In August 2023, we embarked on a 16-day Interrail adventure, exploring six countries across Europe by train. From the medieval charm of Strasbourg and Bern to the scenic beauty of Lake Como and the canals of Venice, our journey was filled with incredible experiences.
We navigated bustling cities like Paris and Milan, discovered hidden gems in Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, and took advantage of stunning alpine views in Switzerland. With an Interrail pass, we enjoyed the freedom of flexible train travel while making the most of seat reservations for high-speed routes. Read on for a full itinerary, highlights from each stop, and useful travel tips!
- Overview
- What is Interrail?
- Itinerary Breakdown
- Day 1: London to Antwerp
- Day 2: Paris – A Quick Revisit
- Day 3: Paris to Strasbourg
- Day 4: Exploring Bern
- Day 5: Day Trip to Lucerne & Mt. Rigi
- Day 6: Exploring Zurich
- Day 7: Day Trip to Liechtenstein (Vaduz)
- Day 8: Milan & Lake Como
- Day 9: Milan
- Days 10-14: Venice & The Islands
- Day 15: Luxembourg – A Last-Minute Addition
- Day 16: Final Stop – Paris & Back to London
- Was it worth it?
- Final Thoughts
Overview
In August 2023, we embarked on an incredible Interrail trip across multiple countries in Europe. Over 16 days, we visited Belgium, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Luxembourg, covering a mix of vibrant cities, scenic train rides, and charming small towns.
This article outlines our full itinerary, highlights from each destination, and some practical tips based on our experience.
What is Interrail?
Interrail is a rail pass that allows unlimited train travel across 33 European countries, offering flexibility and convenience for travellers exploring the continent. It’s a fantastic option for those who want to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of flights or car rentals.
With various pass options available, travellers can choose a plan that best suits their itinerary, making it a budget-friendly and adventurous way to see Europe.
For the below itinerary we chose the 7 day travel day in a month pass which according to our plan was exactly what we needed.
Itinerary Breakdown
At a glance, we visited 6 countries (7 with the UK) with starting point in London. Below is map of the places we visited and detailed day by day information in the text below.
Day 1: London to Antwerp
We started our journey early in the morning, taking the Eurostar from London to Brussels. After a quick transfer, we continued to Antwerp, a city full of charm with its stunning architecture, lively café culture, and a great mix of old and modern elements.
We explored the Grote Markt, admired the intricate interiors of the Cathedral of Our Lady, and strolled along the river before catching our afternoon train to Paris. The cobbled streets and vibrant street art gave the city a unique and lively atmosphere, making it a great first stop on our adventure.
Day 2: Paris – A Quick Revisit
Having visited Paris multiple times before, this stop was more about revisiting our favourite spots rather than cramming in all the must-sees. We walked along the Seine, took in the views of the Eiffel Tower, wandered around the Marais district, and enjoyed a classic Parisian breakfast at a café.
We also made a quick stop at the Louvre courtyard for some iconic photos and took a moment to relax in the Jardin des Tuileries before preparing for our journey to Strasbourg the next day.
🏨 Where we stayed: ibis Styles Paris Gare de l’Est TGV
🏨 Where we stayed: Hotel The Playce by Happyculture
Day 3: Paris to Strasbourg
Taking the TGV high-speed train, we arrived in Strasbourg, a city that perfectly blends French and German influences. We spent the day exploring the stunning half-timbered houses in La Petite France, climbed up the Strasbourg Cathedral for a panoramic view of the city, and strolled along the canals.
Here we also got the chance to visit the European Union Parliament and get a tour. The experience was great and found it very insightful. The tour finishes with a view from the top of the building.
Whilst the views aren’t particularly amazing since it’s mostly residential houses nearby, it’s still a nice treat at the end.
The mix of medieval charm and modern European institutions made Strasbourg a fascinating stop. In the late afternoon, we boarded our train to Bern, Switzerland.
Day 4: Exploring Bern
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, felt like a fairy tale with its medieval old town. We walked along the Aare River, saw the famous Zytglogge clock tower, visited the Bear Park, and enjoyed panoramic views from the Rosengarten.
The Einstein Museum was a fascinating insight into the scientist’s time in Bern, and the city’s relaxed pace made it one of our favourite stops.
🏨 Where we stayed: Prize by Radisson Bern City.
See photos and impressions from the hotel in our detailed review: Hotel Prize by Radisson Bern City: A Stylish Stay in the Heart of Bern.
Day 5: Day Trip to Lucerne & Mt. Rigi
We took a scenic train ride from Bern to Lucerne, where we spent the morning exploring the Chapel Bridge, the Old Town, and the waterfront. The colourful buildings and mountain backdrop made Lucerne picture-perfect.
In the afternoon, we took the Mt. Rigi railway, where our Interrail pass gave us a 50% discount. The ride up was breathtaking, with views over Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps.
At the summit, we hiked a little further to get the best panoramic views, and enjoyed our packed lunch overlooking the Swiss Alps.
Day 6: Exploring Zurich
Zurich combined history with modernity. We wandered the Niederdorf district, visited the famous Bahnhofstrasse for some window shopping, and took a chocolate-filled tour at the Lindt Chocolate Factory, which was a highlight of our day!
The city was bustling, but the Lake Zurich cruise provided a relaxing escape from the busy streets.
🏨 Where we stayed: Crowne Plaza Zurich
See photos and impressions from the hotel in our detailed review: Crowne Plaza Zurich: Where Elegance Meets Comfort – A Hotel Review
Day 7: Day Trip to Liechtenstein (Vaduz)
We took a train to Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, to explore this tiny country. The town itself was small, but the views from the Vaduz Castle overlook made the trip worthwhile.
We also visited the Liechtenstein National Museum and enjoyed a coffee in the town square before heading back to Zurich to catch a night train to Milan.
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Day 8: Milan & Lake Como
We started the day in Milan, visiting the Santa Maria delle Grazie to see The Last Supper, then hopped on a train to Lake Como. We explored Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Como enjoying the lake views and charming cobblestone streets.
The ferry rides between the towns were a fantastic way to soak in the scenery.
Day 9: Milan
We spent a full day in Milan, visiting the Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and enjoying a delicious meal in the Brera district.
🏨 Where we stayed: Windsor Hotel Milano
See photos and impressions from the hotel in our detailed review: Windsor Hotel Milano: Affordable Comfort and Convenience in Milan, Italy
Days 10-14: Venice & The Islands
We spent five days soaking in Venice’s magic, exploring its canals, historic landmarks, and taking boat trips to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. We visited St. Mark’s Basilica, and experienced the hidden corners of Dorsoduro.
Venice felt like an open-air museum, though it was noticeably busy with tourists.
A Day Trip to Murano, Burano, and Torcello from Venice
Embarking on a day trip to the enchanting islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello from Venice is a seamless and accessible adventure, with various transportation options catering to different preferences and budgets.
You are most likely to organise it yourself using the vaporetto or join an organised tour. The day was magical!
Day 15: Luxembourg – A Last-Minute Addition
Originally, we planned to visit Turin, but due to a landslide, we had to reroute. We decided to explore Luxembourg City, a small but fascinating place with medieval fortifications and scenic views from Casemates du Bock.
Day 16: Final Stop – Paris & Back to London
We spent our final morning in Paris, enjoying a relaxed breakfast before catching the Eurostar back to London, marking the end of our Interrail adventure.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely. Following this itinerary, we calculated a net saving of 440 euros in total. It’s important also to note that Interrail doesn’t mean inclusive travel in all of Europe. So you have to include any mandatory supplements such as seat reservations for certain services.
The best thing about this is that whilst train fares tend to fluctuate based on season and demand, your Interrail pass will be valid for any service regardless of the actual fare. All you have to consider is potentially paying for the fixed price of the seat reservation.
Considering we went mid-August when it’s busiest here in Europe we believe we absolutely got our money’s worth but more importantly the memories we have are simply priceless.
Check prices via Rail Europe here.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, our Interrail trip was an amazing experience. While we had to adjust our plans along the way, the flexibility of train travel made it all possible. We highly recommend Interrail for anyone who loves slow travel and wants to explore multiple destinations without the hassle of airports.
💡 Tips for Future Travellers:
- Book seat reservations in advance for high-speed trains like Eurostar, TGV, and Frecciarossa.
- Check for discounts – Many scenic railways and mountain trains offer discounts to Interrail pass holders.
- Pack light! European trains have limited luggage space, so a compact backpack or suitcase is ideal.
Would we do it again? Absolutely! 🚆✨
Ready to book? Below are some recommendations to get your trip started:
- Flights – we use flight aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google flights to find the best options. You can find more information about finding cheap flights here.
- Accommodation – would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com, Trip.com or Agoda to get the best rates. We also use TripAdvisor to read reviews.
- Transport – consider Rentalcars.com for car renting or if you rely on public transport, you can use Omio for trains, coaches, ferries, airport transfers and even flights.
- Activities – a great option is GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator for tours, excursions, experiences and tickets to many tourist attractions.
- Travel money – we have Starling Bank accounts (UK residents only) with 0% fees on FX and a good Mastercard exchange rate. Revolut is another good option.
- Travel insurance – check SafetyWing for travel medical insurance that works for you and your specific needs.
- Internet abroad – with Airalo or Nomad you can access a wide range of eSIMs (digital SIM cards) available for different countries and regions.
- Luggage storage – if you need to store your bags whilst exploring the destination, you can use Radical Storage to find your closest luggage storage and enjoy your journey until the very end.
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