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Budapest to Bratislava to Poprad - reservations?

  • February 4, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 23 views
J
Keeps calm and carries on
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I am planning to travel Budapest to Bratislava and onto Poprad, with a Global 2nd class pass. I am seeing some conflicting information about reservations for this route. Can anyone advise the correct info!

 

  1. From Budapest to Bratislava with Railjet Metropolitan. The app says reservations required but comments here suggest they are not.
  2. Bratislava to Poprad. There is an hourly “Express” train on this route. Will this just be a simple 1Euro reservation, not the more expensive IC reservation fee?
  3. Also, is it possible to pay an upgrade to first class on Bratislava to Poprad train? How should I do this?

Thanks

    3 replies

    R
    Railmaster
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    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • February 4, 2026
    1. Reservation is optional according to the operators (ZSSK, MÁV), in both 1st and 2nd class. The Rail Planner app is wrong. ​@Eurail Community Moderator can this please be corrected?
    2. Express is not the same as IC. The express trains indeed have an optional €1 reservation in 2nd class. In 1st class, a €2 reservation is mandatory.
    3. The best is probably to do this at the ticket office in Bratislava. In the train, you'll also pay an onboard supplement. I don't see a way to do this online. The difference between the regular 1st and 2nd class fares is €6.30, according to https://predaj.zssk.sk/
    Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
    J
    Keeps calm and carries on
    Forum|alt.badge.img+2
    • justin1123
    • Author
    • Keeps calm and carries on
    • February 4, 2026
    1. Reservation is optional according to the operators (ZSSK, MÁV), in both 1st and 2nd class. The Rail Planner app is wrong. ​@Eurail Community Moderator can this please be corrected?
    2. Express is not the same as IC. The express trains indeed have an optional €1 reservation in 2nd class. In 1st class, a €2 reservation is mandatory.
    3. The best is probably to do this at the ticket office in Bratislava. In the train, you'll also pay an onboard supplement. I don't see a way to do this online. The difference between the regular 1st and 2nd class fares is €6.30, according to https://predaj.zssk.sk/

     

    Very helpful, thanks.

    Shame about the upgrading/supplement not being available online, I couldn’t see a way either. I will just have a very short connection between trains so seems unlikely I will be able to sort at the ticket office. I guess option then would be to pay for a 1st class reservation online, and pay upgrade plus onboard supp on the train?

    R
    Railmaster
    Forum|alt.badge.img+10
    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • February 4, 2026

    Shame about the upgrading/supplement not being available online, I couldn’t see a way either. I will just have a very short connection between trains so seems unlikely I will be able to sort at the ticket office. I guess option then would be to pay for a 1st class reservation online, and pay upgrade plus onboard supp on the train?

    Indeed, you could do that. Maybe alert the conductor you want to buy an upgrade, before you board.

    Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
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