Do I need to make seat reservations if I have a Eurail Pass?
There are basically three types of trains:
- Trains without reservations: local and regional trains generally require no reservations.
- Trains with optional reservations: you can make a reservation if you want to be assured of a seat, but it is not necessary
- Trains with obligatory reservations: Reservations are required for some high-speed trains such as the TGV, sleeper trains, or, if you want a couchette during an overnight journey.
Reservations can be made at the main European train stations for just a few dollars or outside of Europe for an additional service fee.
To check if a train requires reservations, we recommend the following steps:
1. Go to http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?ld=212.27&newrequest=yes&
2. Fill in your departure station and destination
3. In the screen which shows the connections, click on 'details for all'
4. You can now see the details of the trains. If a train requires a reservation, this is listed as 'compulsory reservation' in the train details. There is also a small red icon with an 'R'.