Interrailing on a budget: student edition

Interrail is often seen as a young person’s rite of passage, and for good reason. With passes starting at £182 for four days of almost unlimited travel, it’s one of the cheapest and most flexible ways to criss-cross Europe by train. But between accommodation, seat reservations, and sightseeing, out-of-pocket expenses add up quickly.

Having been interrailing for the last two summers, I’ve picked up a few helpful habits to keep costs down while making the most of the experience. So, whether it’s your first or fifth time travelling Europe by train, here are my top tips for interrailing on a budget: student edition.

Before you get there:

1. Choose your destination carefully:
As an oversimplified rule: food and accommodation in Eastern Europe = relatively cheap, Southern and Central Europe = more expensive, and Northern Europe = extremely pricey. That’s not to say that you can’t have a great time in Scandinavia – actually, unique camping laws can help keep costs down. However, the average price of a pint in Oslo is £8.13, while in Prague it’s £1.86. If you struggle to budget, make life easier for yourself from the get-go.

2. Book accommodation early
Many interrailers picture themselves arriving wherever the next train takes them and wandering into the nearest cheap hostel, but that hostel might have only an en-suite room left. Or no kitchen, or it might be miles from the city centre. If you want true spontaneity, consider camping. Otherwise, book your accommodation two or three months in advance, letting you be picky with amenities, location, and (ultimately) value for money.

3. Decide on a daily budget
The least exciting, but arguably most money-saving tip of all. Before travelling, divide how much you have to spend by how many days you’ll be away. Some days you’ll go over budget, some under. Having a rough daily figure keeps you accountable and it’s better than starting Term 1 with a hole in your overdraft.

While travelling:

1. Reserve seats only when necessary
Seat reservations can be confusing for first-time interrailers. Though your pass gets you onto (almost) any train in Europe, it doesn’t guarantee you a seat. For some trains, the app will require or recommend that you buy additional seat reservations, ranging from €2-35. In my experience, you typically only need to reserve: high-speed, international, or overnight trains. Anything else? Grab a seat if you can; claim a patch of floor if you must.

2. Use your travel days wisely
A travel day is one of your allocated 24-hour windows for unlimited train travel. With the cheapest Interrail pass, you’ll have four of these within a month. So be strategic. Wake up early and go as far as you can within those 24 hours. If you’re only hopping to a neighbouring city, buy a separate local ticket and save your travel days for bigger jumps.

3. Catch overnight trains
More daylight hours to explore and free accommodation? There’s little not to love. Since the Interrail app only records your departure time, an overnight train counts as just one travel day. Plus, there’s something special about rolling out of one city at sunset and waking up in a new one at sunrise.

When you get there:

1. Maximise hostel amenities and stick to supermarkets
Breakfast included? Great, that’s lunch too! Bring a ziplock bag to breakfast, prep a sandwich, and grab a piece of fruit to go. Pick up some basics from the supermarket and enjoy a picnic in the city. Whip up pesto pasta in the hostel kitchen and use your saved dinner money to enjoy a drink out or an exhibit you really want to see.

2. Ditch the fridge magnets
Postcards are my go-to souvenir. They’re cheap, sold everywhere, and perfect for sending to family and friends or collecting along the way. Once you start an expensive sentimental habit (snow globes, shot glasses, fridge magnets), it can be hard to break from tradition.

3. Explore free activities
Research beforehand, stop by the tourist office, or ask hostel staff and fellow travellers. Most parks, churches, and historic squares across Europe are free, and many museums offer free or heavily discounted youth tickets (especially on the first Sunday of the month). Outdoor activities like hiking and swimming usually cost nothing, and in some cities, you can explore the harbour by kayak as long as you pick up litter along the way.

Final thoughts: 

1. Know when to spend
My final piece of advice: know when to ignore all of the above. Luxurious local delicacy only served in restaurants? Museum with ticketed entry you’ll regret not experiencing? Want to enjoy your final night in a city with an overpriced beer? Go for it. Try the delicacy, experience the museum, and enjoy the drink. If you’ve (mostly) followed the above, you can afford the odd treat or two.