If you are planning your first train travel adventure in Europe, packing can be intimidating. I am aware that not everyone loves to pack as much as this weirdo over here! Don’t worry, this Interrail packing list, full of your Interrail essentials will help guide you through what you’ll need for your Interrail or Eurail trip through Europe. Oh, and there is a downloadable Interrail packing list at the bottom of the page for you to tick off.
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Interrail Essentials
Ticket and Reservations
First things first, you will need an Interrail Pass. That is why we are all here after all.
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If you live within Europe, the Interrail allows you unlimited train travel in 33 countries. This includes Switzerland. If your main residence is outside Europe, you benefit from the same discounts and opportunities with the Eurail Pass. There are two main types of Interrail Pass:
- The Global Pass – The Global Pass gives users the freedom to travel through all 33 countries included in the pass. The only exclusion is that only have one day to leave your home country and one to return. This is perfect if you have a long time to travel, want to see lots of different spots or want the flexibility to make a decision later on (even whilst travelling).
- The One Country Pass – The Switzerland Country Pass only allows you to travel within Switzerland This is ideal if you have a shorter trip, or want to explore Switzerland in more depth. Bear in mind that there is no unlimited travel option so you need to pick how many travel days and the length of pass you require.
Once you have booked your ticket, you are free to use local and regional trains free of charge on the days you have chosen as your travel days. This makes travelling around the country so easy and cheap. We used it to hop around the lake in Montreux, chopping and changing as we found new adventures along the way.
Travel Insurance
Don’t travel without travel insurance. Just don’t, It may feel like you are wasting your money but if you need it, it is such a lifeline. Most single trip policies do not allow more than 30 days but there are plenty of providers that offer “backpacker insurance”. These allow you to travel for longer. Plus, once you have insurance, everything booked from that point on will be covered.
SIM or Esim
If you want to stay in touch during your trip then a little pre-plannung is a good idea. This is especially true if you’ll be travelling through several countries.
I have used Sparks Travel before but found Airalo to be the best option. They span the globe and you can buy individual country (Switzerland/France etc) or regional (Europe) eSims at reasonable prices. You will need a phone that accepts eSims rather than just physical sims but set up is relatively easy and you will almost definitely save money over using your phone’s roaming provision. As the sims use local networks, rather than your provider piggybacking, the speeds are usually much better.
Passport/ID Card & Visas
You aren’t going to get far without valid travel documents. EU citizens can travel freely through the EU just carrying an ID card but several Interrail countries are not within this scheme. Best practise is to have a passport and remember that the EU has a couple of rules to be aware of:
- Your passport must be valid for three months after you intended departure date.
- The EU doesn’t recognise passports more than ten years old.
You may need a Schengen visa which allows 90 days of free travel in the Schengen area. The countries covered are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Passports that do not need a Schengen visa will soon need a ETIAS to visit the EU which is an online visa waiver. It will cost around £7 and last for three years. They are also bringing in an ETA to visit the UK which is similar but costs £10 and lasts 2 years.
A Pillow
Whether you have a camping pillow, a big full-size beauty or one of those fancy little neck pillows, it is a very good plan to have something that will help you sleep on trains. It might be a good idea to consider a convertible option that can do two jobs. It’s all about saving space and weight!
Ear Plugs and an Eye Mask
Another sleep aid that can be the difference between a good kip and a disturbed snooze. Whether you are on the train or in a dorm, sometimes you just need to shut out the world. We recommend getting a 3D eye mask so it isn’t pressing on your eyes. They cost a few more pounds but the comfor level is worth it.
Two Fee Free Cardsdeposits. Nice hotels and car hire spots like to put holds on your card and it’s much easiest when this is a credit card than out of your debit cards available balance.
It is a good plan to have a card with you for payments. There are some places in Europe that are keen on cash but it is so much safer to have a card and only take out a little money at a time. We prefer to use Revolut which is a prepaid debit card. It makes keeping track of our spending really easy and we have it set up to auto top up so we shouldn’t be stuck without enough money on it at any point. Just be sure to check that any cards you are planning to use don’t charge fees overseas. Plus, make sure you always pay in local currency if given the choice as the conversion rates places set can be horrible.
For big purchases, it is always a good idea to use a credit card for an extra layer of financial protection. It is always handy to have a credit card for deposits. Nicer hotels and car rental places like to put hefty holds on your cards and it is much nicer to know they are just going to reappear one day on your credit card rather than taking a chunk of your available funds from your debit card. Bear in mind that American Express is not as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa in Europe.
A Little Cash
In most of Europe, you will be able to pay with a card but this is not true everywhere. We recommend having at least €20 of currency on you for public transport, tips or small purchases in shops or street food stalls that are cash only. You can always get more out as needed (from in bank ATMs which are much less likely to charge fees or have been tampered with).
Your Interrail Luggage
A Small Main Luggage
There is a fierce debate that is always raging between those who advocate for suitcases, nd those who champion backpacks. Well, I am squarely in the backpack camp when it comes to train travel in Europe. Once you’ve hauled your wheeled suitcase up and down numerous staircases and across miles of cobbled roads, you’ll know why. Yes, carrying your things on your back is less comfortable but it can be so much easier to manoeuvre.
I would recommend opting for around 40L l so that it isn’t too heavy but you have room for about two week’s worth of clothes. You are going to be packing, repacking and using your bag frequently so having something heavy and bulky is going to be a real pain. Plus, a smaller bag is easier to store on overhead shelves and luggage racks.
Packing Cubes
To keep your bag organised, there is nothing better than a set of packing cubes. These are also great for compression, allowing you to pack a few more clothes for your trip. When laundry starts to build up,it is easy to create a new cube of just dirty clothes and it just stops the rummage. We never travel without packing cubes!
A Day Bag
Bring a day bag that is smaller. Make sure it has a zip that is hard to open as pickpockets are sadly, common in plenty of major European cities. I like to have a backpack that has a handbag-type strap too so it can be worn in multiple ways.
A Tote Bag
It’s also a good idea to have a little tote bag with you too. This allows you to buy shopping, pack swimming gear or keep your night train essentials separate. It’s a handy little addition to your bag.
Your Clothes
A Hoodie or Coat
Even if you are travelling through Europe in summer, you may still want a nice warm top layer. Air conditioning can be cold, as can late evenings. It is a treat to snuggle in something warm on a chilly train, in a freezing cinema or on a boat ride that is a little breezier than planned.
A Capsule Wardrobe
This is something that I have never been great at but with practice, things are improving. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is to pick pieces that can all be mixed and matched with each other. It is a good plan to go with black, white and a couple of other colours that will blend well together.
Swimming Gear
Even if you have no plans to go to the beach, or a hotel with a swimming pool, you just never know. Hot springs in Budapest, an impromptu spa day in Austria or a quick dip in a Swiss lake could all crop up. Having a swimming costume allows you to be a little more spontaneous.
Comfy Clothes for Travel Days
You don’t want to spend eight hours on a train feeling uncomfortable in stiff trousers or trying to unstick your legs from the chair because your shorts are very short. We suggest bringing some comfortable bottoms for travel days. I like longer skirts or jeggings. If you are planning on taking a few night trains, bring leggings, joggers or jersey shorts that you are comfortable sleeping in.
Make sure your underwear is comfortable too. A long-distance train is a miserable place to discover that your new pants have itchy labels, or that your bras underwire rubs when you sit down. Go for tried and tested underwear that you know won’t bother you.
Comfortable Shoes
In Europe you will walk A LOT! An average Interrail day is around 15,000 steps (with a recent day in Venice reaching 36,000 steps). This is not a road trip so even if you are taking public transport around, you will still be clicking up a fair distance on foot. Plus, there are all those church tower steps that you just can’t skip! I love a pair of jellies, they are comfy and if it rains you will have dry shoes in half a second again. Along with my jellies, I always pack a pair of trainers that can be worn in cities or out on countrysiude walks. I opt for lightweight as I never go on serious hikes but if you plan on doing some proper trekking then pack walking trainers with better grip.
Specific Clothing
If you are planning on doing anything specific then consider your outfits.
Hiking shoes, boots or sandals are a must if you are taking to the hills of Switzerland. It is a good plan to bring water shoes for pebbly beaches of Croatia or river-based activities.
Similarly, if you want to workout during your trip, or take part in some more physical activities than just wandering around museums then make sure you have the right clothes. Sweat wicking tops are great for working out and hiking for example. If you need a sports bra, don’t skip on this.
Rain Protection
It is probably going to rain…even if it’s just once. Bring something g to keep yourself dry as it is no fun trudging around, or sightseeing if you are uncomfortably soggy. Be it a light rain jacket, a small umbrella or a poncho, make sure it is small and easy to carry so you can keep it with you without it being too annoying.
A Fabulous Fit
You may want to dress up for dinner or drinks on a few occasions so bring something that makes you feel fab. Whether that is a maxi dress that you can dress up with some earrings, a sparkly top or a nice bit of bling, have just a little something that separates your everyday wardrobe from your “out out” choice.
Pyjamas
Even if you are a hot sleeper, you may want some pyjamas. This is especially true if you are going to be staying in a dorm or a hotel with a shared bathroom. It isn’t so acceptable to be wandering around in your undies or birthday suit at night if you are in a shared space. you may also want to change into PJs if you are taking a night train (keeping a night time routine can help you sleep).
Your Electrical Gear
A Plug Adaptor
Most of Europe uses the same plugs, two round pins, but there are some exceptions. The U.K. has a three flat pin plug, while Switzerland has a different three round pin socket. Make sure you have the correct adaptors for the countries you are passing through or a worldwide adaptor.
A Multi Plug
Add to this a small multi plug. I know that it’s more to carry but when there is only one plug in your hotel room, or in your night train cabin and a few of you who need to charge things, you’ll thank me. We just took the one below away and the combination of British plugs and USB sockets meant that we could charge things and I could blow my hair at the same time, and we didn’t have to carry as many adaptors. I have used this on trips since and it has been a real hit with others I have travelled with as I could share the love!
A Power Bank/Portable Charger
You are not always going to have a plug available to you, especially on long days of sightseeing, so having a power bank is essential. It’s also quite likely that at some point you will find yourself on a train with no power points (especially in second class). A power bank will allow you to play games, watch films or listen to podcasts to your heart’s content.
Headphones
Wired, In Ear Headphones
These are great for when your phone or ipad battery is running out. The phone goes on Airplane mode and these go in. They are also much better for blocking out noise than the plastic wireless kind, be that of rattling train tracks or snoring carriage mates.
Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
If I am going about in my day to day life, I have an Airpod in all the time. This is also true when I am travelling solo. It is handy to have directions in your ear, reducing the number of times you need to pull out your phone. I like to have an ear free if I am on my own so I am more aware of those around me too. You can share these easily with a travel buddy so you can both watch a program on your device or to listen to music together.
Camera Gear
I am assuming you will be taking a mobile phone that is capable of taking pictures along with you on your travels. However, if you are really into photography, don’t forget your DSLR, accompanying lenses and a way to save the photo other than a single SD card. Additionally, if you are interested in adventure, sports or water sports, then something like a GoPro or Insta360 is a must. It is a so cool to capture memories or zipwiring in Romania, surfing in Portugal or taking a Vespa in Italy
Phone
I know that you know that you need to take your phone. This is not me telling you why are you need it just reminding you to check it last thing before you leave the house. This is especially important if you’re Interrail Pass or Eurail Pass is the digital kind. There is no point having a digital detox for the period of Travel when you need your phone to prove that you can travel on your train.
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Your Wash Bag
Sun Cream
Even the U.K. gets hot and sunny once in a while. If you have a preference of brand then bring it along with you. It is also worth noting that spray sun cream (the real aerosol kind) doesn’t really exist here so pack it before you come to Europe if that is your favourite kind. Coming from the USA, it is worth noting that you won’t find SPF above 50 in Europe. This ensures people are reapplying as often as recommended.
A First Aid Kit
Europe has plenty of pharmacies but many of them are only counter service and only open during daytime banking hours. We trave with a small medical kit that we have added to and edited over several trips.. We would advise carrying a small medical kit containing:
- Painkillers – Just always
- Blister Plasters – You never know when your shoes will betray you
- Regular Plasters – For small cuts and grazes
- Antiseptic Cream – To be used in combo with the plasters
- Antihistamines – To combat hayfever and new and exciting allergens
- Imodium – For those days when you have to travel but you have tummy trouble
- Senokot – For when your new duet of carbs and cheese is making life difficult
- Insect Repellant – There are mosquitoes in Europe and don’t get me started on Scottish midges
- Bite Cream – For when they get you!
Your Usual Beauty Gear
The best thing about travelling by train is that you are not bound by airline liquid rules. If you love your micellar water, you can bring a bottle. If you use loads of shampoo, bring it! Remember that you’ll be carrying it but there is no worry about bringing all of your normal wipes, make-up, shower gel, deodorant and more.
Laundry Stuff
If you are on a budget, or Interrailing for a while, you may want to do some laundry. It is annoying to have to buy a huge tub of powder or bag of tabs. Instead, bring a little powder with you in a zip lock bag or carry some laundry leaves. This also allows you to do some hand washing or stain soaking if required too.
Miscellaneous
A Reusable Water Bottle
Tap water is safe in most of Europe so you can just turn on the tap and fill up a bottle for free. This is especially handy in Slovenia and Italy where public drinking fountains are good and plentiful. Remember that this is not the case with train taps however so fill up before you board.
A Travel Towel
Many hostel dorms do not provide a towel as standard so it is wise to carry your own. It is also handy to have if you get caught in the rain, something leaks in your bag or you go for a swim in a pool, from a beach or in a lake. I travel with a shammy style towel and a small hair turban too (especially nice when we have an external bathroom or when I have been swimming).
A Book or Journal
Whether you are writing a book or you like reading the words of others, a book could be an integral part of your packing.
A Padlock or Cable Lock
If you are planning to pop your bag on a luggage rack, it is worth considering a lock. You could use a simple padlock which will ensure your bag doesn’t go anywhere, and can also be used on dorm lockers. Alternatively, you can wind a cable lock through your zips to, render them unable to be opened. Oh, and always opt for a combination lock, there are no keys to lose.
A Food Storage Container
Handy for cooking your own food or saving leftovers, it’s always nice to have a Tupperware. We have recently switched to these folding silicone storage containers as they can fold flat when not in use. Many a hunk of bread and chunk of cheese was smuggled away from a hotel breakfast during our Interrail trip for lunch.
Food Bags
We use food bags for lots of things from keeping wet swimwear separate or open snacks nice and crunchy. They are also handy for little bits and bobs. Honestly, it’s one of those travel items that ends up being really helpful in all kinds of ways that you haven’t thought of that pop up every now and then.
Your Downloadable Interrail Packing List
If you want a downloadable, printable, tickable Iterrail packing list, then here it is:
If you haven’t already booked an Interrail ticket, please consider using our link. It won’t cost you any extra but will help support the blog – BOOK NOW
Final Thoughts on Your Interrail Packing List
Interrailing is an amazing experience and being prepared makes the whole thing more enjoyable. It really does take a few attempts to pack, especially as you will be carrying everything you take with you quite a lot so it is a really balancing act between what you want what you can haul. We hope this Interrail packing list has helped and if we have missed anything important that you discover when you take your Interrail trip through Europe, let us know!
Rosie xx
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