I'm in Sweden and the conductor just informed me that I need to sign in to the Eurail app to make a reservation for this train. However, the app is asking for a six character pass code. It says it is in my confirmation email, but the only pass number there is nine characters -- an E followed by eight digits.
I have a paper Eurail pass, because I am a neanderthal and technology frightens me.
How do I find the six character pass number? Or, how can I make reservations without the app?
I've already made about a dozen trips on my pass, but this Swedish conductor is the first that insisted I need a reservation.
Best answer by rvdborgt
The rail planner app can't book any reservations. It can only forward to some of the websites where you can book, but it sometimes does not mention the best website. It's better to ignore it and use this page as a guide:
Swedish reservations can be made online on sj.se but SJ sadly now only allows online reservations for mobile passes, so I guess you're now trying to book there. You can also book via phone: https://www.sj.se/en/customer-service
Online reservations for Sweden with a paper pass are possible on eurail.com, which adds a €2 booking fee per person and seat.
Which exact train are you on (route, departure time)?
The rail planner app can't book any reservations. It can only forward to some of the websites where you can book, but it sometimes does not mention the best website. It's better to ignore it and use this page as a guide:
Swedish reservations can be made online on sj.se but SJ sadly now only allows online reservations for mobile passes, so I guess you're now trying to book there. You can also book via phone: https://www.sj.se/en/customer-service
Online reservations for Sweden with a paper pass are possible on eurail.com, which adds a €2 booking fee per person and seat.
Which exact train are you on (route, departure time)?
I think the conductor conceded to my daftness, and has not been back to bug me. But I do need to figure this out as eventually I will travel back from Stockholm.
Also worth noting is that the train is practically empty. I'm not taking a paying customer's seat.
That train (SJ Intercity) indeed has mandatory reservations. In Sweden, reservations are mandatory also in SJ X2000 (Snabbtåg), Snälltåget IC, and in night trains.
Yep. I was unsuccessful in making a reservation but arrived in Stockholm successfully with no further interaction with the conductor. I will attempt again in a few days when I train out.
In Sweden you must have a reservation on all night trains, SJ high speed trains, all IC trains and for travellingwith Snälltåget. You risk a high fine if you travel without reservation on a train with mandatory reservation.
You should always check in the Railplanner app whether reservations are mandatory or not.
With a Paper Pass you can't make SJ reservations online, but SJ Customer Support will help you online.
I hope I can accomplish this for my next Sweden trip. Reservations are nice to guarantee a seat, but when the train is mostly empty anyway it feels like a rip.
As mentioned by the others above, it’s not a matter of “Reservations are nice to guarantee a seat”, it’s a matter of “You must have a reservation to ride this train or you will get fined, no matter if you are the only person on the train and all other seats are empty”
I can’t remember how much the reservation fee is, but you should be able to walk up to a ticket desk and ask them to make the reservation for you.
Don’t forget that while your first train might have been quiet enough, you may not be so lucky for your second one. If you are on that one without a reservation and it’s full then the conductor will likely put you off at the next station and/or fine you.
All of which is a long winded way of saying, you need a reservation, it’s not a rip off and it shouldn’t be a hassle. Save yourself potential hassle and get a reservation.
I can’t remember how much the reservation fee is, but you should be able to walk up to a ticket desk and ask them to make the reservation for you.
In Sweden there are neither ticket desks nor ticket machines available at all. All tickets and reservations have to be made online.
Don’t forget that while your first train might have been quiet enough, you may not be so lucky for your second one. If you are on that one without a reservation and it’s full then the conductor will likely put you off at the next station and/or fine you.
Very true, travelling without a reservation on a train that requires a reservation is considered travelling without a valid ticket.
SJ tickets can also be bought at Pressbyrån newsagents. I'd assume this also works for pass reservations. Not sure if they have a booking fee.
The booking fee at Pressbyrån is 100 SEK. I don't know if the booking fee is per train and person or per booking. I have never heard of any Swede buying SJ tickets or reservations at Pressbyrån.
