Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - A Lesson on Train Seat Reservations

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)

- - A Lesson on Train Seat Reservations (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/a-lesson-on-train-seat-reservations-223007/)

A Lesson on Train Seat Reservations

I travel around Europe by train a lot and am always surprised at how few Americans understand how the seat reservations work. Here's a little lesson. When you buy a ticket, generally speaking, it does not come with a seat reservation unless you request it. On board the train, all reserved seats are designated as such. Look above the seat, on the back of the seat, on the wall next to it, or somewhere nearby for the seat number and a little card holder. If the seat is reserved, there will be a card next to the seat number that says which part of the trip the seat is reserved for (ex: Florence to Rome). If the seat is reserved, DON'T SIT THERE, unless you're willing to move yourself and your luggage when the person who paid to reserve that seat boards. Occassionally someone will reserve a seat and not show up. Also occassionally someone will reserve a seat at at the last minute and there won't be a card saying so. If you sit in a seat without a reserved card and someone says that is their seat, make them show you their reservation, which will have the car and seat numbers (verify it's for the train you're on) unless you just trust them. Some trains have automated displays above the seats with the reservation information. Some regional trains don't offer reservations. Some trains require them. A reservation is good for a specific seat in a specific car, on a specific train on a specific date between 2 cities. Seat reservations aren't always necessary, if you don't like to plan ahead, but be prepared not to have a seat on a crowded train. They are generally inexpensive ($5 or so) and well worth the money on long trips. Any questions? Post here.

Very helpful, Jade. Many thanks, Gerry K

1st and 2nd class need/offer reservations?

On most trains, seat reservations are available. If you're traveling in the afternoon/evening of Friday, Sunday or holidays, it's advisable to reserve seats as the trains are much fuller at these times.

We want to travel by TGV,the SNCF website doesn't offer seat reservations, but I believe it says they'd put everyone in the party together-something like that. So how does this work?

A seat reservation on a TGV is mandatory. You get one when you buy the ticket. At least, that has been the case each time I have ridden the TGV. I do not believe that standing passengers are allowed.

Re: Train seat reservations, some follow-up to Jade's postings: 1.Not all trains allow seat reservations, You buy a ticket and go on which ever train you want, when you want. There is a valid time period of the tickets, usually 30-90 days, when it must be used, but you are not bound to a specific train. 2.Some trains require reservations, usually the high speed limited stop ones, and are made when you buy the ticket, IE: Eurostar or TGV in France. 3. If you have a ticket and your train offers the option of seat reservations, you can always add seat reservations after purchase by going back to the agent or station. 4. You pay a small separate fee for the seat reservations above the actual train fare. The seats are for a specific date, train and seat within a car. If you miss that train your tickets will be valid on another train since they are just general passage, but the seat assignments will be gone and you might want to buy new ones on the train you do take. 5. If a train does offer seat reservations, it will do so in all classes of service and all classes of wagon. IE: dining car, scenic view car etc. 6. TIP ON FINDSING THAT SEAT: All train stations I have been in in Benelux, France and Germany have Train Index Boards on each platform. The platforms are served by the same trains every day, with the same car numbers and same seating arrangements. The board shows in pictures the order of the cars, class of car and where along the platform the cars will halt. Normally these locations are indicated by letters (A,B,C etc) that will correspond to the letters above the platform.....one way to avoid the running down the platform to get to that wagon, or worse, just getting on any wagon and dragging you way to the correct car and seat. 7. Should you reserve. Yes, if it's summer, if it's a weekend any time of year, if it's a local holiday or special event. Yes if you want to be guarenteed a seat. While it is not necessary, too many are penny pinching about the added fee. I have seen many an American standing in the aisles in a packed train because, for example, the local football fans (soccer in the US) were taking the train to the all important match and grabbed all the seats. Usually the standees are saying something like: "Well, Jane told me she had no trouble..." Jane did not travel during the all important match, festival, first days of school holidays etc. Jade is correct when she says don't sit in the seat when it is reserved, but a seat is not always reserved for the entire length of the train's trip. If the stretch you are traveling is NOT during the reserved period maked on the seat you may sit there...unless some one comes in with a last minute seat reservation, then you must yield to them. Getting someone out of YOUR seat can be an art in itself !!!! Hope this combines the postings and information succinctly (sp) and is useful to someone. Judy from Munster, Germany

Jade: Thanks for a very informative post. I have a question. I've reserved seats on the TGV from CDG to Avignon in June. I did it through the SNCF website. It's the first time I've done that (normally, I just call ahead or show up at the station). I have my printed out reservation confirmation, but nowhere does it specify seat assignments. When I've taken the TGV in the past, I've always just sat in an unreserved seat, i.e., one that doesn't show, as you described, any indication of being reserved for a particular passenger. Should I expect to have specific seats reserved for me this time? Will they give me a seat assignment when I show up at the TGV station at CDG to pick up my tickets?

Just to add a note to Judy's comment about getting someone out of your reserved seat: A majority of the time, it's a simple mistake (passenger OR YOU are in the wrong car, misread the letter, etc.) and a comparing of reservations (they're printed out) with the seat card will resolve the issue with no fuss. Sometimes (this happened to us on a trip from York to London) it's a deliberate theft (and I use that term specifically - if you pay $3 or whatever for something, and someone takes it without your ok, it's theft). In that case, don't bother to get into it with the felon. Find a conductor, show him your ticket, and let the "authorities" deal with the miscreant. In our case, 5 or 6 teenagers took the reservation cards from our seats and threw them under the seats (we found them later) so they could sit together. When we arrived, they copped a 'tude - so I copped a conductor. Without getting all huffy and self-righteous, I explained we had seat reservations, and someone was sitting in them and wouldn't move. The conductor took care of it with dispatch (what I found pleasant was he wasn't conciliatory toward the kids, nor did he ask US to find other seats so the kids wouldn't be disturbed - which I have seen done in similar situations when American authorities are involved; he made it clear that the kids would have to move, no argument). And I've sat in a reserved seat for the UNreserved portion (Paris>Bordeaux, reservation is Poitiers>Bordeaux, and I'm getting off in Poitiers) with no problem.

To the top for the TGV question.

- Thanks for sharing.

It's this type of thread that is so much help to those of us who have not traveled extensively. Thanks to all of you.

St. Cirq, your post is a puzzlement. I have never NOT been assigned specific seats in TGVs. (I don't always sit in them if the train is relatively empty and I prefer other seats in the same car.) I'll be interested to see if you have "pre-assigned" seats when you pick up your tickets or if you still have to pay extra for reservations and get seat assignments on the spot. (in which case it doesn't help much to buy ahead) I have wondered about seat reservations on the SNCF site. It seems to me that since reservations are "obligatoire" that they would be included when you purchased your tickets. (I know one poster called the SNCF number and bought reservations that way, but that was reservations only.) I love seat reservations--I always get them when I can, just to assure that I'm getting on the right car (and not one that's going to be peeled off to some other destination).

Last summer while on a crowded train from Paris to Munich, our reserved seats were taken by a couple who did not speak English. When we noticed they were speaking Spanish, I asked them to move in their language. After a heated exchange in which they refused to move even though we had the seat reservations, we consulted the conductor who also asked them to move. However, after making laborious motions to move while the conductor was present, they sat back down in the seats as soon as he left. We eventually gave up and were forced to play musical seats for rest of the trip. My husband has since swore off train travel and insists upon either driving or flying, which isn't always practical. If I can ever change his mind and this happens again, we will definitely be more assertive about our seats and insist that the conductor remain present until we are actually sitting in the reserved space.

If you are second class, watch out for a little number 1 at the beginning of each car. Last week I had a second class ticket on train from Brussels to A'dam; couldn't find a seat, kept walking, found one, then found out it was first class. The identification of the car was a bit subtle (and the number was half rubbed off). The conductor was very nice about it though, and seats eventually opened up in 2nd class, but had to stand for a while. This train was not air-conditioned and it was a very hot day, so be prepared. The nice thing was the guy with the food and beverage carts that came up and down the aisle. I had not seen that in trains in the US (where I take trains a lot) or UK (where I have taken a few).

This thread is SO helpful. Maybe one or more of you can help me with my question. We are traveling with another family through Europe next month. There will be 7 of us all together. I need to know if you actually need the railpass in hand to make a seat reservation in Europe. We will be arriving in Europe 5 days before the other family and possibly could book the seat reservations then for all of us. Unless, of course, we need the other family's railpass. Help, anyone?? Also, for the experienced railpass travelers out there, should we have any concerns about seat reservations for our group of 7 (we do wish to all sit together, or in same area at least)? Will 3-4 days before the first day of travel be sufficient to book the legs that need reservations? This is for travel in Germany and Italy next month, June. Thanks for your help. Dee --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the last poster, you should be able to reserve seats without showing a ticket. 3-4 days in advance should be enough unless you want to travel at peak times. I didn't mention this in my first post, but you also need to watch out for trains that may be full of commuters, like into a major city from 7-9am or out from 4-6pm. On those trains, seat reservations are definitely a good idea. Getting 7 seats right next to each other might be a problem, depending of course on when you're traveling. Holiday weekends may be booked way ahead. I've never had a problem getting people out of my reserved seat, although there's almost ALWAYS someone sitting there when I get on! My advice is, first, be positive that you're in the right car, the right train, etc for your reservation. Be polite, then be as insistent, loud, etc, that you have to be. Make a scene and the other passengers will be on your side, just to get you to shut up! Another good method is to start taking down the luggage that's stored over 'your' seat. Be sure to first ask the other passengers sitting in the area if it's theirs. Whatever you do, don't show any signs of uncertainty or weakness. This won't always work, but most people will move just so they don't have to deal with you. Like I said, people are usually pretty decent about getting out of reserved seats. If a little old lady was sitting in my seat and the train was full, I'd let her keep it. Someone did that for my mom once before I had a clue about reserved seats.

Reservations were the most troubling part of an otherwise easy system. Several times when buying tickets in Italy, I asked for 1st class w/ reserved seats and at no time was I ever given reserved seats. The first time, we lucked out and found a booth that no one claimed. All the other times we were forced to move becuase the "owner" claim his seats. At one point, I argued w/ the man selling the ticket that I want seat assignments and he refused, saying it wasn't necessary. But of course, once we boarded we found that it was necessary. It was disappointing and frustrating.

Just a few more Britain-specific tips on reservations and train travel in general 1. Some trains require a seat reservation. This is particularly the case on busy holiday weekends and for trains going to the town where events such as major football or rugby matches are being held (Cardiff in particular at the moment, while Wembley is out of action). If you are travelling on Christmas Eve, it may even be the case that you are not allowed onto the platform without a valid ticket and reservation for that particular train. Where a reservation is required, no fee is payable. 2. Reservations are usually possible for a small fee on all Inter City (long distance) trains. These can be made at any time from the moment you purchase your ticket until a few hours before the departure of the train from the first station on its route. For example, if you are travelling from Birmingham to Manchester on a train originating from London, you must make the reservation at least a couple of hours before the train leaves London. 3. Reservations are not usually possible on local train services. There will often not be first class carriages on these services either. 4. Be careful about the validity of your ticket. Certain tickets are not valid at certain times and on certain days, especially on routes into and out of London. This is not just referring to the cheap day return that can only be used after the morning rush is over, but also certain longer validity tickets. Travel during the evening peaks and at certain times at the weekend may not be allowed if you have a very cheap ticket. If you are clear on the times and dates you are travelling when you purchase the ticket there should be no problem, but if you then decide to change to another time or date on the return leg, check that it's OK. 5. Long distance trains usually have either a buffet carriage or a refreshment trolley service, but don't rely on this. Sometimes the buffet will close between certain stations due to a crew change, or it may be completely closed for some random reason or another. You don't want to be stuck on a very long train journey with no food or drink at all, so make sure you come prepared. 6. Trains in Britain are notorious for running late. This is not by any means always the case, but it does happen often enough that you should not rely on arriving at the time shown in the timetable. For example, if you are catching a train to an airport to get a flight, aim to arrive an hour or so earlier than you would ideally want to be there. You may end up waiting around, but better than missing your flight. If you need to change trains, never rely on making a connection, so again, leave early if you have to be at your final destination by a given time. This makes travelling by train in Britain sound dreadful - it really isn't so terrible, but you should be prepared as it does happen. 7. At weekends, particularly on Sundays, and late on some weekday evenings, there are often engineering works on the lines. This can mean anything from a reduced service or slower trains to no trains at all for all or part of your journey, with buses replacing the trains. The biggest problem with bus replacements is that they can be difficult about taking large bags (even a normal sized suitcase!) or bicycles, etc, as the buses often aren't designed to take luggage. Always check before you travel and if you can, avoid travelling on a Sunday. 8. Memorise this phone number 08457 484950. This is the number for National Rail Enquiries. They will be able to answer pretty much every question you have about train times and planned engineering works. They also have up to the minute information on unexpected problems, so it's a useful number to have if something goes wrong.