We will be reserve all our night trains and any other trains that require reservations (ie in Italy) but it has been recommended to me that we reserve any train rides longer than 2 hours to ensure we get a seat. Is this necessary when you have first class eurorail passes?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
For the runs longer than 2 hours, it really depends on what category of train you are on. For example, you cannot make any seat reservations on a Regionale (R) train and some make journeys longer than 2.0hrs. Depending on your travel itinerary, it is likely that you will be on some R trains.
On IC and ICPlus trains, reservations are not required but for 3Euro you can get seat reservations. Many IC and ICPlus trains make runs longer than 2.0hrs. All higher train categories (i.e. ES, EC, CIS, AV and of course, the night trains) have mandatory seat reservations.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I've seen night trains sold out a month in advance, and that was before gas prices got so high. I would recommend that you reserve a place on night trains long before you go over there.
For some of the more popular trains, like Thalys, it is even more important to reserve in advance with a railpass than it is with point-point tickets, especially at popular times. Thalys limits the number of pass holder fares. Sometimes railpass holders cannot get reservations on a Thalys train even though they are still selling tickets.
Posted by
burlington
427 posts
yes
Posted by
Winnipeg
590 posts
We had 1st class and had no problems reserving our seats a day or two in advance. It gave us piece of mind that we will get a seat on the train. It is not that pricey to do as well.