InterRail is a global train ticket that allows you to travel on second-class trains in the countries located on the European continent without paying an additional fee, as long as it is within the validity period specified on the ticket you purchased. We always define InterRail as “A Ticket to Freedom”. InterRail ticket is categorized based on different travel preferences, providing flexibility and options to travelers, and prices vary accordingly. This feature prevents you from unnecessarily paying for expensive trains in Europe and allows you to travel economically as you wish, making it one of the most preferred long-term travel methods within the borders of Europe.
After briefly describing InterRail, let’s talk about its pros and cons.
The Positive Aspects of Interrail:
+Interrail offers the opportunity to see many cities in a short time, allowing you to travel throughout Europe in just one month.
+It enables you to make new friends from countries you never thought of visiting, relax your mind, and develop your worldview in a positive way. It allows you to see new cultures and environments.
+Interrail is environmentally friendly and helps to preserve nature. Traveling by train is one of the most environmentally friendly transportation methods in the world, and when you look out the train window, you can feel this with all your soul.
+It develops a sense of responsibility. When you travel alone or with friends for days, you organize everything and try to plan your next move. Your ability to take responsibility reaches its peak, and when you return, you are a completely different person, with your self-confidence definitely developing positively.
+Contrary to popular belief, Interrail does not require a lot of money, it is definitely cheap. With a simple and regular saving method, you can create the chance to Interrail whenever you want. Turning this chance into reality is only one step away, and this step is more important than money.
+It is flexible. When passing by a beautiful but unknown city by train, you can suddenly get off at the first station, change all your plans, and start living in that city for a few days. Before you know it, that city becomes the most beautiful city of your trip.
+You are in direct contact with nature. After returning from Interrail, you realize that the natural beauties of our country are actually nothing compared to those of Europe, and you say, “Everywhere is green, how beautifully they have preserved it.”
+It teaches you how to manage your money. You can do more with less money and travel more. It definitely teaches you the concept of being frugal.
+Sharing is beautiful. Interrail instills the feeling of sharing in the depths of your heart. You want to share the smallest food or effort you have with anyone, no matter who they are.
+Basic level English is sufficient. If someone wants to communicate with you and speaks better English than you do, they will use all their ability to understand you, and you will understand what you mean. Moreover, many people in Europe can speak advanced English, so you will have no problem communicating with them using basic English.
We could talk for hours about the positive aspects of Interrail, and this list could go on and on. Does Interrail have any negatives? Of course, but before we get to them, let’s reiterate that Interrail is always a form of travel where the positive aspects outweigh the negative. Experiencing and feeling these negatives is minimal and personal. In the end, nobody can interfere with anyone else’s Interrail.
The negative aspects of Interrail:
– It can be tiring; those who are used to comfortable travels by plane or car may find it challenging at first. A 20-30 hour train journey with 8 transfers can be overwhelming at times.
– It requires good money management; if you cannot manage your money well, you may encounter simple problems.
– You need to plan at least a little; you should at least set yourself a route and spend hours in front of Google Maps and Rail Planner.
– It requires mental and physical energy; it is not easy to travel from city to city with a 40-50 liter backpack and jump from one train to another, but it does not require extraordinary skills.
– It can lead to problems such as sleeplessness and hunger; every day a new train, a new city, a new hostel, new people, a new culture, new streets, new foods… You should be prepared to stay without a hostel in a city and to not find a place to eat when necessary.
– You may encounter theft and similar unpleasant situations; even if you try to protect yourself to the maximum, you will be in an unknown city and culture. Therefore, you may occasionally encounter such annoying security problems.