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Seats from Munich to Bologna

  • March 21, 2026
  • 9 replies
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K
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  • KAJ
  • Full steam ahead

I am trying to make seat reservation from Munich to Bologna on the 18th july. Due to construction work between Brenner and Innsbruck,  that is not easy. 

1) There is a connection at 08:06 and  08:28 where I can only reserve seats for part of the journey. Is that because you don't need seat reservations for RJ113 and R 3843? And I guess the S3 is a lokal train or replacement bus, where seat reservation is not needed? 

2) For the connection at 08:52 through Zürich, it is quite expensive. I am used to the 13 euro reservations with the italian trains, but why does the EC 21 cost 13 euro per seat as well? 

Any suggestions for my travel to Bologna, where I need to be before 22.00 same night. 

Best regards Karina 

Best answer by Danhiel

​@KAJ 

In Austria seat reservations are not mandatory for RJ and RJX trains. The opening of reservations may be delayed due to engineering work.

No reservations are possible on local trains (R or S).

Yes, mandatory seat reservations in Italy also cost 13 € on the EC between Zurich and Milan or 10 € from Chiasso (border station) to Milan. You can travel with an EC2 until Lugano and a RE80 to Milan without this fee.

9 replies

D
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  • Danhiel
  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • March 21, 2026

​@KAJ 

In Austria seat reservations are not mandatory for RJ and RJX trains. The opening of reservations may be delayed due to engineering work.

No reservations are possible on local trains (R or S).

Yes, mandatory seat reservations in Italy also cost 13 € on the EC between Zurich and Milan or 10 € from Chiasso (border station) to Milan. You can travel with an EC2 until Lugano and a RE80 to Milan without this fee.

The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
Hektor
Keeps calm and carries on
  • Hektor
  • March 21, 2026

I am trying to make seat reservation from Munich to Bologna on the 18th july. Due to construction work between Brenner and Innsbruck,  that is not easy. 

1) There is a connection at 08:06 and  08:28 where I can only reserve seats for part of the journey. Is that because you don't need seat reservations for RJ113 and R 3843? And I guess the S3 is a lokal train or replacement bus, where seat reservation is not needed? 

For the connection at 8.06 via Villach you do need a supplement for RJX133 (10€ 2nd class or 15€ 1st class if bought with ÖBB; for München - Venezia seat reservation is not mandatory and would be 3€ additional if bought with ÖBB; for Venezia - Bologna it depends on the train used (possible to go by reservation-free regional train); but in general not cheaper than option 2). Reservations are possible for all trains but you do need to split them in two sections at Villach.

For the connection at 8.28: S3 will not run Innsbruck - Brenner (replacement bus from Steinach am Brenner). The timetable is not finalised yet; that's why you do still see the train. If you'd like to go via Brenner that way, check again later (and yes, seat reservation isn't needed or even possible for regional trains or this replacement bus). Just hop on. But expect additional possibilities to go that way later, too.

2) For the connection at 08:52 through Zürich, it is quite expensive. I am used to the 13 euro reservations with the italian trains, but why does the EC 21 cost 13 euro per seat as well? 

(Answered before; that's the passholder fare for cross-border trains there.)

Any suggestions for my travel to Bologna, where I need to be before 22.00 same night. 

Most beautiful route: 6.48 or 8.52 from München via St. Margrethen - Landquart - St. Moritz - Tirano - Milano - Bologna (arrives 19.04 / 21.24; reservation needed for Milano - Bologna). 8.52 is a cabrio train with open air coaches St. Moritz - Tirano but with tight connections).

Most direct route: Nightjet train from München Hbf directly to Bologna Centrale the evening before (19.59) [there is also a direct bus at 7.05 but IR isn't valid there].

Otherwise wait for the replacement timetable via Brenner. Additional travel possibilities will pop up. 

Best regards Karina 

 

K
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  • KAJ
  • Author
  • Full steam ahead
  • March 21, 2026

​@KAJ 

In Austria seat reservations are not mandatory for RJ and RJX trains. The opening of reservations may be delayed due to engineering work.

No reservations are possible on local trains (R or S).

Yes, mandatory seat reservations in Italy also cost 13 € on the EC between Zurich and Milan or 10 € from Chiasso (border station) to Milan. You can travel with an EC2 until Lugano and a RE80 to Milan without this fee.

Thanks.  In your experience travelling in july, is it possible to get seats if no reservations? 

K
Full steam ahead
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  • KAJ
  • Author
  • Full steam ahead
  • March 21, 2026

I am trying to make seat reservation from Munich to Bologna on the 18th july. Due to construction work between Brenner and Innsbruck,  that is not easy. 

1) There is a connection at 08:06 and  08:28 where I can only reserve seats for part of the journey. Is that because you don't need seat reservations for RJ113 and R 3843? And I guess the S3 is a lokal train or replacement bus, where seat reservation is not needed? 

For the connection at 8.06 via Villach you do need a supplement for RJX133 (10€ 2nd class or 15€ 1st class if bought with ÖBB; for München - Venezia seat reservation is not mandatory and would be 3€ additional if bought with ÖBB; for Venezia - Bologna it depends on the train used (possible to go by reservation-free regional train); but in general not cheaper than option 2). Reservations are possible for all trains but you do need to split them in two sections at Villach.

For the connection at 8.28: S3 will not run Innsbruck - Brenner (replacement bus from Steinach am Brenner). The timetable is not finalised yet; that's why you do still see the train. If you'd like to go via Brenner that way, check again later (and yes, seat reservation isn't needed or even possible for regional trains or this replacement bus). Just hop on. But expect additional possibilities to go that way later, too.

2) For the connection at 08:52 through Zürich, it is quite expensive. I am used to the 13 euro reservations with the italian trains, but why does the EC 21 cost 13 euro per seat as well? 

(Answered before; that's the passholder fare for cross-border trains there.)

Any suggestions for my travel to Bologna, where I need to be before 22.00 same night. 

Most beautiful route: 6.48 or 8.52 from München via St. Margrethen - Landquart - St. Moritz - Tirano - Milano - Bologna (arrives 19.04 / 21.24; reservation needed for Milano - Bologna). 8.52 is a cabrio train with open air coaches St. Moritz - Tirano but with tight connections).

Most direct route: Nightjet train from München Hbf directly to Bologna Centrale the evening before (19.59) [there is also a direct bus at 7.05 but IR isn't valid there].

Otherwise wait for the replacement timetable via Brenner. Additional travel possibilities will pop up. 

Best regards Karina 

 

Thank you. I am not sure I see that beautiful route you are referring to. The one I see departes at 8.52 through St. Margrethen, but I can not see st. Moritz - tirano, and the arrival time in Bologna are earlier than 21.24.

Where do you see that specific route? I am looking at ÖBB website. 

R
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • March 21, 2026

Thank you. I am not sure I see that beautiful route you are referring to. The one I see departes at 8.52 through St. Margrethen, but I can not see st. Moritz - tirano, and the arrival time in Bologna are earlier than 21.24.

Where do you see that specific route? I am looking at ÖBB website. 

Since it's not the fastest, you'll either have to split up the journey, or help the planner by giving it one or more via points.

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
Keeps calm and carries on
  • Hektor
  • March 21, 2026

Thank you. I am not sure I see that beautiful route you are referring to. The one I see departes at 8.52 through St. Margrethen, but I can not see st. Moritz - tirano, and the arrival time in Bologna are earlier than 21.24.

Where do you see that specific route? I am looking at ÖBB website. 

You get it by simply adding Alp Grüm as intermediate station. 

8.52 München - 11.09 / 11.16 St. Margrethen - 12.08 / 12.20 Landquart - 14.12 / 14.48 St. Moritz - 17.00 / 17.08 Tirano - 19.40 / 20.10 Milano Centrale - 21.24 Bologna Centrale

https://www.rhb.ch/en/excursions/open-scenic-carriages/

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • March 21, 2026

You get it by simply adding Alp Grüm as intermediate station. 

8.52 München - 11.09 / 11.16 St. Margrethen - 12.08 / 12.20 Landquart - 14.12 / 14.48 St. Moritz - 17.00 / 17.08 Tirano - 19.40 / 20.10 Milano Centrale - 21.24 Bologna Centrale

I wouldn't count on that connection in St. Margrethen to work though. But there's a plan B at 11:46 via Sargans-Chur-Samedan-Pontresina.

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.
K
Full steam ahead
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  • KAJ
  • Author
  • Full steam ahead
  • March 21, 2026

You get it by simply adding Alp Grüm as intermediate station. 

8.52 München - 11.09 / 11.16 St. Margrethen - 12.08 / 12.20 Landquart - 14.12 / 14.48 St. Moritz - 17.00 / 17.08 Tirano - 19.40 / 20.10 Milano Centrale - 21.24 Bologna Centrale

I wouldn't count on that connection in St. Margrethen to work though. But there's a plan B at 11:46 via Sargans-Chur-Samedan-Pontresina.

 

Thanks. I can't find that specific connection either. But it seems like there are more choices.

I will wait a bit longer, to see when the time tables are ready through Brenner, and see if I can make the route. Though it could be nice to travel through Switzerland this time. 

K
Full steam ahead
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  • KAJ
  • Author
  • Full steam ahead
  • March 21, 2026

Thank you. I am not sure I see that beautiful route you are referring to. The one I see departes at 8.52 through St. Margrethen, but I can not see st. Moritz - tirano, and the arrival time in Bologna are earlier than 21.24.

Where do you see that specific route? I am looking at ÖBB website. 

You get it by simply adding Alp Grüm as intermediate station. 

8.52 München - 11.09 / 11.16 St. Margrethen - 12.08 / 12.20 Landquart - 14.12 / 14.48 St. Moritz - 17.00 / 17.08 Tirano - 19.40 / 20.10 Milano Centrale - 21.24 Bologna Centrale

https://www.rhb.ch/en/excursions/open-scenic-carriages/

Got it. Thanks. 

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