Where do you sleep when Interrailing?

Stay in a hostel dorm Hostels are the most popular choice for backpackers as they can be cheap and offer a great way to meet like-minded travellers. Breakfast, WiFi and bed sheets are often included in the price, and many hostels organise tours and events at discounted rates.



When Interrailing in 2026, your sleeping options range from budget-friendly social hubs to "hotels on wheels." Most travelers opt for hostels, which in 2026 are increasingly high-tech, offering "pod" style beds with built-in charging ports and secure digital lockers. For those seeking privacy on a budget, private rooms in hostels or "budget boutique" hotels near major rail hubs (like the 25hours or Meininger chains) are popular choices. A quintessential Interrail experience in 2026 is the Night Train (Sleeper). Operators like the ÖBB Nightjet offer "Couchettes" (shared compartments with 4-6 bunks) or "Sleeper Cabins" (private rooms with 1-3 beds and sometimes a tiny shower). Sleeping on a night train is a favorite strategy in 2026 because it saves the cost of a hotel night while moving you hundreds of miles closer to your next destination. Finally, many 2026 travelers use platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com to find apartments in city centers to experience a more "local" lifestyle during longer stays.

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A reservation guarantees you a seat or a bed on the train. Night trains have several accommodation options, ranging from reclining seats to single cabins with private bathrooms. You will pay a higher reservation fee for the more luxurious options.

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Hostels are the most popular choice for backpackers as they can be cheap and offer a great way to meet like-minded travellers. Breakfast, WiFi and bed sheets are often included in the price, and many hostels organise tours and events at discounted rates.

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No matter where you go, your best companion will be your luggage. Firstly, forget about that suitcase - a large rucksack is all you need, and 60 litres tends to be a good size to aim for. It's also a good idea to take a sleeping bag and a liner with you, just in case your accommodation isn't quite up to standard!

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If you're travelling on a night train that arrives at your destination after midnight, your journey will show on the ticket of the travel day of your departure. This is the ticket you need to show to the ticket inspector, even if it's past midnight.

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We would advise allowing for around 50-100 euros per day, do you have to spend this exact amount every day? No. Different factors will come into play, for example, one of the days you may want to do a tour that costs around 15-20 euros, but you still need to allow money for eating, public transport etc.

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There are 4 Sleeping Car Room Options Amtrak's Sleeping Car accommodations provide overnight travelers the choice of a roomette, bedroom, bedroom suite (two adjoining bedrooms) that can accommodate one to four people, and accessible bedrooms. In a roomette, daytime seating converts to beds at night.

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A lot of hostels do not allow sleeping bags because of potentially bringing in bed bugs. Hope this helps. 3.

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Instead stick to flowy and stretchy materials – the kind that you can dry on a washing line and never have to iron. Jeans are super slow to dry and smell really gross when damp, so stick to dark colours – this will avoid having to wash them all the time when you inevitably spill Rioja on them.

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Most interrailers do laundry at least once during their trips, as this cuts down on the amount of clothing you have to carry in your backpack. So, if you only wanted to do laundry once during your trip, you should pack enough clothes to last you until at least halfway through your trip.

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There's usually no form to sign or anything. Make sure you double, triple check you have all your belongings. Leaving things at a hostel isn't fun. You may be asked to strip your bed sheets and pillowcase off and throw it all in a designated area.

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All hostels provide bedsheets and/or a blanket for your dorm bed, as well as a pillow, so there's no need to bring those.

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Sleeping on overnights trains in Europe is a relatively safe endeavor, but take a few sensible precautions to avoid pickpockets and thieves and sleep more soundly. Anyone can wander the aisles of European trains.

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