To check train times & fares within Switzerland, use the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch.

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This page explains how to travel from Zurich, Geneva, Interlaken, Luzern or anywhere in Switzerland to cities all over Europe, and how to buy tickets.  Information current for 2025.

Station guides:  Geneva  Lausanne  Basel SBB  Zurich HB

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...
Train travel within Switzerland

Buy Swiss train tickets

Switzerland to London & UK
A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

A Eurostar e320.

  

Plus or Premier seating.  Larger photo.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.

  

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

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Switzerland to Dublin & Ireland

Option 1, Switzerland to Dublin via London & Holyhead - daily departures

Option 2, Switzerland to Dublin via Paris & Cherbourg - several times a week

Irish Ferries' WB Yeats

Sail from Cherbourg to Dublin aboard Irish Ferries' WB Yeats.  WB 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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Switzerland to Paris from €29
TGV-Lyria to Geneva at Paris Gare de Lyon

TGV-Lyria train at Geneva. These 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck trains now operate all TGV-Lyria services.
TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex 2nd class seats, upper deck

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved dishes.

  

2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360Ί photo.
TGV Lyria first class, upper deck   A TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Switzerland

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

  

A TGV-Lyria for Geneva at Paris Gare de Lyon.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.
Lake seen from the Paris to Geneva train

The Geneva-Paris route has the nicest scenery of all the TGV-Lyria routes.  For the first hour or so out of Geneva, the train snakes through the hills on the wonderfully scenic Haut-Bugey line.  Above, a lake, probably the Lac de Nantua.

Scenery along the Haut-Bugey line, seen from the Geneva to Paris train

More scenery as the train snakes through the hills on the wonderfully scenic Haut-Bugey line.

Scenery along the Haut-Bugey line, seen from the Geneva to Paris train

More scenery along the river valley between Bourg en Bresse & Bellegarde.  This wonderful view is on the left hand side, although you can't pick sides when booking.

A Paris-Geneva TGV-Lyria crosses the Cize-Bolozon viaduct

A Geneva to Paris TGV-Lyria crosses the Cize-Bolozon viaduct.  Photo courtesy of David Thirlwall.

Crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct on the Haut-Bugey Line, on a Geneva to Paris train

Towards the end of the Haut-Bugey Line the train crosses the spectacular Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain gorge (above), the major structure on the Haut-Bugey line.  The best view from the viaduct is on the right hand side of the train when heading towards Paris, pictured above.

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Switzerland to Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lourdes, Brittany & northern France

Option 1, Switzerland to anywhere in France via Paris - this usually means changing stations by taxi or metro.

Option 2, Basel to Bordeaux, avoiding Paris - options for avoiding Paris are limited, but here's a possibility for Bordeaux.

Option 3, Basel to Le Mans, Angers & Nantes, avoiding Paris - options for avoiding Paris are limited, but here's a possibility for Nantes.

Option 4, Geneva to Le Mans, Angers & Nantes, avoiding Paris - options for avoiding Paris are limited, here's another possibility.

Option 5, Geneva to Narbonne, Carcassonne & Toulouse, avoiding Paris

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Switzerland to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice & South of France

If you're starting in Geneva & western Switzerland, the route via Lyon is probably best even for Nice.  From southern or eastern Switzerland, the route via Milan is best if you're going to Nice, but the route via Geneva & Lyon is better if you're going to Lyon or Avignon.

Option 1, Switzerland to Nice via Geneva & Lyon

Option 2, Switzerland to Nice via Milan & Ventimiglia

Option 3, Basel to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille via Mulhouse - a once-a-day service from Basel that might come in useful

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Switzerland to Mulhouse, Colmar, Strasbourg
A Basel to Strasbourg train at Basel SBB

A Basel to Strasbourg TER train at Basel SBB platform 31.
1st class on a Basel to Strasbourg TER train   2nd class on a Basel to Strasbourg TER train

1st class on a Basel-Strasbourg TER.

  

2nd class on a Basel-Strasbourg TER.

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Switzerland to Brussels & Belgium from €37.99

Option 1, Switzerland to Brussels by high-speed ICE through Germany - the fast & easy route

ICE3neo at Brussels Midi

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.  Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.

ICE3neo at Cologne   ICE3neo at Cologne

The restaurant car.  See current month's menu.

  

1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.
ICE3neo at Cologne   Lunch on an ICE3neo

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo

  

Lunch.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

Option 2, Switzerland to Brussels via the Rhine Valley - the scenic route, takes an extra hour

EuroCity train from Zurich

EuroCity train boarding at Zurich HB.
2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train   Restaurant car on EC9 Hamburg-Cologne-Zurich train

2nd class seating.  Larger photo.

  

Treat yourself to lunch!  Larger photo.
Restaurant car on Zurich to Munich train   2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train

Swiss restaurant car.  Larger photo

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle seen from the train

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

Option 3, Zurich & Basel to Brussels using the Zurich-Cologne sleeper train - the time-effective option

AB33 sleeping-car on the Amsterdam-Zurich Nightjet train

The sleeping-car on the Amsterdam-Zurich sleeper train.  More about Nightjets.  Watch the video.
Single-bed sleeper on Amsterdam-Zurich train   Single-bed sleeper on Amsterdam-Zurich train

Single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.

  

Breakfast next morning.  Larger photo.
Couchette compartment on Amsterdam to Switzerland Nightjet train   Couchette compartment on Amsterdam to Switzerland Nightjet train

4 or 6 berth couchette compartment.  Larger photo.

  

Couchette car at Basel.

Option 4, Geneva to Brussels using a direct Lyon-Brussels TGV - convenient with no need to cross Paris

Option 5, Switzerland to Brussels via Paris - cheap & fast, but involves crossing Paris.  Geneva to Brussels in as little as 5h36

Option 6, Switzerland to Brussels with overnight stop in Frankfurt - might work out more time-effective

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Switzerland to Amsterdam from €37.99

Option 1, Switzerland to Amsterdam by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option

AB33 sleeping-car on the Amsterdam-Zurich Nightjet train

The AB33 sleeping-car on the Amsterdam-Zurich sleeper train.  More about Nightjets.
Single-bed sleeper on Amsterdam-Zurich train   Single-bed sleeper on Amsterdam-Zurich train

Single sleeper, washbasin behind door on right. Larger photo.

  

Breakfast next morning.  Larger photo.
Couchette compartment on Amsterdam to Switzerland Nightjet train   Couchette compartment on Amsterdam to Switzerland Nightjet train

4 or 6 berth couchettes, bedding supplied.  Larger photo.

  

Couchette car on this train at Basel.

Option 2, Switzerland to Amsterdam by daytime trains - the fast daytime option

ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal

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

ICE3neo at Cologne   ICE3neo at Cologne

The 16-seat restaurant car.  Larger photo.

  

1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.
ICE3neo at Cologne   Lunch on an ICE3neo

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

  

Lunch: I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

Option 3, Switzerland to Amsterdam via the Rhine Valley - the leisurely scenic route, takes an hour longer

EuroCity train from Zurich

EuroCity train boarding at Zurich HB.
2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train   Restaurant car on EC9 Hamburg-Cologne-Zurich train

2nd class seating.  Larger photo.

  

Treat yourself to lunch!  Larger photo.
Restaurant car on Zurich to Munich train   2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train

Swiss restaurant car.  Larger photo

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle seen from the train

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

Option 4, Switzerland to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Frankfurt - can be more time-effective

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Switzerland to Luxembourg from €37.99

Option 1, Switzerland to Luxembourg via Basel, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Metz - in theory the fastest & most direct route

Option 2, Switzerland to Luxembourg via Basel & Koblenz from €37.99 - slower but cheaper & easier to book, with through tickets.

EuroCity train from Zurich

EuroCity train boarding at Zurich HB.
2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train   Restaurant car on Zurich to Munich train

2nd class seating.  Larger photo.

  

The Swiss restaurant car:  Treat yourself!  Larger photo.
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle seen from the train

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

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Switzerland to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy

Choose between fast, comfortable & scenic (option 1, using mainline trains) and slow but fabulous world-class scenic (option 2, via the Bernina Express).  The choice is yours!  With the daytime trains increasingly fast, there are no longer any sleeper trains between Switzerland and Italy.

Option 1, Switzerland to Milan by EuroCity train, then high-speed train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples - the fast & comfortable way

EuroCity train from Zurich to Milan at Zurich HB

Step 1, Switzerland to Milan by EuroCity.  This is a Giruno train at Zurich HB.  More about these EuroCity trains.
1st class on Giruno   Restaurant car on Giruno

Giruno, 1st class.  Larger photo.

  

Restaurant car with bar counter. Larger photo.
2nd class on Giruna   Bar counter in the restaurant car

Giruno 2nd class.  Larger photo

  

Level boarding. Note the destination screen in the door. 

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train

The Zurich to Milan trains take the Gotthard main line through the Swiss Alps, past Lake Lugano.
Lake Maggiore, seen from a Milan to Basel train

Zurich-Milan trains pass the Zugersee, Vierwaldstattersee & Lake Lugano, all in Switzerland.  Geneva-Milan trains skirt Lake Leman, and both Geneva-Milan & Basel-Milan trains pass Lake Maggiore in Italy.  Above, Lake Maggiore is seen from the restaurant car of the 11:25 Milan to Basel over an enjoyable lunch of salmon tagliatelle & excellent Swiss red wine.
Frecciarossa 1000 at Roma Termini

Step 2, take a high-speed Frecciarossa train from Milan to Florence, Rome or Naples.  This is a Frecciarossa 1000 at Rome Termini.  More about Frecciarossas & their 4 classes.
Frecciarossa 1000 standard class   Frecciarossa 1000 premium class

Standard class, 2+2 across width.

  

Premium class, 2+2 across width.
Frecciarossa 1000 Business class   Frecciarossa 1000 executive class

Business class, 1+2 across car width.

  

Executive class, with food & drink included.

Option 2, Switzerland to Italy via the Bernina route - the ultimate scenic route

First class seats   Bernina Express panormaic cars

Bernina Express 1st class seats.

  

the Bernina Express uses panoramic carriages.
The train descends from the Bernina Pass

The Bernina Express descends from the Bernina Pass.

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Switzerland to Sicily

Option 1, Switzerland to Sicily using the Milan-Sicily sleeper

Coastal view from the Palermo to Milan sleeper train

Room with a view.  The Milan to Sicily sleeper travels overnight from Milan, then speeds along the coast of Italy in daylight, often right next to the water, before being shunted onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina to Sicily.  Courtesy Philip Dyer-Perry.
2-bed sleeper, night mode, on the Milan-Sicily sleeper  

Milan-Sicily train on board the train ferry

2-berth sleeper. It converts to a sofa by day.  Larger photo

  

Yes, the train goes onto a ferry!  This is the Milan-Sicily sleeper train on board the train ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. Photos courtesy of Andrew Harris.

Option 2, Switzerland to Sicily using a Rome-Sicily sleeper

Option 3, Switzerland to Sicily by daytime trains with overnight stop in Rome

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Switzerland to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

Option 1, Switzerland to Spain in a day - from the Alps to the Pyrenees in a single day, recommended

2nd class seats on Geneva-Lyon TER train   Geneva-Lyon TER train at Geneva

Step 1, Geneva to Lyon by TER: This is a TER to Lyon about to leave Geneva.
AVE from Barcelona to Lyon   2nd class seats on an AVE S100

Step 2, Lyon to Barcelona by high-speed AVE, seen here at Barcelona Sants.

  

2nd class seats, all with power sockets & free WiFi. Panorama photo of 2nd class.
1st class seats on the Barcelona to Lyon AVE train   The cafe-bar on an S100 AVE

1st class seats on an S100 AVE, all with power sockets.  Panorama photo of 1st class.

  

Cafe-bar on an S100 AVE serving tea, coffee, beer, wine, snacks & hot dishes.
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.

Option 2, Geneva to Barcelona & Spain in a day - early departure, with an extra change of train

2nd class seats on Geneva-Lyon TER train   Geneva-Lyon TER train at Geneva

Geneva to Lyon by TER: This is a TER to Lyon about to leave Geneva.
TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon

Lyon to Montpelier to Barcelona by TGV. These 320 km/h double-deckers link Paris, Montpelier & Barcelona.  Watch TGV Duplex video.
TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

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.  360Ί photo.
First class on board a TGV Duplex   An TGV Duplex at Paris Est.

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

  

A TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.
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/Canigou.  More about the Paris-Barcelona journey.

Option 3, Zurich or Basel to Barcelona & Spain in a day via Paris

Option 4, anywhere in Switzerland to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Lyon

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Switzerland to San Sebastian

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Switzerland to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruρa, Vigo
Turista Plus seats on an Alvia train   Alvia train to Galicia

Above left, Comfort class seats on an Alvia train, 1+2 across the car width.  Turista seats are 2+2 across the car width.  Above right, The Barcelona to Galicia Alvia train.  Note the unusual power car nose - these Alvia-S130 trains are nick-named Patito (little duck) by staff.  They have adjustable axles so can run on standard-gauge high-speed lines at up to 250 km/h or on Iberian broad gauge classic lines at lower speed. Photo courtesy of Ekain Munduate.
Scenery in Galicia seen from the train

Scenery as the train enters Galicia on its way to Vigo.  Photo courtesy of Martin Hill.

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Switzerland to Ibiza & Mallorca

Option 1, Switzerland to Ibiza or Mallorca by ferry from Barcelona - all year round

  • Step 1, travel from Geneva to Barcelona as shown above, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

    In Barcelona, it's a 3.8 km 46-minute walk from Barcelona Sants to the Trasmed and Balearia ferry terminal at the foot of La Rambla, near the Columbus monument, see walking map.  Or use a taxi or the metro, nearest metro station Drassanes.

  • Step 2, sail overnight from Barcelona to Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca by ferry.

    Ibiza:  Trasmed offer an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza most nights of the week sailing at around 22:00, arriving 07:00.  Times & dates vary, buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or at www.trasmed.com.

    Check-in for the ferry closes 30 minutes before sailing time.  You can pre-print your boarding pass to save time at the terminal.

    Mallorca:  There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins, both usually sailing from Barcelona around around 22:00 and arriving in Palma at 07:00.  One ferry is run by Trasmed (www.trasmed.com, the other run by Balearia (www.balearia.com).  Buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website.

Balearia ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza

Above, a Balearia ferry in Ibiza harbour.  Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.

Option 2, Geneva to Menorca or Mallorca by ferry from Toulon - several times a week April-October

  • Step 2, cruise overnight from Toulon to Menorca or Alcudia (Mallorca) with Corsica Ferries.

    Sailings operate several times a week, April to October, typically sailing around 18:00, arriving around 09:00, some going to Menorca and others to Alcudia.  Their comfortable ships have bars, restaurants, and private cabins with en suite toilet & shower.

    Fares start at around €25 for a foot passenger + a private cabin from around €32.  Fares & cabin charges vary by date.

    Buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or see www.corsica-ferries.co.uk.

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Switzerland to Algeciras & Gibraltar

  • Day 1, take a morning train from anywhere in Switzerland to Geneva, arriving no later than 11:00.

  • Day 1, travel from Geneva to Lyon by TER regional train, leaving Geneva at 11:30, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:26.

    These TER trains use former inter-city carriages, old but comfortable.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a lovely journey through the Jura and along the river Rhτne.

  • Day 1, travel from Lyon to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 14:35, arriving Barcelona Sants 19:33.

    This comfortable AVE S100 high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

    Look out for Bιziers cathedral, colonies of flamingos on the ιtangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses approaching Perpignan and the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees.  More about the journey.

    Book from Geneva to Barcelona at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

    Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

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

  • Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Algeciras, leaving Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE, change at Antequera-Santa Ana onto a 15:09 Media Distancia train arriving San Roque-La Linea 18:07 & Algeciras 18:23.

    The AVE S103 high-speed train is air-conditioned with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

    There's great scenery both on the high-speed line between Barcelona and Antequera and on the classic line twisting through the hills from Antequera to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar.  The Media Distancia is air-conditioned, but bring your own food & drink.

    Fares start at around €70.

    Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).  You print your own tickets.  Booking opens anything from 15 days to 9 months ahead.

  • Day 2, take a bus or taxi from Algeciras to la Linea & walk into Gibraltar.

    A taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea costs €24.75 and takes about 22 minutes.  Taxis don't use the meter on this run, and aren't normally allowed to cross the border into Gibraltar.

    To go by bus, cross the roundabout outside Algeciras railway station and enter the San Bernado bus station, then take bus M-120 to La Linea for around €2.50.  Bus M-120 runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri at xx.00 and xx.30 past each hour or every 45 minutes at weekends, journey time about 45 minutes to La Linea, for bus information see siu.ctmcg.es.

    La Linea is the Spanish town outside the border crossing to Gibraltar, and La Linea's bus stop and taxi rank are right outside the entrance to Gibraltar.  Walk through the Spanish then UK passport checkpoints into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes).  Then either (a) keep walking straight ahead of you into Gibraltar town, it's takes about 15 minutes to the centre or (b) take a frequent local Gibraltar bus from the border into town or (c) look for the taxi stop on the right just after the passport check and wait for a taxi to your hotel for a few pounds - Gibraltar taxis will accept euros.  The walk from the border to Gibraltar's Main Street takes you across Gibraltar airport's runway, though they stop cars and pedestrians when an aircraft is landing or taking off!   Map of Algeciras - La Linea - Gibraltar area.

  • Or take a bus/taxi from San Roque-La Linea station

    The closest station to Gibraltar is actually San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras.  So if you prefer, you can get off here and take a taxi to La Linea, or walk the 1.6 km (1 mile) to the Bar La Redonda bus stop on the main road on the M-120 bus route from Algeciras to La Linea.  Buses run to La Linea every 30 minutes weekdays, every 45 minutes weekends.  Taxis are usually available outside San Roque station, San Roque to the La Linea/Gibraltar border is about 16 km (10 miles) and it takes just over 30 minutes depending on traffic.

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.

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Switzerland to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal

Option 1, Switzerland to Lisbon via Barcelona & Madrid

  • Day 1, take a morning train from anywhere in Switzerland to Geneva, arriving no later than 11:00.

  • Day 1, travel from Geneva to Lyon by TER regional train, leaving Geneva at 11:30, arriving Lyon Part Dieu 13:26.

    These TER trains use former inter-city carriages, old but comfortable.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  It's a lovely journey through the Jura and along the river Rhτne.

Option 3, Switzerland to Porto via Barcelona & Vigo

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Switzerland to Faro & the Algarve

Option 1, Switzerland to Faro using a bus from Seville to Faro - fastest & easiest

  • Day 2, travel from Seville to Faro by bus, an Alsa-Rede Express bus usually leaves Seville Santa Justa station at 15:30 arriving Faro 18:00.

    Times vary so check at Omio.com, I'd allow at least 40 minutes between train & bus.  Remember the 1h time difference between Spain & Portugal.

    Several other bus companies run this route including Damas, EuroLines & Iberobus, all leaving from Seville Plaza de Armas bus station.  I recommend Alsa-Rede Express as their buses start from outside Seville Santa Justa station for easy train-bus connections.  Simply walk out of the main exit and turn right, you'll see the pale blue Alsa-Rede Express bus waiting opposite McDonalds, see the photo below.

    The Alsa-Rede Express buses also call at Seville Plaza de Armas bus station after leaving Santa Justa, a better departure point if you're visiting Seville city centre.  The bus has power sockets, but no WiFi or toilet.  There's a brief toilet stop at Tavira bus station.

    In Faro, the Alsa-Rede Express buses arrive at the Eva bus station adjacent to the excellent Eva Senses Hotel and 2 minutes walk from Faro railway station.  The bus continues to Lagos, or you can have a coffee and continue to Tunes & Lagos by train.

    The fare is around €17-€21 each way.

    Buy tickets for any of these bus companies at Omio.com and print your own ticket.

Also bus from Seville to Faro

Option 2, Switzerland to Faro via Lisbon - a longer way round, but all-train.

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Switzerland to Andorra

Option 1, Switzerland to Andorra via Toulouse

  • Step 1, travel from Geneva to Toulouse, leaving Geneva at 07:14, change at Lyon Part Dieu & Montpellier-Saint-Roch, arriving Toulouse Matabiau 15:15.

    Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways site www.sncf-connect.com, in €, no fee.

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

  • Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 17:45, arriving Andorra 21:45.

    The bus is run by Andbus, the fare is €36.

    I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay.

    The buses leave from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routiθre (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station.  Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right.  The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.

    Book the bus at Andbus.net or Omio.com.

Bus station next to Toulouse Matabiau station   Bus station next to Toulouse Matabiau station

Toulouse to Andorra by bus, this is bus stand 15.  The bus station is right next to the rail station.

  

Bus station in Toulouse Matabiau forecourt.  Photos courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.

Option 2, Switzerland to Andorra via Barcelona

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Switzerland to Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne & Germany from €27.99

Option 1, Switzerland to Berlin by Nightjet - the time-effective option

  • A Nightjet sleeper train links Switzerland with Berlin, leaving Zurich HB 19:59 & Basel SBB 21:13, arriving Berlin Hbf 07:20.

    The train has a Comfortline sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, 9 standard with washbasin, 3 deluxe with shower & toilet.  There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in regular sleepers.  There are also two couchette cars with 4 & 6-berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the guide to Nightjet page accommodation.

    Tip:  There's no restaurant car so have dinner before boarding, see suggested restaurants at Zurich HB & Basel SBB.

    Tip:  You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Germany, click nj, look for EN409.

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

  • Book this train at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).

    Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

    Tip:  The train may be listed in the search results twice, once as seats, once as couchettes/sleepers.  Choose the latter!

Option 2, Switzerland to Hamburg by Nightjet - the time-effective option

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

  • Book this train at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).

    Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.

    Tip:  The train may be listed in the search results twice, once as seats, once as couchettes/sleepers.  Choose the latter!

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

A double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB, as used on the Zurich-Hamburg train. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.
1-berth sleeper in Nightjet double-deck sleeping-car   Nigtjet double-deck sleeper, standard 1 or 2 bed sleeper, lower deck

A 1 or 2-bed sleeper on the upper deck, set up as a single.  More about Nightjets.
    4-berth couchette on Nightjet train

Nightjet couchette car or liegewagen.

  

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

Option 3, Switzerland to Cologne & Dόsseldorf by Nightjet - the time-effective option

  • A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Zurich HB at 21:59 & Basel SBB at 23:13 every evening, arriving Cologne Hbf 05:57.

    This comfortable Nightjet train has two air-conditioned AB33 sleeping-cars with 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin.  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.  More about Nightjets.

    Departure times vary, departure from Zurich is at 19:36 or 21:59 some days, so check your date online.

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

  • Book this train at www.raileurope.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.nsinternational.nl (in €, no booking fee), or www.oebb.at (in €).

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

    Tip:  This train may be listed in the search results twice, once as an IC with seats, once as an NJ with couchettes/sleepers.  Choose the latter!

    Tip:  If you want a sleeper but none is available from Zurich, try booking from Basel instead.  Then book a seat ticket Zurich-Basel.

AB33 sleeping-car on the Amsterdam-Zurich Nightjet train

The AB33 sleeping-car on the Amsterdam-Zurich sleeper train.  More about Nightjets.
Single-bed sleeper on Amsterdam-Zurich train   Single-bed sleeper on Amsterdam-Zurich train

Single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.

  

Breakfast next morning.  Larger photo.
Couchette compartment on Amsterdam to Switzerland Nightjet train   Couchette compartment on Amsterdam to Switzerland Nightjet train

4 or 6 berth couchette compartment.  Larger photo.

  

Couchette car at Basel.

Option 3, Switzerland to anywhere in Germany by daytime trains

  • Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class, €56.99 in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    You can book from almost any station in Switzerland to any station in Germany for one inclusive price.

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

    Tip:  you can build in up to 2 stopovers with these German Sparpreis (saver) fares, within the 2-day ticket validity.  Simply click Stopovers and enter the city and desired length of stay.

ICE4 at Zurich HB

An ICE4 at Zurich HB.  Most Switzerland-Hamburg/Berlin ICEs are now ICE4.
1st class on an ICE4 train   Restaurant car on an ICE4 train

1st class on an ICE4.

  

Restaurant car on an ICE4.
Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

The bar counter, other end of the restaurant car.

  

2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Option 4, Switzerland to Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Hamburg by classic train along the Rhine Valley - the scenic route

  • If you don't mind taking an extra hour, there are a couple of morning EuroCity (EC) trains from Switzerland to Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Bremen & Hamburg which take the classic curvaceous route all along the Rhine Valley between Mainz & Cologne, past river boats, castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock.  It's well worth the extra time, make sure you sit on the right hand side of the train for the best river views.  See the Rails Down the Rhine page.

    There's an 10:59 from Zurich, 12:20 from Basel SBB to Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Bremen, Hamburg (train EC8).

    There's a 11:59 from Interlaken Ost, 13:04 from Bern, 14:27 from Basel SBB to Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Bremen, Hamburg (train EC6)

  • Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €57.99 in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    You can book from almost any station in Switzerland to any station in Germany for one inclusive price.

    To get the scenic Rhine Valley route, click Stopovers and enter Koblenz Hbf, leaving length of stay zero.

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

    If you buy a through ticket from Swiss stations such as Luzern, Interlaken or St Moritz to Germany at int.bahn.de, this includes the Swiss domestic connecting train, it's a lot cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket to Basel.

EuroCity train from Zurich

EuroCity train at Zurich HB.
2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train   Restaurant car on EC9 Hamburg-Cologne-Zurich train

2nd class.  Larger photo.

  

Treat yourself to lunch!  Larger photo.
Restaurant car on Zurich to Munich train   2nd class seats on Munich-Zurich EuroCity train

Swiss restaurant car.  Larger photo

  

1st class.  Larger photo.
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle seen from the train

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

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Switzerland to Munich from €18.99

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

    You can book from almost any Swiss station to Munich for one inclusive price.

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

ETR610 EuroCity train to Milan at Zurich HB

A Swiss Astoro train at Zurich HB:  More about Munich to Zurich trains.
Lunch on an ETR610 train   ETR610 restaurant car, as used from Zurich to Munich

Lunch in the restaurant car.

  

The restaurant car.  Larger photo.

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Switzerland to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €29

Option 1, Zurich to Vienna by Nightjet - the time-effective option

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

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

    Tip:  You'll see two overnight trains in the search results, both leaving at the same time:  The Zurich-Vienna Nightjet (NJ) & Zurich-Budapest EuroNight (EN) leave Zurich coupled together, they split up in Salzburg, the EN runs fast reaching Vienna at around 06:35, the Nightjet dawdles via some smaller stations reaching Vienna at 07:58.  Take the Hungarian EuroNight if you need to be in Vienna early, otherwise I'd stick with the Nightjet as this has higher quality cars with the option of deluxe sleepers with shower & toilet.

    Tip:  You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Switzerland, click nj & look for NJ467.

    Tip:  Booking through from any Swiss station to Vienna (for example, from Geneva, Bern or Lucerne to Vienna) includes the Swiss domestic part of the journey often for little more than a Zurich to Vienna ticket.  This saves money over buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket.

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

The Nightjet from Zurich to Vienna.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.
1-berth sleeper in Nightjet double-deck sleeping-car   Nigtjet double-deck sleeper, standard 1 or 2 bed sleeper, lower deck

A 1 or 2-bed sleeper on the upper deck, set up as a single.  More about Nightjets.
    4-berth couchette on Nightjet train

Nightjet couchette car.

  

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

Option 2, Zurich to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz & Vienna by railjet through the Arlberg Pass - the scenic daytime option

  • Railjets leave Zurich HB for Innsbruck (3h36), Salzburg Hbf (5h23), Linz (6h34) & Vienna Hbf (7h52) at 06:40, 10:40, 12:40, 14:40 & 16:40.

    These swish railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, treat this as a chill-out day, especially if you splurge on business class, a real treat.  Railjets travel at up to 230 km/h (143 mph) on new sections of line, and at lower speed on the classic lines, which account for the vast majority of this route.  They roll past the Zόrichsee and along the Walensee, pass non-stop through a corner of Lichtenstein, then travel through the Arlberg pass into the Austrian Tirol with some superb mountain scenery.  Watch the Arlberg Pass video & see the Arlberg Railway page.

    There's also a 08:40 EuroCity train (the Transalpin) to Innsbruck & Graz, and an 18:40 railjet to Innsbruck.

  • How much does it cost?

    Zurich to Innsbruck starts at €19.90 in economy, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class (premium 1st).

    Zurich to Salzburg starts at €29.90 in economy, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class.

    Zurich to Linz or Vienna starts at €39.90 in economy, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class.

    Zurich to Hallstatt with a change at Stainach-Irdning starts at €39.90 in economy, €54.90 1st class or €69.90 business class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • Buy tickets from almost any Swiss station to almost any Austrian station at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).

    If you want business class (premium 1st class), select 1st class then look for the +€15 business class reservation.

    Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.

    Geneva or Lucerne to Salzburg or Vienna might cost only €10 more than a Zurich-Salzburg or Zurich-Vienna ticket, saving a fortune over buying an expensive Swiss domestic ticket separately for the Geneva or Lucerne to Zurich leg.  Remember that before you try and use a Swiss railpass for the Swiss part of the journey too, that expensive railpass might only be saving you €10!

  • Tip:  1st class panorama car on the 08:40 from Zurich to Innsbruck & Graz.

    Most daytime trains from Zurich through the Arlberg Pass to Innsbruck & beyond are modern railjets as shown below, but the 08:40 from Zurich to Innsbruck & Graz is the Transalpin, an older EuroCity (EC) train with conventional Austrian cars & restaurant car like the ones shown here.  It also has a superb Swiss Railways 1st class panorama car.

    Anyone with a 1st class ticket or railpass can use the panorama car, but you should reserve a seat for €3.  If you have a 1st class ticket, reserve a seat in the panorama car as explained here.  You can make a reservation this way even if you already have a ticket or Interrail or Eurail pass.

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

A railjet to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna about to leave Zurich HB.  More about railjets & the Arlberg route.
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

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

Train into Austria: Mountain scenery   Schaan-Vaduz station

Sargans castle:  Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

  

Liechtenstein:  The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.
Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Arlberg Pass:  Above, we're now in Austria, with 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.

Arlberg Tunnel:  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

River Inn:  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Mountains near Innsbruck.  The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.

Kufstein station and castle   Lunch is served at your seat in first & business classes

Kufstein:  The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.  Above right, lunch is served.  In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Cutting across Germany:  East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here.  All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory!  Such a train is called a Korridorzug.  The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Salzburg:  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

Watch the video:  Zurich to Austria through the Arlberg Pass

Option 3, Zurich to Vienna using the Bregenz-Vienna new generation Nightjet - a useful alternative

If the direct sleeper is sold out or fares are expensive, this is a great alternative which is often cheaper.  And it's a new generation Nightjet with inexpensive private mini cabins, reason enough to take this option!

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Bregenz or Feldkirch on an early evening train:

    You can leave Zurich HB at 17:33 by Swiss EuroCity train arriving Bregenz 18:58, with time for dinner in Bregenz.

    Or leave Zurich HB at 18:40 by Austrian railjet arriving Feldkirch 20:09, with time for dinner in Feldkirch.

    Or leave Zurich HB at 19:33 by Swiss EuroCity train arriving Bregenz 21:00, a much tighter connection but still reasonable.

    All these trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  If you go to Bregenz you can board the sleeper to Vienna from around 21:00.  If you go via Feldkirch you have to wait until it arrives from Bregenz at 22:16.

    Fares start at €14.90 in 2nd class, €24.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

    Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  • Step 2, travel from Bregenz or Feldkirch to Vienna by new generation Nightjet, leaving Bregenz at 21:40 or Feldkirch at 22:27, arriving Vienna Meidling 06:51 & Vienna Hbf 06:58.

    This modern sleeper train offers 1 & 2 bed sleepers with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

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

    Book the sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

    Tip:  If you like, you can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.

New-generation Nightjet train

Bregenz or Feldkirch to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets

Comfort Plus sleeper in new generation Nightjet train   Comfort sleeper in new generation Nightjet train

Comfort Plus sleeper with shower & toilet.

  

Comfort sleeper with shower & toilet
4-berth couchette in new generation Nightjet train   Mini-cabins in new generation Nightjet train

4-berth couchettes.

  

Mini-cabins - enclosed individual capsules.

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Switzerland to Copenhagen from €49.99

Option 1, Switzerland to Copenhagen in a single day

  • Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

    You can book from almost any station in Switzerland to almost any station in Denmark for one inclusive price.

    I'd change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes, to ensure robust connections.  The times above take that into account.

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

    Tip:  If fares look expensive (over €110), try splitting the booking at Freiburg:  First book from Freiburg to Copenhagen, then book from Switzerland to Freiburg, making sure both tickets are for the same Zurich/Basel to Hamburg train, ICE 76.

ICE4 at Zurich HB

Step 1, Zurich or Basel to Hamburg by ICE.  This is an ICE4 at Zurich HB, most Switzerland-Hamburg ICEs are now ICE4.  Click on the interior images for larger photos.
1st class on an ICE4 train   Restaurant car on an ICE4 train

1st class on an ICE4.

  

Restaurant car.  See current month's menu
Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

The bar counter, other end of the restaurant car.

  

2nd class seats on an ICE4.
Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Copenhagen

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

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

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.

Option 2, Switzerland to Copenhagen using the Zurich-Hamburg sleeper - the time-effective option!

  • Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 arriving Copenhagen at 13:38.

    Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €59.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead..

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

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

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 1, Zurich or Basel to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB.  More about Nightjets. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.
   

2-berth sleeper on lower deck.

  

Stairs up to a pair of upper compartments.

  

1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin.  Set up as 1-bed.  Note how compact the compartment is.
    4-berth couchette on Nightjet train

Nightjet couchette car or liegewagen.

  

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.
Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Copenhagen

Step 2, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.  From 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.

1st class compartment on the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity train   1st class compartment on the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity train

Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments. Above right, 2nd class is almost all in open-plan saloons.

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

  • Day 1, travel from Switzerland to Hamburg by ICE4, leaving Zurich HB at 13:59 or Basel SBB 15:06, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:41.

    The ICE4 train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Or book an earlier train if you'd like an evening in Hamburg.

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Switzerland to Stockholm & Sweden

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

  • Step 1, travel from Switzerland to Hamburg by ICE, leaving Basel SBB at 13:06, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:36.

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

    Always allow at least an hour when connecting with a sleeper train you don't want to miss, ideally more.  Times may vary, a change of train may be necessary on some dates.  Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf.

    Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Book from anywhere in Switzerland to Hamburg 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.

  • Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by SJ sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55.

    Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), this EuroNight sleeper train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A bistro car is attached between Malmφ and Stockholm.  More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

    Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

    Book tickets at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.

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

Hamburg-StockholmSJ EuroNight at Hamburg Altona   6-berth couchette on the Hamburg-Stockholm SJ night train

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

6-berth couchettes.
Standard sleeper, set up as a double   Hamburg-StockholmSJ EuroNight at Padborg

2-bed sleeper.

The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg.
Scenery from the Hamburg to Stockholm train

Typical Swedish scenery on the morning run into Stockholm.

Option 2, Switzerland to Sweden using the Zurich-Hamburg sleeper

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 1, Zurich or Basel to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB.  More about Nightjets. Courtesy DiscoverbyRail.com.
   

2-berth sleeper on lower deck.

  

Stairs up to a pair of upper compartments.

  

1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin.  Set up as 1-bed.  Note how compact it is.
    4-berth couchette on Nightjet train

Nightjet couchette car.

  

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.
Hamburg-Copenhagen train at Copenhagen

Step 2, 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.

1st class compartment on the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity train   1st class compartment on the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity train

Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments. Above right, 2nd class seats are almost all open-plan.

An X2000 train at Stockholm Central

Step 3, Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central.  More 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.

Option 3, Switzerland to Sweden with overnight stop in Copenhagen

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

  • Day 2 if you're going to Gothenburg, take an Φresund train from Copenhagen to Gφteborg Central, these leave every hour taking 3h50.  No reservation necessary, you hop on and sit where you like.

  • Day 2 if you're going to Stockholm, leave Copenhagen at 08:21 by X2000, arriving Stockholm Central 13:34.

    SJ's X2000 trains have a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They use the impressive Φresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark.

    Update 2025:  Unfortunately, SJ is short of X2000s and until further notice you'll need to change at Malmφ:

    On Mondays-Fridays, leave Copenhagen 08:59, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 14:39.

    On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Copenhagen 08:44, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 14:32.

    Or there are earlier & later departures, check times at www.sj.se or Omio.com.

  • How much does it cost?

    Switzerland to Copenhagen starts at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.

    Copenhagen to Stockholm starts at 346 SEK (€31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (€47) in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    There are through fares from Switzerland to Malmφ or Gothenburg from €56.99.

  • How to buy tickets to Stockholm

    Step 1, book from anywhere in Switzerland to Copenhagen 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.

    Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Stockholm at www.sj.se (in SEK) or using Omio.com (in SEK, €, £ or $, small booking fee).

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

  • How to buy tickets to Malmφ

    Book from anywhere in Switzerland to Malmφ Central 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.

  • How to buy tickets to Gothenburg

    Book from anywhere in Switzerland to Gφteborg Central at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

    To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a suitable length of stay, say 10:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen, a little trial and error may be needed.

    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.

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.

1st class compartment on the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity train   1st class compartment on the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity train

Above left, the 1st class car has 6-seat compartments like this.  Above right, 2nd class seats are almost all open-plan

An X2000 train at Stockholm Central

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

Option 4, Switzerland to Sweden with overnight stop in Hamburg

  • Day 1, travel from Switzerland to Hamburg by ICE, leaving Zurich HB at 13:59 or Basel SBB 15:06, arriving Hamburg Hbf 21:41.

    By all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Hamburg, trains leave every hour or two.

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

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

  • Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.

    The EuroCity train has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley.  More about the journey.

  • Day 2 for Malmφ, hop on the next Φresund train from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central, these leave every 20 minutes taking 40 minutes.

  • Day 2 for Gothenburg, hop on the next Φresund train from Copenhagen to Gφteborg Central, these leave every hour taking 3h50.

  • Day 2 for Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000, leaving Copenhagen at 14:19, arriving Stockholm Central 19:37.

    SJ's X2000 trains have a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They use the impressive Φresund fixed link from Sweden to Denmark,

    Update 2025:  Unfortunately, SJ is short of X2000s and until further notice you'll need to change at Malmφ:

    On Mondays-Fridays, leave Copenhagen 15:59, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 21:33.

    On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Copenhagen 14:59, change at Malmφ Central, arriving Stockholm Central 20:36.

  • How much does it cost?

    Switzerland to Copenhagen starts at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.

    Copenhagen to Stockholm starts at 346 SEK (€31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (€47) in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    There are through fares from Switzerland to Malmφ or Gothenburg from €56.99.

  • How to buy tickets to Stockholm

    Step 1, book from anywhere in Switzerland to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

    To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg, a little trial and error may be needed.

    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.

    Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Stockholm at www.sj.se (in SEK) or using Omio.com (in SEK, €, £ or $, small booking fee).

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

  • How to buy tickets to Malmφ or Gothenburg

    Book from anywhere in Switzerland to Malmφ Central or Gφteborg Central at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

    To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10:00 hours.  Adjust the departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg, a little trial and error may be needed.

    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.

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Switzerland to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Switzerland to Oslo with overnight stop in Copenhagen

Option 2, Switzerland to Oslo with overnight stop in Hamburg

  • Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Gothenburg by EuroCity train & Φresund train:

    Leave Hamburg Hbf 08:50, arriving Copenhagen 13:38.  Leave Copenhagen at 14:30, arriving Gφteborg Central 18:20.

    The EuroCity train from Hamburg to Copenhagen has power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley.  More about this journey.  The Φresund train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.  Have an early dinner in Gothenburg.

  • Day 2, travel from Gothenburg to Oslo, leaving Gφteborg Central at 20:10, arriving Oslo Sentral 23:47.

    This smart modern Norwegian train is run by Vy, it has power sockets & free WiFi, but bring your own food & drink.

  • How much does it cost?

    Switzerland to Gothenburg starts at €56.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.

    Gothenburg to Oslo starts at 249 Krone (€24) if you book a few weeks ahead.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • How to buy tickets

    Step 1, book from anywhere in Switzerland to Gothenburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

    To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours.  Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the departure you want from Switzerland and the 08:50 from Hamburg to Copenhagen next morning.

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

    Step 2, book the train from Gφteborg Central to Oslo Sentral at Vy's website www.vy.no or at www.entur.no.

Option 3, Switzerland to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo

  • Day 1, travel from Switzerland to Hamburg by Nightjet, leaving Zurich HB 20:59 or Basel SBB 22:13, arriving Hamburg Hbf 07:53.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has two double-deck sleeping-cars* with 1 or 2-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, 1 & 2-berth compartments with washbasin, and a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin.  The sleeper attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train also has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes.  See the Nightjet guide.

    * The double-deck sleeping-cars are due to be replaced by two single-deck Comfortline-type cars from early April 2025.

    Tip:  There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding, see suggested restaurants at Zurich HB & Basel SBB.

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

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

  • Day 2, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf by regional train, these leave several times each hour taking 1h10, fixed-price fare €27.40.

    In Kiel it's a 7 minute 450m walk from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line ferry terminal, see walking map.  But always allow several hours between trains and ferry for the ferry check-in and in case of any delay.

  • Day 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by luxurious overnight Color Line ferry, with a full range of cosy cabins, suites, bars, restaurants and lounges.  The m/v Magic or m/v Fantasy normally sails at 14:00 arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning (Day 3 from Switzerland).

    Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.colorline.com.

    Money-saving tip:  It appears that it's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a €274 fare becomes the equivalent of €164.  You'll need to use Google to translate the Norwegian.  You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details.  Feedback appreciated.

    Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord.  The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre.  Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis.  If you have little luggage it's possible to walk.  See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 1, Zurich or Basel to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train and transfer to Kiel by regional train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich HB. Courtesy DiscoverbyRail.com.
   

2-berth sleeper on lower deck.

  

Stairs to a pair of upper compartments.

  

1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin.  Set up as 1-bed.  Note how compact it is.
    4-berth couchette on Nightjet train

Nightjet couchette car.

  

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.
Boarding the ferry in Kiel

Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo with Color Line.  It's just a 6 minute walk across from Kiel Hbf to the Color Line terminal.  There's a lift up to a connecting walkway which takes you to the ferry terminal.  If you've booked one of Color Line's 5 star suites, check in at the desk rather than the machines to be directed to a VIP lounge with free tea, coffee, juice, snacks & WiFi.  You'll have priority boarding & free access to the on-board spa.  Photos courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry except where shown.

Cabin on Kiel to Oslo ferry   Restaurant on Kiel to Oslo ferry

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

Restaurant on Kiel to Oslo ferry   Lounge on Kiel to Oslo ferry

Restaurant and lounge on the Kiel-Oslo ferry.

View from Color Line ferry to Oslo

Wake up to lovely scenery sailing up Oslo Fjord.

Ferry arrived in Oslo   Color Line transfer bus in Oslo

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

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Switzerland to Helsinki & Finland

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

  • Day 1, travel from Switzerland to Hamburg, leaving Zurich HB at 09:59 & Basel SBB at 11:06 by ICE, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:36.

    The with ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary, check online, but allow plenty of time.

    Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class or €56.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

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

    Tip:  You should book from Switzerland to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lόbeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the train from Switzerland to Hamburg, the regional train to Lόbeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal.  If you'd like time for dinner in Lόbeck, click Stopovers and enter Lόbeck Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 2 hours.

  • Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lόbeck by regional train, you've time for dinner in Lόbeck's old town, see suggested restaurant here.  Then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemόnde.

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

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

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

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

Finnlines 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, by train to Stockholm, then ferry to Helsinki

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Switzerland to Prague from €37.99

Option 1, Zurich & Basel to Prague by sleeper train - the most time-effective option

  • A sleeper train leaves Zurich HB at 19:59 & Basel SBB at 21:13, arriving Prague Hlavni at 09:23.

    It has two air-conditioned Czech Railways Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  There are toilets and a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in regular sleepers.  There's also a couchette car with 4 & 6-berth compartments.  The sleeper fare includes a light breakfast.

    A Czech restaurant car is attached to the train between Leipzig (around 06:00) and Prague, if you'd prefer a cooked breakfast.

    The train arrives at Prague Hlavni station, 15 minutes walk from the old town, see Prague Hlavni station guide.  Suggested hotels in Prague.

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

  • Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a bit more fiddly, same prices, in €).

    You'll see the train listed twice, once for the seats cars (marked DB if you're using Trainline) and once for the sleepers & couchettes (marked ΦBB on Thetrainline).  Needless to say, you should select the version that offers the couchettes and sleepers.

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

The Prague to Zuirch sleeping car boarding in Prague

A Czech sleeping-car of the Comfortline type at Zurich HB, as used on the Zurich-Basel-Prague sleeper train.
Czech Railways standard (economy) 2-berth sleeper   Standard (economy) sleeper in day mode   City Night Line deluxe sleeper, private toilet & shower   Comfortline sleeper corridor

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

  

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

  

Deluxe sleepers are almost identical to standard, but with compact shower & toilet instead of washstand.  Larger photo.

  

Just like a hotel, the corridor in a Comfortline sleeping-car.  There's a shower at end of the corridor for standard sleeper passengers.
Couchette car 6-berth   RDC couchette car

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

  

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

Option 2, Switzerland to Prague by daytime train from €37.99 - the cheapest option

  • How much does it cost?

    Switzerland to Prague starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €56.99 in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • How to buy tickets

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

    You can book from almost any station in Switzerland to Prague or any station in Czechia for an inclusive price.

    In the search results, look for a journey with 1 change (or 2 changes, if starting elsewhere in Switzerland), marked EC, ALX, EX.

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

    Tip:  If you have any problems or don't see any cheap prices, split the booking:  First book from Switzerland to Munich at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, from €27.99.  Then book the train from Munich to Prague at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz from €16.

    Tip:  Lunch in Munich?  For more time in Munich, book Switzerland to Prague at int.bahn.de, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a length of stay of 3, 4 or even 5 hours.  Obviously, for a 5 hour stop you'd need to leave on the 07:33.

Munich to Zurich train, at Munich HB

Step 1, Zurich to Munich by EuroCity train, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, seen here on platform 27 at Munich Hbf.  More about Zurich-Munich EuroCity trains.
1st class on a Zurich to Munich Astoro train   Restaurant car on a Zurich to Munich Astoro train

1st class seats.  Larger photo.

  

Restaurant car.  Larger photo.
Lunch on an Astoro train   1st class seats on an Astoro train

Lunch in the restaurant.

  

2nd class.  Larger photo.  360 degree photo.
Express train from Munich to Prague

Step 2, Munich to Prague by air-conditioned express train with modern Czech Railways open-plan cars & Lδnderbahn Alex compartment cars, power sockets at all seats, refreshment trolley & free WiFi.  More about Munich-Prague trains.
2nd class compartment in a Landerbahn car   2nd class open saloon car

Choose a Lδnderbahn compartment car.

  

Or a Czech Railways open-plan car.

Option 4, Switzerland to Prague with overnight stop in Munich - breaks the journey up nicely

  • How much does it cost?

    Switzerland to Prague starts at €37.99 in 2nd class or €56.99 in 1st class. 

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • How to buy tickets

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

    You can book from almost any station in Switzerland to Prague or any station in Czechia for an inclusive price.

    To build in the overnight stop in Munich, click Stopovers and enter Munich Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours. In the search results, look for a journey with 1 change (or 2 changes, if starting elsewhere in Switzerland), marked EC, ALX, EX.  Adjust departure time and increase or decrease the length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Munich.

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

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

Option 5, Switzerland to Prague by daytime trains via Linz - an alternative daytime route via the scenic Arlberg Pass

  • This takes a couple of hours longer than option 2, but it's worth it for the Arlberg scenery. 

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich HB to Linz by railjet in 6h34 through the Arlberg Pass with restaurant car & free WiFi, see the Arlberg Railway page & watch the Arlberg Pass video.

  • Step 2, travel from Linz to Prague by Czech EuroCity train in 4h08.  This calls at Českι Budějovice, change here for Českύ Krumlov.

  • For example,

    Leave Zurich HB at 06:40 change at Linz, arrive Prague Hlavni 19:39.

    Leave Zurich HB at 10:40 change at Linz, arrive Prague Hlavni 22:39.

    If you like you can break the journey up with an overnight stop in Linz or Salzburg.

  • How much does it cost?

    Zurich to Linz starts at €29.90 in 2nd class, €49.90 in 1st class or €64.90 in business class (premium 1st).

    Linz to Prague start at €15 in 2nd class or €30 in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • How to buy tickets

    Step 1, go to www.thetrainline.com and book from Zurich or anywhere in Switzerland to Linz Hbf.  Look for a direct train between Zurich & Linz.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

    Step 2, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book a suitable Linz to Prague connecting train.  I'd allow at least 40 minutes between trains in Linz.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

    You can also book this sector at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz which can be cheaper, but booking only opens 92 days ahead. 

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Switzerland to Bratislava & Slovakia

Option 1, Zurich to Bratislava by direct railjet train - the best option if the timing suits you

  • Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €54.90 in 1st class or €69.90 in business class (premium 1st).

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).

    If you want business class (premium 1st class), select 1st class then look for the +€15 business class reservation.

    You can book from almost any Swiss station, not just Zurich.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

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

A railjet train about to leave Zurich HB.  More about railjets & the Arlberg route.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

  

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

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

Train into Austria: Mountain scenery   Schaan-Vaduz station

Sargans castle:  Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

  

Liechtenstein:  The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.
Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Arlberg Pass:  Above, we're now in Austria, with 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.

Arlberg Tunnel:  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

River Inn:  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Mountains near Innsbruck.  The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.

Kufstein station and castle   Lunch is served at your seat in first & business classes

Kufstein:  The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.  Above right, lunch is served.  In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Cutting across Germany:  East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here.  All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory!  Such a train is called a Korridorzug.  The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Salzburg:  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

Option 2, Zurich to Bratislava by daytime trains with an easy change in Vienna - if the direct train doesn't suit you

  • For Poprad-Tatry & Kosice, change at Bratislava Hlavna.  If you leave Zurich HB 06:40 you can reach Poprad & Kosice late at night the same day.

  • Fares from Zurich to Bratislava, Poprad or Kosice start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €64.90 in 1st class or €79.90 in business class (premium 1st).

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Option 3, Zurich to Bratislava using the Zurich-Vienna nightjet - the time-effective option

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 1, Zurich to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train.  This is a double-deck sleeping-car at Zurich.  More about Nightjets. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.
   

2-berth sleeper on lower deck.

  

Stairs to pair of upper compartments.

  

1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin.  Set up as 1-bed.  Note how compact the compartment is.
    4-berth couchette on Nightjet train

Nightjet couchette car.

  

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.
The train from Vienna to Bratislava, at Vienna Huaptbahnhof...   Inside the hourly train from Vienna to Bratislava...

Step 2, Vienna to Bratislava Hlavna by hourly regional express train, seen here about to leave Vienna Hbf.  Behind the locomotive there's usually a smart Slovakian air-conditioned intercity coach, whilst the rest of the train consists of more basic non-air-con Austrian City Shuttle carriages, with interiors as shown in the photo above right.  Find a seat in the more comfortable Slovakian car if you can!

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Switzerland to Budapest & Hungary from €49.80

Option 1, Zurich to Budapest by railjet train via the Arlberg Pass - the scenic daytime option

  • A direct Austrian railjet leaves Zurich HB at 10:40 every day, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.

    This swish modern railjet train travels through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass (watch the video & see the Arlberg Railway page), then through the Tirol via Innsbruck, calling at Salzburg and Vienna before entering Hungary.

    There's a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch.  In 1st & business class a steward takes your order & serves you at your seat.  There are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about railjets.

    There's also an earlier 06:40 departure with one easy change at Vienna Hbf.

  • Fares start at €44.90 in 2nd class, €59.90 in 1st class or €74.90 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.

    Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  This is the easiest way to buy tickets, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, you can book Budapest to Zurich as one transaction.  If you want business class (premium 1st class), select 1st class then look for the +€15 business class reservation.

    Tip:  You can book through from any station in Switzerland, the ticket will then include the Swiss train from Geneva, Basel, Interlaken, Zermatt, or wherever to Zurich at inclusive prices significantly cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket.

    You can also buy tickets at Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at, or the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  Booking on mavcsoport.hu only opens 60 days ahead and it can't book business class.

Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

  

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

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

Train into Austria: Mountain scenery   Schaan-Vaduz station

Sargans castle:  Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

  

Liechtenstein:  The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.
Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Arlberg Pass:  Above, we're now in Austria, with 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.

Arlberg Tunnel:  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

River Inn:  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Mountains near Innsbruck.  The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.

Kufstein station and castle   Lunch is served at your seat in first & business classes

Kufstein:  The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.  Above right, lunch is served.  In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Cutting across Germany:  East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here.  All fast Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though this short cut means they spend an hour on German territory!  Such a train is called a Korridorzug.  The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Salzburg:  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

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

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

Option 2, Zurich to Budapest by sleeper train - the time-effective option

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

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

  • Tip:  There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding your sleeper, see suggested restaurants near Zurich HB.

  • Tip:  You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Switzerland & click nj.

Hungarian sleeper train

The sleeper from Zurich to Budapest.  Above, the sleeper attendant waits to greet passengers at Zurich HB.  In the sleeping-car, some complimentary Hungarian sparkling wine awaits you in your compartment.  More about this sleeper train.  Watch the video.
Sleeper compartment in the Hungarian sleeping-car from Budapest to Zurich   4-berth couchettes on train to Budapest   6-berth couchettes on train to Budapest

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2-bed.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

6-berth couchettes.

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Switzerland to Bucharest & Romania

Option 1, Switzerland to Romania using the Dacia Express sleeper train from Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest.

  • Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania by sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, arriving next day in Simeria 07:17, Sighisoara 09:17, Braşov 12:50, Ploeşti Vest 14:47 & Bucharest Nord 15:26.

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

    A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna and Budapest, treat yourself to dinner with wine.  A bar car is attached next day within Romania serving drinks & snacks.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest.

    The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42, arriving Cluj Napoca 10:44. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.

    Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and print out your ticket.

    Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.  If it says not available you can't book it (it may be too early), but if a Sparschiene fare is shown you can.  You collect tickets from an ΦBB ticket machine in Vienna.

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

    Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead.  For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti.  It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers.  For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  Tip:  Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

    Tip:  You can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria, click D and look for Dacia.

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

Step 1, Zurich to Vienna by railjet, seen here about to leave Zurich HB.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

Railjet is Austrian Railways premier train. More about railjet trains

  

Economy class, in open saloons with large windows, power sockets & free WiFi.
The lakes between Zurich and the Austrian border

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

Train into Austria: Mountain scenery   Schaan-Vaduz station

Sargans castle:  Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

  

Liechtenstein:  The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.
Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Arlberg Pass:  Above, we're now in Austria, with 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.

Arlberg Tunnel:  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

River Inn:  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Salzburg:  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

Dacia Express sleeper at Vienna   Dacia Express sleeper

Step 2, Vienna to Romania by Dacia Express seen here at Vienna Hbf.  This is the sleeping-car.  Sleeper photo courtesy of @PaliparanDotCom.  Larger photo.
Romanian couchette car from Vienna to Bucharest   Dacia Express couchette car

The Dacia Express couchette car, boarding at Vienna Hbf.  Larger photo.
Scenery in Transylvania

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

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

Option 2, Switzerland to Romania by sleeper train to Budapest, a day to explore, then sleeper train Ister to Brasov & Bucharest

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Budapest by EuroNight sleeper train, as shown above.

  • Spend a day in Budapest.  Left luggage lockers are available.  If you have a ticket for a single or double sleeper you can use the 1st class lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti for an hour or two after arrival and before departure.

  • Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10, arriving Brasov 08:48 & Bucharest Nord 11:35.

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

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

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

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

    You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it.]

    For Bucharest type Bucuresti.  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

2-berth sleeper on the Ister   The Ister at Bucharest Nord

A 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper with washbasin.  Larger photo.

  

The sleeping-car (vagon de dormit) on the westbound Ister at Bucharest.  Sleepers convert from beds to private sitting rooms for day use.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.
Couchette car on the Ister EuroNight train from Budapest to Bucharest   Romanian couchette car from Vienna to Bucharest

The vagon cuseta (couchette car) on the westbound Ister, boarding at Bucharest.  Couchettes convert from bunks at night to seats by day.  Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com .

  

4 or 6-berth couchettes.  Larger photo.

Option 3, Switzerland to Romania with overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleeper trains

  • Day 1, travel from Zurich to Budapest by railjet, leaving Zurich HB at 10:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.

    The swish modern railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass, watch the Arlberg Pass scenery video.  An earlier 06:40 departure is also available if you'd like more of an evening in Budapest.

    Fares start at €44.90 in 2nd class, €59.90 in 1st class or €74.90 in business class (premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  If you want business class (premium 1st class), select 1st class then look for the +€15 business class reservation.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

    You can book through from any station in Switzerland, the ticket will then include the Swiss train from Geneva, Basel, Interlaken, Zermatt, or wherever to Zurich at inclusive prices significantly cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket for the connection to Zurich.

    You can also buy tickets at Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at, or the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  Booking on mavcsoport.hu only opens 60 days ahead and it can't book business class.

The daytime train from Budapest to Bucharest

The daytime train from Budapest to Bucharest has modern air-conditioned Romanian carriages.  Three cars travel all the way, additional cars are attached whilst in Hungary, and additional cars and a bar car are attached between Drobeta Turnu Severin & Bucharest.
The 'Transylvania' train to Brasov about to leave Budapest   2nd class on the Budapest to Bucharest train

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

  

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

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

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Switzerland to Ljubljana & Zagreb

Option 1, Zurich to Ljubljana & Zagreb by sleeper train - the time-effective option

  • A EuroNight (EN) sleeper train leaves Zurich HB at 20:40 every night, arriving Lesce-Bled 07:13, Ljubljana 08:09 & Zagreb 10:39.

    It has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the Croatian sleeper video, and an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  The scenery in the morning is wonderful, all along the River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb.  Highly recommended!  There's no catering car, so bring a picnic and bottle of wine along.

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

  • You can book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  You print your own ticket.

  • Tip:  There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding your sleeper, see suggested restaurants at Zurich HB.

  • Tip:  You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Switzerland, click nj & look for NJ465.

  • Important: This sleeper train is diverted via Graz due to work in the Tauern Tunnel and won't call at Lesce-Bled or Ljubljana from 17 November 2024 to 13 July 2025.  Arrival in Zagreb is 11:33.  For Ljubljana, either use another option or get off the sleeper at Celje in northern Slovenia at 09:47 then take a local train leaving Celje at 11:36 arriving Ljubljana 12:43.  Check times for the local train at potniski.sz.si/en.

The Zurich to Zagreb sleeper train boarding at Zurich HB

The Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train boarding at Zurich HB as the sun sets on a summer day.  That's the Croatian couchette car on the right, the Croatian sleeping-car on the left.  See the Croatian sleeper video.
Sleeper compartment in the Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb   Sleeper compartment in the Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb   4 or 6-berth couchettes on train from Munich to Zagreb

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

  

Set up as a single-berth.

  

4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360Ί photo.
Scenery between Ljubljana & Zagreb

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

Option 2, Switzerland to Slovenia & Croatia by daytime trains

  • You can travel from Zurich to Ljubljana & Zagreb in a day.

     Leave Zurich HB at 08:40, change at Schwarzach St Veit and Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 17:50, Ljubljana 18:33, Zagreb 20:45.

    The journey takes you from Zurich to Schwarzach St Veit through the scenic Arlberg Pass on the EuroCity Transalpin.  This has a Swiss first class panorama car and a restaurant.  Ljubljana to Zagreb along the Sava river is also very scenic.

    Important update:  The closure of the Tauern Tunnel affects this route between 17 November 2024 & 13 July 2025, check times at int.bahn.de.

  • Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

    Fare vary like air fares so book ahead.

  • Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares).

    First, try booking all the way as one transaction.  If this doesn't work, split the booking and buy two tickets, for example Zurich-Schwarzach St Veit and Schwarzach St Veit to Ljubljana or Zagreb.  You print your own ticket.

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Switzerland to Dubrovnik & Split

Option 1, Switzerland to Split & Dubrovnik by train via Zagreb.

Option 2, Switzerland to Split & Dubrovnik using a ferry from Italy with cosy cabin

Ancona to Split ferries in Split Harbour   Deluxe cabin onm Ancona to Split ferry

Blue Line & Jadrolinija ferries in Split Harbour.  Above right, a deluxe cabin on the Blue Line ferry, which comes complete with an en suite jacuzzi.  Courtesy of Andrew Leo.

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Switzerland to Belgrade & Montenegro

Option 1, Switzerland to Belgrade using the Zurich-Budapest sleeper - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Budapest by EuroNight sleeper train leaving Zurich HB at 21:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.

    It has a comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 berth & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast is included in the fare.  More about this sleeper train.  Watch the video.

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

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

    Tip:  There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding, see suggested restaurants at Zurich HB.

    Tip:  You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Switzerland & click nj.

    Transfer from Keleti to Nyugati station by metro, tram or taxi as shown here.

Hungarian sleeper train

Step 1, Zurich to Budapest by sleeper.  Above, the sleeper attendant waits to greet passengers at Zurich HB.  In the sleeping-car, some complimentary Hungarian sparkling wine awaits you in your compartment.  More about this sleeper train.  Watch the video.

Sleeper compartment in the Hungarian sleeping-car from Budapest to Zurich   4-berth couchettes on train to Budapest   6-berth couchettes on train to Budapest

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2-bed.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

6-berth couchettes.

 

SOKO train at Belgrade

Step 2, Budapest to Belgrade on a connecting 3-train combo, starts 8 December 2024.  This includes a 200 km/h double-deck Serbian SOKO train from Subotica to Belgrade Centar, with refreshments, toilets, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi.  Soko is Serbian for falcon, hence the logo!  Photo courtesy of Hugo van Vondelen.

Option 2, Switzerland to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.

  • Day 1, travel from Zurich to Budapest by railjet, leaving Zurich HB at 10:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.

    The swish modern railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels through the scenic Arlberg Pass, watch the Arlberg Pass video.  An earlier 06:40 departure is available if you'd like more of an evening in Budapest.

    Fares start at €44.90 in 2nd class, €59.90 in 1st class or €74.90 in business class (premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  If you want business class (premium 1st class), select 1st class then look for the +€15 business class reservation.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.

    You can book through from any station in Switzerland, the ticket will then include the Swiss train from Geneva, Basel, Interlaken, Zermatt, or wherever to Zurich at inclusive prices significantly cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket for the connection to Zurich.

    You can also buy tickets at Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at, or the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.  Booking on mavcsoport.hu only opens 60 days ahead and it can't book business class.

Option 3, Switzerland to Belgrade using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper - currently involves a bus

  • Day 1, travel from Zurich to Zagreb by EuroNight (EN) sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 20:40, arriving Zagreb 10:39 (11:33 until 13 July 2025).

    This train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the Croatian sleeper video, and an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  The scenery in the morning is wonderful, all along the River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb.  Highly recommended!

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

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

    Tip:  There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding, see suggested restaurants at Zurich HB.

    Tip:  You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, click Train formations, scroll to Switzerland, click nj & look for NJ465.

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

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

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

    The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, tickets cannot be bought online.

    While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade

    It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.

    A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.

    The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.

The Zurich to Zagreb sleeper train boarding at Zurich HB

The Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train boarding at Zurich HB as the sun sets on a summer day.  That's the Croatian couchette car on the right, the Croatian sleeping-car on the left.  See the Croatian sleeper video.
Sleeper compartment in the Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb   Sleeper compartment in the Croatian sleeping-car from Munich to Zagreb   4 or 6-berth couchettes on train from Munich to Zagreb

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

  

Set up as a single-berth.

  

4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360Ί photo.
Scenery between Ljubljana & Zagreb

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava.
Scenery between Ljubljana, Zagreb & Belgrade
2nd class seats in a Serbian air-conditioned train   The train from Belgrade to Zagreb & Zurich, about to leave Belgrade

Step 2, Zagreb to Belgrade by Serbian train.
Switzerland to Sofia & Bulgaria

Option 1, Switzerland to Sofia via Bucharest

  • Day 1, travel from Zurich to Vienna overnight as shown above, using the Zurich-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train.

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

  • Day 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 14:19.

    The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  By all means take an earlier train if you'd like more time in Budapest, perhaps for lunch.

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

    Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

  • Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10, arriving Bucharest Nord 09:36.

    The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 20:57) to Bucharest.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

    Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares

    Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

    If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Arad to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.  (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Arad to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.

  • Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown in the Bucharest-Sofia section of the Trains from Bucharest page.

    You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:11 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:35 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria.  In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

    The fare is around €34.

    Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en.  You print your own ticket.

Option 2, Switzerland to Sofia via Belgrade

  • This route is not currently viable while the Zagreb-Belgrade, Budapest-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.

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Switzerland to Warsaw, Krakow & Poland from €49.99

Option 1, Zurich to Warsaw in a single day

  • Fares start at €49.99 in 2nd class or €79.99 in 1st class.

    Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    I recommend clicking Stopovers and entering Berlin Hbf with length of stay 40 minutes.

    Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check or re-print your tickets at any time.  You print your own ticket, or can show it on your phone.

  • If you like, you can split the journey over two days with an overnight or longer stop in Berlin at no extra cost, simply by clicking Stopovers and entering Berlin with the desired length of stay, within the 2-day Sparpreis ticket validity.  Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Berlin.

ICE4 at Zurich HB

Step 1, Switzerland to Berlin by ICE. Most Switzerland-Berlin trains are now ICE4 like this.  Click on the interior images below for larger photos.
1st class on an ICE4 train   Restaurant car on an ICE4 train

1st class on an ICE4.

  

Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.
Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.

  

2nd class seats on an ICE4.
Berlin to Warsaw train at Berlin

Step 2, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train, seen here on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.
1st class compartment on a Berlin to Warsaw train.   2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

1st class compartment.

  

2nd class compartment.
Restaurant car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

Restaurant car.  You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.
Food in therestaurant car on the Berlin-Krakow train   Food in therestaurant car on the Berlin-Krakow train

Zurek soup, an excellent starter.

  

Kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

Option 2, Zurich to Krakow in a single day.

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Vienna by railjet, leaving Zurich HB at 06:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 14:32.

    This swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels in daylight through the scenic Arlberg Pass, watch the Arlberg Pass video and see the Arlberg Railway page.

    Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €49.90 in 1st class, €64.90 in business class (premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    Tip:  If you have a 1st class onward ticket you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.

  • Step 2, travel from Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:10, arriving Krakow Glowny 21:25.

    This comfortable new EuroCity train has 1st & 2nd class seat and refreshments.

    Fares start at €32.90 in 2nd class or from €42.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Buy tickets at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

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

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

Step 1, Zurich to Vienna by railjet, seen here about to leave Zurich HB.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

Railjet is Austrian Railways premier train. More about railjet trains

  

Economy class, in open saloons with large windows, power sockets & free WiFi.
The lakes between Zurich and the Austrian border

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

Train into Austria: Mountain scenery   Schaan-Vaduz station

Sargans castle:  Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

  

Liechtenstein:  The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.
Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Arlberg Pass:  Above, we're now in Austria, with 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.

Arlberg Tunnel:  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

River Inn:  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Φtzal.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Salzburg:  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

The Danubius from Vienna to Krakow

Step 2, Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train Danubius.  This is the Danubius at Vienna Hbf on a winter afternoon.  That's the Czech through car to Wroclaw nearest the camera, the Polish cars to Krakow are ahead of it.  Courtesy of Helmut Uttenthaler.

2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train   2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

Most 2nd class cars have compartments like this with side corridor & 6-seat compartments.

Option 3, Zurich to Warsaw, Wroclaw or Krakow using the Zurich-Berlin sleeper

The Nightjet sleeper from Berlin to Zurich

Step 1, Zurich or Basel to Berlin by Nightjet sleeper train.  More 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 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 couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Munich-Amsterdam sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Nightjet couchette car.
Berlin to Warsaw train at Berlin Hbf

Step 2, Berlin to Krakow or Warsaw by EuroCity train.  This is the Wawel to Krakow on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.
2nd class car on the Berlin to Warsaw train   1st class compartment on a Berlin to Warsaw train.

2nd class compartment.

  

1st class compartment.
Restaurant car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

Restaurant car.  You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.
Food in therestaurant car on the Berlin-Krakow train   Food in therestaurant car on the Berlin-Krakow train

Zurek soup - an excellent starter.

  

Kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

Option 4, Zurich to Krakow or Warsaw using the Zurich-Vienna sleeper

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Vienna by Hungarian sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 21:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 06:34.

    The train has a Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth sleepers with washbasin, and a Hungarian couchette car with 4-berth & 6-berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  Its final destination is Budapest.  In sleepers, a light breakfast is included in the fare.  More about the Zurich-Budapest sleeper.  Watch the video.

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

    Important:  Make sure you book the EuroNight (EN) train arriving Vienna at 06:34.  Another portion of the same train is a Nightjet (NJ) which detaches, runs slower, and arrives Vienna at 07:58, which is too tight a connection with the train to Krakow.

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

  • Step 2, travel from Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 08:10, arriving Krakow Glowny 14:04.

    This is a comfortable train with restaurant car.  Change at Krakow Glowny for Warsaw, arriving Warsaw Centralna 17:20.

    Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Book this at www.oebb.at, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

    Bookings for the direct train from Vienna to Krakow open up to 6 months ahead.  However, bookings involving a connecting train within Poland normally open only 30 days ahead.

Hungarian sleeper train

Step 1, Zurich to Vienna by Hungarian sleeper train.  Above, the sleeper attendant waits to greet passengers outside his sleeping-car at Zurich HB.  Some complimentary Hungarian sparkling wine awaits you in your sleeper.  More about this sleeper train.
Sleeper compartment in the Hungarian sleeping-car from Budapest to Zurich   4-berth couchettes on train to Budapest   6-berth couchettes on train to Budapest

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a 2-bed.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

6-berth couchettes.
The morning train from Vienna to Krakow

Step 2, Vienna to Krakow by EuroCity train, seen about to leave from Vienna Hbf.
Austrian restaurant car   Meal in an Austrian restaurant car on a Munich-Verona train

Austrian restaurant car.  Larger photo.

Lunch with wine.
2nd class seats in an open-plan car   2nd class seats in 6-seat compartments

2nd class seats in an open-plan saloon.  One of the Vienna-Krakow cars is like this.  Larger photo.

  

2nd class seats in a compartment.  The other Vienna-Krakow car is like this. Larger photo.

Option 5, using the EuroNight sleeper train from Salzburg to Krakow & Warsaw

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Salzburg by railjet, leaving Zurich HB at 12:40, arriving Salzburg Hbf 18:03.

    This swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels in daylight through the scenic Arlberg Railway, watch the Arlberg Pass video and see the Arlberg Railway page.

    Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €49.90 in 1st class, €64.90 in business class (= premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    Have dinner in Salzburg.

    Tip:  If you have a sleeper ticket you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Salzburg Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & WiFi.

  • Step 2, travel from Salzburg to Poland by sleeper train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 20:30, arriving Krakow Glowny 06:20 & Warsaw Centralna 09:08.

    The EuroNight sleeper train Chopin has two comfortable air-conditioned Polish sleeping-cars with 1, 2 or 3 beds per compartment.  Each car also has two 1 or 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, see the photos below.  It also has ordinary seats, but no couchettes.  In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included.

    Fares start at €53.50 in a 3-bed sleeper, €68.20 in a 2-bed sleeper, or €126.70 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per bed as berths are sold individually.  Prices vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

    Tip:  If you're getting off in Krakow, the sleeper arrives at an early hour.  Leave the station through the shopping centre and you'll find the Hotel Puro Stare Miasto on the other side of the road and to the right.  You can join their excellent breakfast buffet from 7am for around €16.  Of course, your own hotel may let you join their breakfast buffet on the morning of arrival.  Suggested hotels in Krakow.

Modern Polish sleeping-car

Salzburg to Krakow & Warsaw by sleeper train.  This is the modern Polish sleeping-car on the EuroNight train Chopin, seen at Vienna Hbf.
Modern Polish sleeper in day mode   Modern Polish sleeper in day mode, set up as a triple   Deluxe 2-bed sleeper in modern Polish sleeping-car   Deluxe sleepers have a private shower & toilet

Standard sleeper in evening/morning mode with seats folded out.

  

Standard sleeper set up as 3-berth, can also be set up as a single or double.

  

Deluxe sleeper, set up as a 2-berth, showing TV & wardrobe.

  

Deluxe sleeper:  En suite shower & toilet.  Click the photos for larger images.

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Switzerland to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn

Option 1, Switzerland to Lithuania with overnight stop & morning free in Warsaw

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Switzerland to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine

Option 1, Zurich to Lviv & Kyiv via Budapest - easy to book, with good availability

  • Day 1, travel from Zurich to Budapest by railjet, leaving Zurich HB at 10:40, arriving Budapest Keleti 21:19.

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

    Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

    Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €).

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

  • Day 1, travel from Budapest to Ukraine by sleeper train, leaving Budapest Keleti at 22:40, arriving Lviv 13:38 & Kyiv Pass 19:11 (day 2).

    The sleeper train Transcarpathia consists of up to 8 Ukrainian sleeping-cars, with one car of 1st class 2-berth compartments (spalny vagon), and up to 7 cars of 2nd class 4-berth compartments (kupι). 

    Bedding is provided, there are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor.  The sleeper attendants can provide snacks and delicious Ukrainian tea, but bring your own food as there's no catering car.  The train is jacked up at Chop on the Ukrainian border to have its bogies changed from standard gauge (4' 8½") to Ukrainian gauge (5').

    You can check the consist and car numbers for this train using www.vagonweb.cz.  Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, and search for Transcarpathia.

    Fares start at:

    €63.10 with a bed in a 2nd class 4-berth sleeper.

    €76.10 with a bed in a 2-berth 1st class sleeper.

    These are limited-availability fares book online in advance.

    Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my tips for using it.

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

    Tip:  You should select 2-bed compartment (double) or sleeping-car, 4-bed compartment.  Single and triple options are shown, but result in a ticket without reservation.  If it says x Reservation not included, do not proceed.  Like I said, select double or 4-berth!

The Transcarpathia train at Kyiv   2-bed 1st class sleeper

Above left, the Transcarpathia on its first day of operation.  Above right, a 1st class 2-bed sleeper.  Courtesy of Ukrainian Railways Укрзалізниця.

Option 2, Switzerland to Lviv & Kyiv via Vienna - a faster and easier option, but often sells out

  • Step 1, travel from Zurich to Vienna by swish Austrian railjet train, leaving Zurich HB at 06:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 14:32.

    This is a scenic ride through the lovely Arlberg Pass, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Arlberg Railway page.

    Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €39.90 in 1st class or €54.90 in business class (premium 1st).  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

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

  • Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ukraine by direct sleeping-car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:42 daily, arriving Lviv 09:59 & Kyiv 16:41 next day.

    Introduced in 2017, this train consists of 2 or sometimes 3 direct Ukrainian sleeping-cars attached to a Vienna-Zahony EuroCity train.  The sleeping-cars have comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below.  At Chop on the other side of the border the through sleeping-cars are jacked up to have their wheelsets changed from European standard gauge (4'8½") to Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5').

    Vienna to Lviv costs €71.20 in a 3-berth sleeper, €79.20 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €130 in a single sleeper.

    Vienna to Kyiv costs €89.60 in a 3-berth sleeper, €99.60 in a 2-berth sleeper or around €170 in a single sleeper.

    Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

    Booking for these direct sleeping-cars opens 20 days ahead, but tickets sell out a day or two after booking opens, so book as soon as the booking period opens.  If the ΦBB website says Ticket not available within 20 days it means fully-booked, if it says that more than 20 days ahead it means booking isn't open yet.

    Tickets can now be printed out so you can book in either direction.  However, you must print the ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.

  • Booked at the station in Ukraine, Kyiv to Vienna costs around €80, Lviv to Vienna around €60, in both cases with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper.

The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf

Boarding the Vienna to Kyiv sleeping-car at Vienna Hbf.
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.
The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car has its wheels changed at Chop

The Vienna-Kyiv sleeper is jacked up to have its bogies changed at Chop on the Ukrainian border.  Photo Helmut Uttenthaler.
The Vienna-Kiev sleeping-car at Kiev Pass

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

Option 3, Zurich to Lviv by daytime trains via Budapest

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Switzerland to Moscow & Russia

Option 1, Switzerland to Moscow via Kyiv - service suspended

  • Step 3, travel from Kyiv to Moscow by sleeper train.  There are several sleeper trains to choose from, for example one leaves Kyiv at 19:36 arriving Moscow Kievskaya station at 10:09 the next morning.

    Kyiv-Moscow trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and are now cancelled - and the lines blown up - due to the war in Ukraine

    The fare is around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupι or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon.

    You can ask www.polrail.com to book this for you too, or you can book tickets from Kyiv to Moscow at the Ukrainian Railways site booking.uz.gov.ua/en/ booking from Kyiv to Moskva Kievskaya.  You collect tickets at the station in Kyiv.  Feedback appreciated!

Option 2, Switzerland to Moscow via Warsaw, runs daily, requires a Belarus transit visa. 

The train from Warsaw to Moscow uses Russian air-conditioned sleeping-cars, pictured below, with compartments which can be used as 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth (shown below right), with a shower & toilets at the end of the corridor.  See panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers.

A modern Russian sleeping-car of the sort used on the Polonez   A 2-berth or 4-berth compartment in daytime mode

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Switzerland to Athens & Greece

Option 1, Switzerland to Athens & Greece via ferry from Italy - the most practical route

  • Day 2, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with Superfast Ferries.

    The ferry sails from Bari at 19:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Patras at 13:00 next day (Day 3).

    On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Milan.

    You can check sailing times & dates at using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com.

    You should check in at the Superfast desk on the ground floor of the cruise terminal (Terminal Crociere) at Bari port with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3 hours before departure in summer, although in practice 2 hours or even 1½ hours is normally fine.

    You then walk 500m from check-in to the ferry, board the ferry via the foot passenger gangway at the stern and head up the escalator to the main lounge and reception desk to get your cabin key.

    The ship is comfortable, with self-service restaurant, lounge, bar and sun deck.  You can book a deck place (a good & cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag), a reclining seat or various types of cabin, all with private shower & toilet.  Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

    In Patras, the ferry arrives at the new South ferry terminal a few km from the town centre.  Bus 18 links the port with the Patras bus station every hour on the hour, fare €1.20 or you can hop in a taxi for around €9, journey time 15-20 minutes.

  • Day 3, travel from Patras to Athens by Greek Railways bus/train combo.

    Hellenic Train (Greek Railways) operate an integrated bus/train service from Patras to Athens every hour or two, total journey time 3h02, fare around €18.  No prior reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket to Athens at Patras railway station ticket office.

    For example, at the time I write this, buses leave from outside Patras railway station at 14:15, 15:15, 16:00, 17:15 & 18:15, taking 90 minutes to reach Kiato railway station near Corinthos.  At Kiato they connect with a modern air-conditioned regional train taking 78 minutes to Athens Larissa Station in downtown Athens.  You can check Patra to Athens bus/train times using the journey planner at www.hellenictrain.gr.

  • Corfu:  The Bari-Patras ferry calls at Corfu on certain dates in summer.  It calls at Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland on all departures year-round.  If you can't find a direct ferry to Corfu, book the ferry from Bari to Igoumenitsa, then take the local ferry from Igoumenitsa to Corfu with Kerkyra Lines (kerkyralines.com).  These sail half a dozen times a day, crossing time 60-90 minutes, fare around €5-€10.  Buy a ticket at kerkyralines.com or when you get to Igoumenitsa.

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.

Option 2, by train all the way via Belgrade

  • Not viable as there are currently no international trains to of from Greece.

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Switzerland to Istanbul & Turkey

Option 1, Switzerland to Istanbul via Bucharest

Option 2, Switzerland to Istanbul via Belgrade & Sofia

  • Not viable while the Zagreb-Belgrade & Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.

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Railbookers custom-made tours

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

UK 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 Switzerland

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 list.  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.

 

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 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 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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