Now when back at home it is time to look backwards and collect some tips especially for those of my age who are planning the Interrail.
TICKETS AND RESERVATIONS
Buying the IR ticket early and traveling before the high season gives price reductions. I did buy mine before the end of March and the trip had to be started before mid May. When buying the ticket you need to know what kind of ticket you wish, global or one country, how many traveling days during a certain time or a full month ticket. I bought it via Internet and the whole package with map and instructions arrived in a week. I would have saved a few Euros buying it directly from the counter, but the person whom I was dealing with at the counter seemed to know less than I did. The only reservation I bought before hand was the night train sleeping cabin from Madrid to Lisbon. I bought it from ACRPRail international and it also arrived in a few days. Otherwise I bought reservations and seat tickets a day before the journey at the station.
The number of seats in the second class are limited and at the same time you hear if there are some schedule changes or even strikes as it was in my case. The prices of seat tickets and reservations that I paid varied from 3- 9 Euros. Especially between Germany and France you had to buy the seats from different spots. I am not quite aware of the logics. In a small Station in Germany I could do the advance booking of tickets to Paris with no problem, but in Cologne to get the tickets to French Thalys I had to go outside the station and find a Thalys office.
ACCOMMODATION
I used the HI hostels, you need a membership card and you can make the reservation in advance. The quality is even and prices reasonable around 20 Euros/ night. Sheets were included and towels Canon be rented with a few Euros. I overnighted in the rooms for 4 females and it was peaceful enough for me. If the place was more crowded I used the silicon ear plugs.
Additionally you could buy the breakfast with 6 Euros. I was also welcomed by friends to stay at their homes which was very pleasant.
IN THE TRAINS
The proper frequency of traveling for me was to stay two nights in one place, so you had one whole day in one place to look around and get exercise as sitting in the train Too long does not feel good. I also limited my traveling to stretches of maximum 6-7 hours. There was very seldom proper meals served in the trains, just snacks and drinks, so it is good to have always some water and snacks with you.
It also surprised me that there were not free wifi connections in the trains in many countries. At the stations there were certain spots with wifi connections. To entertain myself in the train I had a Finnish crossword puzzle magazine and one paper back book, that I could leave on the way and get a new one from the hostel. They usually have a shelf for recycled books. When getting over the Finnish shyness it was easy to find new acquaintances in the train and get advice and help from the locals.
PACKING
For me it was good to have only two packs to carry. A larger backpack and a smaller one which you could carry with you everywhere. I had minimum amount of clothes and I washed them three times during my trip. There are washing machines in the hostels and it is also easy to find laundries. On the other hand I was carrying three pairs of shoes, which was a good solution for me. I did not carry my camera, but was using the IPad for communication and taking pics, although the quality of pictures was not that good.
TRAVELLING ALONE
Allthough I was beforehand exited of travelling alone it was a good solution for me. You can make the decisions alone it was easy to find a place for one person and it was easier to meet new people. You can also easily keep contact with your loved ones using internet. You need to be alert, but at the same time you just need to listen to your own needs. Wish you all good luck who want to try it.
