Winter Interrail, am I mad?

Buddly

Have time off for a while so considering a short interrail for the month of January. Have done a summer interrail before around mid-western europe, so am familiar with the run of things.

Haven't decided on route or time yet, but probably Eastern/South Europe. Just wondering has anyone any experience of doing a Winter Interrail or am I mad to consider going at this time of year?

Was thinking of taking in places like Ljubljana, Budapest, and Austria, although this is a very preliminary route.

Any experience/possible routes or insights into what to expect at this time of year welcome!

Valmont

I went interrailing december 06/January 07 for 4 weeks when I had a college break. I went by myself and it was the best travelling experience I've ever had. It beats travelling in the melting heat of summer hands down. From an absolutely epic new years eve outside the Bundestag in Berlin to climbing a mountain in the alps around Innsbruck to getting lost and sleeping rough on a bench in saint peters square in Venice, it was a truly memorable experience. Go for it, you'll have a blast.

exiot

Post about your experience as well, myself and 2 friends are heading off in the summer and I would love to find out how you got on and any tips you have

Buddly

Thanks for the encouragement Valmont! How did you find it going solo? Think I may be alone in Jan, I'm a bit apprehensive about it.

I went on a global pass in summer 06. Had a huge group (16 initially!) which I thought was going to be a recipe for disaster, but we were very lucky, had very few problems. Everyone was able to do their own thing as well as group excursions. I'd say 3-4 would be the ideal size. I'd advise staying AT LEAST 2 nights per destination but ideally around 3 or 4 in most places to see them properly. We were able to organise accommodation a night or two before arrival in most places. In my experience as long as you always have the two or three days ahead planned things can work out alright. That depends on the city though, for bigger cities I'd recommend planning as early as you know when you'll be arriving as we found places harder to get. We were travelling in May/June so was probably just before peak.
I'd recommend a visit to Croatia as well. We went to Split and Hvar and it was the highlight of the trip. Were met off the bus/ferry and bombarded with offers for fantastic apts cheaper than a poor hostel in Rome. That might be related to the time of year though, might be harder to come by during peak times.

Finally, I'd say make sure and enquire at every station whether or not a place needs to be booked on a train. A low point of our trip was standing on the platform in Zagreb, staring at the empty seats as the train pulls off because we hadn't booked one of them.(Hence the bus mentioned earlier!)

Thanks for the replies, any other tips and experiences for winter interrailing or doin it alone appreciated!

gaf1983

Head down to Istanbul if you can, was there in December a few years ago, great city in the winter.

If you get to Romania, Sinaia is a lovely mountain town that's well worth a visit.

Valmont

Buddly wrote: »

Thanks for the encouragement Valmont! How did you find it going solo? Think I may be alone in Jan, I'm a bit apprehensive about it.

It's a completely different trip to going with your mates, which I did the following summer. Because you're by yourself, you'll end up doing things you wouldn't usually do with your mates around. I met some really cool people and had some great nights out. I spend no less than three no more than 5 (florence and vienna) in any city. That's more than enough time. By myself I had a lot more time to see the city's sights during the day and then at night there was usually a hostel thing going on or if I met cool people in my dorm I'd head out with them. I was also really surprised at the amount of people travelling solo! I thought I'd be the only one.

Because it's January you'll meet a lot of Australians and Argentinians (it's there summer). On a side note, I gained a good few points with the ladies travelling by myself, worked wonders:D Best of luck.

Dave!

Valmont wrote: »

getting lost and sleeping rough on a bench in saint peters square in Venice

Getting lost in Venice? NEVER :pac:

That place is like a labrinth! Especially when you arrive at night time, jayzus

Valmont

Dave! wrote: »

Getting lost in Venice? NEVER :pac:

That place is like a labrinth! Especially when you arrive at night time, jayzus

:Dhaha, I arrived at 9.45 in January so it was really dark and the directions I had taken down the night before in Vienna (while drunk) said "go to rialto bridge, take a right and then the third street on the left". I didn't specify what side of rialto bridge. I must have circled the city twice before giving up at 2.30am and planting myself on a bench in the square. It was sweet though because not many people can say they've had the whole of saint peters square to themselves as uncomfortable as it was.