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Quick Question about international trains

Posted by on

I'm going to be traveling from Paris to Luxembourg, then to a number of cities in Belgium. In my past experience in Europe, I had to book a ticket in advance (to get a good rate). For example from Amsterdam to Munich and it was quite expensive.
I looked into traveling from Paris to Luxembourg and it actually lists the trips on the timetables, so I assume that means that the price is the same whether I book the ticket a month in advance, or buy the ticket 5 minutes before departure. So, no need to book it in advance, correct? At least, here is my understanding... If it's listed in a Timetable, then its just a regular train that runs daily, therefore no need to go and buy a ticket beforehand. What is odd to me is that International destinations are treated like regular (domestic) trains.
Sorry for the long post, as I'm simply trying to understand the "system" of trains in these countries. More importantly, I don't want to book anything that I don't absolutely have to book. I'm leaving for Europe in only 2 weeks, so IF (and only if) I must book a trip, then I need to do it now. Thanks in advance!!!

Jason

Posted by
8041 posts

Long distance IC, or international and/ or high speed trains requiring seat reservation you book in advance for the best prices.
Regional trains the price stays the same. but you can travel long distances changing on a series of regional trains.
read this easy to read site on taking trains in Europe:

https://www.seat61.com/

Posted by
33201 posts

Unless the train is full the only reason to buy ahead is to save substantial chunks of money.....

The timetable is irrelevant. All trains are in the timetable.

Or do you mean something different by "timetable"....

Posted by
16894 posts

Most Belgian trains are not reserved nor expensive, except for any international TGV, Thalys, or Eurostar train crossing through Belgium. There's not necessarily a difference between international and domestic trains. They all run on the same network of tracks and can be fast or slow. But faster trains and longer distances are more expensive and tend to be the ones that require seat assignments and offer advance-purchase discounts.

The Deutsche Bahn train schedule link at Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online is great to see schedule options, and will show that TGVs require reservations before boarding, but DB's web site doesn't sell tickets that don't touch Germany.

To book fast, reserved, nonrefundable TGV tickets between Paris and Luxembourg, see SNCF, Rail Europe, or www.trainline.eu. The best rates went on sale months ago but you may still be able to get some discount over the full/flexible fare that you'd pay in the station.

Posted by
3063 posts

We were just in Germany and France. We found that in many cases we could book a day in advance, and sometimes there would be deals. Munchen-Zagreb was 200E for us, but if we took the 4 PM train it was 50% off. So, I advice booking in Europe.

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