If you’ve ever typed “best Interrail route” into Google and sighed at the lack of outdoorsy results which suit active families and kids, you’re not alone.
Most of what you’ll find is a blur of back to back capital cities; Paris, Berlin, Prague, tick, tick, tick. Great if you’re after multiple back to back city breaks, but this is certainly not my family’s idea of a good time!
As a firm believer that the journey should be part of the adventure, I wanted to travel overland by train across Europe – but didn’t want to spend much (or any) time in big cities.
What I found was that planning an outdoor-focused train adventure across Europe is absolutely possible.
I planned this 4-week Alps to Adriatic route for my own family in our school summer holidays, choosing stops that link seamlessly by train and unlock some of the best outdoor experiences in Europe.
You’ll travel from London to a Croatian island by rail (and one ferry), with overnight trains, hut to hut hikes, and traffic-free bike rides along the way.
This isn’t a city checklist — it’s a slow, adventurous journey through landscapes your kids will never forget, and I’ll show you exactly how.
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This itinerary shows exactly how a rail itinerary can be used for active, adventurous, nature-filled travel, with stop offs that are perfect for families or outdoorsy travellers who want to explore beyond the usual cities. I built this rail itinerary entirely around hiking mountains, cycling valleys, fun overnight trains, ferries, and more.
We’ve used Interrail passes and individual tickets (all booked through Rail Europe) for several of our family adventures. I’ll talk about some of the costs involved, but you’ll need to do some number crunching yourself to work out which option is most cost effective. I go into that in more detail in my Is Interrail Worth It? post.
Whether you choose to use an Interrail pass or go for individual tickets , it’s a proper adventure, but it’s not complicated once you see how the connections work. I’ll show you exactly how.
🚄 Eurostar from London to Amsterdam
Your adventure begins on the Eurostar.
- A seat reservation (€30 per person, no discount for kids) is mandatory if you’re using an Interrail pass.
- The price varies hugely if booking individual tickets. Find the cost on your preferred dates directly on the Eurostar website or use Rail Europe.
The train is quick and comfortable, and if you’re in the UK, starting your trip with a direct connection from London is very convenient. We spent a few hours exploring Amsterdam before boarding our overnight train, which kept things fun without overloading the day.
💡Tip: Buy an Amsterdam guide book before you go, as we hadn’t done much research and didn’t use our time all that effectively!
🌙 Nightjet Sleeper Train: Amsterdam to Innsbruck
From Amsterdam, you board the Nightjet sleeper train to Austria — a true highlight of the trip.
- Interrail seat reservation cost: Pricing is dynamic, depending on availability and popularity. A non-private 6 bed couchette should be up to €54.90 per person, but a 3 bed sleeper can be as much as €124.90 per person. This can easily push the interrail pass past the “not worth it” line.
- Individual journey booking: When I checked, a private 6 bed couchette for 2 adults and 2 children (2 beds would be empty) cost €319.60 if booking the individual train through Rail Europe.
This train was genuinely enjoyable. The kids loved sleeping in bunks, we arrived rested, and waking up in the Austrian Alps was a lovely way to start the day — far more relaxing than an early flight!
Overnight train excitement
Travelling this way means you cover a huge distance while saving on accommodation — and keep the adventure going overnight.
🏔️ Innsbruck & Mutters: Stay in the Mountains, Not the City
We stayed in Mutters, a village just outside Innsbruck (accessible by tram from the city) that gives you all the mountain access without the city crowds. It’s a brilliant base for families — cable cars, outdoor pools, a bike park, and stunning views all within reach.
📍 Read my full post about staying in Mutters here →
After a couple of nights exploring the area, we took the train into Italy. We travelled from Innsbruck to Toblach (Dobbiaco in Italian) – crossing the Brenner Pass and the Italian border along one of the most scenic railway routes in Europe.
- Climbing at the top of the Muttereralmbahn
- If you’re using a pass, this leg is covered by your pass and doesn’t require a reservation, though you can reserve seats for €3 per person on the main line train out of Innsbruck if you want to.
- If you’re booking individual tickets for this one, it’s slightly complicated as you’re crossing a border. You may need to book for the first section from Innsbruck to Bruneck, and then make a second booking from Bruneck to Toblach.
- 2025 update – there’s currently a few problems on the line here, and there are rail replacement buses for the section between Brunico/Bruneck and Bressanone/Brixen. See more info here.
⛰️ Toblach & Drei Zinnen Hut to Hut Hike
Toblach (Dobbiaco) is the perfect starting point for my three-day hut to hut hike in the iconic Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) region of the Dolomites. There’s a regular bus up to the start point from Toblach train station (although you should take a day or two in Toblach first!). The trails are well-marked, the scenery is breath taking, and the huts make it easy for families to enjoy multi-day mountain walking without needing to carry tents or cook meals.
📍 I’ve written a full post on the route, how to book huts, and what to expect here →
This is one of the most rewarding parts of the trip — proper alpine adventure, all made accessible by public transport.
- In front of the Tre Cime, Dolomites
🚲 Cycle the Drau Cycle Path to Villach (or take the train)
From Toblach, you can rent a bike and follow the Drau Cycle Path — a mostly flat or downhill, family-friendly route that winds through forested valleys, past rivers and small towns, all the way to Villach.
📍 Here’s my full guide to cycling the Drau →
Not up for cycling the whole way? No problem; the train line runs alongside the path, and if you have an interrail pass, this covers all of it. Having said that, short hops on this train don’t cost much if you’re buying them directly either.
Villach itself has a Mediterranean feel and is a great place to relax for a night. It’s a city, technically (see, I’m not completely anti-cities!), but it’s small, friendly, and never feels overwhelming.
🥾 Optional Add-On: Another Hut Hike in the Lienz Dolomites
Lienz is a charming town on the Drau Cycle Path with great train connections and with easy access to a quieter, often overlooked corner of the Alps. Here you can head out on another three day hut to hut hike with spectacular scenery and fewer crowds than the main Dolomites routes.
- Access to the trailhead is easy via hiker’s bus or a short taxi ride from Lienz
- The route is ideal for families or anyone looking for a shorter alpine escape
- This makes a great mid-point adventure before continuing your journey east
📍Full guide to the Lienz Dolomites hut hike →
From Lienz, you can then rejoin the bike path (or train line) and continue to Villach.
🚉 Villach to Bruck an der Mur, Night Train to Split
Next, we took a scenic regional train to Bruck an der Mur, then boarded the EuroNight sleeper train to Split — another fantastic long-distance leg.
- Villach to Bruck an der Mur interrail seat reservation cost: €3 pp – optional but recommended
- Villach to Bruck an der Mur individual booking: €21 for a family of four
- Interrail pass night train bed reservation cost: €40 per person for a 6-bed couchette, or €45 for a 4-bed couchette, slightly more on peak trains (dynamic pricing).
- Individual night train booking: A private 4 bed couchette for 2 adults and 2 children costs around €270-300 if booking the individual train through Rail Europe.
📍 Here’s my full guide to taking this train →
This sleeper train was (almost 3 hours!) delayed arriving in Split — but honestly, we didn’t mind; we had a compartment to ourselves, the kids slept late, and we really enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine coming through the large window. Watching the coastline appear through the windows was magical. Just don’t book a tight ferry connection — give yourself a cushion in case of delays.
☀️ Split: A Bit Too Busy
We had a few hours in Split, and to be honest, it was heaving. Cruise ships, packed squares, and a lot of people everywhere. It’s beautiful, no doubt, but also a very good reminder of why we don’t base our trips around big cities. Still, it was worth a quick wander, and the old town is lovely. We had lunch there and then headed to the ferry port (a quick 5-10 minute walk from the train station).
💡Tip: there are lockers at the train station where you can stash bags if you want to explore the city before heading to the ferry.
- Exploring Split
⛴️ Ferry to Vis Island
From Split, we boarded the Jadrolinija ferry to Vis, one of Croatia’s quieter islands.
- Ferry cost: under €25 for a family of four (one way) – not included in the rail pass. Book at https://www.jadrolinija.hr/
Standing on the top deck of the ferry to Vis was a welcome escape from the city heat. By late afternoon we were navigating into Vis harbour, and after the bustle of Split, the buzzy but relaxed vibe of Vis (and an immediate dip in the sea!) felt like the perfect final chapter to the trip.
- On the ferry
- Vis island
After four weeks on the road, our time was running short, so we flew home from Split — a short hop back to London after three weeks of trains, boots and bikes winding through mountains, valleys, and coastlines.
As family trips go, this one struck a pretty perfect balance: proof that you really can build an adventurous, outdoorsy holiday across Europe by train.
💡 One of the reasons I love this route is that it proves something many adventurous families don’t realise: You can:
⛰️ Hike hut to hut in the Alps 🚵 Cycle traffic-free valleys 🛂 Cross borders 🏝️ End your trip on a Croatian island
🚞All whilst making the journey part of the adventure.
You don’t need to piece this all together from scratch. I’ve already done the legwork to find the places that combine incredible outdoor adventures with easy train access — which I know from experience aren’t always easy to find.
Every stop on this itinerary was chosen not just because it’s beautiful, but because it works.
If you’ve been dreaming about an outdoor focussed train trip like this which isn’t just city after city, but weren’t sure how to make it work, this is your sign that it is possible! You can follow this route, adapt it to your pace, and know it’s all been road-tested by a real family.
This isn’t just a wish list; it’s a route we’ve done, and now you’ve got a plan you can follow!
Wondering if an Interrail pass is actually the best way to book this trip?
In this separate post, I’ve broken down the costs of passes vs. individual tickets — including how much we paid, where passes save money (and where they don’t), and how to book everything easily through Rail Europe.
How do I book train tickets to the Alps?
Booking your train tickets online is quick, convenient, and often the best way to secure great prices – especially for high-speed or sleeper trains. I recommend using Rail Europe for booking your tickets, as it’s a user-friendly platform that allows you to search for and book trains across multiple European countries in one place.
With Rail Europe, you can easily compare routes, find the best fares, and reserve seats in advance. This is particularly helpful for popular routes to the Alps, which can book up quickly during peak seasons. Using my affiliate links support this blog, so thank you for considering it!
Further Reading:
Where to Stay in Innsbruck
Hiking the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime in the Dolomites
Cycling the Drau Cycle Path
Hut to hut hike in the Lienz Dolomites
Austria to Split by overnight train
More train travel adventures
- 10 Reasons (and a complete guide) to Choosing Train Travel to the Alps
- Vienna to Croatia by Train: A Fantastic Sleeper Train Experience in Europe
- The Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice from London: 2025 Review
- Is Interrail Worth it for Outdoor Family Travel?
