We purchased Eurail Global Passes. When I checked the train schedule from Saltzburg to Bled it said seats were subject to compulsory reservations. So, we need to get reservations with a pass? I was under the impression we didn't need reservation with the Eurail Pass. Is this the situation for all trains within the Eurail system?
Thank you!
Posted by
Chicago
8201 posts
Certain trains in different countries require a seat reservation in edition to the pass;
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/global-pass
Usually the high speed trains or Intercity or Eurocity trains require a seat reservation.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Where did you get that information? The website of the OEBB (the Austrian railways) indicates an optional, not a compulsory reservation. But those few euros give you the peace of mind of knowing exactly where you can find free seats.
Posted by
Chicago
8201 posts
Yeah I agree with TomfromLeiden. That route Salzburg to Lake Bled says seat reservation is optional 4euros
Posted by
2281 posts
I checked on https://www.oebb.at/en/ the connections between Salzburg and Bled for a random date. There are no compulsory reservations required. There is only one reasonable connection per day:
Eurocity EC 113 departs from Salzburg 2:12pm, arrives in Lesce-Bled 5:50pm.
I always recommend buying seat reservations, compulsory or not. I don't like to have to walk through the train with my luggage to search for a spare seat.
Anyway, buying Eurail Global Passes is a waste of money. The regular ticket from Salzburg to Lesce-Bled is about €44.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Many countries' railways make reservations mandatory on faster trains. However, trains in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, only rarely require seat reservations (and then usually when leaving toward other countries like France, Italy, or Poland). The connections to Lesce-Bled station are operated by Austrian rail.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
The regular ticket from Salzburg to Lesce-Bled is about €44
For a random date in September I saw tickets for EUR 14 at the OEBB site!