Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? An Honest Review (2022)

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Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? An Honest Review (2022). Read on to find out if I think the interrail pass is worth it in 2022!

So, is the interrail pass worth it?

I’m not going to lie – when I was deciding whether or not to get an Interrail pass, I googled “Is the Interrail Pass Worth it?” a lot. 

And, TBH, a lot of the information out there is pretty outdated (the last time the EU underwent some serious changes was in 2020). 

So, I wanted to write this blog post to give you all an honest review of whether or not getting an Interrail pass is worth it – based on my experience as a 20-something-year-old traveller in 2022. 

Spoiler alert: it totally depends on your budget and travel plans! But read on to see the ins and outs of whether the interrailing pass is worth it.

Want to interrail on a budget? I’ve got you covered. Check out my latest post! How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP! (2022)

Not sure which backpack to buy for interrailing Europe? Read my post to find the best backpack for you!

🗺️ Travelling Europe? Book your interrailing pass here!

Is the Interrail Pass Worth it?

If you’re planning on backpacking Europe, you’ve probably heard of the interrail pass. But is it really worth it?

The interrail pass gives you the freedom to travel by train through 30 European countries, and there are different passes for different timeframes (5 days, 10 days, etc.) and different areas (all of Europe, specific countries, etc.).

You can also choose between first and second-class passes. So, how do you know if the interrail pass is right for you?

Well, that depends on a few factors.

Are you planning on doing a lot of travelling? If so, the interrail pass will save you some money.

Are you flexible with your travel dates? If not, you might want to consider buying individual tickets, as the interrail pass has to be used within a certain time frame.

What kind of trip are you looking for? The interrail pass is great if you want the freedom to explore different cities at your own pace.

But if you’re looking for a more structured trip, with guided tours and specific activities planned out in advance, the interrail pass might not be right for you.

Think about what kind of traveller you are and what kind of trip you’re looking for before deciding on buying an interrail pass.

Before buying, check out my post: Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? An Honest Review (2022) to check you want to spend the money on a pass.

🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.

Advantages & Disadvantages of using an Interrailing Pass

The interrail pass is a great way to see Europe on a budget.

It allows you to travel on trains between different countries for a set period of time, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying individual tickets.

For example, when I used my interrailing pass across 5 different countries over a period of 30 days, I ended up saving around 250 EUR compared to buying all of my tickets individually.

The interrail pass is also flexible, so you can change your plans if you want to, and it’s valid on most major train lines in Europe.

There are some disadvantages to using an interrail pass, though.

For example, you’ll need to plan your trip in advance, and you’ll still need to buy individual tickets for some scenic routes and for high-speed trains.

You may also need to pay a bit extra for seat reservations (which is a bummer when you’ve already bought your ticket).

But overall, purchasing an interrailing pass instead of individual tickets WILL save you money.

Want to interrail on a budget? I’ve got you covered. Check out my latest post! How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP! (2022)

Does the Interrailing Pass include seat reservations?

No, the interrailing pass does not include seat reservations.

So if you’re planning on interrailing around Europe, one of the things you’ll need to decide is whether or not to get a seat reservation.

If it’s your first time interrailing, I would highly recommend reserving a seat for the majority of your train journeys.

With a seat reservation, you’re guaranteed a spot on the train, whether it’s a sleeper or just a short journey (meaning you can relax and enjoy the ride without fear of being kicked off!).

On the other hand, interrail passes are pretty pricey, and seat reservations can add up quickly. So what’s a budget-minded traveller to do?

Well, first of all, the interrail pass is definitely worth it, even with the seat reservations.

Yes, it’s a bit of an investment, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

And as for seat reservations, if you’re organised enough, then do it.

For example, if you’re flexible about your travel dates, you can often find cheaper tickets for off-peak times. Or you can try using the Rail Planner app to compare prices and seats.

If you fail to reserve your seat, you run the risk of sitting in someone else’s fully paid seat.

You might then end up being kicked off the train as there are no seats left, causing a much bigger palaver than needs be.

If in doubt, check the signs above the seats. It will usually say if the seat is reserved or not, either manually or electronically.

I recommend using your interrailing pass to book a seat reservation.

Not sure about interrailing? Check out my post: 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe to ensure you know all the ins and outs of interrailing.

Planning your trip with an Interrailing Pass

So does the interrailing pass make planning a European trip any easier?

It depends. It all depends on how you like to plan your trip, what resources you like to use and how organised you are.

There are so many resources on the internet to plan your interrailing trip. From travel blogs, to the Rail Planner app, and even the interrailing route planner – planning an interrailing route is easy.

If you choose to go WITHOUT the interrailing pass, it can be a bit more of a faff to find trains, prices and book seat reservations.

When you buy an interrailing pass, everything is kept in ONE PLACE on ONE APP. If you’re doing it alone, be prepared for the ultimate use of chaos.

The app and booking confirmation will be stored in one handy app, that can be used for planning, booking and changing reservations.

In summary, it is much easier to plan a trip around Europe on the train with an interrailing pass than without.

🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

Is it cheaper to buy an interrailing pass or buy individual tickets?

The golden question, and probably the main question you want an answer for!

So, is the interrailing pass worth it, money-wise?

Well, if you’re younger than 27 years old, you can purchase a Youth pass. This is, of course, discounted from the adult pass, and will save you money that way.

Most people interrail for three to four weeks, which costs around 500 EUR. With seat reservations as well, you’re looking at 500-700 EUR on transport. But this includes entry to 33 countries!

If you do all of these trips individually, and still want to visit multiple countries via train, plane or boat, you’re looking more at 700-1000, due to more expensive seat reservations, independent ticket companies and baggage allowances.

Summary: In terms of cost, it is cheaper to book an interrailing pass to get around Europe via train.

🗺️ Travelling Europe? Book your interrailing pass here!

How flexible is the Interrailing Pass?

If you’re planning on interrailing around Europe, one of the first questions you’ll probably have is “how flexible is the interrail pass?”

After all, nobody wants to be stuck to a rigid schedule when they’re travelling.

The good news is that the interrail pass is actually quite flexible. You can choose how many days you want to travel for, and you don’t have to plan your route in advance.

This means that you can change your plans on the go if you fancy exploring somewhere new. Of course, there are some downsides to this flexibility.

For example, if you’re planning on taking a lot of high-speed trains, you’ll need to book your tickets in advance. And if you want to travel during peak season, you may find that some routes are fully booked.

But overall, the interrail pass offers a great deal of flexibility – perfect for exploring Europe at your own pace. So yes, in terms of flexibility, the interrailing pass IS worth it!

🗺️ My interrailing must-have:  I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

The OTHER best things about using an Interrailing Pass

It’s easy to use!

No need to be tech savvy – the interrailing pass is so easy to use and can all be accessed at the click of a button. No faffing around with individual tickets.

You don’t always need a ticket so you can turn up and take a seat on the train (when it says unreserved).

If you do need a reservation, or would feel more comfortable booking (especially for sleepers or high-speed trains), it can all be done on the app.

🗺️ My interrailing must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!

Discounts on local attractions, bike hire and tours

The interrail pass doesn’t just make your life easier when boarding a train, but also has some benefits when you reach each destination.

From bike hire to independent tours, discounts vary from country to country.

🗺️ My interrailing must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

Alternatives to travelling Europe by interrail pass

If you’re considering interrailing around Europe, you might be wondering if it’s really worth it. After all, there are so many other ways to backpack around Europe!

You could always just buy an Interrailing pass, which would give you more flexibility in terms of where you go and when.

Or you could fly into a few different countries and take advantage of budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet.

Or you could even hitchhike!

Of course, there are pros and cons to each option.

Interrailing is convenient in that it gives you access to a wide variety of countries, but it can be expensive. Budget airlines are often cheaper, but they don’t always fly to the countries you want to visit.

And hitchhiking takes a lot of planning (and a lot of patience!).

In the end, it’s up to you to decide which method of travel is right for you. But whichever way you choose to travel, Europe is sure to offer an unforgettable experience!

🗺️ My interrailing must-have: Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

So, is the interrail pass worth it? My Opinion

So, is the interrail pass worth it? In my opinion, yes. It totally is.

Why? Because I like having everything organised, in one place, and having total flexibility.

Booking flights or individual train tickets is rarely refundable, and you can get stuck in a plan that you may change your mind on.

What if you make friends in hostels but you have a flight booked to the next country tomorrow? You’ll either lose the money you’ve paid to book the flight or miss out on spending quality time with your new friends.

If you’re travelling Europe, make sure you buy an interrailing pass. If you’re still unsure, check out my 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe which may give you an even better idea of what you want to do.

Travelling Europe for the first time? Don’t leave home without reading my Backpacking Europe: A Beginners Step-by-Step Guide!

Not sure which backpack to buy for interrailing Europe? Read my post to find the best backpack for you!

🗺️ My interrailing must-have: Don’t forget an additional memory card and hard drive for saving your photos on the road!

Is the interrail pass worth it? In a Nutshell

So, there you have it. My opinion when it comes to interrailing, and how I think buying an interrailing pass is definitely worth it when travelling Europe.

Have you used this guide to help you to travel Europe? Yay! Let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.

Happy travelling!

Jennie 😀 x

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• How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP! (2022)

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