Study Reveals Europe’s Interrailing Hotspots
Whether you’re a student on a summer break, or a digital nomad travelling the world with your laptop, Interrailing is one of the best ways to experience Europe. But with so many places to choose from, which cities offer the ultimate Interrail experience, and where is best for those on a budget?
A new study by the hybrid hospitality brand The Social Hub has analysed 40 of the best-rated cities in Europe to determine the top Interrailing hotspots for travellers. The study looks at factors such as the number of things to do in each city, how well-rated the top attractions are, how safe the city is, and the cost of coffee, meals out, and public transport.
You can read the full research here: https://www.thesocialhub.co/blog/best-interrail-stops-around-europe/
Madrid is crowned the number one Interrailing hotspot in Europe, with over 200 activities to choose from
With 201 different things to do and 42 free walking tours, there is something for everyone in Spain’s capital. The city is also relatively affordable, with coffees averaging £1.68/ €1.93, the cost of a three-course meal for two around £39.72/ €45.68, and public transport costing £1.32/ €1.52 for a one-way ticket. Solo-travellers also need not worry as the city has a safety score of 72 out of 100.
In second place is Prague, which boasts 376 different activities and its top attractions have an average rating of 4.54 out of five. Prague is also one of the safest cities analysed, with a score of 75.2.
Portugal’s capital Lisbon is third on the list, thanks to its affordable costs. Coffees average just £1.50/ €1.73, a meal for two is around £44.13/ €50.75, and there are 34 free walking tours to choose from in the city.
Rome ranks fourth, with the city’s top sights rated the highest out of any city analysed, with a score of 4.64. Budapest rounds off the top five, offering cheap meals for two (£37.69/ €43.34) and public transport costs of just £0.82/ €0.94 for a one-way ticket.
The table below shows the top 10 best cities in Europe to visit while Interrailing:
| Rank | City | Country | Cost of a Cappuccino (£) | Cost of a meal out for 2 (£) | Avg. cost of a public transport ticket (one way, £) | Safety score (out of 100) | Avg. rating of top attractions (out of 5) | No. of free walking tours | No. of things to do | Final Score |
| 1 | Madrid | Spain | £1.68 | £39.72 | £1.32 | 72.04 | 4.50 | 42 | 201 | 7.40 |
| 2 | Prague | Czech Republic | £2.58 | £44.88 | £1.20 | 75.16 | 4.54 | 21 | 376 | 7.02 |
| 3 | Lisbon | Portugal | £1.50 | £44.13 | £1.77 | 70.88 | 4.49 | 34 | 176 | 6.86 |
| 4 | Rome | Italy | £1.34 | £61.78 | £1.32 | 46.55 | 4.64 | 20 | 361 | 6.75 |
| 5 | Budapest | Hungary | £1.73 | £37.69 | £0.82 | 65.27 | 4.50 | 29 | 79 | 6.74 |
| 6 | Istanbul | Turkey | £1.97 | £26.72 | £0.41 | 52.32 | 4.59 | 15 | 145 | 6.72 |
| 7 | Paris | France | £3.34 | £52.95 | £1.85 | 42.84 | 4.58 | 26 | 634 | 6.34 |
| 8 | Venice | Italy | £1.43 | £61.78 | £1.30 | 69.14 | 4.53 | 9 | 253 | 6.31 |
| 9 | Barcelona | Spain | £1.94 | £52.95 | £2.12 | 49.15 | 4.45 | 39 | 390 | 6.22 |
| 10 | Warsaw | Poland | £2.62 | £38.56 | £0.85 | 74.22 | 4.53 | 8 | 121 | 6.21 |
Istanbul is the most affordable city for travellers
Coming out as the most affordable city for travellers, meals out in Istanbul are just £26.72/ €30.73 for two people, coffees are around £1.97/ €2.27, and public transport is one of the cheapest of all cities analysed, at just £0.41/ €0.47 for a one-way ticket.
In second place is Budapest, with even cheaper coffees (£1.73/ €1.99) and a public transport cost of £0.82/ €0.94. Rounding off the top three most affordable cities is Slovakia’s capital Bratislava, which offers cheap meals for two (£35.30/ €40.60) as well as affordable transport costs at just £0.79/ €0.91 for a one-way ticket.
| Rank | City | Country | Cost of a Cappuccino (£) | Cost of a meal out for 2 (£) | Avg. cost of a public transport ticket (one way, £) | Final Score |
| 1 | Istanbul | Turkey | £1.97 | £26.72 | £0.41 | 9.16 |
| 2 | Budapest | Hungary | £1.73 | £37.69 | £0.82 | 8.64 |
| 3 | Bratislava | Slovakia | £2.06 | £35.30 | £0.79 | 8.48 |
| 4 | Naples | Italy | £1.55 | £44.13 | £1.15 | 8.31 |
| 5 | Madrid | Spain | £1.68 | £39.72 | £1.32 | 8.23 |
| 6 | Lisbon | Portugal | £1.50 | £44.13 | £1.77 | 7.88 |
| 7 | Warsaw | Poland | £2.62 | £38.56 | £0.85 | 7.84 |
| 8 | Rome | Italy | £1.34 | £61.78 | £1.32 | 7.70 |
| 9 | Venice | Italy | £1.43 | £61.78 | £1.30 | 7.64 |
| 10 | Prague | Czech Republic | £2.58 | £44.88 | £1.20 | 7.37 |
