It used to be a rite of passage for school leavers in the summer before they started Europe – grabbing an Inter Rail ticket and heading off for a month of travelling around the major European cities. The growth of budget airlines means that Interrailing is less popular than in the past, but is still a great way of having a European holiday on a budget.

Getting The Tickets

You have to arrange your Interrail tickets from the UK before heading off on your adventure, and there are several options available depending on your requirements. Take some time to think about how long you want to go for and which countries you wish to visit before booking the first tickets you come across. Separate prices are available for people under 25, senior citizens over 60 and families with children, and for travel for between 5 days and a month. A Global Pass will allow you to travel through 30 countries across Europe, including Turkey.

Planning the Trip

Part of the beauty of Interrail is the flexibility – your ticket entitles you to use most trains throughout Europe and you can change plans at the drop of a hat. However, if you are planning to use high speed or overnight services you may need to pay additional reservation fees in advance, so some planning is wise. Consider too that even if you have to pay a reservation fee for a seat or bunk on an overnight train, this may be less than the cost of staying in a hotel for the night. There is lots of information on the Interrail website about how to plan your trip and how to access timetables for services across Europe. There are also many travellers’ forums where you can share ideas and experiences with other people considering similar trips.

What To Take

Interrailing offers unrivalled flexibility for your holiday, but does mean you have to travel light as everything you need on your break has to be carried with you. Stick to the very minimum in terms of clothing, and pack things which can be easily washed and dried in hotel rooms. As well as a large rucksack for the majority of your belongings, take a smaller bag or daysack so you can leave your large bag in left luggage at a station or in your accommodation while sightseeing. Things like toiletries can be easily bought while travelling, and keep expensive gadgets to a minimum as security can often be an issue. Check that your travel insurance will cover you on the type of holiday which has no one permanent base, and remember to sort out EHIC cover before leaving home as this will help you get healthcare in most Interrail countries on the same basis as locals.

Budget for Interrail Holidays

Work out a per-day budget for your Interrailing trip, bearing in mind that the very minimum you will need for accommodation and food will be upwards of 25 euros per day. Don’t carry large sums of money with you, and look for a special pre-paid credit or debit card in euros which can be used to pay accommodation costs and withdraw smaller amounts as you move around.