Do I just find the train I want to get on, walk up to the train and show the ticket person my pass and get on the train? Or do I have to go to a ticket window, show them my pass and they give me a ticket? I really have no clue exactly how it works and I leave in a month?
Thank you for your help!
Lindsay
For high-speed trains like Eurostar, TGV, and Thalys, and night trains you need to make a seat reservation for a specific departure, leaving on a specific day. When you look at the schedules there will be a large "R" next to the trains which require reservations. On slower trains like inter-city, regional, or suburban you can just hop on any train you like without going to a ticket window.
This video gives you some of the basics on rail travel in Europe:
Thanks, I watched the movie and it was helpful!
Click on the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page you're reading now. On the new page click on "Using Your Railpass." If you're traveling from point A to point C with a connection at point B and both legs are on trains that require reservations, you'll have to buy a separate reservation for each leg.
Ok, but I go to the ticket window, tell them which route I am taking, and they will say ok you owe 10 euros for reservations for these legs? Something to that effect right?
Thanks
Lindsay
Yes, that is basically it... just ask if a reservation is required or not.
The general rule is not to worry, though... for the most part you only are required to have reservations for the following trains, all of which are very clearly marked on schedules by their abbreviations:
TGV (in France - it is three euros per reservation)
Eurostar (the one between London, Paris, or Brussels... this is not included in your Eurail pass)
ES (in Italy - the Eurostar Italia is not at all related to the northern "Eurostar" despite the name. Reservation is required and it is something like sixteen euros per reservation... well worth it in my opinion)
Night trains... any night train at all.
ICE Sprinter (Inter-City Express Sprinter - in Germany - these trains are not common. The ICE is the high-speed train of Germany, and you do not need to reserve... the ICE Sprinter is a version that will only go between the biggest cities - here is a list of those routes. You can take an ICE on these routes instead of the Sprinter - it's longer but no reservation required.)
AVE (in Spain - the high-speed trains)
Alright, while this is not an exhaustive list it likely is the only ones that you may regularly encounter. As long as you keep these in mind, just hop-on, hop-off the rest.
By the way, will you be travelling on the Rhine in Germany? If so, your Eurail pass will let you on the KD line boats at no extra charge.
Have a great trip!
Thank you so much, great information!
I would love to go down the rhine, but I'm not sure if we will! Thanks so much for the train information, I want to be prepared as best as I can before I show up and am confused with the trains!
Thanks
Lindsay
You'll also have to pay a special passholders fare to ride Thalys trains (for example, Paris to Brussels or Amsterdam). You can take IC trains (no reservations possible) between Brussels and Amsterdam, but they don't go to Paris.
Lindsay, don't worry too much; riding European trains is easy and you will quickly get the hang of it. There are information kiosks in the stations with English speaking folks who are (mostly) happy to answer any question you may have Don't be afraid to ask.
Thank you very much for the advice and help!
you activate your pass before your first trip at the ticket office,in each train station. ask them there if you need a reservation, otherwise just hop on. always check ahead to see if you need a reservation to save time. your pass allows you to sit in first class. most times res. are not needed.
