I am new to THE EURAIL Pass system, having purchased one for 7 travel days in a month. Is the main purpose of the Pass to provide a discount off the full fare? That is, after purchasing the Pass one still needs to pay an amount for the ticket? If so, what is the estimated discount percent?
For example, I made a reservation for travel from Paris to Geneva in September at $42.51 plus a booking fee of $4.36. Does this make sense under the Pass?
Paris - Geneva happens to be one of the most expensive reservation charges in Europe.
For the majority of trains covered by Eurail there are no additional charges and most that do have compulsory reservations are no more than €10.
France and in particular high speed trains to/from France to neighbouring countries are the exception with a number of exceptionally high reservation fees. It is possible to avoid or reduce the cost of some of these by using alternative trains and routes.
The Eurail Pass is your ticket but you need to add seat reservations on some high-speed trains.
The TGV between Switzerland and France has one of the highest seat reservation fees : 29€ 2nd class and even more expensive in 1st.
The easy solution is to take the TGV to Bellegarde : 10€ limited fare in both classes, then 20€. Afterwards easy regional train across the border, it takes about 30 min longer.
On local trains reservations are not possible, only you ticket needed.
On trains in middle Europe like Germany, Austria, Switzerland or Czechia reservations are only optional also for high speed trains.
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