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When you miss the SECOND train which requires reservations because FIRST train late

  • July 11, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 83 views
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So let's say that in Rail Planner I generate a ticket for Berlin to Amsterdam. It creates a ticket for this that uses two trains with a transfer in Hanover. The train from Hanover to Amsterdam (the second train on the ticket) requires a seat reservation.

So what happens if the first train (Berlin-Hanover) is late and I miss the Hanover-Amsterdam train. The next train also requires seat reservations. Because I had a seat reservation for an earlier train that I missed through no fault of my own, am I able to jump on the next train and stand near the door (if there are no seats)?

If I cannot board the second train without a reservation, and one is not available because the Interrail quota is already used up, then am I just left stranded at the train station?

How can we prepare for this? What are the best practices? Do we have to get "backup" secondary reservations "just in case"?

Best answer by rvdborgt

In this case, just board the next train. Use the DB Navigator app to find the next possibility.

In the ICs and ICEs from Germany to Amsterdam, seat reservations are currently mandatory for international journeys. However, these are not checked and there are always free seats, e.g. the BahnBonus seats, which cannot be reserved. The DB Navigator app will show in which carriage they are, in the train composition.

If you have time, go to the ticket office and ask for a new reservation. There might still be availability and it will then be free of charge.

1 reply

R
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • Answer
  • July 11, 2025

In this case, just board the next train. Use the DB Navigator app to find the next possibility.

In the ICs and ICEs from Germany to Amsterdam, seat reservations are currently mandatory for international journeys. However, these are not checked and there are always free seats, e.g. the BahnBonus seats, which cannot be reserved. The DB Navigator app will show in which carriage they are, in the train composition.

If you have time, go to the ticket office and ask for a new reservation. There might still be availability and it will then be free of charge.

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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