Is an Interrail or Eurail pass worth it?

Only if you plan to travel by train more than once every 3 days. For shorter trips or infrequent travel, buying point-to-point tickets in advance is usually cheaper.

How do I avoid burnout?

Limit yourself to one major city every 3-4 days. Use your 'rest' days to do laundry and sit in a park rather than hitting every museum on the list.

How to plan a backpacking route through Europe

Focus on a specific region rather than the whole continent to minimize travel time and maximize experiences. Dedicate at least 3 nights per destination to avoid burnout and plan your route in a logical geographical loop to save on transport costs.

Identify your region. Pick one 'zone' to keep travel times under 5 hours. Examples: Central Europe (Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest) or the Mediterranean (Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Rome).
Use the 'Triangle' method. Connect your start and end points via a major transport hub. Build your route so you move in one direction rather than backtracking.
Calculate transit days. Always dedicate at least half a day for transit between cities. Factor in check-in times and travel to/from stations.
Map your transport. Check Omio or Rome2Rio to see if trains or buses are cheaper for your specific route. For distances over 8 hours, look for budget flights (e.g., Ryanair/EasyJet) or overnight trains.

Is an Interrail or Eurail pass worth it?: Only if you plan to travel by train more than once every 3 days. For shorter trips or infrequent travel, buying point-to-point tickets in advance is usually cheaper.
How do I avoid burnout?: Limit yourself to one major city every 3-4 days. Use your 'rest' days to do laundry and sit in a park rather than hitting every museum on the list.