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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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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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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?

 

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

Hektor
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Seats are 2 + 1 in 1st class. Enough free seats available. 

For a much better experience pay 15 € more for business class (drink included). 😉

BrendanDB
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Just for information:

On the country specific pages of the man in seat 61, there are plenty of pictures of how trains look like from the inside: https://www.seat61.com/Austria.htm or https://www.seat61.com/european-train-seating-plans.htm .

There are also some very train-nerdy websites, like https://www.vagonweb.cz/ where you can check how the trains look like if you enter the train number.

Anyway, there’s absolutely no need to overly plan or worry about this. (International) Long distance trains are always very comfortable and have generally good window views. No single train will sell out this far in advance.

When travelling, if another seat is unoccupied, which has better views. You can always sit there. All regular train traveller does that every now and then :)

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.

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.

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?

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 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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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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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.”

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.

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.

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. 

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).

T
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The 3 people next to each other mean how busy the carriage is likely to be.

You should see a seat map with plenty of seats : the configuration in 1st class is 2+1.

Maybe book one train at a time, it doesn't change anything. Remember that 1st class optional reservations are free though ÖBB.

On the Prague - Linz EC you have the choice between old school compartments or open-plan seating.

EDIT : this is what I see for the Linz - Zurich RJX. Seats 55 and 56 would be ideal.

 

R
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I guess this means I did mess up, because I have paid my 6 Euro and what I displayed above is what I see on the app. Can I modify the booking or am I up for another 6Euro? Sounds like Business Class may be worth the extra on this trip

Hektor
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As written before: The seat reservation is free of charge. No need to pay anything at all. Just for business class (recommended anyway if you go fo a “fun” trip; and it seems you’d like to do this trip just for fun because of the early departure and the detour via Linz). 

R
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I think I have totally messed up this one. I think I will just write off the 6Euro and re-book, this time Business class. (“thanks for your booking. We have debited your MASTERCARD card, with the last digits xxxxxxxxxxxx[xxxx], with €6.00.”)

Hopefully I won’t mess up this time.

Fortunately this is the last reservation I need to make. 

T
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2 x 3€ is the regular seat reservation price (with a ticket), don't worry you've still got seats. It's only that ÖBB is nice enough to offer free reservations to 1st class passholders.

Of course if you wish to travel in Business Class then it's 15€ pp.

R
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Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that it cost me 6 Euro to book 2 first class tickets on the Vienna Prague leg too, so I have either done something wrong, or OBB are now charging seat reservation fees even with a Eurail pass

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

R
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I have a 1st Class Eurail Pass but seat reservations still cost me 3 Euro each. 

Hektor
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You need to select One way tickets and day tickets.

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