Backpacking Europe By Rail: The Most Exceptional Itinerary
- 1 Week in London, England
- 3 Days in Brussels, Belgium
- 3 Days in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2 Days in Cologne, Germany
- 3 Days in Berlin, Germany
- 4 Days in Prague, Czech Republic
- 3 Days in Vienna, Austria
- 3 Days in Bratislava, Slovakia
- 3 Days in Budapest, Hungary
- 3 Days in Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 3 Days in Venice, Italy
- 3 Days in Milan, Italy
- 4 Days in Tuscany, Italy
- 3 Days in Rome, Italy
- 1 Week in Athens, Greece
Europe is one of the busiest hubs for young backpackers looking for travel and adventure! In this itinerary, we are covering most of eastern and southern Europe by interrail or eurrail. This allows you to stay within the city centres and saves on costs from getting to and from airports. It takes a little longer to travel by train but the views and experience are so worth it! You also won’t be tired of airports! This is the itinerary I am using this summer to hit 11 countries in 2 months – all with a backpack on my back and a duffle bag in hand!
For more information regarding Interrail and Eurail passes click here to read my Eurail or Interrail Pass? Everything You Need To Know to get you set up with your transportation to fulfill this itinerary!
*This itinerary includes links to my favourite hostels and affordable hotels in each location to help you with your planning!
With that said, let’s get right into it! Here is your most exceptional itinerary for backpacking Europe by rail:
1 Week in London, United Kingdom
Begin your travels in one of the largest hubs in Europe: London, United Kingdom. One week in this beautiful city is enough to see all it has to offer and more. Spend the whole time in London, or check out my post: How To See Historic London in 48 Hours and spend the rest of the week in the beautiful countryside – my top recommendation.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Generator London
Hotel $$: Dolphin Hotel
From London, hop on the train with your Interrail (for European residents) or Eurrail (for non-European residents) pass and go to Brussels, Belgium.
Have My Tips and Guides Sent Straight To You!
3 Days in Brussels, Belgium
Head to Brussels, Belgium and grab a hotel or Airbnb. My recommendation would be to explore Brussels for the first two days and then take a day trip to Brugges, Belgium.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Urban City Centre Hostel
Hotel $$: Catalonia Brussels
From Brussels, hop on the train to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
3 Days in Amsterdam, Netherlands
The capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam is full of artistic heritage, an iconic museum district, and beautiful 17th-century houses. Keep in mind, depending on your budget, Amsterdam can be expensive for accommodation. I recommend staying just outside of the city and hop on a quick train to the city centre.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: The Flying Pig Downtown
Hotel $$: Nadia Hotel
From Amsterdam, hop on the train to Cologne, Germany.
Click Here to read my Eurail or Interrail Pass? Everything You Need To Know to get you set up with your transportation.
2 Days in Cologne, Germany
Cologne, Germany is an old 2,000 year-old city with and immense amount of history and architecture to be seen. It is most famous for it’s Cologne Cathedral and old-town feel.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: SMARTY Cologne Dom
Hotel $$: CityClass Hotel Caprice am Dom
From Cologne, hop on the train and head to Berlin, Germany.
3 Days in Berlin, Germany
The incredible capital of Germany, Berlin has an immense amount of historical sights and culture. The city is well known for its role in World War II, in which it was nearly destroyed. Today, you can see sights such as the Berlin Cathedral (pictured), the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, and many more.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: MEININGER Hotel Berlin Tiergarten
Hotel $$: TITANIC Comfort Mitte
From Berlin hop on the train to Prague, Czech Republic.
4 Days in Prague, Czech Republic
The capital of Czech Republic, Prague is another beautiful city holding an immense amount of culture within its borders. The city is well-known for its old-town square where the historic centre is one of the most intriguing parts of the city. From beautiful historic buildings to churches, and its pedestrian-friendly streets, Prague is a city to be marvelled.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Sophie’s Hostel
Hotel $$: The Hotel Fitzgerald
From Prague, hop on the train to Vienna, Austria.
3 Days in Vienna, Austria
Find yourself in the capital of Austria: Vienna. Vienna is known for it’s artistic legacies in the well-known Beethoven and Mozart. It is also a colourful city that is most definitely worth a visit.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner
Hotel $$: Hotel Columbia
From Vienna, hop on the train to Bratislava, Slovakia.
Click Here to read my Eurail or Interrail Pass? Everything You Need To Know to get you set up with your transportation.
3 Days in Bratislava, Slovakia
Sitting right on the border between Austria and Slovakia, Bratislava is one that is less talked about when one thinks of European cities, but it most definitely will not disappoint. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia surrounded by vineyards and small mountains, well-known for it’s old town pedestrian-only sector and the famous Bratislava Castle (pictured).
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Hostel Folks
Hotel $$: Apollo Hotel Bratislava
From Bratislava, hop on the train to Budapest, Hungary.
3 Days in Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital, Budapest, is yet another beautiful city worth the visit. This city is said to be “majestic” with so much to see and do within the city boundaries.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Carpe Noctem Hostel
Hotel $$: Medos Hotel
From Budapest, hop on the train to Ljubljana, Slovenia.
3 Days in Ljubljana, Slovenia
The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is once again, one that is not at the top of many people’s bucket lists but with it’s rustic feel and foreign-friendly atmosphere, it definitely should be when on a trip through Europe. The city is full of outdoor cafes, museums, and so much more!
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Hostel Vrba
Hotel $$: The Fuzzy Log
From Ljubljana, hop on the train to Venice, Italy.
3 Days in Venice, Italy
Start your trek through the beautiful country of Italy with 3 days in Venice. Well-known for it’s canal system and beautiful on-the-water buildings, Venice is a perfect vacation spot and the perfect place to relax for a couple days while on your long journey. Its top sights are St. Mark’s Basilica and Renaissance buildings.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Ostello S. Fosca – CPU Venice Hostels
Hotel $$: Hotel Tivoli
From Venice, grab a local train to Milan, Italy.
3 Days in Milan, Italy
Three days in Milan, Italy is the perfect amount of time to explore the world’s fashion and design capital. It is Italy’s second most popular city after Rome and offers the Gothic Duomo di Milano Cathedral (pictured) and many incredible restaurants, shopping, and culture.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Combo Milano
Hotel $$: Hotel Mythos
From Milan, grab a local train to Tuscany, Italy.
4 Days in Tuscany, Italy
The region of Tuscany in Italy is a must-see if you are like me and love foreign countrysides and vineyards. I recommend staying in Florence for your time here and taking a day-trip or overnight trip to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa of course!
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Hostel Archi Rossi
Hotel $$: Plus Florence
From Tuscany, hop on a local train to Rome, Italy. Get information about Eurail and Interrail passes here.
3 Days in Rome, Italy
The capital of Italy, Rome, is the most popular place to visit in the nation of Italy. With some of the most famous sights in the world in this city, it should most definitely be on your bucket list. The city is most well-known for the Colosseum (pictured), the Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon sites.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: The Beehive
Hotel $$: Roma Resort Colosseum
From Rome, grab a cheap flight to Athens, Greece. Get Your Flight Here.
1 Week in Athens, Greece
End your incredible backpacking trip with a week in Athens. Finally take the time to relax from your travels in this beautiful city and see famous landmarks such as the Acropolis of Athens and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Budget Accommodation:
Hostel $: Athens Studios
Hotel $$: Ederlezi Zoubourlou Aparthotel
You can also head to a nearby island for smaller and quieter crowds and hangout with the locals!
Save this map route to take through Europe while backpacking for your travels!
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