After graduating from high school, many people take a gap year or go travelling before starting university. Unfortunately, I was part of the COVID generation, so that wasn't really an option for me. Instead, I went straight from high school to university.

But the idea of travelling around Europe by train had always been on my bucket list. So, after finally finishing my master's thesis, I decided it was time to make that dream a reality.

In this post, I want to share some of my experiences, favourite places, disappointments, and lessons learned along the way. Maybe it will help someone planning their own Interrail adventure. Or perhaps it will simply serve as a reminder for myself if I ever decide to do it again.

The Plan (Or Rather, the Lack of One)

I bought the Interrail Global Pass with 10 travel days, initially planning to spend an entire month exploring Europe. In the end, I was away for about three and a half weeks.

To be honest, I started the trip without much of a plan. I only really figured out my route while travelling, deciding where to go next along the way. Surprisingly, that worked out pretty well.

The Interrail app was genuinely easy to use, and finding affordable hostels wasn't much of a challenge either, thanks to Hostelworld and Booking.com.

I planned to take my notebook with me so that I could still keep programming and working, but in the end I kept it closed. And only opened it during the very first train trip xD.

My journey started with a classic deutsche bahn experience.

At my local train station, the train somehow managed to arrive on the wrong platform. Luckily, I noticed just in time, sprinted across the station, and managed to catch the S-Bahn.

Not exactly the most relaxing beginning, but at least I was on my way to my first target.

Prague, Czech Republic – A Perfect First Stop

And Prague turned out to be my absolute favourite city of the entire trip.

The city has so many different sides to explore, from its historic streets and beautiful architecture to the hills surrounding it, which offer incredible views over the rooftops. Like every few meters I needed to grab my phone because there was some scenic view.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was how easy it was to escape into nature. I took a local train for about half an hour and suddenly found myself in a beautiful landscape that reminded me of a miniature version of Saxon Switzerland.

For me, Prague had almost everything: history, architecture, food, nature, and an atmosphere that made me want to stay longer.

Bratislava, Slovakia – An Underrated Alternative to Vienna

From Prague, I continued towards Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

Bratislava is another beautiful city, although considerably smaller and quieter than Prague.

My personal highlight was definitely Slavín, the World War II memorial located on a hill overlooking the city. Both the monument itself and the panoramic view were incredibly impressive. Visually, it was the highlights of my entire journey.

What makes Bratislava especially interesting for budget travellers is its proximity to Vienna. The two capitals are less than an hour apart by train, yet hostel prices in Bratislava were roughly a quarter of what I would have paid in Vienna.

If you're travelling on a budget, that's a pretty convincing argument.

Budapest, Hungary – Grand, Beautiful, and Huge

Next up was Budapest.

Budapest is an incredibly beautiful city, but the first thing that struck me was its sheer size.

Compared to Prague or Bratislava, everything felt much more spread out and monumental.

I also felt that the atmosphere was noticeably different from what I was used to in Germany. To me, Budapest seemed like a meeting point between different cultural and political influences, with elements that reminded me of Western Europe, Russia, and even China.

Whether or not that's a fair description, it was certainly the impression I took away and I will certianly come back once again.

Bucharest, Romania – My First Disappointment

Unfortunately, not every stop can be a highlight.

After Budapest, I travelled to Bucharest, and this was probably my first real disappointment.

I simply didn't connect with the city. Parts of it reminded me of a somewhat run-down Las Vegas, with flashy buildings and a rather chaotic atmosphere.

I also noticed a lot of poverty and people begging on the streets, which made the social contrasts particularly visible.

Of course, this is just my personal impression, and I'm sure Bucharest has plenty to offer that I didn't discover and I decided to leave a day earlier than planned.

Interestingly, throughout my trip, I met several other travellers who had made exactly the same decision.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one who struggled to warm up to Bucharest, while the hostel was nice!

Istanbul, Turkey – Crossing Into Asia

After Bucharest, my journey took me all the way to Istanbul.

For the first time on this trip, I had made it beyond Europe and into Asia, at least geographically.

It was also my first time visiting Turkey, and it turned out to be one of the most interesting experiences of the journey.

One thing I noticed immediately was the strong sense of national pride, with Turkish flags and national symbols visible almost everywhere.

I also happened to be in Istanbul during the period of protests following the arrest of the city's mayor.

The police presence was unlike anything I had ever experienced in Germany. Even in areas where I couldn't see a single protester, there were sometimes around 20 police vans parked along the streets, with officers stationed on seemingly every corner.

I personally saw very little of the actual demonstrations. I wondered whether such an overwhelming police presence might have discouraged people from gathering, although I couldn't really judge the situation as an outsider.

Despite the tense political atmosphere, Istanbul itself was fascinating.

The city is enormous, lively, and full of contrasts. At night, with its illuminated buildings, busy streets, and almost theatrical atmosphere, some parts genuinely reminded me of Disneyland.

One thing I hadn't expected was how challenging Istanbul would be for me as a vegetarian.

At least in the places I visited, it felt as though almost everything revolved around meat.

I ended up eating çiğ köfte all the time. Luckily, I liked it, but a little more variety would have been nice.

Another interesting observation was the difference in prices between Istanbul's European and Asian sides.

On the European side, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, some prices were surprisingly close to what I was used to in Germany.

But once I crossed over to the Asian side, things became noticeably cheaper like in the range of cents. Food and other everyday expenses suddenly felt much more affordable.

It was fascinating to experience such a noticeable difference within the same city.

One place I had been looking forward to was Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar.

Unfortunately, I found it rather disappointing.

Instead of the traditional market atmosphere I had imagined, many parts felt dominated by shops selling counterfeit designer clothes and mass-produced products.

To me, it felt more like a giant fake-fashion shopping centre than the historic bazaar I had hoped to experience.

Still, Istanbul as a whole was absolutely worth visiting. I even took a ferry to an island, rented a bike and took a quick dip into the sea (at around 12 degrees Celsius).

And in a rather strange coincidence, I left the city just one day before a relatively small earthquake struck the area.

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria – My Hidden Gem

After the intensity of Istanbul, I headed to Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.

And this place turned out to be my absolute hidden gem of the trip.

Veliko Tarnovo is a picturesque town built along a winding river, with historic houses stretching across the hillsides and an impressive medieval fortress overlooking the landscape.

The whole place feels incredibly peaceful and scenic.

After the crowds, noise, and constant activity of Istanbul, arriving in Veliko Tarnovo was exactly what I needed.

I spent my time wandering through the streets, enjoying the views, and exploring the historic fortress.

If you're planning a trip through the Balkans, I can genuinely recommend adding Veliko Tarnovo to your itinerary.

Fun fact: the Love Swing in Veliko is where the hero image of this blog was made.

Sofia, Bulgaria – Another Pleasant Stop

From Veliko Tarnovo, I continued to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital for just a day. It was also a nice city with a beautiful mountain next to it. But I did not really explored it into deep.

Zagreb, Croatia – Interesting, but Not My Favourite

Next, I travelled by FlixBus through Serbia and continued to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

Zagreb was certainly interesting to see, but personally, it didn't strike me as somewhere I would choose for a longer holiday.

But one thing I need to mention here is that Sag rep is the birthplace of the genius inventor Nikolai Tesla. And sadly, the city still has some streets with gas lights instead of electricity. Due to Nikolei Tesla the city could have been one of the first cities in the world to use electrical lightning for streetlights, but the lobby was too strong and circumventing it. To remind of this missed opportunity, they kept the gas lights till this day.

Ljubljana, Slovenia – Ending on a High Note

My final proper stop was Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

And what a lovely place to finish the trip.

Ljubljana is a genuinely beautiful city, with a charming old town, a relaxed atmosphere, and a lovely riverside setting.

After travelling through so many larger and sometimes rather hectic cities, Ljubljana felt like the perfect place to slow down.

I would absolutely recommend visiting.

From there, I finally boarded a train back to Germany, bringing my three-and-a-half-week adventure to an end.

What I Learned From Travelling Across Europe

Looking back, the cities themselves were only one part of the experience.

Some of my most interesting memories actually came from the people I met, the conversations I had, and the differences I noticed between countries.

Here are my biggest takeaways.

1. Solo Travel Is Much Easier Than You Think

Before the trip, I wasn't entirely sure what travelling alone for several weeks would be like.

But honestly, it worked out incredibly well.

I met so many interesting people along the way, especially in hostels.

Many were travelling alone themselves, which meant everyone was generally very open to meeting new people.

Quite often, we would explore a city together, go out for drinks in the evening, or simply sit around exchanging travel stories.

And because everyone was exploring different places, I picked up some genuinely useful recommendations for my next destinations.

In many ways, travelling alone actually made it easier to meet people.

You might start a day on your own, but that doesn't mean you'll spend the evening alone.

2. Germany's Influence Across Eastern Europe Surprised Me

Another thing that really struck me was how present Germany seemed to be throughout Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in the Balkans.

Almost everywhere I went, I noticed German supermarket chains, shops, and products, sometimes even with German labels.

But it wasn't just about businesses.

Even in smaller towns in Bulgaria, I met people who spoke German or were actively learning the language.

Some told me about their plans or hopes of moving to Germany for work.

Of course, my conversations were only a small sample, but it was fascinating to see how strongly Germany featured in people's economic and personal aspirations.

It made me realise just how connected these countries are, even when they sometimes feel quite far apart from a German perspective.

3. Europe's World War II History Is More Complicated Than I Realised

Throughout my trip, I frequently joined free walking tours.

These were not only a great way to explore a city on a budget, but also an opportunity to learn about its history.

One subject that came up repeatedly was World War II.

Growing up in Germany, you obviously learn a great deal about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust.

But travelling through Eastern Europe gave me a broader perspective on how differently the war played out across the continent.

I learned more about the roles played by various Balkan countries, including collaboration with Nazi Germany, participation in the persecution of Jewish populations, and the complicated political circumstances different countries faced.

It was a reminder that European history is deeply interconnected and often far more complex than the national perspective you grow up with.

These walking tours were definitely among the most educational parts of the journey.

4. The Interrail Pass Is Great, but Do the Maths First

Would I recommend an Interrail pass?

Yes, but with some reservations.

Travelling by train is generally comfortable, convenient, and a fantastic way to see Europe.

However, I'm not entirely convinced that my particular ticket was the best financial choice.

I bought a pass with 10 travel days, but for a trip lasting only three and a half weeks, that was probably more than I needed.

Looking back, a five-day pass combined with longer stays in individual cities and a few separate bus tickets might have worked better.

In some countries, buses are significantly cheaper than trains, especially when booked in advance.

Of course, trains have one major advantage: comfort.

I found train journeys considerably more relaxing than long bus rides.

Night trains were particularly great. I could travel while sleeping, arrive at my destination feeling relatively refreshed, and even save the cost of a hostel for that night.

So my advice would be to compare ticket prices and think carefully about how many actual train travel days you'll need before buying an Interrail pass.

Don't automatically assume that the biggest pass is the best deal.

5. You Really Don't Need to Plan Everything

One of the best things about this trip was how spontaneous it was.

I hadn't booked every hostel in advance, and I often didn't know exactly where I would be a few days later.

And somehow, it all worked out.

With the Interrail app, Hostelworld, and Booking.com, organising the next stage of the journey was usually pretty straightforward. Here I would recommend you to use hostelword Even if it's a bit more expansive as you have inside the app a chat to connect with people right away before even getting into the city.

Of course, a little planning is useful, especially when it comes to train reservations and popular destinations.

But I enjoyed having the freedom to change my plans, leave somewhere early, or stay longer in a city I particularly liked.

For me, that flexibility was a big part of the adventure.

Final Thoughts – Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely.

Despite a few disappointing destinations, some chaotic train journeys, and perhaps not choosing the most efficient Interrail ticket, this was one of the most memorable experiences I've had.

I visited places I had never been to before, met people from all over the world, learned more about European history, and discovered how easy it can be to travel across countries without having everything planned in advance.

And perhaps the best part was that the entire trip turned out to be surprisingly affordable.

I'm genuinely glad I finally made this long-standing travel dream happen after finishing my master's thesis.

If I ever find myself with another few weeks of free time, I would definitely do it again.

Maybe with a smaller Interrail pass next time.

And probably with just as little planning.