There’s something infinitely exciting about falling asleep in one place and waking up in another—rolling through the night, not knowing exactly where you are, drifting off to the gentle rocking of the train.

Trams, trains, buses, undergrounds, ferries, Schwebebahn (suspension railways), even a rowboat with a ‘private rower’—the options are endless. Since May 2023, the ultimate slow travel ticket, the Deutschland-Ticket, priced at €49 a month, has granted unlimited access to all regional public transport in Germany. You can even extend your journey to Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, or Poland by train. Yet, the real appeal lies in the many adventurous routes that follow rivers, cross mountains, and wind past vineyards, castles, and remote towns and villages.

Experience the freedom of exploring 33 European countries with just one ticket on your phone. From the picturesque canals of Amsterdam to the bustling streets of Istanbul, or the historic landmarks of Berlin to the sunny coast of Lisbon, Interrail lets you travel as much as you want, wherever you want. Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, Interrail still today opens up a world of possibilities. Find insider tips and answers to common questions to make the most of your journey.

You want to experience your first backpacking adventure in Europe – but are unsure what to expect? Then this book will address your uncertainties and answer all your questions. Starting with planning your travel route, a required budget, and the optimal packing list, you will find everything you need to know for a successful journey by train.

Europe offers everything you need for an adventure. Breathtaking landscapes, cultural diversity and backpackers from all over the world. By train, you can travel from the biggest metropolis to the most remote place. With this book, you will be well prepared to start your first backpacking adventure. From my experience, I can tell you that traveling by train is the most beautiful way to discover Europe. Let’s go, your adventure awaits!

Find cheap tickets
Find out whether an Interrail Pass makes sense for you or whether tickets booked separately might be cheaper. You’ll also find more tips on how to save money on your train journey.

Planning your itinerary
In addition to popular travel routes, there are tips on route planning and recommended countries. You can also find out how to optimise your route and experience as much as possible on your journey.

Budget planning
It is easy to calculate the costs you will incur and the budget you should plan for. You can also find out how to find cheap accommodation.

Adventure awaits
Whether it’s after graduating from high school, during the semester break or as a short break from work, now is the best time to explore Europe. So let’s go, the adventure awaits!

Adventure awaits!

There are countless European countries you can explore by train.
All you have to do is be brave and go on an adventure.

When Greta Thunberg sailed across the Atlantic on board a zero-carbon yacht to demonstrate her commitment to cutting CO₂ emissions, she took the world by storm. Her actions helped to raise global awareness of the growing climate crisis and encouraged many to re-evaluate how they travel. ‘Flight shaming’ soon entered the lexicon and the ‘Greta effect’ well and truly took off.

There’s so much more to rail travel than simply minimising your impact on the environment. It represents time for you to unwind, get a sense of a country, read that book you’ve always wanted to or enjoy a glass of wine in the restaurant car while gazing out at an endless horizon. So as the slow travel movement gathers pace, here are our top 7 reasons you should consider the train and not a plane.