Sticky Seat Reservations

How to book your seat reservations

  • 25 July 2023
  • 9 replies
  • 1965 views
How to book your seat reservations
Sarah W
Userlevel 5
Badge +3

For some routes, an additional seat reservation is required. Seat reservations are not included in your Eurail or Interrail Pass, but for a fee they guarantee you a comfy seat on busy routes across Europe. On most high-speed trains and all night trains, seat reservations are mandatory. 

 

For a fun set of instructions, check out our Instagram highlight, here. 

 

You can book most of your reservations through our Reservation Service. Visit this page for detailed and up to date information on how to book seat reservations per country. 

 

Another option is to book seat reservations directly with the rail carrier. Our community put together this handy guide on how to do that, here. Feel free to ask questions, but please be sure to start a new topic first. 

 

 

Please note that I can't reply to any of my private messages at the moment. Thanks for your understanding.

9 replies

STrofin

The Eurail website indicates that seat reservations will be sent electronically and that they must be printed out. Can they be shown on the device, rather than being printed out? I’m not certain of printing availability when I’m travelling in Europe for two months this summer.

Pleasant voyage!
T
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +5

Yes on the phone is enough. Only for night trains it is a good idea to print them as the carriage attendant might want to keep them for the night.

Note that some routes are very popular so you should book well in advance.

janryboy

how much is the average rate for the seat reservation, we bought the 20 day unli pass, we’ve tried reserving for Zurich to Paris trip, and the reservation is around 65 Euro for us a couple. Is it the correct rate? we thought only for a few Euro like 6 or 8 Euros as we already have the unli pass.

R
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +9

how much is the average rate for the seat reservation, we bought the 20 day unli pass, we’ve tried reserving for Zurich to Paris trip, and the reservation is around 65 Euro for us a couple. Is it the correct rate? we thought only for a few Euro like 6 or 8 Euros as we already have the unli pass.

Zurich to Paris is €29 in 2nd class, €39 in 1st. Book on raileurope.com to have no additional booking fees. It's expensive because SNCF see international passengers and pass holders as cash cows. You can save money by using a regular IC to Basel, a TER to Mulhouse or Strasbourg and only then a TGV to Paris, which will then cost €10 (limited availability) or €20.

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.
T
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +5

Highly depends on the route, company, country. France has the most expensive reservations. Have a look at https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

Zurich - Paris direct trains cost 29€ per person and Interrail/Eurail websites adds 2€ fee per person per train (avoid the website and book elsewhere).

To save money : take any train to Basel, cross the border on a regional train to Mulhouse or Strasbourg and take a TGV from there. Domestic fares are 10€ (limited) and then 20€ until the train sells out.

janryboy

how much is the average rate for the seat reservation, we bought the 20 day unli pass, we’ve tried reserving for Zurich to Paris trip, and the reservation is around 65 Euro for us a couple. Is it the correct rate? we thought only for a few Euro like 6 or 8 Euros as we already have the unli pass.

Zurich to Paris is €29 in 2nd class, €39 in 1st. Book on raileurope.com to have no additional booking fees. It's expensive because SNCF see international passengers and pass holders as cash cows. You can save money by using a regular IC to Basel, a TER to Mulhouse or Strasbourg and only then a TGV to Paris, which will then cost €10 (limited availability) or €20.

Thanks for the prompt response, this is for an unli pass holder right? how much will that be if you are not a unli pass holder? We’ve bought the 20 day unli pass knowing we could save so much. 😭

A
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +3

how much is the average rate for the seat reservation, we bought the 20 day unli pass, we’ve tried reserving for Zurich to Paris trip, and the reservation is around 65 Euro for us a couple. Is it the correct rate? we thought only for a few Euro like 6 or 8 Euros as we already have the unli pass.

Zurich to Paris is €29 in 2nd class, €39 in 1st. Book on raileurope.com to have no additional booking fees. It's expensive because SNCF see international passengers and pass holders as cash cows. You can save money by using a regular IC to Basel, a TER to Mulhouse or Strasbourg and only then a TGV to Paris, which will then cost €10 (limited availability) or €20.

Thanks for the prompt response, this is for an unli pass holder right? how much will that be if you are not a unli pass holder? We’ve bought the 20 day unli pass knowing we could save so much. 😭

unli pass? I have no idea what this is, can you link to what you have bought?

janryboy

how much is the average rate for the seat reservation, we bought the 20 day unli pass, we’ve tried reserving for Zurich to Paris trip, and the reservation is around 65 Euro for us a couple. Is it the correct rate? we thought only for a few Euro like 6 or 8 Euros as we already have the unli pass.

Zurich to Paris is €29 in 2nd class, €39 in 1st. Book on raileurope.com to have no additional booking fees. It's expensive because SNCF see international passengers and pass holders as cash cows. You can save money by using a regular IC to Basel, a TER to Mulhouse or Strasbourg and only then a TGV to Paris, which will then cost €10 (limited availability) or €20.

Thanks for the prompt response, this is for an unli pass holder right? how much will that be if you are not a unli pass holder? We’ve bought the 20 day unli pass knowing we could save so much. 😭

unli pass? I have no idea what this is, can you link to what you have bought?

 

 

I am referring to this one, I thought this would give us free train rides to all/most of  Euro trains 

 

😭😭

T
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +5

Unli in unlimited, right? Now it becomes clearer.

The pass gives you unlimited travel on the vast majority of European trains. Sometimes you need to add seat reservations on top of the pass (extra costs). This highly depends on the country and company : France, Spain and Italy are very reservation-heavy. Have a look at : https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

On the other hand Eurail is excellent value in Switzerland (no reservations), Germany (optional reservations, required on some cross-border routes this summer) and the UK (free optional reservations). Last-minute tickets are expensive there and Eurail gives you full flexibility.

Where are you planning to travel ?

A 22 days pass is rarely the best choice unless you move every day. Note that transportation within cities is not included except sometimes suburban trains (not worth using a pass day).

To save money you could probably exchange the pass for a 10 days or 15 days within 2 months. There is a 15% sale right now too.

Questions welcome.

Reply


Terms and Conditions & Privacy PolicyCookie settings