Seat Reservation on Chrismas Eve from Cologne to Strasbourg

Question

I have a question about making seat reservations using the Eurail Pass. I’ll be traveling around Christmas and plan to take the train from Cologne to Strasbourg on December 24. As I understand, seat reservations can usually be made through the Rail Planner app or the Eurail website. However, the app hasn’t been updated yet — it currently only allows bookings up to December 13.

I noticed that last year, the app was updated around mid to late November, so I’m wondering if I should just wait for it to update this time. Will the trains be likely to sell out if I wait?

I also checked on the DB (Deutsche Bahn) website. The train from Cologne Hbf to Mannheim Hbf (ICE 515) allows seat reservations as normal, but the connection from Mannheim Hbf to Strasbourg (ICE 9590) cannot be reserved — it says “subject to compulsory reservation.”

Since this will be on Christmas Eve, I’m worried there might be a lot of people traveling. Should I wait for the Rail Planner app to update, or should I look for another way to book?

Thank you very much for your help! 🙏🏻

thibcabe · Accepted Answer

So cross-border TGV/ICEjourneys between Germany and Francerequire reservations. They cost 19€ andshould already be available on Rail Europe.Follow the guide here: https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htmNow a fewcomments:- a 15 min change in Germany is risky, esp. connecting onto an infrequent international train with mandatory reservations (= annoying if you were to miss it)- you could easily avoid the fee by taking any ICE to Offenburg and then any regional shuttle train to StrasbourgOn Christmas Eve all trains will be busy but those within Germany do not require reservations. You can either buy seat reservations or be prepared to stand/sit on the floor.My advice would be:- wake up early, see how delayed are the trains (30-45 min late out of Cologne is common)- take any ICE to Mannheim, then to Offenburg- take the first available RS4train to Strasbourg (they tend to be busy)Alternatively train to Kehl and tram D across the Rhine.That way you're more flexible and won't stress about that Mannheim-Strasbourg train.Feel free to ask anything. :)

Marvin Heer · Answer

I have no idea why thath ICE can not be booked through the usual link for ICE/TGV from Germany to France: https://int.bahn.de/en/buchung/start?KL=2&ET=PASSZUSCHLAG.

But that reservation is already available from raileurope as the person above me already told you (i tested it)

The shedule for that regional train from offenburg to Straßburg is not yet in the schedule it seems. Kind of surprised by that, as most other trains are by now. But taking that regional train to Straßbourg from Offenburg would save you a lot on the reservation. (but yes the trains to Straßburg seem to be always full, but if you change in Offenburg an not Appenweier, you should be able to get on)

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