What better way to explore Europe together than by train, stopping along the way for wine tastings, romantic lakeside walks and historic castles?
Our 10-day Interrail adventure took us from London to Bucharest through Germany, Austria and Hungary, combining scenic rail journeys with memorable experiences as a couple. Here’s our itinerary, travel costs and practical tips, including what we’d do differently next time.
Overview
In April 2026, we set off on another Interrail adventure, travelling from London to Bucharest over ten days. Our journey took us through Belgium, Germany, Austria and Hungary before eventually reaching Romania, with plenty of historic cities, medieval castles, vineyards and Alpine scenery along the way.
Unlike our 2025 Interrail journey through Europe, this wasn’t a circular trip. Instead, we planned a one-way route towards Bucharest, combining shorter sightseeing stops with longer stays in places such as Koblenz and Graz.
We had a fairly ambitious itinerary, particularly in Germany. Some days involved exploring multiple destinations before catching an evening train, while others gave us more time to enjoy a city at our own pace.
We also had a personal reason for travelling to Romania. We wanted to arrive in time for Hristina’s birthday, the Orthodox Easter celebrations and Paul’s birthday, giving us a chance to spend time with family and friends before flying back to London.
For this journey, we used two 7-day Interrail Global Passes, which we had purchased the previous year during a 20% discount promotion. The flexibility of the passes helped us combine major railway routes with smaller towns and countryside excursions.
Over the ten days, our recorded expenditure came to £2,116.53 for both of us, including accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing.
Here’s how we organised the trip, what we enjoyed and what we’d approach differently if we planned the same route again.
What is Interrail?
Interrail allows European residents to travel across participating railway networks using a single rail pass. Rather than purchasing a separate ticket for every journey, you can choose a pass offering a certain number of travel days within a specified period.
For our April 2026 trip, we used the 7-day Global Pass within one month. This gave us seven days on which we could take multiple participating trains, allowing us to spread our longer journeys across the ten-day itinerary.
We purchased both passes in 2025 during a promotion offering 20% off, paying €608 in total, or €304 each.
Buying during a promotion can make a noticeable difference, particularly when travelling as a couple. However, it’s important to remember that Interrail doesn’t automatically include every railway expense.
Some trains require additional reservations, including Eurostar services and sleeping accommodation on overnight trains. Local buses, ferries and certain privately operated transport services may also involve separate tickets.
We’ve explained how the passes work in our guide to travelling around Europe with Interrail.
Our London to Bucharest Interrail Itinerary
Our route took us from London through the Rhine Valley and Bavaria, across Austria and Hungary, and finally into Romania.
| Day | Date | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 April | London – Brussels – Aachen – Koblenz |
| 2 | 3 April | Schloss Johannisberg and Cochem |
| 3 | 4 April | Koblenz – Mainz |
| 4 | 5 April | Mainz – Augsburg |
| 5 | 6 April | Neuschwanstein Castle – Salzburg |
| 6 | 7 April | Hallstatt – Graz |
| 7 | 8 April | Graz |
| 8 | 9 April | Graz – Vienna – Budapest |
| 9 | 10 April | Székesfehérvár – Budapest overnight train |
| 10 | 11 April | Arrival in Bucharest |
One thing that made this itinerary manageable was our choice of accommodation. We frequently stayed near railway stations, making it easier to catch early trains and avoid carrying luggage through unfamiliar cities.
Day 1: London to Aachen and Koblenz
We started our journey at London St Pancras International, boarding the Eurostar towards Brussels Midi.
Having completed a similar journey in 2025, the transfer in Brussels felt quite familiar. We already knew where the Deutsche Bahn ICE trains generally stopped, so there was considerably less uncertainty compared with our previous trip.
From Brussels, we continued to Aachen, our first sightseeing destination in Germany. Aachen is a historic city close to the Belgian and Dutch borders, particularly known for its association with Charlemagne.
We spent our time exploring the city centre, including the impressive Aachen Cathedral and its Treasury. The cathedral’s octagonal chapel and elaborate mosaics are quite different from many of the Gothic churches we’ve visited elsewhere in Europe.
The Treasury was another interesting stop, containing an extensive collection of religious artefacts, including the famous bust of Charlemagne.
Beyond the historic landmarks, we enjoyed wandering around Aachen’s old streets. The city has a noticeable student atmosphere, particularly around Pontstraße, where cafés, bars and restaurants bring a little more life to the historic centre.
Aachen works quite well as a short stop on an Interrail route. The city centre is compact enough to explore without needing a full day, particularly if you concentrate on the principal historic attractions.
We’ve covered the cathedral, Treasury, thermal heritage and other places of interest in our guide to things to do in Aachen.
Later that evening, we returned to the railway station and continued onwards to Koblenz, arriving fairly late.
Where we stayed: Mercure Hotel Koblenz.
Day 2: Wine Tasting at Schloss Johannisberg and an Afternoon in Cochem
Our second day was probably one of the most ambitious of the whole trip.
We had decided to use Koblenz as a base for two excursions: a wine tasting at Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau region, followed by a visit to Cochem on the Moselle River.
Although both destinations are accessible by public transport, combining them required some fairly careful planning.
Discovering Riesling at Schloss Johannisberg
We began by travelling from Koblenz towards Geisenheim, continuing to Schloss Johannisberg by local bus.
Surrounded by vineyards, the estate sits above the Rhine Valley and has a long association with Riesling wine production. We explored the grounds and enjoyed the vineyard views before joining our wine tasting.
The estate itself is lovely to explore. Looking across the vineyards towards the Rhine, it was easy to see why wine production is such an important part of this region’s identity. You can find more about the wines, historic cellars and the practicalities of visiting independently in our Schloss Johannisberg wine tasting experience.
What we particularly appreciated was how the experience introduced us to different styles of Riesling, from drier wines to sweeter late-harvest varieties. Before visiting, we hadn’t really appreciated how much variation there could be between wines produced from the same grape.
The 2023 Schloss Johannisberg Silberlack GG was a particular favourite for Paul, offering a drier, more structured style that suited our preferences.
Catching the Final Castle Tour in Cochem
Later in the afternoon, we made our way towards Cochem. The train journey was an enjoyable experience in itself. The Rhine and Moselle valleys are filled with vineyards, riverside villages and castles positioned high above the surrounding landscape.
Cochem is dominated by Reichsburg Castle, which towers above the town and its traditional half-timbered buildings. We were running rather close to the castle’s closing time but somehow managed to catch the final guided tour of the day.
Inside, the castle has an interesting mixture of medieval influences and 19th-century reconstruction. However, the real attraction for us was its hilltop position and the views across the Moselle Valley.
We also enjoyed exploring Cochem’s old streets and riverside setting. Our Cochem day trip guide covers the castle, old town and transport options in more detail.
Looking back, although we managed both excursions, we probably wouldn’t organise the day in quite the same way again. The wine tasting at Johannisberg deserved more time, while our arrival in Cochem was a little too close to the final castle tour for comfort.
If you’re planning a similar itinerary, we’d suggest dedicating a separate day to each destination. Both are interesting enough to justify a slower visit, and the railway scenery makes travelling through the region part of the experience.
Where we stayed: Mercure Hotel Koblenz.
Day 3: Exploring Koblenz Before Travelling to Mainz
After using Koblenz as a base for our excursions, we dedicated the third day to the city itself.
Koblenz occupies an interesting position at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, and much of its character comes from its relationship with these waterways. We explored the historic centre, visited Deutsches Eck and travelled across the Rhine using the Koblenz cable car.
The cable car takes visitors towards Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, an enormous hilltop fortification overlooking the city. Although the weather was rather grey during our visit, the elevated views across the rivers were still enjoyable.
The fortress itself is extensive, with historic exhibitions, museums and several viewpoints. We also took a boat trip along the Rhine, passing riverside landmarks and castles while learning a little more about the area’s history.
Seeing the surrounding landscape from the river offered a different perspective from the train journeys of the previous day. Back in Koblenz, we spent some time walking through the old town and along the riverfront.
See our things to do in Koblenz guide for a more detailed account of the fortress, cable car, river cruise and historic attractions.
What we appreciated was how easily the main attractions connected. Koblenz is fairly walkable, and you can explore much of the historic centre without relying on public transport.
An Unexpected Rail Replacement
Later in the evening, we headed towards Mainz. Originally, we had planned to travel using a direct ICE service. However, engineering works meant that part of the route was replaced with a bus journey to Bingen.
From there, we continued by regional train towards Mainz. It wasn’t especially convenient, particularly after a full day of sightseeing, but it served as another reminder that railway travel doesn’t always go exactly to plan.
Checking the Deutsche Bahn app before departure is something we’d particularly encourage when travelling through Germany.
Where we stayed: Leonardo Hotel Mainz.
Day 4: Spending Easter Sunday in Mainz Before Continuing to Augsburg
Mainz was another pleasant surprise during our Interrail journey. We visited on Easter Sunday, which gave our time in the city a slightly different atmosphere.
Compared with Koblenz, Mainz felt more relaxed and residential, with attractive squares, historic churches and streets that were enjoyable to explore without following a strict itinerary. Our Mainz city guide covers the attractions we visited and practical information for planning a short stay.
We started around Mainz Citadel and the surrounding historic area before making our way towards the old town. Mainz Cathedral is one of the city’s defining landmarks, standing beside the historic Marktplatz.
Another interesting stop was St Stephan’s Church, where the blue stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall create an unusual interior. We also visited the Gutenberg Museum, which focuses on the history of printing and Mainz’s most famous inventor.
The museum was more engaging than we initially expected. We particularly enjoyed the interactive displays and seeing how printing techniques developed over time. As an added curiosity, the museum had moved into temporary accommodation while its original premises were undergoing renovation.
Beyond the sightseeing, Mainz was simply a pleasant city to walk around. The historic centre feels compact, and there are plenty of small streets and squares where you can stop for a break.
Travelling to Augsburg
Later in the day, we continued south towards Augsburg.
We hadn’t planned to spend much time sightseeing here. Instead, Augsburg served as a convenient overnight stop before our excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle the following morning.
We deliberately chose a hotel close to the railway station, allowing us to catch an early train towards Füssen without much difficulty.
Where we stayed: Rugs Hotel Augsburg.
Day 5: Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle and Continuing to Salzburg
Our fifth day was dedicated to Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the attractions we’d been particularly looking forward to. We started early, travelling from Augsburg towards Füssen by train.
As we approached southern Bavaria, the landscape gradually changed. The flatter countryside gave way to rolling hills, forests and the distant Alpine mountains.
Füssen is the main railway gateway to Neuschwanstein. From the station, we caught a local bus to Hohenschwangau, the village beneath the castle. The journey is relatively straightforward, and you don’t need to hire a car to explore the area.
Our Neuschwanstein Castle day trip guide explains how to travel there by public transport, what tickets you need and how to explore the surrounding area.
What we enjoyed about Neuschwanstein was that the castle itself was only part of the experience. The surrounding landscape is lovely, with forested hills, mountain viewpoints and Alpsee lake creating an impressive setting.
We spent time exploring the grounds and viewpoints, including the area around Marienbrücke, which provides the familiar view of the castle against the mountains. The castle interior was interesting too, although the surrounding scenery was just as memorable for us.
If you have the time, we’d suggest allowing a full day for the area rather than treating Neuschwanstein as a quick photography stop.
Continuing to Salzburg
After our visit, we returned towards Füssen and continued our journey to Salzburg. We have been to Salzburg before and this wasn’t intended as a sightseeing stop. Instead, Salzburg was a practical overnight base before our next excursion to Hallstatt.
We chose comfortable accommodation near the railway station, making the following morning’s departure easier.
Where we stayed: Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Centre Salzburg.
Day 6: A Scenic Day Trip to Hallstatt Before Travelling to Graz
Hallstatt was one of the places we’d been particularly excited about visiting. We travelled from Salzburg by train, passing through the Austrian countryside and lake district.
The scenery became increasingly attractive as we approached Hallstatt, with mountains, forests and lakes appearing alongside the railway. Unlike many destinations, arriving at Hallstatt railway station doesn’t mean arriving directly in the village.
The station is located across Lake Hallstatt, and visitors need to take a short ferry to reach the historic centre. For us, this was one of the nicest parts of the experience.
As the ferry crosses the water, the village gradually comes into view, with its traditional houses positioned between the lake and the steep mountainside. The setting is particularly photogenic, and we enjoyed the views both on arrival and when leaving later in the day.
Our Hallstatt day trip guide covers the ferry crossing, village attractions and practical tips for visiting independently.
Wandering Through Hallstatt
Once in the village, we explored the compact historic centre on foot. We spent time around the Market Square, followed the narrow streets along the lake and stopped at several viewpoints.
One of the more unusual attractions was the Hallstatt Charnel House, a small ossuary containing decorated human skulls. Although it’s not the first attraction most people associate with Hallstatt, we found it interesting because it offers a different insight into the village’s traditions. We also enjoyed the elevated views near the Catholic church and cemetery.
Hallstatt attracts plenty of visitors, and some areas can feel busy. However, we found that stepping away from the main photography spots made the experience more enjoyable. For us, it was the combination of the lake, mountain scenery and traditional architecture that made the visit memorable.
Travelling Onwards to Graz
After exploring Hallstatt, we crossed the lake once more to reach the railway station. Rather than returning to Salzburg, we continued onwards towards Graz.
This worked well within our wider itinerary, allowing us to enjoy Hallstatt without retracing the entire journey. We reached Graz later in the day and settled into our hotel for the next two nights.
Where we stayed: Radisson Hotel Graz.
Days 7–8: Exploring Graz, Austria’s Second-Largest City
After several days of changing destinations, Graz felt like a welcome change of pace. We really enjoyed our time here. The city has an attractive historic centre, a good public transport network and a more relaxed atmosphere than some of Austria’s busier tourist destinations.
You can find our full itinerary in our guide to things to do in Graz.
We started around Hauptplatz, the city’s main square, before exploring the surrounding streets and courtyards. One of the defining landmarks is Schlossberg, the hill rising above the old town.
At the top sits the Uhrturm clock tower, surrounded by viewpoints overlooking the city. We also explored the more contemporary side of Graz, including the unusual Kunsthaus building and Murinsel, an architectural structure positioned in the River Mur.
Another attraction we particularly enjoyed was Schloss Eggenberg. Located a little outside the historic centre, the palace is accessible by tram and contains richly decorated interiors and gardens. We also visited the Styrian Armoury, which houses an extensive collection of historic weapons and armour.
What made Graz particularly enjoyable was that we didn’t need to rush between attractions. The city is compact enough to explore on foot, while its trams make visiting places further out relatively easy.
Exploring Styrian Food
Another highlight of Graz was its food. We enjoyed several traditional meals, including dinner at Glöckl Bräu, where we tried cheese spätzle, cevapi and a Styrian broad bean salad. Our guide to where to eat in Graz covers the restaurants we tried and some of the region’s characteristic dishes.
The salad turned out to be a surprisingly memorable dish, largely because of the pumpkin seed oil used in the dressing. Its rich, roasted flavour was quite distinctive, and we enjoyed it enough to buy some to take home.
We also ate at Gösser Bräu and visited Hofbäckerei Edegger-Tax, a historic bakery with a particularly attractive wooden shopfront. We found Graz’s traditional restaurants a pleasant place to spend an evening, especially after a day of sightseeing.
Travelling to Budapest
On the evening of Day 8, we boarded a train towards Budapest, travelling via Vienna. This was one of our longer evening journeys, but it connected well with our next planned destination.
We arrived in Budapest and headed to our hotel near Keleti railway station.
Where we stayed in Graz: Radisson Hotel Graz.
Where we stayed in Budapest: IntercityHotel Budapest.
Day 9: Discovering Székesfehérvár, Hungary’s City of Kings
Having already spent time in Budapest on previous trips, we decided to explore somewhere new. We chose Székesfehérvár, a historic Hungarian city approximately an hour from Budapest by train.
The city is often referred to as the City of Kings because of its importance in medieval Hungarian history, particularly as a coronation and burial place for Hungarian monarchs. Given its history, we arrived with fairly high expectations.
We began exploring the historic centre, including the ruins of the former royal basilica. Although the site is historically important, relatively little remains of the original building. For us, the experience felt rather underwhelming compared with what we’d expected.
We continued walking around the city centre, visiting churches and enjoying the historic streets. While Székesfehérvár is pleasant enough, we didn’t feel there was a great deal to keep us occupied for an entire day.
Visiting Bory Castle
The attraction we enjoyed most was Bory Castle. Unlike a traditional medieval fortress, Bory Castle was constructed by the architect and sculptor Jenő Bory as an elaborate private residence.
Over several decades, he developed the property into an unusual combination of home, museum and artistic project. The building contains courtyards, towers, sculptures and decorative details reflecting his personal vision. We enjoyed exploring it because it felt different from the castles we’d visited earlier in the trip.
Rather than being built for military defence or royal accommodation, it was effectively one man’s architectural and artistic creation. For us, Bory Castle was the main highlight of Székesfehérvár.
Is Székesfehérvár a Good Day Trip from Budapest?
Our feelings are mixed. If you’ve already explored Budapest and want to see somewhere different, Székesfehérvár is an easy enough excursion by train. However, we wouldn’t prioritise it over Budapest itself.
The historical significance of the city is interesting, and Bory Castle is unusual, but we found the other attractions relatively limited. If you’re visiting Hungary for the first time, we’d suggest spending more time exploring Budapest before considering this excursion.
Later in the day, we returned to Budapest, where we prepared for the final leg of our journey.
Days 9–10: Taking the Overnight Train from Budapest to Bucharest
Our final railway journey was quite different from the others.
Instead of travelling on modern high-speed trains, we boarded an overnight service from Budapest Keleti to Bucharest North, with a journey of around 16 hours ahead of us.
We had booked couchette accommodation, allowing us to sleep during the night rather than remaining in our seats for the entire journey. The conditions were relatively modest, particularly compared with some of the other trains we’d used during the trip.
The couchettes provided somewhere to lie down, but they weren’t especially comfortable. We managed to get a reasonable amount of sleep, although it certainly wasn’t comparable to spending the night in a hotel.
Still, we rather enjoyed the experience and would do it again.
Meeting Fellow Travellers Along the Way
One of the nicest memories from the journey had nothing to do with the train itself. During the trip, we met a Japanese lady who was travelling around Europe with an unusual personal mission.
She wanted to step across as many national borders as possible, partly to demonstrate her belief that borders shouldn’t divide people. It was an interesting idea, especially given how much easier travelling between European countries has become through the Schengen Area.
We ended up chatting and sharing stories about our travels, which helped make the long journey feel considerably shorter. It’s encounters like these that we particularly appreciate about travelling by train.
On a flight, you might exchange a few words with the person sitting beside you. On a 16-hour railway journey, there’s considerably more opportunity to get to know fellow passengers and hear about their experiences.
What Was the Overnight Train Like?
We wouldn’t describe the accommodation as particularly luxurious. The facilities were basic, the couchette wasn’t especially comfortable, and you needed to approach the journey with fairly modest expectations.
However, we had no major delays, and the journey was much more enjoyable than its duration might suggest. There was time to chat, look out of the window, rest and gradually watch the landscape change as we travelled towards Romania.
We’d happily consider another overnight train in the future, although we’d probably look more closely at the sleeping arrangements before booking.
The biggest advantage was being able to combine a long-distance journey with an overnight stay, rather than spending an entire day travelling and paying for a separate hotel.
Arriving in Bucharest
We arrived at Bucharest North railway station on Day 10, bringing our Interrail journey to an end.
This was particularly meaningful because we’d planned the trip around several family celebrations. With Hristina’s birthday, Paul’s birthday and Orthodox Easter all around the same period, we had a lovely opportunity to reconnect with family and friends.
After spending ten days moving between European cities, it felt good to reach a familiar destination and slow down. Bucharest itself has plenty to offer first-time visitors, from the Romanian Athenaeum and Calea Victoriei to the Palace of Parliament and the historic Old Town.
If you’re planning to explore the capital, our guide to things to do in Bucharest covers many of the city’s attractions.
For us, however, this part of the journey was more about spending time with loved ones than sightseeing.
We eventually flew home to London, completing our one-way Interrail adventure.
Tips for Travelling from London to Bucharest with Interrail
Book Important Reservations in Advance
Although Interrail gives you flexibility, some train services require additional reservations. Eurostar is one example, and we’d always suggest securing this part of the journey early.
Night trains also require some planning, particularly if you want a couchette or sleeper compartment rather than an ordinary seat.
For the current rules, have a look at the Interrail seat reservation guide.
Consider Travelling Overnight
Our final journey between Budapest and Bucharest showed us that overnight trains can be an interesting alternative to flying. Although our couchette wasn’t especially comfortable, we enjoyed the social side of the experience and appreciated not needing another hotel for the night.
One useful detail with Interrail is that a direct overnight train normally uses the travel day on which you depart, rather than two separate travel days, provided you don’t change trains after midnight.
Stay Near Railway Stations When Travelling Frequently
During this trip, we often prioritised practical hotel locations. This was particularly useful in Augsburg, where we had an early departure towards Füssen, and in Graz, where the hotel was close to the station and tram connections.
Staying in the historic centre can be lovely, but when you’re moving between destinations frequently, station proximity can save a surprising amount of time.
Allow More Time for Day Trips
One of our biggest lessons came from trying to visit Schloss Johannisberg and Cochem on the same day. We managed it, but the experience was more intense than it needed to be.
If we repeated this route, we’d add an extra day around the Rhine Valley and spend more time enjoying the smaller towns.
Don’t Assume Every Journey Will Go to Plan
Our journey from Koblenz to Mainz was affected by engineering works, resulting in a replacement bus and regional train connection. This wasn’t a major problem, but it reinforced the importance of regularly checking railway schedules.
We’d suggest keeping the relevant railway apps installed and allowing some flexibility around important connections.
How Much Did Our 10-Day Interrail Trip Cost?
One of the questions we often get about Interrail is whether travelling around Europe by train is expensive. For our April 2026 itinerary, we recorded total expenditure of £2,116.53 for two people.
This covered our tracked accommodation, rail passes, additional transport, food, sightseeing and activities during the trip.
Here’s an approximate breakdown based on our travel budget:
| Category | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | £707 |
| Transport, including Interrail passes | £680 |
| Food and restaurants | £520 |
| Activities | £110 |
| Sightseeing | £85 |
| Shopping | £15 |
| Total recorded expenditure | £2,116.53 |
The individual categories are rounded estimates from our spending chart, while the total is the exact amount recorded in our budget tracker. Our return flights from Bucharest to London were not included in the visible flight expenses.
For ten days, this works out at approximately £211.65 per day for both of us, or £105.83 per person per day.
Our Interrail Passes
We purchased two 7-day Global Passes the year before travelling, taking advantage of a 20% discount. The total cost was €608 for both passes, equivalent to €304 per person.
Purchasing them during a promotional period helped us reduce the cost of the trip. However, the passes weren’t our only railway expense.
We also paid for reservations and additional journeys, including our Eurostar connection, the overnight train towards Bucharest and some local transport.
Our recorded Budapest–Bucharest railway expense was HUF 16,000, while the Hallstatt ferry cost €16 for both of us.
Accommodation Costs
We spent a total of £706.97 on the hotels recorded in our travel budget.
| Hotel | Recorded cost |
|---|---|
| Mercure Hotel Koblenz | £210.88 |
| Leonardo Hotel Mainz | £93.68 |
| Rugs Hotel Augsburg | £51.82 |
| Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Centre Salzburg | £94.19 |
| Radisson Hotel Graz | £180.98 |
| IntercityHotel Budapest | £75.42 |
| Total accommodation | £706.97 |
For most of the trip, we chose comfortable mid-range hotels rather than luxury accommodation. Location was often more important than hotel facilities, particularly when we had early trains or limited time in a destination.
The overnight train to Bucharest also saved us from needing an additional hotel that night.
Food and Activities
Food was another significant part of our budget. We enjoyed traditional restaurants in Germany and Austria, particularly during our stay in Graz, where we tried several regional Styrian dishes.
Some of our recorded restaurant expenses included €62 at Glöckl Bräu, €50 at Gösser Bräu and €73 at Der Steirer.
Sightseeing also added to our expenditure. Examples included €47 for Neuschwanstein Castle, €40 for Schloss Eggenberg, €26 for the Styrian Armoury and €20 for Cochem Castle.
These were the recorded costs for our bookings rather than necessarily the individual adult admission prices, and ticket prices may change. Overall, we felt the costs were reasonable for the amount of travelling and sightseeing we managed to fit into ten days.
There are certainly ways to make this itinerary cheaper, particularly by choosing more basic accommodation, preparing some meals independently and reducing the number of paid attractions.
However, we wanted a balance between comfortable accommodation, enjoyable meals and interesting experiences.
Was Our Interrail Trip Worth It?
For us, yes. The biggest advantage wasn’t necessarily the financial saving, but the flexibility to combine very different destinations within a relatively short period.
In ten days, we travelled from the historic cities of Germany to the Bavarian Alps, explored Hallstatt and Graz, visited a smaller Hungarian city and eventually reached Bucharest by overnight train.
The 7-day pass worked well for our travelling style, particularly because we could combine longer journeys with sightseeing stops along the way.
Would we recommend following this exact itinerary? It depends on how much you enjoy travelling. We are comfortable with frequent train journeys and early departures, but some parts of the itinerary were undeniably busy.
If you prefer slower travel, we’d suggest extending the route to around 12–14 days, particularly to allow more time around the Rhine Valley and Salzburg.
Final Thoughts
What stayed with us most from this journey was the variety of experiences we managed to enjoy along the way.
One day we were tasting Riesling overlooking the Rhine Valley, a few days later we were walking around Neuschwanstein Castle with the Bavarian mountains in the background, and shortly afterwards we were crossing Lake Hallstatt by ferry.
Graz gave us a chance to slow down, while our overnight journey to Bucharest reminded us that travelling by train can be as much about the people you meet as the places you visit. The Japanese traveller we met on our final train, with her unusual mission to cross borders, was a lovely reminder of how travel brings people together.
There were moments when our plans felt a little ambitious, particularly when trying to squeeze multiple excursions into one day. But we also enjoyed the freedom to move between destinations and watch the landscape gradually change along the way.
And reaching Bucharest in time for family celebrations felt like a fitting end to the adventure.
For anyone considering travelling from London to Bucharest by train, we’d suggest embracing the journey rather than treating it simply as a way of getting from one capital to another. There are plenty of interesting places between the two, and sometimes the most memorable moments happen somewhere along the railway line.
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