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This page explains how to travel by train from Warsaw to other key European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.
Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Must I book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
Warsaw to Krakow & other destinations in Poland
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Polish Railways - Polskie Koleje Państwowe (PKP) - has been split into two separate companies, PKP Intercity (www.intercity.pl) for long-distance trains and Przewozy Regionalne (Polregio) (polregio.pl) for regional trains.
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You can book Polish domestic trains such as Warsaw to Krakow at www.intercity.pl.
English button top right, and you'll need to use the Polish spellings of cities such as Krakow and Warszawa. You print your own ticket.
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The best trains are the EIP (Express InterCity Premium) used mainly on the Gdynia - Warsaw - Krakow route, these are bullet-nosed high-speed pendolino trains, although in Poland they don't tilt into curves.
EIC (Express InterCity) and IC (InterCity) trains are the next best, with modern air-conditioned carriages hauled by a separate locomotive or sometimes fast electric units with restaurant car.
TLK trains (Twoje Linie Kolejowe, which means Your Railway Lines) are ordinary express trains usually using older carriages.
Seat reservation is compulsory on all EIP and most EIC, IC & TLK trains, this comes included in the ticket.
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You can also book Polish trains with highly-recommended Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com who can arrange tickets for travel within Poland or for international trains starting in Poland, for example Warsaw to Moscow, or Krakow to Prague.
What are the trains like?
EIP trains: Warsaw to Krakow in 2h18 at up to 200 km/h (125 mph).
Introduced in 2014, the very best trains on the Polish network are modern bullet-nosed pendolinos like this, although in Poland they don't tilt into the curves as they do elsewhere. They operate on the Krakow-Warsaw-Gdynia route at up to 125mph, with faster operation planned in the future. Reservation is compulsory and they have a bar-bistro car.
EIC & IC trains
EIC & IC trains are the next rank down. Many are now operated by modern electric units like this.
EIC & IC trains, classic type
Other IC and EIC trains consist of comfortable locomotive hauled carriages like this, some open-plan, some with classic 6-seat compartments and side corridor.
Warsaw to London & the UK
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See the London to Poland page for train travel between the UK & Poland in either direction.
Warsaw to Paris & France from €67.80
Option 1, Warsaw to Paris in a single day, possible daily except Saturdays
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Remarkably, it's possible to travel from Warsaw to Paris in a single day, every day except Saturdays, a chill-out journey across Europe.
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train leaving Warsaw Centralna at 06:45 Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Berlin Hbf 12:06.
The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals. Treat yourself to a Polish cooked breakfast. More about this EuroCity train.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Paris, leaving Berlin Hbf at 13:26, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 22:52.
Times may vary, on some dates you'll need to leave Berlin at 13:00 & change Mannheim, but a 1-change option is normally possible.
The journey involves superb high-speed ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi from Berlin to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Paris. At Frankfurt (Main) Hbf you've time for a coffee or a beer between trains, see my suggested places.
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How much does it cost?
Warsaw to Berlin starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €37.90 in 1st class.
Berlin to Paris starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Do a dry run first to check times and prices for both sectors.
Step 1, use int.bahn.de to book from Warsaw to Berlin. Booking for Poland-Berlin trains only opens 60 days ahead.
Step 2, use int.bahn.de to book from Berlin to Paris, but before running the enquiry, click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a 40 minute stopover duration. if that doesn't produce a convenient 1-change option, repeat with Mannheim added instead. Booking for this opens up to 6 months ahead, look for a journey with 1 change.
You print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Option 2, Warsaw to Paris using the Berlin-Paris sleeper - 3 times a week
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.
This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals. Treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch and a beer or two, I recommend the excellent Zurek soup & Kotlet Schabowy. More about this EuroCity train.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
In Berlin, you've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf. Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at the station. The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Paris by Nightjet, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:06 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:39.
Until 14 December 2024, the days of running are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Warsaw to Paris using the Vienna-Paris Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - a comfortable option
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train Polonia:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Enjoy an afternoon in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
Fares start at €42.90 in 2nd class or €62.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
Tip: If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf for an hour or two before boarding the sleeper, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Paris by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 18:13 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:39.
Until 14 December 2024, the days of running are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has two couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, Warsaw to Paris with overnight stop in Cologne
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Cologne, leaving Warsaw Centralna 12:45, changing at Berlin Hbf, arriving to Cologne Hbf at 23:15.
Or leave Warsaw Centralna at 10:45, change at Berlin Hbf and arriving Cologne Hbf at 21:15. Or there are earlier departures.
You travel from Warsaw to Berlin by comfortable Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car, then from Berlin to Cologne by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. Starting with the cheapest, hotels near to Cologne Hbf with good reviews include the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Day 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Cologne Hbf at 06:44, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 10:05.
Or have breakfast then take the 08:44 arriving 12:05, or there are later trains.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Option 5, Warsaw to Paris with overnight stop in Berlin
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna daily except Saturdays at 16:45 arriving Berlin Hbf 22:06.
Alternatively, an earlier EuroCity train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 every day, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:06.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Paris, for example leaving Berlin Hbf at 07:28, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:54.
There are various departures, by all means take a later departure.
From 15 December 2024 a direct Berlin-Paris ICE3 train will leave Berlin Hbf at 11:54 every day, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 19:55.
The ICE3 has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat.
Fares start at from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. Tip: I recommend changing Transfer time from Normal to minimum 30 minutes when booking this.
Warsaw to Strasbourg
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You can travel from Warsaw to Strasbourg in a day, changing at Berlin Hbf and one other location in Germany.
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The easy way to find times & buy tickets as one transaction is to go to www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee, more about Raileurope).
Set up an enquiry from Warsaw Centralna to Strasbourg, clicking More options and entering Berlin Hbf with a stopover duration of at least 30 minutes before running the enquiry. This avoids tight 10-minute connections in Berlin. Remember that trains from Poland only open for booking 60 days ahead.
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You can also book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de with no booking fee, but you have to split the booking.
First use int.bahn.de to find Warsaw to Strasbourg train times and note them down. Before running the enquiry, I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes. Then use int.bahn.de to book the Warsaw-Berlin train you want (booking opens 60 days ahead), and use it again to book the Berlin-Strasbourg journey you want (booking opens up to 6 months ahead). You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Alternatively, take the 12:45 EuroCity train to Berlin and 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper from Berlin, shown as option 2 in the Warsaw-Paris section above. The Nightjet sleeper calls at Strasbourg at 05:44.
Warsaw to Lyon, Avignon, Aix, Marseille
Option 1, Warsaw to Lyon, Avignon, Aix & Marseille with overnight stop in Berlin, avoiding Paris
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin in 5h30 on any EuroCity train you like, see the timetable here.
On Monday-Fridays & Sundays leave Warsaw Centralna at 16:45. Or leave at 12:45 any day of the week for more of an evening in Berlin.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence & Marseille as shown in the Berlin to Lyon section on the Berlin page.
You take a morning ICE train to Frankfurt and change onto a direct 320 km/h (199 mph) double deck TGV Duplex to the South of France. The ICE has a restaurant car, the TGV has a cafe-bar, both trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. See the Berlin page for details.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: You don't want to miss the one train per day from Germany to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille because of a 10 minute delay so I recommend changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes.
Option 2, Warsaw to Avignon or Marseille via Vienna, Milan & Nice
Option 3, Warsaw to Avignon or Marseille using the Berlin-Paris sleeper
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Travel from Warsaw to Paris using a EuroCity train to Berlin then the Berlin-Paris sleeper as explained in the Warsaw to Paris section.
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Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.
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Allow at least 2 or 3 hours between trains in Paris, then book an onward train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon or Marseille at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Warsaw to Monte-Carlo, Nice & Cannes
Option 1, Warsaw to Cannes or Nice using the Berlin-Paris sleeper
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Paris using a EuroCity train to Berlin then the Berlin-Paris sleeper as explained in the Warsaw-Paris section.
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Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.
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Day 2, travel from Paris Gare de Lyon to Cannes or Nice by TGV Duplex, see timetable & information here.
Allow at least 2 or 3 hours between trains in Paris.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Option 2, Warsaw to Monaco, Nice or Cannes using the Vienna-Genoa sleeper
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train Polonia:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Enjoy an afternoon in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
Fares start at €42.90 in 2nd class or €62.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
Tip: If you have a ticket for the sleeping-car, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf for an hour or two before boarding the sleeper, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Genoa by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 every day, arriving Genoa Piazza Principe at 09:15.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at €59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
When travelling via Milan, transfer from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Milan Centrale by taxi (€6, 10 minutes) or walk (25 minutes) or local train.
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Step 3, travel from Genoa to Ventimiglia by Intercity train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 12:58 & arriving Ventimiglia 14:54.
This is a lovely scenic ride along the Italian Riviera between Genoa & Ventimiglia. There's a refreshment trolley.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone.
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Step 4, travel from Ventimiglia to Monaco, Nice or Cannes by TER local train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:16, arriving Monte Carlo 15:47, Nice Ville 16:11, Cannes 16:53.
The fare is €9.20, promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Warsaw to Brussels & Belgium from €49.90
Option 1, Warsaw to Brussels in a single chill-out day
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Take a EuroCity train from Warsaw to Berlin, an ICE high-speed train to Cologne & another ICE to Brussels Midi. For example:
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 04:45, change Berlin Hbf & Cologne and arrive Brussels Midi at 17:35.
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:45, change Berlin Hbf & Cologne and arrive Brussels Midi at 19:35.
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 08:45, change Berlin Hbf & Cologne and arrive Brussels Midi at 21:35.
The comfortable Polish EuroCity train has a restaurant car, the German ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Step 2, Berlin to Cologne & Cologne to Brussels by ICE. More about ICE trains. Above, an ICE3neo at Brussels Midi. Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.
Option 2, Warsaw to Brussels using the Berlin-Brussels European Sleeper - a time-effective option, runs 3 times a week
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.
This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals. Treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch and a beer or two, I recommend the excellent Zurek soup & Kotlet Schabowy. More about this EuroCity train.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days months ahead, you can book the sleeper and leave this until later if necessary. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at Berlin Hbf. The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food. You've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf at 22:57 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays arriving Brussels Midi 09:27.
The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they may vary. More about the European Sleeper.
Fares start at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this varies. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper. This is the stainless-steel sleeping-car about to leave Berlin Hbf. Click the interior photos for larger images.
Option 3, Warsaw to Brussels using the Berlin-Brussels Nightjet sleeper - another time-effective option, 3 times a week
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.
This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals. Treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch and a beer or two, I recommend the excellent Zurek soup & Kotlet Schabowy. More about this EuroCity train.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days months ahead, you can book the sleeper and leave this until later if necessary. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at Berlin Hbf. The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food. You've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Brussels by Nightjet, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:06 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:55.
Until 14 December 2024, the days of running are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, Warsaw to Brussels with overnight stop in Berlin
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:45 daily except Saturdays, arriving Berlin Hbf 22:06.
Or on any day of the week you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:45, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:06 for more of an evening in Berlin.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Brussels by high-speed ICE train, for example:
Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:56, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 13:35.
Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:56, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 15:35.
Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:57, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 17:35.
You travel from Berlin to Cologne by ICE2 or ICE4, then Cologne to Brussels by ICE3, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves them at your seat.
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Fares for the whole journey start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Warsaw to Brussels at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Berlin click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust the length of stay and departure time to get the trains you want each side of Berlin. You can book to Brussels, Bruges or any station in Belgium.
Booking opens 60 days ahead, although you can book Berlin-Brussels as a separate ticket up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Option 5, Warsaw to Brussels with overnight stop in Cologne
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Cologne on any of these departures:
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 08:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 19:15.
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 10:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 21:15.
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:45, change Berlin Hbf, arriving Cologne Hbf 23:15.
You travel from Warsaw to Berlin by comfortable Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car. Then Berlin to Cologne by German ICE train with a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. Starting with the cheapest, hotels near to Cologne Hbf with good reviews include the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Day 2, travel from Cologne to Brussels by ICE train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 07:42 and arriving Brussels Midi 09:35.
Or book a later train, they leave every 2 hours. The ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Warsaw to Brussels at int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Cologne click Stopovers, enter Cologne Hbf and a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust the length of stay and departure time to get the trains you want each side of Cologne. You can book to Brussels, Bruges or any station in Belgium.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Warsaw to Amsterdam from €49.90
Option 1, Warsaw to Amsterdam in a single day
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Take a EuroCity train from Warsaw to Berlin, then an InterCity train from Berlin to Amsterdam Centraal, a chill-out day across Europe with a good book and a glass of wine to hand. For example:
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 04:45 (Mondays-Saturdays), change Berlin Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 18:00.
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:45 (daily), change Berlin Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 20:00.
Leave Warsaw Centralna at 08:45 (daily), change Berlin Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 22:00.
The comfortable Polish EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to a cooked breakfast or lunch. The InterCity train has power sockets at all seats and refreshments available, see more about Berlin-Amsterdam trains. You've time between trains in Berlin for a meal or perhaps a stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €63.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You can book from Warsaw to Amsterdam or almost any station in the Netherlands for an inclusive price.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or you can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Tip: For more time in Berlin, click Stopovers before running the enquiry at int.bahn.de, enter Berlin Hbf and a suitable length of stay.
Option 2, Warsaw to Amsterdam using the Berlin-Amsterdam European Sleeper - the most time-effective way, runs 3 times a week
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.
This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals. Treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch and a beer or two, I recommend the excellent Zurek soup & Kotlet Schabowy. More about this EuroCity train.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days months ahead, you can book the sleeper and leave this until later if necessary. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at Berlin Hbf. The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food. You've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Amsterdam by European Sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf at 22:57 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays arriving Amsterdam Centraal 06:26.
The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary. More about the European Sleeper.
Fares start at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this can vary. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Berlin to Amsterdam by European Sleeper. This is the stainless-steel sleeping-car about to leave Berlin Hbf. Click the interior photos for larger images.
Option 3, Warsaw to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Berlin
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:45 daily except Saturdays, arriving Berlin Hbf 22:06.
Or on any day of the week you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:45, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:06 for more of an evening in Berlin.
Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Amsterdam by InterCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 06:06 arriving Amsterdam Centraal 12:00.
Or leave Berlin Hbf at 08:06 arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 14:00.
Or book a later train, they leave every 2 hours, see the timetable & Berlin-Amsterdam train guide here.
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Fares for the whole journey start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Warsaw to Amsterdam at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days ahead, although you can book Berlin-Amsterdam separately up to 6 months ahead.
To get the overnight stop in Berlin click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf and a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust the length of stay and departure time to get the trains you want each side of Berlin.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Warsaw to Luxembourg from €49.90
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Go to int.bahn.de and book from Warsaw Centralna to Luxembourg.
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It's possible to do the whole journey in a day if you leave Warsaw at 04:45 Mondays-Saturdays, via Berlin, Cologne & Koblenz arriving Luxembourg 19:23, or at 08:45, via Berlin, Cologne, Koblenz & Trier arriving Luxembourg 23:29.
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If an early start doesn't suit you, break up the journey with an overnight stop in Berlin or Cologne or Koblenz. Using int.bahn.de, simply click Stopovers before running the enquiry, enter Berlin Hbf or Cologne Hbf or Koblenz and a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust the length of stay and departure time to get the trains you want each side of Berlin. You print your own ticket.
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Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Warsaw to Zurich & Switzerland
Option 1, Warsaw to Switzerland in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train Polonia:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Fares start at €42 in 2nd class or €62 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zurich by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:28 and arriving Zurich HB at 23:20.
The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about railjets. It takes the scenic Arlberg route, although much of the route will be in darkness at this time of day.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class (premium 1st class, a treat). Fares vary like air fares.
Book this train 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.
Option 2, Warsaw to Switzerland using the Berlin-Zurich sleeper - a time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.
The comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train has a restaurant car for lunch and power sockets at all seats.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Tip: The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel across the forecourt makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food.
Tip: You've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Switzerland by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 21:01, arriving Basel SBB 07:20 & Zurich HB 09:05.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has a comfortline sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. 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, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to accommodation, travel tips & photos.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Warsaw to Switzerland using the Warsaw-Salzburg sleeper - time-effective & scenic
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Salzburg by sleeper train Chopin, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arriving Salzburg Hbf at 08:30.
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 the sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have an onward 1st or business class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Salzburg Hbf, with complimentary tea, coffee & WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Salzburg to Zurich by smart Austrian railjet train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 09:56 & arriving Zurich HB at 15:20.
This is a relaxing and scenic journey through the wonderful Arlberg Pass on a train with a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see the Arlberg Pass scenery video here. Change in Buchs for St Moritz, change in Zurich for other destinations all over in Switzerland.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class, €44.90 in 1st class or €59.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.
Crossing the Salzach at Salzburg: View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the left hand side as the railjet crosses the river after leaving Salzburg Hbf.
Cutting across Germany: From Salzburg to 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 they spend an hour on German territory! Such a train is called a Korridorzug.
Kufstein: The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.
Above right, lunch is served. In railjet first & business class, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.
Mountains near Innsbruck. The train calls briefly at Innsbruck Hbf.
River Inn: Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Ötzal & Landeck.
Arlberg Pass: Above, 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 St Anton am Arlberg & Bludenz 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.
Swiss lakes: Between Sargans & Zurich the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Walensee and then the Zürichsee.
Option 4, Warsaw to Switzerland with overnight stop in Vienna - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers, a scenic option
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the afternoon EuroCity train Sobieski:
Until 9 March 2024, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 14:12, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
10 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 14:13, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 14:20, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
The comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train has a restaurant car for dinner.
Fares start at €42 in 2nd class or €62 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. Booking opens 60 days ahead and you print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
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Stay overnight in Vienna. Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna to Zurich by railjet train, for example leaving Vienna Hbf at 09:28 & arriving Zurich HB at 17:20.
This is a relaxing and scenic journey through the Arlberg Pass, see the Arlberg Pass scenery video here. The railjet has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about railjets. Change in Zurich for all other destinations in Switzerland.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class, €44 in 1st class or €59 in business class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Vienna to almost any station in Switzerland at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Warsaw to Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome & Italy
Option 1, Warsaw to Italy using the Vienna-Italy sleeper - the best option for Milan, Florence, Rome or Naples
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train Polonia:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Enjoy an afternoon in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
Fares start at €42.90 in 2nd class or €62.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
Tip: If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf for an hour or two before boarding the sleeper, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Italy by Nightjet sleeper, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18, one portion for Verona P. Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38, La Spezia 11:10, another portion for Bologna Centrale 05:36, Florence SMN 06:42 & Rome Tiburtina 11:05.
Another Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:39, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 08:34.
The Nightjets to Venice and to Milan, Genoa & La Spezia each have an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
From 10 September 2024, the Nightjet to Bologna, Florence & Rome becomes a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares for the new-generation Nightjet start at €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Fares for the original Nightjets start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Option 2, Warsaw to Italy using the Warsaw-Vienna sleeper & scenic onward train - the best option for Venice
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna by EuroNight sleeper train Chopin, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 05:25.
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 $, accepts overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same prices), see the booking tips in the Warsaw to Vienna section. Booking usually opens 90 days ahead.
Tip: You can check the train formation at www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Poland and click EIC - the train is called the Chopin which leaves Warsaw with cars for Munich, Prague & Budapest.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Venice by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:24 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:14.
This swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It takes the beautifully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route from Vienna to Graz, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway. Treat yourself to lunch with wine as the mountains glide by.
Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in €). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Warsaw to Italy using the Warsaw-Vienna sleeper, a day to explore Vienna, then the Vienna-Italy sleeper - worth considering
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 05:25.
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 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking usually opens 90 days ahead, you print your own ticket.
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Spend the day in Vienna. Left luggage lockers are available. Tip: If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf for an hour or two before boarding the sleeper, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Italy by Nightjet sleeper, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18 with a portion for Verona P. Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38, La Spezia 11:10 & another portion for Bologna Centrale 05:36, Florence SMN 06:42 & Rome Tiburtina 11:05.
Another Nightjet sleeper train leaves Vienna Hbf at 21:39, arriving Venice Santa Lucia 08:34.
The Nightjets to Venice and to Milan, Genoa & La Spezia each have an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
From 10 September 2024, the Nightjet to Bologna, Florence & Rome becomes a new generation Nightjet with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares for the new-generation Nightjet start at €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Fares for the original Nightjets start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Option 4, Warsaw to Italy with overnight stop in Vienna - if you prefer day trains and hotel to sleepers
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the afternoon EuroCity train Sobieski:
Until 9 March 2024, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 14:12, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
10 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 14:13, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 14:20, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
This comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to dinner with a beer or two.
If you'd like an afternoon in Vienna, the earlier EuroCity train Polonia leaves Warsaw around 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Fares start at €42.90 in 2nd class or €62.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
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Stay overnight in Vienna. Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna to Venice by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 06:24 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia 14:14.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It travels over the wonderfully scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route. If you'd prefer a later departure, you can also leave Vienna Hbf at 12:24 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 20:04, see the timetable here.
Fares start at €28.30 in 2nd class, €56.60 in 1st class or €71.60 in business class (= premiums 1st). Fares vary like air fares.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Warsaw to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain
Option 1, Warsaw to Spain using the Berlin-Paris Nightjet sleeper train, 3 times a week - the time-effective option
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.
This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals. Treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch and a beer or two, I recommend the excellent Zurek soup & Kotlet Schabowy. More about this EuroCity train.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
In Berlin, you've time for an evening stroll to the Reichstag & Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf. Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at the station. The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food.
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Day 1, travel from Berlin to Paris by Nightjet, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:06 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 09:39.
Until 14 December 2024, the days of running are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the guide to Nightjet accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi. Have lunch in Paris, perhaps at the famous Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:27.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey, I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. More about the Paris-Barcelona journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Tip: See advice about sometimes getting a cheaper fare by split-ticketing at Perpignan.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga & other destinations in Spain.
Check times & buy tickets using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up). You print your own ticket. Booking normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.
Option 2, Warsaw to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Cologne
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Cologne, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 08:45, changing at Berlin Hbf and arriving Cologne Hbf at 19:15.
You travel from Warsaw to Berlin by comfortable Polish EuroCity train with restaurant car, then from Berlin to Cologne by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking from Poland opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. Starting with the cheapest, hotels near to Cologne Hbf with good reviews include the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Day 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train, leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44, arriving Paris Nord 12:05.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys.
Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Change stations by taxi or metro. Tip: Have lunch at the remarkable Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon between trains!
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:27.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. More about the Paris-Barcelona journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Cologne to Barcelona at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee), clicking More options and entering Paris (any station) as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour. This ensures a robust connection across Paris.
You can also book at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee) but it lacks a stopover feature so I'd book each train separately.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show mobile tickets on your phone.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
Day 3, travel from Barcelona Sants to any Spanish destination next morning by high-speed train. Check times & book at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. Booking for Spanish trains opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
For Madrid: AVE S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35.
For Granada: Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE S112 high-speed train arriving Granada at 13:10.
For Malaga: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:51.
For Cordoba & Seville: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE S103 high-speed train arriving Cordoba 13:42 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
For Valencia & Alicante: Euromed trains link Barcelona with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:55 & Alicante 12:45 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 12:55 & Alicante 14:48. Fares from €23.
For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.
Option 3, Warsaw to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Paris in a single day (Mondays-Saturdays only) as shown in the Warsaw to Paris section.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.
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Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is at the Gare de Lyon next to the clock tower, ideal for an early train next morning. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.
From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. More about the Paris-Barcelona journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Malaga and so on by high-speed train.
Until 14 December 2024:
A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.
For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.
From 14 December 2024:
For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.
Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.
For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:10, Seville Santa Justa 21:25.
For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:45.
For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.
All these trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish Railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in $, small mark-up). Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies greatly.
Warsaw to San Sebastian
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Paris in a single day (Mondays-Fridays & Sundays only) as shown in the Warsaw to Paris section.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare Montparnasse.
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Stay overnight in Paris.
Hotels near Paris Gare Montparnasse with good reviews: Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the station, 4-star); Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk from station, 3-star); La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star); Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Hendaye by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Paris Gare Montparnasse at 10:11 and arriving Hendaye 14:47.
An earlier 07:11 departure is available on Mondays to Saturdays, arriving Hendaye at 11:47.
The TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
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Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, fare €2.75.
Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt. Buy a ticket at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter with cash or card and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren to San Sebastian Amara. Check times at www.euskotren.eus. More about the journey from Paris to San Sebastian.
Warsaw to Lisbon & Portugal
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Paris in a single day (Mondays-Saturdays only) as shown in the Warsaw to Paris section above.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.
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Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.
From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 18:25 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 20:55.
The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about trains from Barcelona to Madrid.
Fares start at €38 in Standard class or €45 in Comfort class. Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
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Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.
Warsaw to Andorra
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Paris in a single day (Mondays-Saturdays only) as shown in the Warsaw to Paris section.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.
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Stay overnight in Paris, see suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by TGV then Toulouse to Andorra by bus, as shown here.
Warsaw to Berlin from €27.90
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Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity trains link Warsaw Centralna with Berlin Hbf in 5h30.
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Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days ahead and you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You can also book at Polish Railways www.intercity.pl.
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See the Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity train page for timetable & full details.
Warsaw to Munich, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Frankfurt
Option 1, Warsaw to Munich by sleeper train - the time-effective option
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The EuroNight sleeper train Chopin leaves Warsaw Centralna at 20:00, arriving Munich Hbf at 10:24.
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.
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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.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Change in Munich for onward trains to other destinations in southern Germany, for example Stuttgart. I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Munich. Book onward trains at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Warsaw to anywhere in Germany by daytime trains via Berlin
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You can travel from Warsaw to Munich, Frankfurt, Nuremberg or Stuttgart in a single day, for example:
Warsaw Centralna depart 04:45 Monday-Saturday only, change Berlin Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf at 16:02.
Warsaw Centralna depart 06:45, change Berlin Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 18:03.
Warsaw Centralna depart 08:45, change Berlin Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 20:02.
Warsaw Centralna depart 10:45, change Berlin Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 22:01.
Warsaw Centralna depart 12:45, change Berlin Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 00:01.
Similar timings are possible to Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Nuremberg and other destinations in central & southern Germany.
You take an excellent EuroCity train from Warsaw to Berlin with restaurant car, then a high-speed ICE train from Berlin to Munich, Frankfurt, Nuremberg or Stuttgart with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Take a good book, a bottle of wine and put your feet up.
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Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book from Warsaw to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking from Poland normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Tip: Although you're covered for a missed connection with a through ticket, I recommend changing the Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to ensure a robust connection in Berlin. The times I show above take that into account.
Option 3, Warsaw to Munich by daytime trains via Vienna
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train Polonia:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Munich by railjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:28 and arriving Munich Hbf at 18:31.
This smart Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Warsaw to Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg & Germany from €37.90
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int.bahn.de can book tickets from Warsaw to anywhere in Germany, using a EuroCity train from Warsaw to Berlin then a high-speed ICE train from Berlin to Munich. Just go online and see what options & prices you get.
Tip: If you want to stop overnight in Berlin - or even to stop for just a couple of hours - click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf and a suitable length of stay.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Warsaw to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria
Option 1, Warsaw to Vienna by EuroCity train - the daytime option
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There are daytime trains too, comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity trains. Take a good book and chill out.
Morning departure, the Polonia:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
Afternoon departure, the Sobieski:
Until 9 March 2024, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 14:12, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
10 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 14:13, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 14:20, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:49.
The Polonia has a refreshment trolley. The Sobieski has a restaurant car, treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two.
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Fares start at €42.90 in 2nd class or €62.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher. Polrail can arrange ticket collection in Poland, or tickets can be sent overseas for a fee.
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Tip: You can check the train formation & see photos of the cars inside and out if you go to www.vagonweb.cz, Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Poland, click EC and look for the EuroCity Polonia or Sobieski.
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Change in Vienna for regular trains to Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz. At www.oebb.at you can book from Warsaw to anywhere in Austria.
Option 2, Warsaw to Vienna, Linz, Salzburg by sleeper train - the time-effective option
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The EuroNight sleeper train Chopin leaves Warsaw Centralna at 20:00, arriving Vienna Hbf 05:25, Linz Hbf 07:13, Salzburg Hbf 08:30.
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.
Tip: If you're going to Vienna, consider booking the sleeper to Linz or even Salzburg, have breakfast, then hop on a train back to Vienna taking 1h15 from Linz or 2h30 from Salzburg. More about Salzburg-Vienna trains. Or look at option 3, which can be cheaper.
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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.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Change at Salzburg Hbf for onward trains to Innsbruck or Graz.
Option 3, Warsaw to Vienna using the Warsaw-Bratislava sleeper train - often cheaper than option 2 and with a more civilised arrival time!
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Bratislava by EuroNight sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arrives Bratislava Hlavna 06:02.
The train has a modern air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and two deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, and ordinary seats. In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included.
Fares start at €39 in couchettes or €74 in a 2-bed sleeper. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
To book, try using the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. They only enabled online booking for this route in 2022, so let me know how it goes if you book this way.
Alternatively, book through reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at booking.polrail.com) who can arrange ticket collection in Warsaw.
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Day 2, travel from Bratislava to Vienna by regional express, leaving Bratislava Hlavna at 06:35 arriving Vienna Hbf 07:44.
These regional express trains run every hour. More about Bratislava to Vienna trains.
Important: If travelling before 15 December 2024, see the update here.
The fare is €11, fixed-price, unlimited availability.
Buy at the station on the day or at www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at.
Warsaw to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Oslo
Option 1, Warsaw to Stockholm using the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 10:45 arriving Berlin Hbf 16:06.
The air-conditioned EuroCity train has an excellent Polish restaurant car, I recommend the Zurek soup and Kotlet schabowy (schnitzel).
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking from Poland opens up to 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Transfer by local train to Berlin Gesundbrunnen.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:34, arriving Stockholm Central 09:55 next morning.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Malmö and Stockholm. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book 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.
Option 2, Warsaw to Copenhagen in a single day from €49.90. Onwards to Gothenburg, Stockholm or Oslo next day
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Copenhagen, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 06:45, change Berlin Hbf & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 21:34.
On Mondays-Saturdays an earlier departure is possible, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 04:45 arriving Copenhagen 19:34.
You travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train with restaurant car, Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
If you're going to Malmö, catch a frequent Öresund train to Malmö Central, these leave twice an hour taking 39 minutes.
Fares from Warsaw to Copenhagen start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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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).
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Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Norway or Sweden.
For Stockholm: Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train, for example there's normally one leaving Copenhagen at 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central 13:34, or there are later trains.
For Gothenburg: Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Goteborg Central) on any of the hourly Öresund trains, journey time 3h50.
For Oslo, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo leaving Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 15:47. Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets.
Alternatively, spend a morning in Copenhagen, and after lunch take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.
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How much does it cost?
Warsaw to Copenhagen starts at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.
Copenhagen to Stockholm starts at 280 SEK (€28).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices.
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How to buy tickets
Step 1, book from Warsaw to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Malmö, Gothenburg, Oslo or Stockholm at the Swedish Railways site www.sj.se. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, Warsaw to Copenhagen with overnight stop in Berlin
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna on any departure you like up to the 16:45 Mon-Fri & Sun or 12:45 on Saturdays, see the timetable here.
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 the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Copenhagen, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:38, change at Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen 17:34.
You travel from Berlin to Hamburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this as a second transaction at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. There are earlier departures if you prefer, with one easy change in Hamburg, just use int.bahn.de.
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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).
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Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Norway or Sweden
For Stockholm: Travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train, one normally leaves Copenhagen at 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central 13:34, or there are later trains.
For Gothenburg: Travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (= Goteborg Central) on any of the hourly Öresund trains, journey time 3h50.
For Oslo, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train as explained here. You can leave Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg, arriving Oslo Central at 15:47 or there are earlier and later departures. Alternatively, spend the day in Copenhagen and take the DFDS overnight ferry to Oslo with a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, sailing from Copenhagen at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.
Option 4, Warsaw to Copenhagen, Gothenburg & Stockholm with an overnight stop in Hamburg
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Hamburg, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 12:45, change at Berlin Hbf, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:23.
You travel from Warsaw to Berlin on a comfortable Polish EuroCity train, then from Berlin to Hamburg by German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is 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.
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Day 2 morning, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.
If you're only going as far as Copenhagen (or heading for Oslo by ferry), book Hamburg to Copenhagen from €27.90 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st at int.bahn.de & print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
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Day 2 afternoon, travel from Copenhagen to Norway or Sweden
For Stockholm, travel onwards from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train. If you take the 08:50 from Hamburg you'll make the 14:19 X2000 from Copenhagen arriving Stockholm Central at 19:37. Book Hamburg to Stockholm at int.bahn.de, looking for the morning departure with 1 change.
For Malmo, travel from Copenhagen to Malmö Central by Öresund train, these run every 20-30 minutes, journey time 39 minutes. Book from Hamburg to Malmo as one transaction at int.bahn.de.
For Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central by Öresund train, these run every hour to Gothenburg, journey time 3h50. Book from Hamburg to Gothenburg at int.bahn.de, Gothenburg is listed as Göteborg Central.
Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train: From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.
The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.
Option 5, Warsaw to Copenhagen, Malmö or Stockholm by overnight ferry from Poland to Sweden
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Gdynia by air-conditioned Intercity train, in the afternoon.
The journey takes around 3 hours, you'll normally find one leaving Warsaw Centralna around 15:35.
Book at the Polish Railways site www.intercity.pl. You print your own ticket.
Tip: I'd book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train that arrives in Gydnia at least 2-3 hours before the ferry sails.
In Gdynia, the ferry terminal is 5.5 Km from Gdynia Glowna (main station), see station-port map, either take a taxi or use bus 150. Bus 150 leaves from bus stop 04 in Jana z Kolna, 5 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. Bus 150 runs every 15-20 minutes and takes 10 minutes, you pay the bus driver or can use the Jakdojade app.
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Step 2, sail overnight from Gdynia to Karlskrona by Stena Line ferry.
There are typically 3 sailings a day, one daytime and two overnight. The most convenient overnight one leaves around 21:00 and arrives around 07:30, but there's usually a later one if you need to leave Warsaw later.
The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.
Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €79-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.
Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
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Step 3, travel from Karlskrona to Copenhagen, Malmö or Stockholm by train.
In Karlskrona the ferry terminal is 10 Km from the city and station, see port-station map, either take a taxi or use bus 6. Bus number 6 runs 2 or 3 times an hour from a bus stop just outside the Stena Line ferry terminal (Verkö färjeterminalen) to Central Station, taking 23 minutes, blekingetrafiken.se. Buy a bus ticket from the ticket machine inside the ferry terminal.
Karlskrona to Copenhagen takes around 3h22 on the direct Öresund trains which leave every hour, you can reach Copenhagen by early afternoon. Tickets for these Öresund trains are fixed-price and good for any train, so buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.
Karlskrona to Malmö takes around 2h44 on the direct Öresund trains which leave every hour, you can reach Malmö by early afternoon. Tickets for these Öresund trains are fixed-price and good for any train, so buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.
Karlskrona to Stockholm takes around 4h55 with 2 changes, by local train & X2000. You reach Stockholm Central late afternoon. X2000 fares are dynamic like air fares and only good for the departure you're booked on, so I'd allow at least 2 hours between ferry and train. Book in advance for cheaper prices, in this case last minute tickets are expensive.
Buy tickets from Karlskrona C to Copenhagen H, Malmö or Stockholm C at www.sj.se and print your own ticket.
Warsaw to Helsinki & Finland
Option 1, Warsaw to Helsinki using a Finnlines ferry from Germany - the easiest option
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Hamburg, leaving Warsaw Centralna by EuroCity at 08:45, changing at Berlin Hbf & arriving Hamburg Hbf 16:21.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck by regional train then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemünde.
Tip: Have dinner in Lübeck's old town, see suggested restaurant here.
Sail from Travemünde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry. Finnlines sail from Travemünde to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Warsaw).
For full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing, see here.
Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.
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Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.
Option 2, Warsaw to Helsinki by train to Stockholm, then ferry
Warsaw to Prague
Option 1, Warsaw to Prague by sleeper train - the time-effective option
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A safe & comfortable EuroNight sleeper train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arrives Prague Hlavni 07:51.
The train has a comfortable Czech Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 & 3 berth deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with economical 4 & 6 bunk couchette compartments, and ordinary seats.
In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included. -
Advance-purchase fares start at €29 with couchette in 6-berth, €39 with couchette in 4-berth, €39 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper or €49 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or around €75 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead,
Tip: Click More options then Connection parameters then Connections and tick the Direct connections only box.
You print out your own ticket and can board the train! You must print your ticket, it cannot be shown on a laptop or phone screen.
Only one passenger name is needed to support a print-your-own ticket, even if that ticket is for two or more people.
Suggested hotels in Prague. If you have any problems booking at cd.cz, book via reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com with tickets collected in Warsaw. Polrail's website only shows full-price full-flex fares, but will (I am told) refund the difference if they find advance-purchase fares available.
Option 2, Warsaw to Prague by EuroCity train - the chill-out daytime option
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Three comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity trains link Warsaw & Prague every day. Take a good book, chill out, and enjoy a meal and beer in the restaurant or bistro car as the train rolls through farmland and woods across Poland and into the Czech Republic.
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A EuroCity train branded Silesia leaves Warsaw Centralna at 05:20, arriving Prague Hlavni 13:34.
This train has 1st & 2nd class seats and a restaurant car. In 2nd class there's a choice of open-plan cars or compartment cars, see the photos below. In 1st class on this particular train the 1st class seats are in a classic side-corridor-and-compartments car with 6-seat and some 4-seat compartments, see the photo below.
Tip: When booking 1st class at www.cd.cz make sure you spot the Select seat from the seating map link and use it to select a seat in more exclusive 4-seat compartment - it doesn't cost any more!
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A EuroCity train called the Báthory leaves Warsaw Centralna at 08:30, arriving Prague Hlavni 17:36.
This train consists of 2nd class through cars to Prague, attached to the Warsaw-Budapest EuroCity train Báthory then attached to the Krakow-Prague EuroCity train Cracovia. You can choose a seat in a 2nd class open-plan car or a 2nd class compartment car, see the photos below. A bistro car is attached from Bohumin to Prague, see the bistro photos & description here.
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A EuroCity train branded Silesia leaves Warsaw Centralna at 13:30, arriving Prague Hlavni 21:34.
This train has 1st & 2nd class seats and a modern bistro car serving drinks, snacks and meals. The 1st class seats are at one end of the bistro car, which is of the same sort used from Krakow to Prague on the Cracovia, see the photos & description here. 1st class passengers have food & drink orders taken and are served food & drink at their seats, an excellent arrangement. In 2nd class, you can choose a seat in an open-plan car or a compartment car, see the photos below.
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Fares start at €28 in 2nd class or €48 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
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Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Booking normally opens 92 days ahead. You print your own ticket. See tips for using cd.cz.
Suggested hotels in Prague. If you have any problems booking at cd.cz, book via reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com with tickets collected in Warsaw. Polrail's website only shows full-price full-flex fares, but will (I am told) refund the difference if they find advance-purchase fares available.
Warsaw to Bratislava from €27
Option 1, Warsaw to Bratislava by sleeper train - the time-effective option
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A safe & comfortable EuroNight sleeper train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arrives Bratislava Hlavna at 06:02.
The train has a modern air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and two deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, and ordinary seats. In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included.
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Fares start at €39 in couchettes or €74 in a 2-bed sleeper. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To book, try using the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. They only enabled online booking for this route in 2022, so let me know how it goes if you book this way.
Alternatively, book through reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at booking.polrail.com) who can arrange ticket collection in Warsaw.
Update: PKP are short of sleeping-cars, so on this route they cannot guarantee that the latest type of sleeping-car with the two deluxe compartments as shown below won't be substituted by a regular sleeping-car without the two deluxe compartments. For this reason they've stopped taking bookings for the deluxe compartments, all compartments are booked as standard compartments, you may of course get lucky and end up in a deluxe!
Option 2, Warsaw to Bratislava by EuroCity train - the leisurely daytime option
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A comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Báthory leaves Warsaw Centralna as 08:30 and arrives Bratislava Hlavna at 17:04.
The train is heading for Budapest, with Hungarian seating cars (a 1st class compartment car, 2nd class compartment cars & a 2nd class open-plan car) and a Hungarian restaurant car. Take a good book, enjoy an inexpensive meal in the restaurant car with a beer or two, and chill out.
There are also 06:15 and 14:15 departures by Warsaw-Vienna EuroCity train, changing at Breclav for Bratislava.
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Fares start at €27 in 2nd class or €41 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To buy tickets, try the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. They only enabled online booking for this route in 2022, so let me know how it goes if you try booking this way!
Alternatively, buy tickets from Warsaw to Budapest at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it. Then simply get off in Bratislava when the train calls there. This is perfectly legitimate. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app on your phone.
If you have any trouble booking you can book with recommended Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at booking.polrail.com) who can arrange ticket collection in Warsaw.
Warsaw to Budapest from €27
Option 1, Warsaw to Budapest by sleeper train - the safe, comfortable, time-effective option
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A comfortable EuroNight sleeper train called the Chopin leaves Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arrives Budapest Nyugati at 08:28.
The train has a modern air-conditioned Polish sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and two deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. It has a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, and ordinary seats. In the sleepers, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included.
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Fares start at €39 in couchettes or €74 in a 2-bed sleeper. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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To book, first try the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. They only enabled online booking for this route in 2022, so let me know how it goes if you book this way.
Alternatively, book through reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at booking.polrail.com) who can arrange ticket collection in Warsaw.
Update: PKP are short of sleeping-cars, so on this route they cannot guarantee that the latest type of sleeping-car with the two deluxe compartments as shown below won't be substituted by a regular sleeping-car without the two deluxe compartments. For this reason they've stopped taking bookings for the deluxe compartments, all compartments are booked as standard compartments, you may of course get lucky and end up in a deluxe!
Option 2, Warsaw to Budapest by EuroCity train - the leisurely daytime option
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A comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train called the Báthory leaves Warsaw Centralna at 08:30 and arrives Budapest Nyugati at 19:49.
The train has Hungarian seating cars (a 1st class compartment car, 2nd class compartment cars & a 2nd class open-plan car) and a Hungarian restaurant car. Take a good book, enjoy an inexpensive meal in the restaurant car with a beer or two, and chill out.
There's also an 06:09 departure by Warsaw-Vienna EuroCity train, changing at Breclav for Budapest Nyugati.
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Fares start at €27 in 2nd class or €41 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app on your phone.
You can also try using the Polish Railways website www.intercity.pl. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. They only enabled online booking for this route in 2022, so let me know how it goes if you try booking this way!
If you have any trouble with these sites, you can book through reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com (their booking system is at booking.polrail.com) who can arrange ticket collection in Warsaw.
Warsaw to Brasov & Bucharest
Option 1, Warsaw to Romania using the Budapest-Bucharest sleeper
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Budapest by EuroCity train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 08:30 and arriving Budapest Nyugati at 19:49.
Book this using reliable agency Polrail www.polrail.com, their booking system is at booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw. Change stations in Budapest by tram or taxi, and have dinner before boarding the sleeper to Romania.
Transfer from Nyugati station to Keleti station by tram, metro or taxi.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania on the sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Budapest Keleti at 22:45 and arriving next day at Sighisoara 09:17, Braşov 12:50, Ploeşti 14:47 & Bucharest Nord 15:26.
The Dacia Express has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a couple of deluxe compartments with toilet & shower, and a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth couchette compartments. A Romanian bar car is attached between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks & snacks. There's superb scenery through Transylvania and through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov & Bucharest.
The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:44. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.
Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. Click EN top right for English. Booking opens 60 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers. For Hungary to Romania journeys you print your own ticket.
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.
Option 2, Warsaw to Romania by sleeper train to Budapest, a day to explore, then sleeper train to Romania
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Step 1, take the overnight sleeper train from Warsaw to Budapest as shown above.
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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.
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Step 2, take the overnight sleeper Ister from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest as shown on the Budapest page.
Option 2, Warsaw to Romania by day trains with overnight stops
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Step 1, take the Warsaw to Budapest EuroCity train as shown above.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Step 2, take a daytime train from Budapest Keleti to Brasov or Bucharest from €26.30 as shown on the Trains from Budapest page.
Warsaw to Ljubljana
Option 1, Warsaw to Ljubljana in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
This is the comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train Polonia.
Fares start at €42 in 2nd class or €62 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can also book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary tea & coffee and free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana, leaving Vienna Hbf at 16:24, changing at Villach, arriving Lesce-Bled 21:47 & Ljubljana 22:38.
At least in summer enjoy the fabulous scenery on the UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.
Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, but often less than this. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Warsaw to Ljubljana using the Warsaw-Vienna sleeper
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 05:25.
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 $, accepts overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (same prices), see the booking tips in the Warsaw to Vienna section.
Booking usually opens 90 days ahead, you print your own ticket.
Tip: You can check the train formation at www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Poland and click EIC - the train is called the Chopin which leaves Warsaw cars for Vienna, Prague & Budapest.
You've time to have a look around Vienna. If you have a 1st class onward ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf in the 1½ hours before your onward train, with complimentary tea & coffee & free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana by air-conditioned EuroCity train Emona, leaving Vienna Hbf at 07:58 & arriving Ljubljana at 14:00.
This is a great trip: The Emona has a Slovenian restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer and wine, and it travels via the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz. A treat!
Fares start at €24.90 in 2nd class or €34.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Warsaw to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik
Option 1, Warsaw to Croatia in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna on the morning EuroCity train:
From 6 March 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:17, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
7 March to 8 June, leave Warsaw Gdanska at 06:15, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
From 9 June 2024, leave Warsaw Centralna at 06:16, arriving Vienna Hbf 13:49.
This is the comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train Polonia.
Fares start at €42 in 2nd class or €62 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket
If you have any problems with www.oebb.at you can book through reliable agency www.polrail.com, although prices may be higher.
Tip: If you have a 1st class ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains with complimentary tea & coffee and free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train Croatia leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 & arriving Zagreb at 22:20.
The EuroCity train Croatia has a restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer & wine so treat yourself to dinner, and at least in summer enjoy the fabulous scenery along the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz.
Update: From September 2023 until further notice, you will have to make a quick cross-platform change in Graz. The restaurant car only runs in the Austrian portion.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Suggested hotels in Zagreb.
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Step 3 if going to Split or Dubrovnik, stay overnight in Zagreb and take a train to Split next day (a lovely scenic route. Zagreb to Split costs around €20 in 2nd class, see the Trains from Zagreb page.
Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr, though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.
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Step 4 if going to Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik. Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station. There are various operators, fare €13 to €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.
Option 2, Warsaw to Croatia using the Warsaw-Vienna sleeper - more time-effective
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Step 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 05:25.
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 $, accepts overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (same prices), see the booking tips in the Warsaw to Vienna section.
Booking opens 60 days ahead, you print your own ticket.
Tip: You can check the train formation at www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Poland and click EIC - the train is called the Chopin which leaves Warsaw cars for Vienna, Prague & Budapest.
You've time to have a look around Vienna. If you have a 1st class onward ticket you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf in the 1½ hours before your onward train, with complimentary tea & coffee & free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb, leaving Vienna Hbf at 08:24, change at Villach, arriving Zagreb 17:10.
The train Vienna-Villach train takes the beautiful UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Vienna & Graz. A treat!
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3 if going to Split or Dubrovnik, stay overnight in Zagreb and take a train from Zagreb to Split next day (a lovely scenic route). The fare is only around €20 in 2nd class. See the Trains from Zagreb page for details.
Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr, though it's not usually a problem to get places on the day.
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Step 4 if going to Dubrovnik, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik. Buses leave every hour or even every half hour from Split bus station taking between 3h45 and 4h35 to Dubrovnik bus station. There are various operators, fare €13 to €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.
Warsaw to Belgrade & Montenegro
Option 1, Warsaw to Belgrade using the Warsaw-Budapest sleeper - starts running from 24 November 2024
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Budapest by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 20:00 & arriving Budapest Nyugati 08:29.
For details of sleepers, couchettes, fares & how to buy tickets, see option 1 in the Warsaw to Budapest section above.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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For onward trains to Montenegro, see the Belgrade to Podgorica & Bar page.
Option 2, Warsaw to Belgrade by daytime trains with overnight stop - starts running from 24 November 2024
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Budapest by EuroCity train,
leaving
Warsaw
Centralna at 08:30 and arriving
Budapest Nyugati
19:49. -
Stay overnight in Budapest. For an affordable hotel close to Budapest Nyugati, look no further than the 3-star T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite with funky interior design. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is a few minutes walk away, also with good reviews. The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block along the road from the station. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 05:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 12:38.
Or if you'd prefer a later departure, leave Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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For onward trains to Montenegro, see the Belgrade to Podgorica & Bar page.
For details of fares & how to buy tickets, see
option 2 in the
Warsaw to Budapest section
above.
Option 3, Warsaw to Belgrade with overnight stop in Zagreb - currently involves a bus
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Zagreb as shown in the Warsaw to Zagreb section.
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Stay overnight in Zagreb. I suggest the Esplanade Hotel, Palace Hotel or Central Hotel, all near the station with good reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended in 2024.
This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no dining-car, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.
The fare is around €29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 09:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 14:30.
The fare is around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
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For Montenegro, take the overnight sleeper Lovcen from Belgrade Centar to Podgorica & Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day. See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
Option 3, Warsaw to Belgrade with overnight stop in Budapest - by train all the way, runs until 23 November 2024
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Day 1, take the Warsaw to Budapest EuroCity train as shown above.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. The highly-recommended 3-star T62 Hotel is across the road from Budapest Nyugati and a traveller's favourite. The cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum is few minutes walk away. The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is one block away.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Belgrade as shown on the Budapest-Belgrade page.
You leave Budapest Nyugati at 05:50, change at Szeged, Subotica & Novi Sad, arriving Belgrade Centar at 20:27.
All direct Budapest-Belgrade mainline trains remain suspended until at least 2025 while the line is modernised for 200 km/h operation. However, in 2024 it's possible for the determined traveller to reach Belgrade on local trains via this somewhat round-about route. It's a long but interesting journey, with time for lunch in Subotica.
Serbian local train of the type used between Szeged & Subotica and Subotica & Novi Sad. They are air-conditioned, 2nd class only, with toilets. Courtesy of @AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com.
Warsaw to Sofia
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Budapest overnight as shown above, using the Warsaw-Budapest sleeper, book as shown.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station. Enjoy a morning at leisure in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:42.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 21:04) to Bucharest. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares
Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.
If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Arad to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from €17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket. (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Arad to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket. A single sleeper all to yourself costs as little as €59.
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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 10:47 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:21 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria. In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
The fare is around €34.
Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.
Warsaw to Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Vilnius by comfortable daily train, as shown on the Warsaw to Vilnius page.
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Stay overnight in Vilnius. Try the inexpensive Stay Vilnius hotel, 400m from the station.
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Day 2, travel from Vilnius to Riga on the daily morning train as shown on the Vilnius to Riga page.
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Day 2, travel from Riga to Tallinn by bus, or stay the night and travel by train on day 3, as shown on the Riga to Tallinn page.
Warsaw to Kyiv from €46
Option 1, Warsaw to Kyiv by sleeper train - safe, comfortable, time-effective, still running in spite of the war in Ukraine
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An overnight train called the Kyiv Express links Warsaw to Kyiv, leaving Warsaw Wschodnia at 17:40 & arriving Kyiv at 12:17 next day.
This train has comfortable Ukrainian 1, 2 & 3 bed sleepers with washbasin. There's no restaurant car, so take a picnic and perhaps some wine or beer. The train is jacked up at the border to have its bogies changed from standard gauge (4' 8.5") to Russian 5' gauge, an interesting experience.
The train is running in spite of the war, in fact it often gets fully-booked 2-3 weeks ahead, so don't book last-minute.
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If you book through Polrail the cost is around €59 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €93 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper.
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How to buy tickets:
Order tickets online from booking.polrail.com.
Polrail is a reliable highly recommended Polish train ticketing agency. They use the Polish ticketing system so can access all the berths in 1, 2 & 3-berth compartments with booking opening 60 days ahead.
Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide. Polrail may or may not be able to arrange the return reservation back from Kyiv.
Option 2, Warsaw to Kyiv with overnight stop in Krakow - if you prefer day trains & hotel to sleepers
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Krakow in as little as 2h20 on any train you like from around €20. The last departure is early evening.
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Stay overnight in Krakow. Hotels next to the station with great reviews include the PURO Hotel or for something inexpensive, the Polonia Hotel. For a longer stay, see suggested hotels in the old town.
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Day 2, travel from Krakow to Kyiv by fast air-conditioned daytime trains with one easy change in Przemysl for around €23 as shown on the Trains from Krakow page.
Warsaw to Lviv from €36
Warsaw to Lviv by daytime trains with overnight stop in Krakow. Still running in spite of the war in Ukraine
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Krakow in as little as 2h20 on any train you like from around €20. The last departure is early evening.
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Stay overnight in Krakow. Hotels next to the station with great reviews include the PURO Hotel or for something inexpensive, the Polonia Hotel. For a longer stay, see suggested hotels in the old town.
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Day 2, travel from Krakow to Lviv by fast air-conditioned daytime trains with one easy change in Przemysl for around €16 as shown on the Trains from Krakow page. Suggested hotels in Lviv: The famous George Hotel or Grand Hotel.
Warsaw to Minsk
Option 1, Warsaw to Minsk by daily daytime trans
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A train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 08:50 every day, change at Brest (arrive 14:39, depart 15:15) and arrive Minsk at 18:49. 2nd class only.
Train currently suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions & the war in Ukraine.
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In the other direction, the train leaves Minsk at 10:57, change Brest, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 17:20.
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The fare is around 110 zlotys (€26) booked at reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com with ticket collection in Warsaw.
Option 2, Warsaw to Minsk by sleeper train
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If you'd like a day in Warsaw, you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 on the Moscow-bound sleeper train arriving Minsk at 06:08, with comfortable modern 1, 2 & 4 bed sleepers. Check times & buy tickets at either reliable Polish agency www.polrail.com with ticket collection in Warsaw or at the Russian Railways site www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.
This train is currently suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions & the war in Ukraine.
Warsaw to Moscow & St Petersburg
Option 1, Warsaw to Moscow by direct sleeper train, suspended due to sanctions
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An overnight train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 every day and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 (16:00 from late March to late October as Russia has no daylight saving time). You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru.
This train is currently suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions & the war in Ukraine
This train uses impressive Austrian-built sleeping-cars with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers. Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth. The train consist of two or three sleeping-car which start their journey in Prague. There's a bistro car in Poland and a Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.
You can book this train by contacting reliable Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com, their booking system is at booking.polrail.com. Tickets can be collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.
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For St Petersburg, change in Moscow. See details here.
Alternatively, you can book with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru although it's a little quirky and may not accept some overseas credit cards.
Don't forget to arrange both your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa as the train runs via Belarus.
IMPORTANT: See the update about travel to Russia through Belarus.
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.
Option 2, Warsaw to Moscow via Kyiv, avoiding Belarus and the need for a Belarus transit visa.
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With daily departures, no need to get a Belarus transit visa, and a free day in Kyiv, you may prefer to go this way. It takes 2 nights.
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Step 1, take the Kyiv Express from Warsaw to Kyiv as explained above. Enjoy the best part of a day in Kyiv.
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Step 2, take an overnight train from Kyiv to Moscow, there are several to choose from. Times vary by date, but for example there's usually one leaving Kyiv at 19:36 and arriving in Moscow Kievskaya station next morning at 10:09 (day 4 from London). 2-berth and 4-berth sleepers available. Check times for your date using int.bahn.de or www.poezda.net.
Kyiv-Moscow sleeper trains were suspended due to Covid-19, and remain suspended due to the war in Ukraine.
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To book both of these trains, contact reliable Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com.
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For St Petersburg, change in Moscow. See details here.
Warsaw to Athens & Greece
Option 1, Warsaw to Athens overland by train - currently not viable
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There are currently no international trains to or from Greece.
Option 2, Warsaw to Athens by ferry from Italy - currently the most viable option
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Day 1, travel from Warsaw to Vienna by day then sleeper to Bologna Centrale, as explained in the Warsaw to Italy section above.
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Day 2, travel from Bologna to Bari by Frecciarossa, leaving Bologna Centrale at 09:45 arriving Bari Centrale at 15:27.
The train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a pleasant run along the scenic Adriatic coast.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly, requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
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In Bari, transfer from station to port, see map of Bari showing station, port entrance, check-in building & Superfast Ferries berth.
You can walk the 1.9 km from the station to the port entrance in 25 minutes, a stroll through Bari's pleasant old town, see correct walking map from the station to the port entrance gate - if Google tells you any different, trust me, not Google!
Alternatively, bus 50 runs from Bari Centrale station to the road outside the port gate roughly every 40 minutes. A taxi will take 10 minutes.
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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.
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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.
Warsaw to Istanbul
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Travel from Warsaw to Bucharest as explained above.
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You may need to stay overnight in Bucharest.
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Travel from Bucharest to Istanbul, as explained on the Bucharest-Istanbul page.
Hotels in Warsaw
Polonia Palace Hotel & Hotel Bristol
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The Polonia Palace Hotel is a top choice for Warsaw, just across the road from Warsaw Centralna station and from the Palace of Culture skyscraper, 25 minutes walk from Warsaw's old town. Opened in 1913, it was one of the few hotels to emerge unscathed from WW2, and has been used by many famous people including General (later President) Eisenhower and General de Gaulle. It provides very high quality rooms at what by western standards is a budget price. I thoroughly enjoyed my own stay there, in a room with a great view of the Palace of Culture, and so handy for the station. Check prices & book.
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If you in the mid- to upper-budget range, Warsaw's most prestigious and historic luxury hotel is the Hotel Bristol, opened in 1901 right next to the old town. It also survived the bombing of the old town in WW2, being used as the German HQ. Hotel Bristol is 27 minutes walk from Warsaw Centralna, but only 8 minutes walk from Warsaw old town square. Check prices & book.
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.