Travelling by train across Europe is the ultimate bucket list trip. It’s your chance to soak up the culture, food and beauty at the perfect pace – face pressed up against the train window, jaw-dropped at the scenery passing before your eyes.

The best part is – you can buy an interrail pass for up to three months of travel. Yep, that’s three straight months of unlimited European travel and access to 33 countries – all for about £620/€710 (full budget breakdown here). With so many options, the question isn’t whether to book, it’s where to go first!

And I couldn’t be happier to help you get there. In this blog I’m walking you through my tried and tested three month interrail route through Europe, exploring 16 countries and making more memories than you’ll ever be able to count. It’s cringey but true.

Read on to discover the full route, a breakdown of all the countries you’ll hit and the best spots to visit. Plus, helpful tips and advice on booking train tickets, visas, costs and lots more.

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1. The route
2. When to go
3. Tickets, prices + visas
4. Country 1: Belgium
5. Country 2: The Netherlands
6. Country 3: Luxembourg
7. Country 4: France
8. Country 5: Monaco
9. Country 6: Italy
10. Country 7: Vatican City
11. Country 8: Slovenia
12. Country 9: Croatia
13. Country 10: Montenegro
14. Country 11: Serbia
15. Country 12: Hungary
16. Country 13: Germany
17. Country 14: Denmark
18. Country 15: Sweden
19. Country 16: Norway
20. Alternative routes

The route

The first thing to note is I started this trip from the UK – specifically by getting the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels, Belgium. But really the route could be started from anywhere on the itinerary.

From Belgium, you could go counter-clockwise as we did into France and Italy first, or head straight up into Scandinavia via north Germany and Denmark. Either way, the focus of this route is soaking up the incredible sights of central and northern Europe.

Offering breath-taking hiking, delicious food, fascinating history and culture, adrenaline-packed experiences and a sprinkling of stunning beaches. What more could you want!? Discover all the hot spots this route will take you to below…

When to go

While I honestly think this route could be incredible at any time of year, when you plan to start your three month journey will affect what you do.

I started this interrail trip in late April and finished in early July which meant I was able to enjoy the end of spring and things like the tulip season in the Netherlands. Then headed across the continent before it got crazy hot and up into Scandinavia later in the summer when the northern destinations have warmed.

For me, this was the perfect timing but if you’re longing for late summer sun and catching the leaves changing colour, start in summer and finish in autumn. Or for the ultimate crowd-free experience with a dose of northern lights and snow, take on the route in winter or early spring.

Tickets, prices + visas

As I mentioned, the three-month interrail pass currently costs about £620 or €711. But look out for sales and discounts – we bought our tickets in their Black Friday sale which knocked 15% off the full price.

Unlike the one-country or shorter time frame pass options – the full global three-month pass gives you access to unlimited train travel within the period and across all 33 countries included. Using your pass is as easy as downloading the app and searching for and adding the trains you’ll be taking to activate your ticket each day.

The only thing to be mindful of is visas. The interrail routes span Schengen Area countries as well as those outside of the Area. Countries within the Schengen Area are generally members of the EU (although there are some exceptions) and it means you can enjoy travel without the hassle of crossing borders and showing passports. However, if you’re a Brit like me, it also means since Brexit we can only travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a rolling 180 day period. So keep an eye on your dates if you plan to stay inside the Area for longer. Travelling out to countries like Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia can help you accrue more days to head back into the Area.

You can find my full guide to budgeting for your three month interrail trip here (complete with 2024 prices!).

Country 1: Belgium

Time in country: 5-6 days

Your first stop is Belgium – the land of some of the best waffles, chocolate and beer. Plus, a whole host of history and stunning architecture. Here’s where you should head for in country…

Stops:

Brussels

As I said, I chose to head straight from London to Brussels as the Eurostar route is super quick and easy. With your interrail pass, you only have to pay for a seat reservation rather than the full ticket too – this helps bring the cost down significantly.

Spend a couple of days here exploring the Grand Place, Parc du Cinquantenaire, space-age Atomium and eating all the good food.

Ghent

Next hop on the train and head 30 minutes north-east to arrive in pretty Ghent. Visit the incredible Gravensteen castle, wander the riverside streets, eat pastries and laze in quirky coffee shops.

Bruges

On your second day in Ghent – jump back on the train to Bruges for a day trip. While it’s a deceptively large city, the historic centre of Bruges is pretty small so you only need a few hours here before heading back to Ghent. Plus, it gets super busy from spring so head in early, grab a waffle and explore before the crowds arrive.

Antwerp

Your last stop in Belgium is the largest city and one of the major ports. During your 24 hour stay, head down to the riverside to sip cocktails and watch the world go by.

Country 2: The Netherlands

Time in country: 2 days

Your next stop is the Netherlands – the home of tulip fields, edam cheese, miles of canals and lots more. While the country does have a lot to offer – particularly for first time visitors, I’d recommend just a couple of days in the capital to get a flavour of the place.

Stop:

Amsterdam

With just two days to spend – be ready to get the steps in. On your first day it’s all about visiting the major sights and soaking up the canal-side vibes. On day two, rent bikes and head out of the city. If the time is right, cycle to the tulip fields for the complete Dutch experience!

Extra options:

Of course, if Amsterdam is everything you hoped for and more, you could always extend your time here and explore more of the country. Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague are all great options that are easily accessible by train.

Country 3: Luxembourg

Time in country: 2-3 days

After taking in the sights, sounds an flavours of Amsterdam, it’s time to take things down a gear in beautiful and quaint Luxembourg. We didn’t really know what to expect when we arrived here but we absolutely loved it. Luxembourg really is a hidden gem.

Stop:

Luxembourg City

From the capital, you can enjoy the major sights in the country as it’s a pretty compact place. Plus, all public transport is free across the country so you can get about by bus, tram and of course train with ease. Incredible, right!?

Spend two to three days here exploring the old town, riding the beautiful free elevator up the side of the cliff face and wandering the many bridges and parks for incredible views. We also took the bus over to Berdorf in the east for stunning hiking in gorges and caves.

Extra options:

If you have more time, I’d also head to the wine region – the Moselle Valley. This sleepy area produces delicious wines and is well worth a stopover.

Country 4: France

Time in country: 6 days

Next up is the land of fine wine, art, culture and all the croissants you could eat. Of course, there’s so much to see in France that you could easily spend all three months here but we picked the following stops to stay hugging the eastern border ready to continue moving across the continent.

Stops:

Lyon

From Luxembourg head directly to lovely Lyon. Sat where two rivers meet, you’re guaranteed great views from the hills, riverside bike rides at sunset and thriving night life. One of our favourite spots was Parc de la Tête d’Or for picnics and strolls in the sprawling park. Second only to the view over the city from Le Gros Caillou where you can watch couples dance under the moonlight. Magical scenes that you’ll want to soak up for at least two nights!

Marseille

From Lyon, take the train a couple hours south to the port city of Marseille. Here you’ll discover influences from around the world, a majestic church perched upon the hillside and beautiful stone harbour walks. While there is more to explore here, we only stayed one night as we were eager to get on the beaches of Nice.

Nice

By this point in the trip you’re probably ready or a bit of rest after all the city sight-seeing. Nice is the perfect chill spot. Pretty beaches invite you into the cooling waters, the buzz on Promenade des Anglais speaks of great restaurants and bars and above all, the weather is likely to be gorgeous.

Extra options:

As I mentioned, in this itinerary we really only dipped into some of the major cities in the east of the country, there is a whole lot more to explore. So if you’re in the mood for vineyard exploration you could head west to Bordeaux or the Loire Valley. Or if it’s more hiking you’re craving, venture to the Pyrenees in the south west. And if Belgium isn’t calling to you, you could also get the Eurostar straight to Paris from London and start your journey there.

Country 5: Monaco

Time in country: 0.5 days

Now this isn’t technically it’s own stop as I wouldn’t recommend spending a night here. It’s an incredibly expensive place and you wouldn’t want to blow extra budget on simply having a night here. Instead, hop on the 20 minute train from Nice to explore for the afternoon. In a few hours you can see a lot of this tiny country, enjoy a nice lunch and then jump back on the train for an evening swim in Nice.

Top sights include the main harbour for expensive yacht spotting, the Royal Palace for changing of the guard and the Princess Grace rose garden.

Country 6: Italy (twice)

Time in country: 20 days

From France, it’s time for the biggest hitter – Italy. You’ll spend the longest time here, purely because there are so many incredible sights to see and we’ll also be taking on a dedicated hiking route.

It’s also worth noting that you’ll visit Italy twice because this is a circular route and you’ll be heading back through the north on your way to Germany. But we’ll cover all Italian stops here and flag when you’ll pass back through further on.

Stops:

Moneglia (Cinque Terre)

Your first stop is the idyllic Moneglia – perfectly positioned for walking the Cinque Terre trail but away from the crowds and much more affordable. As the name suggests, this hiking route connects five coastal towns on breathtaking paths and will take you a few days to complete.

Using the train is the best way to break up this trail. Each day simply get the train to the next town and then walk forwards or backwards from there to complete the full length. Meaning you don’t need to worry about carrying all your stuff with you or changing accomodation each day. Don’t forget your swimming stuff for a dip in the harbour of each town before heading back to Moneglia!

Florence

After nearly a week of walking, it’s time to head back to the city. Florence is probably the most beautiful city I’ve been to. With stunning architecture, art and sculptures it’s a feast for the eyes. Don’t miss heading to Piazza Michelangelo for sunset – grab a takeaway pizza and wine on your way up.

Rome

Next up is the most visited site in Italy – and it’s popular for a reason! It’s absolutely packed with history, art and some of the most incredible food. Eat as much pizza, supplì (roman arancini) and gelato as you can.

And mark a day off just to explore the Vatican City, its own country within Rome and the home of the Pope. There’s loads to see here which we’ll come onto in the next country stop!

Naples (Pompeii)

Now we’re heading south. Take the fast train down to Naples where the star of the show is Pompeii. This historic site is enormous, so be prepared to spend the best part of a day here and take lots of water and sun cream as the heat is fierce in summer.

For a cheaper and closer place to stay, we booked an AirBnB in Torre del Greco with incredible views of Mount Vesuvius.

Venice

Now you’ll probably only need a night here at most but Venice is a romanic must-see spot. With the classic canal scenes, beautiful gondolas and incredible boutiques, spend a day exploring.

Vicenza (for Lake Garda & Verona)

For a little rest and recuperation time and the chance to take day trips to extra sights, take some time in Vicenza. This lovely town has some great parks and cafés to relax in, do some more planning and hop back on the train to visit spots like Lake Garda and Verona. All for a lot less money than it would cost to stay in those places!

This is your last stop on your first visit to Italy so from here you’ll be heading into Slovenia. Jump onto the next point to see where you’ll be headed on your way back through Italy second time around.

Brixen / Bressanone

Your last stop comes as you head back into Italy from Slovenia. Here you’ll be tucked up in the north of the country in the incredible Dolomite mountains. Formerly part of Germany, this region certainly embraces its mix of German and Italian cultures and you’ll find most information and place names in both languages.

Spend a few days here walking famous areas like Tre Cime de Lavaredo, Val di Funes and lots more. The hiking really is some of the most stunning in the world so soak up your time here before crossing the border into Germany.

Country 7: Vatican City

Time in country: 0.5 days

Like Monaco, the Vatican City in the heart of Rome isn’t technically a new stop but it is a new country so deserves it’s place. Plus, it might be small but there’s a whole lot to see.

Arrive early if you can to beat the crowds and get one of the first spots to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel. Overall, you’ll probably need at least a full morning here before crossing back into Rome for much deserved pizza and gelato!

Country 8: Slovenia (twice)

Time in country: 6-7 days

Now again, Slovenia is a country you’re going to visit twice. On your first stop you’ll only be visiting the west, hugging the border down to Croatia. On your way back through you’ll hit the main sights and the capital.

Stops:

Divača

Your main stop on your first visit to Slovenia is the incredible Skocjan Caves. Spend two nights here to give you time to join a full cave tour and experience these huge beautiful caverns and walk the surrounding area. The woodlands here are also lovely and deserve a visit.

After this stop, you’re crossing into Croatia and you’ll be back for the capital and Lake Bled area!

Ljubliana

Now this is where you’ll cross back into Slovenia from Hungary, making your way back north west. Spend a day or two wandering this incredibly pretty, friendly and clean capital renowned for its environmentally friendly practices.

Lake Bled

From there, it’s time to jump back on the train to the most famous destination in Slovenia – the iconic Bled. Plan to spend a little more time here swimming or paddle boarding in the lakes, white water rafting or lazing by the water.

Extra options:

For more mountain exploration, head into Triglav National Park. You can even summit Mount Triglav with an overnight stop in a refugio – we’ll be heading back to take it on!

Country 9: Croatia

Time in country: 8-9 days

To be honest, I spend a lot of time wishing I was back in Croatia – it’s popular for a reason! It’s beautiful, has some of the best beaches and clearest water and is still relatively affordable. To get a flavour for all that Croatia has to offer I’d recommend spending close to 10 days in country.

Stops:

Zagreb

Stop one will take you from Slovenia into the capital. Take a day here to adjust, rest and explore. The city is packed with beautiful architecture, pretty streets with lovely boutiques and some great food. A particularly special memory was joining a festival in the central park, dancing with locals to a brilliant live band.

Split

From Zagreb, take the train down to the coastal gem of Split. Now this train journey is a long one and if like us you find there’s no air conditioning, in summer it can get pretty sweaty. But I promise it’s 100% worth it!

Once you step off the train you’ll find the gorgeous harbour, a row of fantastic restaurants and a historic centre. Spend a couple of days here on the local beach and exploring Diocletian’s Palace.

Hvar

Now, here you’ll part with the train to take a ferry to the island of Hvar. This is a slight deviation from the train route but one you just can’t miss. Around two hours by boat from Split, is the stunning island where you can escape the crowds. We rented a lovely apartment close to the beach on the other side of the island and spent a few days snorkelling, paddle boarding and drinking cocktails in the beachside bar. Hvar is just incredible – it’s a must stop!

Dubrovnik

From there, hop on a different ferry to take you down to the final stop – Dubrovnik. The famous historic city that has become seriously popular in recent years. As it is so busy, I wouldn’t recommend more than a couple of nights here but it’s still a great city to enjoy. Wander the old town walls, hike up the hill outside town for sunset views and jump into the beautiful sea.

Country 10: Montenegro

Time in country: 4-5 days

Now from Croatia to Montenegro, there’s actually no train line. So you’ll have to take a bus over the border. We found this to be easy, safe and cheap – just buy a ticket at the Dubrovnik bus station and you’ll be able to get to Kotor in a couple of hours.

Stops:

Kotor

This had to be one of my favourite stops on the whole trip. A somewhat hidden gem, Kotor has all the drama of Norwegian fjords but with the lovely Mediterranean weather and delicious food inspired by Turkey and Hungary. Spend three nights here hiking in the hills, eating fresh kebabs and buying hand-made souveneirs.

Virpazar, Lake Skadar

Your second stop in Montenegro will be Lake Skadar. Again, unfortunately the train network doesn’t connect this part so you’ll have to take a taxi or bus. We paid our AirBnB host to drive us the hour over. Lake Skadar straddles Montenegro and Albania and is the largest lake in southern Europe.

Here you’ll find a small town with lots of incredibly priced apartments, a vineyard and tours of the lake where you’ll get up close to birds and the beautiful water lilies (discover my favourite from GetYourGuide here). Spend two nights here enjoying this unique place before hopping on the train to the capital, Podgorica where you’ll pick up the train to country number 11.

You can find my full travel guide to Lake Skadar here.

Extra options:

While Montenegro is a small country, it has a lot to offer. If like us you fall in love with it, you could easily extend your trip by heading to the other beach town of Budva or venturing into the mountains of the north.

Country 11: Serbia

Time in country: 5-6 days

An overnight train ride from Podgorica will take you into the beautiful Serbian capital – ready for a few days exploring this under-rated gem. Just be sure to book a cabin for your overnight train in advance – you have the choice of a private two bed cabin, four bed or more.

We ended up sharing a cabin with an older Serbian couple which worked well. But be warned, there’s no air conditioning and the train tends to get delayed. So bring plenty of water and wear cool loose layers. After that, the hard part is done and you’re ready to explore!

Stops:

Belgrade

As I mentioned, the train will take you straight into the capital, Belgrade. With lots of incredible architecture, history and pretty parks, there’s plenty to enjoy for two nights. There’s also a whole host of fantastic cafés and restaurants to relax in and people watch.

A must-visit is the Temple of Saint Sava – the enormous Serbian Orthodox church is almost entirely covered in gold on the inside and has to be one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. Secondly, the Nikola Tesla museum where you can learn all about the genius scientist.

Novi Sad

Your next stop just a couple hours train from Belgrade is the riverside city of Novi Sad. Sat right on the Danube, this is a much more laid back place with a pretty old town, lots of walking trails and great food. Spend a day or two here soaking up the vibes and browsing the boutiques.

Find my full Novi Sad travel guide here.

Subotica

Your final stop in Serbia is the art nouveau hub, Subotica (pronounced sue-bo-titza). A culture hot spot – wander around the pretty streets and sip coffees along the way. Don’t miss the beautiful synagogue – your chance to learn more about the history of Jews in Subotica and wider Serbia.

Find my full Subotica travel guide here.

Country 12: Hungary

Time in country: 2 days

From northern Serbia, jump back on the train for a short journey across the border and back into the Schengen Area to Hungary. Again, Hungary has a whole lot to offer and if it’s your first time here, you might want to stay a little longer.

But as we’d both been to Budapest before, we kept this short and sweet to save more time for travelling in Germany and Scandinavia. But we’ll definitely be back to see more of the country in future!

Stop:

Budapest

As I said, your hot spot here is the capital. Spend a couple of days exploring this wonderland of spas, thermal baths and stunning architecture. And don’t forget to stop for lots of langos – a fried dough traditionally topped with sour cream, cheese and sometimes garlic – a heady mix of doughy goodness!

There are also lots of incredible walking tours to learn more about the history of the city and plenty of iconic buildings to visit.

Extra options:

As mentioned, we really only scratch the surface of what Hungary has to offer so if you have more time or plan to cut a previous stop, you could spend longer exploring beyond the capital.

Country 13: Germany

Time in country: 14 days

From Hungary you’ll head back into Slovenia and then over to the Dolomites in Northern Italy on your way to Germany. Click here to refer back to the Slovenia stop details and here for the Dolomites.

After soaking up those incredible mountain views, it’s time to start venturing north across the border into Germany.

Stops:

Füssen

Your first port of call is in the heart of Bavaria. Spend a couple of days here exploring the woodlands, eating some great food and of course visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle that inspired Walt Disney.

Munich

Next up is the second largest Bavarian city after Vienna, Munich. The home of historic markets, river surfing (yes, you read that right) and of course, lots and lots of beer. As this is such a big city, spend a little longer here exploring, eating and drinking.

Freiburg

Leaving Bavaria behind, your next stop is the start of the Black Forest. Head out into the woodlands for great walking and cute cafés serving the obligatory black forest gateaux.

During your stay here, look out for food markets serving delicious treats and tasty frozen wines!

Heidelberg

Stop over in Heidelberg for more pretty woodland walks, a lovely old town, river views and great souvenir shopping. Don’t miss Heidelberg Palace – a stunner even to walk around the free grounds.

Bamberg

For a real taste of historic Germany, be sure to stop in Bamberg. We only had one night here but it was perfect exploring the old bridges and architecture at sunset. There are also some great restaurants here so eat out for dinner!

Berlin

Now for the big hitter – Berlin. You’ll want a little longer here to see more of the historical sights like the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Reichstag Building and lots more. there’s also plenty of parks to wander, restaurants to try and people watching.

Our favourite foodie spot was Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebab – with lots of Turkish influences, Berlin has some of the best kebabs. Get here early and be prepared to queue, but it’s worth it!

Hamburg

Your last stop is the lovely Hamburg. We had one night here but I’d recommend more if you can. Head to the concert hall for spectacular sunset views, explore the old industrial lanes and take a trip underground in the Old Elbe Tunnel. 

Extra options:

While we did cover quite a lot of ground in this route across Germany, there’s of course always more to see. Some spots we’ll be heading back for are Baden-Baden – the spa town, Cologne and Frankfurt.

Country 14: Denmark

Time in country: 4 days

From Hamburg, it’s all north into Scandinavia and your first stop is Denmark. While there is always more to see, I’d recommend spending only a few days getting a flavour of the place and saving more time for your final stop – Norway. But we’ll get onto that shortly!

Stops:

Odense

A hop over the border from Germany, you want to head to Odense. The birthplace of fairytale writing royalty, Hans Christian Anderson, lots of lovely bakeries, water polo watching and an incredible food hall.

Top tip – take the electric scooters around town. You can pick them up all over the place, whiz to your next destination and then drop them off in designated zones. Way easier, faster and more fun than walking!

Find my guide to the best coffee shops in town here.

Copenhagen

After relaxing in sleepy Odense, Denmark’s capital will feel like a buzzing hub. Packed with riverside bars and restaurants, historic colourful houses and free river swimming pools, there’s loads to see and do. Be prepared to do a lot of walking (or scooting) and make the most of your time here to see as much as you can.

Extra options:

If you do have more time or wanted to swap your Odense stop for somewhere less quaint and more artsy, then Aarhus is the one. Sat further north, the city is home to many art galleries, street installations and museums.

Country 15: Sweden

Time in country: 4 days

A quick train ride east will take you to your penultimate country! Welcome to Sweden, creators of some of the best pastries you’ll ever taste – cardamom knots. That and sauna culture, stunning landscapes and of course, IKEA.

This itinerary will take you to two hot spots for food, culture and sight seeing but as always, there’s plenty more to see if you’d like to spend more time here and cut days elsewhere.

Stops:

Mälmo

Your first stop is the third largest city in Sweden. Spend a day or two here relaxing in the incredible open air baths (Ribersborgs Kallbadhus) with lots of different sauna options and a swimming platform straight into the sea.

Just note, this is a split gender nude facility so be prepared to shed the swimsuit. It’s all part of the fun of travelling and trying new things out of your comfort zone!

Stockholm

After soaking up that sauna culture, jump back on the train to the capital. Take a couple of days to explore the forts, historic buildings and hill-top sunset views. If you have the time, we also loved renting a canoe to explore the islands of the Stockholm archipelago. You’ll get closer to nature, spot fancy Swedish summer houses and be able to paddle up to an incredible cafe for famous Swedish cake hour – fika.

Extra options:

Another spot we’d love to have visited is Gothenburg. The second largest city in Sweden and major port, it’s packed with history with picturesque harbours and world-class museums.

Country 16: Norway

Time in country: 14 days

Now in some ways we’ve saved the best for last… Norway is just a complete stunner. Insanely beautiful landscapes, some of the most epic train lines and hiking galore. We wanted to save more time at the end to focus on seeing more of Norway so to complete these stops with enough time to explore I’d recommend allowing two weeks.

It’s also worth noting that while the majority of this route is on the included train lines, you will have to take two ferries. One to get to Stavanger and one from Bødo to Lofoten.

Stops:

Oslo (twice)

From Sweden, you’ll head straight to the capital, Oslo. Because your route through Norway will take you on a south-western loop before heading north again, you’ll actually end up visiting twice.

On your first visit here, spend a couple of days exploring the harbour-side, swimming in the port pool area, strolling the sculpture park and eating incredible hot dogs.

On your second visit – you might only have a couple of hours here between changing trains so I would do the sight-seeing you want to on your first stop.

Bergen

From Oslo you’re heading west towards your first hiking destination. Bergen is the picture-perfect city lined with multi-coloured wooden houses along the wharf. It’s also on this train line that you’ll start seeing some of the most incredible scenery – and it only gets better from here!

We only had 24 hours here and spent it climbing the majestic Mt. Ulriken. You can get the cable car up and back but for ultimate satisfaction at the top, I’d recommend walking.

Allow about three hours total to get up and back with time for a coffee in the café at the summit overlooking the town.

Stavanger

From Bergen, you’ll need to head to the ferry terminal to catch a boat to Stavanger – the home of one of the most famous Norwegian view points. Spend a couple of nights here to allow you a full day to hike to Preikestolen – the incredible rock jutting out over Lysefjorden.

Just be warned – this is a popular spot so book an earlier bus and entry ticket if you can. Before or after your hike, wander the beautiful white wooden houses of the old town (Gamle Stavanger).

Kongsberg

Now it’s time to hop back on the train for a pit stop in Kongsberg. This is more to break up the journey back to Oslo as it’s on the longer side. We spent a pleasant evening here strolling around town, grabbing some dinner and relaxing.

Andelsnes

From Kongsberg, you’ll pass through Oslo to change trains ready for your journey north. From here the train views simply become epic – you’ll see waterfalls close up, fjords and snow-capped hills. While the small town is quiet, it’s the nature and adrenaline activities you’re here for!

Take a full day to hike or complete a via ferata. If you haven’t heard of them before, it’s essentially a hiking route with iron railings, bridges and ladders used with a climbing harness. Think of it as hiking crossed with non-technical climbing. Trust me – it’s awesome.

We booked our full day experience with Norsk Tindesenter and pushed our limits with stunning views of the local fjords and mountains. this was probably one of the best days on the whole trip!

Trondheim

After testing your mettle in Andelsnes, rest and recuperate in the second city, Tronheim. Packed with great restaurants, traditional eateries and cafes, it’s your chance to chill and do some life admin or planning before the next leg.

Bødo

From Trondheim to Bødo is your final train journey! Sit back and soak up those views, taking a moment to appreciate just how far you’ve come. Spend a night in town before catching your ferry to Lofoten. I’d recommend walking just outside town to the hills overlooking the nearby islands. The views here are just amazing.

Lofoten (Å)

Now it’s time for the final stop! You’re in for a treat. The Lofoten Islands are just out of this world. Crazy beautiful views, incredible hiking, white sand beaches, traditional red huts on stilts and much fewer crowds.

We stayed for 5 days in the tiny village of Å which had a bakery built in the 1800s and served the most delicious hot cinnamon rolls each morning. Take your time exploring the area, doing lots of walking and catching the bus to nearby towns and beaches.

Extra options:

While we covered a lot of the major sights in Norway, there’s always more to see. With more time I’d head further north into the arctic circle as the scenery continues to astound. There’s also a lot more to see on Lofoten so if you can squeeze extra days in there to explore, do!

With that – this incredible journey across Europe is complete and your three month timer is pinging! I hope I’ve helped you narrow your itinerary down and given you areas to consider for your trip. For even more inspo, read on to discover alternative route ideas I’ll be planning in future…

Alternative route ideas

If the above route isn’t tickling your pickle – don’t fear the interrail travel options are almost endless. That’s the beauty of travelling by train – unlike flying you have so much more flexibility and can customise the trip however you’d like. Having said that, there are a few route options we’d love to have added on that you could incorporate or swap to.

Option 1: Trail to Turkey

One great option is continuing to head south from Montenegro, aiming for Turkey where the interrail network stretches right across the country. From here you could hop over to Georgia or Armenia to travel further.

Option 2: Baltic deep dive

Another option is to head north from Hungary across Slovakia and Poland into the Baltic countries of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. On this route you’re likely to dodge more of the crowds and have more opportunities to get closer to nature.

Option 3: Iberian adventure

Now an area we didn’t touch on this route is Spain or Portugal (mainly as we’ve spent a bit of time there before). A great alternative would be to head further west across France and down into the Iberian Peninsular for sun, epic surfing, beaches and of course, ALL the tapas and red wine.

Option 4: Central Europe tour

A final alternative option would be to focus on central Europe. Spending more time in Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic. If you’re a keen hiker or mountaineer this could be a great option to capitalise on time in the Alps.

There we have it – my tried and tested route for three months of interrail travel across Europe. It was probably the best trip of my life – so if you’re about to set off on this, I’m very excited for you (and slightly jealous). I hope you love it as much as I did!

If you do take on part or all of this route drop me a comment – I’d love to hear your favourite parts. And if you have any advice from your own trip or questions, let me know.

Happy travelling!

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