Winning tip: Royal Hotel, Hull, UK
The Royal Hotel Hull is known locally as the “Station Hotel, ’ull” because its rear entrance is within Paragon station. Look out for the statue of Hull notable, Philip Larkin. Its Victorian architecture is outstanding and afternoon tea, with Yorkshire tea loaf, is served in the lounge with its frieze of golden haddock, a reflection of Hull’s fishing heritage. In the restaurant, start with a local speciality, a Hull patty: a deep-fried ball of sage-flavoured mash, and follow with fish pie or fish and chips with local seasoning chip spice, and wash it down with a pint from Wold Top Brewery. The hotel is in the centre of the 2017 Capital of Culture.
britanniahotels.com
HM Jackson
To Treno Sto Rouf, Rouf station, Athens
Our journey from Athens began in decadent style in the beautiful wagon restaurant at Rouf station. These splendid pre-war Italian dining cars take you back to an age of elegance and song. My zucchini pie was a delight. There are jazz bands, theatre shows and pre-dinner drinks in the open-air bar. It’s a remarkable experience that will ensure you don’t want to leave to catch your train.
Martin Colegate
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Guardian Travel readers' tips
Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage
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Kyoto, Japan
The central station in Kyoto is heaven for travellers, shoppers and ramen-lovers alike. It’s a work of art by architect Haro Hiroshi – including an area of tiered steps for live concerts at weekends, a mall underneath, and on the 10th floor a floor dedicated to ramen. You can choose your dish from the wall explaining all the types available, opting for thick or thin noodles, spicy or mild broth, meat or vegetarian. Then you order your ramen from the self-service ticket machine and your meal is made in minutes. Afterwards, the Kyoto Station Skywalk on the same floor provides a stunning view of the city and the Kyoto Tower opposite.
Sarah Bedford
Shimla station, India
After a morning promenade in the fresh Himalayan air, avoiding unwanted attention from local baboons, we arrived at Shimla’s colonial-style station a little early. We sat in the tiny restaurant with its quaint tables and enjoyed the most British of refreshments: tea and toast with jam or honey at prices that made us feel as if we were in another century. Beyond the veranda the blue sky seemed to go on forever and the view was magnificent (the station’s altitude is 2,075 metres).
stkd77
Augsburg station, Germany
There is a fine brewery at Augsburg’s station, Brauhaus 1516, that also sells big portions of food and puts on excellent bands at least once a week. Beers are around €3, with weissbier the signature brew. The station is a beautiful neo-classical affair, 150 years old. Augsburg makes a good base for Oktoberfest in Munich, 30 minutes away by rail, with hotel prices less than half what will be charged for a night in Munich.
brauhaus1516-augsburg.de
catchytitled
Parchal, Algarve, Portugal
There’s a superb little restaurant-bar called O’Leme at Ferragudo station, where locals eat freshly caught sardines, fried chicken, black pig, salads, fish soup, empanadas and other homemade dishes. It offers outstanding value and a superb atmosphere. A real find at a rather run-down station.
jane mardon
Atocha, Madrid
Atocha station is one of the most beautiful in Europe. The 19th-century masterpiece of wrought-iron and glass has been turned into a botanical garden, with huge palm trees and a pond full of terrapins. The best place for an overview is the Samarkanda on the terrace. It’s pricey (three courses €30) if you want to eat but a glass of wine in the bar is €3.
BarbaraEF
Stalybridge station, Greater Manchester
On my way back from taking part in the Manchester marathon we popped into this delightful, welcoming pub on Stalybridge station. It’s beautiful, with original Victorian features, such as the marble-topped bar and ornate ceiling. The ales are fantastic but I first tried a grapefruit cider that proved a refreshing pick-me-up for a weary runner. There are also lovely pies. It’s a great, quirky, place.
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kizbot
Maglie, Puglia, Italy
En route from just about anywhere in this part of Italy’s heel, you’ll need to change trains in the little town of Maglie to reach (through endless olive groves), beautiful Otranto and its beaches. Don’t wait in the station with everyone else – Maglie is more than worth a wander. And one of the highlights is this exquisite locale Bistrocafé Stazione di Maglie opposite the ticket office. I’d recommend it strongly for the cool, stylish design and subtle nods to its railway heritage, and for the genuine charm and friendliness of the couple who own it. But there’s also fresh produce, good prices and very tasty dishes (mains from about €6). Worth missing a connection for.
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crestofawave
Braşov, Romania
When I visited, admittedly some time ago, the bar at Brasov train station in Romania made the Star Wars cantina look like Frankie & Benny’s: dilapidated Soviet-era furnishings and grizzled old men staring contemptuously through a fog of cigarette smoke. An excruciatingly ordered 15p glass of lager, a general feeling of unease – all in all … unmissable!
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