I'm leaving in two weeks for Europe and was wondering whether it is necessary to make reservations for trains before i leave. I have a eurail pass but my trains all need reservations. I'm going Madrid-Barcelona, Barcelona-Geneva, and Geneva-Pisa. Since I'd rather not pay for the high shipping cost could i get these reservations when i'm already in europe or should i suck it up and book them online?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23609 posts
First, it is rarely, unless something special is happening, for a train to sell out so you can easily wait till you are in Europe to make the reservations. The one exception is the French trains that limited the number of seats available for passes but since you are not going to France that is not a concern. I curious. What did you pay for the pass?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I dont remember somewhere between $550 and $600 i think...I'm wondering now if it was even worth it but it's too late for that I suppose
Posted by
Green Bay
21107 posts
Barcelona to Geneva is through France and it is a pretty good chance you will be on some French TGV or IC trains, so definitely get reservations for those.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
Are you sure you have to pay for shipping? Is there an option to print the receipt or pick it up at the station?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
If you are going to be on a French TGV (high speed) train for a portion of this trip, I think an advance reservation is mandatory for that portion. You'll definitely want to research this point, because of the bad consequences if it's mandatory for the French part and you don't do it.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33755 posts
and the French ones sell out so time is of the essence.
Posted by
Andover, MN, USA
222 posts
I think that I remember that you can't buy reservations on the TGV within 24 hours of the train departure?? And they do sell out. You should be safe this early in the season though. With only 2 weeks, I would contact a travel agent or Euraide which is where I get my train reservations - euraide.com or email at [email protected].
Barb
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
It may take longer to work through Euraide, and they will charge for delivery to you, so check availability first through Rail Europe. They do have many reservations available as e-tickets and if paper tickets are a must, then they'll send them by UPS air. Barcelona-Lyon is the train you need to reserve now; limited seats for pass holders mean this could easily sell out, and also not be sold in the station on short notice. From Lyon to Geneve does not require reservations. Your other routes have more service and you can buy reservations in stations there, but it would still be a good idea to book a few days ahead.