Interrail in Europe: A 3 week Itinerary

Interrailing is a fantastic way to see Europe. Once you arrive in your first country outside the UK’s borders, the continent is your oyster as your Interrail pass will grant you pre-paid travel across the rail networks of 33 countries.

With so many options, you might ask, “what is the best interrail route?”. Unfortunately, there’s not really any such thing, so what you should be asking is “How do I get the most out of interrail?”

Both of us have been lucky enough to go on our own Interrail trips, so we have two great examples to share to help inspire you to create your own itinerary. Here, Graeme writes about his experience of Interrail in 2016.

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I went interrailing with my friend Sigs in 2016. This is our route and some of the best things we saw and did along the way. For each city stop, I’ve included a brief overview of the journey there and a few of the must-do or must-see attractions, should you choose to visit on your interrail trip.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen seemed an ideal starting point for our trip, as flights out to the Danish capital were under £30 from Luton Airport. Hostel accommodation was reasonably priced (compared to other stops on our trip), though the city in general was one of the more expensive places we visited.

Some highlights in Copenhagen:

Tivoli Gardens was the original inspiration for Disney World. An amusement park in the centre of the city, its original attractions are over 100 years old.
Christiania is a ‘free city’ within Copenhagen. The vibe is extremely chilled: think peace, love, and a liberal attitude toward recreational drugs. It’s a great place to walk around in warm weather but felt a little sketchy when the sun went down.

Berlin, Germany

After two nights in Copenhagen, we were off to Berlin - on an overnight train via Hamburg. We only actually stayed in the German capital for around 12 hours, both having visited it before. We arrived as the sun rose over the Reichstag and left for the Polish border via a commuter train at rush hour. Nevertheless, we managed to pack a load of fun into our day:

The DDR Museum is consistently voted one of the best museums in the world and gives you a flavour of what life was like in East Germany, behind the Iron Curtain. Not to be missed!
The Berlin Wall. You might be sensing a theme here, but I love all things historical. If I could place myself at a moment in history, it would be the night the Wall fell in November 1989, for the sheer euphoria of the people as a nation reunited.

Krakow, Poland

The train from the border town of Kostryzn south to Krakow is not what you’d call quick - or in any way comfortable! But nine hours later we arrived in Poland’s second city. Krakow has a reputation as a mecca for stag dos due to its low prices and bars aplenty. But scratch the surface, and there is a wealth of history and culture to be absorbed.

Krakow’s Salt Mines are one of the most surprisingly incredible things I’ve ever seen in my life. This tour into the depths is truly eye-opening, and a testament to the ingenuity of people who, hundreds of years ago, carved out miles of chambers - and even a full-sized cathedral - with only primitive tools.
Auschwitz is not what you would call a ‘tourist attraction’, but it’s incredibly important to make time to visit the epicentre of one of the most heinous crimes in the history of mankind, as an act of remembrance. Buses to the site run regularly from the centre of Krakow, and tours are operated in a wide range of languages.

Prague, Czechia

On an overnight train to Prague, my friend and I had the pleasure of sharing a cabin with an incredibly interesting American photographer, who was embarking on a round-the-world trip photographing ballet everywhere he went. The trip itself was smooth and comfortable, courtesy of the modern, high-speed train.

The Prague Beer Museum is essentially just a bar. But one that offers over 30 local Czech brews on tap and incredibly knowledgeable staff to talk you through them.
Jewish Quarter and Castle Hill - a walking tour is the best way to experience the city’s many historical sites. Most operate a ‘pay what you think it's worth’ system, so check with your hostel for the best ones.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a city that oozes faded grandeur. Once the centre of one of Europe’s most powerful empires, Budapest’s stunning architecture was clearly neglected in the second half of the 20th century. Nevertheless, this is a city with a huge amount to offer, and you don’t have to go far to find it.

Budapest’s famous ruin bars are not to be missed. Reclaimed buildings in the old Jewish quarter, they are now the heart of the city’s jumping nightlife.
The House of Terror lives up to its name. The building served as the HQ of the Gestapo during World War II, then the communist AVH immediately afterward. It is now a museum to the terror visited upon the population of Budapest.
A dip in the Thermal Baths is a must! A cultural touchstone of the city, these open-air baths are not to be missed.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna feels like the other side of the same coin as Budapest, and travelling directly from one to the other is eye-opening. The architecture is a mirror image: the same imperial style but maintained and manicured.

The centre of Vienna comes alive when the Naschmarkt is in town. Browse the delicious treats or park yourself at one of the open-air bars and enjoy a stein of pils.
The Vienna Museum of Military History is the best museum I’ve ever been to. It offers a full sweep of Austrian imperial history from the high middle ages to World War I, and near the end, features one of the most amazing artefacts you’ll ever see.

*Cheers! A refreshing beer is much-needed after climbing the hills in Salzburg*

Salzburg, Austria

The train journey from Vienna to Salzburg is quite simply ridiculous. People from Yorkshire like to refer to their county as ‘God’s country’. Sorry, but they’ve clearly never visited the Austrian Alps! Sit back, relax, and drink in those views.

Salzburg’s castle, the Festung Hohensalzburg looms over the city and dominates its skyline. A tour round its chambers and halls is well worth it, and the payoff - a view over the rest of Salzburg - is spectacular.
Mozart was born in Salzburg. Check out his birthplace, then take a stroll in the beautiful Mirabellgarten.

Zurich, Switzerland

Europe’s most beautiful train journeys - part II. The line from Salzburg to Zurich passes through Liechtenstein, so you can catch a glimpse of yet another country as you marvel at the mountainous vistas.

Lake Zurich - If you’re travelling on a budget, free things are always good. Zurich is almost obnoxiously expensive, but one thing you can enjoy for free is a dip in its eponymous lake.
Zurich’s Aldstadt, or old town, is the place to sample Zurich’s best bars and restaurants. Make sure you try some raclette or a potato rosti - absolutely delicious.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I’m sure the overnight train from Zurich to Amsterdam is usually great, but ours broke down in Frankfurt at 3am, meaning we had to devise a new travel plan on the hoof while half asleep. All good fun, though!

Coffee houses - when in Rome, right? If you’re a young tourist in Amsterdam, let’s face it, you’re going to check out its cafe culture and some of the herbal delights that aren’t (legally) available in the UK. Go easy and make sure you eat and drink plenty while you partake.
The Van Gough Museum is really great. Even if you know very little about art, you’re sure to recognise a lot of the Dutch Master’s work. Take a couple of hours and gain a whole new appreciation of post-impressionism.

So there you have it - nine cities in eight countries. We did this route over three weeks, but you could adjust either the timings or the stops to suit your budget and calendar. Wherever you choose to stop on your interrail adventure, make sure you find the time to appreciate the unique character of each of the cities you visit. After all, that’s what travel is all about!

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