How To Take The Train from London to Greece
Last Updated on: 20th October 2026, 07:56 pm
The Train From London To Greece
Have you ever thought about travelling from London to Greece without getting on a plane? Slow travel is getting more and more popular, and with an Interrail Ticket, you can travel there by land. When you do this journey, there is one small problem: the trains do not reach the Greek border, and you will need to transfer to a bus or boat to get into Greece. But most of it is done by train. So, you have your Interrail pass, and you now need a route to travel. Here is how to plan your journey, which countries you can visit along the way and what you need to know before travelling.
Can You Travel from London to Greece by Train?
Yes, you can travel from London towards Greece using trains and a ferry. However, there is no direct train connecting London with Greece, so you will need to plan several stages of your journey. But the planning is all part of the fun of your Interrail trip. And there will be so much to see and do along the way. An Interrail Global Pass can cover eligible train journeys across participating countries, although some trains require additional seat reservations. You will also need to pay for any ferry tickets and supplements you need.
The Italy Route: The Train From London to Greece
Step 1: Take the Train from London to Paris
You need to start from London St Pancras, where you will board the Eurostar to Paris. You need a mandatory reservation for this train. But it will cost you about £30 for a standard seat and slightly more for the Standard Plus service. I like to get the first train out in the morning, so I have a good head start on the day. The journey takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, so you can have breakfast in London and lunch in Paris!
You arrive at Gare du Nord, where you can spend the day exploring Paris. Visit the Eiffel Tower, explore the shops and cafes, or just go for a long walk along the Seine. If you want to stay longer, you can book a place to stay and explore Paris into the night.
Step 2: Travel from Paris to Italy
From Paris, you continue to Milan, where you make a connection to Bari. There is only one direct train to Milan a day, and that is about 6.30 am. That train takes 7 hours and 20 minutes. Later trains will involve a change in Geneva, Basel or Zurich. And the journey will take about 10 hours. But this works for you if you want to stop at the places along the way for a few hours. You can take the train to Milan from Gare du Lyon.
If you have time, spend a night or two in Milan. Visit the magnificent Duomo, explore the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade or enjoy some authentic Italian food. It is surprisingly cheap to eat and stay in Milan, and it will give you some breathing time. Check the Interrail Rail Planner app and current railway timetables before booking. International routes and engineering works can affect which connections are available, and some high-speed trains require paid reservations.
Step 3: Continue by Train to Bari
From Milan, travel south towards Bari, a coastal city in southern Italy. Depending on your chosen service, the journey can take around seven to nine hours, although timings and connections can vary. Personally, I couldn’t imagine travelling all that way through Italy without stopping along the way to explore some of the towns and cities. The train from Milan Centrale to Bari is direct, but it stops in places like Bologna and Ancona. So you could get off and get on another train later after you explore the places.
There are about 15 trains a day from Milan to Bari, including a sleeper train. The trains mainly leave from Milano Centrale, but some will leave from Milano Rogoredo. You will need to book reservations for these trains. Bari is an excellent place to stop before crossing the Adriatic Sea. You could explore the historic old town, wander through its narrow streets and try some traditional Apulian food. Consider staying overnight rather than rushing straight to the port. This gives you time to relax and reduces the risk of missing your ferry if a train is delayed.
Step 4: Catch a Ferry from Italy to Greece
You need to cross the Adriatic Sea by ferry, which takes several hours, so it will give you some time to relax and enjoy the crossing. From Bari, you need a ferry to Igoumenitsa or Patras; look on the Interrail website as they often work with ferry companies for a discount. Some ferries go overnight, so you won’t lose any travel time and you can get some sleep on the way.
Step 5: Continue Your Adventure in Greece
Once you arrive in Greece, you can explore the country by public transport, including eligible rail services. If you arrive at Patras, you can arrange onward transport towards Athens. Check the current rail and bus connections before travelling, as services and transfer arrangements can change. Athens is an excellent destination for history lovers. You can visit the Acropolis, explore the ancient ruins and enjoy Greek food in the city’s neighbourhoods.
If you would prefer a beach holiday, you could continue to the Greek islands. Ferries connect various islands, but these domestic journeys are not automatically included in an Interrail Global Pass. Check whether your pass offers a discount or whether a separate ticket would be better.
The Balkan Route: The Train from London to Greece
Step 1: London To Brussels
I find travelling to Brussels much easier for a trip to Germany. Because the Eurostar comes into Brussels Midi and then the trains to Germany go from the same station. But if you travel to Paris Gare du Nord from London, you then need to take the metro to Paris Est station to catch the train to Germany. When you arrive in Brussels, you have only a few minutes to get on the train to Germany, but it is completely doable, and I have done it as a disabled person with a walking stick.
Step 2: Brussels To Munich
There are no direct trains from Brussels to Munich, so you will need to change at Frankfurt or Cologne. If you go to Cologne, make sure you take some time to pop outside the station and explore the beautiful cathedral. Grab some snacks and lunch in Cologne before boarding your train to Munich. Brussels to Munich will take you about 7 hours to complete. Either spend the night in Munich and explore some of the surrounding towns and experience Munich, or take the next train straight away.
Step 3: Munich To Budapest
The good news is that you can do this as an overnight train. So you are not wasting daylight travelling. You will need to reserve a seat or bed to sleep in, and they book out quickly, so book early. Travelling through the day, you will need to take a train to Vienna, where you will change to a train to Budapest. If you have a first-class Interrail pass, make sure you make use of the lounge in Vienna station. They offer free drinks and snacks like pastries, fruit and chocolates. It will take you about 8 hours to travel from Munich to Budapest, but it will be worth the journey. I strongly recommend that you spend a night or two in Budapest before continuing to Greece.
Step 4: Budapest To Sofia
This section is going to be your hardest journey by train. You will need to take the sleeper train overnight or a slow train through the day to Bucharest. This is a long and boring journey until you hit Transylvania, and then the landscape changes. You can get off the train in Brasov and spend a few days there. Then carry on to Bucharest, where one train a day heads to Sofia and this train gets booked out days in advance. You cannot book a reservation until you arrive in Romania, which makes it harder. You will need to change in Ruse, and the journey from Bucharest to Sofia takes about 8 hours.
Step 5: Sofia to Thessaloniki
Sadly, this is where you will need to take a break from train travel, because the train does not run over the international border. So you will need to travel by bus. The journey takes about 5 hours, and you can book it with FlixBus before you travel. The ticket is extremely cheap.
Step 6: Thessaloniki to Athens And Beyond
There are 2 trains a day between Thessaloniki and Athens; you either have a really early train or a late afternoon train. The journey takes about 5 or 6 hours to do. You might feel like Thessaloniki is your last stop and you are happy to spend some time there. But from Thessaloniki you can explore more of Greece or backtrack and spend some time in the Balkan countries like Macedonia or Albania. You can get to these countries by using a bus like FlixBus.
Tips for Planning Your Interrail Journey: The Train from London to Greece
Before leaving London, check your entire route and confirm that your chosen trains and ferries operate on your travel dates. Use the Interrail Rail Planner app to check train connections and reservation requirements. Remember that a Global Pass does not guarantee a seat on every train, and you may need to book reservations separately. Allow plenty of time between connections, particularly when changing stations or travelling to a ferry port. Keep your passport, travel documents and reservations accessible throughout the journey. Finally, consider travel insurance that covers your planned activities and transport arrangements.