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EC 1194 Reservation required?

  • June 8, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 368 views
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Keeps calm and carries on
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I am trying to get from Hamburg Hbf to Kopenhagen Hbf on Tuesday, 10th June night with a Global Eurail pass and would prefer to travel without having to make seat reservations.

The Eurail app is showing direct travel on EC1194 with reservations required... but when I select the "No reservations" option, I am getting an option from Hamburg Hbf to Flensburg on the same train (EC1194) but then I have to make 2 changes as shown below: 

My question is... if seat reservation is required on a train, it would be required for all intermediate stations and not just for the terminating station, right? So what am I missing?

Although the information is quite clear in the app but there have been instances where the app was lacking and hence the doubt. Can someone please clarify?

Thanks in advance!

 

 

Best answer by thibcabe

Reservations are only required across the border. They cost 3€ on ÖBB and imo a good deal: you don't want to sleep on the floor for 6 hours…

This happens on quite a few occasions, for example:

- EC and TGVs have free seating in Switzerland bit you need a reservation for journeys into Italy or France

- ICE or TGVs between France and Germany have free seating as soon as the German border is crossed

7 replies

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Full steam ahead
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  • thibcabe
  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • June 8, 2025

Reservations are only required across the border. They cost 3€ on ÖBB and imo a good deal: you don't want to sleep on the floor for 6 hours…

This happens on quite a few occasions, for example:

- EC and TGVs have free seating in Switzerland bit you need a reservation for journeys into Italy or France

- ICE or TGVs between France and Germany have free seating as soon as the German border is crossed

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S
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • stargazer
  • Author
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • June 9, 2025

Thanks for the clarification... got it!

S
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • stargazer
  • Author
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • June 9, 2025

I was just trying to book this seat reservation and the OBB app is showing Tickets Unavailable. 

In fact tickets are unavailable for this entire week and the next one too.

Trying on DSB website but not getting Eurail discount option... it's showing the full adult price of 120 Kr.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

E
Railly clever
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  • eurocity101
  • Railly clever
  • June 9, 2025

Try using cd.cz instead and use "purchase reservation only." I get to the payment page that way. Costs 3€ too.

I'm NOT working for Interrail/Eurail.
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A
Railly clever
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  • AnnaB
  • Railly clever
  • June 9, 2025

Reservations are only required across the border. They cost 3€ on ÖBB and imo a good deal: you don't want to sleep on the floor for 6 hours…

 

ÖBB can't make reservations for the trains between Hamburg and Copenhagen. 

Please note that I don't work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don't reply to personal messages.
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S
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • stargazer
  • Author
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • June 9, 2025

Thanks everyone for your time and inputs. I was finally able to make seat reservations on cd.cz for EC 1194. It cost €3 per passenger. Ciao!

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Full steam ahead
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  • thibcabe
  • Full steam ahead
  • June 9, 2025

ÖBB can't make reservations for the trains between Hamburg and Copenhagen. 

It seems to work for me.

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