to cover this cost.
Now, when I was planning my trip and browsing the Interrail site I did get seriously overwhelmed, the thought of planning a months worth of journey and what if so and so happens and what if I can't get so and so! Since returning from my journey I've had a few people ask me how I did my trip as they wanted to do something similar themselves. Also, whilst on my journey there were loads of things I wished that someone had told me before (and trust me, I had read all the blogs and tips there were on Interrailing out there!!), so me and my best bud Hollie thought I would put everything we wish we'd had known before into one blog post so that hopefully this will help some of you future travellers :)
- Download the Interrail App - the reason I suggest this is because a) it will save you so much time at train stations as you won't have to queue up at information to check where to catch your train and b) you can alter the settings on the app so that you can only view trains that don't require a compulsory reservation. USE THIS! Otherwise you may be forking out 25euros for each train journey. Only buy reservations if you want to get somewhere faster or you're on an overnight train. Promise me this! The people behind the ticket desks usually push you into buying a reservation when in fact there is a non reservation train you can just hop on with your pass, so always check using the app! You will save so much money and time using it!
- Budget for reservation costs - if you know you are going to be buying some! Especially in France where the high speed trains are going to cost you around 30euros each time so be sure to allow for some extra spend in your savings. Me and my friend were unaware of the reservation costs being so high and so our budget was seriously cut leading to some very stressed girls!
- In high season book weekend hostels in advance - If you can plan where you are going to be at weekends then be sure to look at hostels to book (my recommend hostels are listed at the bottom of the post) as they are likely to fill up fast near the time so you don't want to leave it last minute! Or, whilst you're out there use any hostel booking website (most hostels have wifi) to book a place a week in advance at least.
- Travel light! - especially if you're of the male gender, because then fluttering your eyelashes at people whilst struggling up the steep stairs in railway stations may not work as well! We didn't take backpacks as we have quite weak backs so we took cases, and my oh my are you going to sweat going up and down those steep stairs in train stations if you have a suitcase! You can always buy shampoos and any heavy liquids out there so just think about those things, and also how heavy your suitcase weighs by itself.
- Never give away your money - Ok so, this sounds pretty obvious but in the streets of Paris I saw a lot of young people get involved in these 'games' where they were asked to give their money for a bet, for example, guess which cup the pingpong ball was under! It's essentially gambling in the streets. DON'T. I saw many people get tricked out of money and walk away confused and empty handed. Me and my friend watched one guy and figured out that the people who are winning these games are working with the fella and are in on the trick, so don't be fooled!
- Avoiding thieves - You're more than likely to be carrying a bag or a backpack around with you in the big cities. Unfortunately there are pickpockets in every city, but you really needn't fear so long as you are smart. If you're stood in a busy place just bring you're bag in front of you with one hand over top of it. I always carried my backpack on my front or on one shoulder with the bag facing forward, and guess what, I didn't get anything stolen from me! I might have looked a little 'un-stylish' walking round but in photos I just put it on my side and no one ever knew... apart from now, shh ;)
- Avoid Tourist Traps - Places to generally avoid are those with the massive pictures of food on the menu outside, you can easily find local places to eat with much nicer food if you walk further along the road I promise! Go eat there :) For instance Las Ramblas in Barcelona is a tourist packed area and to be honest, it really isn't that nice! There are much nicer places to visit, just take a look at a map! Which leads me onto...
- Take maps from each Hostel - You really cannot get on by without a map, they will become your best traveller friend! Hostel's will provide you free maps (so don't buy!) that have main attractions clearly marked on them and if you ask they are more than happy to show you places they recommend you go. (And always squeeze a map in your bag on a night out, trust me you do not want to be wandering around in a strange city at night! Everything looks so different!)
- Free Walking Tours - are an absolute must!! One of the best things that we did honestly. Ask at your hostel if there are any going on in the city you're staying. Ideally, I'd suggest doing them near the beginning of your stay in each city as they give you really good recommendations of where to eat and what else to see. They are tip based which is why they are free, but if you're on a tight budget then explain to them you'll leave your guide a really good review on trip advisor as they'll appreciate that just as much!
- Look into Travellers cards - I would recommend taking out a travellers card as it's much safer than taking out your debit card as the travellers card isn't linked to your bank so if it did happen to get lost/stolen then no one can access your main bank account. Phew! There are a few out there so just google and see what's best for you, make sure you check if there any charges for withdrawing at an ATM etc. I used the Co-op/Thomas Cooks cash card or I've heard Caxton Fx is the best. Also if you run out of money it's easy for your parents or yourself to top up your card. Be sure to order this early-ish as I had problems with receiving my Caxton Fx card and so had to get the Co-op travellers card last minute, which was just stressful!
Also you're most likely to get a euro only travellers card, so when you know you are going into a non-euro country then be sure to draw out money and exchange before you leave! - Fill up water bottles in water fountains - Save your water bottles and fill them up at the water fountains, there are some in most cities and especially in places like Rome, they are round every corner! Everyone says the water is safe and I never got any problems from drinking from them, or even from tap water in the hostels! It saves you so much money as water is expensive and most of the fountains give out really cold water, so it's refreshing when you've been walking around in the heat!
- Exchange money in the city - I promise you the rates are 10x better!! In Budapest we lost out on quite a lot of money due to having to exchange at the station to pay for our hostel as we arrived late at night. Obviously this couldn't be helped but we felt so ripped off!! So please do exchange your money in the city, even ask your hostel for the best deal in town.
- ASK! if you don't know - Seriously, doesn't matter if you ask 10 different people just to check its correct ask, ask, ask!! If there's anyone with an official badge around be sure to ask them first (e.g police), or if not, find someone with a friendly face, ask if they speak English and most people are more than happy to help (please be mindful of anyone who looks suspicious or wants you to follow them, you know what I mean, stay safe). Shops are also a really good place to ask for directions for hostels etc, please don't ask a taxi rank for directions as if you look lost then they are most likely to take advantage and charge you a ridiculous amount for a ride somewhere a 5 minute walk away, we saw a guy get totally ripped off which made us feel very sad for the poor fella! Which also leads me onto...
- WALK EVERYWHERE - The first thing on your mind when thinking of how to get from a to b should be walk! Saves you money for starters and plus there is not better way to discover a city you see literally everything, if not get a bit fitter as well ;) We walked EVERYWHERE apart from the occasional underground metro when we had our bags to move from place to place or if it was really far out (I mean really far out) and we wouldn't have done it any other way!
- Bread is now your favourite food - Bread is so cheap, filling and if you buy a massive baguette it will last you most of the day if not into the next day too! We tended to buy a massive loaf of bread and just tear off pieces throughout the day, use whatever's left to make a sandwich for lunch!
- Bike lock EVERYTHING - Possibly the best advice I could give you, I am so glad I took a bike lock. I bikelocked my suitcase to the rails on train journeys, I bike locked my bag to my bed posts in the hostels, literally everywhere and anywhere I could, you seriously cannot be too safe. On one train there was an announcement that some bags had been taken from the train which made me thankful I had my bike locked, therefore having my bag taken was never a worry for me. But if you do bike lock your bag be sure to also padlock your zips together on your suitcase/backpack. This way no one can have access to your belongings and neither can they take your bag away! I was so happy to have the bike lock, please take one and follow this advice.
- Never trust anyone wholeheartedly - I was so surprised to see the amount of people who left their bags open in their hostel dorms unoccupied! Thankfully they shared with lovely/good people who wouldn't think to take anything but please don't ever be so trustworthy! When I was out of the room and also at night when I was sleeping my bag was padlocked and also bikelocked to my bed, and guess what. I had nothing stolen from me! I also put my backpack into my suitcase at night so it was locked safely away.
- DON'T FEAR! Everything will be okay - Don't let the fear of doing something new put you off from having the best experience of your life! I started fretting unnecessarily about things before I set off on my travels. What if I can't find a hostel? What is there isn't a shop I can buy products I need from? What if there is no ATMs? What if I run out of money?! What if, what if, what if, what if's are silly questions that get you in a flurry! If you've been thinking the above questions, I promise you that once you get out there everything comes together as second nature and it really is just so easy and simple. You always have contact with family, theres always a wifi spot close by and in a way travelling does become your way of life for that time with ease, travelling becomes natural! Just go for it, do it and don't hold back, you always will regret the things you didn't do :)
Hostels I recommend
- Barcelona: Hotel Generator St Christopher's Inn
- Rome: The Yellow Hostel
- Split, Croatia: The Split Hostel (be sure to check out their apartments as some are really cheap and you end up getting your own studio apartment for yourself at only a euro more than a shared dorm!)
- Budapest: Tiger Tims Hostel
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