Interrailing - London to Istanbul

Day 1: London (UK). Your interrailing journey begins in London, where you can take the chance to explore the city’s variety of free activities. From the British Museum and Tate Modern gallery to strolling through Borough Market and Covent Garden, it is easy to do a day trip in London on a budget. 

Days 2-5: Paris (France). Get to know the Parisian city of love and lights over the next few days. If it is your first time, then it is only right that you prioritise a trip to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum (which would take several days to explore fully!). Chase the best city vistas, become acquainted with the charming Montmartre and Le Marais neighbourhoods and unwind in Paris’s gorgeous parks like Jardin du Luxembourg.

Days 5-9: Amsterdam (The Netherlands). Amsterdam is an inspiring destination to uncover, rich in culture, fairytale scenery and nightlife. This city is for everyone, whether you are interested in Amsterdam’s artsy galleries - Van Gogh included - or spending all your time outside. From the postcard canals where exploring them on a boat is a ‘Dam right of passage, to the variety of parks in the heart of and just outside the city, nature is never far away in Amsterdam. 

Days 9-13: Berlin (Germany). The party is only getting started! Famous for its fascinating history, artistic neighbourhoods, international food and wild nightlife variety, Berlin has everything you could ever want or need in a city break. Most of Berlin’s landmark places are also free to explore, from the vibrant East Side Gallery to the harrowing Holocaust memorial and the Reichstag Building for incredible city vistas.

Days 13-16: Prague (Czechia). Escape to the stunning city of Prague, famed for its burnt-orange rooftops, sharp spires and enchanting Old Town. Even as Prague gets more popular by the day, this fairytale city is still full of secrets. From the Great South Tower for unparalleled city views in both beauty and price, to following the local favourite Stag Moat route to reach the castle, Prague off-the-beaten-path is easier than you may expect. 

Days 16-21: Budapest (Hungary). Next up, it is Budapest! Renowned for its adventurous mix of thermal spas, ruin bars and opulent architecture, Budapest makes for a truly memorable city break. Behind its glamorous facade are budget-friendly activities and some of the best nightlife in Europe. Go bargain-hunting inside the impressive Great Market Hall, take a river cruise down the Danube and escape high above the city to Castle Hill for dreamy sunsets. Next we take the overnight train to Bucharest (Romania).

Days 21-25: Bucharest (Romania). Bucharest is not your typical European city break, and that is why so many travellers are obsessed with it. This hidden gem destination is home to outstanding museums (many of which are free), treasured monuments like the Roman Athenaeum and ethereal Cişimigiu Gardens. Our second overnight transport is on night 25 with an overnight bus to Istanbul (Turkey).

Days 25-28: Istanbul (Turkey). What a way to end your trip on a high. The only city in the world to sit between two continents, Istanbul is a melting pot of Ottoman architectural marvels, bustling Bazaars, Middle Eastern spices and Islamic mosaics with a Rapunzel-like tower and Roman Walls of Constantinople. Putting it simply, Istanbul is huge, and so three nights here is just enough time to scratch the surface. But we cannot blame you if you decide to extend your trip here - exploring Istanbul is addictive! 

Day 29: Trip End. Your month long adventure has come to an end here in Istanbul. Depart at any time.

This itinerary is a suggestion of what you could get up to and not included activities. This is a self-guided experience with transport and accommodation included (no group or tour guide). Travellers will be expected to arrange their own plans within each city - giving you absolute flexibility on this trip.

Why choose our interrailing trips?

Interrailing Europe sounds simple, right? As romantic as it sounds to purchase a pass and see where your adventure takes you, the reality can often mean scouring for affordable accommodation deals, losing track of which currency you need, getting train timetables mixed up, falling for tourist traps… you get the picture. 

Our interrailing trips simplify this process so that you can travel around Europe in comfort. Firstly, all your travel between destinations on this trip is taken care of: including the more spontaneous train journeys and compulsory reservations. Regarding accommodation, you will stay in dorm-style rooms in centrally located hostels with great facilities. Prefer to have your own space? There is the option to upgrade to single or double rooms on this trip, or you could even choose to upgrade to 3 or 4-star hotels!

Our itineraries are designed to give you a taster of each destination with a few suggested activities. There is something for everyone in Europe, regardless of if you are most interested in culture, history, nature, nightlife or food.

How does it work?

Once you’ve booked one of our interrailing trips, you will receive access to a unique downloadable app that is tailored specifically around your trip. Here, you’ll be able to view the itinerary and accommodation details.

Your trip can start on any date of your choice - whether you’re dreaming of a summer getaway to Europe, exploring festive markets in winter or travelling in the shoulder seasons. While the dates, routes and durations are fixed after you start, you have absolute freedom for the time you spend in each city. 

On trains that don’t require a reservation, all you need is your train pass to board the train. Where reservations are required, we’ll take care of it for you and include the details in the app. There are multiple train options for each journey, so it’s unlikely that you’ll miss them all. But if it does happen, speak to someone at the station’s information desk or call us on our emergency number.

Detailed information on how to get to your accommodation from the station will also be provided, including bus numbers, metro lines and walking directions. 

Travellers will need to make their own arrangements to London for day 1 and from Istanbul on day 29. All the days on this trip are free for individuals to spend how they wish, so you can arrive in or leave at any time. Typically, most hostel check-ins are from 3pm onwards, whereas check-out times tend to fall between 10am to 12pm. However, you can always leave your luggage with reception if you arrive early and go out to explore the city! 

Accommodation

28 nights’ accommodation is included on this trip. On the standard version of this trip, you’ll be staying in centrally-located hostels with nearby access to restaurants and public transportation. The shared rooms are dorm-style with access to a communal kitchen and lounge. If you’re travelling with a partner or friend, we can make sure you’re placed together.

There may be an option to stay in single or double rooms at an extra cost. Alternatively, you can upgrade to 3 or 4 star hotel accommodation if you’d prefer.

Please note that you may be expected to pay a small tourist tax in cash on checkout.

Meals

No meals are included, and on this trip, you will have the unique opportunity to sample all the incredible flavours of not one - but two - continents! Whether you are trying traditional dishes with a modern twist in Prague and Budapest, feasting on multicultural fusion foods in London and Berlin or bringing on the spice in Istanbul - wow, talk about being spoiled for choice. 

Berlin is actually famous for its German-Turkish hybrid dishes like Döner Kebab, so if you want to build up the hype for Istanbul, then you know what to order here!

This trip is open to anyone aged between 18 and 27 (at the time of travel). If you will be aged 28 or over at the time of travel, due to restrictions with the interrailing passes, a small surcharge may apply. Please speak to a travel advisor for full details. 

British citizens can stay in Turkey or the EU area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa.

EU: Your passport must be less than 10 years old and be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave.

Turkey: Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days (5 months) from the date you arrive and have a full blank page for entry and exit stamps.

Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Always check with the relevant embassies before you travel.