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KiwiPete

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Hello

My wife and I are doing a bucket list 8 week tour of Europe in a few months time.  We have purchased a Eurail Global Pass with 15 train days 1st Class to use in 2 months, we are flying into London from New Zealand, then using Eurail to go to France, Belgium, Germany, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland then Italy, and fly home from Rome.

Train Seat Reservations are a confusing issue.  Some sites say you must have them for Eurostar, France & Italy, not elsewhere.  Others say just hop on and choose your seat.  I don't want to pay for something I don't really need or is not required.

My biggest question is when to purchase a seat reservation?  We are still a few months out, I have bought the train tickets, when do I need to book and pay for seat reservations, now, one month prior, or the day before travel?

All advice most appreciated.  Cheers, KiwiPete

Best answer by Schelte

For some trains, and in particular the Eurostar and most high speed trains, you cannot avoid reserving seats: they are compulsory and you will not be let on board without one. For others, they are recommended, such as on German and Austrian domestic high speed trains. I personally do like to have them as it generally guarantees you a seat and they're relatively cheap (€3 when booked through the Austrian railways). On Swiss trains, reserving a seat is generally not necessary.

Be aware the Eurostar seat reservations sell out quickly, so book it once you know you want to take it. From London to the continent there are very limited other alternatives. These are best booked through raileurope.com indicating that you have a pass.

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    Schelte
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    • Schelte
    • Full steam ahead
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    • March 30, 2025

    For some trains, and in particular the Eurostar and most high speed trains, you cannot avoid reserving seats: they are compulsory and you will not be let on board without one. For others, they are recommended, such as on German and Austrian domestic high speed trains. I personally do like to have them as it generally guarantees you a seat and they're relatively cheap (€3 when booked through the Austrian railways). On Swiss trains, reserving a seat is generally not necessary.

    Be aware the Eurostar seat reservations sell out quickly, so book it once you know you want to take it. From London to the continent there are very limited other alternatives. These are best booked through raileurope.com indicating that you have a pass.

    Interrailing seems difficult at first sight, but it's pretty amazing.
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      Pete North
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      LexxxSa
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    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • 10635 replies
    • March 30, 2025

    A general overview of where to book is on this page:

    https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

    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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      Pete North
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    • Pete North
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    • March 30, 2025

    Thank you so much, very helpful advice from Schelte and rvdborgt.

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