Your Essential Guide to Interrailing in Europe

So, if you've been dreaming of hopping from one iconic European city to another: waking up in Paris, dining in Florence, and hitting the clubs of Berlin - all with one train pass in your pocket, interrailing Europe is your golden ticket. It’s a bucket-list experience, especially popular with young, solo, or budget-conscious travellers. And indeed is a bit of a rite of passage here in Europe, and it is an attractive experience to those in North Americans and Aussies who want to explore several European countries in a short space of time.

Flexible, adventurous, and surprisingly affordable, interrailing puts (almost) all of Europe at your fingertips, letting you explore at your own pace.

This interrailing Europe guide will walk you through how to plan your trip, book tickets, stay connected with a Europe eSIM for travel, and make the most of every mile.

Before you start imagining cobblestone streets and scenic train rides, let’s talk tickets. The Interrail Pass is your all-access railway passport to Europe, but there’s now a couple of options to consider.

• Global Pass: Travel across 33 European countries. Ideal for those covering a lot of ground.
• One Country Pass: Focused on exploring a single country in-depth (e.g. just Italy or France).

• Youth (under 27) get a discounted rate.
• Adults and senior passes are a little bit pricier.
• Passes range from 4 travel days in a month, to continuous unlimited travel for 3 months, so it can pay off to plan your route a bit beforehand.
  
  The easiest option is to buy passes directly online from the official Interrail website or through trusted travel partners. These days, things are even more hassle-free as you can pair your planning with the Interrail Rail Planner app: a must-have tool for schedules, seat reservations, and offline train times. It also gives live updates on potential delays, cancellations, and platform changes. Handy when rail-staff with no English tell you to hop off your train in the middle of nowhere.

Europe is packed with destinations and cities steeped in history, each worthy of their own visit. But here are a few best Interrail cities you won’t want to miss. Itinerary at the ready.

The City of Lights (and Love) is romantic, cultured, and buzzing with life - and tourists during the summer. Don’t miss the iconic Eiffel Tower (great views of the nightly light show from Montparnasse Tower), Montmartre, or amble along the cafes and bookshops along the Seine. Or tackle one of the behemoth art museums: the Louvre, or Musée d'Orsay. Try exploring lesser-known gems like Canal Saint-Martin or the vintage stores of Le Marais.

Bike-friendly and full of charm. Visit the famous Anne Frank House or Van Gogh museum (worth pre-booking these), cruise the canals and try spot the "dancing houses" along the Amstel River, and enjoy street food in De Pijp. As night descends, immerse yourself in the famous Dutch techno scene in one of the city's many megaclubs. 

Budget-friendly with fairytale vibes. Wander the Old Town, cross the Charles Bridge, visit the Kafka museum, or John Lennon Wall before enjoying a hearty Czech meal with local beer. It’s actually cheaper than water here…

A haven for travellers on a budget looking for a mix of cultures. Rejuvenate yourself in the thermal baths, explore the kitschy ruin bars - former abandoned buildings, and admire views from Fisherman’s Bastion. Don’t forget a night cruise on the Danube. Or just grab a bike and explore the massive People's Park.

The cradle of the Renaissance, where every street corner cafe looks like a movie set. Dive into art at the Uffizi, climb the Duomo, or escape out to Tuscan vineyards for a day. Great food, history, and photo ops in every alley. Ciao bella!

Top Tip: Mix iconic landmarks with a few local secrets for a well-rounded trip that feels a bit off the beaten track.

Packing light is essential, especially if you’ll be carrying your bag between trains and hostels.

• Backpack, or a suitcase with wheels that can handle cobblestones. But are you really backpacking with a suitcase?!
• Lightweight clothing for layering (weather varies, especially outside of Southern Europe)
• Comfortable shoes. Ideally something that works for both a walking tour, and getting into Berghain
• Microfibre towel
• Hostel essentials: padlock (combination one, you’ll lose the keys), flip-flops, toiletries
• Power bank & universal adapter
• European eSIM for travel. Like Sim Local, for instance! (We have new Europe eSIM plans to make this even easier!)
  
  Travel documents: passport, Interrail pass, ID copies
  

Keep it light, smart, and secure. Packing cubes can also help you stay organised on the go. And most hostels have washing facilities now, so stay light on your feet and avoid overpacking.

Gone are the days of juggling SIM cards or facing surprise roaming charges. An eSIM for Europe is the modern traveler's best friend.

An eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone, with no physical card required. You download a data plan, activate it, and you're connected across borders. Good to go. 

• No roaming fees
• Instant activation
• Works in multiple countries without swapping SIMs
• Reliable for maps, bookings, and translations
• Works with apps like Sim Local, a top choice for Europe eSIM plans
  
  

Top Tip: Whether you're finding your hostel in Berlin or booking a last-minute train in Spain, an eSIM ensures you’re never out of touch. Below are our top recommended Europe eSIM plans perfect for interrailing.

Unlimited eSIM

Europe

+Roaming

Smartroam

Duration

30 Days

Plan

Data

Speed

4G / 5G

Price

$69.25

Buy Now

Seamless Global Connectivity

100 GB eSIM

Europe

+Roaming

Orange FR

Duration

31 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

$53.50

Buy Now

Global Reach, Local Care

Top Seller

Travelling across Europe means dealing with multiple currencies and money systems.

Many countries, from France to Italy, use the Euro (€). However, some popular Interrail destinations (and some of the cheaper ones) don’t.

• Czech Republic (Czech koruna)
• Hungary (Hungarian forint)
• Sweden (Swedish krona)
• Switzerland (Swiss franc)
• Poland (Polish złoty)
  
  

• Use a multi-currency travel card like Revolut or Wise
• Avoid airport and train station currency exchanges, and try only take money out at bank ATMs. Even if you’ve just arrived in a new city, you can always pay with card when checking in at your hostel.
• Carry some local cash for smaller towns or local buses
• Always choose to pay in local currency (not your home currency) at card terminals when prompted.

Being mindful of your spending can stretch your budget much further than you’d think. A lot of hostels offer a free breakfast, so set your alarm and stock up. Some even offer a FREE dinner, like Greg & Tom’s Hostel in Krakow! Great way to make new friends, too.

A few extra tricks can transform your trip from good to great.

• Make reservations for popular routes (France, Italy, Spain require them)
• Night trains save money on accommodation and maximize sightseeing time. But they can vary in quality - so bring your eye mask and earplugs. 
  

Download essential travel apps:

• Interrail Rail Planner
• Google Maps (offline mode), or Maps.me
• Hostelworld. Be sure to check the hostels actual website too, or even ring them, it can often be cheaper as they want to avoid paying the Hostelworld fees too!
• Duolingo (for quick phrases)
• Sim Local for your eSIM setup
  
  

Interrailing through Europe is more than just a mode of transport, it’s a rite of passage; where you can jam a huge range of incredible experiences into a short timeframe. With your Interrail pass, a craftily packed bag, and your Europe eSIM for travel, you're set for one of the most exciting journeys of your life.

Whether you're chasing sunsets in Santorini or sharing tales from the night before in a Berlin hostel, this guide will help you travel smarter, safer, and with a sense of adventure.

So, train pass ready, eSIM installed, and backpack zipped?

Europe awaits. Book those tickets!