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? Itâs 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; itâs all part of the adventure. This journey will be an experience youâll cherish for a lifetime! In this article, weâve 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. Youâll find yourself getting frustrated with your travel companions because they donât understand the importance of including that picturesque little village thatâs miles away from civilization but oh-so-beautiful!
4. You'll protect your Interrail pass like it's your most treasured possessionâbecause let's face it, this pass isnât going to betray you.
5. Youâll find yourself sniffing your shirt to decide whether itâs still wearable or if itâs 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, youâll definitely still want to shower most days!
8. Youâll often leave your clothes hung up to dry in strategic spots, only to forget them (trust me, Iâve lost my underwear across multiple countries).
9. Youâll discover that traveling isnât as expensive as you thought; going on vacation, however, can be pricey. Suddenly, youâll 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 donât use the euro.
Adventures on the train
11. Youâll 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. Youâll curse your backpack for being too heavy, realizing that âjust in caseâ 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 jamĂłn serrano and tortilla espaĂąola.
Unexpected encounters and experiences
16. Whether youâre traveling with friends or solo, you might unexpectedly fall for a platonic love interest you meet during your Interrail journey.
17. Youâll check your trainâs number 521 times, confirming it leaves from the right platform at precisely the right time.
18. Youâll 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 youâve 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. Youâll 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, youâll consider sleeping at the station (or not sleeping at all to enjoy the cityâs 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. Youâll experience a mini heart attack when the conductor asks for your ticket, and you canât find it.
25. Youâll 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. Youâll realize that itâs best to book your next train as soon as you arrive at your destinationâlearned 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, youâll confidently pronounce âWhere do you come from?â and âOne beer, pleaseâ better than a seasoned traveler!
28. Speaking of magic, youâll 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. Youâll discover that what smelled like death and despair werenât your socks; it was actually your microfiber towel!
30. Youâll 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 heatâand intoxicated!
33. When you meet another Spanish traveler, itâs as if youâve reunited with your best friend. Youâll spend hours sharing travel tips and stories.
34. Youâll 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 thereâs 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. Youâll learn that one of the best travel guides is often the receptionist at your hostelâunless 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. Youâll find that the train window can become your best pillow after a long day of exploring. Of course, it canât compare to your own pillow, which youâll miss dearlyâalong with your mother's delicious homemade meals!
39. When you finally arrive at that destination youâve dreamt of visiting for ages, youâll feel like the star of a music video.
Making the most of every moment
40. If your hostel offers breakfast, youâll eat like a pig who hasnât eaten in a decade.
41. Youâll become an expert on free attractions: youâll know all the free tours, which museums have open-door days, and the best things to do without spending a cent.
42. Youâll learn that there are three essential items that must be in every Interrail backpack: a raincoat, a deck of cards, and earplugs.
43. If youâre in your twenties, you might swear youâll do Interrail again and again; by the time you hit thirty, youâll curse yourself for not doing it sooner.
44. The âclosenessâ 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 adventureâs 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, youâll leave the last destinations completely open to improvisation. "Wait, where are we? Budapest? Okay, letâs Google âwhat to see in Budapestâ."
47. Youâll 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. Youâll 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, youâll experience the post-Interrail blues, thinking thereâs no way to shake it off until someone whispers a magical word: E-R-A-S-M-U-S.
