Where to Sleep

 outdoor

There are many possibilities to sleep outdoors. Look around for a quiet place. Don't choose the middle of a big park in a city or directly outside a big railway station. Sometimes it is much easier and safer to take a train and to leave a big city for the night. Get out in a small village and search for a meadow to sleep on. When you sleep outdoors you should always watch out for thieves. If you use a tent when sleeping outdoors it is easy to be discovered and if you sleep on the beach there can be thieves and often it is not tolerated by the authorities.

 camping

A cheap way to have a relaxing night and you have access to showers. You can also get into contact with other travellers. Very often there are lockers at the reception in which you can put all your documents or other important things. To find nice camping areas it is good to have a guide book with you.

 night trains

If you are travelling long distances, night trains are perfect. But every year there are less normal night trains available in Europe. Very often you need reservations or you have to pay surcharges or you have to take a sleeping car with a bed, because normal seats don't exist anymore. Sleeping cars are available for a fair price in eastern and southern Europe. Advice: attach your backpack to your seat. The best place for your backpack is under your seat and wear your documents on your body or put them in your shoes or somewhere else. Sometimes you sleep very deep and that is perfect for thieves.

 hostels

Hostels exist in many different variations. Some are very small and nice, some are big and impersonal like an airport. Get the information about the hostels you might stay at before you start your InterRail trip. You can call the hostels one or two days before you arrive to see if rooms are available and to make a reservation. Hostels always have double rooms but also cheap dormitories. You will meet a lot of travellers in hostels.

 hotels

The most expensive way to sleep. Maybe for one day to relax, but it is expensive. A double room starts from 40 EURO and can go up to more than 100 EURO.

Source http://www.interrail.net

Travel Safety

 theft

Always be a bit distrustful. Don't go along with strangers who want to show you their city. You will end up having to spend all your money on bad and useless items in a small store somewhere in a dark alley. Don't lend your money to travellers you don't know. The next day they might have disappeared and your money will be gone.

 safety measures

Always carry your documents in a small bag, close to your body. It is best if nobody can see them from the outside. Alternatively you can wear a bum bag. Do not put any important things in the small pockets on the outside of your backpack. Everything that is important should be deep inside of your backpack. If you are in a hostel or on a camping place and want to shower, just put all your important things in a plastic bag and take them with you. They won't become wet and it is safe.

Source http://www.interrail.net

Money on Interrail Tour

 credit card

Credit cards are a very comfortable way to pay, but they can also get lost or stolen quite easily. Always keep track of how much money you spend with your credit card and keep all the receipts of your payments, so you can check at home if everything is correct. If not, tell your bank and you usually you will get the money replaced. Don't forget to have an alternative method of payment for your InterRail tour. A credit card can be damaged or break and then it's over.

 cash

The secret reserve. I always have 100 EURO with me in cash. You never know, sometimes you can't find a cash machine or the cash machine doesn't accept your credit card. I have my cash either in a sock or in a little bag inside of my belt. An empty can is also a good place, nobody will look there for your money.

 travellers cheques or traveller cheque cards

Either cheques in paper or as a plastic card. You can get them from your bank before you start your trip. They can be used in some stores or you can exchange them for cash at banks in foreign countries. The advantage: if someone steals your cheques, your bank will replace them free of charge. The disadvantage: in small banks in the countryside they might not know what a traveller cheque is and it can take hours until you get your money. This has happened to me on more than one occasion.

 bank card or maestro card

In the last years I have mostly used my Maestro bank card on the cash machines all over Europe. It is easy and safe. You can also find cash machines where you pay 3 or 4 EURO to get money nearly everywhere. It is useful to have your bank's phone number with you in case your bank card is stolen, just call and ask them to block your card.

Source http://www.interrail.net

Interrail Equipment Preparation

General:

 First something in general. I bought my equipment gradually over many years. Once a new sleepingbag, then a better tent etc. It is quite expensive to buy all the equipment at once. But it is also alright to buy some cheaper equipment for the first tour: a gas-stove for 20 EURO, a sleeping bag for 50 EURO. A tent won't be necessary if you are travelling to Southern-Europe, but in the North it is useful against the mosquitos.

 The first InterRail tour might become a bit expensive, but only if you need to purchase new equipment. The next tour will be a lot cheaper because you will already have everything you need. The equipment is an essential cost factor.

Transport:

 backpack

It is better to have a backpack that is a bit too big, than to have one with too little space, as you will have to hang some things on the outside of the backpack. I find it handy when nothing hangs on my backpack, because I don't get caught on things. A 75 liter backpack should be a good size. I would recommend spending more than 100 EURO on it. Cheaper backpacks can be uncomfortable to wear and often break after a year. It's no good if the straps break after a short time - maybe already on your trip. Besides, a good quality, slightly more expensive backpack will last many years and is therefore more profitable than having to buy a new one for 50 EURO every year.

 bottles

Plastic bottles can be interchanged at any time if they become too dirty and they are inexpensive as well. It is always good to have some water with you, to drink or to brush your teeth.

 packing your backpack

You should put all the heavy things in the middle, just underneath your shoulders and close to your back. Your backpack shouldn't weigh more than 15 kg. If you ever have to walk a few kilometers a heavy backpack can spoil all the fun. And don't forget that during the trip you might add more things. Your backpack will never be as light as it was at the beginning of your trip.

 bags

I always have net-bags in my backpack, so I can subdivide everything more easily. I have one for kitchenware and dishes, one for my washing utensils, one for my clothes and the first aid kit. If you do it that way, there won't be a big mess in your backpack and it will be easier to find what you're looking for. Plastic bags are also very useful as a temporary storage for wet or dirty clothes and shoes and they prevent other things from getting dirty.

Clothing:

 pants

One pair of jogging pants, which can be put on in the train, used at night or used as long underwear, one pair of long pants (as rugged as possible) and two shorts (it is useful if one of them can be used as swimming trunks, of course this only works for the guys).

 jacket

You don't really need a big, warm jacket. Just put on all your clothes, sweaters, shirts and so on and take a train to a region with more sun.

 rain protection

It is best to take off everything except your underwear or to wear a swim-suit or swimming trunks and to go on like that. Alternatively of course, you can wear a raincoat. Usually, when it's raining and the weather is bad, you'll take the next train and go to some other place where the weather is better. That's the great thing about InterRail.

 shirts and pullovers

Three t-shirts and two pullovers (a thick one and a thin one) are usually enough. If you wear them on top of each other they can also serve as a jacket.

 underwear

Three underpants or boxers are usually enough. (this amount can be reduced if you wear those boxershort similar trunks with the net inside)

 clothes for going out

I always have a shirt and trousers with me. It's nice to have some good clothes for a date or so. But usually they won't stay "going out clothes" for very long (that would be a bit foolish), because at one point you will wear them anyway. "Going out clothes" doesn't mean you have to keep them in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag so they stay clean! On the other hand, it's never bad to have something special with you, just in case.

 washing dirty clothes

You can either take a small bag of washing powder along with you or use your shampoo. Shampoo is pretty good to wash clothes with, because it also dissolves in saltwater. And if you really need it, you can always find small amounts of washing powder in the supermarkets in the train stations.

 sandals

I found the ones from "Teva" quite good. But I have to admit, I haven't tried any other brands so far. You should be able to walk comfortably with your sandals for a couple of kilometers and the sole has to have a good grip, then you can also walk through water without slipping. However, the insoles of sandals often aren't as good as the insoles of hiking boots. It might be that, after wearing sandals non-stop for a month, the back of your feet start hurting. Otherwise sandals are great for showering in dirty showers or as slippers.

 socks

Three pairs of socks should be enough because you don't wear socks in sandals anyway. In hiking boots it is better to wear socks, as otherwise they will turn black inside due to the sweat. Special padded hiking socks are very comfortable, but they aren't so cheap (10 to 15 EURO for a pair) and in the summer season they are usually too warm, even the ones made especially for summer. My brand: "Thorlo" socks for about 8 EURO.

 shoes

One pair of (light) hiking boots or something similar. You have to spend around 150 EURO for good hiking boots, but therefore it will be a pleasure for your feet. You can get a leather insole and you will also need some padded hiking socks. Important: if you buy hiking boots, take your time and go to a good store. The shoes should be tried on with thick hiking socks (there are always some lying around in good stores). Try different shoes and walk around with them. It is very important that the shoes fit well. They'll probably still pinch a little when you try them on for the first time, but there shouldn't be any points of extreme pressure. Before you start your InterRail trip you should have worn your shoes for at least two weeks, otherwise you will get blisters. Hiking boots can also be bought with "GoreTex" equipment. In average, they cost about 25 EURO more and they are waterproof. I've had my leatherboots for three years now and so far I have always been totally satisfied with them. My brand: "Handwag Yokon" for 150 EURO.

Food:

 food

This depends on how much you can carry. I always have three bags of instant meals with me in the bottom of my backpack just in case. (They cost about 3 EURO each. Put them in boiling water, or in cold water, and let them draw for about 10 minutes). Most of the time I eat them anyway, because often I'm too lazy to look for a supermarket. Otherwise noodles with sauce are the easiest and cheapest method to fight hunger. Canned food and food in general (I find) is quite expensive in Scandivia. To prevent scurvy (some have already died from it ....*joke*), you should eat some fruit from time to time.

 fluids

I always have two 1.5 litre plastic bottles in my backpack. If they get too dirty I can always exchange them for new ones.

 dish-washing

I always use shampoo for doing the washing, you can use it for everthing and it also dissolves in saltwater. You can also just use water by itself.

 dishes

Besides two little pots and a lid which also serves as a plate, I always have a high grade steel cup with me (I couldn't do without my (hot) chocolate in the mornings). It also tastes better! Of course you shouldn't forget camping flatware (a fork, knife and spoon) and a pocket knife to open cans and bottles etc.

 stove

Actually a camping-gas cooker should do. (you can save a lot of money by cooking yourself). The only bad thing is that if the gas canister is empty it is hard to find a replacement. But that's life. To avoid such situations you can get a gasoline cooker. But for 75 EURO they are more expensive than gas cookers.

 accessories

Without these little helpers the most beautiful meal doesn't taste good: a pocket knife with a corkscrew and a can-opener, a seasoning-mill or salt and pepper in little containers and small plastic boxes are perfect for cheese or sausages.

Sleeping:

 sleeping bag

You should be aware that you might use your sleeping bag for 30 days or so and that you will spend about a third of every day sleeping in it (or at least trying to sleep). Different criteria determine the choice. The material: I would buy a sleeping bag with a synthetic fibre filling. It weighs more than a sleeping bag with down feathers, but if it ever gets wet, it will dry a lot quicker. The synthetic fibre sleeping bag doesn't attract moisture so much and therefore it stays warm even if it gets wet (because drying isn't always possible during a trip). The packing volume of a synthetic fibre sleeping bag is higher than that of a down feather sleeping bag, so be careful that it isn't too big (10 liters packing volume is about the limit in my opinion). Another advantage is that synthetic fibre sleeping bags are less expensive and you won't feel the difference in filling material anyway. A down feather sleeping bag has the advantage that it is smaller to pack, lighter and also warmer than a synthetic fibre sleeping bag.

 how to take care of your sleeping bag

Clean your sleeping bag only with a fine detergent. You can find them in special outdoor stores. They cost about 5 EURO each and one is enough to clean your sleeping bag three times. But you shouldn't wash it too often. It isn't good for the filling. I clean my sleeping bag once or twice a year, depending on how much I use it. You can also just open your sleeping bag and put it out into the fresh air. Never use a laundry-dryer to dry your sleeping bag.

 sleeping bag size

When you buy a sleeping bag, pay attention to the size. I bought my first "Ajungilak Igloo" with a length of 195cm, even though I'm only 178cm tall. The shop assistant (it was in an outdoor-sports store in Oslo) told me that the 180cm sleeping bag was for women and the 195cm one was for men. In the end I found out that my sleeping bag was much too long for me. I always had cold feet in it. Luckily my brother is very tall, so at least he can use the sleeping bag now. So, never buy a sleeping bag that is too big. Another important thing is to try your sleeping bag before you buy it. It might be that the 180cm sleeping bag is too small for somebody who is 178cm tall but has wide shoulders. But I guess the companies had something in mind when they made the sizes.

 mattresses

There are self-inflating mattresses and the well known foam mattresses. I use a self-inflating mattress because it is more comfortable. But it is always a matter of price. There are simple foam mattresses from 5 EURO to 20 EURO and self-inflating mattresses from 35 EURO to well over 100 EURO. My self-inflating mattress (from "Therm-a-Rest", but there are also a lot of other good manufacturers) cost 60 EURO and I am very happy with it. It is very small to pack (30 x 15cm) and fits into my backpack. The weight is about 650gram.

 tent

I had the experience that a tent for 30 EURO can turn into a swimming pool or a water reservoir. After a rain shower there is more water inside than outside of the tent sometimes. So either you sleep in a hostel when it rains and somewhere outdoors when the sun is shining or you buy a good tent. For a good tent you usually have to pay over 150 EURO. But I have to say, also a cheap tent can survive an InterRail trip. A cheap tent normally weighs more and in heavy winds a tent pole may break. A more expensive tent for two people weighs around 3kg. My tent is from "Salewa", but there are a lot of other manufacturers aswell. "Tatonka" tents are also cheap and good quality.

Washing:

 soap etc.

If you do not have too sensitive skin, shampoo is the best because it is also useable as soap in saltwater. Besides, if you have two big packets (one for shampoo and one for shower-gel) in your backpack, it will weigh too much. Furthermore you will only need about half of the packets, as you probably won't have the opportunity to wash so often.

 towels

Travel towels (out of felt similar material) are the best. They are small, easy to pack and dry fast. They cost about 2 EURO each. Normal towels and bath towels use too much space and are heavier.

 small things

Toothbrush, toothpaste, sun-cream (also serves as normal skin cream), shaving equipment and nail clippers or scissors which you can also use for other things.

Others:

 photography

I always have a pocket camera with me. They are light, small and do not need a lot of space and if you lose it, it isn't so expensive to replace. I have a bigger camera now. The photos are a lot better in quality, but the camera needs a lot of space and I always have to be careful that it doesn't get stolen. If you have enough money buy a digital camera. They are simple to use and very comfortable. Don't forget to take a big memory card for the photos, because it won't always be possible to download the photos from your camera and to e-mail them home.

 discman, mp3-player

A nice gadget to relax on long trips. If you are sitting in a train for 10 hours, the others in your compartment might be annoying, so an mp3-player is perfect. If you can receive radio, you can always listen to the music stations in foreign cities.

 your own pharmacy

I always have one packet of coal pills with me against diarrhea, one tin of multi-vitamin pills, one packet of aspirin and plasters for blisters. You can manage quite well with that. They speak English in most pharmacies, in case you need some special medicine.

 books

If you are bored of looking out of the window at the landscape, it is nice to have something to read. You can also exchange the books with other travellers.

 pocket knife

A pocket knife is not only useful for the kitchen but also to repair the backpack and so on.

Source http://www.interrail.net

Types of trains

In Europe you can find various special train types, besides the regular local trains and intercities. There's a train for every wish and every budget. Are you in a hurry, do you want to enjoy the scenery or do you want to have a comfortable sleep while travelling overnight?

High-speed trains

Want to get there really fast? How does up to 300 kph sound? Many high-speed services criss-cross Europe, all offering comfortable 1st and 2nd class cars and catering. Some examples are the Thalys and the TGV. Seat reservations for high-speed trains are compulsory and a supplement must be paid.

Other day trains

There is also a full schedule of domestic and international trains running at regular speed that can get you to your destination quickly and without unnecessary delay. These are commonly called Intercity (IC) or EuroCity (EC) trains. Others, such as Direct, Interregio or Express trains, make more frequent stops along the way.

Legendary scenic rail lines

Shimmering lakes, plunging gorges, snow-capped mountains, coastal splendours – Europe abounds with picturesque, back-country routes that boast breathtaking scenery. Try the line between Perpignan and La Tour de Carol in France or Italy’s Ventimiglia to Cuneo train. There are also legendary tourist lines that dot Europe’s landscape. InterRail Passes are accepted on many of these trains or entitle you to a discount. Reservations are often required or recommended.

Night trains

Night trains are popualr, because they carry you over long distances while you are sleeping. You can choose from various comfort levels. If you are on a budget, take a couchette or reclining seat. For maximum comfort, reserve a 1st or 2nd class compartment.

Hotel Trains

A hotel train is a high-standard night train with a wide variety of sleeping accommodations, ranging from sleeperettes and couchettes to deluxe compartments with en-suite facilities. Most hotel trains have bar and restaurant cars, and dinner or breakfast is often included in the supplement. Reservation is compulsory. Your InterRail Pass entitles you to a discount on several hotel trains.

Source http://www.interrailnet.com

Interrail Travel Guide

Beginner's guide to inter-railing

by Jess Fitch 

What's involved? 

If you’re looking for an adventure this summer, an Inter-rail ticket could be just what you need. Having spent two summers Inter-railing round France, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, I can reliably inform you that Inter-railing is cool. With one ticket, you can travel freely on Europe’s trains for up to a month. You can visit bustling cities, sun-soaked beaches and tiny towns clinging to mountainsides. You can cut through Alps and olive groves on trains that run quickly, smoothly and on time. You can meet locals and fellow travellers from around the world. You can jump off on an impulse if you pass through somewhere that looks interesting, or if you can’t afford a hostel, kip your way across the continent on a night train for zero Euros. See, told you it was cool. 

Buying your ticket 
The Inter-rail ticket works on a 'price level' system. Each country in Europe is priced at one of four levels depending largely on how much it costs to travel in that country. With 'Level 1' as the most expensive, they are priced like so:

Price Level 1: France, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden 

Price Level 2: Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, "Greece Plus" (incl. ferry Greece - Italy), Republic of Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland

Price Level 3: Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania 

Price Level 4: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey 

You can either buy a pass for a single country or purchase a 'global pass' that covers all of the above countries, but that's all covered in more detail here. 

Click here >> to find out more, and to buy tickets online. 

Before you go 

Before you go, read up on the places you’re thinking of visiting: there’s nothing like leaving a town far behind only to read that it’s home to the word’s biggest cheese sculpture, or that you’ve just missed the international air guitar championships. 

Chances are your trip will take you through several different language zones, which can be a bit daunting. Try to learn a few basic words in the language of each country you’ll be visiting. It really will help. I think you can get by with the ones listed below. A basic grasp of mime will also help. 

• Hello
• Yes
• No
• Thanks
• Sorry
• Do you speak English?
• Numbers (up to the number of people in your group - so you can ask for the right number of drinks or croissants!)
• The word for the drink you’re most likely to choose (‘coffee with milk’, ‘beer’ etc)
• Supplement (so you can find out if you’ll have to pay one on a particular train)

If you only learn one word in each language, I’d recommend ‘thanks’. Then if you sound like an ignorant Brit, at least you’ll sound like a polite ignorant Brit 

What to take 

The normal rules apply - make sure you have a comfy backpack and pack light. 

Click here >> for general packing tips. 

Here are some issues specific to Inter-railing... 

Which guidebook?
You’re passing through six countries. This doesn’t mean you have to lug around six guidebooks. Take a general Europe guidebook, such as Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring. 
Click here >> to buy a copy now. 

How much money...? 
As a general rule in Europe, east and south are cheaper than west and north. As a rough guide, if you’re camping and making your own sarnies, you can get by on less than a £15 a day. If you’re hostelling and eating out, you’ll need more like £25 to £30. 

...And how to take it?
Say what you like about the Euro, it does make Inter-railing easier. Take £100 in Euros and the rest in travellers’ cheques. Take a debit card too and you’ll be able to withdraw local currency from ATMs in most towns, sometimes for a small charge (around £1.50). 
Click here >> for more money advice. 

To tent or not to tent? 
Camping isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. Putting your tent up every night... the inevitable thunderstorm/cockerel/amorous couple next door... cooking on a wobbly little gas stove surrounded by cow-pats... I love it. In my opinion, a tent is an essential companion on an Inter-rail trip. You can camp for a fraction of the price of a hostel bed and there’s less necessity to book ahead. As well as countryside and seaside campsites there are campsites in - or just outside - most major cities, and many run free buses into the centre. 

Other essentials... 
Sun cream, sunhat and rain-coat (no, we’re not the only country with unpredictable weather)... a sleeping bag... a small bag of washing powder... a penknife... a gas-stove, two pans, forks, plastic plates and cups... 

How it works 

Your Inter-rail ticket allows you to hop on and off Europe’s trains for free, with a couple of exceptions. If you want to reserve train seats in advance, you’ll have to pay to do so. And if you want to travel in a sleeping carriage with bunk beds, or on some high-speed intercity trains, you will have to pay a supplement. Ask before you get on to avoid nasty surprises. 

The Inter-rail pass is personal and non-transferable, which means that only you can use it and you may have to prove you’re you. Keep your passport handy. 

Inter-railers are not permitted to travel with their pass in their own country of residence, although discounted rail travel is available on presentation of the pass when purchasing a rail ticket. 

Along with your ticket you’ll be given a special form, which you’re supposed to fill in with your journey details before you get on a train. 

Kipping down 

Inter-railers have these choices when it comes to finding a bed for the night... 

Hostels and hotels: Preferred by many backpackers, hostels are a great place to meet people. Sleep in a shared dorm, or bag yourself a group or double room. You’ll often find that a one- or two-star hotel works out just as cheap as a hostel, if not cheaper. Book your hotel or hostel in advance through our accommodation section, or try to find one when you turn up. (In my experience, it’s possible to find a bed without booking in advance around 75% of the time. For the other 25%, see ‘winging it’). 

Click here >> for our recommended hostels 

Top tip: Write down the name of your hotel and the street it’s on when you go out. Trust me on this one - we must have wandered round Paris for three hours one night looking for the mysterious disappearing auberge de jeunesse... (‘I’m sure we’ve passed that tall spiky thing before...’) 

Camping: Like I say, campsites are everywhere. Buy a map that shows campsites and you’ll never be stuck for somewhere to stay. Tourist information in any town will be able to give you a list too, though the campsites they promote will probably be the more posh/expensive ones. 

Top tip: Try putting up your tent before you go, to make sure you’ve got all the necessary bits. 

Sleeping on the train: Before you get too comfy, make sure you won’t have to pay for the privilege. Actual sleeper cabins with bunks are generally not covered by your Inter-rail ticket; if you want to sleep in one of these, you’ll need to pay a supplement. However, most night trains will have seats that you can sleep on for free; some tip back or unfold to make a comfy-ish bed. 

Top tip: Pack your sleeping bag close to the surface of your backpack (it can get cold on trains at night, wherever you are), along with something comfy to rest your head on, a bottle of drinking water, toilet paper, a toothbrush and toothpaste and a bar of soap. You’ll feel gross in the morning. 

Winging it: You haven’t booked in advance and you’ve arrived in a town where all the hostels are full with no campsite for miles. Tut tut, I’d never find myself in a situation like that, well-prepared type that I am... If this is the case, don’t panic. Kip down at the station if it’s open all night, pitch your tent on a flat bit of ground (roundabout, anyone?), or find yourself an all-night café and go for the world record in slow-coffee-drinking. None of these options are very sensible or very safe, but they’ve all been tried at one time or another. Just not by me. Honest. 

Top tip: If you haven’t booked in advance, try to arrive at a new destination in the morning to give yourself more time to look for somewhere to stay. 

Safety 

When travelling on trains, keep your valuables in a money-belt around your waist and under your clothes. Use a cable-lock to secure your backpack to your seat or the luggage rack. 

Click here >> to buy money-belts, locks and the like. 

What with all this criss-crossing of the continent, you may not know when you’re about to cross a border, and those armed border police piling into your carriage can come as a bit of a surprise. They’ll ask to see your passport, and they may check through the contents of your rucksack thoroughly, so don’t be carrying anything you shouldn’t. 

Source http://www.gapyear.com