Train travel Europe

National Rail offers flexible fares for travel to London, Ashford, Harwich or Dover to connect with a Eurostar or 'railandsail' departure to Europe. These are separate tickets, which should be used in conjunction with your international travel ticket. Ask at your local station for a ticket to "London International" and show your Eurostar or 'railandsail' ticket.

Tickets issued to "London International" have fewer time restrictions (often none at all) compared with normal tickets and they ensure "Contract for International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Rail (CIV) - PDF" apply to your whole journey, rather than just in Europe.

Tickets to "London International" also include the London Underground across London (if necessary) to St Pancras (or Liverpool Street, Charing Cross or Victoria). 

Eurostar now run from London St Pancras International, and journey times are faster than ever.  The new line - 'High Speed 1' - delivers a faster, more reliable, less environmentally damaging alternative to flying from the stunning St Pancras station with connections that bring Eurostar services to travellers across the UK

Fastest travel times

• London and Paris are 2 hours 15 minutes;
• London - Brussels 1 hour 51 minutes;
• London - Lille only 1 hour 20 minutes.

Remember, these time are from city centre to city centre - not to airports outside of the city centre.  Visit www.eurostar.com for more information.

London to Paris by Eurostar:  Eurostar links London London and Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes.  Some Eurostar services also call at either Ebbsfleet or Ashford in Kent, Calais and Lille in Northern France.  For times, fares and to buy tickets, see www.eurostar.com or call 0870 5 186 186.

London to other destinations in France:  Eurostar connects in Lille or Paris with high speed trains to all parts of France.  For information on train times, fares and to book online, please contact one of the Travel Agencies below.

Train times, fares and online tickets within France:  www.voyages-sncf.com

Paris Metro and bus information:  www.ratp.fr

London to Brussels by Eurostar:  Eurostar links London and Brussels in as little as 1 hour 51 minutes. Some Eurostar services also call at either Ebbsfleet or Ashford in Kent.  For times, fares and to buy tickets, see www.eurostar.com or call 0870 5 186 186.

London to other destinations in Belgium:  Eurostar tickets to Brussels are  valid to any station within Belgium, but not on Thalys or ICE services.  Destinations include Bruges, Antwerp, Gent and Liege.

London to Luxembourg: Regular trains link Brussels with Luxembourg.  You can check onward train times from within Belgium at www.b-rail.be.

Train times and fares within Belgium:  www.b-rail.be

Train times and fares within Luxembourg:  www.cfl.lu

London to Amsterdam by 'railandsail':  National Express East Anglia, Stena Line and Netherlands Railways offer combined 'railandsail' fares from just £49 one way from London (or any National Express East Anglia station) to Amsterdam (or any station in the Netherlands).  Visit the Stena Line website or call 0870 5 455 455  (08:30-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 09:00-17:00 Sundays).

London to Amsterdam by Eurostar:  Eurostar trains connect in Brussels for Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam.  For times, fares and to book online, visit www.eurostar.com or call 0870 5 186 186.

Train times and fares within the Netherlands:  www.ns.nl. 

London to Switzerland by train:  Eurostar connects in Paris with high speed trains to Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich or Bern, and with a sleeper train to Zurich. For information on train times, fares and to book online, please contact one of the Travel Agencies below.

Train times, fares and online tickets within Switzerland:  www.sbb.ch.

London to Italy by train:  Eurostar connects in Paris with high speed trains to Turin, Milan and Ventimiglia, and with overnight sleeper trains to Milan, Florence, Venice, Verona and Rome.  For information on train times, fares and to book online, please contact one of the Travel Agencies below.

Train times, fares and online tickets within Italy:  www.trenitalia.it

London to Spain or Portugal by train:  Eurostar connects in Paris with fast TGV services to Perpignan, for Talgo connections to Barcelona.  It's also possible to travel from Paris to Irun in north west Spain.  Overnight 'Trenhotels' run from Paris to Madrid and Barcelona, with sleepers, restaurant and bar.  Trains link Madrid and Barcelona with cities all over Spain, and with Portugal.  For information on train times, fares and to book online, please contact one of the Travel Agencies below.

Train times, fares and online tickets within Spain:  www.renfe.es

Train times, fares and online ticketswithin Portugal:  www.cp.pt 

London to Germany, Austria and beyond by train:  Eurostar connects in Brussels with high speed trains to Cologne and Frankfurt for connections to stations in Austria, Poland, Czech Republic and beyond.

Eurostar connects in Paris with high speed trains to with sleeper trains to Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg with connections to eastern Europe, Russia and Scandinavia. 

For information on train times, fares and to buy tickets, please contact one of the Travel Agencies below.

London to Dublin and Belfast by 'railandsail':  You can buy combined 'railandsail' tickets from London or any National Rail station to Dublin, Belfast or any station in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland via most ferry routes.  London to Dublin costs just £29 one way, with unlimited availability.  For fares, see www.sailrail.co.uk.  You can buy tickets at most UK railway stations or by calling 08450 755 755  (08:00-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 0900-1700 Saturdays and Sundays).

Train times and fares within the Republic of Ireland:  www.irishrail.ie

Train times and fares within Northern Ireland:  www.nirailways.co.uk

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company operate regular ferry (and fast ferry) services which connect the Isle of Man to Heysham, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.

Train times and fares within the Republic of Ireland:  www.irishrail.ie

Train times and fares within Northern Ireland:  www.nirailways.co.uk

Train times and fares within Great Britain:  National Rail Enquiries 

Guernsey

• Weymouth to Guernsey - the fast ferry service operated by Condor Ferries runs all year round. Crossing time 2 hours 10 minutes. The fastest service between the UK and Guernsey
• Poole to Guernsey - the fast ferry service operated by Condor Ferries runs during summer months. Crossing time 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Portsmouth to Guernsey - a conventional ferry operated by Condor Ferries runs daily except Sundays year round with a daytime crossing time of 7 hours. The overnight crossing from Guernsey (via Jersey) to Portsmouth is a very popular service, so be sure to book your crossing and cabin early!
• Guernsey to Sark - The Isle of Sark Shipping Company provides upto 5 sailings daily between St Peter Port (Guernsey) and Sark, taking 45 minutes. 
• Guernsey to Alderney- Manche Iles Express  provide occasional sailings to Alderney  by fast ferry

Jersey

• Weymouth to Jersey - fast ferry services operated by Condor Ferries run all year round via Guernsey. Cross time 3 hours 25 minutes
• Poole to Jersey - fast ferry services operated by Condor Ferries are available during summer months. Some services operate directly to Jersey with crossing times in as little as 3 hours.
• Portsmouth to Jersey - a conventional ferry operated by Condor Ferries runs daily except Sundays year round. Portsmouth to Jersey (usually via Guernsey) is a day service with a crossing time of 10 hours 30 minutes. The overnight crossing from Jersey (usually direct) to Portsmouth is a very popular service, so be sure to book your crossing and cabin early!
• Jersey to Guernsey - Condor Ferries offer fast ferries between St Helier (Jersey) and St Peter Port (Guernsey) in about 55 minutes, with day trips possible, plus a daily sailing by conventional ferry.  Manche Iles Express  also offer sailings by fast ferry.
• Jersey to Sark - Manche Iles Express  provide occasional sailings to Sark  by fast ferry.

Europe wide online timetable The German Railways online timetable will show you train times between almost any two stations in Europe.

Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable Published since 1873, the world famous red book has timetables for trains all over Europe, as well as ships to North Africa, Israel and the Mediterranean islands. If you're going to travel a lot, for example with an InterRail or Eurail pass, you should buy one of these to plan your journey. It costs around £13.99 from the bureau de change in any UK branch of Thomas Cook.

The Thomas Cook Rail Map of Europe Comprehensive map of European train routes showing all rail lines from Portugal in the west to Ukraine in the east, from Finland in the north to Sicily in the south. Scenic routes are highlighted. It costs around £7.95 from branches of Thomas Cook. Well worth buying, especially if you are buying an InterRail or Eurail pass.

railpassenger.info This site contains information on train travel throughout Europe.

eurodestination.com Eurodestination.com is not a travel agency but an independent online resource.

seat61.com A personal website, with train times, fares, information and tips for train travel from London to destinations in Europe and beyond.

When to book Bookings open 60 days in advance (120 days in advance for Eurostar, 90 days for trains in France and some other trains including the sleepers from Paris to Spain and Italy).  You cannot book before reservations open.

Booking tickets to Europe online You can book tickets to destinations in France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy online, using one of the Travel Agencies below.  When booking online, if you don't see attractive fares for the whole journey from London, try splitting your journey and book (for example) London-Paris and from Paris to your final destination as two separate journeys. 

Child, senior and youth fares The age limits for children vary from country to country.  On Eurostar and most European trains, children under 4 go free, children aged 4 to 11 pay a reduced fare, children 12 and over pay the normal adult fare.  On many routes, there are special discounted fares for anyone under 26 or over 60.  Please ask when you buy tickets.

Luggage There is no weight limit for baggage, just remember that you will have to carry what you bring.  There is a baggage limit of two large items and one smaller item on Eurostar.  Self-help trolleys and left luggage facilities are available at most major stations. 

Bicycles Bicycles can be taken as hand luggage on Eurostar and on most other European train if they are placed in a special bike bag (available from cycle shops) with pedals removed and handlebars turned.  Bicycles not placed in bike bags must be sent on Eurostar as registered baggage, for a small fee.  See www.eurostar.co.uk for details.

Dogs and pets You cannot take dogs (other than guide dogs) or other pets on Eurostar.  Most ferry companies will only accept dogs when carried in vehicles.  However, if you can get across the Channel, dogs are carried (sometimes for a fee) on most European trains.

Taking your car - motorail Eurostar and most European passenger trains don't carry cars.  However, there are special 'motorail' trains which take cars on a few routes.  See EuroDestination for more information.