Insider's Guide to Interrail Train Travel in Europe: Here's Everything You Need to Know About Train Travel is written by Louise Wenneke.
Discover Europe with Interrail: train journeys filled with freedom, adventure and little surprises
The train tracks wind through Europe, and every stop holds new experiences – from vibrant cities to quiet small villages. With Interrail, you have one ticket that makes train travel through Europe easy and flexible, without having to worry about changing planes or long bus journeys.
I clearly remember the feeling when I left last summer. The train rolled into the station, and it felt like Europe was calling from the other side of the door. It was a train journey., I still think back on.
Every city, every train change and every sunset seen through a train window became small moments that together shaped the journey. The special thing about Interrail is the freedom to not be locked in, but to just jump on the next train and let the journey unfold along the way.
Interrail is one of the best ways to experience train travel through Europe. It's more than a ticket. It's a way of traveling where spontaneity and personal choice set the direction. Interrail allows you to combine multiple destinations into one cohesive trip at a very reasonable price.
If you dream of flexible travel, new experiences and memories that will last long after you return home, then this guide is for you. Whether you are an experienced traveler or trying train travel for the first time.
I'll take you through everything from ticket purchases and seat reservations to my own route, inspiration for alternative routes and the best tips for getting the most out of your Interrail trip and train travel through Europe.
When I returned to Denmark, it was clear that I had done a lot right and a lot had worked well, but also that there were things I would do differently next time. I share them in this guide to Interrail in Europe.
Plan your overall route – but keep it flexible
Before you choose an Interrail pass and start booking anything, it's a good idea to get a general idea of your route. It doesn't have to be detailed down to the smallest stop - just a rough plan of the main cities and countries you want to see.
I started with a simple list of destinations I was curious about, then drew a rough route between them. This gave me a good idea of how much I could realistically cover and how many travel days I would need.
One of the most important things, however, is to keep your route flexible and add an extra buffer. You don't have to lock yourself into every stop from home. This gives you the opportunity to travel at your own pace and adjust your plan along the way if something else tempts you.
It's precisely this freedom that makes Interrail special: you have a direction, but not a fixed plan. And that's often where the best experiences happen.
When you have an idea of what you want to experience, it also becomes easier to choose the right Interrail pass.
Choose the right Interrail pass
There are two types of Interrail passes: Global Pass and One Country Pass.
A Global Pass provides free travel in up to 33 European countries and is ideal if you want to experience multiple destinations on one trip.
A One Country Pass, on the other hand, is best suited if you want to explore a single country in depth, such as Italy or Spain.
When choosing your pass, there are several things to consider: Number of travel days, class choice, and whether you want the pass digital or physical.
Number of travel days: I chose a pass with seven travel days within a month, but ended up only using five. The extra flexibility allowed for a leisurely trip and room for spontaneous decisions along the way.
1st or 2nd class: I traveled 2nd class, which worked fine, but the price difference is often so small that 1st class can be a good upgrade.
Digital or paper: I definitely preferred the digital version, which was always at hand on my phone. Here you can also add your first travel day when you are ready. With the physical version, the date typically has to be set when ordering.
Once you have decided on the type, duration, travel days and format, the passport can can be ordered on the website interrail.eu.
An extra tip: Book in the spring or fall, when there is often a 10–15% discount. If you are 18 years old, you may be lucky enough to get one of the free Interrail pass, which is distributed by the EU.
Seat reservations: The little detail that saves the day on train travel
It may sound like a small thing, but seat reservations can be the difference between a relaxing train ride and a long journey standing in a crowded carriage.
After purchasing the Interrail pass, the app is Rail Planner your most important helper. It provides an overview of routes and departures and shows which sections require seat reservations. Make sure to book well in advance, especially during peak season.
Some reservations can be booked in the Rail Planner app, while others must be made directly with the local train operators. I experienced this in Croatia, for example, with the train company HŽ, where booking had to be done via email.
Even when it's not mandatory, it can still be a good idea to reserve a seat on longer journeys. It gives you more peace of mind and ensures you don't have to stand up the whole way – this is especially nice on longer train journeys.
Download the right apps for your Interrail
In addition to the Eurail/Interrail Rail Planner app, which is a must for planning train trips, there are a number of other apps that can make the entire experience both easier and more manageable.
As for accommodation, Booking.com, Hostelworld and Airbnb are great tools for quickly finding a place to sleep – either before your trip or while you're on the go.
For navigation in cities, Google Maps is indispensable both for finding your way and getting an overview of public transport.
If you want to find restaurants, cafes or experiences, Tripadvisor is good for both the well-known places and the small local gems, while GetYourGuide is handy for booking activities and attractions.
Together, they give you a digital toolbox that makes travel more flexible, manageable and far less stressful.
Pack light! Here's how to choose from
I traveled with a backpack, packed minimal clothes, and aimed to carry as little as possible. And it was a really good decision.
On a train journey A light backpack makes the whole experience better. My best tip is to limit your luggage to the bare essentials.
Forget the suitcase if you're going on an Interrail trip and instead opt for a backpack that's easy to carry around. I recommend a 40–50 liter backpack for clothes, toiletries, and small gadgets.
My 58-liter backpack quickly became heavy and I ended up not using everything I had packed, so I would definitely recommend a more minimalist approach.
One method I can recommend is the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method: 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses and 1 jacket. The number can be adjusted as needed, but the point is to stick to what you actually need.
Another good trick is to lay everything out before you pack it in your backpack. This gives you a quick overview of how much 'just in case' stuff you actually have that isn't necessary.
I also recommend packing bags, packing cubes – preferably compressible – so you can pack more compactly and keep better track of the contents of your luggage while you're on the move. I wouldn't be without them on an Interrail trip.
Less luggage means more freedom, fewer worries and a much more flexible journey.
Practical travel tips for your Interrail: Make the most of train travel
A big part of Interrail is not just about where you travel, but also how you do it along the way, and even small choices during your train journeys can make a big difference to both your budget and experience.
A good tip is to think about the time of day you travel. Early departures can give you an extra day in a new city, while evening departures or night trains can save both time and an overnight stay.
It can also be worthwhile to create variety in your route. If you alternate between big cities, nature and smaller towns, the journey will have a better rhythm and more diverse experiences.
If you are staying in a hostel, it is a good idea to be a little prepared. I recommend that you bring a small padlock and possibly a keychain or security strap for your valuables. In many hostels you need to bring your own lock if you want to use a locker.
Another thing that can make your trip much more flexible is choosing accommodation with free cancellation. A big part of Interrail is the freedom to change plans along the way, and it gives you peace of mind knowing that you can adjust your itinerary without losing money.
Having unlimited time to Interrail is a luxury, but for most people the reality is different. I had three weeks of vacation and planned the trip to fit in that time. This meant flying home from my final destination to Copenhagen. You can also choose to fly to your starting destination and continue your trip from there, so you can delve deeper into the area you want to focus on.
Another option is night trains. Night trains make train travel more efficient because you can travel at night and wake up in a new city. This saves you an overnight stay and gives you more time for adventures during your train journeys through Europe – even with limited vacation time.
Just be aware that if you change along the way, it may cost you an extra travel day on your pass, but if you don't, it only counts as one day.
My route: Central Europe and the Balkans
I was on Interrail in the summer and had three weeks to spare. My Interrail train journey took me through Central Europe and further down the Croatian coast.
The trip started in Prague, where cobblestone streets, historic buildings and Charles Bridge set the scene for a few days filled with café visits and atmospheric evening walks.
From here the journey continued to Vienna, which is a city characterized by magnificent palaces, classical music and cafes where you can easily spend hours having coffee and cake.
Next stop was Slovenia's quiet capital Ljubljana, where small streets, green areas and colorful facades created a more relaxed atmosphere after city life.
Shortly thereafter, I moved on to Bled in Slovenia, where the iconic lake with the small island in the middle almost feels unreal in its beauty. A delicious cake at a local café overlooking the water made the experience even better.
The trip continued to Zagreb, a city that pleasantly surprised with its mix of historic neighborhoods, modern culture, and lively streets that are perfect for exploring on foot.
From there the journey continued towards the coast to the island Hvar in Croatia, where the pace slowed down significantly. Sun, clear water and winding streets made it a place where you quickly lose track of time.
I finished the route in the coastal town Split, where Roman ruins, a lively harbor promenade and small cafes merge into a city with lots of character and atmosphere.
Overall, the route provided a good balance between big cities, nature, and relaxed stops – and I personally found that the trip worked best when I combined big cities and nature along the way.
Train travel routes: Find your own combination
One of the best things about Interrail is that you can shape your entire route yourself. Here are three suggestions for different directions to inspire you – whether you're into the city, nature or a mix of both.
Europe offers a wealth of opportunities, and with Interrail you can tailor your journey to your pace, interest and sense of adventure.
Western Europe: classic big cities and short distances: A route through Western Europe is an obvious choice if you want to experience several iconic cities in a short time.
Here, the distance between destinations is often short, and the train network is very well-functioning.
A route could be: Paris → Brussels → Amsterdam → Berlin.
Here you will find everything from cafés and culture to history, museums and a very vibrant city life.
It's a route where the days can be filled quickly, and where you can easily get from city to city without long travel times.
If you want to experience the pulse of big cities, a route through Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam could be perfect. If you prefer scenic experiences, you can take the train along the coasts of Italy or through the mountainous landscapes of Switzerland and Austria.
Eastern Europe and Central Europe – more for your money and fewer tourists: If you want a slightly quieter and often cheaper trip, Eastern and Central Europe are a really good choice. Here the atmosphere is often more relaxed and you get a lot for your money.
A good route could be Prague → Kraków → Budapest → Ljubljana → Zagreb.
Here you get a mix of historic cities, beautiful architecture and cozy city centers, where the pace is a little slower than in Western Europe. It's also here that you often experience a little more 'authentic' city life without as many tourists.
Scandinavia – nature, tranquility and vast landscapes: If you want to combine city life with nature, Scandinavia is a strong option. Here, train journeys are often a little longer between destinations, but in return you get some of Europe's most beautiful landscapes along the way.
A route could be Stockholm → Oslo → Bergen.
Here the experience changes from city life to fjords, forests and mountain landscapes. It is a more leisurely form of travel, where the journey between destinations is often a large part of the experience.
Interrail gives you the opportunity to put together your own train journey through Europe. You can combine Western Europe, Eastern Europe or Scandinavia – or choose completely different cities and create your own route, depending on what you want to experience and how much time you have available.
Jump on the train
There's nothing like the feeling of freedom when the train leaves the station and you don't quite know what the day will bring.
You might end up finding a hidden café, a sunset over a lake, or a meeting with a local family that changes your whole day. That's exactly what makes train travel through Europe so unique: small moments, unexpected experiences, and the freedom to go on adventures on your own terms. At a pace you can keep up with.
So buy your Interrail pass and start your train journey through Europe. Adventure awaits, all you have to do is jump on the train.
Have a great trip on Interrail in Europe!
10 tips for your Interrail adventure
- Allow room for spontaneity in your planning: It's a good idea to have a general plan for your train journey, but give yourself the freedom to deviate from it. Some of the most memorable experiences often arise unexpectedly along the way.
- Make an overall plan: It doesn't have to be detailed down to the smallest stop – just a rough plan of the cities and countries you'd like to experience.
- TThink about the number of days in each place: I had three or four nights in each place, which worked out really well. It gave me time to both experience the area and take the trip at a leisurely pace.
- Make sure to keep the budget realistic: Although Interrail is often associated with cheap travel, it is still important to keep track of your expected expenses so that you don't run out along the way.
- Be open to new experiences: One of the best things about Interrail is all the unexpected things you can experience. Try things you wouldn't normally do and be surprised by the situations that arise.
- Travel light and convenient: When you have to carry your own luggage, packing light makes a big difference. Most clothes can be washed quickly in the sink, so there's no need to overpack.
- Reserve a seat on the trains: On some routes, reservations are not necessary, but on busy routes or during peak season it can be an advantage to secure a seat. I chose to reserve a seat on all trains.
- Meet new people along the way: Interrail offers many opportunities for social interaction. Be open to conversations with fellow travelers, people in hostels, and locals in cafes and restaurants.
- Vary your destinations: Europe offers great diversity, so it can be a good idea to mix big cities with lesser-known places to get a more varied experience. It can also be an advantage to include nature along the way, so you avoid getting 'city fatigue' and get some air between the more intense city experiences.
- Use night trains to save time and money: Night trains give you the opportunity to travel at night and wake up in a new city, while saving you an overnight stay and freeing up the day for adventures.
- Overnight stay with free cancellation: This gives you the freedom to change plans along the way without losing money.
Did you know: Here are the 7 cities in Europe with the most hours of sunshine
7: Nice in France – 342 hours/month
6: Valencia in Spain – 343 hours/month
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