Two of us are travelling in Europe for two weeks in early July. We are planning to take the train from Amsterdam to Vlissingen; from Vlissingen to Copenhagen; from Copenhagen to Paris; from Paris to Lindau (Germany); from Lindau to Munich. We don't know exactly which days we will travel - only that we will be on a train approximately every third day. We are not planning on couchettes or sleepers on the long rides. We are planning on using the Select Saver Pass. We have done this kind of trip before and have just reserved at the train station the night before we plan to travel. Our only problems arose when we were at stations without International windows. Has this changed?
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
162 posts
Unless it's a high speed train which requires a reservation, I never bothered with a reservation. That's the nice thing about a pass, you just hop on any train, the conductor will stamp your pass for that day. Just be sure to validate it before you begin your first train ride from a ticket booth at a station before you board.
Posted by
OP
Victoria, BC, Canada
2 posts
Thanks! That's what I thought but after reading some other comments where people are reserving weeks ahead from home I was starting to worry!
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
162 posts
I only had one problem once on a train. From Nice to Genoa. I had my pass, I sat in first class and the train started to fill up, I got bumped by people with seat reservations, so I moved. Next station I got bumped again. For the last hour of the ride, many people and I stood at the end of the carriage as we made our way into Italy. But don't worry, that was only once. I have never had a problem at other times, and that's after dozens of other intercity rides all over Europe. But it's a cautionary tale to indicate that it's a small chance you don't get a seat - but you always get a ride.
Posted by
Weston, FL
3 posts
My husband and I, along with our 2 sons, will be traveling to Italy. We arrive in Rome on Saturday and would like to take the train to Venice. We would be returning the following day - heading to the Port to start our Med. cruise. I'm also concerned about the reservation. Given that our timeline is tight and its a 4 1/2 trip to Venice and a longer trip from Venice to the Port, would it be safe not to reserve our seats? This trip is starting to cost an arm and a leg and I'm trying to be economical where possible. Thanks
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Virgina,
You will be taking EuroStar Italia trains from Rome to Venice and return. Seat reservations are required on those trains, but they are included in the price of the ticket. So long as seats are available, you can buy tickets up until just before departure.
There are 2-3 trains/hour from Rome to Civitavecchia. Most of them are regional trains and reservations aren't even possible on them. Buy a ticket and jump on any train. The ICplus trains that make that run require reservations, but again they are included in the price of the ticket.
Posted by
Sacramento
1 posts
We are facing a similar question--we are taking only one TGV train (compulsory reservation), but we are taking a few that say "please reserve" (Paris to/from Caen, segments of a trip between Basel/Zurich/Innsbruck/Munich.) Still trying to decide how to handle the optional reservations.
I had misunderstood, and thought it was possible to reserve seats on the DB Bahn site, and now I'm concerned that it's too late to make reservations from here (we leave in 10 days!). Our first stop is in England. Can I make reservations for the TGV in England, or do I need to wait until I get to France?
Posted by
San Francisco, Ca
59 posts
This is for Chris in Vancouver. Were there reservation cards in the holders of the seats you used? Rick says to look for seats that are not reserved for the leg of the trip that you want. Did you try that and were still bumped? Just wondering.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Andrea,
I don't think you will be able to make reservations in the UK for TGV travel in France. Make them at any SNCF station as soon as you get to France. Or buy them today from Rail Europe. Or phone the Deutsche Bahn Call Centre and buy all your reservations over the phone. Dial 011 + 49 + 1805 996633.
However, for trains saying "please reserve," I think you can safely skip the reservations.