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The trick to Interrail is that you avoid Spain, France, and Italy - reservations are generally free or cheap outside of those countries. It's also handy if you

The trick to Interrail is that you avoid Spain, France, and Italy - reservations are generally free or cheap outside of those countries. It's also handy if you need to get from somewhere aside from London in the UK into Europe - UK trains have no fees, and the Eurostar is 38 euros each way (it's extortionately priced otherwise), so even just hopping over to Berlin via Brussels becomes cheaper with Interrail most of the time.

owenversteeg 6y ago
Well, if you avoid those countries then you're only left with places where buying trains as you go (or a national pass) is more effective. In the Netherlands, easily available discount tickets will get you around far cheaper than Interrail (or a short unlimited subscription, also cheaper if you do really want that freedom.) In Germany, Interrail is really only cheaper if you want a last minute non-crowded ICE. A last minute crowded ICE won't have Interrail spaces available, and non last minute ICEs will work out cheaper to just book on your own. Non ICEs, you have plenty of options to travel cheaper, including the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket, which gives you unlimited non-high-speed trains for a day after 9am. If you do want a last minute ICE, then your best bet is the German Rail Pass, which has the unique ability to let you take any German train at any time, including ICEs, with zero reservations. A powerful pass, a bit pricey though (cheapest pass is 3 consecutive days for 1 youth, 139 eur, up to 15 nonconsecutive days in 1 month for 1 youth, 369 eur) So, I'm not sure about the situation north(west) of the Netherlands, but for anything south or east of the Netherlands Interrail isn't super cost effective. Thanks a bunch for the tip about non-London places in the UK! That's a golden tip, because train prices inside the UK are really extortionate. I'm trying to figure out if that only applies to the global pass, it looks like the Eurostar discount applies to other passes also, but presumably not the free booking on through the UK: "Please note that journeys with Eurostar require a compulsory seat reservation and must be booked in advance. If you hold an Interrail Global or Interrail One Country - France, Great Britain or Benelux Pass you are entited to a special Passholder Rate. Simply contact Eurostar directly on 01233 617 575 to reserve (...and when booking, remember to tell them you have an Interrail Pass so you are given the Passholder rate!)" I wonder if it applies to the Britrail pass? Britrail seems to be far cheaper than Interrail, 57 eur for a youth pass for consecutive 2 days... Otherwise, the plain Interrail Great Britain pass starts at €166 for 3 days, and the Interrail Global pass €185 for 4 days within 1 month.

owenversteeg 6y ago

Well, if you avoid those countries then you're only left with places where buying trains as you go (or a national pass) is more effective. In the Netherlands, easily available discount tickets will get you around far cheaper than Interrail (or a short unlimited subscription, also cheaper if you do really want that freedom.) In Germany, Interrail is really only cheaper if you want a last minute non-crowded ICE. A last minute crowded ICE won't have Interrail spaces available, and non last minute ICEs will work out cheaper to just book on your own. Non ICEs, you have plenty of options to travel cheaper, including the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket, which gives you unlimited non-high-speed trains for a day after 9am. If you do want a last minute ICE, then your best bet is the German Rail Pass, which has the unique ability to let you take any German train at any time, including ICEs, with zero reservations. A powerful pass, a bit pricey though (cheapest pass is 3 consecutive days for 1 youth, 139 eur, up to 15 nonconsecutive days in 1 month for 1 youth, 369 eur) So, I'm not sure about the situation north(west) of the Netherlands, but for anything south or east of the Netherlands Interrail isn't super cost effective. Thanks a bunch for the tip about non-London places in the UK! That's a golden tip, because train prices inside the UK are really extortionate. I'm trying to figure out if that only applies to the global pass, it looks like the Eurostar discount applies to other passes also, but presumably not the free booking on through the UK: "Please note that journeys with Eurostar require a compulsory seat reservation and must be booked in advance. If you hold an Interrail Global or Interrail One Country - France, Great Britain or Benelux Pass you are entited to a special Passholder Rate. Simply contact Eurostar directly on 01233 617 575 to reserve (...and when booking, remember to tell them you have an Interrail Pass so you are given the Passholder rate!)" I wonder if it applies to the Britrail pass? Britrail seems to be far cheaper than Interrail, 57 eur for a youth pass for consecutive 2 days... Otherwise, the plain Interrail Great Britain pass starts at €166 for 3 days, and the Interrail Global pass €185 for 4 days within 1 month.