I would like to book trains as per above destinations using EURAIL PASS without Reservation. I have already paid enough for the Tickets itself. Since this is unavoidable, i wouldn’t mind booking the slower regional trains.
From Bruges to Paris - which train? I can’t take the fast trains they have reservations
From Paris to Strasbourg - which train? ‘’ ‘’ ‘’
From Strasbourge to Zermatt - which train? “” “” “”
Best answer by EdM
I will mention trains with affordable reservations as well as without, because your research may have previously pointed you in the direction of very overpriced international TGVs.
Brugge to Paris:
First, take the train to Kortrijk, then another over the French border to Lille Flandres (when you are in Kortrijk, Lille will appear on station departure boards under its Dutch name, Rijsel).
Then either:
Paris to Strasbourg
Strasbourg to Zermatt
Take one of the frequent fast TER services to Basel, then change onto the Swiss rail network on which (apart from on certain tourist trains) reservations are not required.
From Basel there are direct trains to Visp (from which the narrow-gauge railway to Zermatt leaves) every two hours, but there are also other itineraries with changes. If you go Basel - Spiez - Brig - Zermatt, you can take the old line over the Loetschberg Pass, which offers huge and spectacular views on the descent into the upper Rhone valley.
I will mention trains with affordable reservations as well as without, because your research may have previously pointed you in the direction of very overpriced international TGVs.
Brugge to Paris:
First, take the train to Kortrijk, then another over the French border to Lille Flandres (when you are in Kortrijk, Lille will appear on station departure boards under its Dutch name, Rijsel).
Then either:
Paris to Strasbourg
Strasbourg to Zermatt
Take one of the frequent fast TER services to Basel, then change onto the Swiss rail network on which (apart from on certain tourist trains) reservations are not required.
From Basel there are direct trains to Visp (from which the narrow-gauge railway to Zermatt leaves) every two hours, but there are also other itineraries with changes. If you go Basel - Spiez - Brig - Zermatt, you can take the old line over the Loetschberg Pass, which offers huge and spectacular views on the descent into the upper Rhone valley.
You never book a reservation free train.
In the Railplanner you can add a filter that only shows the reservation free trains. This should work for countries that share their full time table with Eurail. However, the information in the Railplanner is not always correct so the advice is to always double check information with the national railways.
+7Indeed, no need to “book” anything. Just put your journey in the pass and generate the code. That’s your ticket on you’ll be able to jump on any (reservation free) train. The options
There are two direct TGV trains from Brussels to Strassbourg as well. They are usually well filled with Eurocrats travelling between the two EU parliamentary cities. But you’ll need reservations of course.
Domestic trains in Belgium are not reserveable. Just show up on get on them with a valid pass. On weekdays there are three trains an hour from Bruges to Kortrijk.
When are you planning to travel?
Please note that there are engineering works between Moeskron/Mouscron and Lille Flandres this semester. (This is the route your reservation free train takes). Some trains get replaced by busses.
More info is only available only in Dutch in French: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/travel-info/current/ongoing-disturbances-and-works. If you state your planned itinerary we can help figure you out the reservation free options - without busses.
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