I did an EU Rail pass trip (same as Interrail but for people outside EU), because I love taking the train. Visited 9 countries in 3 weeks, spending 120 hours of my trip on a train or transferring. I had a lot of fun.
Every train system is a little different, fare structure is a bit different here and there. In Germany it’s easy to get around without paying extra, in France you’ll have to pay extra often. Italy it’s a small fee but you have to pay it for every reservation.
You can get used to sleeping on a train, and if you’re young enough then some NightJet 3 seater coach cabins aren’t too bad. But be careful of overdoing it; at the end of the 3 weeks I was so tired I took the wrong train from København, Denmark and ended up in Nykøbing Falster at 2AM.
Wherever you go, be mindful that cost of staying varies wildly too, especially if you’re coming from Romania. Switzerland was expensive as hell for a young and broke traveler like me.
Including the plane ticket, rail ticket and reservation fees, hostel fees, food, beer and a couple souvenirs, I spent 4000 CAD over the 3 weeks, which works out to 200 CAD a day. This was in late spring 2022.
Be aware of the weather of where you’re visiting, this is true of any international trip but if you will be travelling far across various European climates it’s extra important to remember.
Been on several interrail trips and would consider doing it again. Do check the prices and any extra charges for what you want to do first, to make sure it’s really your best option. But travelling around Europe by rail is fantastic.
Normal seats on night trains suck, that’s the first thing that comes to mind. If you ever take a night train on your interrail journeys, pay extra for a bed.
I’ve been exclusively travelling by train for many years, it’s pretty great. Europe has a lot of places to see.
Went with an Interrail Global pass to a train trip through italy. We took the first class ticket because it wasn’t all that much more expensive and we’ve spent like 30 hours on the track over the period of two weeks. Be careful, though, as not all trains are free to use and you need to reserve seats which will set you back quite a few bucks.
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