Solo vs group travel
Which is better for the perfect holiday?
Traveling before 15 May? Get a free upgrade to 1st class when you buy a Global Pass before 28 February
On 30th July the world celebrates the International Day of Friendship. There's nothing like a holiday with your best friends, but there are a lot of advantages to travelling solo, too. So we're wondering: is it better to travel with friends or on your own?
Travel with friends
Like the idea of travelling with friends? Here are some of the perks of a group getaway.
You have someone to share all your amazing Interrail experiences with.
In a group, you always have someone watching out for you – and your bag.
Travelling with friends means you have a better chance of scoring a group discount.
You always have someone to help you capture that perfect travel photo.
Solo travel
Are you more of an 'I am my own best friend' kind of person? Solo travel has its perks too.
You gain independence and sense of self. No matter what happens, you can handle it.
You choose exactly where you want to go and which sites you want to see.
You set your own pace. If you want to get up to see the sun rise or spend all day in a café, its all up to you.
You have the chance to meet interesting new people and see things from new perspectives.
Stockholm,
Sweden
The Swedish capital is a great place to explore alone. Spread across 14 islands, Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia and a cultural hub full of museums and restaurants and welcoming locals.
Dublin,
Ireland
Irish hospitality is famous the world over, and solo travellers are sure to experience it in any one of the hundreds of unpretentious pubs found throughout the historic capital of Dublin.
Porto,
Portugal
Many destinations in Portugal are perfect for striking out on a solo adventure, but there is something special about a having a glass of the namesake port wine in the colourful riverside city of Porto.
Flash your Interrail wristband
Travel isn’t just about discovering new places – it's about chance encounters with new and exciting people from all over the world.
Whether you're wandering the city or waiting at the train platform, show off your Interrail wristband and get ready to spot and swap stories with other likeminded European adventurers. Who knows, you might just add a few new people to your squad!
5 tips for travelling with friends
Budget
No one wants to talk about money, especially when it comes to holiday plans.
But talking with your friends and knowing what each other can spend before you go will save you a lot of headaches during your travels.
Share
Sharing can mean a lot of things; watching each other's bags, planning your next steps together or even just sharing that can of dry shampoo.
The great thing about having a friend with you is you don’t have to worry about every single little detail on your own.
Plan
Half the fun of an Interrail Pass is its flexibility. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to have a plan for where you are going.
Especially in a group of friends, its best to agree on which cities you want to visit before you start your trip so everyone knows what to expect.
Compromise
As close as you and your friends might be, you may not have the exact same idea of what you want to see on your trip.
You're going to have to work together to plan how you spend your days – after all, it's everyone's holiday, not just yours.
Split up
Even the best of friends might get tired of each other after a full week of travelling together – or a single 8 hour train ride.
Try to plan some solo time so that when you reuinte, you'll be refreshed and excited for the next leg of your journey together.