Ideal interrail routes 2026: see, learn, and discover Europe

Babylon has put together two routes for young people interested in interrailing in 2026 including information on expenses, passes and plans.

If you’re a student or a young adult looking for an affordable, exciting and accessible way to see Europe, interrailing 2026 might be for you.

Interrailing is a common way to travel for young people where they visit countries in Europe by train.

Eurail.com offers multiple passes for people 27 and under at discounted rates and Babylon has looked at the best routes to take at the best prices.

The most basic and cheapest rail pass choice is four travel days within a month for €212. The most popular choice is seven travel days within a month for €286.

These passes include second class train tickets but it is important to note that they do not include seat reservations on the trains which may be required and at an extra cost.

Once you have selected your pass you can begin planning the route.

Four travel days within a month pass- starting from Paris, France

If you’re coming from Ireland, a common starting point is to book a one way flight straight to Paris and begin your train journey from there. Ryanair offers flights to Paris Beauvais starting from €20, excluding baggage.

This is a two week trip to five different countries, a perfect route for someone looking to see major cities without too much stress.

Interrailing 2026 First travel plan- 4 travel days within a month

Paris

Start in Paris and stay there for three to four days to really explore and absorb the city’s culture. Paris is one of the bigger cities in this route so make sure you spend enough time exploring the city’s gorgeous architecture, nightlife, and history.

Paris Nord to Amsterdam Zuid (Netherlands)

The train from Paris to Amsterdam takes just over three hours with no connecting trains.

We recommend you stay two to three nights in Amsterdam as it is a compact city which is easy to see in a short amount of time. This is a city rich in history with beautiful views of the canals where you can take a boat tour or simply walk along.

Amsterdam Zuid to Berlin Hbf (Germany)

The train from Amsterdam to Berlin is a six hour train, with most timetables having one connecting train.

We recommend you stay three nights in Berlin with great alternative nightlife, fantastic thrifting locations, and deep history.

Berlin Suedkreuz to Prague Holesovice (Czechia/Czech Republic)

This train is a four hour direct train making it a perfect and easy next stop.

We recommend you stay two to three nights in Prague.

Explore both the classic architecturally stunning old town, where the famous astronomical clock is located in the town square and the modern side of Prague, visit one of the biggest nightclubs in Europe with over five floors. Enjoy exploring the narrow roads and stunning gardens, with their fabulous local beers.

Prague Hlavni Nadrazi to Vienna Wien Hbf (Austria)

This is a four hour direct train into Wien Hbf, another short, easy train to take.

This is a perfect city to end your travels, relax while walking on the grounds of the elegant and glamorous palaces. See the famous Klimt painting ‘The Kiss,’ and stroll along the historic square while enjoying a Sachertorte, their traditional apricot cake.

After all of your adventuring you can fly back to Ireland for prices as cheap as €40 right now from Ryanair, not including baggage.

This travel plan ensures you see major cities of Europe while not overloading your trip with unnecessary stress. This is a relaxed-paced route if you are looking to see a few cities and enjoy your time in each country. Flight prices may vary and train lengths depend on the timetable that day, so make sure to check the times and which stations you are arriving at, and departing from.

Interrailing 2026, Second travel plan- 7 travel days within a month

Paris (France)

Similar to the first plan, booking a flight to Paris and staying there for three to four days is recommended. Make sure you see all the big tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower, Arc du Triomphe but don’t forget to pop into a local Boulangerie or a Brasserie and practise your French.

Paris Nord to Bruxelles Midi (Belgium)

This is a nice and short train to kick-start your trip at  one hour and 22 minutes, direct.

Brussels is a gorgeous city to see, especially at the start of a trip. It’s compact and easy to get around so you see a lot in a short amount of time. We recommend staying two nights here. Taking part in a walking tour is encouraged here to understand the beautiful buildings that you walk past.

Bruxelles (Belgium) Midi to Munich Hbf (Germany)

The train from Bruxelles to Munich is a little longer, but nothing an excited traveller can’t handle. It is six hours and 41 minutes with many timetables requiring one connecting train.

Here in Munich we recommend you stay two to three days where you can admire the stunning Marienplatz and Old Town. Enjoy the large beer halls with a sizable Maß (a Maß is a one litre beer) in hand. Munich has some incredible Gothic cathedrals that are a must see on your trip.

Munich Hbf to Vienna Wien Hbf (Austria)

This is a quick direct train that is four hours and 26 minutes.

Again, like the first plan a visit to Vienna is a good time to slow down just a little bit strolling along the gardens and beautifully grand palaces. We recommend two to three days here.

Vienna Wien Hbf to Budapest Nyugati (Hungary)

Even shorter again, the train from Vienna to Budapest is just under three hours, with one change.

Budapest is a fantastic city to visit for the first time. We recommend you stay here for three days and see all of the major sites like the famous bathhouses. Take a prosecco boat tour past the parliament building at night so you can see it all lit up. Dive right into the exciting nightlife in Budapest with the ruin bars like Szimpla Kert, and make sure you visit the famous Rengeteg RomKafé who are known for their traditional, thick hot chocolate and eclectic decor.

Budapest Nyugati to Zagreb Glavni Kol (Croatia)

This is a longer travel day being almost seven hours with one change, however, making it to Zagreb is definitely worth the lengthy train journey.

Croatia is a great tourist destination, Zagreb is the easiest place to get to through interrailing on this route. We recommend you stay one to two nights here, take a walking tour and learn all about Zagreb’s hidden gems. An interesting thing that Zagreb has is their multiple niche museums. For example, Zagreb is home to the museum of hangovers, broken relationships and the museum of mushrooms, visit these unique museums and you’ll be sure to learn something new.

Zagreb Glavni Kol to Ljubljana (Slovenia)

After the previous long train, Zagreb to Ljubljana is only two and a half hours with one change, a nice way to break the train fatigue up.

We recommend you stay two nights here in Ljubljana where you can get lost down little streets, try the local food and sit by the river canal that flows through the town.

Taking a day trip to Lake Bled is a must when visiting Slovenia. With clear water and stunning majestic mountains as your scenery, go swimming in the most picturesque place. You can also rent a kayak and paddle out to the little island there and walk around the quaint church. Enjoy an original Bled cream cake after a swim and take the bus back to your accommodation that evening.

Ljubljana to Venice Venezia S.Lucia (Italy)

The final train of your trip is a longer one, six and a half hours with one change.

Venice is an incredibly popular spot to visit year round, we recommend you stay here for two to three nights. Spend the first two days exploring the tiny paths with gorgeous shops, admire the talent of the gondoliers and maybe book a trip on a gondola. On the third day we recommend taking the time to explore the islands close to Venice, Murano and Burano. Visit a Murano glass blowing tour and have your mind blown when you see how these skilled professionals manipulate the glass into incredible shapes and sizes.

A Ryanair flight back to Ireland from Venice is €58 (excluding baggage) is not a bad deal, although prices are subject to change and may vary depending on the time of year you wish to plan your trip.

This travel plan is for someone who wants to see a lot and is prepared to travel on long trains and stay for a short amount of time in certain cities. This plan is perfect if you want a speedy, fun, and busy trip around Europe. It combines partying, relaxation and history all in one.

Visit the Eurail website for more information on passes, trips and seat reservations. Happy travelling!