Anyone have any experience with Inter Rail?

[nianacw]

My friends and I are hoping to go this summer but have all heard different stories from people! Someone said to me that its a rip off and there's lots of extra costs and stuff... We also heard that you can end up spending thousands on food/accommodation! Can anyone offer an insights on Inter Rail trips? How much the can cost, how to keep the cost down, or anything else helpful!

Thank you :)

[Lil O'lady]

Use a website such as http://www.seat61.com to find out about the relative usefulness of different passes.
Before you buy a europe-wide pass, see if you have any ideas about where you will be travelling to, and this will help you decide if a one-country pass will do. Your accommodation and food costs are pretty much down to what standards you expect - there are huge numbers of hostels and supermarkets cost about the same as here.