Seat Reservations

1. Yes, required means required. Except where the app is wrong, e.g. in the UK.
2. Some reservations fees are indeed higher than in 2nd class, especially on international routes from/to France. There are sometimes ways to avoid high reservation fees by changing to a regional train shortly before the French border.
3. Hard to say without knowing route, dat and departure time. In general, Fridays and Sundays are busier and July/August can be busy, also depending on the route.

Thank you for your answers - super helpful! Another question I have is about luggage ...

If my family has a lot of luggage, are there trains where they will store our luggage under the train car? Or, will all luggage need to be carried on to the train car and stored inside?

And, if we have to store luggage inside, do most European trains have luggage storage areas that can accommodate large bags that won’t fit above the seat?

I assume this all depends on the train, but curious what your experience has been. Any tips for traveling with large luggage is appreciated!

All luggage is carry-on. No luggage is stored under the carriage and you have to carry and handle your luggage yourself.

Where you can store it depends on the train. It's often a combination of multiple places:

• Luggage rack above the seats
• Under the seats
• Between the seats (where they're placed back to back)
• On a luggage rack between the seats.
• On a luggage rack/storage space at the end of the carriage, near the doors.

Also try to limit what you take (launderettes are often available, or in a washing machine in an apartment or hotel) and don't take suitcases that are very big: you'll regret it.

You’ll have to carry your own luggage, no space to store it under the train. Trains are not busses or planes. Pack wisely and try not to overdo it. Better to drop by a laundromat halfway your journey, than to pack an outfit for every day, for your own comfort.

On long distance and high speed trains there’s usually ample of space for luggage, there are dedicated luggage racks near the doors and halfway the carriage. On double-deck trains it’s a bit more cramped, but if you puzzle a bit it’s doable. You can also stow luggage under the seats. As long as you don’t block the corridor’s, you’ll be fine.

Check the country specific pages on the aforementioned webpage of the man in seat 61. It has some good pictures of which trains you can expect and where the luggage racks are.

If I’m planning to do 1st class seat reservations on the train to get more space and amenities, is there any reason I couldn’t book a 2nd Class Eurail pass to save money on the pass and do the 1st Class seat reservations to get the seats and class I want on the train?

You aren't allowed to make seat reservations in 1st class with a 2nd class pass. If you travel in 1st class with a 2nd class pass you risk getting a fine.

That is only possible in specific cases and you'll have to pay extra for the upgrade from 2nd to 1st class. Often, it's cheaper to buy 1st class passes from the start.