Interrailing through Europe!
Travelling through Europe by train – the opportunities for discovery are ENDLESS!! Remember a bit of forward planning and a budget will help you through the towns, cities, villages, mountains, and seascapes of Europe!
DiscoverEU – a chance to win a free rail travel pass.
DiscoverEU free interrail travel pass is an initiative of the European Union, giving 18-year-olds the opportunity to travel around Europe by rail.
- Successful applicants will receive a free interrail travel pass(!) allowing them to go interrailing across Europe for one month during the permitted travel window.
- You can go solo or add up to 4 friends in your group provided they meet the eligibility conditions above.
- You apply during the two application rounds taking place each year. Next application round is open between 1st and 15th October 2026.
- Young people born between between 1st January 2008 (included) and 31st December 2008 (included);
- If successful, you can travel for up to 7 days in a period of one month in the travel period of travel period of 1st March 2027 to 31st May 2028.
Good to Know!
Free Return Flight Included: Successful applicants who live in Ireland can also receive a free return flight from Ireland to any destination on the Continent of Europe. Afterwards, young people are required to travel by rail on mainland Europe. NB: These applicants must not book their flights, as the travel agency contracted by the European Commission will take care of their plane tickets.
If you have a disability or a health problem that makes your travel challenging, you will receive assistance and support.
DiscoverEU Inclusion
DiscoverEU Inclusion Action give young people the chance to explore Europe through short-term individual or group travel experiences by rail or other modes of transport where necessary.
The DiscoverEU Inclusion Action aims to overcome the obstacles that prevent these young people to directly participate in the DiscoverEU general application rounds and provide the necessary support that they need so that they are able to travel
While DiscoverEU offers young people aged 18 this opportunity, the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action extends to young people between 18 and 21 years old.
DiscoverEU Inclusion Action allows organisations and informal groups of young people to receive extra support to carry out projects for young people with fewer opportunities to explore Europe on equal footing with the DiscoverEU participants.
Applications for Discover EU Inclusion should be made through a Youth Organisation. Application deadline is usually February (for projects starting between 1 July of this year and 31 March of following year)
Supports Include:
- Travel pass: Travel passes for the participants and any accompanying person (using the same means of transport as the participants).
- Organisational Support: Costs directly linked to the implementation of mobility activities – based on the number of participants, excluding group leaders, accompanying persons and facilitators.
- Individual Support: daily amount per participant per day.
- Inclusion Support: Additional costs directly linked to participants with fewer opportunities and their accompanying persons
- Exceptional costs: Visa and visa-related costs, residence permits, vaccinations, medical certifications.
Some Useful tips!
- A sturdy rucksack with padded shoulder pads ……….shoulder blisters are not a good luck for anyone ; )
- Make sure you are insured: Travel & Health
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) EU medical cover (it’s free! )
- Money: Work a daily budget and try to stick to it as much as possible. It might be hard to do at first but you will really appreciate having stuck to the budget towards the end of your travel!!
- Do some research to find out how much it would cost to eat and sleep in each country before you go.
- First Aid: Include band aids, stomach tablets, sun block etc.
Mobile Phone/ Roaming
Your mobile phone will be an important resource when travelling – for maps, money, communication, research – check if your mobile network provides 4G Roaming when travelling in Europe – if not buy a SIM only from a provider that does. Make sure you bring a charger and if necessary a plug adaptor.
Roaming allows you to travel outside your home country to another EU country without having to pay any additional charges to use your mobile phone.
Before you go!
- When packing remember that you will have to carry everything on your back. Be sensible
- You don’t need more than 10kg – you can wash as you go
- Good walking boots, dark comfortable clothes (less washing), rain gear.
Useful Apps
- Eurail Rail Planner App – trip planner and a timetable in your pocket.
- TripAdvisor – travel guide with reviews of accommodation, places to eat, things to do.
- HostelWorld, Booking.com and AirBnB.
- Revolut or bank on your phone.
Safety Issues
- Keep passport, insurance information, ID, and inter-rail ticket with you at all times.
- Handy tip— Keep these in a money belt which can be strapped to your body underneath your clothes.
- Contact home often and give someone a general idea of your travel plans.
Train Journey
- Book you seats – you do not want to be sitting on the floor for a 9 hour journey!
- Travelling by train by night cuts your accommodation expenses and allows you to spend your days exploring the city.
- Be sure you have paid any necessary train supplement or you may be fined.
- Bring your own food and drink on the train— It’s much cheaper!
Sightseeing
- Get up early and make the most of the day – that means you might not be able to go out every night
- Don’t feel you have to see every famous sight – just being in a city and wandering around is good.
- Figure out the cheapest way to get around – most cities has a transport system that has discounts for students.
Other Interrail Passes
Global Pass: Unlimited Rail travel within & between 30 participating European countries. Travel during a consecutive period or choose your own ‘flexi’ travel days.
InterRail One Country Pass: If you would like to visit one specific European Country then One Country Pass might be your best choice.
Support
If you do find yourself in a spot of bother and need help, there are Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad.
If you have any questions about interrailing, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.