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Question regarding mandatory Seat Reservation in DB and SNCF trains with Eurail Global pass.

  • June 9, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 224 views
Koyel Sarkar

Hi Everyone, 

 

I will be traveling this summer from Copenhagen to Hamburg (Deutsche Bahn or DB), Hamburg to Strasbourg (DB), Strasbourg to Toulouse (DB + SNCF), and finally Toulouse to Barcelona (SNCF + R3). I have the Eurail Global pass. My question is, in DB and SNCF trains is seat reservation mandatory? In the Eurail application, it shows “reservation required” on most trains, which is strange, because when reading through the https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm#eurail-interrail-reservations-service it seemed that except for some high-speed trains like TGV, etc seat reservation is not mandatory although is advised. One can just hop on, choose an empty seat and show the pass. I would hate to land in problems while traveling and pay hefty fines. It would be great if some of you could help me with your experience. Thanks a bunch!

Koyel.

Best answer by BrendanDB

You can minimise reservation cost by changing in Offenburg (to go to Strasbourg). The train from Hamburg to Offenburg has optional reservations. Reguonal trains cannot be reserved. 

From Toulouse you can go via Latour de Carol to Barcelona, with regional trains. Slow, but nice scenery though. And you avoid a pricey seat reservation on the TGV to Barcelona. 

3 replies

A
Railly clever
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  • AnnaB
  • Railly clever
  • June 9, 2023

The direct trains between Copenhagen and Hamburg have mandatory seat reservations between the 17th of June and the 20th of August. 

Please note that I don't work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don't reply to personal messages.
R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • June 9, 2023

You'll need seat reservations on all TGVs to/in/from France.

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.
BrendanDB
Full steam ahead
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  • BrendanDB
  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • June 9, 2023

You can minimise reservation cost by changing in Offenburg (to go to Strasbourg). The train from Hamburg to Offenburg has optional reservations. Reguonal trains cannot be reserved. 

From Toulouse you can go via Latour de Carol to Barcelona, with regional trains. Slow, but nice scenery though. And you avoid a pricey seat reservation on the TGV to Barcelona. 

T
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