Interrail for beginners: your first big train trip

The idea of Interrail is simple: one pass that lets you hop between trains across several European countries. For a first trip, the classic mistake is trying to see everything at once. Aim for fewer destinations, but take the time to truly experience them.

Building a realistic route

Use Luxembourg as a logical starting point, since it's well connected to the European network. Then draw a loop rather than a straight line, so you don't have to backtrack at the end. Always leave a buffer day in case a train is full or delayed.

The reservations you can't forget

The pass isn't always enough: some fast or night trains require an extra seat reservation. Check this for every key leg before you leave, because an unreserved seat can strand you on a platform. Save your reservations somewhere you can access offline.

Interrail is as much about the journey as the destination. Watch the landscape roll by, chat with the people you meet, and accept that not everything goes to plan. That's often where the best memories are born.