Interrailling For Three Weeks: What I Would Do Next Time
Interrailing is a once in a lifetime experience, which offers a unique way of travelling across much of Europe. Travellers, often students, typically embark on a journey spanning kilometers, countries, and many different cultures, offering a spectacular view and immersion in day to day life unlike any other style of holidaying.
It is a style of travel where you utilise an Interrail Pass to travel by train across Europe. Interrailing can be very cost effective, as for countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and France, the cost of the Pass is usually less that the combined cost of seperate tickets for all trains taken.
Taking part in this somewhat ‘right of passage’ for much of the youth of today, there is a degree of planning that must be undertaken to ensure the success of the trip. This is why I have curated a list of things, based on experience, to consider when booking your next, or maybe first, interrail trip.
Interrailing is a once in a lifetime experience, which offers a unique way of travelling across much of Europe. Travellers, often students, typically embark on a journey spanning kilometers, countries, and many different cultures, offering a spectacular view and immersion in day to day life unlike any other style of holidaying.
It is a style of travel where you utilise an Interrail Pass to travel by train across Europe. Interrailing can be very cost effective, as for countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and France, the cost of the Pass is usually less that the combined cost of seperate tickets for all trains taken.
Taking part in this somewhat ‘right of passage’ for much of the youth of today, there is a degree of planning that must be undertaken to ensure the success of the trip. This is why I have curated a list of things, based on experience, to consider when booking your next, or maybe first, interrail trip.
1. If Scenic Views are a Priority, Research Train Routes
Many people who decide to go on an interrail trip, do so to enjoy the views as they travel from place to place. Companies that advertise trains as a superior form of transport for lovers of looking out of the window, fail to acknowledge the simple truth that some routes are better than others for a nice view. Trains in Switzerland are known to offer one of the most spectacular views of all train lines in Europe. However, you must make sure to check whether trains will allow for time to enjoy the views in can offer; in many countries, trains primarily utilise tunnels to cut down on travel times. For many interrailers, the tradeoff of a longer journey for a pleasant view is well worth it!
Many people who decide to go on an interrail trip, do so to enjoy the views as they travel from place to place. Companies that advertise trains as a superior form of transport for lovers of looking out of the window, fail to acknowledge the simple truth that some routes are better than others for a nice view. Trains in Switzerland are known to offer one of the most spectacular views of all train lines in Europe. However, you must make sure to check whether trains will allow for time to enjoy the views in can offer; in many countries, trains primarily utilise tunnels to cut down on travel times. For many interrailers, the tradeoff of a longer journey for a pleasant view is well worth it!
2. Plan Out Your Day on Tight Stopovers
For some journeys, there may not be a direct train, or there are too many connections needed to get from one place to another. This is where a stopover, for one night or two nights, comes in handy. It allows for a brief break, as well as time to visit yet another place. However, a stopover particularly at a city where there is a lot to see, it is so important to begin planning what attractions are the most important to see in advance. This was especially crucial in my case, as I had a single night stopover at Venice. Tragedy struck on that day, with a two hour delay squeezing the precious 6 hours of daylight I had even smaller. By planning beforehand what I was going to see, I managed to visit a lot and got a decent nights sleep.
For some journeys, there may not be a direct train, or there are too many connections needed to get from one place to another. This is where a stopover, for one night or two nights, comes in handy. It allows for a brief break, as well as time to visit yet another place. However, a stopover particularly at a city where there is a lot to see, it is so important to begin planning what attractions are the most important to see in advance. This was especially crucial in my case, as I had a single night stopover at Venice. Tragedy struck on that day, with a two hour delay squeezing the precious 6 hours of daylight I had even smaller. By planning beforehand what I was going to see, I managed to visit a lot and got a decent nights sleep.
3. Be Prepared for Any and All Weather
It’s mid-July. The weather forecast in Croatia, which showed sunny weather all week, has suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and was now displaying that a storm was about to happen, right now. It proceeded to rain for the next week. My advice to avoid this kind of tragedy: for interrail routes that span multiple places in very far away areas of Europe, always bring some form of clothing appropriate for any weather. During fast paced interrail trips, where every day is jam-packed with activities, many cannot afford to lose a day just because a rain jacket didn’t seem important when packing.
Even when a plane trip is part of the route, bringing a rain jacket will even be a useful thing to bring on board, with all the extra pocket space. When not in use, a rain jacket can just be hung from the strap of a rucksack, out of the way. Some form of light, hiking trousers will also go a long way, shielding from wind and rain as well as not taking up much room in luggage.
It’s mid-July. The weather forecast in Croatia, which showed sunny weather all week, has suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and was now displaying that a storm was about to happen, right now. It proceeded to rain for the next week. My advice to avoid this kind of tragedy: for interrail routes that span multiple places in very far away areas of Europe, always bring some form of clothing appropriate for any weather. During fast paced interrail trips, where every day is jam-packed with activities, many cannot afford to lose a day just because a rain jacket didn’t seem important when packing.
Even when a plane trip is part of the route, bringing a rain jacket will even be a useful thing to bring on board, with all the extra pocket space. When not in use, a rain jacket can just be hung from the strap of a rucksack, out of the way. Some form of light, hiking trousers will also go a long way, shielding from wind and rain as well as not taking up much room in luggage.
4. Leave Room for Sickness in the Budget
Nobody expects to get sick on an Interrail trip in the summer. However, when visiting numerous cities and taking several trains, there is bound to be a flu or a sickness that can be picked up. This is why bringing a small stock of medication for the most common types of sickness, such as the flu, food poisoning, etc, can be helpful. Something as small as charcoal pills for an upset stomach can be the difference between spending a day feeling nauseous, or being outside having fun.
Nobody expects to get sick on an Interrail trip in the summer. However, when visiting numerous cities and taking several trains, there is bound to be a flu or a sickness that can be picked up. This is why bringing a small stock of medication for the most common types of sickness, such as the flu, food poisoning, etc, can be helpful. Something as small as charcoal pills for an upset stomach can be the difference between spending a day feeling nauseous, or being outside having fun.
5. Bring Plenty of Entertainment for Long Train Rides
Train rides that are six hours or longer can feel very daunting. I can assure that this feeling will not last long, if you bring the right entertainment for your journey. The mindset of thinking you will survive with just a phone and headphones is very much incorrect. About an hour, two hours in, the phone will eventually become boring, and you will be searching for something else to do. Luckily, there are so many activities you can bring on board with you, such as card games when sitting with friends, a mini watercolour set, books. You could start a travel journal, or draw the landscape as it passes by. In this way, a train ride no longer feels like just a means of travel, but also gives time to relax before arriving at your next stop.
Train rides that are six hours or longer can feel very daunting. I can assure that this feeling will not last long, if you bring the right entertainment for your journey. The mindset of thinking you will survive with just a phone and headphones is very much incorrect. About an hour, two hours in, the phone will eventually become boring, and you will be searching for something else to do. Luckily, there are so many activities you can bring on board with you, such as card games when sitting with friends, a mini watercolour set, books. You could start a travel journal, or draw the landscape as it passes by. In this way, a train ride no longer feels like just a means of travel, but also gives time to relax before arriving at your next stop.
6. Factor in Time for Delays and Avoid Short Transfers
This especially applies for more expensive legs of an Interrail route, such as through Switzerland. Waiting 2 hours for a train is always better than the stress of potentially missing it. On a personal note, I was travelling on the same coach as a small group of young people also on an Interrailing trip. Despite the coach leaving at 6.30am, it ended up getting stuck at the border, as well as in traffic. The coach arrived at Trieste train station 45 minutes late, and the group mentioned that their train was leaving in 5 minutes, so it was only luck that they made it in time. Meanwhile, I had a two hour wait for my train, and had all the time in the world to relax in Trieste, without any stress.
In Switzerland, transfers such as those of 5 minutes or less, are quite common. Arriving 1 minute before the departure of our next train, we had to run and luckily made it. A lot of people make these short transfers, and a huge crowd was running for the same train with me. If in any doubt about your particular transfer, Reddit is a good place to look.
This especially applies for more expensive legs of an Interrail route, such as through Switzerland. Waiting 2 hours for a train is always better than the stress of potentially missing it. On a personal note, I was travelling on the same coach as a small group of young people also on an Interrailing trip. Despite the coach leaving at 6.30am, it ended up getting stuck at the border, as well as in traffic. The coach arrived at Trieste train station 45 minutes late, and the group mentioned that their train was leaving in 5 minutes, so it was only luck that they made it in time. Meanwhile, I had a two hour wait for my train, and had all the time in the world to relax in Trieste, without any stress.
In Switzerland, transfers such as those of 5 minutes or less, are quite common. Arriving 1 minute before the departure of our next train, we had to run and luckily made it. A lot of people make these short transfers, and a huge crowd was running for the same train with me. If in any doubt about your particular transfer, Reddit is a good place to look.
7. Remember Travel Insurance for Intense Routes
An Interrail trip involving multiple places naturally relies on the success of arriving at the previous location. I think it is extremely important to get travel insurance on Interrail trips that span more than three cities. A single late, cancelled, or missed train can cause a cascading effect for a trip. And the longer the trip, the more likely a disturbance is to happen. If you have any doubts, insure your trip. A group of friends known to me booked a Eurostar trip to Amsterdam, and by some misfortune it was cancelled, which ended up with them having to book an expensive last minute flight. To make situations like this stress free, and a reasonable risk tolerance within a longer trip, insurance is a must. And the great part is – its not expensive at all! Even I had the impression that insurance was going to cost a lot, but it barely made a dent in my budget.
An Interrail trip involving multiple places naturally relies on the success of arriving at the previous location. I think it is extremely important to get travel insurance on Interrail trips that span more than three cities. A single late, cancelled, or missed train can cause a cascading effect for a trip. And the longer the trip, the more likely a disturbance is to happen. If you have any doubts, insure your trip. A group of friends known to me booked a Eurostar trip to Amsterdam, and by some misfortune it was cancelled, which ended up with them having to book an expensive last minute flight. To make situations like this stress free, and a reasonable risk tolerance within a longer trip, insurance is a must. And the great part is – its not expensive at all! Even I had the impression that insurance was going to cost a lot, but it barely made a dent in my budget.
Final Thoughts
Interrailing is a fun and unique way to spend a holiday. You get to visit a lot of cities, try new food, experience new cultures, all for the fraction of the cost of multiple plane tickets! Planning and budgeting are all part of the experience, and are arguably the most important as well. I strongly believe that a well planned trip is a trip that goes well, and I hope that through this advice your trip will be worry-free, incident-proof, and full of enjoyment.
Interrailing is a fun and unique way to spend a holiday. You get to visit a lot of cities, try new food, experience new cultures, all for the fraction of the cost of multiple plane tickets! Planning and budgeting are all part of the experience, and are arguably the most important as well. I strongly believe that a well planned trip is a trip that goes well, and I hope that through this advice your trip will be worry-free, incident-proof, and full of enjoyment.