If you’re someone who’s on a mission to see as much of the world as possible in your lifetime, interrailing across Europe is probably right up your street. But if you’re like us and you appreciate an authentic experience when visiting new places, we’ve put together some tips so you can experience countries like the natives who live there.

So, whether you’re in search of your next European interrailing experience or simply want to learn more about what it has to offer, continue reading this insightful guide.

 

Top Tips for Interrailing

 

Buying Your Interrail Ticket

Before you set off, you’ll need to pick the right Interrail Pass. It’s what gives you access to trains across Europe and choosing the right one can make a big difference.

There are two main types of Interrail tickets:

• Global Pass – perfect if you’re visiting multiple countries.
• One Country Pass – ideal if you’re focusing on just one country.

When you’re ready to buy:

• Book directly through the Interrail website for the latest prices and options.
• Choose the mobile pass for flexibility. It stays on your phone and makes changes easier.
• Check which trains require reservations. Many local trains don’t, but high-speed and international ones often do.

 

Who Can Use an Interrail Pass?

Whether you're planning a spontaneous adventure or a slow journey through Europe, it's important to know which pass is right for you.

If you live in Europe, including the UK, you’re eligible for the Interrail Pass. It gives you access to trains across much of the continent and comes in a few different options based on your age:

• Youth Pass: For anyone under 28. It’s the most budget-friendly option and popular with students and backpackers.
• Adult Pass: For travelers between 28 and 59. This is the standard option most people go for.
• Senior Pass: For those aged 60 and over. You’ll get a small discount compared to the adult pass.

If you’re visiting Europe from outside the region, like the United States, Canada, or Australia, you’ll need the Eurail Pass instead. It works the same way as Interrail and covers the same train routes; just called something else.

 

Use Local Transport at your Destinations

If you’re travelling around the top cities to backpack, it may be tempting to jump in an Uber to avoid any travel disasters. However, if you’re trying to explore like a local, resist this temptation and utilise local transport.

Using buses, trams and trains to get around new cities will save you a ton of money, but that’s not the only reason to utilise local transport. It’s a great way to get a feel for new cities and new countries, even when you’re not taking in famous landmarks and attractions.

 

Don’t Overplan

Before you embark on an interrailing adventure, you probably feel like you need to have everything planned out. While it obviously helps to be prepared, you’ll want to leave a few gaps for spontaneous plans that can come from locals’ recommendations.

The internet will be able to offer you some fantastic tips, but there’s nobody better placed to guide you around a city than the people who have lived there their whole life. Interact with everyone from restaurant staff to hotel cleaners, there’s a strong chance they’ll be able to offer you hidden gems that you won’t find online.

 

Consider Hostels

Many travellers like the luxury and privacy that a hotel can offer. By contrast, hostels can be seen as less desirable, with many people perceiving them to be unhygienic, noisy and overcrowded. In reality, many European cities offer fantastic hostels, and you may be surprised at what you find.

Not only are they budget-friendly, but they also tie in nicely with our previous point. It’s a fantastic way to meet locals as well as other travellers, whose brains you can pick to get some extra travel tips and recommendations.

 

Embrace Local Cuisine

If you want to live like a local when visiting a new destination, there’s no better way to do this than tasting the region’s local cuisine. Whether it’s pasta in Italy, paella in Spain or gyros in Greece, you may find that local dishes taste a little different to what you’re used to when rustled up by local chefs.

Again, try to interact with as many people as possible when travelling to find the best eateries instead of just relying on reviews and recommendations online.

 

Avoid Travelling in Summer

Summer is the most popular time to travel across Europe as it’s your best bet to soak up some sun as you wander from city to city. However, it’s probably not the best time to travel if you want to see places through the eyes of a local.

With kids out of school, you’ll first find that prices are higher, which limits how much you can do in each destination. But the bigger issue is that cities and towns will be far busier, and attractions will be crowded. All in all, it just doesn’t lend itself to an authentic experience, and you may end up seeing the city from a tourist’s perspective. 

Obviously, if you’re interrailing across Europe with children, this may not be an option. But fear not, you and your little ones can still receive an authentic experience by following these tips:

Consider Towns Over Cities: Major cities will likely be overrun with tourists during summer. Instead, try to include some less popular towns and neighbourhoods that are off the beaten track. While they may not have as much to offer, remember that you’ll probably only be spending 24 or 48 hours in a location before moving on to your next.

Do Normal Things: Another great way to avoid the busy crowds is by just doing normal things in new cities, like you would do when at home. Go for a picnic in a local park, sit outside a local ice cream parlour or go shopping for some nursery room accessories to remember your trip by! These are all great, cost-effective ways to entertain children while continuing to explore like a local.

Have Play Days: Speaking of doing normal things, don’t feel like your whole time has to be spent exploring. Finding a local playground or having a day playing games indoors will keep your child’s spirits up, making your travelling around far less stressful.

 

These tips should help you receive an authentic experience when interrailing around Europe. Obviously, we’re all different, and we all want different things from our adventures. Be sure to research thoroughly before travelling to ensure you pick out destinations that are suited to your own interests.

 

After completing a University degree in Journalism, Darcy Fowler has dedicated a lot of time to travelling around the world and experiencing a variety of cultures. Darcy is determined to provide interesting and insightful content with the hope of inspiring others.