[Originally published on 29 March 2015]

When I was 18 years old I bought an interrail ticket and went discovering Europe with some friends. Well, actually it was only France, Italy and Switzerland. And San Marino and Monaco and the Vatican City. We did the interrail in the old fashion way: with a backpack and taking advantage of night journeys to save money on lodging. It was a grand adventure after finishing high school and before starting university.

At that time, only people under 26 years old could do it but now there is no age limit. The great thing about this is that with just one ticket you can travel to all countries of Europe using any train in each country. You just have to be aware of private trains and trains where you have to reserve a seat (like TGV).

Travelling by train has many advantages, for example, you can sleep during the journey, you can enjoy the view, you can walk up and down while on the move, you can read or talk with people around you… The coolest thing is that sometimes you travel like a local, if you choose regional/local trains. You can watch and feel how people in other countries actually live. I remember using the train to have dinner in the nearest town or watching some locals using the train to go to the beach in the next town.

The main misconception about interrail is that you can only do it as an adventure. Not true. Like I always say: you can stay at 5 star hotels if you want. The ticket is just a ticket, the journey is yours – you do it as you like it.

For more information: http://www.interrail.eu/

Check other articles related to travelling.