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Sleeper coach booking on OBB website if no availability indicated on Interrail website ?

  • December 11, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 38 views
M

Hello,
I bought a "4-day in 1 month" Interrail pass in 1st class for me and my girlfriend (for a trip in Austria). It is not activated for the moment.
The 1st reservation I would like to do is a "sleeper coach" for us in an ÖBB night train (for the return journey from Vienna to Zurich (for the night of December 23rd to 24th) and I would like some help about this issue if somebody already faced it:
When I check availability on this train via the Interrail.eu website, it indicates that "pass holder reservations may be sold out for this connection". (see screenshot below)

 

However, when I try to do the reservation via the ÖBB website (with choice of “Interrail discount”) there is availability : I can book a sleeper coach for 188 euros for 2 people. See screenshot below :

 

 

Note: I think it's normal for the price to be so high for a simple reservation. Indeed, the price of such a berth on this route is around 400 euros.

I used the procedure described on the Interrail website on screenshot below :

 

 

Do you think I can make the reservation on the ÖBB website? Or should I avoid to do it because the availability shown on the Interrail website isn't ensured ?

I am afraid I haven't understood how the Interrail pass works.
I thought one bought the pass and then made the required seat reservations (if necessary), but there's the requirement to add each journey to the pass that I do not really understand. I am worried that if I make the coach reservation and then I try to add this trip to the pass, it could be refused by the Interrail app. 
How can I avoid this risk? 
If I try to add this trip on the pass, I guess the pass will be activated and then it will not be possible to get a refund of the price of the pass ?

Bertrand
 

Best answer by rvdborgt

You can book reservations wherever you want.

The ÖBB website is the best place for this reservation. Even if the Interrail website worked, it would have been more expensive because they add a booking fee. In addition, it's not reliable (as you've seen), and there's more. What it shows or doesn't show is not relevant.

In general, the Interrail website is the very last place you should try. This page gives an overview of the best places to book instead:

https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

The pass is itself is completely separate from any reservations. You can add any train to the pass, regardless of whether you have a reservation or not. The Rail Planner app does not know whether you have a reservation.

Saving a train to your trip will not automatically activate your pass. Adding a train to your pass is only possible after you've activated your pass, and will activate a travel day.

Activating your pass or a travel day in advance is not recommended.

This general introduction may be useful:

https://www.seat61.com/how-to-use-an-interrail-pass.htm

    4 replies

    Schelte
    Full steam ahead
    Forum|alt.badge.img+6
    • Schelte
    • Full steam ahead
    • December 11, 2025

    You can and should certainly buy it through ÖBB! The Interrail booking engine is a service provided by Interrail to help with bookings but not an indication of validity. 

    Interrailing seems difficult at first sight, but it's pretty amazing.
    R
    Railmaster
    Forum|alt.badge.img+10
    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • Answer
    • December 11, 2025

    You can book reservations wherever you want.

    The ÖBB website is the best place for this reservation. Even if the Interrail website worked, it would have been more expensive because they add a booking fee. In addition, it's not reliable (as you've seen), and there's more. What it shows or doesn't show is not relevant.

    In general, the Interrail website is the very last place you should try. This page gives an overview of the best places to book instead:

    https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

    The pass is itself is completely separate from any reservations. You can add any train to the pass, regardless of whether you have a reservation or not. The Rail Planner app does not know whether you have a reservation.

    Saving a train to your trip will not automatically activate your pass. Adding a train to your pass is only possible after you've activated your pass, and will activate a travel day.

    Activating your pass or a travel day in advance is not recommended.

    This general introduction may be useful:

    https://www.seat61.com/how-to-use-an-interrail-pass.htm

    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.
    A
    M
    • mfrederic28
    • Author
    • Right on track
    • December 13, 2025

    Hello
    Thanks to both of you for your precious help and advice !
    I tried the reservation through the OBB website as explained on seat61, but it told me that no sleeper coach is available so I will probably try to book in a 4-berths.
    Note : the website told me that there was no availability only after the payment ! That’s really strange..

    Hopefully it seems I was not debited..
    Have a nice day!

    Bertrand

    R
    Railmaster
    Forum|alt.badge.img+10
    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • December 13, 2025

    The reservations of this train are managed by MÁV, so it is possible that it only becomes clear that something is fully booked when doing the actual reservation.

    However, after testing a bit, I can add a single (private) compartment for 1 passenger to my shopping cart on the MÁV and Nightjet websites (MÁV from Budapest, but that's the same train/carriage). This would suggest that there's at least 1 free sleeper compartment, which can be used for either 1, 2 or 3 people. However, adding a double compartment for 2 people to the shopping cart doesn't work on those websites, which is strange. You could try calling ÖBB (+43 5 1717) or MÁV (+36 1 3 49 49 49, press 8 for English).

    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.
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