travel to ghent via eurostar

Related Content

How to take a rail journey from London to Gent/Ghent

Share this journey with a friend..., london to gent / ghent / gand by train.

Gent/Ghent is one of the easiest locations to access when travelling from London to Europe by train . Simply take the Eurostar to Bruxelles and then hop on one of the frequent trains from the Belgian capital to Gent/Ghent

Routes you can take to go from London to Gent / Ghent / Gand

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections, route information, via stations: bruxelles-midi/brussel zuid, station guides.

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 50min - 3hr 5min* (approx)

Travel Info

up to 8 x connections per day

• = The journey time shown on the Eurostar website does not include the Bruxelles/Brussels to Brugge/Bruges journey

Purchase Tickets

ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.

Trainline Guide

Other Ticket Providers

Eurostar Guide

In addition to direct journeys by Eurostar trains, the Eurostar website also sells

• 'Any station in Belgium' tickets; the key feature of these tickets is that they live up to their name, so how distant your Belgian destination is and the journey time doesn't impact on the ticket price.
• Journeys to SOME major cities in France not served directly by Eurostar– including Avignon, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nice, Nantes and Rennes.
• Journeys to destinations in Germany that are served by Thalys trains from Bruxelles, including these cities; Aachen, Cologne/Koeln, and Dusseldorf.

Eurostar also sells seat reservations to users of Eurail and InterRail passes without booking fees.

B-Europe Guide

B-Europe is the website provided by Belgium's national railway operator for the sale of international rail journeys from and to Belgium. Therefore tickets can be booked for the following international train services to/from Belgium

• IC trains to France, Luxembourg and The Netherlands
• ICE trains to Germany
• Thalys trains to Germany, The Netherlands and Paris
• TGV trains to destination in France other than Paris B-Europe offers a 'Best Fares' policy for journey by these trains.

It also sells international end-to-end journeys solely by train, with connections outside of Belgium, if you will be heading to popular destinations in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

Users of Eurail and InterRail passes can also book seat reservations on the Eurostar and Thalys services without paying booking fees.

Travel Information

The variations in journey time partially depend on the connecting time between the trains at Bruxelles Midi/Zuid station. More information is available on our changing trains at Bruxelles-Midi station guide .

The quicker journey times are indicative of a connecting time between trains of around 20 minutes. But the ticket will be valid on any train between Bruxelles and Gent/Ghand and there are a minimum of 2 x IC trains on from Bruxelles per hour.

At St Pancras:

Eurostar is currently suggesting that Standard Class And Standard Premier ticket holders should be at the Eurostar departure area in St Pancras International 90 mins before departure; and that Business Premier ticket holders should be there 45-60mins prior to departure.

The departure gates will close 30 mins prior to departure for Standard Class And Standard Premier ticket holders; and 15 mins prior to departure for Business Premier ticket holders.

Our guide to taking a Eurostar from London is here .

Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind; hence what can seem like a discrepancy between the journey time and the interval between the departure and arrival times.

This journey is made up of 1 change.

You will be travelling on one of these trains....

Journey Features

Good to know.

Most of the departures between London and Bruxelles will be by the e320 trains, but the e330 trains can be used on some departures, which terminate at Midi station.

It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with six distinct phases and highlights:

1: For most of the first 8 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to exit London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).

2: Then from the right of the train, there are views of the River Thames marshes and of the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge.

3: The third tunnel that the train will pass through is the tunnel under the River Thames.

4: Shortly after Ebbsfleet International station (can only be seen from the right of the train) is the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway.

5: The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel. Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel. The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.

6: There is little of note to be seen from the high speed lines in France and Belgium.

Please support ShowMeTheJourney

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help. We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you .

If you see Gand on the electronic departure information at the station, the train will be heading to Gent.

Final Destination: Oostende or Blankenberge or Brugge or Knokke

There are only 2 x of these fast IC trains per hour at weekends - they are non-stop from Bruxelles-Midi to Gent,

There are also other (much) slower trains (R) trains from Bruxelles to Gent, but take care to avoid those, as tickets won't be any more expensive if you take the fast IC trains. Some of those slower trains terminate at Gent/Gand - so they stand out on the departure screens.

Eurostar sells 'Any Belgian Station' tickets that are valid for the Eurostar between London and Brussels/Bruxelles + the IC (Intercity) train from Brussels to Gent / Ghent / Gand.

A big plus of the 'Any Belgian Station' ticket is that you can opt to break up the journey and explore Brussels/Bruxelles between trains, without incurring additional charges. You only have to take the train on to Gent train within 24 hours of arriving in Brussels.

So when looking up this journey on Eurostar, enter 'Any Belgian station' in the search box.

Book Early And Save : Yes

Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date This booking period tends to be shorter when looking up journeys between mid August and mid October.

Seat reservations are automatically included when booking tickets on the Eurostar, but seat reservations are not available on the IC train on from Bruxelles.

Eurostar train's general ticket terms:

'Customers can exchange tickets for travel in Standard and Standard Premier class multiple times without paying an exchange fee, as long as tickets are exchanged 7 days or more before the departure time of their individual journey Though if the new ticket option is more expensive the difference in price will need to be paid, but if it is cheaper the price difference won't be refunded. But make the exchange within 7 days of the individual journey and an admin fee of £30 will need to be paid, along with the price difference Tickets to travel in Standard and Standard Premier class are not refundable. In contrast tickets to travel in Business Premier Class can be refunded and they can be exchanged to alternative departures without paying the admin fee, or the price difference'. Eurostar's full ticket terms and conditions are here .

Using Rail Passes on Eurostar:

Rail pass users can now pay reservation fees to travel on Eurostar trains, in a similar manner to other international European high speed trains.

The new rail pass reservation fees are similar to the cheapest single journey ticket prices, but as those cheapest tickets can sell out quickly, it's likely that the rail pass reservation fees will save money.

You can purchase these online with no booking fees on B-Europe Booking in advance is recommended as it's not unknown for rail pass reservations on specifc Eurostar services to sell weeks in advance, there is evidently limited availability per departure.

If you are a UK resident, your rail pass + reservation is only valid if you take a train from the UK on the first day that your pass is valid for and return to the UK on the final day that you will be using a pass.

Help keep us advertising and paywall free!

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.

See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.

• Austria by train
• Wien / Vienna
• Belgium by train
• Bruxelles / Brussels
• Czechia by train
• Praha / Prague / Prag
• Denmark by train
• København / Copenhagen
• France by train
• Germany by train
• Frankfurt (Main)
• Köln / Cologne / Koeln
• München / Munich
• Great Britain by train
• Hungary by train
• Italy by train
• Firenze / Florence
• Milano / Milan / Mailand
• Roma / Rome
• Torino / Turin
• Venezia / Venice / Venedig
• Netherlands by train
• Norway by train
• Poland by train
• Warszawa / Warsaw
• Spain by train
• Sweden by train
• Switzerland by train
• Basel / Bâle
• Genève / Geneva
• Zürich / Zurich
• No Matching Cities
• List is empty.

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

• Europe by Train
• Journey Guides
• Rail Stations
• Trip Planning
• Travel Articles
• Tips from 100s of journeys
• How to take a night train
• Good to know about daytime trains
• Travelling with Children
• Taking Bikes on Trains
• Travelling with Luggage
• Taking dogs on trains
• Common benefits of first class travel
• Journeys with multiple connections
• Money saving advice
• The best permanent deals and offers
• Intro to seat reservations
• Step-by-step booking guides
• InterRail/Eurail
• Access over 500 rail holidays
• Save 5% on more than 30 Swiss rail holidays
• Book a range of Swiss rail passes
• Buy Half Fare Cards for Switzerland
• Book train tickets with Trainline
• Book rail holidays worldwide with Bookmundi

Country and language

United Kingdom

United States

Deutschland

@media (max-width: 37.5rem){.css-vo707v{font-size:1.5rem;}} Log in

Verify it's you, @media (max-width: 52.5rem){.css-1qvpg8e{font-size:1.375rem;}} no account.

Join Club Eurostar for FREE

• Travelling with Eurostar
• Frequent travellers
• Manage your booking

Frequent or Premium Pass

Please log in to use your subscription pass.

Didn't get the code? Send again

London to Ghent trains

City centre

to city centre travel

Comfortable

Make the most of your time on board

Generous luggage allowance

Trains from London to Ghent

Take the train to ghent.

Trains to Ghent leave from St Pancras International. You’ll travel to Brussels with Eurostar and change to a local train to continue your journey. Get to St Pancras International at our recommended arrival time to allow plenty of time to get through border controls and security. Once through security you can walk straight on board to your allocated seat.

What's on board?

On your Eurostar train you’ll find plenty of luggage space at the entrance to each carriage and racks above your seat for smaller bags. Seats are spacious with foot rests, good leg room and fold-down tables. Food and drinks are available in Eurostar Café, our bar buffet, while Standard Premier passengers will be served a complimentary meal at their seat.

Connecting at Brussels-Midi/Zuid

Your Any Belgian Station ticket covers your Eurostar journey to Brussels, plus the local train to Ghent. At Brussels-Midi/Zuid, take the exit at the end of the platform down to the main station. The next trains to Ghent will be shown on the departure board. No booking is required – just keep your Eurostar ticket, get on board and find yourself a seat.

Missed your connection because of a delay or cancellation?

You can hop on the next available train (HOTNAT) when travelling on high-speed services which are part of the Railteam alliance. 

Frequently asked questions

.css-5vuhm9{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;max-width:100%;border:none;text-align:left;width:100%;background:none;cursor:pointer;position:relative;padding:1.5rem 1rem;}.css-5vuhm9:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#00286a;}.css-5vuhm9:focus-visible{border-radius:1px;outline:2px solid #00286a;outline-offset:2px;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-5vuhm9{padding:1.5rem;}} .css-4ujqbu{height:0.188rem;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:0;margin:-2px 0 0;opacity:0.4;border-bottom:2px solid #00286a;border-radius:60%;} .css-1ro6ief{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;padding:0rem;} .css-1fiqx1u{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 10 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1fiqx1u{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 12 / var(--grid-columns));}} .css-2pnwxm{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 12 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-2pnwxm{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 10 / var(--grid-columns));}} .css-11yytic{font-family:'abc social bold','arial','sans-serif';font-weight:normal;color:#00286a;text-align:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:1rem;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5rem;color:#00286aimportant;margin:0remimportant;display:blockimportant;}@media (min-width: 52.5rem){.css-11yytic{font-size:1.375rem;}} how long is the eurostar train journey from london to ghent .css-1k89mew{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 12 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1k89mew{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 1 / var(--grid-columns));}}@media (min-width:0rem){.css-1k89mew{-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1k89mew{-webkit-box-pack:end;-ms-flex-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;justify-content:flex-end;}} .css-h58ukj{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 2 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:end;-ms-flex-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;justify-content:flex-end;} .css-19f252s{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;padding-top:2px;} .css-16gm2n{margin:0rem 0rem 0rem 1remimportant;width:1.5remimportant;height:1.5remimportant;display:inline-block;background-color:#00286a;-webkit-mask:url(https://static.eurostar.com/ui/design-system/icons/chevronbrandeddown.svg);mask:url(https://static.eurostar.com/ui/design-system/icons/chevronbrandeddown.svg);-webkit-mask-size:contain;mask-size:contain;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-position:center;mask-position:center;-webkit-mask-size:contain;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-position:center;}@media (forced-colors: active){.css-16gm2n{background-color:buttontext;}.css-16gm2n:hover{background-color:buttontext;}}.

Typically, the train journey from London to Ghent takes 2hrs 49mins. When you view the available tickets, you will be able to see the length of the train journey for each departure time.

Are there additional fees when travelling with the Eurostar to Brussels?

Unlike airlines, there are no hidden costs when travelling by Eurostar. Once you have picked your train tickets (Standard, Standard Premier or Business Premier), there will be no additional fees for seat selection, advanced booking, or luggage allowance.

How far in advance can you book your Eurostar train ticket?

Eurostar tickets from London to Ghent can be booked up to 180 days before your return travel date, however, there are a few exceptions depending on engineering work or when you book. Have a look at our booking calendar and available days will show in black while the greyed-out dates are not available for sale just yet.

Can you take liquids on the Eurostar train?

You can take liquids on the Eurostar and there is no volume limit, so you can bring all your toiletries and even a bottle of bubbly!

Can you take your own food on the Eurostar train?

There are no food restrictions, so you’re allowed to bring your own food from home on the Eurostar.

How early should you arrive for the Eurostar Paris to London train?

Get to the station at our recommended arrival time to allow plenty of time to get through border controls and security for your Paris to London train.

How fast does the Eurostar go when travelling between London and Amsterdam?

Between London and Amsterdam, the high-speed lines allow our trains to drive at a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour (300 km/h).

How much luggage can I bring with me on the Eurostar?

Standard adult tickets allow you to bring two pieces of luggage that are up to 85cm long, and one small piece of hand luggage such as a handbag or briefcase. Find out more information about luggage allowances .

You may also like

Brussels city breaks

Beer, waffles, chocolate and culture, find out everything this iconic city has to offer.

Bruges city breaks

Visit one of the prettiest towns in Europe and you won't be disappointed, whatever the time of year.

London to Antwerp trains

Antwerp is an eclectic mix of high fashion and old-world charm. It’s also a world centre for the diamond trade if you’re ring shopping, or just feeling flush.

Eurostar Trains

When it comes to traveling between London and Brussels, the Eurostar train service is the most popular and preferred mode of transport for many travelers. The Eurostar train service is fast, comfortable, eco-friendly, and offers several benefits compared to other modes of transportation. In this article, we will explore the benefits of the Eurostar train service, how to prepare for a journey between London and Brussels, and tips for a smooth journey. Additionally, we will highlight some popular Belgian destinations that can be reached via Eurostar.

My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

after newsletter promotion

Day three: Turin to Bari

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

• Slow Travel
• Adventure travel
• Public transport trips
• Rail travel
• France holidays
• Albania holidays
• Italy holidays

Most viewed