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Making seat reservations on Deutsche Bahn from Avignon to Lyon, and onto Wurzburg Germany Hbf

Posted by (Central Coast California) on

We have tried multiple times, over two days, to make reservations for 2 senior adults (72 and 71) for May 5, 2024 from the Avignon TGV Station (TGV 9583) to Wurzburg, Germany, with a transfer to ICE Train 229 in Frankfurt.

After we enter the "Station to Station Information" on DB Reservations for this specific single journey starting at the main Avignon TGV station, a "squared R" says: "Subject to compulsory reservation."

However, when we try to reserve specific seats for the leg to Frankfurt from Avignon, the online system does not allow us to do so.

On the other hand, the ICE 229 from Frankfurt Hbf, also says "Subject to compulsory reservation" but for this leg we are able to make seat reservations.

Can anyone send us ideas, or better yet - instructions, in order to reserve two (2) Second Class seats - from Avignon TGV 9583 to Wurzburg, Germany ICE 229, that are facing each other with a table, or directly across a table, next to a window, within eye sight of a Luggage Rack?

Thanks fellow Europhiles!

Posted by
3912 posts

It could be that you cannot do anything with the TGV train from Avignon on the DB website because the TGV train is not operated by DB and so DB does not sell the TGV tickets. Why don't you buy your ticket to Frankfurt from the French system and buy your ticket from Frankfurt to Wurzburg on the DB site? Or go to Trainline.com and buy your tickets for the entire trip there. As to how to get the specific seats, I do not know what to tell you because I am not sure that SNCF, the French train operator, allows you to choose your second class seats like you can on a German train. Perhaps, a train travel expert will chime in.

Posted by
51 posts

Good idea, I'll give that a try, JHK.

Rick Steve's train travel tips indicate DB covers all of Europe.

I've tried the other train reservation systems, but they're less user-friendly for this user, than DB, up to this point, that is.

Thanks for your reply!

Posted by
20987 posts

This what Rick's Train Travel Tips says.

The Deutsche Bahn's site doesn't display fares or sell tickets for most trains outside Germany and Austria.

Posted by
3912 posts

What Sam said. I was always under the impression that DB has all the schedules but that you could only buy German train tickets from DB. Good to know that you can also get tickets for Austrian trains there as well.

Posted by
20987 posts

Well, I just got them to give me a price for a route from Milan to Geneva to the French Alps, never touching Germany or Austria.

Posted by
746 posts

Have you looked at the website called Man in Seat 61? He has a wealth of information about train travel, including how to buy tickets from Point A to Point B.

Posted by
10558 posts

You can request seats in second class but the computer assigns the exact seats.

If you want face-to-face in second, if you are assigned your request, you will be sitting in an arrangement for four with two other people.

For solo face-to-face seats with a table between and the ability to choose your own seats, you need to buy first class tickets.

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