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What’s NOT Included
❌ What’s NOT Included in Your Interrailing Package
Transparency matters—knowing what’s not included in your interrailing package helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. While our packages cover trains, accommodation, reservations, and support, there are some costs you’ll need to arrange separately. Here’s the complete breakdown of what’s not included so you can plan ahead.
💡 Quick Overview: What’s Not Included in Interrailing Packages
Our packages focus on making European rail travel seamless by handling the complex logistics. However, what’s not included are the personal expenses and choices that vary by traveler—things like meals, flights, and how you explore each city. Here’s everything you need to know:
What’s not included: Flights to your first destination and home from your final city are your responsibility.
Why: Flight preferences vary wildly—some travelers want budget airlines, others prefer direct routes, and departure airports differ. We want you to have full control over your flight choices and timing.
We can help: Use our FREE Flight Assistance Service. Email us your package details, travel dates, and nearest airport—we’ll research the best flight options and send you direct booking links. No obligation, completely free. Saves hours of Skyscanner scrolling.
💡 Pro tip: Book flights AFTER confirming your package booking to ensure your train dates align with flight times, especially for connections.
What’s not included: Metro tickets, buses, trams, and local transport once you arrive in each city.
Why it’s separate: While your Interrail Pass covers trains between cities, it doesn’t cover subway systems, buses, or trams within cities (with rare exceptions).
Typical costs: €2-5 per journey, or €5-15 for day passes. Many cities offer tourist transport cards with unlimited travel.
We provide:
- 📍 Detailed directions from train stations to accommodation (including which bus/metro to take)
- 🎫 Links to discounted city transport passes through our app
- 🚶 Walking route alternatives when practical
💡 Money-saving tip: Many European cities are incredibly walkable. Download offline maps (via our app) and explore on foot to save transport costs and discover hidden gems.
What’s not included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks are not part of the package price.
Why: Everyone’s food preferences and budgets differ dramatically—backpackers might grab supermarket sandwiches, while others want sit-down restaurant meals. We want you to eat YOUR way.
Optional breakfast: Many of our hotel partners offer breakfast as an optional add-on during booking (typically £5-10 per day). Hostels often have kitchen facilities for self-catering.
Budget guidance: Expect €20-50 per day depending on your eating style:
- 💰 Budget: €20-30/day (supermarkets, street food, hostel kitchens)
- 💳 Mid-range: €30-40/day (mix of casual restaurants and cafés)
- 💎 Comfort: €40-50+/day (sit-down restaurants, local specialties)
We provide: City guides with food recommendations, market locations, and budget-friendly eating tips through our app.
What’s not included: Museum tickets, guided tours, sightseeing experiences, and attraction entry fees.
Why it’s separate: Our packages are self-guided—you explore at your own pace and choose which attractions interest you. One person wants every museum, another prefers parks and street life. Your choice, your budget.
Typical costs:
- 🏛️ Major museums: €10-20 (often free on certain days)
- 🎭 Guided walking tours: €15-30
- 🚌 Hop-on-hop-off buses: €20-35
- 🎫 Skip-the-line tickets: €25-60 (Vatican, Colosseum, Eiffel Tower)
We provide:
- 💰 15% off City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off tours (exclusive partner discount)
- 🎟️ Access to hundreds of discounted attraction tickets through GetYourGuide, Viator, and Bitemojo
- 📖 Free city guides highlighting free attractions (parks, viewpoints, street art, markets)
- 💡 Insider tips on free museum days and student discounts
All discount links are loaded into your travel app for easy booking.
What’s not included: Local accommodation taxes charged by city councils across Europe.
What is tourist tax? A small nightly fee (typically €1-6 per person) that cities charge to cover tourist infrastructure—public toilets, rubbish collection, tourism services, etc.
When you pay it: At hotel/hostel check-in or check-out, in cash (cards often not accepted for this).
Why it’s separate: Tourist tax is a legal requirement imposed by local governments, not by accommodation providers or tour operators. It must be collected in person and cannot be pre-paid into package costs.
Typical rates by country:
- 🇪🇸 Spain: €0.50-3.00 per night
- 🇫🇷 France: €0.20-4.00 per night
- 🇮🇹 Italy: €2-7 per night (highest in major cities like Rome, Venice, Florence)
- 🇩🇪 Germany: €1-5 per night
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: €3 per night (Amsterdam)
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: €0.50-1.50 per night
💡 Budget guidance: Set aside €3-5 per night per person for tourist tax across your trip. Check local authority websites for exact rates before arrival.
Important: Always carry enough cash in local currency for tourist tax—it’s the most common “surprise” cost travelers forget.
What’s not included: Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and transport delays.
Why it’s mandatory: Travel insurance is REQUIRED for all travelers before departure. You must have valid coverage in place.
What you need coverage for:
- 🏥 Medical emergencies and hospital treatment abroad
- ✈️ Trip cancellation and interruption (if you can’t travel)
- 🎒 Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and belongings
- 🚂 Missed connections and transport delays
- 🚑 Emergency medical repatriation
We can help: We’ve partnered with specialist travel insurance providers to offer competitive rates for interrail travelers. Request a quote during booking, or arrange your own policy through providers like World Nomads, SafetyWing, or True Traveller.
💡 Pro tip: Buy insurance with trip cancellation coverage as soon as you pay your deposit—it protects you if unexpected circumstances prevent travel.
EHIC/GHIC cards: UK/EU travelers should carry a free GHIC card for basic medical coverage in EU countries, but this does NOT replace comprehensive travel insurance.
What’s not included: Daily spending money for shopping, souvenirs, nightlife, activities, and personal purchases.
Recommended budget: €50-100 per day depending on your travel style (on top of accommodation and trains, which are covered):
- 🎒 Budget backpacker: €40-60/day (supermarket meals, free activities, hostel socializing)
- 🎯 Mid-range traveler: €60-80/day (restaurant meals, some paid attractions, mix of experiences)
- 💎 Comfort traveler: €80-120+/day (nice restaurants, skip-the-line tours, shopping, nightlife)
We provide:
- 💳 Free FairFX multi-currency card (fee-free spending abroad, best exchange rates)
- 💶 Currency guides showing which money you’ll need in each country
- 💰 Budget-friendly tips in city guides (free attractions, cheap eats, money-saving hacks)
Read our detailed guide: How Much Money Do I Need for an Interrailing Trip?
🤔 Common Questions About What’s Not Included
Do I need to pre-call accommodation before arrival?
No. All your accommodation is pre-booked and confirmed by us. Your arrival details are in your travel app—just show up with your booking reference. No pre-calling needed.
Do I need to bring bed linen or a sleeping bag?
No. All hotels and hostels provide bed linen, pillows, and blankets. You don’t need to pack bedding.
Do I need a padlock for hostel lockers?
Optional. Most hostels provide lockers, but not all supply padlocks. Bringing a small combination lock (£5-10) gives you secure storage for valuables. Not essential, but recommended for peace of mind.
Do I need a visa to travel in Europe?
UK/Ireland travelers: No. Brexit has NOT affected tourist travel—UK and Irish passport holders can visit EU countries visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
From 2025: UK travelers will need to register for ETIAS (€7, valid 3 years) before entering EU countries—a simple online form, not a visa.
Non-EU/UK travelers: Check visa requirements for your passport with individual country embassies.
Are optional reservations included (for trains that don’t require them)?
No. We include all compulsory reservations (high-speed trains in France, Italy, Spain, and overnight trains). For trains where reservations are optional, you can choose to book them yourself if you want guaranteed seats during busy periods—this is at your own expense (typically €3-10).
Most regional and local trains don’t require reservations—just board with your Interrail Pass and find an available seat.
Can I add breakfast to my package?
Sometimes. Many hotel accommodations offer breakfast as an optional add-on during booking (typically £5-10 per day). Availability depends on the specific accommodation partner. Hostels usually have kitchen facilities where you can prepare your own breakfast.
Contact us at info@interrailingpackages.com after booking to inquire about adding breakfast to specific locations.
💰 Budgeting for What’s Not Included: Quick Calculator
Example 2-week interrail trip budget breakdown (per person):
| Expense Category | Budget Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights | £50-300 | Varies by season, departure airport, advance booking |
| Food (14 days) | £280-700 | £20-50 per day depending on eating style |
| Local transport | £40-100 | Metro/bus within cities, or walk to save money |
| Attractions & tours | £100-400 | Museums, skip-the-line tickets, guided tours (optional) |
| City tourist tax | £30-80 | €2-6 per night average, payable in cash |
| Travel insurance | £30-80 | Comprehensive 2-week coverage (mandatory) |
| Spending money | £150-500 | Souvenirs, nightlife, shopping, extras |
| TOTAL (what’s not included) | £680-2,160 | Add to your package cost for total trip budget |
💡 Money-saving reality check: Budget-conscious travelers can easily stay at the lower end (£680-900) by cooking in hostel kitchens, focusing on free attractions, and walking instead of taking transport. Mid-range travelers typically spend £1,200-1,500 on extras.
✅ What IS Included (Quick Reminder)
While there are necessary expenses you’ll handle separately, remember what IS included in every package saves you hundreds of pounds and weeks of planning:
- ✅ Interrail Pass covering all train travel between cities
- ✅ Accommodation every night (hotels or hostels in central locations)
- ✅ All compulsory seat reservations (high-speed and overnight trains)
- ✅ Detailed train itineraries with multiple travel options
- ✅ Offline travel app with directions, guides, and emergency contacts
- ✅ City travel guides for every destination
- ✅ 24/7 emergency support from our UK-based team
- ✅ FairFX currency card (fee-free abroad)
- ✅ Discounted attraction tickets and tour experiences
- ✅ ABTOT financial protection for your money
See the complete list: What’s Included in Your Interrailing Package
💡 Final Thoughts on What’s Not Included
Understanding what’s not included in your interrailing package helps you budget realistically and avoid unpleasant surprises. The items excluded—flights, meals, local transport, attractions—are the personal choices that vary wildly between travelers. We handle the complex logistics (trains, accommodation, reservations) so you can control your own daily spending and travel style.
Need help budgeting? Our team can provide personalized spending estimates based on your destinations and travel style. Email us with your package details and we’ll help you plan your total trip budget.
Ready to book? Browse our pre-designed packages or build your custom trip knowing exactly what you’re getting—and what you’ll need to budget for separately.