Please read first and if you still have questions start a own topic to keep this post as Informationpost as clean as possible.
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Planning/Timetables:
Many of you will notice that the Railplanner of Eurail will have sometimes different times of the trains as other Websites/Apps. Or evenworse the railplanner wont show any train for your desired Route. The Railplanner of Eurail only shows the timetables that are shared by the Railcompanies unfortunately not all Railcompanies share these and even update it not frequently. The Result is that the Railplanner of Eurail is not always uptodate and because ofthat I and other experienced travelers recommend to use the Local Websites and Apps to check the times and even book the reservations with them (when possible).
Below here finally the main words :D
Hi if you are useing a Railpass there will be the point that a train needs a Reservation 🙂 Many of you ask where to get a reservation for a specific train.
First of all there are 2kinds :)
Supplements like the Intercity Direct in Netherlands or the German/Austrian - Italian Supplement on Eurocity & Railjets that have to be paid and doesnt include a seat :/.
And Seatreservations like the TGV,Eurostar or Thalys that include in the supplement fee even a seat reservation.
There are several ways reserve a seat :)
A. on the Website of the Traincompany that operate the train.
B. at the trainstation (On major stations you have “International ticket desks” they often can reserve even trains in a different country for example you can reserve your TGV from Munich to Paris already in Prague 🙂 )
C. Via the Railplanner app of Eurail itself :) a small service fee will be charged
D. Via the booking Callcenter of a traincompany.
E. Via a Reservation service website or a well experienced Railagency :)
General Websites to reserve trains here you can find out which websites can help you.
We highly suggest to confirm the times of your trains in the Railplanner with Local Railplanner apps or atleast with one of the major ones. I general i recommend even to plan your trips with these app instead of Railplanner.
Manuals for several websites.
German Rail 🇩🇪
Daytrains on oebb.at (Not for Italy) 🇦🇹
Bordercrossing Eurocity/Railjet Italy - Austria/Germany 🇦🇹🇩🇪 - 🇮🇹
Italian Daytrains booked via oebb.at 🇮🇹
Nighttrains on oebb.at (Several Routes)
Reservation within the UK (by rvdbrgt) 🇬🇧
Reservation of Caledonian Sleeper (by rvdbrgt) 🇬🇧
Reservations for Trains in Spain (by rvdbrgt) 🇪🇸
Reservation for the International TGV/AVE France - Spain (by rvdbrgt) 🇲🇫🇪🇸
Reservations on the website of Hungarian Rail 🇭🇺
Reservations on the Website of Czech Rail 🇨🇿
Reservation on the Website of Swedish Rail 🇸🇪
Reservations within Denmark + Denmark - Hamburg
Domestic Reservations within Poland (just 30days in advance)
Kind Regards.
How to get Reservations :)
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Hello all, just to update this information, neither Deutsche Bahn or Swiss Rail are able to assist in purchasing domestic train tickets in Spain. Both representatives explained that you were once able to do so, but that it is no longer the case as of July 2022.
I read a message from someone who successfully bought reservations for Spain in Germany yesterday. So I'm not sure at all that your information is correct. There can be multiple reasons why making a reservation fails.
Reservations for Spanish domestic trains
Booking reservations for Spanish domestic trains is not possible online. You can buy them:
- At a Spanish ticket office
- Possibly at Lisboa Santa Apolónia (They're reported to have a Spanish system there. Please let me know if you can confirm.)
- At a Deutsche Bahn ticket office. You need to provide the train number.
- Via Deutsche Bahn by phone (+49 30 2970 or directly to the English line +49 30 311682904). Collect at a DB ticket machine or receive via post (€5.90 per order). You need to provide the train number.
- Via a Swiss ticket office or by phone (scroll down to Switzerland). Unknown if reservations can be sent via e-mail. Send me a message if you find out.
- Via RENFE by phone, with limitations, see this page (scroll down to Spain). Reservation must be collected in Spain.
The good thing is that these reservations are not quota-controlled, so you can book seats until the train is full.
Train numbers can be looked up via www.raileurope.com or in the DB planner (if RENFE have sent their data), but not too long in advance, since RENFE don't always publish their timetables a long time in advance.
Hello all, just to update this information, neither Deutsche Bahn or Swiss Rail are able to assist in purchasing domestic train tickets in Spain. Both representatives explained that you were once able to do so, but that it is no longer the case as of July 2022.
+13
Domestic Reservations within Poland can be booked just 30days in advance on
Intercity.pl
PKP´s own Manual (thanks for the Link Rian)
You can reserve domestic Journey´s on Intercity.pl Reservations for TLK and IC and EIC (Eurocity) cost 1Zloty arround 25 cents.
Reservations for EIP the Highspeedtrains (sometimes not much faster) cost 40Zloty arround 10€
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DSB Udland Page to reserve trains in Denmark + the Intercities to Hamburg
For a Reservation in 1st class you need a 1st class pass.
Hello. I’m trying to do this but “I want a reservation only” doesn’t appear :/ how is it necessary to do?
Please open your own topic, so we don't "pollute” this tutorial thread with questions and problems.
Updated Manual for reserving trains on CD.cz Website of Czech Rail example here is a Nighttrain as you have here quite a lot options :)
Hello. I’m trying to do this but “I want a reservation only” doesn’t appear :/ how is it necessary to do?
Please post a new topic of your own with your question. This topic is only for information about reservations. It gets too long if questions are asked here.
Hello, I wanted to know, how through the website of the German train company, the route will be linked to my pass (just with a reservation of seats)?
It won't. Reservations are completely separate, regardless of where and how you make them. This also means that you always have to add a journey to My Trip and then (shortly before boarding) to My Pass.
Thanks again, I got it!
Hello, thanks a lot for this precious post. Can I get a few more details about how to add a journey to ‘my trip’ ansd then ‘my pass’?
For example, I found a trip From amsterdam to Copenhagen via Deutsche Ban (night train) → see screen scan
BUT
This train doesn’t seem to be available anymore (at least seats reservations aren’t possible and thus it’s impossible for me to choose it!) on the interail website. → seen second screen scan, written in french but it says ‘no places available for reservations” in red.
Other solution? adding to my trip another train (without red writings) BUT the interail website says that all informations aren’t available to book the train … (grey writings) and cannot add the trip to my cart… → See last screen scan
How can I do? Should I wait and pray until grey stuff diseapears? Should I book the seats on german website without adding the trip to my interail app?
Thanks a lot for your answer
Seating reservation not available
No rates are available at this time. Passholder seating may be sold out. See "More Information" for other reservation options, or purchase a full-fare ticket. You must reserve your seat for this trip.
It says : Details unavailable
At this time, no information is available on reservations.
+13
Swedish Trains via SJ.se (Swedish Rail)
+13
Updated Manual for reserving trains on CD.cz Website of Czech Rail example here is a Nighttrain as you have here quite a lot options :)
+13
Reservations on MAV (Hungarian Rail) Reservations on Hungarian Rail
Reservations for TGVs Paris-Barcelona
The TGVs between Paris and Barcelona can be booked:
- Via Interrail.eu (2€ booking fee per person and train, now via e-mail).
- Via French railways ticket office or by phone (press #85 for English, no booking fee, delivery via e-mail).
- Via a CFL international ticket office or by phone. Booking fee €5, reservation can be sent via email.
- Via a Dutch international ticket office or by phone. No booking fee (because reservations are not available on the NS website and ticket machines), reservation is sent via email.
- Via a Belgian international ticket office or by phone. No booking fee (not applicable to pass reservations at the ticket office), reservation is sent via email but phone number is not cheap.
- Via a Swiss ticket office or by phone (scroll down to Switzerland). Unknown if reservations can be sent via e-mail. Send me a message if you find out.
- Not anymore via a RENFE ticket office.
- Not anymore via Deutsche Bahn.
Reservations for Spanish domestic trains
Booking reservations for Spanish domestic trains is not possible online. You can buy them:
- At a Spanish ticket office
- Possibly at Lisboa Santa Apolónia, Porto Companha and Porto São Bento (They're reported to have a Spanish system there. Please let me know if you can confirm.)
- At a Deutsche Bahn ticket office. You need to provide the train number. Some DB staff claim they can't book Spanish reservations but they're wrong. They need to use the train number search.
- Via Deutsche Bahn by phone (+49 30 2970 or directly to the English line +49 30 311682904). Collect at a DB ticket machine or receive via post (€5.90 per order). You need to provide the train number.
- Via a Swiss ticket office or by phone (scroll down to Switzerland). Unknown if reservations can be sent via e-mail. Send me a message if you find out.
- Via RENFE by phone, with limitations, see this page (scroll down to Spain; when calling, press 1 for English). Reservation must be collected in Spain.
The good thing is that these reservations are not quota-controlled, so you can book seats until the train is full.
Train numbers can be looked up via www.raileurope.com or in the DB planner (if RENFE have sent their data), but not too long in advance, since RENFE don't always publish their timetables a long time in advance.
Additional method; IN FRance for all trains that require a REServation beside the pass: (ONLY domestic trains):
can also do at any machine of SNCF-these are in any major station (mostly purple/grey-the smaller blue are for regional trains only).
Set up trip, choose ´anon´ and no passenger account-then there are endless pages to see if you are fit enough and have no dogs/bikes etc. Then comes REDUCTION: click on ´more´ and then the EUrl and IR appear-choose class. Then it takes a while but there will be a side with all trains/connections (MAX 1 change) from A to B and what it will cost you. Trains that are really ´complet´ will not show up. Works for the TGV, the IC, the overnight trains and ALSO the NoMAD trains (these cost just 1,50 to REServe).
A couchette in the nighttrains cost 21,50 plus an awful lot of extra info: name, full adress, fonenr, mail etc.
Then pay-cards only, cash has been banned since many years (can do at counter if wished-expect to know/ speak FRench and exact details of what you want). You now get mostly a soft paper slip with QR-code and this can be used to pass gates at such stations. In this month (may) it is very well possible to even find seats in TGV for 10€ for the next day, this may not hold for summer or days of great movements (start/end of major holidays etc.)
Do you know why It says “Ticket not available”. I can’t book a reservation.
17 Aug 18:10 train from rome to florence? what do I do?
Please follow the instructions; seats are available for 10€. If you still have problems, please do NOT post in this topic but open your own one.
+1
Italian daytrains via oebb.at Thanks to
Please note that on the 14.26 depature only the first train will be reserved.
It looks like OBB can reserve just direct routes if you wanna use the 14.26 depature you have to search first Venice - Bolgona and afterwards Bologna - Milano.
Kind Regards
from
Do you know why It says “Ticket not available”. I can’t book a reservation.
17 Aug 18:10 train from rome to florence? what do I do?
I just have a short question
Please open you own topic, so this one doesn't get overloaded with questions.
Hey, thank your for this great Thread. I just have a short question regarding reservations in Italy: Is it not possible to select a specific seat when doing a reservation? So you basically book a reservation and they will automatically assign a seat?
Hi, thanks for the instructions! I have a problem with ÖBB,
Please open your own topic, mentioning the exact trains you'd like to book (origin, destination, date, departure time per train).
Hi, thanks for the instructions! I have a problem with ÖBB, I want to make a reservation for NightTrain from Maribor to Split on July. When I just look the tickets, ÖBB is showing the offers, but when I add the Eurail discount ÖBB shows “tickets are not available.”
Can you help me, what is the problem? I guess there is still space in the train, but I can’t make the reservation in the internet..
As Frenchrail (SNCF) stopped to sell Reservations online and via phone 
We wanna show you some other options how you get Reservations for Trains within France (Links provided by
- Eurails own reservation service via App or Website (2 EUR fee per seat)
- Belgian railways (4 EUR fee per order). You need to request a pass cover number first.
- ACP rail (also with a fee, but it doesn't seem to work right now)
You can also call Belgian railways (no fee but you'll have to pay phone charges; no pass cover number required; reservation will be emailed).
Can Belgian railways only book within France? Because I was looking from Munich -> Paris and Paris -> Geneva, but could not search it on b-europe website
The b-europe website mentioned above will only book domestic trains in France. You can book Munich - Paris and Paris - Geneva via the Eurail website (whenever it gets back online - I suppose soon) or by phone via French railways (they sell reservations again via phone, press #85 for English) or Belgian railways. The French number should be cheaper to call.
If you have more questions, please ask them in a new topic, so as not to overload this one.
As Frenchrail (SNCF) stopped to sell Reservations online and via phone We wanna show you some other options how you get Reservations for Trains within France (Links provided by
- Eurails own reservation service via App or Website (2 EUR fee per seat)
- Belgian railways (4 EUR fee per order). You need to request a pass cover number first.
- ACP rail (also with a fee, but it doesn't seem to work right now)
You can also call Belgian railways (no fee but you'll have to pay phone charges; no pass cover number required; reservation will be emailed).
Can Belgian railways only book within France? Because I was looking from Munich -> Paris and Paris -> Geneva, but could not search it on b-europe website
Its dificult reserv in the moment i am in the estation ?
Booking accommodation in the Caledonian sleeper
Services:
- London - Inverness / Aberdeen / Fort William
- London - Glasgow / Edinburgh
Procedure:
- Go to the Caledonian Sleeper website and fill in From and To and other journey details.
- Click on the box with “More options” and click on "Room supplement Only”.
- A pop-up will appear, check the "Room supplement Only” box and click on Continue.
- Click on Add, then on Continue and on "Get times & tickets”.
- Click on the accommodation you want.
- Click on “BOOK ALL X GUESTS FOR £XXX”.
- Review your basket and click on “NEXT: REVIEW & PAYMENT” and then on “NEXT: YOUR DETAILS”.
- Fill in your details and click on "NEXT: PAYMENT”.
- Fill in your payment details and click on "CONFIRM PAYMENT”.
Note: also check normal fares. Some advance fares are cheaper than a pass reservation (room supplement).
Seat reservations in Great Britain via GWR
Reservations for day trains in Great Britain are optional, regardless of what the rail planner app says. You can get them free of charge from a ticket office in Great Britain or via myaccount.gwr.com:
- Create an account. (It weirdly doesn't accept spaces in the surname.)
- Sign in, and click Bookings at the top.
- Click on the “Make a seat/bike reservation“ box, and in the appearing pop-up, click on Next.
- Fill in the form and select the desired train.
- Select a fare. You can select any, as long as it is in the correct class (Standard=2nd class).
- Click on Continue and select “I would like to reserve a seat”.
- Choose your preferences and click on "Add reservation”.
- It says you won't be charged, and indeed you get the free stand-alone seat reservation without needing to enter any payment details.
Even though it's the GWR website, this works for any route in Great Britain where seat reservations are available.
For reservations in the Caledonian Sleeper services between London and Scotland, see below.
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