Everything to know about Interrailing in Europe and the best places to go

Whether you’re looking for something different to do in your gap year, seeking your next big adventure or would love to experience more of Europe, interrailing is a step in the right direction.

From sampling the freshly cooked pasta in Florence, climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris to roaming the hilly streets of Lisbon, Europe has plenty of hidden gems than first meets the eye - and if you’re planning an interrailing adventure, here’s everything you need to know.

What is interrailing?

Interrailing is a unique kind of adventure which opens doors to city-hopping around 33 countries in Europe. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, beach goer or city hopper, the interrail pass gives you the freedom to be in charge of your adventure - and allows you to spontaneously hop aboard a train to a new country.

When is the best time to go interrailing in Europe?

Europe is a beautiful continent and has many pros to whatever time of year you visit, however, the choice is yours on what season to travel in.

Spring

Spring is a happy medium for those seeking the sunshine with lesser crowds - and experience the start of peak season. From the tulip season in the Netherlands, roaming the quieter and cobbled streets of Rome to the Spanish fiestas, there’s a lot to feast your eyes on. As it’s the lower season, accommodation and tourist attractions will be less busy - giving you prime opportunity for the perfect photo.

Summer

Prime sunshine time, ice cream o’clock at every hour and where-what-you-want season, summer is a beautiful time to explore Europe’s best spots. However, the sunshine does mean bigger crowds - whether that’s due to school holidays or everyone having the same idea to grab those needed rays. Be mindful as due to peak season, crowds will be bigger and prices will rocket up.

Autumn

Similar to Spring, Autumn is an off-peak season so prices will be lower and crowds too. Autumn weather can vary from city to city in Europe, however, for the most part, the temperatures are moderate and perfect to go city hopping. Whether you’d like to see the canals in Florence or dabble in the French art scene.

Winter

As a time for snow, the magical Christmas markets and ice rinks galore, it can be a complete festive time to experience Europe - especially if cold weather, woolly hats and mulled wine is up your street. There are pros and cons for visiting in the winter months; the pro being the nostalgic vibe and smaller crowds at the beginning of winter, and the cons, the delays and busy season during Christmas.

How long to go interrailing Europe for?

The length of time that you interrail for is entirely down to you. You can go for a few weeks to a couple of months, it’ll depend on your time and budget available. You’re able to buy a pass as short as 4 days to a maximum of a 3-month ticket, and travel continuously. The longer the trip, the better, right?

What to pack for interrailing Europe?

Packing for interrailing takes a special kind of skill. You’ll want to be geared up but also pack light - as nobody wants to lug their weight in a backpack from train to train.

When it comes to packing for interrailing, think essentials and what you really need - as you’ll want to save space for souvenirs and items picked up along the way. Pack your important documents, multi-use items, something waterproof, money and a small amount of clothes - everything else, you can pretty much buy on your travels.

How much does interrailing around Europe cost?

Interrailing is a once in a lifetime adventure but the price tag doesn’t necessarily match that - and it can easily be done on a budget.

An Interrail pass is a blessing in disguise, other than giving you the freedom to travel Europe by train, you will also receive discounts on accommodation, eating out, sightseeing and the shops.

It’s tricky to pinpoint an exact price on how much interrailing can cost as it’ll depend on the length of time, where you’re planning to go and what you’d like to do whilst travelling. First thing is choosing your interrail pass, and the options are a single country ticket or global pass. The single country ticket starts at €47 and the global pass at €185.

Then you’ve got to factor in your accommodation, food and activities. On a budget, €50 a day is enough to get you by and still have a little spare for spontaneous spending (you can’t beat cocktail o’clock). Roughly a 7-day global pass (€335) + 7 days spending money (€50 per day) is €685*. The longer you go, the price will undoubtedly increase significantly more - for instance a month’s interrail pass is €670.

*This is all based on a budget trip, staying in hostels, choosing cheaper food options and using public transport.

How does the interrail pass work and which countries does it cover?

There are two different interrail passes you can buy, the one country pass or the global pass. The one country pass allows you to fully immerse yourself into the heart of a country with full reign of getting the train across the country. Passes begin from €105 and you’re able to use them freely from 3 to 8 days within a month.

The global pass is for those serious adventurers. It’s the only pass available which lets you discover over 40,000 different locations across 33 countries via train. The pass can be for as short as 4 days within a one month to consecutively travel for 3 months. Prices begin at €185.

Do I need an Interrail or a Eurail pass?

An Interrail pass is for European citizens whilst, the Eurail pass is for non-European citizens - that’s the only difference. Prices remain the same - and the adventure is there to be had.

Is there an age limit for an interrail pass?

Travel has no age limit and either does the interrailing pass. Child tickets are from age 4-11, youth from 12-27, adults 28+ and seniors, 60+. Interrailing tends to be popular before the age of 27 - as you’re able to save yourself a few bucks on the train travel.

What currency will I need to bring?

Even though Europe is one continent, the currency used isn’t the same throughout. Euros are the renowned currency, however, it depends on the country to which currency you’ll need. Do your research and ensure you have the right cash to hand. Alternatively, take out a travel money card as you can load a variety of currencies on it - and get the cash out whilst travelling the country. It works the same as your usual debit card.

What travel insurance policy and cover will I need?

As interrailing can vary in time frame, it depends on the length of your trip to what travel insurance policy you buy. We’d recommend our Longstay Policy - as it covers for trips up to 18 months and includes cover for interrailing as standard.

Best places to go interrailing in Europe

Europe is home to 33 countries that when it comes to mapping out your interrail route, it can be tricky to know where to begin. Whether you’re interested in learning about ancient history, sampling the wonders of Mediterranean cuisine or exploring the endless panoramic views, here are a few recommendations on the best places to go interrailing in Europe.

Italy

The land of pizza, pasta and the language of love, Italy is a country that just keeps on giving. From delving into Rome’s rich history, vineyard hopping in Tuscany to taking a gondola ride under the Rialto Bridge in Venice, there’s plenty to discover. Italy has a rich history with something to learn in every city and sights which will take your breath away. And, Italy has the easiest train system, where all of the major cities have links to each other - so you can get about without any worries.

Switzerland

There’s no wonder Switzerland is popular for fellow interrailers - with the breathtaking scenery, bright blue lakes and charming towns, it’s every Instagrammer’s dream. You’ll be wowed everywhere you venture from the famous city of Zurich, colourful city of Basel to Lake Geneva itself. Wander, explore and dream in the peaceful Swiss towns.

Denmark

Denmark is an underrated location that’s worth taking the time to venture around. Its capital Copenhagen is a haven for picturesque colourful buildings, a residential vibe to it and some of the coolest eateries you can try. The country is actually an island destination - and home to over 444 islands in total, including the capital. If you’d like to experience the laid-back lifestyle, cities including Aalborg, Aarhus, and Odense make for the perfect adventure.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a prime spot for any avid backpacker or adventurer. Home to the canal heaven of Amsterdam, the city is an ideal location to start. Whether you’d like to dabble into the Dutch history, go for a canal ride or hit the party scene, a few nights living it up in the Dam will be memorable, to say the least. And, that’s not where the fun stops, The Netherlands oozes with culture with other cities including Rotterdam (Amsterdam’s quieter sister city), Den Haag and Haarlem to add to your itinerary.

Germany

Packed with history and the place to be for an epic night out, Germany has something for every traveller. From kicking off in the capital Berlin and visiting the world’s famous sights to experiencing Hamburg’s laidback lifestyle and venturing around Heidelberg for its stunning scenery. Germany is also a hub for historical buildings, cobbled streets and a welcoming feel that will leave you wanting more.

Slovakia

Probably one of the underrated destinations in Europe, Slovakia is a hidden gem with more to discover than many travellers realise. Perfect for country wanderers, those who enjoy the slower pace of life or like to be with nature, Slovakia has many interesting places to see. Bratislava, the capital city is a juxtaposition of old and new with charm passing through wherever you go and makes for the best starting point. Zvolen and Kospice are also incredible locations to experience - and you can’t miss out on seeing the famous Lake Bled.

Whilst Slovenia has some phenomenal locations, one of the best parts of interrailing the country is the train journey itself - with some of the most scenic routes you’ll ever witness.

Let the adventure of a lifetime begin and start planning your interrailing trip now - get your travel insurance cover with us so you can worry more about the fun part and we’ll do the rest.