Purchase Reservations/Passholders Now or Later?

Posted by Judy (Alameda, CA, USA) on 04/30/09 11:51 AM

I am scheduled to arrive in London on May 27, 2009. Afterward, I will travel throughout Paris, Switzerland and Italy. I have purchased the Europass (3 countries in 2 months).

I will take an overnight train from Rome to Paris in late June. Should I make a reservation/passholder now or upon arriving in London? Btw, I can make reservations/passholders in London, right?

In other words, if I purchase a reservation/passholder on May 27, 2009 in London for an overnight trip (Rome/Paris) for June 23, 2009, would that be too late already?

Similarly, I plan to travel throughout the above mentioned countries and was wondering if it is too late to make reservation on May 27, 2009 (once I get into London) or should I make a reservation now with a travel agencies----their fees are ridiculous!
I plan to go to Cinque Terre from Milan. However, I cannot find the train schedule for that trip. Please give me the link if possible :)

Best wishes!

Good travelling!

Posted by Steven

Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada

04/30/09 12:00 AM

521 posts

Hi Judy,

For a night train in June, one month in advance is certainly not too late depending on your method of travel on the train. If you want a private compartment, there are limited numbers per train so you may need to reserve in advance. If you are looking at a couchette or even just a seat, one month is fine.

I have not made reservations from London, though it is my understanding that it is not a problem.

As for reservations on other trains, there are only a few that you might need to reserve well in advance for. To being with, if you are taking the Eurostar from London to Paris, you certainly will need to book a reservation on that one in advance. As for the others, if you have no other night train trips then you probably do not need any advanced reservations. Most trains that require reservations (like the French TGV) can be reserved same-day with no problem, and the Eurostar Italia trains can be reserved right before you hop on. The only real exceptions are if you plan to take any special scenic trains in Switzerland.

To lookup any train route, including the one from the Cinque Terre, use the Deutsche Bahn website as it is pretty much the best for schedules in all of Europe.

Posted by Judy OP

Alameda, CA, USA

04/30/09 12:22 AM

80 posts

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your reply. I have already purchased my Eurostar London <--> Paris ticket. They even gave me a seat number. That is the ticket.

I don't need a reservation anymore for that leg, do I?

Thank you,
Judy

Posted by Steven

Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada

04/30/09 02:03 PM

521 posts

Nope, that one's all done and set to go - no additional paperwork to be done or money to be spent. Just remember that the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel requires you to show up early at the train station as you will need to go through airport-style security.

Posted by Judy OP

Alameda, CA, USA

04/30/09 06:24 PM

80 posts

Awesome reply!

Just to confirm, I would still be able to make reservations for the following trips once I get into Paris, right?

(1) Paris into Geneva
(2) Geneva into Milan
(3) Milan into Venice
(4) Venice into Florence
(5) Florence into Rome
(6) Rome into London

I do plan on taking scenic trips from Geneva. I would like the following for a one day trip:
(1) Geneva to Interluken
(2) Interluken back to Geneva.

I would like to take the Grand View/VP seats. If I make the reservations on June 1, 2009 and these scenic trips will take place on June 6, 2009, would I still be able to get these seats?

Last, I booked my Europass with Eurorail. They only had first class adult. But for the passholders, do I have to always purchase first class passholders or can I purchase the cheapest passholders available? But then, where would I sit?

Best!