50 Things to Experience on Your Interrail Journey

Have you been dreaming for years about throwing on a backpack, hopping on a train, and traversing half of Europe? Now that the moment is finally approaching when your dream becomes reality, are you filled with anxiety? It’s completely normal to feel this way! Organizing an Interrail trip can be daunting. What route should you take? What if you run out of money? Take a deep breath; it’s all part of the adventure. This journey will be an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime! In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 50 things that can happen during an Interrail adventure to help you feel more prepared and less alone on your upcoming journey.

The whirlwind of planning your Interrail trip

1. You might lose at least five years of your life stressing over the hundreds of websites, forums, and travel guides that only add to your existential doubts.

2. Until you stumble upon this incredible Interrail guide written by the wonderful folks at Mochileando por el Mundo, who have also sacrificed a few years of their lives in this very stressful process.

3. You’ll find yourself getting frustrated with your travel companions because they don’t understand the importance of including that picturesque little village that’s miles away from civilization but oh-so-beautiful!

4. You'll protect your Interrail pass like it's your most treasured possession—because let's face it, this pass isn’t going to betray you.

5. You’ll find yourself sniffing your shirt to decide whether it’s still wearable or if it’s time to wash it.

The realities of traveling on a budget

6. Who needs a washing machine when you can save a euro by handwashing your clothes with a miniature soap bar you found in a hostel bathroom?

7. As for showers? You might find that a dip in a lake or river feels just as refreshing as a proper wash. However, you’ll definitely still want to shower most days!

8. You’ll often leave your clothes hung up to dry in strategic spots, only to forget them (trust me, I’ve lost my underwear across multiple countries).

9. You’ll discover that traveling isn’t as expensive as you thought; going on vacation, however, can be pricey. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself planning trips like a true backpacker.

10. You might pretend to understand the currency exchange while completely baffled by the different money systems in countries that don’t use the euro.

Adventures on the train

11. You’ll see the friendly old lady at the ticket booth turn into the incredible Hulk when you ask her for the fifth time why you have to pay for a reservation on an overnight train when you already have a pass that cost you an arm and a leg.

12. You'll master the famous rolling technique: rolling your clothes tightly to fit everything into your backpack.

13. You’ll curse your backpack for being too heavy, realizing that ‘just in case’ items are never a good idea.

14. Your diet may consist mainly of pizza, sandwiches, chips, ice cream, and the occasional fancy meal during your travels.

15. You'll wonder how the rest of Europe survives without jamón serrano and tortilla española.

Unexpected encounters and experiences

16. Whether you’re traveling with friends or solo, you might unexpectedly fall for a platonic love interest you meet during your Interrail journey.

17. You’ll check your train’s number 521 times, confirming it leaves from the right platform at precisely the right time.

18. You’ll double-check with the conductor, the only person in the world who gives you confidence at that moment.

19. Falling asleep on the train only to wake up in a panic, convinced you’ve missed your stop, only to find out you still have three hours to go.

20. You may contemplate having an emergency bathroom break at the station when you discover it costs a euro to use the restroom.

The unpredictability of the journey

21. You’ll be jolted awake by a grumpy border guard who wants to inspect your passport, shining a flashlight directly in your face.

22. You might have to change your well-planned route because, as they say, plans are meant to be changed!

23. If your train departs early in the morning, you’ll consider sleeping at the station (or not sleeping at all to enjoy the city’s nightlife) instead of paying for a hostel. The same logic applies to overnight trains: why pay for a night if you can save it?

24. You’ll experience a mini heart attack when the conductor asks for your ticket, and you can’t find it.

25. You’ll feel a surge of genuine happiness when you find the ticket that, of course, was right where you had left it.

Language barriers and cultural quirks

26. You’ll realize that it’s best to book your next train as soon as you arrive at your destination—learned the hard way after traveling in 'sardine can' class once.

27. At the beginning of your trip, you might feel self-conscious about your shaky English. By the end, you’ll confidently pronounce ‘Where do you come from?’ and ‘One beer, please’ better than a seasoned traveler!

28. Speaking of magic, you’ll become a pro at managing your money: somehow those last 10 euros will stretch for food, souvenirs, drinks, and even a few coins to bring home as mementos.

29. You’ll discover that what smelled like death and despair weren’t your socks; it was actually your microfiber towel!

30. You’ll encounter at least one roommate who suspiciously resembles someone you know.

The highs and lows of hostel life

31. You may spend at least one sleepless night thanks to a roommate who snores like a bear in heat.

32. Conversely, you might keep your bunkmate awake, thanks to your own snoring that rivals a bear in heat—and intoxicated!

33. When you meet another Spanish traveler, it’s as if you’ve reunited with your best friend. You’ll spend hours sharing travel tips and stories.

34. You’ll buy a water bottle on the first day of your trip and refill it from the fountains in every city you visit, resulting in less than a euro spent on hydration.

35. Your beer expenses will be incalculable, but there’s a reason: beer not only hydrates but also nourishes! By the end of your adventure, you might even consider yourself an expert in beer tasting.

Interacting with locals and fellow travelers

36. You’ll learn that one of the best travel guides is often the receptionist at your hostel—unless they try to sell you overpriced, boring tours, in which case, they become the worst guide.

37. You might try couch surfing, discovering that while many people are open-minded and passionate about travel, there are also quite a few strange ones out there.

38. You’ll find that the train window can become your best pillow after a long day of exploring. Of course, it can’t compare to your own pillow, which you’ll miss dearly—along with your mother's delicious homemade meals!

39. When you finally arrive at that destination you’ve dreamt of visiting for ages, you’ll feel like the star of a music video.

Making the most of every moment

40. If your hostel offers breakfast, you’ll eat like a pig who hasn’t eaten in a decade.

41. You’ll become an expert on free attractions: you’ll know all the free tours, which museums have open-door days, and the best things to do without spending a cent.

42. You’ll learn that there are three essential items that must be in every Interrail backpack: a raincoat, a deck of cards, and earplugs.

43. If you’re in your twenties, you might swear you’ll do Interrail again and again; by the time you hit thirty, you’ll curse yourself for not doing it sooner.

44. The “closeness” can lead to epic battles between you and your travel mates, which inevitably end in treaty signing, tears of reconciliation, and promises of eternal friendship.

The adventure’s end and what comes next

45. The same goes for couples: the same tension but at a whole new level!

46. If you meticulously planned the first few days of your trip, you’ll leave the last destinations completely open to improvisation. "Wait, where are we? Budapest? Okay, let’s Google ‘what to see in Budapest’."

47. You’ll come to realize how different the perception of time can be: a week in your hometown feels repetitive, while a week of Interrail equates to climbing the Eiffel Tower, partying in Amsterdam, visiting the Berlin Wall, and relaxing in a spa in Budapest.

48. You’ll snap countless photos of landmarks, towns, and the faces you meet, which will serve as the best souvenirs from your journey.

49. The anxiety of your last night will set in as you realize that tomorrow marks the end of your adventure, and your life will never quite surprise you like those Interrail days did.

50. Finally, you’ll experience the post-Interrail blues, thinking there’s no way to shake it off until someone whispers a magical word: E-R-A-S-M-U-S.

Travel Guide to Barcelona: Essential Information You Need

35 intriguing facts about Barcelona you may not know

East Coast USA Travel Guide

25 top attractions and activities in Vancouver

What to Expect on a Plane and How to React

10 incredible places to visit in northern Spain