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Have I missed out on window seats?

  • 12 February 2024
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R
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I’m confused about what I have done.

I tried to reserve two seats on the train from Prague to Zurich. When I look in detail, I see I am allocated two seats on the Prague to Linz leg but not on the next leg.

When I looked at the seat layout on the Linz to Zurich leg, it looks like all the seats are in rows of 3. All bar one have the two seats closest to the window marked as if reserved and the only two side by side seats left appear to be a middle and aisle seats.

Does this mean we can’t get window seats on the Linz to Zurich leg, or am I doing something wrong? I have a 1st class Eurail Pass and I am going on the day train to get a good seat with a good view. The booking is for May 6, which I could only access starting a few days ago. Have I missed out already?

 

 

 

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Best answer by Robsue 12 February 2024, 10:14

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R
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Thanks for the reassurances. My travel date is May 10 and I am Booked 1st Class to Linz and Business to Zurich. I was worried that the bus would be slower and I'd lose my reservation on the second leg. 

T
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So I had a look at the OBB website and there’s a PDF about the works. From what I understood (translated from Czech) the works begin at 09:10 on 10th May* so it’s possible that your train still runs from Ceske Budejovice to Linz as it goes through that section at 9am.

Otherwise you’ll have to connect to a well-timed bus : guaranteed connection, 08:06 departure and 10:00 arrival (the bus is faster than the train on this winding railway haha).

There’s 99% chance you make the connection in Linz, don’t worry. :)

Remember that the pass is your ticket. You’re allowed to take any train with it.

*your travel date from what I remember.

ralderton
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You don’t have any risk, because your pass is valid on all the trains (and replacement bus). If for any reason you miss a connection, you just jump on the next train.

In any case, the replacement bus is designed to meet your train, so there will be staff in hand making sure everybody gets on the buses.

What date is this? Maybe we can find another route via Germany if you want to avoid the bus.

R
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I’m booked for 6:21dep Praha hl.n. Eurocity 331 with destination Linz/Donau Hbf 10:06 arr

Then I have a connecting train 10:45dep Railjet Xpress 162 with destination Zürich HB

They are two separate tickets because I couldn’t get a straight through so my understanding is that the risk for the connection. I now have the warning as follows. Should I be concerned and look for an alternative solution?

“EC 331: Due to construction work, this train cannot run between Ceske Budejovice and Linz/Donau Hbf. We have arranged a rail replacement bus service for you. Please note that a limited number of bicycles can be transported on buses providing a rail replacement service with reservation ony.”

R
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Ok, thanks. I’ll keep waiting and trying.

T
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The next screen shot was reached the same way. I thought I’d selected the direct train leaving 14:45 arriving 21:20, as per previous instructions. I thought this was meant to be the train with a Business Class but I can’t see it. So I am still doing something wrong. I don’t see anything on either page that says it’s too early to book these trains. 

This still means that it's not fully available yet. You can't book any seat reservations right now. Still wait a bit, I mean it's 3 months early.

And indeed looks like ÖBB stopped selling 1st class reservations for free to passholders.

R
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It looks like ÖBB stopped the free pass holder reservations a few days ago. Also see:

 

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
R
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My struggles with this web site that’s not rob-friendly continue. 

I think I am now able to book my seats on the whole journey, but, I still can’t find Business Class

The following screen shot is 1st Class Prague to Linz leaving 10:21 arriving 14:06. I have noted 2 Global passes as discounts and selected buy one way tickets to get here. I choose 1st Class and it’s free, but if I choose Reservation its another 6 Euro. Since it’s supposed to be free, I am still doing something wrong.

The next screen shot was reached the same way. I thought I’d selected the direct train leaving 14:45 arriving 21:20, as per previous instructions. I thought this was meant to be the train with a Business Class but I can’t see it. So I am still doing something wrong. I don’t see anything on either page that says it’s too early to book these trains. 

R
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Oops. I’ll keep waiting and trying. Thanks

Hektor
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Your Linz to Zürich part is a connection via Passau (change trains) and München (change trains) to Zürich. Totally wrong, much longer and not the way to go. There’s no business class offered because it’s no ÖBB railjet (just this one does have business class).

For the direct train: It’s still not possible to book it (scheduled to leave Linz at 14.45 and goes directly to Zürich).

R
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Finally, it looks like I can book both parts of the trip free of charge - but I still can’t seem to get the Business Class offer. What am I still doing wrong?

This is part 1 - 1st class is what I expect and I understand there’s no business class

However isn’t there meant to be a 15 EUD Business Class each offer here?

 

T
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If you click on the notice you'll see that some regional trains don't run from 29th April to 29th June due to works. RJX are long-distance trains and shouldn't be affected by the works.

Simply wait a few days/weeks, May is still a long way ahead.

R
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I just had a look and now I know why the Linz to Zurich leg can’t be booked yet. The warning says

Is there any way of finding out if that work is scheduled to be finished by May 10? I don’t see the point in booking Prague to Linz if the Linz to Zurich leg is not going to be available. If this trip is not going to be available, I can go the other way. It’s just that it has been suggested that the scenery this way is better.

R
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Thanks for your ongoing help. I’ll have another go tomorrow when I am sharp and alert. It’s too easy to make a mistake when I am tired.

R
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The message at the side tells me “Ticket for selection only”. Since I selected Prague to Zurich,

That's why I wrote that you should book the trains separately.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
Hektor
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For the first train it’s posible to book it right now. You may book Praha hl.n. to Linz Hbf right now. In first class it should be 0 €. There’s no business class on this train.

Then book Linz Hbf to Zürich HB when it becomes available. In first class it should be 0 €, in business class (recommended for this trip) it’s 15 € per person (much better seats and you do get a free drink (it’s also possible to order food but that has to be paid for)).

So you won’t pay more if you book your seat reservations separately.

If you do miss your connection in Linz: There’s a possible connection via München at 15.45 and a direct one at 16.45. As you are holding a railpass, you are able to take any other train anyway (reservations are not mandatory).

But you do have 39 minutes to change. Time enough to have a free drink at the ÖBB lounge. 

R
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Thanks for explaining this all to me. This website and my brain are 100% out of sync. 

I selected Prague to Zurich and I thought it would display the trains for that trip. Following is the screen shot.

The way I read this was that I catch an EC train from Prague at 10:21 and 10 h 59 minutes later, after making 1 x change at Linz/Donau main station to an RJX train, I get to Zurich HB. However, there are a couple of alerts on the page that I need to interpret.

The message at the side tells me “Ticket for selection only”. Since I selected Prague to Zurich, I interpreted that meant the trip I selected Prague to Zurich. Instead, it seems I am meant to read that message in conjunction with the message at the bottom “Ticket only valid from Linz/Donau HBF to Zurich”. However, booking only part of a trip seems to go contrary to the advice from numerous other web posts that suggest if I book a journey in parts, and something goes wrong with the train connection, the carrier is not responsible. Whereas if I book the whole trip as one, they are responsible. It seems I am meant to know that’s not possible on this route.

The second alert in that message is “ATTENTION: Peak travel day/no seat guarantee without reservation”. I find it strange that they give this warning, when the timetable isn’t finalised and I can’t even make a reservation yet. I was led to believe that timetables are available between 60 to 90 days out, this is now less than 60 days so, yet again, I remain confused.

Clearly having been in the southern hemisphere all my life, means my brain needs realigning before I can understand this web site LOL. I am so glad this is the last reservation I need to make. 

 

Bottom line, I guess I should now wait for the other timetable to be released, then find and book a Prague to Linz trip and a separate Linz to Zurich Zurich trip. if I book this as two trips, does that mean I get to pay the 15EUD upgrade on both legs?

R
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Before I mess it up again, how do I get from here to booking the Business Class option for 15EUD

 

  1. Book both trains separately.
  2. Select "One-way tickets and day tickets” (NOT "Seat reservation only”)
  3. You'll see the business class upgrade when available.

However, it looks like 10 May can't be booked yet, probably because the timetable is not final yet.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
R
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Before I mess it up again, how do I get from here to booking the Business Class option for 15EUD

 

 

R
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I prefer to get accommodation near a station and do go into town by train.

My first trip to Europe, so I don’t know anything about anything. I looked for accommodation first and found the best value that suited our needs; then I bought the Eurail Pass because it seemed like a good deal; then lost what little hair I had left trying to match the two, figure out how to get from train station to hotel. In the process I have been trying to learn the complexities of European Rail. 

In light of your suggestion, I will review my accommodation plans and see if I can find something better. Thanks for your advice.

Hektor
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If you’d like to go for business class, it’s an additional 15€. Normal seat reservations are free of charge.

Do you need to stay in Zürich? With a railpass, I prefer to get accomodation near a station and do go into town by train (but you do need a continous pass). Much more convenient than crossing a big city (and buy additional tickets).

R
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The reservations (these are no tickets, the railpass is your ticket) are valid. If you do book a seat reservation, you need to pay for it. If you do book a ticket with railpass dicount, you do get it all for free.

Ah, so at least I can rest confident that my reservations will be honoured and I won’t have to pay any more for the 2 trips I’ve reserved and want to stick with. For the one I am soon re-booking, I will just buy a ticket with rail pass discount. Should I also then reserve a seat, and will that cost extra again?

R
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Thanks for the timing details. I wasn’t sure as it looks close to the rail lines but a long way from the station and I wasn’t sure if there was a station closer I could get off from. Maybe a taxi/Uber might be better at that time of the night, or maybe I just find a hotel closer to the train station. Thanks again.

Hektor
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The reservations (these are no tickets, the railpass is your ticket) are valid. If you do book a seat reservation, you need to pay for it. If you do book a ticket with railpass dicount, you do get it all for free.

R
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No, you need to enter your pass as a reduction and then buy a ticket free of charge.

Now I am not even sure if the 3 tickets I have booked on OBB are valid. I thought the instruction was make a reservation and record my pass as a discount, not buy a ticket. Another goof on my part.

Hopefully, it will all work out eventually.

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