Exploring Europe by train is one of the best ways to travel. There are lots of flexible passes available where you can discover the highlights of the continents, including world famous cities, beaches and islands.
This is one of the most popular things to do during summer for students, but is also popular with graduates and anyone with a taste of wanderlust who loves to travel.
But if you are planning your first Interrail adventure, there are lots of important things to consider, including what passes to choose, where to go and how to stay safe.
These are some of the top tips to help you get the most out of your European train trip.
Plan Ahead and Research
You can easily run into problems that could potentially ruin your experience so its really important to take lots of time on the internet to plan your trip.
Best Interrail Destinations
Europe is a huge continent with so many unique and special destinations so deciding where to go on your Interrail trip can be difficult.
The stops you add really comes down to personal choice. There are lots of places to visit in Europe including hundreds of towns and cities you could visit, you’ll need to see where appeals to you and also how much money you have.
For example, you can spend a week in cities like Budapest for the price of a weekend somewhere like Paris.
Some of the most popular places to consider visiting include:
Prague, Czech Republic
Barcelona, Spain
Budapest, Hungary
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Venice, Italy
Berlin, Germany
Paris, France
Vienna, Austria
Rome, Italy
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Copenhagen, Denmark
Madrid, Spain
Munich, Germany
Florence, Italy
Milan, Italy
Brussels, Belgium
Kraków, Poland
Lisbon, Portugal
Zürich, Switzerland
Popular Interrail Routes
These are some of the best itineraries to follow:
Cities and Culture – Loop popular European cities like Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Zurich and Berlin.
South to the Med – Travel from France down to Spain, Italy and Greece.
Lakes and Mountains – Explore some of the most beautiful nature in Europe taking in countries like Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Scandinavia – Take a trip to northern Europe and discover Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
East + Turkey – Explore Eastern Europe Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Bosnia, Albania and Istanbul.
There are also lots of things to consider when planning your route.
One of the best benefits of travel by train is that you get an opportunity to view beautiful landscapes and scenic locales from the window of your train car. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, keep this in mind train times when you’re booking your train trip.
Otherwise you might just be passing through that beautiful scenery in the middle of the night and completely miss out on it.
Or if you aren’t too bothered about the scenery and just want to use trains as a means for getting from place to place, you could choose overnight sleep trains which in the continent are generally clean, comfortable and smooth.
Money
Unlike other types of travel, keep in mind that you might not be able to just stop along the way at a convenient ATM and get extra cash if you need it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that when you travel by train you get a bank card without withdrawal fees and have enough cash and a for your trip as well as a little extra for emergencies.
Budget
Europe is one of the most expensive continents in the world to explore with prices in big cities like Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona at a premium. If you plan to interrail during summer make sure you budget accordingly by checking prices and also booking accommodation in-advance.
There are lots of ways to keep costs down, including booking overnight trains (saving money on accommodation), staying in hostels and shopping at supermarkets for food and drink which will alleviate the cost of eating out every day.
Eastern Europe is also a lot cheaper than countries in the West. For more recommendations how to save money check out this Europe backpacking guide.
Food and Drink
Anyone who travels by train frequently will tell you that as enjoyable as a train trip can be; the one big problem that you’ll frequently run into relates to food and water supply.
Just like there are no ATMs conveniently located along the way, it can be difficult for a train to stop and stock up on supplies. So, to avoid problems it’s a good idea to buy your own snacks as well as some bottled water to sip on.
Seek out local supermarkets and take enough food and drink for the duration of your trip. Luckily most trains
What to Pack
A suitcase with four wheels can be easier and more comfortable to travel with, but sometimes if you want the real travelling experience, a backpack is also recommended.
It’s a good idea to bring along your own toiletry items such as toilet tissue, soap and paper towel. Frequent train travelers commonly find that these items are in short supply. Avoid an uncomfortable by situation by tending to your own needs and stashing these items in your bag when you pack for your trip.
If you have a special fondness for your own pillow; it might not be a bad idea to bring it along with you on your trip. While most people remember to do this when traveling to stay in a hotel, few think of it when planning to travel by train. It can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and waking up with a stiff neck.
Don’t Miss Stops
Try to be alert and anticipate the fact that when you travel by train you will be making one or more stops at various stations along the way.
These stops won’t give you much of an opportunity to stock up on anything or even visit an ATM as previously mentioned, but it is a good chance to get out and stretch your legs.
Just make sure that you are always cognizant of how long the stop will be and keep one eye trained on your train so that you don’t get left behind.
With a little preparation and forethought your plans to travel by train in Europe will be gliding along smoothly in no time. This really is an amazing experience and a great way to see more of the continent.