

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

Boarding the ferry from Italy to Greece   Lounge and reception desk on the ferry to Greece

The passenger gangway, onto the ferry.

 

Reception desk & lounge on the ferry.

Lounge & bar on the ferry from Italy to Greece   Self-service restaurant on the ferry from Italy to Greece

Lounge and bar on the Superfast II.

 

Self-service restaurant.

En suite toilet & shower on ferry to Greece   Cabin on ferry from Italy to Greece

Private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

Scenic views from the ferry from Italy to Greece

The ferry passes Cephalonia & Ithaca then approaches mainland Greece.  This is what travel to Greece should be like!

The ferry from Bari arrives at Patras

The ferry approaches the new port of Patras.

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Spain to Istanbul & Turkey

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Railbookers custom-made tours

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

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

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

Canadian flag  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australian flag  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

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

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Find hotels in Europe

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

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Travel insurance & VPN

 

Staysure travel insurance

 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

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

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

US flag  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

 

Maya.net logo

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility listMaya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

 

Curve card

Curve card

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 at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

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 digging 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.

 

Express VPN

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

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  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 explainedExpressVPN 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 the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

 

Anker Powerrbank

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com.

 


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