Interrailing - The Big Europe Trip

Day 1: Start trip in London (UK). Are you ready for eight weeks of exploring Europe? Kicking off this epic interrailing itinerary is London, a cultural and historical melting pot where there is truly something for everyone. Don’t worry about seeing it all either, because you will be back here in eight weeks!

Days 2-4: Paris (France). This monumental city is packed with local charm if you know where to look for it. While the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are understandably at the top of travellers’ lists, the most enjoyable way to experience Paris is to walk around and see where the day takes you. From beautiful neighbourhoods like Le Marais and Montmartre to the bewitching Luxembourg Gardens, you will quickly discover why Paris is nicknamed the city of love. 

Days 4-7: Barcelona (Spain). Barcelona is a rare destination that offers everything imaginable to make it a sensational city break. Its signature style is Gaudí fantasy architecture, inviting nightlife, markets that overflow with energy and a Gothic Quarter containing hidden gems where you least expect. Not to mention how spoilt for choice Barcelona is for escapes into nature (and the beach!).

Days 7-10: Nice (France). Escape to Côte d'Azur for three unforgettable nights in Nice: chasing sunsets on the beaches, browsing the art galleries and paying a visit to one of the nearby vineyards. Maybe it’s how much sunshine Nice enjoys throughout the year, but there’s something so lively about this French Riviera capital. 

Days 10-13: Lake Como (Italy). Imagine emerald valleys laced with billionaire villas, slopes that lead into glistening open lakes and romantic islands packed with Italian village magic. It is easy to see why Lake Como is a favourite destination for the rich and famous, but even backpackers will feel at peace in this vibrant area. 

Days 13-16: Interlaken (Switzerland). After three nights in glamorous Lake Como, it’s time for an adrenaline rush. Nicknamed the “adventure capital” of Switzerland, Interlaken is a wanderlust paradise. Embrace the outdoors as you discover plunging waterfalls, the peaks of Alpine mountains, charming Swiss chalets tucked into the emerald landscape and awe-inspiring open lakes. 

Days 16-18: Venice (Italy). A country so iconic we’ve dedicated several days to exploring it, Italy is your next destination on this interrailing trip. And first up, it’s the floating city of Venice. Whether you want to go for a gondola ride, freely explore the winding alleys or indulge in the tradition of Cicchetti (it’s like Venetian tapas!), there are so many activities you can plan in a short amount of time!

Days 18-21: Florence (Italy). If you’re passionate about cultural sightseeing, then you will be spoiled for choice in Florence. From the Uffizi to the Accademia Gallery, take the chance to see Renaissance masterpieces in person like the ‘Birth of Venus’ and ‘The Statue of David’. Aside from hopping between museums, take the time to explore Florence on foot and visit its churches. 

Days 21-24: Rome (Italy). All roads lead back to this romantic whirlwind of a city. Rome offers an exciting mix of ancient ruins, an incredible food scene and nightlife waiting to be discovered. Test your Roman Empire knowledge as you explore remarkable sights like The Forum and The Pantheon where emperors and gladiators once stood. 

Days 24-28: Sorrento (Italy). End your Italy escapade on a high in Sorrento. Go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters at Parco dei Principi, sip a limoncello spritz or freshly squeezed orange juice by the sea or wander the winding streets of Sorrento’s Old Town. Master the art of “la dolce far niente” (“the sweetness of doing nothing”) over the next few days, or plan a day trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum! On day 28 we will take the overnight ferry to our next country - Croatia!

Days 28-31: Split (Croatia). After waking up in this golden paradise, enjoy three whole days of exploring. Its historic centre is unlike anything you have encountered before, as the well-preserved Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace dominate the space. Outside of the heart of Split, you’ll find the staggering Klis Fortress - as seen in Game of Thrones - intertwined with the valley above.

Days 31-34: Ljubljana (Slovenia). Over the next few days, you’ll get to know one of Europe’s most underrated destinations: Slovenia. Ljubljana is one of the greenest and most peaceful cities you will encounter on this epic interrailing journey, making it an amazing destination for a mid-trip refresh. 

Days 34-37: Budapest (Hungary). It’s time for a spa day! Budapest’s thermal baths are adored by locals and tourists alike for good reason; the salt water and steamy atmosphere is the perfect recipe for relaxation. When you’re finally ready to come out of the water, there’s a world of ruin bars, art nouveau architecture and castles built into hills to explore. 

Days 37-39: Bratislava (Slovakia). Get ready to discover the best-kept secret of Central Europe. On your trip, you will meet some of the most generous and hospitable people in Bratislava. The fairytale Old Town is easy to explore on foot and the creamy, smoky food is rich in flavour and unbelievably cheap. This compact destination is an ideal stop-off to recoup and enjoy a few drinks as you gear up for the final 10-day leg of your journey! 

Days 39-41: Vienna (Austria). Vienna leaves a legacy like no other. Inspiration is everywhere you turn in this Baroque city, a treasure trove of art history, classical music and niche museums. Exploring Vienna on foot is easy, so you don’t miss the magnificent sights - including unusual finds like the Hundertwasser village.

Days 41-44: Kraków (Poland). Three nights in Kraków is an ideal amount of time to uncover this beautiful city. There is a wealth of history to discover - from the deeply moving Schindler’s Factory to the coats of arms on the ceiling of the Cloth Hall. And with the food and drinks being so budget-friendly, getting settled into this cosy destination is effortless. 

Days 44-47: Prague (Czechia). From the golden spires and magical riverfront, Prague is a real-life fairytale. Expect afternoons in the Old Town, castle visits, pub crawls, platefuls of dumplings and more. The best part? How affordable everything is!

Days 47-50: Berlin (Germany). Berlin is easily one of the most exciting city breaks you can do. Whether you’re most interested in historical sightseeing, the world-famous nightlife, the arts or the multicultural food scene, it’s easy to plan an action-packed itinerary for Berlin. 

Days 50-53: Copenhagen (Denmark). Copenhagen is your taster of Scandinavia. Tivoli Gardens is the original fairytale destination, as this alluring theme park is said to have inspired Hans Christian Anderson and Walt Disney. Don’t forget about Reffen either, which is the largest street food market in the Nordic region. After getting to know Copenhagen, you won’t ever want to leave! 

Day 54: Hamburg (Germany). Hamburg is not your typical tourist trail, but this sprawling port city has all kinds of excitement for curious visitors. From  The Beatles’ music roots to nightlife and an interesting blend of architecture, Hamburg is a mixture of old and new-world charm.

Days 55-57: Amsterdam (The Netherlands). Escape to the vibrant city of Amsterdam, famed for its river canals, quirky architecture and thriving nightlife. While tickets to the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank’s House should be organised in advance, everything else in Amsterdam allows for a bit of spontaneity. 

Days 57-59: Bruges (Belgium). This postcard-come-to-life is your last, but certainly not least, discovery on this epic journey. As you wander the cobblestone streets and marvel at the Mediaeval buildings connected by river canals, you will feel immensely grateful for all the memories you have gained over the past two months. 

Day 60: London (UK). Celebrate your final evening on this interrailing adventure as this journey of a lifetime comes to an end. Now’s your chance to explore all the places you didn’t get the chance to earlier. Most of London’s museums and galleries are free to enter, so you can easily fit one more day of cultural sightseeing even on a reduced budget. 

Day 61: Finish trip. On this epic trip, you’ve discovered 16 countries and 22 destinations - and created priceless memories along the way. We hope you’ve had an amazing time exploring Europe in-depth!

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 arrive into London on day 1 and from London on day 61. All the days on this trip are free for individuals to spend how they wish, so you can fly 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

60 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 hotel accommodation if you’d prefer.

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

Meals

Meals are not included in this trip. Exploring 15 different countries means you have countless opportunities to explore a wide variety of cuisines - from the fresh and light taste of Mediterranean food to the cosy warmth of dishes from the Balkans. On this trip, you will visit several destinations that are famous for their budget-friendly food: Prague, Kraków and Bratislava, to name a few!

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 the EU or Schengen Area for up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa. Your passport must have been issued in the past 10 years, and be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU or Schengen area.