Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? An Honest Review (2023)
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So, is the interrail pass worth it? When I was deciding whether or not to get an Interrail pass, I googled “is the interrail pass worth it?” so many times.
As a budget backpacker, it’s always important to check the cheapest ways to travel and save your money wherever possible. If I could book separate train tickets at a lower price, I would!
This blog post gives an honest review of whether or not getting an Interrail pass is worth it. From the location, duration, budget and what kind of trip you want, let’s delve into whether or not an interrail pass is worth it and get you to save some pennies.
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Other interrailing Europe posts:
- Going Interrailing Alone: Interrailing Solo Tips
- Best Backpack For Interrailing: Ultimate Europe Backpack Guide
- Best Time To Go Interrailing (Europe) Guide: MUST-READ!
Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? A Summary
The interrail pass gives you the freedom to travel by train through 30+ European countries, and there are different passes for different timeframes (5 days, 10 days, etc.) and different areas (all of Europe, specific countries, etc.). You can also choose between first and second-class passes.
If you’re planning on multiple trips between countries across a longer period, then the interrailing pass will save you money.
If you’re not flexible with travel dates and only have one or two journeys, you might want to consider buying individual train tickets. For a more structured trip, with guided tours and specific activities planned out in advance, it may be easier to plan and buy individual tickets.
The interrail pass also has to be used within a certain time frame, so you’ll need to consider the bigger picture, and how long your European travels will be. Think about what kind of traveller you are and what kind of trip you’re looking for before deciding on buying an interrail pass.
For example, if I were to visit just two countries over two weeks, I would look at an individual train ticket to and from the two locations. If I were planning a longer trip around 4-5 countries in Europe, with no set plans, but just a 4-week time block, I’d buy a flexible interrailing pass.
➡ BUY YOUR INTERRAILING PASS NOW!
What is the difference between Interrail and Eurail?
There is little difference between Interrail and Eurail, apart from who can use each one. Only European citizens can use an interrailing pass, and if you are from outside Europe, you will need a Eurail pass.
Advantages of using an interrailing pass
💰Budget-friendly: The interrail pass is a great way to see Europe on a budget. It allows you to travel on trains between different countries for a set time, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying individual tickets. For example, when I used my interrailing pass across five different countries over 30 days, I ended up saving around 250 EUR compared to buying all of my tickets individually! That’s a huge saving if you’re a budget backpacker like myself.
🤸🏽♀️ The interrail pass is flexible, so you can change your plans if you want to. This is again, super important if you’re staying in hostels and want to meet other travellers along the way.
🚊 It’s easy to use! No need to be tech-savvy – the interrailing pass is so easy to use and can all be accessed at the click of a button on the app. No faffing around with individual tickets.
📱 User-friendly app: If you do need a reservation or would feel more comfortable booking (especially for sleepers or high-speed trains), it can all be done on the app. But you don’t always need a ticket so you can turn up and take a seat on the train (when it says ‘unreserved’ on the overhead sign).
💸 You get discounts on local attractions, bike hire and tours: The interrail pass doesn’t just make your life easier when boarding a train, but also has some benefits when you reach each destination. From bike hire to independent tours, discounts vary from country to country.
➡ BUY YOUR INTERRAILING PASS NOW!
Disadvantages of using an interrailing pass
There are some disadvantages to using an interrail pass, though.
🗺️ You still need to plan your trip in advance as much as possible, as most trains need seat reservations (and this book out quickly, especially in the peak summer months).
🤑 Seat reservations are not included in your interrailing pass price. This can add a large amount to your budget, so check these out before buying your pass. If you book individual train tickets, your seat reservation will be included in this price. You’ll just need to make sure they’re booked at the checkout.
Best hostels whilst interrailing Europe
One of my best interrail tips is to at least book your first hostel in advance. During the summer months, hostels in Europe will be fully booked. It will be tough finding a good hostel last minute.
Use Hostelworld to pre-book any hostels. They have excellent cancellation policies and you can usually get your money back right up until 24 hours before staying, so if you have any last minute changes, you have that flexibility.
Whilst I can’t list every single hostel in Europe, these are some of the best, well-known hostels to stay in whilst interrailing. Simply click the link to check prices and availability!
- 🇫🇷 Paris: Generator Paris or The People
- 🇭🇺 Budapest: Maverick City Lodge
- 🇳🇱 Amsterdam: Ecomama
- 🇩🇪 Berlin: The Circus Hostel
- 🇵🇹 Lisbon: Home Lisbon
- 🇦🇹 Vienna: Hostel Ruthensteiner
- 🇪🇸 Madrid: Sungate One
- 🇮🇪 Dublin: Gardiner House
➡ Check out other European hostels here.
Is the interrailing pass worth it? FAQs
1) Does the interrailing pass include seat reservations?
No, the interrailing pass does not include seat reservations. So if you’re planning on interrailing around Europe, one of the things you’ll need to decide is whether or not to get a seat reservation.
If it’s your first time interrailing, I would highly recommend reserving a seat for the majority of your train journeys. With a seat reservation, you’re guaranteed a spot on the train, whether it’s a sleeper or just a short journey.
On the other hand, interrail passes are pretty pricey, and seat reservations can add up quickly. So what’s a budget-minded traveller to do? Well, first of all, the interrail pass is worth it, even with the seat reservations. It’s a bit of an investment, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
And as for seat reservations, if you’re organised enough, then do it. For example, if you’re flexible about your travel dates, you can often find cheaper tickets for off-peak times. Or you can try using the Rail Planner app to compare prices and seats.
If you fail to reserve your seat, you run the risk of sitting in someone else’s fully paid seat. You might then end up being kicked off the train as there are no seats left, causing a much bigger mess than needs to be. If in doubt, check the signs above the seats. It will usually say if the seat is reserved or not, either manually or electronically.
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
2) Planning your trip with an interrailing pass
So does the interrailing pass make planning a European trip any easier? It depends. It all depends on how you like to plan your trip, what resources you like to use and how organised you are.
There are so many resources on the internet to plan your interrailing trip. From travel blogs to the Rail Planner app, and even the interrailing route planner – planning an interrailing route is easy. If you choose to go WITHOUT the interrailing pass, it may be a bit harder to find trains, and prices and book seat reservations.
When you buy an interrailing pass, everything is kept in one place on one app. The app and booking confirmation will be stored on the app, that can be used for planning, booking and changing reservations.
In summary, it is much easier to plan a trip around Europe on the train with an interrailing pass than without.
➡ BUY YOUR INTERRAILING PASS NOW!
3) Is it cheaper to buy an interrailing pass or buy individual tickets?
Is the interrailing pass worth it, money-wise? If you’re younger than 27 years old, you can purchase a youth pass. This is, of course, discounted from the adult pass, and will save you money that way.
Most people interrail for three to four weeks, which costs around 500 EUR. With seat reservations as well, you’re looking at 500-700 EUR on transport. But this includes entry to 33 countries!
If you do all of these trips individually and still want to visit multiple countries via train, plane or boat, you’re looking more at 700-1000, due to more expensive seat reservations, independent ticket companies and baggage allowances.
In terms of cost, it is cheaper to book an interrailing pass to get around Europe via train than individual tickets.
4) How flexible is the interrailing pass?
If you’re planning on interrailing around Europe, one of the first questions you’ll probably have is “how flexible is the interrail pass?” After all, nobody wants to be stuck to a rigid schedule when they’re travelling.
The good news is that the interrail pass is quite flexible. You can choose how many days you want to travel for, and you don’t have to plan your route in advance. This means that you can change your plans on the go if you fancy exploring somewhere new or meeting some new friends in your hostel to travel with. Of course, there are some downsides to this flexibility.
For example, if you’re planning on taking a lot of high-speed trains, you’ll need to book your tickets in advance. And if you want to travel during peak season, you may find that some routes are fully booked.
But overall, the interrail pass offers a great deal of flexibility – perfect for exploring Europe at your own pace. So yes, in terms of flexibility, the interrailing pass IS worth it!
5) Are there other ways to travel around Europe apart from the interrail pass?
Of course! There are many alternatives to travelling around Europe via the interrailing pass. Here are just a few examples:
✈️ You can fly into a few different countries and take advantage of budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. Bear in mind this will add greatly to your carbon footprint, and isn’t the cheapest way to travel! Plus you need to add on the time at the departure lounge, check-in, and waiting on the plane… but still, it’s an alternative way to travel Europe.
🚌 Buses are a great way to travel around Europe and are modern, budget-friendly and convenient to use. However, journeys can take hours, especially if you are travelling between multiple countries. Check out the Flixbus and Megabus websites for more information!
🚊 Other train passes. If you are travelling to one country only, it may be worth looking at single-country passes. For example, Switzerland runs its own Swiss Travel Pass, and Spain runs its own Renfe Spain Pass.
It’s up to you to decide which method of travel is right for you. But whichever way you choose to travel, Europe is sure to offer an unforgettable experience!
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
6) Do I need a SIM card to interrail Europe?
Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
7) What tours should I do whilst interrailing Europe?
Looking to book a tour whilst interrailing Europe? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
➡ You can check out available tours in Europe with prices here!
8) Do I need a car to interrail Europe?
The whole point of interrailing is to travel Europe by train, so it’s unlikely you will need to hire a car. However, if you head to the Italian countryside, or want to take a day trip, you may want to hire a car; especially if a group of you have got together in a hostel and want to travel together.
If you’re looking to hire a car in Europe, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in Europe now!
Is the interrail pass worth it? In a Nutshell
So, is the interrail pass worth it? In my opinion, yes! It is. Why? Because I like having everything organised, in one place, and having total flexibility. The user-friendly app is just the icing on the cake!
Booking flights or individual train tickets are rarely refundable, and you can get stuck in a location that you may change your mind on. What if you make friends in hostels but you have a flight booked to the next country tomorrow? You’ll either lose the money or miss out on spending quality time with your new friends!
If you’re travelling Europe, I recommend buying an interrailing pass. If you’re still unsure, check out my tips for interrailing for the first time. It may give you an even better idea of what you want to do.
So, there you have it. My opinion on whether or not the interrailing pass is worth it! I so hope you enjoy your trip to Europe, and let me know over on Instagram if you do!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 😀 x
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
Good post. You might want to mention Eurrail is the option for non-European citizens as Interrail tickets cannot be bought by non-European citizens (unless they have residency in Europe). Eurrail/Interrail are basically the same. In addition, Interrail can be used for one outbound and one inbound journey only from your home country. Thanks again for the information.
Thank you – I’ll pop it in later on today. I appreciate that! 😀
What an amazingly helpful article. I see interrail offer a country specific 8 days/month pass. I have to commute regularly from London to Paris. Go on a Wed morning return on Fri evening. Can I use the France interrail pass to reduce my Eurostar costs?