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Question

help I don’t know what I’m doing wrong

  • August 14, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 32 views
N

A couple of questions. Every single train I’m trying to book from Offenburg Germany to Bern Switzerland on 10-3-26 says this. I have a global pass. I’m only trying to book a seat to guarantee I can get on a train. What do I do now?

Also, I read somewhere on a forum on here that unless a reservation is compulsory I can just hop on the train and show my pass. Is this true? How does the individual train company get paid for the trip?

Any insight would be awesome. I’m really stressing over this and I know it can’t be that hard.  Although it would definitely help if I was a little more technologically literate.🤪

 

4 replies

Dagi
Railly clever
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  • Dagi
  • Railly clever
  • August 14, 2026

Don’t get stressed out. It’s really not that important to have a reservation. In fact in Switzerland almost nobody gets one.

You can hop on the train, but before you have to add the journey to your Interrail pass in the rail planner and “toggle” it before departure, independently if you have a reservation or not. So that’s how the system knows which train you’ve taken.

    Marvin Heer
    Engin-ius
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    • Marvin Heer
    • Engin-ius
    • August 14, 2026

    As you are travelling on 3. October in Germany, keep in mind that shops are closed on that day.

    But since 3 October is a Saturday and not a Friday this year, i would not expect the trains to be so full that you would get trouble without a seat reservation. In the ICE trains there are small displays on or near the seats showing if they are reserved, so just look for a seat which is not reserved.

    I speak german 🇩🇪, english 🇬🇧, and i understand a bit of french
    R
    Railmaster
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    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • August 14, 2026

    For any reservation question, please always mention route, date and departure time. For the date please use the dd/mm format or you'll confuse many people depending on the numbers.

    I had a quick look on 3 October and there aren't many long-distance trains from Offenburg to Basel on that day. The regional trains can't be booked and reservations in Switzerland are a waste of money, if they're possible at all. It does look like there will be engineering works between Offenburg and Basel, so do check the timetable 1-2 weeks in advance.

    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.
    D
    Full steam ahead
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    • Danhiel
    • Full steam ahead
    • August 14, 2026

    ​@Nahele Engineering works are planned this weekend, but no timetable is currently available. You should expect replacement buses for a part of the journey. 

    As alternative you can travel via Strasbourg - Basel if you prefer the train. And maybe make a stopover in Strasbourg, but it could be difficult to visit the city if you have heavy luggage.

    The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
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