Top tips for InterRailing this summer

If you’re looking for a holiday on a budget, interrailing really is one of the best ways to get the most bang from your buck. Cheaper than a working holiday visa, interrailing tickets can be purchased for less than €200 with the most expensive month long ticket coming in under €500. With a little bit of planning and the right group of people, interrailing can be one of the most memorable holiday experiences you will ever take. Have a look at our tips of interrail travel around Europe this summer to make sure you make the most of this travel experience.

Get on the train

Image courtesy of Ruben Bos.

If there is one thing that will mess up your interrailing holiday, it’s missing your train. While everyone knows this in theory, the reality is that travel and transport are unpredictable, especially at rush hour and it is very easy to miss your train. The best way to avoid this is to give yourself plenty of time to get both to your station, and to board the train. You may arrive in a city through one station but depart through another so make sure you double check your train times before it’s too late.

Know where you are going

Once you arrive at your stop off point you’ll need to find your way around. Our guide to travel apps to help you feel like a local will help you find your feet when your train comes to a stop. Make sure you’re aware of your roaming costs from your network provider when you travel, otherwise you could be in for a nasty surprise when you come home. Most cafes in major cities should have wifi however so you won’t be stuck.

Don’t leave booking ‘till the last minute

If the weather is good and you’re on holiday in a major European city, the chances are that other people are too. While you may want to go with the flow and not plan too much when you travel it is worth spending a bit of time in a café of a place with wifi to plan your accommodation. For one thing, arriving late in the day to an unfamiliar city, the last thing you want to do is start contacting hosts to find a homestay. They may also already be booked up. Download our app and contact your a host as soon as your know your dates for your next destination, it really will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Don’t be afraid to do what you want to do

Often interrailing starts as an idea between a couple of friends but ends up sprawling into a much larger group holiday. This can be great and will form life-long memories, but it is important to get what you want out of your travel experience. If no one except you wants to go to visit some Roman ruins try make the time yourself if possible- you’ll really enjoy it.

Travel Light

Image courtesy of Martin Fisch.

Lots of us are guilty of packing too many clothes when it comes to going on holiday but travelling with a backpack on your back will really make you change your ways. Practice packing and repacking your bag a couple of times before you leave: if you have trouble doing this, then you’re definitely bringing too much stuff. The real trick however is not to pick up too much stuff while you travel, or you may sour your experience by getting whacked with an add-on luggage fee from an airline on your way home.

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If you want to book a homestay as part of your interrailing holiday make sure you bookmark our homepage for your travels, or better yet, download our iPhone app so you can book your homestays on the go.

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