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Which trains are advisable to reserve seats?

  • March 15, 2026
  • 3 replies
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Good afternoon Eurrail hive mind. We have now booked our First Class Eurail passes (BEFORE the 15% sale, boo!) and we have the following itinerary in mind. The route doubles back a bit unfortunately but this is because my friend in Munich is only available on certain times. Our start and end point is Schiphol on 24 June and 16 July. I would appreciate answers to two questions:

  1. Which of these trips do I need to reserve?
  2. Where would be a good place to stop on the longer trips?

Our itinerary is as follows:

  • Thurs 25 June:  overnight sleeper AMS-ZUR (=4 x couchettes already reserved and paid for)
  • Monday 29 June:  Zurich-Modena:  does this need a reservation? And which is the best route?
  • Friday 03 July:  Modena-Munich:  does this need a reservation?
  • Tuesday 07 July:  Munich-Nuremberg (I assume this is a direct train and no reservations are needed given the amount of trains available).
  • Thursday 09 July:  we leave Nuremberg and head to Lugano. We would like to stop for one night. Where would be the best place please? At this stage I am looking at Lake Konstanz, but I would appreciate advice. Again, is a reservation required?
  • Friday 10 July:  Lake Constance-Lugano - reservation needed?
  • Monday 13 July:  Lugano-Koln:  this is a really long trip. Would it be better to stop somewhere that makes the journey a bit shorter? (We are on our way back to Utrecht).
  • Wednesday 15 July:  Koln-Utrecht

 

Advice and tips appreciated, please, as well as places to stay around Lake Constance. We’re travelling on the Aussie dollar though, so nothing over EUR 350 a night!!!!!

Best answer by Danhiel

@Alison Dell 

Reservations are mandatory for long distance trains in Italy and between Köln and Utrecht. You can find more information here:

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

No reservations are necessary in Switzerland.

For other routes I recommend to reserve seats for long trips.

Monday 29 June:  Zurich-Modena: via Milan, find a relation with only one change.

Friday 03 July:  Modena-Munich: Via Bologna - Brenner, find a relation with only one change. A surcharge is due on this route.

Thursday 09 July: I suggest a stopover in Lindau or Bregenz, but hotels may be expensive, otherwise Konstanz (EDIT The opera festival starts later).

Monday 13 July:  Lugano-Koln: I suggest a stopover in Basel. 

3 replies

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  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • March 15, 2026

@Alison Dell 

Reservations are mandatory for long distance trains in Italy and between Köln and Utrecht. You can find more information here:

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

No reservations are necessary in Switzerland.

For other routes I recommend to reserve seats for long trips.

Monday 29 June:  Zurich-Modena: via Milan, find a relation with only one change.

Friday 03 July:  Modena-Munich: Via Bologna - Brenner, find a relation with only one change. A surcharge is due on this route.

Thursday 09 July: I suggest a stopover in Lindau or Bregenz, but hotels may be expensive, otherwise Konstanz (EDIT The opera festival starts later).

Monday 13 July:  Lugano-Koln: I suggest a stopover in Basel. 


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  • Railly clever
  • March 15, 2026

For Germany reservations can be advisable if you want seats next to each other and it is busy) Otherwise I would skip them for Germany as you are more flexible that way.

If you get on at the station the train starts from, finding seats even if traveling together should be fine.


ralderton
Railmaster
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  • Railmaster
  • March 15, 2026

Good afternoon Eurrail hive mind. We have now booked our First Class Eurail passes (BEFORE the 15% sale, boo!)

Most passes are refundable/ exchangeable, so you should be able to exchange your existing pass for one in the sale, for a €25 fee.

https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes/ordering-info/refund-exchange-policy

(Note, however, that passes bought in the current sale are only exchangeable/ refundable for 7 days, then become non-changeable.)