TOP TIPS FOR A GREAT JOURNEY

Check whether seat reservations are required

and how much extra they cost. There are lots of supplements for fast trains in France, Spain and Italy, but very few in the Benelux countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Reservations can generally be made via the Interrail site, or in some cases with the train operators directly

Even if not required, book seats ahead to ensure you have a seat, can sit with the person/people of your choice and can request a window seat

Mix and match If you plan a short journey (say, Florence to Pisa), make sure you buy it as a separate trip rather than using one of your pass days. Save those for longer, more expensive journeys. Use slower regional trains in countries where there are high seat reservation charges. You will see more anyway!

Confused? Consult the website seat61.com, run by rail aficionado Mark Smith, with great suggestions for train travel through Europe and making the most of your pass

For some great accommodation options along the way, go to telegraph.co.uk/ travel and seek out the recommendations of our experts

Make full use of Europe’s expanded range of sleeper trains

There are some significant discounts on cabins – and you save on a hotel room, too

Look out for other discounts the pass offers

They also apply on ferries, hotels, insurance and guided tours

Need further help?

Specialists such as ffestiniogtravel.com and raileurope.com can book your rail tickets for you; byway.travel and tailormaderail.com will book hotels as well

An excellent site for European train timetables is bahn.de/en; for print fiends, the European Rail Timetable (european railtimetable.eu) is the successor to what used to be the bible for train fans, the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable

Oh yes, and finally… Choose your travel companions well