I want to use a select saver pass for a specific train and time going from Munich to Bern. How can I know ahead of time if the train will accept my pass and if I need a reservation? If I do need a reservation, how do I make one? kathi
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
All trains on that route accept railpasses and seat reservations are not required. Your Eurail Pass map shows the covered train lines. On the Swiss detail map, you'll see dotted lines for a couple of trains that just give you a discount (e.g., up the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Interlaken).
The best way to confirm is through the DB train schedule link. "Subject to compulsory reservation" is the relevant phrase, which you won't see much in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. It will also show you the route of the train and border crossing points. If you train passes through a bit of Austria, then you either need Austria on the pass or need to stop and buy a supplemental ticket in Munich station for €4. Austrian conductors are on the lookout to collect their fares.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
To expand on what Laura said, there are probably four major ways from Munich to Bern. If you click on the red square with the white '>' to the left of the connection, it will expand to show you the individual train seqment for the route. (You can also click on the train number to see all the stops on that segment.) The first three routes do not need a ticket or a railpass including Austria.
Go across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to either Mannheim or Karlsruhe, then up (south) the Rhein to Basel, Switzerland and from there through Zürich or to directly to Bern. You might not have a change of trains in Basel.
From Munich to Ulm and then across Baden-Württemberg to Schaffhausen on the Rhein, then to Bern.
To Friedrichshafen by train, then across Bodensee by ferry (Schiff) to Romanshorn. You can recognize this route without expanding it because of the word "Schiff" in Products column.
To Lindau on the Bodensee, then around the east end of the lake through Bregenz, to St. Margrethen. The stretch between Lindau and St. Margrethen goes through Bregenz, and you will need a ticket or railpass for Austria. This is the route usually taken by the ECs, shown under products.
Probably not shown because it takes longer, would be a route to Innsbruck and then across the Tirol and Vorarlberg to Switzerland. This route would require substantial travel in Austria and more than a 4€ ticket.