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Hello,

Going from Berlin to Amsterdam in June. A reservation is recommended, but not required. Is it a good idea to book a seat? If we do not reserve a seat, will we still be able to find a seat once we board the train? That is, does a ticket guarantee a seat, or do they sell more tickets than there are seats available?

Thank you!

Hi,

I guess it’s a train of the “Deutsche Bahn”. A ticket does not guarantee a seat, because they sell more tickets than there are seats on the train. If you want to make sure to have a seat, you need to book it separately. If there are non-reserved seats, you are free to take them. It depends on the weekday and time if it's necessary to reserve. If you travel alone it is normally not that hard to find a seat, but if you travel with a few people it’s probably not that easy. Reserving a seat costs 4 Euro per person. You can reserve them at the following website.

https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/dn?&rit=yes

Best wishes


Hi,

I guess it’s a train of the “Deutsche Bahn”. A ticket does not guarantee a seat, because they sell more tickets than there are seats on the train. If you want to make sure to have a seat, you need to book it separately. If there are non-reserved seats, you are free to take them. It depends on the weekday and time if it's necessary to reserve. If you travel alone it is normally not that hard to find a seat, but if you travel with a few people it’s probably not that easy. Reserving a seat costs 4 Euro per person. You can reserve them at the following website.

https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/dn?&rit=yes

Best wishes

Thank you!


When reservation is optional, a ticket does not guarantee a seat. A reservation, on the other hand, does guarantee a seat.

The Amsterdam - Berlin trains can be busy but it very much depends on the day and the time of day. So "in June” is much too vague. Busy times are Friday and Sunday afternoon/evening and around holidays, especially around long weekends such as the weekend of Ascension day (in May this year) or Whitsun weekend. The latter one is 4-6 June, so expect busy trains on Fri 3 June and Sun 6 June.

Booking a reservation is not expensive though. Just 3€ via ÖBB or 4€ (€5.30 in 1st class) via DB (choose “Seat only” for both). Eurail want 8€.

Note: On most days in June, the trains Berlin - Amsterdam don't seem to serve the main station (Hbf) but Gesundbrunnen instead. They also serve Berlin Spandau (as always). Depending on where you're staying, it may be better to get to one or the other (by S-Bahn or regional trains, also included in the pass). You can enter "via Stendal” to get these direct trains instead of connections with a change in Hannover. Or request a reservation from Berlin-Spandau and figure out where you're boarding the train later.


When reservation is optional, a ticket does not guarantee a seat. A reservation, on the other hand, does guarantee a seat.

The Amsterdam - Berlin trains can be busy but it very much depends on the day and the time of day. So "in June” is much too vague. Busy times are Friday and Sunday afternoon/evening and around holidays, especially around long weekends such as the weekend of Ascension day (in May this year) or Whitsun weekend. The latter one is 4-6 June, so expect busy trains on Fri 3 June and Sun 6 June.

Booking a reservation is not expensive though. Just 3€ via ÖBB or 4€ (€5.30 in 1st class) via DB (choose “Seat only” for both). Eurail want 8€.

Note: On most days in June, the trains Berlin - Amsterdam don't seem to serve the main station (Hbf) but Gesundbrunnen instead. They also serve Berlin Spandau (as always). Depending on where you're staying, it may be better to get to one or the other (by S-Bahn or regional trains, also included in the pass). You can enter "via Stendal” to get these direct trains instead of connections with a change in Hannover. Or request a reservation from Berlin-Spandau and figure out where you're boarding the train later.

Thank you! We'd be traveling Tuesday 7 June in the morning. The ticket said Gesundbrunnen. The S-Bahn trains are included in the Eurail global pass?


The S-Bahn trains are included in the Eurail global pass?

Yes they are. In Berlin, they're run by DB and DB trains are included.


The S-Bahn trains are included in the Eurail global pass?

Yes they are. In Berlin, they're run by DB and DB trains are included.

Wonderful--thank you!


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