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Seat revervations Portugal/France

  • June 5, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 85 views
T

Hi, I‘ve planend the Route Forums Interrail Trip a now it’s time to book the seat reservations. I remember that I bought them at the counter in my local train station here in Germany before, but the last time they said they dont do that anymore for Interrail seat reservations. In my route are trains in Portugal, Spain and France. For some the App only lists off the possibility to buy the reservations in person at train stations, for some it says i can buy them via their Eurail Website but when i click that link it always says 404 Page not found.

I’d appreciate some help what’s the safest and easiest way to buy the reservations for my trip now so i dont get any problems or unnessecary stress during ,y trip.

Thanks in advance.

Best answer by eurocity101

For France and Spain, use raileurope.com (or happyrail.com if the former doesn’t work - there’s a booking problem for some trains in Spain right now so it’s best to wait a few days).

Trains in Portugal can only be reserved at a counter there but trains are frequent on the mainlines.

Unfortunately, some DB staff does not know how to reserve Spanish trains but their system still allows such bookings.

6 replies

E
Railly clever
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  • eurocity101
  • Railly clever
  • Answer
  • June 5, 2025

For France and Spain, use raileurope.com (or happyrail.com if the former doesn’t work - there’s a booking problem for some trains in Spain right now so it’s best to wait a few days).

Trains in Portugal can only be reserved at a counter there but trains are frequent on the mainlines.

Unfortunately, some DB staff does not know how to reserve Spanish trains but their system still allows such bookings.

I'm NOT working for Interrail/Eurail.
T
  • Tabaluca
  • Author
  • Right on track
  • June 5, 2025

Okay thanks! I managed to book the reservations for France and Spain, but that means for Portugal i can only book these reservations in a train station there?

E
Railly clever
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  • eurocity101
  • Railly clever
  • June 5, 2025

Exactly

But when I was there in February, they had very helpful english speaking staff at Porto and Lisbon station. It should be ok when you reserve your trains as soon as you arrive in Portugal (but I made one of my reservations 5 minutes before departure!)

I'm NOT working for Interrail/Eurail.
T
  • Tabaluca
  • Author
  • Right on track
  • June 5, 2025

Okay thanks a lot. Naturally I’d prefer to book it all in advance to feel safe ^^

But I guess I will buy them as soon as i arrive there. 

It’s a little bit annoying because the reservations in Portugal are also by far the cheapest compared to France and Spain…

Anyway thanks for your help 

D
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • DanMann1001
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • June 5, 2025

Hi everyone.  Would the trains between Lisbon and Porto be rather full early October?  If arriving on 2nd Oct, will it be fine to book a ticket at a train station on the 2nd for a trip to Porto on 3rd October?

 

Thanks!

ralderton
Railmaster
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  • ralderton
  • Railmaster
  • June 5, 2025

Hi everyone.  Would the trains between Lisbon and Porto be rather full early October?  If arriving on 2nd Oct, will it be fine to book a ticket at a train station on the 2nd for a trip to Porto on 3rd October?

 

Thanks!

No problem at all. 

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