My Ultimate Interrailling Route: 15 Destinations, 11 Countries, 5 Weeks Across Europe

In the summer of 2024, between finishing university and starting my first job in the corporate world, I packed my 65l rucksack and set off on a five week interrailing trip around Europe.

Over that time I visited 15 destinations across 11 countries, mixing the big iconic cities with hidden gems. Some places I had already been to before, but I wanted to return and explore them more in depth.

It was a trip had been in the planning process all year, and one that had been talked about since my first year of university, when I first met my then boyfriend – and my ex by the time we actually went, lol. From that first year, we had always dreamed about interrailing across Europe after graduation. So, a month and a half after finishing uni, off we went on our five week Interrail adventure.

Interrailing is one of those experiences so many people dream of. The freedom to jump on a train, explore a new country, and immerse yourself in local culture is something I had wanted for years, but never truly thought I’d do. Even now, I sometimes look back in disbelief that I actually did it.

It was such an incredible experience, and one I would never change. I have treasured memories of the trip and will always look back with gratitude for the opportunity.

That said, my Interrail experience wasn’t perfect. There were moments of stress, things I got wrong, and lessons I only learned along the way.

My hope is that this guide gives you both inspiration and practical tips, so you feel ready, prepared, and confident when planning your own Interrail adventure across Europe.

Summary: Ultimate Interrail Route

• Destinations Covered: 15 cities in 11 countries, including Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and scenic gems like Lake Como, Hallstatt, Lake Bled, and Dubrovnik.
• Must-See & Hidden Gems: Iconic landmarks, offbeat spots, charming towns, and local experiences for every type of traveller.
• Sleep & Comfort: Book sleeper cabins with proper beds and early check-in accomodation to stay rested and energised for exploring.
• Budget Tips: 5-week trip cost around £3,200 covering transport, accommodation, food, activities, and souvenirs. Plan smart to save without missing out.
• Emergency Planning: Always have extra funds for unexpected delays, transport issues, or last-minute changes.
• Travel Apps: RailPlanner, Booking.com, airline apps, reward apps, local transport apps, all simplify your trip and save money.
• Travel Strategy: Mix big cities with scenic destinations to balance sightseeing, relaxation, and authentic cultural experiences.

Are you Read to Steal My Interrailing Route?

London, United Kingdom

If you are a UK citizen, London is a very easy starting point for your Interrail adventure. From London, you can take the Eurostar to several destinations across mainland Europe, with Paris being one of the most popular.

For those thinking of interrailing, the Eurostar is included in your Interrail pass, but remember to book a seat reservation, as these are required. Mine cost about £30, which was the most expensive seat reservation of my entire trip. The Eurostar is a really lovely, spacious and comfortable way to enter mainland Europe.

Now, back to London itself! London is the UK’s capital city and so has a lot to offer. For us, we didn’t spend much time exploring London – we had visited before. So because of this we got a later into the city which arrived around 2pm, giving us just enough time to see a little of London and relax before the early start the next day.

One of my favourite spots is Word on the Water, a place you’ll hear me rave about often on this blog. It’s a beautiful 100-year-old Dutch barge full of books, both old and new. The boat also hosts live music, poetry slams, and discussions on a range of topics. It is located about a 7 minute walk from St Pancras Station making it a perfect place to visit if you do the same as us and arrive into London later in the day.

You can also find some unique gifts and souvenirs here. I picked up a postcard for only £3, along with novels and non-fiction books to take on our journey. Some favourites were Normal People by Sally Rooney (which wasn’t my purchase but a book both of us read at the speed of lightning), The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, all of which we carried across Europe.

There’s also a charming market and shopping area nearby, worth visiting if you have more than an hour or two. Word on the Water is conveniently close to the main train stations, so make sure to note its location if you’re arriving by train before venturing further into the city.

For even more hidden gems, travel tips, and local favourites in London, click here to explore my our expert guides.

Paris, France

I have been to Paris multiple times, and to be honest as much as it is a beautiful city its not one of my favourites.I’ve never experienced the classic complaints about it being “dirty” or “smelly,” but I’ve simply found other cities I prefer (just personal taste!). That said, it’s still an incredible place to visit and a fantastic way to kick off your Interrail adventure.

Paris is famous for landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and Basilique du Sacre-Coeur and you should absolutely visit these spots, but there’s so much more beyond the main attractions. If you’re after something a little different, here are some of my favourite neighbourhoods, activities, and food gems from my trip:

Montmartre – This artsy neighbourhood around the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur is one of my favourite areas in Paris. It brings a perfectly artsy and unique vibe to the city. I have visited Paris twice now and I have visited Montmartre both times. It’s stunning to explore, full of charming streets, little shops, and an authentic Parisian vibe. It does get busy, but it’s worth it.

Maison Bergeron – A must for anyone who loves pastries. The bakery has both sweet and savoury options, plus a gorgeous interior. Even if you’re not a big pastry fan like me, it’s worth a visit.

Petit Palais – Paris can be expensive! So if you are looking for a free, but still beautiful activity to do in Paris then visiting the Petit Palais is a must. Petit Palais is a beautiful art museum, with some incredible sculptures and artwork. When we visited there were live art classes taking place in the gallery making it an even more wonderful, authentic and arty experience.

And no Paris trip would be complete without trying Escargot. I’m not a fussy eater, so I actually quite enjoyed it! We had ours as a starter at Café Madame, located at 25 Rue De Vaugirard, 75006 Paris.

The food was absolutely gorgeous and honestly, it’s a meal I still think about. Six Escargots, filled with lovely garlicky goodness, cost €13. Alongside this, I had a Courgette Grill for €18.50, and we shared a 50cl bottle of wine for €21.50. In total, our meal for two, with a starter, two mains, and a bottle of wine, came to €74.60 – which I don’t think is too bad!

Bern, Switzerland

After visiting two big capitals, we took the train to Bern in Switzerland. I had actually been here before, but only when I was young, so this was a proper re-visit.

Bern is a charming little city that strikes a nice balance between relaxation and exploration. We only stayed for a short time, but it was enough to explore the city properly without feeling rushed. There isn’t too much to say about Bern apart from the fact it is a really sweet city and a lovely place to stop over.

One of Bern’s most famous attractions is its bears, which you can see in the city centre. They have their own park-like area, they are relatively easy to see, but when we visited

Another highlight is the Einstein House (Einsteinhaus) on Kramgasse 49. This small museum is set in the former apartment where Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905, during the time he worked at the Swiss Patent Office. Inside, you’ll find period furniture, photographs, and documents that show what his life was like, as well as insights into the theories he was developing. It’s a short but fascinating stop right in the heart of the Old Town.

Milan, Italy

Milan wasn’t my favourite city on the trip. For me, it felt a little bland, and honestly, you can see much of it on Google Images in seconds. That said, it’s known worldwide as the fashion capital and a hub of luxury, so if you’re into designer shops, this city will be your element.

The real highlights are the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), one of the largest and most intricate Gothic cathedrals in Europe, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery. Both are beautiful and absolutely worth visiting, if you are in Milan. Beyond these, I didn’t find much more that drew me in, so for me, Milan worked best as a stopover city.

It’s also the perfect gateway to Lake Como (just a short trip by train), which I would 100% recommend. For some reason, when I think of Milan, I picture fashion week, luxury brands, and the Kardashians and maybe I just did it wrong, but I the city didn’t live up to what I expected.

However, other travellers often say that if you don’t like Milan, you’re missing something. At the end of the day, travel is personal, and I don’t want to put you off. Milan tends to be loved by people who enjoy fashion, luxury experiences, and modern urban vibes. If designer shopping, sleek cafes, and contemporary Italian culture excite you, Milan could feel magical. For me, I am unlikely to return, but that doesn’t mean it won’t delight others.

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. I’ve written a full guide on what to do in Lake Como, but because it was so stunning, I won’t ever get bored of talking about it.

Lake Como is Italy’s deepest lake and is famous for its quiet luxury, romantic charm, and serene atmosphere. Many people get married here, and it’s easy to see why. One of my favourite things to do in Lake Como was visiting the villas, which are incredibly beautiful and almost overwhelming in their elegance. If you don’t visit a Villa I truly think you will kick yourself afterwards. When we visited, we did a lot of walking and villa exploring. Visiting at least one villa is a must, Villa Cipressi, with its stunning cast-iron gate perfect for photos, was a highlight for me.

Insight: if you love to take some pictures and have a photoshoot, lake como and its incredible villas are going to be your best friend! Villa Cipressi’s iron gate is stunning and s perfect place to take some lovely pictures. There can be a line here to take photos – but when we went it didn’t take long at all.

Lake Como’s culture is so relaxing, refreshing, slow and romantic. Certainly a lovely place to take a deep breath. We visited Lake Como after spending some time in Milan, which is an easy hour train ride away. Lake Como is such a magical place and a lovely pit stop whilst you are on your busy backpacking journey. Lake Como gets a 10/10 recommendation from me.

Hallstatt, Austria

There are a lot of rumours about Hallstatt. Some say Frozen’s Arendelle was based on Hallstatt, while others claim a full-scale replica was built in Huizhou, Guangdong province, by China Minmetals as part of a residential project. Whatever you choose to believe, one thing is certain: Hallstatt feels like stepping straight into a fairytale. The village is quaint, adorable, and immaculately designed, with the lake adding a magical, wholesome touch.

One of the most unique parts of visiting is getting there, you have to take a boat! From Hallstatt train station, a short, charming boat ride of around 5 minutes takes you across the lake. The boat departures are perfectly synced with train arrivals, so navigation is easy, you literally step off the train, walk a few seconds to the boat, and you’re on your way.

Hallstatt is small and perfect for exploring on foot. The core village is only about 1 km from end to end, full of narrow streets, lakeside paths, and charming churches. Highlights include the Skywalk, which overlooks the entire lake and village, and the Salt Mine, one of Hallstatt’s must-visit attractions, especially if you’re staying longer than a day.

Many visitors do Hallstatt as a half-day trip from Salzburg, but I personally spent a few days there and never felt bored, only relaxed. By this point in the trip, I was happy to spend a little extra time in the hotel room, something many people might choose to skip over. If you go, don’t forget to snap a photo at the famous Hallstatt postcard spot, it’s a classic for a reason!

Insight: Hallstatt is such a hidden gem, I think it’s seriously underrated… but shh, let’s keep this between us. If too many people find out, we might have to start queuing for selfies at the postcard spot!

Vienna, Austria

After Paris, I’d argue that one of the most romantic cities to visit is Vienna. In 2024, Vienna welcomed 8.17 million guests, which comes as no surprise. For me, Vienna has always felt grand; every building is stunning, making it one of the best cities for architecture in Europe.

Unfortunately, the rain gave somewhat of an atmosphere to the city – a very wet one. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time. My favourite activity was attending the opera, followed by a seafood dinner with wine at BEAULIEU Épicerie fine & Bistrot.

But even in the rain Vienna is beautiful. t Stephen’s Cathedral is breathtaking inside, and the city is full of diverse art, from famous paintings to singing performances and the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School (which I didn’t get to see this time, but it’s on my list for my third visit!).

If you are looking for a pretty city with incredible architecture then Vienna is certainly the one for you.

Prague, Czech Republic

An interrail trip would not be complete without a trip to Prague.

Prague is one of the most popular destinations thanks to its affordability. It sits in the sweet spot, often cheaper than Paris and London, but slightly more expensive than Budapest. For beer lovers, Prague is supposedly legendary: the beer is cheap and widely praised, though I must admit I didn’t drink nearly enough of it when I visited! Just watch out for tourist traps, or you might end up spending more than necessary.

Prague feels wholesome and sweet, with plenty of charming areas to explore. Prague Castle was my favourite spot in the city, offering stunning views of the city. The area surrounding Prague Castle is also incredible and a must see!

Insight: We visited Prague Castle in the pouring rain and in the dark, and it’s still one of my favourite memories of the city. If that doesn’t say something positive about Prague Castle, I don’t know what does!

The city is also famous for the Astronomical Clock Tower, though personally, I found it a bit underwhelming, it chimes, but doesn’t exactly come alive like a cuckoo clock!

There are other beautiful areas of Prague too like the John Lennon wall, and Charles bridge, and one of my quirky favourites: Prague’s narrowest alley, a tiny passageway controlled by a traffic light system.

Top Tip: Always make sure you pay for public transport! We got fined €30 for not buying a tram ticket, oops.

Berlin, Germany

Out of all the places I visited in Europe during my Interrail trip, Berlin was my absolute favourite, it easily takes first place in my rankings! Berlin stands out to me because it offers something so different and unique compared to other cities.

Not only is it full of history and culture but it comes with such a retro vibe that I am yet to find elsewhere.

Berlin also felt extremely welcoming to everyone. Vintage and second-hand shops are everywhere, making it a paradise for thrifters and fashion lovers alike. Of course, the iconic spots like the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie are must-sees, and they really bring the city’s fascinating history to life.

Berlin is made up of several unique neighbourhoods, and if it’s your first visit, I’d recommend starting in Mitte. From there, you can easily explore other areas, each with its own charm and personality.

Insight: Don’t leave Berlin without trying Currywurst, one of the city’s most iconic street foods! It’s usually made with pork, so if that’s not something you eat, you might want to give it a miss.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is such a wholesome city. We arrived on a sleeper train from Berlin, so when we got there, everywhere was still closed, and we had a bit of time to wander around while waiting for breakfast cafes to open. Once they did, we headed straight in for a traditional Polish breakfast, the Polish equivalent of an English breakfast.

Krakow has some lovely markets to explore, and I would definitely call it a wander-friendly city as you can stroll through most of it easily. While we were there, we visited Auschwitz. I highly recommend this if you want to learn more about the history of Krakow and Poland; it’s incredibly educational, and you can book a private bus from the city centre. We left at 6am and returned by noon, giving us the entire afternoon to continue exploring.

The Jewish Quarter is a must-visit, and I picked up some beautiful earrings whilst there. Surrounding the area you will find the river, lined with stunning bridges adorned with metal statues. And of course, one thing you absolutely must try in Krakow is the doughnuts from Paczkarnia Manufaktura, they’re delicious, cheap, and totally worth it!

Budapest, Hungrary

I have visited Budapest multiple times, and it’s the type of city I know I’ll never get bored of. It’s such a beautiful, easy-to-wander city, pretty, fun, and full of things to do. One of my absolute favourite spots is the Fisherman’s Bastion, perched in Buda with its fairy-tale turrets and panoramic views of the city. This location has been my favourite place both times I have visited!

Budapest has some incredible architecture, including the Hungarian Parliament Building, St Stephen’s Basilica, and The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle. The city is split into two parts: Buda and Pest.

Buda is considered the richer, classier, and more residential side, home to Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle.

But Pest is just as stunning. Pest houses the Hungarian Parliament Building and beautiful sites like Vajdahunyad Castle, which is probably my second favourite spot in Budapest. It has a completely different vibe from Fisherman’s Bastion, and if you visit in winter, the Budapest Ice Rink right next to it adds a magical touch.

If you’re feeling fancy, I highly recommend stopping by Városliget Café, right next to Vajdahunyad Castle. When we visited, there was live music, which made the experience even more special. If you do visit Vajdahunyad Castle, you can tour the top of the towers, but honestly, I wouldn’t bother, it’s not worth your time. Instead, focus on exploring the grounds, where you’ll find gems like the Anonymous Statue hidden in the gardens.

If you fancy somewhere cool to eat and explore, check out the For Sale Pub, where you’ll find thousands of notes left by visitors from all over the world. It’s a really unique and memorable spot that I would recommend to anyone visiting Budapest. Some people see it as a tourist trap, but my motto is: sometimes tourist traps are worth experiencing! You can even read about my note left in the pub and the unexpected connection it sparked here.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

After a plethora of busy cities, it was time for a well-needed rest, and Lake Bled delivered just that. We took the FlixBus from Budapest to Ljubljana station, then onward to Lake Bled, where we were greeted by… rain and a lovely apartment with very friendly hosts. Honestly, this was probably one of my favourite apartments of the entire trip, so if you want to book it, you can do so here.

Lake Bled is perfect for a relaxing destination. You can paddleboard, row a boat, and take gentle strolls around the lake. The full loop is quite small, taking about an hour to walk. Advice both online and from my personal experience would be to walk the lake anti-clockwise. You’ll easily find the path once you reach the lakefront.

Walking anti-clockwise, you may come across some charming little bespoke markets with lovely keepsakes, perfect for gifts, though not cheap. After the markets, you’ll come across a boat hire shop… my biggest tip: ignore it, their prices are steep. If you continue about halfway around the lake, you’ll reach a café and restaurant, and just a few minutes further, a second boat shop with much better prices for paddleboards and rowing boats. This shop is conveniently located right before the wooden walkway that stretches over the lakefront, so you shouldn’t miss it.

As for Bled town itself, don’t expect too much, it was disappointing. One thing highly recommend is walking up to Bled Castle on the hill. But take my advice: don’t do it with a 65L backpack on your back, it’s not easy, and the hills are not your friend!

Once at the top, you’ll pay an entry fee to explore the castle grounds. Inside, there’s a small merchant-style shop selling adorable keepsakes, from memory, this was a paper shop. Here you could get your name imprinted and waxed onto a piece of card. And of course, me being me, I caved and ended up leaving with my personalised waxed card. One thing I found interesting about this place was that I got to do the wax process myself I did the process myself which was cool but stressful – especially as the shop was so small and I had my backpack and a handful of people watching me. Now my keepsake sits proudly on my wall, right next to my Dublin Guinness Factory certificate.

Split, Croatia

Split was a bit of a gamble, and one of the main reasons it made the list was my hope to visit Krka Waterfalls, which, by the time we got there, we didn’t manage to see due to time, money, and effort. Despite that, there was still plenty to do and see. By this point in the trip, it was definitely time for a beach, and luckily Split has one, though it was quite a long walk, which took away a bit from the relaxation.

One thing I loved about Split is how clean and Mediterranean it feels. We also had one of the yummiest (and drunkest) nights of the trip, waiting hours to get a table at one of the city’s most famous restaurants, Roko Cicibela on Senjska street. Split is very much a walking town, full of history and culture. Game of Thrones fans will enjoy spotting some of the filming locations.

Be aware though, that the streets are full of cats! So if you aren’t the biggest fan just be prepared. Aside from all the cats, the streets are narrow and there are loads of charming corners. Split is also home to many fancy yachts, so if you want to be dazzled by some luxury boats, head to the harbour.

One activity I also highly recommend is walking up the long hill to Marjan Hill / Marjan Forest Park for stunning views of the city.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Finally, our last destination was Dubrovnik, and after five weeks of travel, it felt like the perfect place to close the trip, although I wasn’t ready to stop yet! I had been to Dubrovnik before, but both times I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. On this Interrail adventure, Dubrovnik was my must-visit destination, the one place I requested as non-negotiable because I loved it so much the first time.

Before visiting Berlin, Dubrovnik was actually my favourite city!

Dubrovnik is famous for its old town and city walls, and it’s easy to see why. Walking the walls gives you incredible panoramic views over the old town and the Adriatic, a total must. If you are going up the walls make sure you take water with you, even at the end of September it was boiling hot up there!

The streets in Dubrovnik are charming, historical, and a joy to wander slowly. To me Dubrovnik brings a sense of calm and relaxation that other places don’t offer so it was a lovely way to end the trip.

Top Tip: If you do visit Dubrovnik, make sure to get the Dubrovnik Pass (normally I don’t get city passes but Dubrovnik’s is worth it). The city walls alone are expensive to access, and the pass also covers other attractions, which almost certainly saves you money.

Interrail Europe Itinerary: Destination Summary, Travel Tips, Accommodation Reccomendations & Recommended Days to Spend

What I Wish I Knew Before Interrailing

After my five-week Interrail adventure across Europe, I definitely learned a few things about travelling and how I could have better planned my route. Here are my top three tips for Interrailing, things you really should consider before you set off. Each tip will make your experience smoother, less stressful, and some help you manage one critical thing: sleep.

Prioritise Early Check-In Times

One of the most frustrating challenges I faced while interrailing was arriving in a city early, only to find that check-in wasn’t until the afternoon. This meant lugging around my backpack when all I wanted was to drop it off. After a night on a sleeper train, being unable to shower or grab a nap before exploring was brutal.

My pro tip: book accommodation that offers early check-in whenever possible, it’s a small detail that can make a huge difference to your comfort and energy levels.

Sleeper Trains

If you want the classic interrail experience, a sleeper train is a must. However, many tickets only give you a carriage with six pull-out seats, which is far from comfortable.

My biggest advice: book a sleeper cabin with a proper bed if you can. Our night on the train without a bed made arriving at our next destination exhausting, all I wanted to do was sleep instead of explore. If you’re happy to brave the pull-out seats, make sure you have early check-in accommodation booked so you can catch up on rest before starting the day properly.

Emergency Money

The first 4½ weeks of our trip went smoothly, but on our final leg from Split to Dubrovnik, we ran into trouble. Our bus didn’t turn up, and there were no ferries running because of the poor weather. We ended up sharing a taxi with six other people, that took us from Split to Dubrovnik, and the ride came to €500 in total!

My advice: always keep some emergency money aside that you don’t touch during your trip. It can save you from major stress if something unexpected happens. And if you aren’t the only one stuck, lean on others for help and you might just be saving yourself €400.

The Budget

I suspect one of the trickiest things for people to plan for an Interrail trip is budgeting, and figuring out how much money to allocate to the trip. This is something I know I definitely struggled with.

Interrailing is definitely a big investment, but in my opinion, one that’s completely worth it. Unlike shoes, which you buy and discard within a year, the memories and experiences from a trip like this will last a lifetime. That said, being smart with your money and finding ways to save where possible is always a good idea.

My interrail trip cost me around £3.2k in total. This total includes everything:

• Interrail train tickets
• FlixBus or other long-distance bus tickets
• Local transport (taxis, buses, trams, metro)
• Flights home
• Accommodation (hostels, appartments, hotels)
• Food and drinks (restaurants, cafes, groceries, snacks)
• Activities and entrance fees (museums, tours, attractions)
• Luggage fees (if checking-in bags)
• Souvenirs and shopping
• Laundry washing
• Night-time entertainment (bars, fancy meals)
• Miscellaneous emergencies or unexpected costs

This won’t be a bulletproof list of every single thing I spent money on, but I can say that during my entire trip I spent around £3.2k in total to do everything I wanted to and buy anything I wanted to.

When booking, there were a couple of areas where we tried to cut costs, for example, opting for budget accommodation and taking sleeper trains when possible instead of paying for a night in a hotel. You can try this too, but just remember: if you go the sleeper train route, you might want early check-in at your next accommodation so you can catch up on sleep.

Helpful Apps for Interrailng

App	Use
RailPlanner	This is the official interrailing app, where you will store your pass and train routes.
Booking.com	If you book accommodation through Booking.com make sure you download the app for easy access to booking references. We’ve now become Genius members on Booking.com, which means we get discounts on accommodation just for booking so much through the platform!
Your Airline App	Download your airline app e.g. Rynair app
Lime	One of the best things I did interrailing was utilise the Lime scooters. They add so much value to your day and get you around quickly and uniquely and they are really really fun.
Bolt Food / Uber Eats / Deliveroo	Having food apps on your phone is quite useful in Europe. It becomes especially useful when you are knackered and really just want to rest up.
Reward Apps	It might sound odd, but download reward apps for global food chains like McDonald’s or Burger King. You’ll likely pop in every now and then for a taste of familiar food, so why not earn points and save a little on your trip food expenses while you’re at it?
What3words	This is an incredible safety app that I WOULD HIGHLY recommend downloading, just to be on the safe side.
Been	If you want a fun way to track all the countries you’ve visited, the Been app is a great choice.
Local Transport	Make sure to download local transport apps, like bus or metro apps, for each city you visit, it makes getting around so much easier and saves time.

My Interrailing Route FAQs