Imagine this, you’re on a train from Amsterdam to Berlin, you’re so excited to arrive and—things couldn’t be more perfect…except you’re standing on a crowded train for the next 6 hours!
Luckily for you, train seats in Europe can be reserved! If you’re planning to travel around Europe by train using the Eurail Pass, we highly recommend booking your seat reservations in advance to get the best seats (window or aisle—take your pick!) and stretch out your legs.
To save you from the dilemma of how to book your seats, we’re giving you the lowdown on Eurail seat reservations! “What seats are available”; “which stations need a seat reservation”; “how early should I book,” we’re answering all your burning questions today:
1. Do I need a seat reservation if I have a Eurail Pass?
Snag the coziest seats in the cart!
Yes…and no. While it’s certainly true that you can hop on the trains anytime with your Eurail Pass, some trains ask you to reserve seats before climbing aboard. Usually, these are night trains and high-speed trains that run from country to country around Europe.
Because Eurail seat reservations aren’t covered by your pass, you’ll have to make the reservation yourself and have it as an add-on to your ride. Though, there’s no need to sweat about the extra cost; just think of it as paying for extra comfort and saving your precious time! For a small fee, you can have fast WiFi, power sockets, and cosy sleeping facilities, so you’re well-equipped to travel in utmost luxury.
2. Which trains need seat reservations?
If you’re travelling during the summer peak season, you’ll likely need a seat reservation
As previously mentioned, night and high-speed trains require seat reservations. If you’re planning to tour Italy, France, Spain, and Greece, you need some extra planning and book your seat months in advance, as these are among the busiest railway stations in Europe. On the other hand, countries like Netherlands, Austria, Germany, and more, have fewer trains that require a Eurail seat reservation.
Klook Tip: Plan your itinerary by checking to see whether your train needs a seat booking or not via the official Eurail Pass website.
3. How do I make seat reservations with a Eurail Pass?
Use Rail Planner to map out your itinerary
Booking your seats is easy. All you need is your Eurail Pass and trusty WiFi! First, book your pass and select your type of seat: First-Class or Second-Class. Once you’ve decided, time to start planning your route!
Download the Eurail Rail Planner app to begin your journey and search the routes. The app can also tell you the train schedules, transfer times, as well as seat reservations. If you’re all set, time to book! You can make the reservation in three ways: through the Eurail website, the Rail Planner app, or directly to the railway company*.
*Note: Different railway companies have different websites, so make sure to check with yours before hopping on!
4. Can I reserve my train seats online with a Eurail Pass, or do I have to reserve them at the train station?
Make the most of your ride with the cosy seats and gorgeous scenery. Image credits: @Lucia Regules on Unsplash
You can reserve your seat on European trains both ways! About 95% of trains in Europe can be reserved through individual railway company websites or the Eurail website and app. Though, if you wanna go old school, no one’s stopping you! Alternatively, you can book your train seats in advance inside the local train stations where you plan to begin your Eurail journey.
5. How far in advance do I have to reserve seats?
Book early and stretch out your legs. Image credits: @albanavas.aa on Instagram
Great question! The answer? It’s up to you! However, it’s highly recommended to start reserving your train seats as early as two months before the trip, as seats can get fully packed and booked. Keep in mind that destinations like France and Italy are fan faves, so it’s best to prep early.
Most high-speed and night trains can already be reserved three months in advance, but we totally understand if you’re having a difficult time planning. There’s just so much to see in Europe with the Eurail Pass!
6. What can I do if all the seats on my train are fully booked out?
Eurail trains can get packed, so it’s best to book your seats early
Don’t panic! Easily find another train with the same or similar route to your destination! Use the Eurail timetable to browse through hundreds of train schedules. Who knows, you’ll also discover more places to add to your Europe travel list!
Don’t wanna reserve your seat? Fret not! Just use the Rail Planner app on mobile and tick the “No reservation” box off when searching.
Don’t have a pass yet?
Time to book those Eurail Passes and give Europe train travel a go! Select between Continuous and Flexible Pass on Klook. We make travelling a whole lot breezier with a 24-hour confirmation of your booking!
Need more time to think about it? We’ll help you decide with our Eurail Pass guide and the different types of passes:
Written by: Jianne Uy
