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Compulsory reservations on trains.

Posted by (St-Laurent, Montreal, Canada) on

I am wondering… how “compulsory” is it really? Doesn’t this just mean: don’t get on without a ticket? If you buy your ticket for THAT train right before leaving, isn’t that good enough?

Having travelled in Europe by train many times (and always having made advance reservations when required – no questions asked) I have a hard time imagining that trains would be completely sold out – especially with hourly departures between major cities! We’ve had reservations on empty trains many times.

Would like to hear from others on this; we are considering not getting the reservations in advance from home this time, and go with a more last minute approach.

I wonder if we’d be taking a risk….

Posted by
9110 posts

Yes, you have to have a reservation. I've personally seen people being "thrown" off of TGV, Thalys, and even a narrow-gauge scenic train in Switzerland. In all of these instances the train was not even close to being full...but rules are rules.

Posted by
12040 posts

Usually only applies for certain high-speed lines like Thalys and Eurostar... your ticket on one of these trains gets you the reservation. Also for overnight trains.

Posted by
77 posts

Thank you both and yes: we do plan to reserve, but what I meant was more: is getting the reservation in advance really all that necessary? What it we just show up that morning and buy the ticket that day? I think it would be good enough no?

Posted by
9110 posts

Yeah, there are typically seats/tickets/reservations available the day of your journey. But you will usually pay the highest fare. As with airline fares, the earlier you book the cheaper it will be.

Posted by
12040 posts

"But you will usually pay the highest fare. As with airline fares, the earlier you book the cheaper it will be." If there is an advanced discount available. For regional routes and for smaller countries like Belgium and the Netherlands, the ticket is the same price, no matter when you buy it in advanced or 5 minutes before stepping on the train.

Posted by
9110 posts

Correct, but the OP was specifically asking about the availability of seats on trains that required reservations.

Posted by
873 posts

It seems like night trains are the ones most likely to fill up and the only ones you will want to reserve in advance.

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