A Young

If reservations are not required on a train and it is off season, do you still get reservations when you are using your Eurail pass? Or take the chance. What do reservations cost these days in Germany?

Geoff Hamer

It's far easier to just get on a train and find an empty seat. If reservations are optional, it's only worth bothering to make a reservation if the train is likely to be full. Weekends are the busiest times. Even if you have made a reservation, you don't have to sit in that seat if there are other seats vacant and unreserved. European trains may have a dozen or more carriages, so finding a particular seat may take time. In Germany, most lines have hourly trains, so you don't need to be tied down to a particular service - just turn up at the station and get on the next train.

traintraveler

Reservations are not needed on ordinary train travel from city-to-city or elsewhere UNLESS specifically indicated by the train # or icon. Some of the highspeed trains in Germany require a reservation and that will be indicated by the icon. Likewise, if you take a sleeper or couchette train you always need a reservation (addtl $21 approx), even if off-season. If you are uncertain, inquire at the info window in the train stations.

uncle sam

I have found that it is very reassuring to have a reservation if you are in a time constrained situation. <BR><BR>The $10 per person is worth it to know that you WILL be on the train. Not too much $$$ in the grand scheme of things for peace of mind!<BR><BR>US

anon

The reservations cost about $3.00 when you purchase them in Germany and you will definitely need them on the ICE trains and a few other lesser locomotives as indicated in the schedules. The $10/11 prices are if bought through RailEurope/EuroRail, don't bother. If for some reason the train is full (and reservations were not required) just go to the bar car or stand!

john

<BR>A.,<BR><BR>Reservations cost about $3 in Europe. Anybody paying $10 to a reservation service in the USA is nuts, or rich and nuts. In off-season you probably do not need a reservation except perhaps on Fridays, Sundays, and holidays on major routes, and on trains where it is required. For travel with a Eurailpass order a copy of the Thomas Cook European Timetable from the publisher in England. This shows you where reservations are required. For under $20, including postage, you'll have the TCET in your mailbox within 2 weeks. For more skinny on traveling by train in Europe check out my page at <BR>www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm<BR>and for info on the Thomas Cook European Timetable see<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap10/guide.htm<BR>

Tim

No, you don't get reservations WITH your pass. That can be a good thing.<BR><BR>Reservations are mandatory for the TGV trains out of Paris and the CIS-Alpine trains from Switzerland to Italy. <BR><BR>They are "required" for many EC (EuroCity) trains -- which means: without one you'll get a seat, but they might sniff at you and pack you off with the smokers. <BR><BR>BTW: I've found that the InterCity (IC) trains are often preferable to the EC trains, as they are less crowded, usually just as fast -- and, in Switzerland, more spacious and comfortable.