How do I plan an Interrail trip?

If you’re looking for an exciting new adventure, then Interrailing might be just the ticket. The opportunity to explore new cultures, take in breath-taking scenery and indulge in tantalising cuisine, Interrailing around Europe offers something for everyone – regardless of their budget or tastes.

An experience that thousands of people enjoy every year, it’s suitable for younger people, couples, families and more. Giving people the opportunity to discover over 30 countries across the continent, the all-in-one pass offers flexibility. How? Well with an Interrail Pass, you can choose the time of train or ferry that you board so that you can decide exactly how long you can stay in each destination.

If this sounds tempting to you, then you’re probably wondering how you can plan an Interrail trip. Well, we’ve got you covered. We’ve created a list of top tips that you can use to plan your Interrail trip so that you can experience an unforgettable European adventure!

Top tips you can use to plan an Interrail trip

Do some research

Booking an Interrail trip, whether you’re looking to travel around one country or a handful of countries requires thorough planning and research beforehand. From researching the tickets to the destinations themselves there’s so much to explore as part of the process.

You want to make sure that you’ve checked off everything on the to-do list, so that you feel as prepared as possible.

Work out your budget

Now, this might sound obvious. But one of the first steps you should take before booking your Interrail getaway is to work out your budget. Your budget will, of course, depend on your individual preferences.

But if you can determine how much you can realistically spend ahead of time, then you’ll feel a lot more at ease when it comes time to book not only your Interrail Pass itself but your accommodation. You’ll also be able to factor in other costs such as food; something that can be as expensive or cheap as you like.

And when you know what your ideal budget is for your Interrail trip, you’ll be able to start planning your route.

Use a route planner

Whether it’s your first Interrail trip or you’ve been on one before, it’s a great idea to use a route planner. By using a planning tool, you’ll be able to browse the various routes available, tickets and more useful information that’s crucial to booking your Interrail trip.

A simpler way to discover what’s on offer, your Interrail experience will be hassle-free from start to finish. Once your route is mapped out, then you can determine which Interrail ticket is right for your requirements – whether you want to travel for 7 days or up 3 months.

Book your Interrail trip ahead of time

Even though an Interrail Pass allows you to book any date that suits you, it’s always a good idea to book your Interrail trip ahead of time. With the ability to book it up to 11 months in advance, you can start to book accommodation, plan out where you’re going to eat and other important details once your ticket is sorted.

Look at which trains require a reservation

One thing to keep in mind is that some trains along the way will require you to reserve a seat at an extra cost. Although there are only a handful of countries in which train reservations are necessary, it’s still important to research into what these are before you travel within them on your Interrail trip. From there, you’ll be able to finalise your budget so that there aren’t any extra surprise expenses throughout your trip.

Find and book accommodation

Once you’ve sorted your tickets and reservations, it’s time to think about where you’ll stay along the way. Luckily, across Europe, there are plenty of accommodation options for you to choose from. Whether you’re wanting to stay in budget-friendly hostels or more extravagant hotels, Europe has an abundance of places to stay.

When looking at accommodation, it’s always worth reading reviews from past travellers, to ensure that you’re getting the best value for money. From researching, you’ll also be able to see the amenities that are available, guaranteeing everything you need is included.

So, there you go! Those are some top tips you can use when planning your Interrail trip! No matter where you’re planning on going or when you’re planning on travelling, those tips can help to ensure you’re organised and ready for an adventure of a lifetime.