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
City life

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.
Urban street

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