How to Travel Around Europe on a Budget

If you’re looking to climb off the Gambling Land Money Train and onto the budget express across Europe, then take heed. Trying to take in the sights of Europe on a budget is no easy task, but if you’re able to make your way around some of the region’s capital cities without busting your bankroll, then you’ll find you’ll have enough cash left over for an extra beer or two.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top InterRail tips for travelling around Europe on a budget:

Plan Your Route:

Simply walking into a train station and randomly selecting a destination from a matrix of stops listed on a notice board certainly isn’t the best way to start your journey across Europe. To ensure that you buy the most appropriate ticket and take the most efficient (read: cheapest) route, you need to plan ahead.

Pic by GlasgowAmateur 

Depending on your preferences, the places you will travel to will vary; however, the main thing you need to keep in mind is the length of time you’ll be travelling. The price of an interlinking rail ticket is calculated on how much you’re going to use it. Thus, if you want to ensure you’re not paying too much, it’s important to work out how many days/ stops you will be making ahead of time.

Choose Your Ticket:

When you’re planning to travel around Europe there are two main ticket types you can purchase: Global Pass and Country Pass. As specified, a country pass is one which allows you unlimited train travel across a particular country. This is a great option if you’re looking to explore one country in-depth before moving on to another.

One thing to bear in mind when choosing this method is the country you’re visiting. Because different economies have different price points, a ticket in a country such as the UK will be more expensive than a similar ticket in Slovenia. So, if you’re planning on buying a selection of country passes, make sure you know how cheap or expensive they are in each country.

Pic by bobchin1941 

If your plan is to hop from country-to-country then you need a global pass. This is a single rail ticket that’s valid in 30 different countries. Obviously this option will be slightly more expensive than an individual country pass; however, it will give you the greatest flexibility and work out cheaper in the long-run if you plan to travel to a lot of destinations.

Do You Need a Train Pass?

The final point that’s worth making is whether or not you need a universal train pass at all? In some cases it might be cheaper to purchase individual tickets; especially if you know the specific destinations you want to travel to. Although this will take a lot more planning and research, the savings you could make if you opt to find the cheapest routes to specific destinations, rather than buying a global ticket could be significant.

However you’re planning to travel, it’s important to put the hours in before you set off. Don’t gamble with your finances when you’re on a budget and make sure you choose the right rail options for your needs.