Cheapest Way to Travel Europe by Train
How to calculate the total cost of an interrail: ticket prices, accommodations, food, reservations, equipment and extra expenses
I have often heard that the prices of an interrail in Europe are not that cheap. When I hear these statements, perhaps made by people who have never made such a trip, I have to smile. I have had several experiences in my life, and I can say with some confidence that it is one of the Cheapest Way to Travel Europe by Train that I have experienced.
For example, during my first interrail I spent about 700 euros for three weeks wandering around Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium. Much less than I paid last summer for ten days in a hotel in Trentino.
Cheapest Way to Travel Europe by Train
What is the real cost of an interrail?
The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The final cost of an interrail in Europe depends mostly on how much you are willing to spend. In fact, there are interrailers who adapt and spend very little (like yours truly) and others who prefer not to give up amenities and pay a higher price.
In this article I will try to analyze in as much depth as possible all the aspects that need to be taken into account to make an estimate of the real costs of an interrail. At the end of the article you will also find an example of spending for a 3-week interrail trip.
Interrail prices: all the factors to take into account Interrail ticket cost
The cost of the interrail ticket is one of the items that affects the final price the most. As you already know if you have read my guide to the interrail pass, there are different types of tickets with different prices depending on the period of validity and the number of countries you want to visit.
Those valid for only one country and flexi passes are cheaper, but they have several limitations. For example, you’ll have to plan your itinerary very well so you don’t risk running out of travel days and you can’t use it to get in and out of Italy.
If you want to have more flexibility, the best choice, although more expensive, is to buy a ticket for unlimited travel (the famous continuous pass). If you are undecided on which pass to buy, HERE you can find an in-depth article that will help you make the right decision.
If you are traveling with children up to 11 years old their pass will be free and must be combined with an adult’s pass, while sa you are over 60 years old you will receive a 10% discount. For up-to-date prices and active offers on tickets go to the official interrail website.
Interrail prices for train reservations
The cost of reservations really varies and depends mostly on the type of train.
For example, if you want to travel in France, you’ll have to surrender to the fact that in order to travel between major cities, you’ll have to cough up an extra 10 euros each way for reservations on TGVs, France’s fast trains. Or that treating yourself to the luxury of a night’s sleep in a comfortable sleeper berth might come at an extra 25 to 30 euros.
Reservations are compulsory for night and high-speed trains, while for others they are optional or unnecessary (although I strongly advise you to book the most popular routes so you don’t risk standing all the time). Usually high-speed trains are cheaper than both overnight and international trains.
Of course, reservation costs also vary greatly by country. For example, together with my boyfriend we paid 15 euros extra for two berths on an overnight train from Bratislava to Prague, compared to the 20 euros we spent for a fast train from Krakow to Warsaw.
Although it is possible to avoid train reservations, sometimes it is essential to travel comfortably and not have to make a lot of changes.
Interrail costs for accommodation and food
In addition to the cost of the ticket, lodging is another factor to take into great consideration when it comes to interrail prices.
To save as much as possible, I recommend that you choose a hostel or campground. This way the average price per night will be around 10 to 15 euros.
If you are not afraid to try slightly wilder experiences you could also consider free camping, especially if your destination is the Scandinavian countries. Here you can in fact pitch your tent freely as long as you respect certain rules, such as staying a certain distance from private homes or not lighting fires. My boyfriend and I had a similar experience on an island in the Oslo archipelago (I talked about it in this article if you are interested.
If sharing a room or sleeping in a tent is not your thing, there is always good old Booking where you can compare B&B and hotel prices. With this solution, the average price per night goes up between 30 and 50 euros.
A great alternative are apartments and vacation rentals. I confess that since I started booking private homes, this has become my favorite way to travel. Plus apartments are often less expensive than hotels, as well as providing some privacy and the convenience of having your own home. In this case the average price per night is 25 to 30 euros.
Of course, housing prices can vary greatly depending on the countries you want to visit. For example, a bed in a mixed 8-person dormitory in Norway costs on average 30 euros, the same price as a private double room in a cheap hotel in Poland.
Depending on the type of accommodation, the food factor may also be more or less relevant. In fact, if you choose facilities such as hotels and guest houses you will always have to eat out (or in the in-house restaurant) which will inevitably raise costs.
Interrail backpack and equipment prices
I want to take advantage of this paragraph to tell you the short, sad story of when one of my strokes of genius didn’t turn out to be so brilliant at all.
When I first planned an interrail trip, I had no idea of the average cost of accommodations in Europe. So when I started looking for the first hostels, the prices I found convinced me that I would surely save money by camping. Too bad I had never been camping in my life, so I was forced to buy full equipment, including a tent (and I didn’t settle for a simple Quecha). In all I spent about 200 euros.
At the time I thought I had the idea of the century, but in retrospect I realized that if I had slept in the hostel for the whole trip I would have spent less. And luckily we took advantage of the tent other times, otherwise it would have been really wasted money!
So, I tell you from the heart: don’t buy new equipment unless you are sure you will use it in the future.
Interrail extra costs
In addition to the cost of the interrail ticket, accommodations and reservations, you have to take into account the most common extra costs, which usually involve the purchase of tourist cards, souvenirs, museum visits and alternative means of transportation to the train.
I usually do not buy tourist cards, because buying them for every city I visit would cost me a fortune. To save money, I inquire about things I can do for free, such as monuments that can be visited from the outside or free walking tours, and choose only a couple of paid attractions that I really don’t want to give up.
If I want to visit a museum, on the other hand, I always check to see if cumulative tickets or free admission is available on certain days of the week. With these arrangements I have always managed to keep the prices of my interrails in Europe down.
By alternative means of transportation to the train I mean both buses and ferries, but also public transportation in cities. Sometimes for these means there are discounts for interrailers or they may even be included in the ticket. To find out you only need to check in the benefits section of the pass.
For example, in some cities you will be able to use the interrail pass to travel for free on the S-Bahn retet, a train line that operates like a subway. S-Bahns can be found in Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, and major German cities.
As for public transportation, if you plan to take it often I recommend buying a transport card (very useful and much cheaper than a tourist card).
READ ALSO:
8 useful tips for Cheapest Way to Travel Europe by Train
Forget about tedious low-cost air travel, highway queues and days spent on the bus. Cheapest Way to Traveling Europe by train is the most convenient choice!
Of reasons to travel by train there are many. Let’s be honest, low-cost flights may be convenient, but they are often inconvenient, unsustainable and above all a boring way to travel. Not to mention driving on highways or getting stuck in traffic in a bus while crossing the continent. The best choice, then, is to travel by train in Europe!
You can avoid all that and have a better travel experience by embarking on an ‘all-European adventure by train. The InterRail (or Eurail) system is ideal for satisfying travelers’ cravings to conquer different countries and cultures in one epic journey.
Here are some useful tips for traveling by train in Europe:
1. To travel by train in Europe inquire about the various passes
If you are planning to see a good portion of the continent, it would be wise of you to invest in an InterRail pass (or Eurail as it is known outside Europe).
Unfortunately, Interrail is no longer the ‘bargain it once was, due to the surcharges that have been applied to many routes, so much so that individual tickets may be even cheaper than the full pass (especially if you’re traveling mostly in eastern Germany). It would therefore be best to do some research before you travel. Sites like Seat 61 and Loco2 are indispensable resources to help you plan your trip to ‘Europe.
2. Travel during the night.
The night rail network in Europe is not extensive, but it is full of viable options. Available night trains will take you from Amsterdam to Berlin, for example, and from Paris to Venice via Milan.
A night on European railways is not too expensive. You can book a bed in a shared cabin for 30€ if you book in advance. And if you’re ready to spend a little more, you can enjoy a private cabin with a bath and shower and an international breakfast brought to your cabin by a steward-you’ll wake up happily and on time to get off at your destination.
The best advantage for those who sleep on the train is that this way you can save time to spend later on visiting various destinations, moving quickly around the continent while you sleep but still enjoying yourself. The feeling of closing your eyes in Prague and waking up in Krakow is something indescribable, even for the most experienced travelers.
3. Decide whether to travel fast or high-speed
High-speed service in Europe is a good boon for those who travel by train, making it possible to cross entire regions and borders in an afternoon.
Many Western European countries have outstanding operators such as ICE in Germany, Thalys in the Netherlands, France”s TGV or Italy”s Thello. But always keep in mind the option of traveling by low-speed trains, which will usually surprise you with breathtaking scenery and views (as well as costing less).
Some of the most scenic trips include the Douro Valley line in Portugal, the Flåm Railway in Norway, and the Centovalli Railway between the Italian and Swiss Alps.
4. Travel safe when traveling by train in Europe
Statistically speaking, train travel still remains the safest mode of transportation, with on average only 7 passengers losing their lives per year, according to a 2013 study.
Taking all common precautions, train travel in Europe is generally safe, but you need to be more vigilant at major stations, especially at night, and be careful with your bags, securing all valuables.
If you are traveling on a night train it might be smart to invest in a bike lock so that you can tie your luggage to something solid allowing you to sleep peacefully and relaxed. Luggage theft is definitely the biggest threat you may face.
5. Book a room near the train station
Once you travel in Europe you may be pleasantly surprised to see how wide the range of available accommodations is, from grand hotels originally built during the Victorian-era railroad boom, to cheap and cheerful hostels, Airbnb-style rentals, or quirky arrangements such as boats, former lighthouses, and mills.
Many can be easily found by walking not too far from the station, or you might prefer to stay a little farther away from all the noise that inevitably comes with being near such an extensive transportation network.
6. For train travel in Europe, also pay attention to the language
Brush up on your language basics with a language learning app, such as Duolingo, and study the public transportation section in your phrasebook. Even the most ephemeral familiarity with a different alphabet could come in handy in many places in Eastern Europe, especially when it comes to deciphering all those important signs and departure boards at stations.
7. Dinner in the dining car: nothing nicer
Another small and simple pleasure of traveling by train is savoring a leisurely meal in the designated dining car. Most continental trains offer praiseworthy lunches and dinners, some serving amazing high quality cuisine.
However, it would be good to bring a packed lunch from home, especially for very long journeys as many trains (especially in the Balkans and other parts of ‘Eastern Europe) do not have any restaurant on board.
8. Pack some printed maps (maps and train schedules).
Apps and websites are useful, but for those times when you need to conserve your smartphone’s battery or simply when the wi-fi network isn’t there or isn’t reliable, a hard copy of the rail network map and train schedules will prove useful.
This is especially true if you are planning your trip independently and need to frequently take a ‘look at how different routes are connected to each other. And, certainly, pack your favorite travel guide.
Interrail total cost and conclusions
Summing up, the total cost of a 3-week interrail trip to Europe with a 7-day pass in a month is roughly this:
250/335 pass + reservations 50/80 + accommodations 250/400 + 350 food = 1000/1165 euros
To these prices you will have to add the extra costs of visits, transportation not included in the pass, souvenirs and any equipment. If you avoid buying backpack and tent, you will usually spend no more than 100 euros for these extras. So, in the end, for your 3-week adventure in Europe you will spend a little over 1,000 euros, roughly the cost of a week in a hotel in any Italian tourist resort.
The costs are what you will incur individually by traveling as a group or as a couple. If you are traveling alone you may have to spend more especially for accommodations, as many facilities charge extra for single rooms.
Here we are at the end of this very long (and I hope useful) analysis of interrail prices in Europe. I’m sure from now on it won’t seem so out of your league 😉 Write to me in the comments if you too are used to making personal estimates for travel costs, so I’ll know I’m not the only crazy one!
