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Purchase train reservations in each country?

Another train question! How soon, once I get to Europe, can I make reservations for the train trips I'm taking in different countries? Can I make them from anywhere in that country, or do I have to be in my city of departure?

For example, I assume that I can't reserve my TGV train from Avignon to Marseille when I arrive in Brussels... But once I get to Paris, can I go ahead and make reservations for the trains that I'll be taking in the south of France? Or will I actually need to be in Avignon in order to make reservations for my trip to Marseille?

Thank you so much for all of your help!

I hope that makes sense

Posted by
6898 posts

I don't think that the train stations and travel agencies deal with "reservations". They deal with tickets. The reservation, which is the date, time and seat assignment, comes with the ticket. Once you get into an area served by the TGV, go to a train station or travel agency and buy the tickets for any travel in the their system. I'm not sure that you can buy your Avignon to Marseille tickets in Brussels but you certainly can when you get to Paris.

Posted by
1530 posts

Lindsey, I asked this same question of the railpass consultants at ETBD. I was told that it is possible to make reservations for a train from a different country (than departure or arrival) within Europe either at a travel agency or at a rail station. I was also warned that some of the more popular train routes may be sold out if I wait to make the reservation until I get there.

I highly recommend that if you already have a railpass, and know which trains you would like reservations for, that you use Euraide to make the reservations for you. They will make all of your reservations for 1 50.00 fee. If you need several this is well worth it.

Posted by
486 posts

I found that even in Budapest (Hungary), we could buy tickets from Bratislava (Czech Republic) to Krakow (Poland).