Booking Trains throughout Europe?

Click on the Railpasses tab at the top of the page you're reading now for detailed information. Go to www.seat61.com and read the Railpasses section there for more detailed information. If you still have questions, call BETS (Budget Europe Travel Service). Their toll-free numbers are on their Web site. Their advice is free and they are experts.

Your railpass is your ticket. So in principle you can just jump on any train without any formalities since you are already ticketed. However, certain trains require reservations, and for these trains, you need to buy a reservation before boarding. Other trains offers optional reservation, on these trains, you can choose to reserve a seat for peace in mind, but you don't have too. If there are no free seats, which is not very likely, you´ll have too stand. And again, many trains (normally slower, regional trains) don't offer reservations at all. On these trains, you can just jump on and off. It's best to get reservations one or two days in advance, e.g. buy your outgoing reservation when you arrive in a city. This gives you more flexibility than buying them all at once. reservations are normally refundable if a refund is requested at least a day before the trains' departure, but they are only refundable in the country of purchase. Make reservations early for any night trains!