London to Greece . . .

Trains within Greece:  

OSE (Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados): www.ose.gr

Map of Greek train routes    Athens-Istanbul by train    All-Europe train times

Greek island ferries:

www.ferries.gr or www.openseas.gr for all Greek island ferries & operators.

Ferries Italy-Greece:

Superfast Ferries, Blue Star ferries, Minoan Lines, Hellenic Mediterranean Lines.  UK agent for most of these ferries: Viamare Travel

Railpasses:

Beginner's guide to European railpasses     Buy a rail pass online

Time zone:

GMT+2 (GMT+3 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October)

Currency:

£1 = approx 1.15 Euros.   $1 = 0.8 euros    Currency converter

Tourist information:

www.gnto.gr   Athens Metro: www.ametro.gr   Recommended guidebooks

Hotels & tours:

Find hotels in Greece   Backpacker hostels   Book tours & excursions

Visas:

UK citizens do not need visas for travel via any of the routes shown here.

Page last updated:

25 June 2009.  Train times valid from 14 June to 12 December 2009.

Above:  The Acropolis, Athens...

No problem!  You can travel from St Pancras station to mainland Greece in just 48 hours, with a bed at night in a sleeper on the train and a cabin on the ship, a restaurant for your meals, and great scenery.  Sailing across blue seas under even bluer skies past the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia is a wonderful way to reach Greece.  A far more rewarding experience than 3 hours strapped to a seat on a plane, and affordable, too.  Or you can travel overland by train all the way, a 3-day rail adventure via Paris, Vienna, Budapest & Bucharest.

On this page...

You'll find a step-by-step guide to planning, booking & making a train & ferry journey from London or Paris to Greece, one-way or return, eastbound or westbound, with schedules, fares, what the journey is like, and how to arrange tickets.

London to Greece - a guide to the different options, with route map

London to Athens - by train & ferry via Paris & Italy (quickest, cheapest)

London to Athens - by train all the way via Paris, Munich, Vienna, Budapest

London to Athens - by train & ferry via Venice

London to Thessaloniki & Larissa

London to Meteora (Kalambaka)

London to Corfu

London to Kefalonia

London to Crete

London to Rhodes & other Greek islands

On other pages...

Athens & Thessaloniki to Istanbul by train    Greece to Turkey by ferry    Buying UK train tickets to connect with Eurostar

Taking bikes   Dogs   Luggage   Left luggage facilities in Paris   General information    European train travel help line...

Sponsored links:

You can reach Greece from London either by train to Italy for the ferry to Patras, or by train all the way to Athens across eastern Europe via Vienna and Budapest.  Here are the main options:

Option 1, by train to Italy then cruise ferry to Greece...

This is the quickest, cheapest and most comfortable way from London to Greece without flying.  It's shown in red on the route map below.  It's a wonderful trip and a great alternative to a flight, taking just 48 hours from St Pancras station to stepping ashore in Greece.  Take Eurostar from London to Paris, the overnight sleeper from Paris to Bologna, then an air-conditioned train to Bari in southern Italy.  Modern cruise ferries sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece, for the train to Athens.  Why not stop off to see a little of Italy on the way?  Times, fares & information for this route are shown below.

Option 2, by train all the way to Athens...

The overland route from London to Greece takes you via Paris, Munich, Vienna, Budapest & Bucharest to Thessaloniki, Larissa & Athens.  This route is shown in dark blue on the route map below.  Alternatively, you can travel via Brussels & Cologne, and/or via Belgrade - these alternative routes are shown in light blue on the map below.  The complete journey from London to Athens takes 3 nights, with safe & comfortable sleeping-cars available for each of the overnight sections.  It's an exciting journey with some wonderful scenery on the way, via Transylvania and the mountains of Greece.   Feel free to stop off if you like, too.  Train times, fares & information for this option are shown below.

Option 3, by train to Venice then by cruise ferry...

This is a simpler but longer variation of option 1.  You can take the train from London to Venice and a cruise ferry from Venice to Patras in Greece for the train to Athens.  This shows you Venice on the way, and it's a simpler train journey as there's a direct sleeper train from Paris to Venice.  Ships from Venice to Patras sail either daily or several times each week, depending on the season.  Train times, fares and information for this route are shown below.

Route map...

London-Athens by train & ferry via Italy

This is the most wonderful way to reach Greece, just 48 hours from London, with sleeping-cars and restaurant car on the Paris-Italy overnight train, lunch in the restaurant car on the Bologna-Bari train, and best of all, a cruise on a comfortable modern ferry across the sunny Adriatic from Italy to Greece, with the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca passing slowly to starboard...

Train times London ► Greece

• Day 1:  Travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 13:32 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 16:47.  By all means take an earlier Eurostar if you'd like to spend some time in Paris.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare de Bercy.

• Day 1:  Travel from Paris to Bologna overnight on the 'Palatino', leaving Paris Gare de Bercy at 18:52 and arriving in Bologna at 05:58 the next morning (day 2).  The Palatino is a EuroNight express, with 1-, 2- & 3-berth sleeping-cars, 4-berth & 6-berth ordinary couchettes (no seats).  There is a restaurant car for dinner and breakfast (3-course dinner menu 28 euros), or feel free to bring your own picnic and bottle of wine.  Click here for an illustrated guide to the Paris-Italy sleeper trains.

• Day 2:  Travel from Bologna to Bari by fast, air-conditioned Eurostar City train leaving Bologna at 08:56 and arriving Bari at 14:51.  There is a refreshment trolley, or feel free to bring your own food and wine.  The train follows the Adriatic coast for much of the way.  In Bari, you can walk (25 minutes) or take a taxi to the ferry terminal, which is next to Bari's attractive old town.

• Day 2:  Sail from Bari to Patras in Greece on the Superfast Ferries / Blue Star Ferries ferry leaving Bari daily except Sundays at 20:00 and arriving Patras at 12:30 the next day (day 3) (On Sundays the ship sails at 12:00, too early to make connections from Bologna or anywhere else).  You can book a 'deck place' (good if you have your own sleeping bag) or a reclining seat or a berth in various types of cabin, including luxury cabins with private shower and toilet.  The ship is modern and comfortable, with good restaurants, bars and sun decks.  You can check sailing times and dates either at the Seat61 Ferry Shop or at www.superfast.com.  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 in the town centre just five minutes walk from the railway station, which is just outside the ferry dock and along the harbour-front road to the right.

• Day 3:  Travel from Patras to Athens by train, leaving Patras at 14:35 and arriving Athens (Larissa station) at 17:58.  Since 2006, this journey involves taking an InterCity train on the classic narrow-gauge line as far as Kiato (near Korinthos) and changing there onto the newly-completed standard-gauge fast line to Athens.  A small InterCity supplement is charged.  It's an enjoyable and scenic trip, as the train follows the blue waters of the gulf of Corinth for much of the way - look out for the new bridge at Rhion, and the crossing of the deep Corinth Canal soon after leaving Korinthos.

Train times Greece ► London

• Day 1:  Travel from Athens to Patras by train, leaving Athens (Larissa Station) at 12:06 and arriving at Patras at 15:55.  This journey now involves travelling on the newly-completed standard-gauge fast line from Athens to Kiato (near Korinthos) and changing there onto the classic narrow-gauge InterCity train to Patras.  In Patras, the ferry terminal is just five minutes walk from the station, leave the station and turn left along the harbour side road.  An earlier 11:06 train from Athens is also available, change at Kiato arriving Patras at 14:27.  Please double-check these train times locally.

• Day 1:  Sail from Patras to Bari with Superfast Ferries leaving from Patras daily at 18:00 and arriving in Bari the next day (day 2) at 08:30.  Walk (25 minutes) or take a taxi to the station.  You can check sailing times and fares at either the Seat61 Ferry Shop or www.superfast.com.

• Day 2:  Travel from Bari to Bologna by air-conditioned Eurostar City train leaving Bari at 12:58 and arriving in Bologna at 19:04.  There is a refreshment trolley, or feel free to bring your own food and wine.

• Day 2:  Travel from Bologna to Paris overnight on the 'Palatino', leaving Bologna at 22:31 and arriving in Paris Gare de Bercy at 09:16.  A range of couchettes and sleeping-cars is available, plus a restaurant car.  Click here for an illustrated guide to the Paris-Italy sleeper trains.  Cross Paris by métro to the Gare du Nord.

• Day 3:  Travel from Paris to London by Eurostar leaving Paris Nord at 11:13 and arriving at London St Pancras at 12:29.

From London to Paris by Eurostar - see the Eurostar page for photos & information...

From Paris to Bologna by sleeper train - see the Italy page for more photos & full details...

The Paris-Bologna sleeper train, with sleeping-cars, couchettes & restaurant car...		2-berth sleeper, for privacy & comfort...		4 or 6 berth couchette compartment...

From Bologna to Bari by Eurostar City train...

From Bologna to Bari, you travel in a fast modern Eurostar City train, running along the seaside for much of the way.  This is 1st class...		...and this is 2nd class.  1st class doesn't cost much more.

From Bari to Patras by cruise ferry...

Several ferry companies sail from Bari or Brindisi in Italy to Patras in Greece.  Probably the best one is the joint Superfast / Blue Star Ferries service as this uses modern ships, sails daily, and can easily be booked online.  If you book a 'deck place' you can use your own sleeping bag and set up camp in a covered area on deck near the stern.  For a few more pounds you can book a reclining seat.  Or you can book a berth in various types of cabin, including luxury cabins.  Most cabins have private shower and toilet.  The ferry crossing is the best part of the journey, over deep blue waters and past many islands.

The best ferry service from Bari to Patras is jointly run by Blue Star Ferries and Superfast Ferries.  This is the Blue Star 1 at Patras.		A 2- or 4-berth cabin, with private toilet and shower...		On deck next morning!

From Patras to Athens by InterCity train...

Narrow gauge trains like this air-conditioned InterCity train link Patras with Athens.  The ferry companies also run buses to Athens, but the scenic train ride is more comfortable, more civilised and more enjoyable.  It is also included if you have an InterRail pass.  You now need to switch to a fast standard-gauge train at Kiato, near Korinthos. Look out for the crossing of the Corinth Canal just after Corinth.

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris  by Eurostar:	From £35 one-way or £59 return 2nd class.   Child, youth & senior fares From £99 one-way or £175 return 1st class.  Advice on one-way Eurostar fares
2. Paris to Bologna  by sleeper train:	In a couchette		In a sleeper
	6-berth	4-berth	3-berth	2-berth	1-berth
Special one-way fare:	From £33	From £42	£115	£129	-
Special return fare:	From £66	From £84	£230	£258	-
Normal one-way fare:	£106	£115	£147	£161	£244
Normal return fare:	£176	£194	£248	£286	£450
Normal child fare one-way:	£51	£57	£92	£101	-
Railpass fare one-way:	£23	£42	£60	£69	-
Special fare = Book at least 14 days in advance for couchettes, 30 days for sleepers. Limited places available at these prices, no refunds, no changes. Normal fare = Refundable and flexible.  There are no senior or youth reductions. Child fare = Child 4-11 years with own berth. Return fare twice the one-way fare. Use an adult special fare if it's cheaper!  Children under 4 free, if they share a bed with an adult. Railpass fare:  What you pay if you have railpasses (Eurail, Interrail, etc) covering both Italy & France. If your pass only covers one country, there's a higher supplement. Prices from www.raileurope.co.uk.. Bookings open 90 days before departure.  On certain summer & other peak dates, 10-20% higher fares may be charged.
3. Bologna to Bari  by Eurostar City train:	Booked online at www.trenitalia.com:  41 euro (£36) one-way or 82 euro (£72) return 2nd class (Amica fare)  51 euro (£44) one-way or 102 euro (£88) return 2nd class (normal fare)  57 euro (£49) one-way or 114 euro (£99) return 1st class (Amica fare)  71 euro (£62) one-way or 141 euro (£124) return 1st class (normal fare)  Booked online or by phone with UK-based  www.raileurope.co.uk:  £49 one-way or £99 return 2nd class  £69 one-way or £138 return 1st class.
4. Bari to Patras  by Superfast Ferries /  Blue Star Ferries:	Booked online at www.superfast.com:  Fares vary by season and accommodation - here's some examples:  With a basic deck place:  50 euros (£36) one-way, 87 euros (£63) return;  With reclining seat:  70 euros (£51) one-way, 119 euros (£87) return;  With berth in cabin: 105 euros (£78) one-way, 174 euros (£127) return
5. Patras to Athens  by train:	Bought at the station on the day of travel:  5.50 euros (£4) by ordinary train or 10 euros (£7) by InterCity train, one-way, 2nd class.  1st class fares are 50% more.  Buy these tickets at the station on arrival.

How to buy tickets online...

You can book the journey from London to Greece online, which is the easiest and cheapest way to do it.  Just follow the step-by-step instructions below.  It involves 3 websites, so do a dummy run on all three sites to check prices and availability before booking for real.  It's really not rocket science, but make sure you get your departure dates right for each leg of the journey outward and back.  It can help to jot down the date and departure time for each separate train and ship booking before you start (the how to plan an itinerary & budget page may help).

• Step 1:  Buy the Paris-Bologna sleeper train ticket at either www.raileurope.co.uk or www.voyages-sncf.com.  Which should you use?  Well, www.raileurope.co.uk is in English, for UK residents with tickets sent to any UK address and backed by a UK call centre, 0844 848 5 848.  It's now easier to use and more reliable than voyages-sncf.com.  www.voyages-sncf.com is for anyone from any country, it comes in several languages, the English button is at the bottom, tickets can be sent to any address in Europe including the UK, it has same fares as Rail Europe but in euros.  Voyages-sncf.com is quirky, so see this advice before using it. 

• Train reservations open 90 days before departure, you can't book before reservations open.

• There are more detailed booking instructions in the London-Florence section of the Italy page.

• Step 2:  Still on www.raileurope.co.uk or www.voyages-sncf.com, click 'continue shopping' and book the Eurostar from London to Paris and back.  Use the Eurostar times on this page as a guide, but feel free to choose an earlier Eurostar from London, or a later Eurostar returning from Paris, if these have cheaper seats available or if you'd like to stop off in Paris.  Don't forget that on your return journey, your departure date from Paris to London will be the day after your departure date from Bologna to Paris..!  For a one-way trip, remember that on Eurostar it is usually cheaper to book a return ticket and throw away the return half.

• Step 3, book the Bologna to Bari train.  The easiest way is to stay with www.raileurope.co.uk, click 'continue shopping' and book it there.  However,  you can save a pound or two by booking direct with Italian Railways at www.trenitalia.com, if you can get it to accept your UK-issued credit card (some it accepts, some it doesn't!).  You pay by credit card and simply quote your reservation reference to the conductor on the train.  Before using www.trenitalia.com, see the advice on using it.  The Trenitalia website has been known to struggle with some UK-issued credit cards, so if you have any difficulties, use www.raileurope.co.uk or the Seat61 Rail shop.

• Finally, step 4:  Buy the Bari-Patras ferry ticket online either at the Seat61 Ferry Shop or at www.superfast.com, selecting the type of accommodation you want - either a deck place, a reclining seat, or various types of cabin berth.  Both the Seat61 Ferry Shop and www.superfast.com offer ticketless booking, which makes it easy.  You simply book online and quote your booking reference at the ferry check-in at the port.  Reservations open up to 12 months before departure.

• You can buy the Patras-Athens train ticket at Patras station when you get there.  This is the easiest option, as it's difficult to buy these tickets from outside Greece.  Getting a ticket on the day of travel at the station shouldn't be a problem.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• All the trains between London and Bari can be booked through any UK European rail agency, such as www.raileurope.co.uk on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 08:00-21:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturday) or www.simplyrail.com (call 08700 84 14 14) or Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 51240.  Click here for a list of agencies.

• You can book Superfast Ferries from Italy to Greece with their UK agents, Viamare Travel, on 020 8343 5810.

• The train from Patras to Athens is best booked at the station in Patras.

Traveller's report...

Traveller Nick Stone returned to London from Athens this way:  "We took the 12:06 train from Athens to Patras via Korinthos and changed there for the Blue Star ferry to Bari.  The ferry ride was relaxing and we enjoyed beers and a lovely à la carte meal for 34 euros including drinks.  We were both impressed with quality of the meal and service.  We arrived 2 hours late in Bari, but made the 11:03 train to Bologna with 5 minutes to spare, and celebrated by having the set 26 euro menu lunch on the train and a bottle of wine.  Spent a 5 hours in Bologna which a great place for a short break before taking the sleeper overnight to Paris and the Eurostar home.  It was great trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it."

Using a railpass...

Using a railpass for this journey will cost you more than buying the cheapest point-to-point tickets as explained above.  It also means you can't go online and book everything yourself, quickly and simply, but will need to buy a pass and make reservations through an agency, who will almost certainly charge you booking fees.  However, an InterRail pass (assuming  you are a European resident) would give you more flexibility and allow you to make side trips on the way to explore the countries you pass through.

See the InterRail page for pass information and prices, and buy your pass online at the Seat61 RailShop.

On top of the pass cost, add at least £59 return for the Eurostar, then there is a pass price for the Paris-Bologna train, £19 one-way in 6-bunk couchette, £33 one-way in 4-berth couchette.  You can see that compared with the special advance-purchase fares of 35 euros (£26) in 6-bunk or 60 euros (£44) one-way in 4-bunk, the pass doesn't save you much money..!

InterRail global passes give free travel on Superfast Ferries (Ancona or Bari to Corfu and Patras), Blue Ferries (Ancona & Bari to Corfu & Igoumenitsa) and Minoan Lines (Venice or Ancona to Corfu & Patras).  The InterRail gets you a 'deck place', and you will need to pay port taxes (about 6 Euro for departures from Bari), plus a supplement if you want a reclining seat or cabin berth.  Depending on the shipping operator, a reclining seat will cost £6-£12 each way, a berth in a 4-berth cabin about £19-25 each way.  You rail agency MAY be able to help you book a place on the ship in advance, but otherwise either book it when you arrive in Bari or Brindisi, or try contacting the ferry operator - for example via www.superfast.com.  The ships rarely sail completely full, and getting a place on your chosen sailing is not normally too much of a problem, even in the summer.

Alternative journeys via Brindisi or Ancona...

Superfast Ferries from Bari is recommended rather than ferries Brindisi for several reasons.  Superfast Ferries and their partners Blue Star Ferries use modern ships and sail daily to a convenient schedule with good connections possible from Paris, London, and most Italian cities.  Superfast Ferries sail from a terminal next to Bari's pleasant old town, and you can walk there from the station.  In Brindisi, most ships now use a new terminal a couple of miles out of town, reached by taxi or courtesy minibus from the shipping company offices in town.  Since 2004, there are few scheduled sailings from Brindisi, most go from Bari.

• If you prefer travelling via Brindisi, the 08:56 train from Bologna continues to Brindisi, where it arrives at 16:11.  Most ships serving Brindisi now use a modern terminal a couple of miles out of town, reached by taxi or courtesy minibus from the shipping company offices in town.

• Hellenic Mediterranean Lines (www.hmlferry.com) normally sail from Brindisi via Corfu to Patras in Greece at around 19:30 several times a week (almost daily in Summer), arriving in Patras around 14:00 next day (day 3 from London).

• Superfast Ferries have an (almost) daily ship from Ancona to Patras, which is also free for InterRail passholders - see www.superfast.com for sailing dates and times.  Train times from London to Ancona are shown on the London to Italy page.

This is an overland adventure through the Balkans, via Paris, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Transylvania and Bucharest...  Once past Budapest, don't expect western standards such as air-conditioning on the trains, and bring you own supplies of food, water, wine or beer.  But if you book a sleeper you'll have a safe and comfortable journey, rediscovering some of the mystery, intrigue and romance of long-distance sleeping-car travel across Europe.  You'll also see some great scenery with your feet up and a beer or glass of red in your hand. 

Prefer to travel via Brussels & Cologne?  The journey shown below takes you via Paris, but you can travel via Brussels & Cologne if you prefer.  Simply substitute the London-Brussels-Cologne-Vienna-Budapest train times shown on the London to Hungary page for the London-Paris-Budapest train times shown below.  East of Budapest, the trains are the same.  Journey time via Brussels & Cologne is similar to the one via Paris shown here, you still leave London on day 1, arriving Athens on day 4.

Prefer to travel via Belgrade?  The recommended journey shown below takes you via Bucharest in Romania, but you can also travel on the more traditional route via Belgrade in Serbia.  Security problems there are now resolved, but the journey via Belgrade is not as comfortable or convenient as that via Bucharest.  See the London to Serbia page for train travel options between London & Belgrade, but do not rely on connections in Belgrade less than several hours, as trains often run an hour or two late (sometimes more) in this part of the world.  The Hellas Express leaves Belgrade daily at 22:00 arriving Thessaloniki next day at 12:31.  It has seats (not recommended), 6-berth couchettes & a sleeping-car with 1 2 & 3 berth compartments.  An InterCity train from Thessaloniki at 14:54 arrives Athens at 19:49.  Westbound, the Hellas Express leaves Thessaloniki at 17:05 arriving Belgrade at 05:44 next morning, sleeping-car & couchettes available.

Train times London ► Greece

• Day 1:  Travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 15:29, arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:56.  By all means take an earlier Eurostar from London if you'd like to spend some time in Paris, or it has cheaper seats available.  In Paris, it's a 10 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est.

• Day 1:  Travel from Paris to Munich overnight by the excellent City Night Line sleeper train 'Cassiopeia', leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:20 and arriving in Munich at 07:16 next morning.  The 'Cassiopeia' runs daily from 27 March to 2 November 2009, and on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays outside this period.  It has sleeping-cars (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, either standard with washbasin or deluxe with private toilet & shower), 4- & 6-berth couchettes & ordinary seats.  Pictures & information about this City Night Line sleeper train.  If you need to travel on a day when this train isn't running, simply use the alternative daily services from London to Budapest via Paris, Munich & Vienna or via Brussels, Cologne & Vienna as shown on the Hungary page.

• Day 2:  Travel from Munich to Budapest by air-conditioned 140mph Austrian RailJet train, leaving Munich at 09:27 and arriving in Budapest Keleti station at 16:49.  A bar-bistro car is available, so treat yourself to lunch.  If you want to stop off in Salzburg or Vienna for a day or two, no problem, this train calls at both Salzburg (arrive 10:54, depart 11:00) and Vienna Westbahnhof (arrive 13:40, depart 13:50).  There are of course plenty of other trains between Munich, Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest if you're stopping off in those cities which may suit your plans better.  You can check train times using http://bahn.hafas.de.   Look out for the crossing of the Danube and great views of Salzburg citadel & castle on the right as you approach Salzburg.  The train crosses the Danube again as it approaches Budapest.  More pictures & information about this RailJet train.  Map of Budapest showing Keleti station.

• Day 2, travel from Budapest to Salonika in northern Greece (Thessaloniki in Greek) by direct sleeping-car, leaving Budapest at 19:13 daily and arriving in Thessaloniki 05:24 two nights later (day 4 from London).  The sleeping-car has basic but comfortable and safe 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the photos below.  For the first night, the sleeping-car is attached to the EuroNight sleeper train 'Ister' from Budapest to Bucharest, which arrives in Bucharest at 10:28 next day (day 3 from London).  There's a restaurant car for dinner & breakfast.  The 'Ister' crosses Transylvania by night, and after Brasov (reached at 07:02) it descends a pass through the Carpathian mountains, a very scenic (indeed, almost Alpine) section of line.  The sleeping-car is uncoupled in Bucharest and attached to another sleeper train, the 'Romania', which leaves Bucharest at 12:16.  It crosses the wide River Danube on a long steel bridge from Romania into Bulgaria (2.5 km long, in fact, making it the longest steel bridge in Europe), then it meanders through pleasant green river valleys, a very enjoyable journey.  It stops in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, in the late evening.  There's no restaurant car on the 'Romania', so take your own supplies of food, water and wine or beer. 

• Day 4, travel from Thessaloniki to Athens by Greek InterCity train. A comfortable, air-conditioned InterCity train with buffet car leaves Thessaloniki at 07:24 arriving Larissa at 08:34 and Athens at 11:40.  Seat reservation is obligatory on Greek InterCity trains, but these cannot be made from outside Greece, so you will need to make a reservation at the station when you get there.  If the 07:24 InterCity is full (which it sometimes is), don't worry, there's another InterCity train leaving Thessaloniki at 10:13 arriving Larissa at 11:36 and Athens at 15:21, and other later services if you'd like to stop off for a few hours in Thessaloniki.  Soon after leaving Thessaloniki the trains pass right by towering Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the Greek gods, and once south of Larissa they snake through some spectacular mountain scenery, crossing viaducts whose predecessors were famously blown up by the British Special Operations Executive in WW2, before descending a dramatic escarpment to the plains below.  A highly recommended journey!

Train times Greece ► London

• Day 1, travel from Athens to Thessaloniki by InterCity train, leaving Athens (Larissa station) at 14:53 or Larissa at 19:31 and arriving in Thessaloniki at 20:51.  Greek InterCity trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with buffet car.  It's a very scenic journey, as the train climbs a dramatic escarpment and snakes through mountain scenery south of Larissa, over the viaducts whose predecessors were famously blown up by the British Special Operations Executive in WW2.  South of Thessaloniki it passes Mt Olympus, home of the Greek gods.

• Day 1 evening, travel from Thessaloniki to Budapest by direct sleeping-car, leaving Thessaloniki at 23:45 daily and arriving in Budapest at 08:47 two nights later (day 3).  The sleeping-car has basic but comfortable and safe 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  For the first night, the sleeping-car is attached to the 'Romania', which arrives in Bucharest at 17:19 next day (day 2).  There's no restaurant car on the Romania, so take your own supplies of food, water and wine or beer.  Enjoy the slow meander through Bulgaria's green valleys and the crossing of the Danube into Romania over Europe's longest steel bridge.  In Bucharest, the sleeping-car is uncoupled and attached to the EuroNight sleeper train 'Ister', leaving Bucharest at 19:50 and heading to Budapest via the Carpathian mountains and Transylvania.

• Day 3:  Travel from Budapest to Munich by air-conditioned 140mph RailJet train, leaving Budapest at 13:10 and arriving in Munich Hauptbahnhof at 20:34.  A bar-bistro car is available, so treat yourself to lunch!  The train travels via Vienna (arrive 16:08, depart 16:20) & Salzburg (arrive 18:58, depart 19:03) if you're stopping off there.  Look out for great views of Salzburg citadel & castle on the left as you cross the Danube soon after leaving Salzburg.  More pictures & information about this RailJet train.

• Day 3:  Travel from Munich to Paris by the excellent City Night Line sleeper train 'Cassiopeia', leaving Munich Hauptbahnhof at 22:44 and arriving at Paris Gare de l'Est 09:30 next morning.  The 'Cassiopeia' runs daily from 26 March to 1 November 2009, and on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays outside this period.  The