InterRail

[maximus]

Was considering going interrailing in next few months.
Anyone been before? Experiences? Advice on were to go?

[fitzroyalty]

Went two years ago, def recommend it. We did all the main cities, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam etc. Highlights for us were Rome, Krakow (Auschwitz) & The Dam.  Though it depends on what you are after, how many you are travelling with and how long you are going for. The Eastern European countries are meant to be popular and I know a crowd heading tomorrow morning who will be taking in Serbia as part of their trip, personally I think those places are too dodgy and would stick to western Europe. Places I recommend you avoid are Brussels (boring as f**k), Bordeaux (boring as f**k) and Bratislava (boring as f**k and shit hole).

[ziggysego]

Portadown, Lisburn, Belfast and then onto Derry. Great wee journey.

[armaghniac]

My theory is not to go to major cities, but to go to places which can't easily be visited for a weekend on a Ryanair flight and if you are only going to stay for a couple of days in a place then the smaller places can be seen in this time whereas Rome wasn't seen in a day. Places like Ljubljana, Zagreb, Graz, Dresden etc. Also think about the cost of trains in places, where trains are dear e.g. Austria the Interrail can be a real saver. Think of taking at least one trip through the alps or whereever on a scenic line on the way to somewhere else. In my youth I contrived to take a day journey through Innsbruck, but it was foggy and I could hardly see the platform!

[thebigfella]

Went two years ago, def recommend it. We did all the main cities, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam etc. Highlights for us were Rome, Krakow (Auschwitz) & The Dam.  Though it depends on what you are after, how many you are travelling with and how long you are going for. The Eastern European countries are meant to be popular and I know a crowd heading tomorrow morning who will be taking in Serbia as part of their trip, personally I think those places are too dodgy and would stick to western Europe. Places I recommend you avoid are Brussels (boring as f**k), Bordeaux (boring as f**k) and Bratislava (boring as f**k and shit hole).

Its a shit tour. Not because it's horrific but because its really boring and drawn out. Glad I seen it but tbh it was way too long to the point I actually felt nothing at the end for the victims, I was more interested in getting the f**k out because I was so bored of the same points been made over and over again.

Wieliczka Salt Mine is where you do need to check out when in krakow. One of the best tours I have ever done, definitely opt for a private tour too as there is no real difference in price but way more fun.  I went in thinking would be shite and with expectations, was completely blown away.

[fitzroyalty]

Went two years ago, def recommend it. We did all the main cities, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam etc. Highlights for us were Rome, Krakow (Auschwitz) & The Dam.  Though it depends on what you are after, how many you are travelling with and how long you are going for. The Eastern European countries are meant to be popular and I know a crowd heading tomorrow morning who will be taking in Serbia as part of their trip, personally I think those places are too dodgy and would stick to western Europe. Places I recommend you avoid are Brussels (boring as f**k), Bordeaux (boring as f**k) and Bratislava (boring as f**k and shit hole).

Its a shit tour. Not because it's horrific but because its really boring and drawn out. Glad I seen it but tbh it was way too long to the point I actually felt nothing at the end for the victims, I was more interested in getting the f**k out because I was so bored of the same points been made over and over again.

Wieliczka Salt Mine is where you do need to check out when in krakow. One of the best tours I have ever done, definitely opt for a private tour too as there is no real difference in price but way more fun.  I went in thinking would be shite and with expectations, was completely blown away.

Yeah I was the same for that. It's something ya can't miss but I didn't feel overwhelmed at the end like some other people, took far too long. I didn't go to the Salt mines but the ones I was with did, they said it was mental.

[WeeDonns]

Theres an old thread on interrailing here;
http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=8368.msg424173#msg424173

[thebigfella]

Went two years ago, def recommend it. We did all the main cities, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam etc. Highlights for us were Rome, Krakow (Auschwitz) & The Dam.  Though it depends on what you are after, how many you are travelling with and how long you are going for. The Eastern European countries are meant to be popular and I know a crowd heading tomorrow morning who will be taking in Serbia as part of their trip, personally I think those places are too dodgy and would stick to western Europe. Places I recommend you avoid are Brussels (boring as f**k), Bordeaux (boring as f**k) and Bratislava (boring as f**k and shit hole).

Its a shit tour. Not because it's horrific but because its really boring and drawn out. Glad I seen it but tbh it was way too long to the point I actually felt nothing at the end for the victims, I was more interested in getting the f**k out because I was so bored of the same points been made over and over again.

Wieliczka Salt Mine is where you do need to check out when in krakow. One of the best tours I have ever done, definitely opt for a private tour too as there is no real difference in price but way more fun.  I went in thinking would be shite and with expectations, was completely blown away.

Yeah I was the same for that. It's something ya can't miss but I didn't feel overwhelmed at the end like some other people, took far too long. I didn't go to the Salt mines but the ones I was with did, they said it was mental.

Yep glad someone agrees with me. What really bugged me was the going through the warehouses full of shoes, glasses, falseteeth, hair etc. Once you seen one, you got the picture. Any more was reiterating the same point over. One of the guys with me decided he was that bored he switched completely off. He now claims he seen no evidence of a Holocaust and has decided he may be a Holocaust denier.
Also our tour guide for the salt mines told us while at school they have to visit it once a year (I think all them have to), I though the Geography field trips to Parkanaur forest were bad.

The Salt Mines though would definitely be in my top 5 things to see in the world.

[DirtyDozen12]

Portadown, Lisburn, Belfast and then onto Derry. Great wee journey.

[maximus]

Thanks for the help. Just wondering how many places is realistic with the 22 day pass?
Is it necessary to book trains in advance or can you generally just turn up and get on the train?
Where would be the cheapest place to fly to start off?
Sorry for all the qns trying to organise this sort of last minute

[fitzroyalty]

Thanks for the help. Just wondering how many places is realistic with the 22 day pass?
Is it necessary to book trains in advance or can you generally just turn up and get on the train?
Where would be the cheapest place to fly to start off?
Sorry for all the qns trying to organise this sort of last minute

It really depends cos some cities you could spend 22 days in alone!Its better to book in advance, especially on the longer journeys cos that way you're guaranteed a seat (usually a small charge involved). We flew to Brussels because it was the cheapest place Ryanair were doing at the time, flew home from there aswell. Try all them low-cost airlines, should find something.

[Rav67]

Thanks for the help. Just wondering how many places is realistic with the 22 day pass?
Is it necessary to book trains in advance or can you generally just turn up and get on the train?
Where would be the cheapest place to fly to start off?
Sorry for all the qns trying to organise this sort of last minute

Inter-railing is a guaranteed great trip.  You dont wanna be spending all your time travelling. Spend 3 night in most places you go to, and no less than 2.  You'll be travelling through the nights so that will take up other nights as well.  Try and get Berlin in, great city.  Krakow as well, Amsterdam if you haven't been there.  I enjoyed Venice too.  Wouldn't mind doing it again sometime but going further east.

[Kerry Mike]

When I was in Slovakia a few years ago , I did a few trips , the best I remember was Bratilsava, Vienna, Ljublana, Zagreb, Budapest and back to Bratislava, cheap as nails, better off just paying for each stage than buying an overall ticket.

[Milltown Row2]

me and my wife did it years ago and it still is one of my best trips. stayed in hostels, campsites and the odd hotels. Paris, (during France's World Cup year) Lyon, Nice, Cannes, Geneva, Innsbruck, Munich, Amsterdam. Brussels. great time and we done a journal which we read back the odd time and brings back some memories.

Inter-railing is highly reccommended