Hello

I am planning my first trip for sometime this summer

It will be a solo Interail trip through Europe


I have looked at a few example routes online this one in particular caught my eye:

Paris>>Brussels>>Amsterdam>>Cologne>>Berlin>>Munic h>>Zurich>>Milan>>Marseilles>>Paris

I just have a few questions such as:

What month would be the best month to begin my trip?

With consideration to weather, opportunity to meet other travellers, events going on in countries such as festivals etc.

I have at most 1 month to take this trip however was only looking to spend 2 - 3 weeks.

How long should be spent on a route like the one mentioned above?

Does any one else have any other routes they would recommend?


I am 20 years old, male & this is to be my first trip of many.

Soo any input would be highly appreciated

Thank you

Welcome to Fodors. You will get many more replies if you post this on the Europe board.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Interail". Do you mean you are planning to use some kind of pass? It may be that point-to-point tickets will be cheaper. Highly recommend spending some time reading the very comprehensive advice on European train travel here: http://www.seat61.com/index.html

It sounds like you are trying to do too much in the time available. Find a blank calendar (plenty of free ones on the net) and lay your trip out day by day, bearing in mind that one full day requires two nights, and ALLOWING TIME FOR TRAVEL. You will return, right? You don't have to see it all this time. Since this is your first trip, you might read "Europe Through the Back Door".

You should begin your trip after February because weather would be good on that time. Also you should post in the Europe category as you will find good response.

The weather in March (and April for that matter) will NOT be good in most of those places.

In general I suggest you use the formula of 4 nights/3 full days per stop to divide your time and come up with a maximum number of places to stop. So if you had 21 days for example and leaving out your arrival and departure days which are basically write offs, you should plan on a maximum of 4-5 places to stop. Compare that to the 'route' you suggested.

Are you planning to visit all these place by rail route, as you mentioned "inter-rail"