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2 month summer itinerary

A community itinerary from Heather

With an Interrail Global Pass, you can go wherever you like in 33 countries across Europe. This means that every trip follows a unique itinerary! Our Interrail community have sent us many maps, photos and itineraries over the years, and we love to see where the Pass has taken you. 

 

This itinerary was sent to us by Heather, who travelled from Finland to 17 countries last summer! Her route took her to many of Europe's biggest attractions and some secret spots. Heather's photos from 10 of those countries are a perfect starting place for inspiration as you plan your next trips.

 

We've also added some travel tips to send you on your way.

heather-byatt-surfing

 

 

Heather's itinerary

''At this uncertain time, I thought I’d share the highlights from my amazing 2-month-long trip around Europe last summer with Interrail... we did 17 different countries on the 2-month Global Pass, and it was the best experience of my life ❤️.'' - Heather

 

heather-itinerary-map

 

1. Germany
lubeck-germany

Lübeck

A historic trading town that forms the rail gateway to Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia. Its most known attraction also happens to be a gate - the red-brick Holstentor city gate (pictured above).

heather-byatt-germany-berlin-checkpoint-charlie

Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

A 2h 40m journey, including a stop in Hamburg, will bring you to Germany's capital, Berlin. You'll want to stay in the city as long as you can, to discover its history, landmarks and nightlife.

Travel time:

4h13m

Transfer:

0

Reservation needed:

  • Berlin, Germany

    Berlin Südkreuz

  • 4h 13m

    Reservation optional

  • Prague, Czech Republic

    Prague Hlavni Nadrazi

 

2. Czech Republic

Prague

Prague's incredible skyline can be a lot to take in. Thankfully it has enough high places to see it all from different angles. Try Letna Hill to see the Vltava River and its many bridges; Petrín Tower to view the old centre and castle complex; or the Klementinum for a view like this, amongst the orange rooftops.

czech-republic-prague

Travel time:

5h16m

Transfer:

1

  • Prague, Czech Republic

    Prague Hlavni Nadrazi

  • 4h 6m
  • Linz, Austria

    Linz Hbf

  • 1h 10m
  • Salzburg, Austria

    Salzburg Hbf

 

3. Austria
heather-byatt-austria-salzburg

Salzburg

There's no direct route from Prague to Salzburg, so why not stop off in some of central Europe's smaller cities... Discover characterful Český Krumlov in Bohemia, or Austria's third-largest city Linz, all before you enjoy Mozart's birthplace.

heather-byatt-austria-halstatt

Hallstatt

2 hours 30 minutes from Salzburg (via Attnang-Puchheim) is a view that is definitely worth the journey! Hallstatt is the most magical town in the Upper Austria lake district.

Travel time:

4h17m

Transfer:

2

Reservation needed:

  • Hallstatt, Austria

    Hallstatt

  • 2h 4m
  • Linz, Austria

    Linz Hbf

  • 1h 14m

    Reservation optional

  • Vienna, Austria

    Wien Hbf

  • 0h 59m
  • Bratislava, Slovakia

    Bratislava-Petrzalka

 

4. Slovakia and 5. Hungary
heather-byatt-slovakia-bratislava-castle

Bratislava Castle, Bratislava

You may want to break your journey in Austria's capital, Vienna, as you head east to the capital of Slovakia. Picturesque Bratislava has a lively historic centre and a grand castle (pictured above) overlooking both the city and the Danube River.

heather-byatt-hungary-budapest-széchenyi-baths

Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest

A 3h 47m journey via Vienna will drop you into Budapest without making reservations. Once there, you can enjoy the Széchenyi thermal baths or a cruise on the Danube.

 

6. Slovenia

Bled Castle, Lake Bled

An overnight journey, taking the daily EuroNight from Vienna at 1:40 am, will bring you to Slovenia's most-famous spot in time for a lakeside sunrise. With its iconic island and castle, Lake Bled is a perfect backdrop for outdoor summer activities, including swimming, hiking and SUP-ing.

slovenia-bled-castle

A once daily night train, leaving Bled at 12:36am, will take you to Italy via Austria.

Travel time:

4h44m

Transfer:

1

Reservation needed:

2x

  • Bled, Slovenia

    Lesce Bled

  • 0h 55m

    Reservation required

  • Villach, Austria

    Villach Hbf

  • 3h 49m

    Reservation required

  • Venice, Italy

    Venezia S. Lucia

 

7. Italy
heather-byatt-italy-venice

Venice

The famous city of canals is built across more than 100 small islands.

heather-byatt-italy-rome-colosseum

Colosseum, Rome

A 3h 48m direct train from Venice (with reservation) will bring you to Italy's geographic, political and cultural centre.

heather-byatt-italy-pisa

Pisa

Just under 3 hours from Rome is the famous Leaning Tower. It's just a 20-minute walk from the central train station.

heather-byatt-italy-cinque-terre-2

Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is a stretch of five historic seaside villages along the Ligurian coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia. An Interrail Pass is perfect for exploring them... Arrive at La Spezia central station (about an hour from Pisa), then take the Cinque Terre train. It connects each of the 5 villages and is covered by the Interrail Pass!

heather-byatt-italy-cinque-terre

Travel time:

4h23m

Transfer:

2

Reservation needed:

  • La Spezia, Italy

    La Spezia Centrale

  • 1h 25m

    Reservation required

  • Genova, Italy

    Genova Brignole

  • 2h 28m
  • Ventimiglia, Italy

    Ventimiglia

  • 0h 30m
  • Monaco

    Monaco Monte Carlo

 

8. Monaco and 9. Spain
heather-byatt-monaco-monte-carlo

The Japanese Garden, Monte Carlo

Monaco's tiny but wealthy principality may not be included in our list of 33 Interrail Pass countries, but a Pass is still valid for travel there! Stop off for sun, sea and luxury.

heather-byatt-spain-barcelona

Sagrada Família, Barcelona

To avoid a long journey, it's best to stop off in one of the seaside towns of the southern coastline of France. Then take a direct train from Nîmes (France) to Barcelona in 3h 40m (reservation required). In the capital of Catalonia, you can enjoy Gaudí's fantastical architecture and relax at La Rambla or the beach.

Travel time:

3h10m

Transfer:

0

Reservation needed:

  • Barcelona, Spain

    Barcelona-Sants

  • 3h 10m

    Reservation required

  • Madrid, Spain

    Madrid-Puerta De Atocha

Transfer between stations in Madrid, then take the Renfe Trenhotel night train to Lisbon. It leaves at 21:50 daily and arrives in Lisbon at 7:20. You must reserve a seat or sleeper cabin in advance.

Travel time:

9h30m

Transfer:

0

Reservation needed:

  • Madrid, Spain

    Madrid Chamartin

  • 9h 30m

    Reservation required

  • Lisbon, Portugal

    Lisbon Oriente

 

10. Portugal

Ericeira

Our snapshot of Heather's 2-month itinerary concludes at the Atlantic coast in Ericeira, considered the surfing capital of Europe. It lies outside of Portugal's rail network but can be reached by bus from Lisbon in an hour.

portugal-ericera
friends_on_a_platform_at_milan_train_station

Join our community to keep up-to-date with even more itineraries, tips and Q&As from travellers just like you.

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For more itinerary inspiration, you can find routes of all sizes, ranging from 2 months across Europe to in-depth single-country tours, on our recommended routes page.

 

To follow Heather's itinerary or to add even more countries, there is only one Pass for you - the Interrail Global Pass, with access to the rail networks of 33 European countries.

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