From first-hand experience as a seasoned traveller, I can wholeheartedly say that interrailing was the most fun and cost-effective way to get around. However, there are some tricks to get better deals and lower costs. Obviously, before you book or plan a trip, you should always do your own research on places to visit and the most effective ways to spend your time, but here are some things I learnt when I booked my trip!
Although the base price of the train ticket seems reasonable, many people don’t actually see the hidden costs until booking each individual train. Typically, for longer trains, there is an additional charge for a seat, which can be costly at times but is 100% worth it, especially if you know it’s going to be a hefty travel day. Planning the times of trains can also take a while and calls for meetings with others if you’re going in a group, or quiet and focus if you’re travelling alone. The trains themselves, whilst some have beautiful scenery, are long, tend to have delays, and can be overcrowded, leaving you without a seat if you haven’t purchased one.
When planning your route, you have to look at accommodation alongside where you’re going. Sometimes the time it takes to get from the train station to your accommodation is long and draining, and can be sketchy if you arrive late at night with luggage.
…hostels tend to be clean and respectful, usually including a social space where you can meet people and make connections.
Accommodation is where you find ways to make your trip more affordable. Hostels, not hotels, are the way to go. From personal experience, hostels tend to be clean and respectful, usually including a social space where you can meet people and make connections. They are mostly friendly environments, but do remember at least one lock, even if you decide to stay in hotels. A lot of accommodations don’t let you leave your bags by reception if you are too early for check-in, and you have to find public lockers, which tend to be very busy and full, especially when visiting a tourist place. Making sure you bring a lock means you are able to lock your valuables in your main bag.
Usually, people don’t think of this before going travelling, or they may think it’s embarrassing, but you must buy a bum bag. Keep it on you at all times with the most important things: passport, charger, spare money. If something goes wrong, you know you have enough to get you out.
This last tip is less of a safety habit and more organisation, but make sure everyone in the group has access to check-in documents, train times, and passes. We all know how trains can be unpredictable, so it’s key to make sure everyone knows how to get where and where to meet, etc. I hope that this short guide will be helpful when booking your own amazing experience interrailing!