Userpic

Silaal
Traveller
0 comments

Posted 6 years ago

We are a family of five from Norway who plan interrail this summer, for a duration of about 14 days during july 2018.

Interrail is something we have not done before, so we seek some help and tips for itinerary. Do you have the opportunity to help us on our way?

The children are 3, 6, and 8. We would like to go by plane either one way or return. We are planning to go by boat to Denmark to arrive faster on the continent (possibly by plane to come even further if recommended).
It\'s nice if one or more of the destinations are near sea or inland water where it is possible to swim.
We enjoy mountains, nature and charming cities (not too big). The language skills are limited to English and staggering German.
Have heard from others that it\'s nice with a "train free" day for each stop - what\'s your experience about this?

Follow this topic
Userpic

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

replied 6 years ago

Hi Silaal and welcome to rail.cc

Good news at the beginning: all your three kids are included in your adult Interrail passes. :)
You only have to pay two adult passes. If you want to support the free information on rail.cc, please use our booking link [ux]https://rail.shop/interraileu[/ux] . Important: select as pass type "FAMILY" and add your kids.

In general: my opinion is, to travel with kids by train is relaxed. As they can run around and do not need to sit hours on a seat without the possibility to move.
On the route from Denmark to Germany you can travel with an Interrail pass for free using a connection from Hirtshals via Kolding to Hamburg. If you stop by in Copenhagen, the train from Copenhagen to Hamburg requires a reservation but goes on a ferry - cool to see for kids.

All in all it is like you said: stay at least one day at each place and do not rush trough.

Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria are countries where it is easy to travel by Interrail. Same for Switzerland (but accommodation can be expensive). And if you even travel to Italy, it is also very nice (possible to travel for free with Interrail).
All depends on your budget.

Maybe you include a night train (Hamburg to Zurich): [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-night-train/hamburg-zurich-nj-401/501[/u]
Or Munich to Italy: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-night-train/munich-rome-nj-295/35[/u]
Or you cross the Alps (amazing trip for kids): [u]https://rail.cc/blog/zurich-milano-albula-bernina/[/u]

Just as a start for now... and to open the discussion!
Pete :)

Userpic

Quenzon
Traveller
97 comments

replied 6 years ago

Hi Silaal,

great trip idea, I\'m sure the kids will love it!

Some good swimming destinations that are easily reachable by train (off the top of my head):

Italy:

- Venice/Lido di Venezia
- Adriatic Coast (Rimini,Ancona,Pescara,Termoli)

Spain:

- Valencia
- Alicante/Playa de San Juan
- Málaga

France:

- Mediterranean Coast: Sète, Agde, Port la Nouvelle, Argelès-sur-Mer
- Riviera: Fréjus, Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Ventimiglia (Italy)
- Atlantic Coast (High Summer Only): Biarritz, Arcachon

Coatian Islands (use ferries from Split and Zadar)

Alpine and Pre-Alpine Lakes (High Summer Only): Lago Maggiore, Lago di Como, Lake Constance, etc.

In my view, taking the plane both ways on this trip isn\'t necessary, personally, I would even go by ferry both ways.

Night trains are a great way of saving up on hotel costs and to cover long distances, a list of connections can be found here: https://rail.cc/en/interrail-night-train , an overview map of all European night trains can be found here: https://rosnix.net/~per/tag/night-trains-map/map.png Night trains often require a reservation in addition to your inter-rail pass, which is usually reasonably priced (as much as a cheap hotel for a sleeper bed or youth hostel for a simple couchette bed). Let us know if you need help with any of the details.