Discover Europe by InterRail
InterRail's Global Pass is the cheap and green way to explore Europe
Whether you're a backpacking student on a budget, an environmentally-aware tourist or a luxury traveller, InterRail provides cost-efficient train travel throughout Europe
Not so long ago, if you asked any student what they planned to do in their summer vacation, "InterRail round Europe" was the most common response. Since the 80s, many young people have abandoned the traditional family holiday as soon as possible, and set off to travel Europe by rail with an InterRail pass and a backpack. Nothing can beat it, a rail pass that gives unlimited train travel all over Europe on a budget, run jointly by all the national railways. Introduced in 1973, InterRail was the magic carpet that allowed young travellers to make a grand tour by train, with the freedom to go where they liked, when they wanted. Hardly surprising, then, that InterRail achieved iconic status, and the verb "to InterRail" passed into our language.
Recent Developments
InterRail's fortunes have wavered in recent years as young travellers discovered budget airlines, but with environmental awareness increasing and a completely new range of passes on sale since last year, InterRail is set for a comeback. The new range offers more options for touring Europe and in many cases better value, and it's ideal for anyone wanting a plane-free tour of Europe. InterRail is no longer just for backpacking youngsters either, as the classic under-26s pass has been joined by passes for those of us over 26 and our children, in both first and second class.
How Does it Work?
The complex zonal system introduced in the 1990s has been swept away, and all InterRail global passes now give unlimited train travel across the whole of Europe, from Portugal to Poland, Helsinki to Istanbul. The new range includes two "flexi" options, either five days unlimited travel in any 10-day period or 10 days unlimited travel in any 22-day period, and two "continuous" options, either 22 days or one month. With the "flexi" passes, you don't need to decide in advance what days you travel - just specify the start date for the pass, then write the date in the space on the pass each time you want to "spend" one of your travel days.
How Much Does it Cost?
If you've ever fancied following in the footsteps of Hercule Poirot with a train ride across Europe from London to Istanbul, now's your chance. The new 10 days in 22 days pass allows you to go there and back by train for €239 (US$372) if you're under 26 or €359 (US$560) if you're over 26. It gives plenty of time for stopovers in Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest or even Transylvania, and of course you can go out on one route and come back on another.
Benefits of InterRailing
You can use comfortable daytime trains or time-effective sleepers to cover huge distances without the stress of air travel or the strain of driving long distances. Indeed, the scenery and the people you meet on the way make the journeys as enjoyable as the destinations. Sleeper trains also save on hotels. But above all, what InterRail gives you is a sense of freedom that you don't get with a rigid itinerary of pre-booked non-changeable air fares. If you like somewhere, you can stay longer; if you don't, you can move on to somewhere new. With the InterRail Global Pass and European train network, you can really go where the mood takes you.
How to Get an InterRail Pass
You can buy your Global Pass at any main European station or just visit www.interrailnet.com to order online.
