20 Days Europe Interrail Itinerary for First-Timers
Destination & Travel Theme
Destination: Western Europe (Netherlands → Belgium → France → Switzerland → Italy → France → Paris) Travel Theme: Interrail backpacking, multi-country adventure, cultural exploration
Recommended Duration
20 days - This itinerary allows you to see 6 countries without rushing too much. If you have more time, add 2-3 days per country for a more relaxed pace.
Budget Range (Per Person)
- Backpacker Budget: €1,200 - €1,800
- Comfortable Budget: €1,800 - €2,800
- Luxury: €3,000+
Breakdown (2025 rates):
- Interrail Global Pass: €300-€500 (depending on age and flexi vs continuous)
- Accommodation (hostels): €25-40/night
- Food: €20-35/day
- Extra trains/reservations: €50-100 total (some high-speed trains require reservations)
- Attractions: €150-250 total
Transportation Tips Before You Start
- Buy your Interrail Pass online before you leave home - you can choose between 5, 7, 10, or 15 travel days within a month
- Make reservations for high-speed trains (Thalys, TGV, Frecciarossa) in advance - they sell out and reservations are required
- Download the Rail Planner app - offline timetables for all European trains
- Check if your pass covers domestic trains in each country - most do
- Arrive at the station 15-20 minutes before departure - bigger stations can be confusing
20-Day Itinerary & Must-See Highlights
Days 1-3: Amsterdam, Netherlands (2 full days, 1 travel day)
- Must-see: Canal cruise, Rijksmuseum (Van Gogh), Anne Frank House
- Walk: Jordaan neighborhood, Albert Cuyp Market for street food
- Stay: Hostel in city center - easy to get everywhere
- Eat: Stroopwafels, herring, bitterballen
Days 4-5: Bruges, Belgium (1 full day, 1 travel day)
- Travel: Amsterdam → Bruges - about 3 hours by train
- Must-see: The Markt, Belfry climb, canals, Burg Square
- Eat: Moules-frites (mussels and fries), waffles with chocolate
- Bruges is small - you can walk everywhere in a day
- Stay overnight to see it without the day crowds after 4 PM
Days 6-8: Paris, France (2 full days, 1 travel day)
- Travel: Bruges → Paris - 2.5 hours by Thalys
- Must-see: Eiffel Tower (book tickets online in advance), Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame exterior (still under restoration), Champs-Élysées
- Don't miss: Walk along the Seine, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
- Budget tip: Many museums are free for under-26s (EU citizens)
Days 9-11: Lyon, France (2 full days, 1 travel day)
- Travel: Paris → Lyon - 2 hours by TGV
- Why Lyon? Food capital of France - way more affordable than Paris for eating
- Must-see: Vieux Lyon (Old Town), Fourvière Hill, traboules (covered passageways
- Eat: Coq au vin, quenelles, tarte pralinée - at the bouchons (traditional Lyonnaise restaurants)
- Very walkable, great food city
Days 12-14: Zurich → Interlaken, Switzerland (2 full days, 1 travel day)
- Travel: Lyon → Geneva → Interlaken - about 4.5 hours
- Switzerland is expensive - book hostels in advance, cook some of your own meals to save money
- Must-do: Boat trip on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, Harder Kulm for views
- If you like hiking: Schynige Platte hike is amazing
- Paragliding is popular if you're adventurous
Days 15-17: Milan → Venice, Italy (2 full days, 1 travel day)
- Travel: Interlaken → Milan → Venice - about 4.5 hours
- Venice is unique - the entire city is a UNESCO site
- Must-see: St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, Grand Canal (take a vaporetto - cheaper than a gondola)
- Walk: Burano Island - colorful houses, great lace
- Avoid: Overpriced restaurants right on St. Mark's Square - walk a few blocks away for better prices
Days 18-20: Rome, Italy (2 full days, 1 travel day back)
- Travel: Venice → Rome - 3.5 hours by high-speed train
- Must-see: Colosseum, Vatican City & Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain
- Don't forget: Pantheon, Spanish Steps
- Eat: Carbonara, cacio e pepe, gelato - try authentic Roman dishes, not tourist versions
Local Customs & Warnings
General Do's Across Europe:
- Always validate your train ticket before boarding - there are big fines if you forget
- In most of Europe, you greet with a handshake, in Southern Europe (Italy, France) people often kiss on the cheek
- Queue politely - Europeans value waiting in line orderly
- Carry some cash - many small restaurants and shops in smaller towns don't accept cards
Don'ts & Avoid:
- Don't try to see too many countries in too few days - you'll spend all your time on trains - this 20-day itinerary already moves at a good pace
- Don't pay for a gondola ride in Venice if you're on a budget - the vaporetto gives you almost the same view for a fraction of the price
- Watch out for pickpockets - especially on trains between major cities, and at major tourist attractions in Paris, Rome, Venice
- Don't eat within 1 block of major tourist attractions - prices are 2-3x higher, walk 5 minutes away for a normal price
- Respect train quiet zones - many trains have quiet cars where you shouldn't talk loudly or take calls
- Switzerland is very expensive - budget accordingly, bring some snacks from previous countries
Visa & Travel Tips
Visa:
- Schengen Area - all these countries are in the Schengen Zone
- Check your nationality requirements - many nationalities get 90 days visa-free
- If you need a visa, apply at the consulate of the first country you enter
- Your Interrail pass is good proof of travel plans for your visa application
General Interrail Tips:
- Best time to go: May-June or September - good weather, fewer crowds than July-August
- Pack light - you'll be moving every 2-3 days, a 40L backpack is ideal
- Hostels are great for meeting other travelers - many organize activities and pub crawls
- Get a travel water bottle - you can drink tap water almost everywhere in Europe, saves money and plastic
- Book overnight trains if you want to save accommodation costs - can kill two birds with one stone
- Download offline maps for each city - cell data can be expensive roaming
- Early train reservations are cheaper than last-minute - book as soon as you know your itinerary
- Flexibility - leave some room for spontaneous detours - that's part of the fun of interrailing!
Source: Updated from 2025 Booking.com travel guide