Route: London Amsterdam Berlin Prague Vienna Budapest Zagreb Venice Florence Rome Milan Paris London
Duration: 21 nights
Transport: This is a fast paced trip covering 10 cities and 8 countries in 3 weeks (21 nights)! Journeys vary in length from a few hours to a full day’s travel. Start and finish from your nearest UK station and travel to and from mainland Europe via Eurostar – it’s all included in the price!
Sustainability: This trip only creates 202.3 kg of carbon emissions! To fly the same route would cost 830.6 ♻️
Reviews: All independent reviews
Another first time traveller favourite, this 3 week route takes you all the way from the UK through Western and Central Europe and back! Tick off all the major sights and more.
The Whole Hog is our most popular European backpacking route by far, and with this 3 week option you’ll spend a couple of days in each city. That means you get to see 10 awesome destinations in 22 days. It’s fast paced but not rushed – you’ll have a full day in each city, meaning you’ve got plenty of time to see the sights. Perfect if you want to cover all the continent’s most popular cities.
If you wake up late in Prague or fancy a few more hours in Berlin, don’t worry! The joy of interrailing is that a lot of your journeys are open. So you can change your plans at the last minute and cram more sightseeing in, if you prefer…
Start your European backpacking route in London and settle into your journey on board the Eurostar to Amsterdam. With coffee shops and museums galore, you’ll have the perfect mix of culture and partying to contend with! Next up is the cosmopolitan and edgy atmosphere in Berlin, the European city that never sleeps. Carry on to Prague for gorgeous Gothic scenery by day, and long, boozy nights in secret underground bars by night. Next, head south to classical Vienna, the music capital of the continent, before making your way up the Danube River to grand old bohemian Budapest.
After one too many in the Ruin Bars, recuperate at a spa before heading to the underrated Croatian capital, Zagreb. With a buzzing cafe culture and chilled bars, you won’t go hungry or bored! Head west straight through Slovenia and you’ll wind up in Italy. Ride the gondolas down the canals of Venice and get lost in its picturesque labyrinth of quaint backstreets. Next up is a trip to the artists’ haven of Florence. Soak up the medieval splendour and enjoy the style and glamour of what was once the capital of Italy. Fancy a day trip? Head out to the scenic vineyards of Tuscany on a hunt for the perfect grape. Who knows, you might even get to make your own wine!
As you pull into Rome, prepare to be spoilt for choice when it comes to sight-seeing in one of the world’s most photogenic cities. The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Castel Sant’Angelo, are all must-sees, of course! Be sure to tick off the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City, and spend the last few days of your European backpacking route exploring the historic streets, piazzas and palaces of Old Rome. When night falls, the city really comes alive! Head to any of the city’s many unique clubs and chilled bars, and you’ll be guaranteed a great trip finale!
Stop off in Milan for the night before continuing on to Paris for your last destination. Arrive in early afternoon, ready to make the most of the most visited city in Europe. Catch all the best views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomph or the steps of Sacre Coeur, then refresh yourself with a glorious glass of French wine and the finest cheese. There’s no finer way to say goodbye to the trip of a lifetime before you zoom back to your nearest UK station to complete your adventure…
Start your trip in London with the Eurostar from St Pancras. If you’re travelling on an Interrail pass for the trip, you can use this to get from your hometown to London for free, as long as it’s on the same day as your departure! This does not apply if you have individual tickets in PDF form.
Fancy adding few nights here to see the sights of the capital? Just get in touch and we can customise this for you.
Train to Amsterdam – 6 hours
Despite being credited with certain recreational pastimes, there is actually a lot more to the city than the stereotypical picture, with its abundance of engaging museums, beautiful townhouses and canals. Find out what makes Amsterdam the beating heart of the Netherlands.
Highlights
Visit the Van Gogh Museum
Discover Europe’s biggest historic centre by pedal
Take a tour of the red light district
Train to Berlin – 7 hours
Berlin is the alternative, cool kid of Europe and a pro at being edgy. It’s how people dress, their liberal attitudes, the graffiti, the skaters and BMXers, the art, the clubs and the food. Berlin is also crammed full of fascinating WWII history around every corner so there really is something for everyone.
Highlights
See a section of the old Berlin Wall
Climb the dome of the renovated Reichstag
Go Discover the nightlife of Schoneberg and Kreuzberg
Train to Prague – 5 hours
Prague is stunning, there’s no better word to describe it. On any side street or square you’ll find unique buildings full of colourful detail. The Czech Republic is also the home of Pilsner beer, with no lack of establishments to sample it.
Highlights
Cross the enchanting Charles Bridge
Marvel at the curvy design of the Dancing Building
Try all the Czech Pilsner beers in the Old Town pub
Train to Vienna – 4 hours
Vienna is crisp, clean and chic with its biggest draw factor being the multitude of classical palaces and grand imperial buildings. Whether you’re into your royal history or not, the sheer scale of it here will be encapsulating for all, whilst not forgetting the great bars and eateries.
Highlights
Visit the Spanish riding school of Vienna
Eat real Apple Strudel and Wiener Schnitzel
Go to a classical concert in a city renowned for music
Train to Budapest – 3 hours
Proudly guarding the Danube, the once twin cities of Buda and Pest show off every architectural style from Baroque to Art Nouveau. With its rickety trams and turn-of-the-century feel you’ll be charmed by its past while you cure your hangover at the multitude of hot baths.
Highlights
Relax in the 15th Century thermal spas
Take panoramic photos from the scenic Buda castle
Go to Sziget rock and indie festival in August
Train to Zagreb – 6 hours
A city of flowers and fountains with a curious Mediterranean feel, Zagreb is a year-round destination with a museum-café-theatre culture by day and a lakeside party by night. In winter a tram ride out of the city provides scenic hiking and skiing opportunities.
Highlights
Catch a 360 view from the Lotrščak Tower
Stroll through the beautiful Mirogoj cemetery
Have a coffee in Kino Europa, Zagreb’s oldest cinema
Bus to Venice – 7 hours
Venice is nothing short of unique, built on mudbanks in the lagoon, having forgone the convenience of cars for the charisma of canals. Getting lost in Venice is part of the fun, and if you’re on foot you’ll only find small backstreets or large piazzas, not a single street in sight.
Highlights
Cross the iconic St Mark’s Square
Get lost in the alleyways and canals of the city
Ride the vaporetto down the grand canal
Train to Florence – 2.5 hours
If you are touring the big cities of Europe and want to escape to the countryside, then the capital of Tuscany is one of the easiest places to do it from. Not that you’d want to of course, once you are seduced by the birthplace of Renaissance art and architecture… but we’ll leave that up to you!
Highlights
See Michelangelo’s statue of David
Explore countless Renaissance chapels and churches
Eat any number of fun flavours of exquisite ice-cream
Train to Rome – 2 hours
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If that means indulging in ice-cream, pizzerias, cafes, and trattorias, then so be it. Rome will delight you with its eateries and mesmerise you with its monuments. Also, visit the Vatican, the world’s smallest country!
Highlights
Marvel at the ruins of the Roman Forum
See the world-famous Colosseum
Try real Italian coffee, ice-cream, and pizza
Train to Milan – 3 hours
Milan is just a quick stop for the night to break up your journey… but you will still get the chance to get a sneaky look at the nightlife.
Train to Paris – 7 hours
Paris is a byword for romance, a synonym for style and the epitome of elegance. The pride of France and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris needs little introduction, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pont Neuf, bedazzling visitors and oozing charisma at every turn.
Highlights
See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre museum
Watch a cabaret act the famous Moulin Rouge
Experience the colourful nightlife of the Marais
Train to London – 4 hours
Finish your trip back in the UK’s enigmatic capital city, or continue your onward journey home to your nearest UK station for free using your Interrail pass!
With no stress! With the 3 week Whole Hog all of your transport from the UK to the continent and back is included already. Travel by train from your nearest city to London, and then start your journey in style on board the Eurostar from St Pancras, it’s that easy!
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