Last updated on December 13, 2015
Planes, trains and automobiles: they all have their pros and cons, but for sheer ease of movement and economy, it is really hard to beat the train for travelling around Europe. Rail services across Europe are on the whole reliable and comfortable, which is why a rail pass is such a good buy. If you are only travelling from A to B, a point-to-point ticket will be sufficient, but for longer, more convoluted trips, rail passes represent great value for money. So if you fancy the idea of exploring Europe in a relaxing fashion, is an InterRail pass worth buying?
How Does an InterRail Pass Work?
In general terms, InterRail is a rail pass that allows you to travel freely by rail in any European country, apart from your home country. Once you have an InterRail pass, you don’t need to worry about buying a ticket. All you do is simply catch whatever train takes you in the right direction and then show your rail pass to the conductor. Advantages of Exploring Europe with an InterRail Pass
There are many advantages to buying an InterRail pass.
- Value for money – Buying a rail pass for unlimited travel throughout Europe is far cheaper than buying a selection of individual tickets.
- Ease of travel – Instead of queuing up to buy a ticket at each and every station you can jump on virtually any train you like.
- Flexibility – An InterRail pass gives you unrivalled flexibility and you can travel on a whim, making and breaking travel plans at a moment’s notice, which is perfect for anyone who prefers to see where the mood takes him or her.
- Extra travel discounts – Buying an InterRail pass gives you discounts on some other modes of transportation, including ferries; it also gives you discounts at various hostels and museums.
Who Can Use InterRail Passes? As long as you have been a resident of a European country for at least six months, you can apply for an InterRail pass. However, you can’t use it at home, so remember to factor in the cost of reaching your starting point. What Services is an InterRail Pass Valid On? In the majority of European countries, an InterRail pass allows you to travel freely at all times. You simply hop on board and find a seat. Yes, it really is that simple! However, there are a few countries where seat reservations are necessary. In these cases, you will be required to pay an extra surcharge before you board the train, so bear this in mind when planning your travel routes.
Top Tips for Interrailing
- Check out the best side of the train to sit for the views
- Sleeper trains may attract a bigger travel supplement, but think of the money you will save on accommodation
- Travel light if possible – It’s easier to carry one bag between trains than three
Travelling from the UK Living in the UK means that you need to find a convenient way of crossing the Channel before you can begin your European rail odyssey. There are several easy ways to do this: drive to the south coast, catch a ferry and jump on a train at the nearest train station is one way. Or you could travel by train to London and cross the Channel via Eurostar. Lastly, there are plenty of low cost airlines with great deals to major European cities and from there you can continue your journey by rail.
By Anna Lua
Anna Lua spent six months travelling around Europe on an InterRail pass and blogged about it along the way. This year, rather than booking a boring package holiday, she plans on buying another rail pass and exploring Eastern Europe instead.
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