The ominous questions are starting to be asked: "Any plans for summer yet?" If, like me, your mind searches for something more exciting to say than "Umm, err, working I guess…" then this could be just the thing for you. How about being able to boast that you will be spending your holidays flitting between Europe’s major cities, while your peers are data inputting their way through the summer in monotonous jobs? With train passes valid in thirty countries and still relatively cheap for those up to the age of 25, Inter-Railing gives you the freedom and adventure, with the security that one pass is all you need to get around. Sounds too good to be true, but it’s really as easy as that.

The first decision you need to make is which type of pass you need. With the choice of 22 day (£299) or monthly (£385) continuous passes you have the ease to decide your route on a whim. These tickets can be used on any day within these validity periods. If you’re more of a planner, having the 5 days within 10 (£155) or 10 days within 22 (£299) passes allows you more control over your route. The ticket is valid for a 10 or 22 day period, and the choice is yours as to which 5 or 10 days you want to travel by train within that period. For an even cheaper option, One Country passes could be the way to go. Whichever is best for you, these passes are available for European residents and valid on national railways outside of your own country, easily getting you from one beautiful place to another. Some supplementary reservations are necessary for longer journeys, but these are fairly minimal and can be done pretty much at the last minute. For peace of mind you can visit the station’s booking office as you arrive to check departing train times and get cheaper reservations. This is thoroughly recommended if you want to escape the discomfort of having to sleep in a 6 person carriage with no guarantee of who will be cosying up to you!

Each ticket is sent with an Inter-Rail Traveller’s guide & map, which will become your holy grail by the end of the trip. This details the countries you can visit, the do’s and don’ts of train travel, and bonus discounts with your ticket, such as ferry prices, Eurostar trains, bus connections, boat trips, hotels, museums, and even some excursions. Corresponding your trip with these discounts is a fantastic way of packing more in, so try to take advantage of these great extras! Do this kind of research before planning your route. Even if you aren’t mapping your trip on a day-to-day basis, it’s best to know where you really want to go, and how long to stay when you get there.

This is a simple and affordable way of seeing what mainland Europe has to offer. With an array of hostelling websites you can book as you travel and the freedom of the passes mean you can tailor your trip to your own interests. Taking a music player means the journeys pass much more quickly, and night trains are a great way of not wasting a day travelling. You can make friends on the way, and pick up some new languages and cultures. I really can’t recommend this enough.

All you need to do now is decide who to go with…