As the cost-of-living crisis tightens its grip, the dream of a budget-friendly European getaway might seem like a distant fantasy for many this summer. However, smart globetrotters are turning to the Interrail and Eurail train pass systems to stretch their pennies further.
A one-month Interrail Global Pass, which spans 33 countries, can be snapped up for a mere £188 – but holidaymakers need to act fast to bag this bargain. This ticket offers unlimited train travel across Europe, giving tourists the freedom to jump on and off services at their leisure.
Until July 18, passes bought for travel from September 1, 2024, are being offered with a 20% discount. A global Interrail pass provides between three and 15 days of travel, depending on the type of pass chosen.
Here’s how to maximise a month-long escape:
Vacationers could utilise their Interrail pass to traverse from London to Paris, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest within a month. While Eurostar isn’t covered by your pass, you do receive a substantial discount.
Travellers can soak up all that the Mediterranean Sea has to offer by hopping on trains from Valencia to Barcelona, Marseille, Nice, Genoa and concluding their journey in Rome.
Another itinerary could whisk wanderlusters from France to Turkey via train from Paris to Munich, Zagreb, Belgrade, Sofia and finishing in Istanbul.
Other breathtaking routes include setting off in Paris, then venturing to Amsterdam, over to Berlin, down to Prague, then onto Vienna and finally Budapest.
For those with a penchant for Nordic exploration, starting in Copenhagen and taking a short train ride across the Oresund Bridge to Malmo, Sweden, before heading up to Stockholm and then hopping on a ferry across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, Finland could be an ideal itinerary.
Interrail’s pass is a boon for independent travellers looking to explore Europe on a budget and within a limited timeframe. In 2023, a whopping 1.2 million Eurail and Interrail passes were snapped up globally.
With some savvy planning, Interrail users can keep their holiday expenses to a minimum. Hostels across Europe offer dorm beds from as little as £10 per night, while budget-conscious travellers often opt for local supermarkets and street food vendors to keep food costs down.
So, if you’re dreaming of a cost-effective European getaway this summer, the Interrail pass could be your ticket to making lasting memories without breaking the bank.