chloedickensonLast Updated on 20th April 2026
This post about the ultimate 1 month Europe itinerary by train contains affiliate links and mentions of collaborative work with Interrail.
Are you wondering where to go interrailing in Europe for one month but you’re not sure where to start? Perhaps you’re looking for inspiration for the best Interrailing Europe routes for 1 month? I’ve got you covered with my ultimate 1 month Europe Interrail itinerary and route!
After spending multiple weeks and months at a time interrailing in Europe, I like to think that I’ve got it pretty much nailed when it comes to creating epic interrail itineraries in Europe.
If you’re planning to spend a month backpacking in Europe, I’ve got just the post for you as I’m sharing everything you need to know about creating the perfect one month in Europe itinerary and Interrail route!
This ultimate itinerary for spending a month in Europe tells you everything you need to know about where to go, how to get to different cities, where to stay, what to do in each place, the different types of Interrail Passes you might want to buy, what to do with seat reservations and much more!
Please note that this is just one example of how you can spend one month in Europe by train! There are 100s of incredible cities and places you could add to your itinerary, but this guide is just an example of one route you can do!
EUROPE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
🚆 Rail Passes: Interrail Pass / Eurail Pass
✈️ Flights: Skyscanner / Expedia / Trip.com
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld / TripAdvisor
📱 Europe eSIM: Airalo
⭐️ Activities/tours: GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook / Go City
🌎 Travel insurance: SafetyWing
🎒 Backpacking essentials: Amazon
Looking for more inspiration for your European Interrailing trip? Check out more of my Europe interrailing itineraries below!
- The Ultimate 2 Week Europe Interrail Itinerary & Route
- The Ultimate 2 Month Europe Interrail Itinerary & Route
- Interrail Packing List Essentials – What To Pack For An Interrail Trip
- Interrail Planning Tips For Beginners – How To Plan An Interrail Trip
1 month in Europe Interrail itinerary map
This 1 month Europe itinerary is based on my most recent Interrail trips through Europe. I’ve decided to start the itinerary in London and finish in Berlin, but it could easily be done the other way around (and feel free to add or remove destinations as you see fit to suit your travelling wishes!).
You also don’t necessarily have to start in your home country (we have always flown to a country in Europe from the UK and started our Interrail trip that way).
You will have to check the inbound/outbound journeys of your home country as you are only allowed to make one outbound journey and one inbound journey in the country that you live in. See more details about inbound/outbound journeys on the Interrail website.
1 month Europe itinerary by train – Interrail route summary
- London – 4 days
- Amsterdam – 3 days
- Brussels – 2 days
- Paris – 3 days
- Zurich – 2 days
- Munich – 3 days
- Vienna – 3 days
- Budapest – 3 days
- Prague – 3 days
- Berlin – 3 days
The best Interrailing Europe route for 1 month
In my ultimate guide to the best Europe Interrail route for 1 month below, you’ll find a list of the best countries/cities to visit, how long you should spend in each place, how to travel to each city with the Interrail/Global Pass, the length of each train journey between destinations, a brief list of the best things to do in each place and more!
London – 4 days
This 1 month Europe Interrail itinerary begins in one of the most famous and beloved capital cities on the continent; London.
London is renowned for its classic British pubs, ties to the Royal Family, fascinating history and stunning architecture.
It’s a great place to begin your one month Europe trip as it’s super easy to get to the next destination on this itinerary…
How to get to London
If you’re a resident of the UK and you’re starting your Europe trip in London, you’ll need to remember the rules of inbound/outbound journeys when using your Interrail Pass.
If you’re travelling with an Interrail Global Pass, you can use it to travel in your country of residence (in this case, the UK) during one outbound journey (travelling out of your home country via train) and one inbound journey (travelling into your home country via train).
These journeys are included within your allocated travel days according to the type of pass you have.
If you’re not a resident of the UK, you can fly into several different London airports (including Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick) from most major cities in Europe and beyond and then begin your Interrailing trip from there.
Best things to do in London on a 1 month Europe itinerary
- Ride on the London Eye
- Check out the Tower of London
- See Buckingham Palace
- Visit the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour from London
- Cruise down the River Thames
Where to stay in London
Accommodation in London is super expensive and if you’re planning a backpacking trip in Europe, most of your budget will likely be spent on accommodation.
I’ve stayed in London dozens of times over the years and I still always try and find the cheapest, but best, place to stay.
Some of my top cheap (ish) hotels/hostels in London include The Z Hotel Strand, Safestay London Elephant & Castle and Homestay Hotel Heathrow.
Amsterdam – 3 days
Amsterdam is famous for its vibrant nightlife, the Red Light District, an abundance of museums and a whole lot of history.
It’s a great destination to add to your 4 weeks in Europe itinerary as there are plenty of things to see and do there in three or four days.
How to get to Amsterdam
If you’re following this Europe Interrailing itinerary and you’re travelling from London to Amsterdam, you will need to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Central or Amsterdam Zuid.
The journey takes between four and five hours and you’ll need to buy a seat reservation to board the Eurostar, even if you have the Interrail Pass (prices start at €32 but can cost as much as €56 – see the section below about seat reservations to learn more).
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
If you don’t wish to purchase the Interrail or Eurail Pass for your Europe trip, you can purchase point-to-point train tickets for each city featured throughout this itinerary.
Train tickets from London St Pancras to Amsterdam without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £50 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £200 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Amsterdam on a 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
- Enjoy the Heineken Experience
- Pay a visit to the Anne Frank Museum
- Visit the Rijksmuseum
- Explore Amsterdam’s canals and bridges via bicycle
- Visit the Van Gogh Museum
Where to stay in Amsterdam
There are so many gorgeous places to stay in Amsterdam, including Morgan & Mees Amsterdam, Conscious Hotel Museum Square, and Jan Luyken Amsterdam.
Brussels – 2 days
The capital city of Belgium should definitely be included on your 1 month backpacking Europe itinerary as it’s a wonderful city to enjoy delicious food, beautiful architecture and plenty of history.
It’s also the administrative centre of the European Union, so it’s one of the most important cities in Europe for international business.
Brussels can easily be enjoyed in just two days, but if you have time to squeeze in an extra day into this 1 month Europe itinerary, I would recommend taking a day trip to Ghent and Bruges as they’re both less than an hour away from Brussels via train and they can both be enjoyed in a super jam-packed one-day itinerary from the capital.
How to get to Brussels
There are three main train stations in Brussels (Brussels Nord, Centraal and Midi/Zuid), so you have plenty of options when it comes to travelling from Amsterdam to Brussels via train.
As all three stations are located relatively close together, they all take around 2 hours to get to from Amsterdam Centraal. Seat reservations are required for this journey and prices start at around £20.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Amsterdam to Brussels without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £20 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £50 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Brussels on a 1 month Europe itinerary
- Check out the Atomium
- Take a day trip to Ghent and Bruges
- Stroll through Parc du Cinquantenaire
- Have fun at a Belgian Chocolate Workshop
- Admire the Town Hall in Grand-Place/Grote Markt
Where to stay in Brussels
During our two-week Interrailing trip in August 2022, we spent a couple of nights at the Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre. I would happily stay there again and I would definitely recommend it to you guys for your 1 month Europe trip itinerary.
Paris – 3 days
Known as “The City of Love”, Paris is famed for being the romance capital of the world, but even if you’re completing a Europe backpacking trip as a solo traveller, it’s still worth adding Paris to your itinerary.
From admiring the views of the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower to cruising down the River Seine to exploring the works of art inside the Louvre to enjoying delicious French cuisine, there are plenty of things to keep you busy during your three days in Paris as part of your one month Europe interrail itinerary.
How to get to Paris
The train from Brussels to Paris takes around 90 minutes and requires a seat reservation of £25.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Brussels to Paris without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £25 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £100 if you buy them last minute.
Remember, with each journey featured on this trip, you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth using your Interrail Pass for each journey. My post “Is The Interrail Pass Worth It?” includes detailed examples of when it’s worth using the Interrail Pass in Europe and when it’s better to purchase point-to-point train tickets.
Best things to do in Paris on a 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
- Cruise along the River Seine
- Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
- Spend a day at Disneyland
- Visit the world-famous Louvre Museum
- Take a trip to the Palace of Versailles
Where to stay in Paris
It’s no secret that hotels in Paris are notoriously pricey as it’s one of the most expensive backpacking cities in Europe.
If you want to keep your budget as low as possible during your 1 month Europe interrail itinerary, I would suggest checking out hostels in Paris as you can find accommodation in private rooms for as little as £20 a night, compared to £50+ a night for a hotel room.
Zurich – 2 days
Zurich was the first place I ever visited in Switzerland and our two days in the city firmly cemented my love for the Swiss culture. From the decadent chocolate shops to the stunning surrounding mountain landscapes to the rich and vibrant lifestyle, Zurich is a city that I would highly recommend adding to your 1 month Interrail itinerary.
If you have the chance, I would also recommend adding a day trip to Switzerland’s capital city of Bern as it’s another wonderful destination to explore in Europe for a few hours.
How to get to Zurich
The train journey from Paris to Zurich takes between four and five hours, depending on the exact train you get. Seat reservations are required and prices start at around £10.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Paris to Zurich without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £60 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £140 if you buy them last minute. Even with the £10 seat reservation fee, it is worth using your Interrail Pass to travel from Paris to Zurich.
Best things to do in Zurich on a 1 month Europe itinerary
- Enjoy an afternoon at the Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum
- Take a stroll through the Altstadt (Old Town)
- Cruise along Lake Zurich
- Admire the views from Lindenhof Hill
- Visit the FIFA Museum
Where to stay in Zurich
Zurich is another super expensive city but it’s still 100% worth adding to your one month Europe itinerary as it’s so beautiful and so much fun!
Similarly to Paris, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on accommodation in Zurich during your 4 week Europe itinerary, take a look at private or dorm rooms on Hostelworld in Zurich.
Munich – 3 days
Munich is one of my absolute favourite cities in Europe and I’m a firm believer that it needs to be on everyone’s Interrail itinerary, regardless of whether you visit in the summer or winter.
The beer halls, huge expanses of outdoor spaces, friendly locals, gorgeous architecture and charming cobblestoned streets are just some of the reasons why Munich is an excellent place to visit if you’re spending 30 days in Europe!
How to get to Munich
The train from Zurich to Munich takes between three and a half hours and five and a half hours, depending on which train you get. There are a few routes that require a seat reservation fee of £6, but almost every single journey is included within the Interrail Pass, so there is no need to pay for seat reservations if you can be flexible.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Zurich to Munich without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £25 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £85 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Munich on a 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
- Enjoy views of the Old Town from the Rathausturm (New Town Hall Tower)
- Take a day trip to Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle
- Admire Neues Rathaus and the Altes Rathaus in Marienplatz
- Tour Munich’s famous beer halls
- Enjoy delicious German food and drink at Hofbräukeller Biergarten
Where to stay in Munich
During my time in Munich, I’ve stayed at both the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian and the Ibis München City Arnulfpark.
The 25hours Hotel is a little more pricey but it’s super conveniently located and it’s such a cool and quirky place to stay in the city so I’d definitely recommend checking it out during your 1 month Europe trip.
Vienna – 3 days
Vienna might just be one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in Europe (and that’s saying something as most European cities are postcard-perfect!), so it definitely needs to be added to your Europe Interrail itinerary for one month.
Similarly to Munich, Vienna can be enjoyed all year round as its many garden spaces can be enjoyed in the summer months, but it also plays host to spectacular Christmas markets during the winter months.
How to get to Vienna
The train from Munich to Vienna takes around four hours and does not require a seat reservation.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Munich to Vienna without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £20 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £90 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Vienna on a 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
- Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater Amusement Park
- Spend a few hours at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum
- Visit the Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens
- Explore the grounds of Hofburg Palace
- Wander around Belvedere Palace
Where to stay in Vienna
As well as staying at the 25hours Hotel in Munich, I’ve also spent a few nights at the 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier in Vienna which was one of my favourite hotels from our Europe interrailing trip!
Similarly to the Munich hotel, the 25hours Hotel in Vienna is such a fun and unique place to stay, with bright decor, quirky furniture and an excellent breakfast buffet!
Budapest – 3 days
Budapest is a great city to add to your itinerary if you’re looking to backpack Europe on a budget as accommodation, food and activities are all very reasonably priced (you can get a room in a hostel for as little as £2 a night!).
I’ve already visited Budapest three times, but I would happily return again and again as it’s such a gorgeous city. Fisherman’s Bastion and the Hungarian Parliament Building cannot be missed during your three days in Budapest and it’s also worth allocating some time to soak in the numerous thermal baths throughout the city so you can relax during your hectic Europe trip!
How to get to Budapest
It takes less than two and a half hours to get to Budapest from Vienna and no seat reservations are required for the journey.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Vienna to Budapest without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £17 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £45 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Budapest on a 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
- Go on a sightseeing cruise along the River Danube
- Enjoy the views from Fisherman’s Bastion
- Spend an afternoon relaxing at Széchenyi Spa
- Walk across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
- Tour the Hungarian Parliament Building
Where to stay in Budapest
The first hotel I ever stayed at in Budapest has now closed down (which is such a shame as it was such a beautiful hotel!) and the second place I stayed was a makeshift hostel during Sziget Festival in 2022, so I can’t really recommend that place for a 1 month Europe interrailing itinerary as it was more suited to festival-goers!
Accommodation in Budapest is super cheap, however, especially if you stay in a hostel as you can get a private room for as little as £9 a night and a dorm room for as little as £2 a night!
Prague – 3 days
Similarly to Budapest, Prague is another excellent European city that’s ideal for a budget interrail/backpacking trip as it’s super cheap once you’re there.
There’s so much amazing architecture to admire in Prague and no visit to the city would be complete without seeing the gargantuan Prague Castle and the fascinating Astronomical Clock in the Old Town.
How to get to Prague
The train from Budapest to Prague can take anywhere from seven hours to twelve hours, depending on the exact train you get, so I would recommend getting the train as early as possible when you leave Budapest to ensure that you have plenty of time in Prague. Seat reservations of £5 are required on most journeys.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Budapest to Prague without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £30 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £100 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Prague on a 1 month Europe itinerary
- Explore Prague Castle
- Stroll across Charles Bridge
- Take an evening sightseeing cruise along the river
- Admire the John Lennon Memorial Wall
- Check out the Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
Where to stay in Prague
Similarly to Budapest, there are plenty of affordable places to stay in Prague, so accommodation won’t eat into your Interrail budget too much!
Berlin – 3 days
The capital city of Germany is a place that should be on every one month Europe interrail itinerary as it’s such a fun, exciting and beautiful city.
Seeing the remains of the Berlin Wall is a must while you’re in the city and if you’re looking to party during your Europe trip, Berlin is the place to be as it’s home to some of the most famous nightclubs in the world!
How to get to Berlin
The train from Prague to Berlin usually takes around four and a half hours, but there are some journeys that take as long as twelve hours (usually after 6 PM), so make sure you get the train earlier in the day to get there much quicker.
How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass?
Train tickets from Budapest to Prague without the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass start at around £26 if you purchase them at least two months in advance, but they can cost upwards of £80 if you buy them last minute.
Best things to do in Berlin on a 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
- Go to the top of the Berlin TV Tower
- Check out Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall
- Tour the Reichstag Building and the Brandenburg Gate
- Spend some time in Tiergarten
- See the city by boat on a cruise along the River Spree
Where to stay in Berlin
We’re no strangers to the Safestay Hostel branch, having stayed in three different locations over the years (London, York and Berlin) and the Safestay Berlin Kurfurstendamm might just be my favourite one yet.
Despite falling under the Safestay Hostel name, the one in Berlin is actually more of a hotel and we had such a great stay there during our 2 month Europe interrailing trip.
Which Interrail Pass do you need for a 1 month Europe trip?
There are ten different Interrail/Eurail Passes to choose from (see the list below), including a 1 month consecutive pass, which would seem like the most logical Interrail Pass to buy for this particular Europe Interrail itinerary.
However, the 1 month pass for a second-class ticket costs £459 for youths and £612 for adults aged 28+.
This is, of course, quite a lot of money to spend on train tickets and based on my calculations, it would actually make more sense to purchase the “10 days within 2 months” Interrail Global Pass. This pass allows you to make 10 Interrail journeys within 2 months, so even though this particular itinerary is only for 1 month, this will save you a lot of money.
The above 1 month Europe Interrail itinerary includes at least nine train journeys, which would be covered with the “10 days within 2 months”. This particular second-class Interrail Pass costs £295 for youths and £393 for adults, so it’s much cheaper than purchasing a continuous 1-month Interrail Pass.
How much does the Interrail Pass cost?
There are 10 different Interrail/Eurail Passes to choose from, including:
Please note that the below prices are based on second-class Interrail Global Pass tickets. A youth ticket is for people aged 12-27, and an adult ticket is for people aged 28-60. The first price listed is for youths and the second price is for adult tickets.
- 4 days within 1 month – £187 | £249
- 5 days within 1 month – £210 | £280
- 7 days within 1 month – £252 | £335
- 10 days within 2 months – £295 | £393
- 15 days within 2 months – £365 | £487
- 15 days (consecutive) – £314 | £419
- 22 days (consecutive) – £387 | £516
- 1 month (consecutive) – £459 | £612
- 2 months (consecutive) – £546 | £727
- 3 months (consecutive) – £631 | £841
Do I need a Eurail or an Interrail Pass?
The Interrail Pass is for citizens and residents of Europe (including the UK – even after Brexit), whereas the Eurail Pass is for non-European citizens and residents.
Both passes are exactly the same (and the same price) but you need a different pass depending on where you’re from in the world.
Check out my 2-month Europe Interrail itinerary to see how to use the Interrail Pass and use my Interrailing planning guide to plan your very own itinerary!
Seat reservations – 1 month Europe Interrail itinerary
As you can see from some of the routes featured throughout this 1 month Europe itinerary, some journeys require you to purchase a seat reservation on top of your Interrail/Eurail Pass.
A seat reservation guarantees that you’ll have a seat on a particular train for a certain journey. Countries such as Sweden, France and Spain usually require seat reservations on most of their train journeys, but there are plenty of Interrail routes in Europe that are included in the Interrail Pass, so you don’t need to purchase an extra seat ticket.
Conclusion – 1 month Europe interrail itinerary
I hope you found this 1 month Europe itinerary by train useful and I hope it helps you to plan your own European Interrailing trip!
Is a 1 month Interrail itinerary in Europe on your bucket list? Have you ever considered using an Interrail Pass? Let me know in the comments or in my Interrail Planning Tips Facebook Group!
