sam913

Travling with Eurorail pass, would you suggest seat reservations for these trains?


Tue 6-20 Salzburg to Venice Italy (The Alps)

Station/Stop Time Products

SALZBURG HBF 07:04 EC790
Villach HB 09:48
Villach HB 10:37 EC31
VENEZIA MESTRE 13:14

ira

Hi sam,

The 10:37 out of Villach requires reservations.

It also goes to Venice San Lucia. Are you planning to get off at Mestre?

sam913

No I should have had:

Venezia S.Lucia 13:26

I will be arriving in Salzburg on the 18th. Is that sufficent time to make reservations for the 20th?

Thanks Again,

Sam

TimS

According to bahn.de, a reservation is REQUIRED on the Villach to Venice leg. I'm only guessing, but I think you'll be okay waiting until you get to Salzburg to make reservations.

ira

Hi Sam,

I think that if you get your reservations on arrival in Salzburg that you will be OK.

Have a nice visit.

TimS

Adding to my original post. Here is a quote from the railpass section at ricksteves.com: "Seat reservations, which cost from $3 to $10, can be made as early as two months in advance (three for Thalys, four for Eurostar), or up to a few hours in advance. A few fast-and-fancy “premier trains” charge railpass travelers a more expensive reservation fee called a Passholder Fare. All trains that require reservations can limit the number of seats available to passholders. In high season, it is wise to reserve several days ahead (or as soon as you're ready to commit to a date and time) for night trains, weekends and holidays, routes with infrequent service, any train you cannot afford to miss, or if you need several seats together. For instance, TGV fast trains from Paris to the south of France and direct Paris-Italy runs are popular routes that can sell out weeks ahead in high season. You can get reservations in Europe (often changeable or refundable) at train stations or at travel agencies there."

If you want to be certain of a seat, particularly on the Villach-Venice leg, you could call Austrian Rail and have an agent make the reservations for you.

sam913

Went to Ricks site, and from what I read it seems that I could book seat reservations for all the trains when I arrive in Berlin on the 8th. This seems cheaper than using Rail Europe.

TimS

Since you'll be in Berlin on the 8th and your Salzburg-Venice trip isn't until the 20th, I agree that you should be fine waiting until you get to Berlin to make your reservations.