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Paris, France
Take the Eurostar from Seaford via Newhaven-Dieppe ferry or train to London then Paris. Stay in a shared Airbnb in Le Marais or Montmartre for the best vibe — explore the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and grab cheap crepes and falafel on Rue des Rosiers. Don't miss a Seine river cruise at night and day trips to Versailles.
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Brussels, Belgium
A 1.5-hour Thalys train ride from Paris gets you to Brussels — book a central Airbnb near Ixelles or Saint-Gilles. Smash cheap moules-frites and waffles in the Grand Place area, and visit the Atomium for a unique photo op. Day trip to Bruges for fairy-tale canals and Belgian beer for under €20 return by train.
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Cologne, Germany
Just 2 hours from Brussels by IC train, Cologne is a brilliant first stop in Germany. The twin-spired Gothic Cathedral is unmissable and free to enter — climb the tower for epic city views. Book an Airbnb in the Belgian Quarter, grab currywurst and cheap beer in the Altstadt, and check out the Rhine riverfront at sunset.
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Berlin, Germany
A 4.5-hour ICE train from Cologne drops you into one of Europe's most exciting cities for young travellers. Book an Airbnb in Friedrichshain or Neukölln for the best nightlife and food scene — döner kebabs here are legendary and under €5. Hit the East Side Gallery, Brandenburg Gate, and the Holocaust Memorial, and explore the incredible free museum island.
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Munich, Germany
About 4 hours from Berlin by ICE train, Munich is the gateway to Bavaria and the Alps. Stay in an Airbnb near Schwabing and visit Marienplatz, the English Garden (with its famous river surfers), and the Deutsches Museum. Grab huge pretzels and steins of beer in a beer garden — the Hofbräuhaus is touristy but worth one visit.
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Zurich, Switzerland
A scenic 3.5-hour train from Munich through the Bavarian countryside brings you to Zurich — Switzerland is pricey so split an Airbnb in Kreis 4 or 5 to keep costs down. Swim in Lake Zurich for free in summer, explore the old town Altstadt, and take a train to Lucerne for a stunning day trip with the Chapel Bridge. The Swiss rail scenery alone is worth the Interrail pass.
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Milan, Italy
The 3.5-hour scenic train through the Alps via the Gotthard tunnel brings you down into Italy — grab an Airbnb near Navigli for the best canal-side bars and cheap aperitivo buffets at happy hour. See the Duomo and the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and try world-class pizza and pasta for under €10. Milan is a great transit hub to head south.
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Florence, Italy
A 2-hour Frecciarossa high-speed train from Milan lands you in the Renaissance capital — book an Airbnb across the Arno in Oltrarno for a more local feel and cheaper prices. Climb the Duomo for a €18 ticket with incredible views, visit the free-entry Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset, and eat the best gelato of your life on Piazza della Repubblica. Day trip to Siena or Pisa is easy and cheap by regional train.
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Rome, Italy
End the trip in Rome — 1.5 hours from Florence by Frecciarossa — and book an Airbnb in Trastevere or Pigneto for a young, vibrant neighbourhood feel. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum (book ahead online to skip queues), and throw a farewell pizza and pasta feast in Campo de' Fiori. The Vatican Museums are a must — go early and prebook tickets to avoid 3-hour queues.