Taking over night train in Europe

1a) Yes 1b) Correct 2a) Yes 2b) Yes 3a) Yes
3b) Depends, if a connection you still have to go to the other train. If terminating, the platform you terminate on.

Usually (always?), when they say "Compulsory Reservation" it means that it is considered a premium train, for which you must pay a surcharge over and above using your railpass. Paying the surcharge gets you a ticket for the train, which comes with a seat reservation. Without a ticket, you can't ride the train. For overnight trains, you must have a reservation, either for a seat or for a bed (cochette or compartment). Reserving a seat is nominal and about the cost of a seat reservation on any other train. They won't let you get on and stand all night. Reserving a cochette or compartment is the "hotel" cost of the accommodations.

Thank you very much guys. You all have been very helpful.

George, 1b. Hopping on the train (day) is permissible in Germany and Austria as long as your Pass covers those 2 countries. Say, you're going Nürnberg-Vienna, you can hop on an ICE day train. Whether you sit or stand is another story. Night, as has been pointed out above, whether you have a couchette/sleeper or just a seat in a compartment in the Sitzwagen, you need a reservation. If all you have is the Pass, then the conductor will ask for the reservation in Euro that you should have had. That happened to me this summer from Frankfurt-Vienna, (night), only had the Pass, and paid the Austrian conductor 18 or 19 Euro...all very civil and polite...for a compartment seat in 2nd class.

18 Euro for a 2nd class, I believe that also include some fine? Or that is the normal price for reservation?

I am not aware of the 18 Euro for a 2nd class seat in a 6 seat compartment included a penalty, but my guess is that it did not because the night's train trip began in Paris to Frankfurt, where I had to transfer to Vienna. The seat reservation from Paris-Frankfurt, 1st class (my mistake), was 24 Euro on an ICE. The German conductor wanted to see the reservation after seeing my Pass. I believe all the 2nd class seats for this leg had been sold out since it was practically last minute when I bought it.

George, As the website states " Compulsory Reservation, you must have a valid reservation to travel on those particular trains. This is not included in the cost of the Railpass, so you'll have to pay "out of pocket" for those. You didn't specify whether part of your trip includes Italy, but I can tell you from experience that you don't want to be caught without a reservation there, as you'll be fined on the spot (and it won't be cheap!). When I was in Europe earlier this year, I noticed that the Conductors were carrying wireless Credit / Debit card Terminals. The fine will be on your card before you even get off the train!!! You might find it helpful to download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website. Click the "Railpasses" tab and then look for the "Go Green" link. It will answer a lot of your questions. Happy travels!

Ken,
Thanks for your info. Yes, I am going to Italy too. It really helps to know ahead of time so I won't have any surprise. Thanks again.

Question 1: When you order Eurail pass these days, do they still give out the "TimeTable" book? Question 2:
For seat reservation, how do they charge it? Do they charge it by how long the trip is, or they charge it by each connection? For example, Vienna - Salzburg - Venice at 22:26, do you make 2 reservations or just one reservation from Vienna to Venice? When I am at Vienna Station, can I make reservation for Salzburg to Venice? Or each station only makes reservation for trip starts from that station only? Thanks in advance.

George, It's been awhile since I ordered a Railpass, so not sure about the "Timetable Book"? If you order the Pass from this website, they include a lot of "extras" so that might be one of them. Regarding reservations you might download the free PDF Reservation Fee List by clicking the link on This page (on the right side, part way down the page). Cheers!

Re: questiom 1 yes, you still get the Timetable book along with the map as part of your Pass order. I got them this year and also in the summer of 2009. I bring them both on the trip.