Inter-railing in Europe

[decemberknows]

Hi, we are a family of four. Two teenage boys. We were thinking about doing a bit of inter-railing this summer, then possibly end up on a beach somewhere to chill for a few days.

Has anyone do e this as a family? Any good recommendations/hints or tips?

Just starting to plan. Thanks

We went interrailng as a family. It was great.

My only tip is not to book any night trains on the same day as a Eurostar connection!

My top tip is to let everyone have a big say in what you want to do. Tell everyone to come up with an itinerary/ list of destinations and then put the trip together taking these on board. Have somewhere that each person is really excited about going to.

There are some books I'd recommend - Lonely Planet's Train Travel in Europe for ideas of where to go - lost of suggestions. Crowded Platforms and Window Seats for a recent account of a family with teenagers who interrailed plus loads of tips. Plus get a Rail Map of Europe to get an idea of what's feasible.

Downroad the Interrail app Railplanner - you can put in "from" and "to" and see how long a train journey is/ how many changes you need for journeys you are thinking of doing.

Book Eurostar (you get a reduction using the pass) and any night trains well in advance.

I recommend checking out this website - I have always found it very useful.

https://www.seat61.com/

My son has said that booking first class is not much more expensive and you get free food. Not sure how accurate this is but might be worth investigating. He is off skiiing and interrailing there and back as he loves an adventure!

When dd was a teen we flew to Prague and then did Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna, the Tyrol and Munich and then train back to Brussels. Vienna was the least favourite bit for dd, but she really enjoyed the rest. I let her come up with suggestions as to where she wanted to go. This year (she's 20 now) she flew to Turin with friends and then did a whistlestop tour - Genoa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome and Naples. Doing similar you could add on Ischia to the end for some beach time. We did in May - Brussels to Innsbruck to Rimini to Monopoli in Puglia on the train and came back via Verona and Munich. That was great fun. Next year I am planning Calabria.

We didn't get any free food going first class apart from a coffee and mini snack box on the Frecciarossa - though you will on the Eurostar. On the German / Austrian trains they did table service with a menu, but you had to pay for it. Much more space and nicer seats in first class of course.

First class is definitely worth the smallish upgrade. Even if just for any connecting UK train if you don’t live in London!

My tip would be to book any seat reservations directly with the rail companies rather than via the Eurrail platform. Some of the mark ups are silly. And prepare to find the whole online setup infuriating: it is not user-friendly.

I'm pretty sure the Black Friday sale is still on. 25% off interrail passes. They are valid for 11 months, so you could use them during the summer. I think if you book via National Rail website you can get a refund if you don't use them - might be worth looking at.

Found it - https://www.myinterrail.co.uk/sale/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx9q6BhCDARIsACwUxu48RGUG5qmOTYJNksfUtzCEfC4ux_6dhMR8dJ3jeYiqWACiCxbCZKsaAvwyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agree with PP about Seat61 website - some very helpful info on there.

Be prepared for changes to your plans. For instance a week before our trip we realised one of the night trains we were booked on was cancelled. Therefore we had to book new trains during the day but also a hotel for the night.

Also, it's worth booking hotels that you can cancel at the last minute in case your plans change.

And also, definitely what PP said about first class, not much more money but lovely big seats on the fast intercity trains and more space for luggage.

Edited to add that there's an Interrailing facebook group which I found very helpful.