You’ve probably heard people rave about their super duper fun Interrail adventure, right? Maybe you’ve even thought about doing a long train trip yourself. Well… don’t waste any more time – explore the best of Western Europe with Interrail/Eurail this year!
It’s not true that you have to travel far and wide to see European gems. In fact, you can kickstart your adventure right from your Dutch city, seeing several noteworthy cities along the way. Discover London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin and Zürich before you make your way back to your home away from home.
You probably don’t need an explainer, but just in case you’ve never heard of it, this is Interrail in one sentence: it’s one train ticket that allows you to discover all of Europe in whatever way suits you best. From nightlife tours to alpine trekking, your Interrail trip is whatever you make it.
After coming up with your own personalized route on the Interrail app, you can hop on most European trains without the hassle. Just show your digital ticket on your phone and find an empty seat. In some countries and their train companies, an advance reservation is needed, mainly for high-speed and night trains.
We’ve also posted a previous blog where we outlined everything in more detail. Check it out here.
To see the major European cities of western Europe, you won’t have to travel too far from the Netherlands. Everything is an achievable distance away, and you can even go on this trip during one of your weeks off from classes if you want.
By choosing the “5 days within 1 month” option, you'll be all set. This ticket is perfect for seeing between four and six destinations, and the fact that you can plan your travel days anytime in one month gives you the choice between wanting to take things slow or fast. However, even if sped-up sightseeing is more your thing, you can thank yourself for choosing the sustainable option over Ryanair or easyJet flights.
The easiest way to get your Interrail/Eurail Pass is through us. We offer every variety of Interrail Pass directly on our website, and the best thing is that you’ll receive a free ISIC with your purchase. This will give you tons of discounts in any city you travel to with Interrail. It’s a win-win too good to miss!
If anything else is unclear, you can always consult our Interrail FAQ section here.
Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to be impressed! Especially if your home country is not in Europe, you should seize the chance to discover the notable, important cities close to the Netherlands. Mostly country capitals with the exception of one, we propose the following route to ease you into your first Interrail trip:
First, make a reservation for the Eurostar from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to London, which will take just short of four hours. England’s capital boasts nearly 9 million inhabitants, making it Europe’s third-largest city and a true metropolis. Here are some must-sees that simply have to be on your travel itinerary:
Next, it’s time to board the Eurostar once again, this time from London to Paris, which takes just over three hours. Paris, France’s capital, is much smaller than London, with a population of just over 2 million people. Don’t miss these attractions:
This next trip’s a short one: In only an hour and a half, you’ll have left Paris for Brussels. Like Paris, Belgium’s capital has just over 2 million people and is well-known for much more than just being the seat of the EU. Here’s what you should look out for:
This next leg of your trip is a bit of a longer one: hop on a train from Brussels to Berlin with one stop in Cologne. Germany’s capital, with just over 3.5 million inhabitants, is a particularly popular destination among students, probably because of its great nightlife and internationality. Here are the main sights:
While there’s a 12-hour direct train from Berlin to Zürich, we recommend opting for a quick stop-over in Basel, which shortens the trip to 8 and a half hours. Although Zürich is not Switzerland’s capital, it’s the country’s largest city with just over 400 thousand people. Check out these attractions:
When you’re all traveled out, head back to the Netherlands via the convenient ÖBB nightjet and its Zürich-Amsterdam connection.
We hope you can take some inspiration from this trip suggestion, allowing you to explore the best of Western Europe with Interrail/Eurail. Of course, there are plenty more things to see and do in each of the cities we listed, and it all depends on your personal preferences. So, do your own research and get in the spirit of adventure. Happy travels!
