Interrail Budget: Cost Breakdown, Money Saving Tips & More

1. Location, Location, Location…

The first thing you need to consider before setting a budget for your Interrail trip is your desired route. You might not think it but your interrail route can have a massive impact on your budget. However, while you may consider yourself a budget traveller, if you intend on travelling through all Western and Northern countries you may as well double your budget as a hostel alone can cost €50+ a night in the likes of, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

2. Accommodation type

Another thing to be mindful of is the type of accommodation you intend on booking. The most budget-friendly option for a solo traveller is of course a hostel. However, if you are travelling as part of a group perhaps Airbnb is another good option you could factor in.

I do have a guide on all the hostels I stayed in on my trip and my own personal experience with each of them. Some I liked some I strongly disliked. So, if you plan to hostel your way through Europe, I highly recommend you give it a read.

4. The type of pass you choose to get

I am going to presume, that you have plans to book an interrail pass. This is something I highly recommend. While, there are more budget-friendly ways of getting around Europe, ie busses. To make the most of your money you would need to book your journey months in advance.

There are 2 types of Global Interrail passes:

A non-consecutive Global pass: This gives ticket holders the option to travel Europe by train over a certain period of time using a certain amount of days. For example, 10 days within two months pass allows passengers to use their interrail pass 10 times over the space of 2 months.

A continuous Global pass: This allows passengers to use their pass whenever they like during a set period of time, without having to worry about having a limited number of days.

Interrailing on a budget: Accommodation Cost

As mentioned previously, the most cost-effective way to save money on accommodation while interrailing through Europe is by staying in hostels. However, the location of the hostel and the dorm size you choose will have an impact on your budget.

I have broken down how much I spent per night in each country I visited to give you an understanding of how much the accommodation cost can vary. I spent on average, €30 per day on hostels, however, if you plan to visit more Eastern/Northern countries I recommend budgeting for at least €45 per day.

It is also important to note, that I was travelling for the most part in the peak season. So, if you intend to visit Europe in the shoulder months you can reduce your budget slightly.

If you are looking for hostel recommendations, check out my detailed guide on the best hostels in Europe. 

Interrailing Budget: Food Cost

Food is an expense that can add up rather quickly, especially if you are not keeping track of what you are spending.

I personally, cooked the majority of my food in hostel kitchens. However, I would treat myself to a local dish or a ‘meal out’ from time to time. But in this case, I would purchase from food trucks. Which are relatively affordable.

Another thing to consider as part of your food budget is beverages. You WILL get thirsty. And a bottle of water or a soft drink can cost anywhere from 1/4 euro depending on the country.

I recommend packing a reusable water bottle to keep the cost down. I recommend this reusable bottle. I love that it has a clip so I can add it to the outside of my bag.

Interrailing Cost: Alcohol

I must admit, one thing that caught me off guard during my interrail trip was how much I underestimated the cost of a night out or hostel shenanigans. Despite not being much of a drinker, I found myself swept up in the lively atmosphere of the hostels during my first month in Europe.

Meeting new people from all over the world and dancing until the early hours of the morning is all part of the interrail experience. But as much as I enjoyed it, it definitely took a toll on my budget.

I quickly reevaluated my spending in my second month. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the nightlife but I choose to not drink 90% of the time.

For those planning to party during their interrail adventure, I would suggest adding an extra €10-15 to your daily budget to account for the expenses that come with the nightlife. Trust me, it’s worth it to have a good time, but it’s also important to keep an eye on your finances.

Interrailing Europe Cost: Activites & Tours

When it comes to interrailing, one cost that can easily creep up on you is the price of activities and tourist attractions.

Sure, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to do, but if you’re keen on day tours, like caving beneath Budapest, or exploring some beautiful national parks or taking part in some adventure activities, it’s worth setting aside some extra cash.

The last thing you want is to regret not visiting places like the fairytale setting of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany or the taking part in the iconic Boat Tours in Budapest.

That way, you can truly experience everything you want to do in a destination without feeling like you’re constantly overspending.

How much does it cost to Interrail: Transport

Travelling across Europe is an adventure in itself and while many backpackers swear by using buses as the most budget-friendly option, personally, I think interrailing by train is the way to go.

However, the interrail pass only covers regional trains for free. Therefore, there are some more transport expenses you will need to take into consideration.

1. Train reservations:

I have a little bit of bad news, if you intend on hopping on some of Europe’s famous high-speed trains then you will be required to book a seat reservation even with the Interrail Pass. The cost of this can range from €3 to €40 depending on your desired route. If you want to learn more about this and how the Interrail App works be sure to check out my youtube video where I explain it in more detail.

Interrail Cost: Unexpected Expenses

When it comes to budgeting for an interrail trip, there’s a category of expenses that are often overlooked – the little things that you don’t quite anticipate having to buy throughout your journey.

These expenses can really add up, such as the cost of doing laundry, which can easily set you back €10 each time. Visiting the pharmacy for things like painkillers, allergy medication or other unexpected health needs can also rack up a significant bill, particularly if you’re away for an extended period of time. And let’s not forget the cost of basic hygiene products like shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant.

Then there are the expenses that you can’t quite remember what you spent the money on – we’ve all been there!

Interrail Cost Breakdown

And now, the moment of truth – my grand total for the 114 days I spent interrailing through Europe.

Drumroll, please

After careful calculations, I spent a total of €8,336 on my journey, averaging out to around €73 per day.

Please bear in mind that this is just a rough guide and your own expenses may vary depending on a variety of factors such as the types of accommodation you choose, which countries you visit, the activities you participate in, your eating habits and your personal backpacking style.

That being said, I’ve provided a detailed breakdown of my expenses by country below to give you a more comprehensive understanding of how I spent my money.

4. Book hostels with Kitchens

Booking hostels with kitchens can be an excellent way to save money on food. You can cook your own meals instead of eating out, which can be much cheaper. Also, buying a lunch box like this one saves you both money and space in your bag.

5. Make use of internal discounts available with your pass

The Interrail pass comes with many amazing discounts such as reduced fares on public transport routes, hostel discounts, guide your guide special rate and more. Make sure to make use of them while travelling through Europe.

6. Make use of Europe’s UNDER 27 discounts

Europe offers a range of discounts for people under 27, such as reduced museum entry fees or free transport. Make sure to bring your passport or ID to take advantage of these discounts. This discount seems to be more widely available than student ones.

10. Walk as much as possible (avoid public transport/ubers):

Walking not only saves money on transportation but it is also a great way to explore the city. It allows you to take in the sights and sounds and also helps you to stay active.

11. Pack light

Packing light can be an excellent way to save money on transport fees. Carrying a large bag around can make it more tempting to grab an Uber or public transport. I recommend this bag for anyone looking to pack light on their interrail trip.

12. Be mindful of your budget before you go

Being mindful of your budget before you go can help you avoid overspending. Make a list of your expenses and plan accordingly. Honestly, I am so grateful I did this.

16. Pre Plan your route

Now, I am not saying you need to have a complete plan before you go, however, it is good to make note of what you want to see and do. This avoids unnecessary backtracking. Saving both time and money.

So, for example, say you plan to visit Budapest, have a look to see what other destinations are near by before jumping to say Lisbon which is on the otherside of the continent.

17. Don’t just visit cities

I see many people plan an interrail trip and only visit cities. But there are so many wonderful nature spots to visit that are accessible by train. Staying in these areas can also be cheaper in price. I loved exploring the likes of Annecy (France), Zakopane (Poland) and Plitvice (Croatia) while on my trip.

18. Take advantage of FREE walking tours

Many cities in Europe offer free walking tours, which can be a great way to explore the city and learn about its history and culture. Consider joining one of these tours to save money and gain valuable insights. Just remember to leave a small bit of money as a thank-you tip.