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My friend and I are planning to interrail this May/June with a 5 day pass.For the first day, we want to get as far east as possible taking advantage of a night train if we can.I looked at one that heads towards Prague, but am I correct in thinking there is an issue with part of the route being a bus replacement?This is just our second year interrailing, so still pretty novice.Can anyone suggest a route, using a night train, that will take us to somewhere interesting.We went to Naples last year, via Geneva, and back via Colmar (which was pretty, but a bit sterile and dull) and Paris.We are considering at some point arriving in Slovenia, as we have been told it is a stunning unspoilt country.  Also taking the Eurostar to either Brussels or Amsterdam, rather than Paris.  We would prefer to minimise reservation fees (I know the night train isnt cheap, but we can offset it against accommodation fees, and saving an Interrail day) and night train is a bucket list thing…Any suggestions would b

Hello, I am planning my first interrailing trip and I would like to go through Germany and Austria as I have never been to those countries before. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding cities to visit. Ideally, I would like to go to Berlin and Vienna, as they seem the most interesting. Does anyone have any other ideas? Also, I would like recommendations regarding accommodation, public transport etc.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

I am planning to travel for roughly 2 weeks through switzerland and italy with a friend. We have purchased a 10 day in 2 months global pass for that trip. We plan to travel at the beginning of October.For Switzerland i mostly have enough ideas. But for Italy i could use some more ideas. Coming from switzerland by train, we will start from Milano.At the moment i am planning with the following destinations for italy:Neapel (already have plans what to do there) Palermo Siracusa or Catania (already have some plans on what to do there) Rome Between Rome and Milano i plan to travel on the west coast of italy and between Neapel (Maybe Bari) and Milano i plan to travel on the east coast of italy. I am mainly looking for some destination on those 2 route. Mostly the second one.Venice is not planned because we have both visited it already

I want to travel from Poland to Istanbul, starting the first week in June and I need to arrive in Istanbul on June 21. (I will fly into Istanbul from wherever).My question: What route and stops would you suggest, factoring in 3-4 nights in each of about 5 eastern european locales on the eurail route? Thanks!  

Hello!!!I am planning an Interrail trip for my partner and me and I would like some help with ideas.I want to leave from Barcelona, so I need a possible round-trip route that would be the most convenient. I’ve thought about a route from Spain to Italy, although I would also like one through Northern Europe or Central Europe. This is my first time planning an Interrail trip and I don’t have many ideas. If you could help me, I would be very grateful :)I’ve thought about the following: Barcelona - Turin - Milan - Venice - Bologna - Genoa - Barcelona.But I’m willing to change, add, or do whatever is needed. Thank you very much!!!!

My best friend and I would like to travel Europe. I like the cultural aspect more and she prioritizes nature and beautiful landscapes. We would like to mash best of both worlds. How long we’ll go isn’t sure yet, due to different reasons. But we’re planning for a two, max. three week trip. For now we had this route in our heads: Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, the lake of Bled, Triglav National Park, Ljubljana, Innsbruck and Munich. With following details: Nighttrain from Berlin to Vienna  Daytrip in Vienna, so we can travel on to Budapest later that night.  Berlin 2 nights, Vienna daytrip, Budapest 2 nights, Bled + Triglav + Ljubljana = 5 nights for all of these, Innsbruck 2 nights, Munich 2 nights.  We were also considering some place in Italy or Croatia. This is our first time interrailing so suggestions, alternatives, ideas, change of itinerary, … literally everthing’s welcome. Even if that means adding or removing places from our list. We’re looking for any advice in general. Thanks a lo

Hi everyone, I’m planning to head out in May and I’m looking for Interrail tips. I don’t really have a clear plan for the trip yet. The only ideas I have so far are Milan, the Dolomites, some Alpine regions and Austria along the way. I’d really like to visit national parks, mountains and valleys, but I have almost no idea how to put everything together.I’ve been thinking about bringing a tent and sleeping bag, but my first choice would be hostels. I’m open to ideas though. If you could share advice, I’d love: Options without camping – hostels, hotels, Airbnb If camping – best campsites or areas for pitching a tent What are the best national parks to visit around the Alps, Northern Italy, and Austria?What are the best ways to reach viewpoints or mountaintops easily and safely, especially without a car?And any general advice for someone who’s starting this trip with very little idea of the route would be super helpful.

I see a few people have done this trip before, but there wasn’t a lot of information that I could find out about it before my trip, so I thought I’d write a trip report here.Essentially, it’s a scenic detour off the main line between Oslo-Bergen (the Bergensbana) that takes you down a mountain railway (the Flåmsbana), across the stunning Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord by ferry, and back up to Voss by bus to rejoin the train line.It can be done in a day in either direction. You can even return to Oslo or Bergen the same day by sleeper train. But it’s worth a stopover too, en-route or in Bergen.Eurail/ Interrail pass covers travel on the main train line (reservations required), and a discount on the Flåmsbana. But you pay full price for the ferry and bus. Suggested itinerary for a couple of hours in Flåm, arriving in Bergen in time for dinner or the sleeper train back to Oslo.Leg 1 - 🚅 Oslo to Myrdal 0625-1115Leg 2 - 🚞 Myrdal to Flåm 1206-1304Leg 3 - ⛴  Flåm to Gudvangen 1500-1700Leg 4 -

Channel 4 aired a nice programme on the Bernina Express tonight.It’s available to stream here (if you’re outside the UK, you might need a VPN).https://www.channel4.com/programmes/alpine-train-at-christmas

Good morning all! 😊 We're a family of four with two kids aged 6 and 8. This summer we'd like to make use of a 5-day Interrail Global pass for a month for an 8-9 day holiday. We're starting from a station on the Milan-Verona line. Got any suggestions for a kid-friendly itinerary on a budget?. We did Vienna last year for a week, so giving that a miss this time (despite loving it!). 😄 Any ideas? I've thought about trips that aren't too long and with few changes, so as not to stress my kids 😊 Something like this- Verona → Innsbruck 🇦🇹 → Munich 🇩🇪 → Lindau 🇩🇪 → Montreux 🇨🇭 → Verona 🇮🇹 😊. Thank you so much

Hoping to take the Bernini Express to Tirano next summer (26). Heard there’s not much there, so was wondering if it’d be an idea to then get a train to a smaller town on Lake Lecco/ Como. We have 2 children (9 & 10) and limited budget! Has anyone visited Bellano, Lierna, Lariania, Lecco or any other suggestions? From there we’d hope to travel to Milan to catch eu sleeper to Amsterdam.Thanks for any help!

We are both teachers and plan to take our 2 children (10 and 11) interrailing next summer. We want to start by going eurostar from London to Paris. The countries we’d like to explore are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy. Don’t want to travel by train more than 6-8 hours each journey, ideally.We’d love really scenic train journeys, not too bothered about big cities. Looking for reasonably cheap but private accommodation. Would like a mix of scenery: lakes, mountains, villages, coast. We have up to 6 weeks to spend on the trip.Any suggestions of unmissable places, journeys or experiences very much appreciated!

Hey everyone! 👋 We're creating a YouTube video about the best off-season destinations by rail, and we'd love your input! Which destinations do you think we should feature, and why? Maybe a ski town when the slopes are quiet, a bustling summer town that becomes peaceful and even more beautiful in the off-season, or hidden gems that only locals know about. Is it the serene atmosphere, the unique seasonal beauty, or the charm of exploring somewhere without the crowds? Comment below and let us know your top picks.   Thanks a bunch! 

Hello all,I like to share some inspiration for anyone who is planning to visit The Netherlands.Today the city Alkmaar.Located in the province of Noord-Holland, here you find the city of cheese. One of my favorite cities to visit.The city center is on walking distance from the station, filled with shops, restaurants and old buildings.  Kaasmarkt (cheese market) Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Alkmaar especially for the cheese market. It's a truly special spectacle, with a square overflowing with cheese and porters carrying it. In 1365, Alkmaar had the right to weigh cheese and one set of scales, but by 1612 there were already four. The exact date of the first real cheese market is shrouded in mystery. Old documents have been found that clearly indicate the cheese market definitely took place in 1622, but there's also evidence that the cheese porters' guild was founded in 1593; from this, we can deduce that a cheese market must have existed even then.Cheese Market -

Evening all.I hope you are all well. I would like some advice and tips about using the global pass (specifically 3 month pass) for our travels around Europe.I have looked at various videos and reviews on YouTube regarding this way of travelling and most positive although, there are some that are negative and they do highlight some important issues.One guy was saying about reliability and frequency of trains in eastern Europe?  can anyone confirm if this is the case please? Also apparently the train station names do not match with what is on the app so it can be a tad confusing according to the reviewers. Can someone who has travelled recently using the Interrail pass please advise on anything you think we should be aware of? We want to try plan in advanced as much as possible and to start our trip early-,mid next year and would appreciate all feedback, tips and advice.We understand that we have to make reservations in certain countries. Could someone please tell us what countries these

Hello all,I like to share some inspiration for anyone who is planning to visit The Netherlands.Today the city Utrecht.Located in the province of Utrecht (yes, Utrecht in Utrecht) a beautiful old city center.The city center is on walking distance from the station, filled with shops, restaurants and old buildings.Here are just a vew highlights, but Utrecht has way more to offer.  Station area Utrecht station and area around it, is a intersting sight on its own. From high buildings reaching for the sky, to a lovely walk path over the railtracks. Bubble rooftop and a big shopping mall, it's all there.And if you are lucky, you will find the UFO on the rooftop.   Cafe Olivier (Hidden Church) Olivier is located in the former Maria Minor church in the center of Utrecht. This Maria Minor was originally a clandestine church. In the sixteenth century, at the time of the Reformation and the iconoclasm, it could be dangerous to openly profess your faith and buildings were built that looked like a

Hello all,I like to share some inspiration for anyone who is planning to visit The Netherlands.Today the city Amersfoort.Located in the province of Utrecht, a lively city with a beautiful old city center.The city center is on walking distance from the station, filled with shops, restaurants and cute alleys to discover. Muurhuizen (street, city walk) When you walk through the Muurhuizen you imagine yourself in the Middle Ages. When the city began to expand as a result of the economic boom in 1380, a new city wall had to be built. The old wall was torn down and from about 1500 houses were built with the material from the old wall along the line where the city wall had stood. Because the construction of these houses took place in different periods, a great diversity of forms emerged.Muurhuizen - From mainstation, take bus 5, 6, 15, or 17 (5 minutes) to busstop “Amersfoort, Centrum” or walk 15 minutes.   Mondriaanhuis (The Modrian House) The birthplace of Piet Mondriaan is now a modern mus

Hello all,I like to share some inspiration for anyone who is planning to visit The Netherlands.Today the city Arnhem.Located in the province of Gelderland, a lovely big city with a rich history.Arnhem has a nice city center on walking distance from the station, filled with shops and cultural places.  Musis Sacrum Musis Sacrum (Latin for 'dedicated to the Muses'), is a concert hall, located on the Velperplein and Park Lauwersgracht in Arnhem. The building, which is also called Musis for short, dates from 1847 and was designed by the architect Hendrik Willem Fromberg. It is the home base of Phion, formerly Het Gelders Orkest. In addition, concerts, dance performances and club nights are given.Musis - From mainstation, take bus 3 Het Duifje (4 minutes) to busstop “Velperplein” or walk 13 minutes.   Park Sonsbeek Park Sonsbeek as an estate has been around for over 250 years. Before that, it was a stream valley in the forest. 750 years ago, the first watermill stood along the Sint-Jansbeek

Hello all,I like to share some inspiration for anyone who is planning to visit The Netherlands.Today the city Apeldoorn.Located in the province of Gelderland, it has a main station and beautiful nature all around.Apeldoorn has a nice city center on walking distance from the station, filled with shops and cultural places.  CODA Museum CODA Museum in Apeldoorn is the place for changing exhibitions with modern, visual art, contemporary fashion and artist jewellery by (inter)national designers and artists and art from and on paper.CODA - From mainstation, take bus 21 Apenheul (4 minutes) to busstop “Bibliotheek” or walk 16 minutes.   Apenheul (Monkey zoo) Apenheul is a nice, big park with diffenrent kind of monkeys and a lot of fun for kids.Zoo - From mainstation, take bus 21 Apenheul (21 minutes) to busstop “Apenheul”    Berg&Bos (Park and forest) Landscaped park created in 1934, with cascades, an ornamental lake & a resident herd of wild boar. The connected forest is ideal for lo

Hello everybody!How are you? I decided to “shout out” my trip, done from 6th of April to the 6th of June – 2023It was a great experience and maybe it can inspire some route you can do, connections available and maybe I can be helpful sharing few hints.Short bio: I am 40 y.o. I love to backpack around but I’m getting a bit soft, but still a good walker.I did this as solo traveler, pretty often I spent 2/3 nights (so, mostly 3 full days) each city, in some cases a bit longer (Istanbul, 6 days, Lofoten Islands, 8 days). I think travel by train make it possible and less stressful, even the itinerary was a bit crowded. Stations are closed to the center, travel is most of the time relaxing, a good way to refill the battery.Eventually, this trip was planned in weird way. I wanted to visit Istanbul and Scandinavia (easy peasy!).On the way I was invited also by some friends in Spain, so I added it at the end of the list. Plus, many years ago, I did my Erasmus in Germany and I lived for a while

Is there a direct train to go from Milan to Lucerne?

In my fascination for non-standard border crossings, I have prepared another post on border-crossings: a 4th border crossing between the Netherlands and Belgium. As you can see from Apple's impeccably clear railway map, there are only 3 border crossings with passenger trains operating on them between the two countries: two in the very West (one high-speed, the other traditional), both leading to Antwerp, and one in the very Southeast between Maastricht and Liège. These are very far apart and hardly an alternative to each other.  There could be all sorts of reasons why you want to avoid them:off the throdden path avoiding expensive tickets/reservations on the high-speed line, especially when last-minute or with time-flexibility  avoiding line closures due to engineering works or (busy) replacement buses you have to get to Eindhoven Airport from Belgium but the Dutch trains are on strike … (fill in for yourself)As the railway map already suggests, there is a fourth crossing somewhere in

We’re planning a trip from UK to reach the Arctic circle via Eurostar to Brussels then cologne and onto Copenhagen.then sleeper from Stockholm to Narvik.back down through Norway !anything we should look out for ?

Hello! I am traveling from Innsbruck to Vienna next Sunday and plan to travel via Semmering bahn. I'm wondering what would be the best route and which train would be the best option for enjoying the scenery on the Semmering bahn? Local or faster train? Any thoughts?