InterRailing: what to take
Sod the excess socks and hair styling accessories - what you need are a few essentials and a comfy backpack.
Guidebook
If you're passing through six countries, you don't have to lug around six guidebooks for each one. Take a general Europe guidebook, such as Lonely Planet's Europe on a Shoestring.
Money
In Europe, east and south are generally cheaper than west and north. In terms of how much you might expect to spend, you can get by on less than a £15 a day if you're camping and making your own sarnies. If you're hostelling and eating out, you'll need more like £25 to £30.
Say what you like about the Euro, but it does make Inter-railing easier as you don't have to keep changing your currencies as often as you used to. It's a good idea to draw up a budget and decide on an approximate amount you're able to spend throughout your trip. To get you going, about £100 in Euros and some travellers' cheques should do you just fine. Take a debit card too and you'll be able to withdraw local currency from ATMs in most towns, sometimes for a small charge (around £1.50).
Useful lingo
Your trip will probably take you through several different language zones, which can be a bit daunting. To help, try to learn a few basic words in the language of each country you'll be visiting, such as:
- Hello;
- Yes;
- No;
- Please;
- Thanks;
- Sorry;
- Do you speak English?
- Numbers (up to the number of people in your group - so you can ask for the right number of drinks or croissants);
- The word or phrase for the drink you're most likely to choose (for example: 'coffee with milk', 'beer', 'dry martini garnished with an onion-stuffed olive').
If you only learn one word in each language, 'thanks' is a good one. Then if you sound like an ignorant Brit, at least you'll sound like a polite, ignorant Brit. If all else fails, try out your best miming skills.
Other essentials
- Sun cream;
- Sunhat;
- Waterproofs (yes, it does rain outside the UK);
- Sleeping bag;
- Small bottle of clothes-washing liquid;
- Penknife (just remember not to take this on a plane if you've got any flights to catch);
- Gas-stove;
- Basic eating accessories, such as a saucepan, cutlery, and plastic crockery;
- Camping equipment if you're planning to bed down in the great outdoors.
