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Question about seat reservations

  • June 5, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 16 views

Hello, I have a question. I’m going on an Interrail trip for about two weeks, and most of the trains I’ll be taking require seat reservations. I was wondering whether it’s worth booking (as it can be quite expensive) or whether it’s possible to board a train without a reservation (even if it says that booking is compulsory)?

 

Thanks in advance!

1 reply

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  • Full steam ahead
  • June 5, 2026

Usually when it says compulsory it’s compulsory, but it’s worth checking every single train company as Rail planner sometimes says it is, but in fact it’s not. 
In most of the high speed trains it’s absolutely mandatory like;

  • Eurostar
  • TGV
  • Freccia Rossa etc

In UK trains, I’ve heard it’s not really enforced even though you’re told you have to. But it’s seems it’s mostly free of charge, so you might as well reserve. 
Kopenhagen-Hamburg is another train where sometimes it’s supposed to be mandatory, but as far as I’m aware it’s not enforced. 
If you write which routes you ar talking about, I’m sure someone here knows which one is which kind.