mike_b12

Will be going from Barcelona to seville, then seville to madrid. I will have a rail pass for my whole trip. Are seat reservations required in Spain?

Robert2533

Yes! All long and medium distance high-speed trains are reserved seating only. You will have to go to the train station and pay for your reserved seat assignment.

mike_b12

ok thank you, Even if I have a 1st class pass?

greg

There is no general overall seat reservation requirement for the entire Spain "Are seat reservations required in Spain?". However, the trains connecting the destinations you indicated are highspeed trains and come with compulsory reservation requirement. It is not a seat availability question. Even if you are the only one riding the entire 1st class car, you still need to buy reservation. This is what it means by "compulsory."

Use www.bahn.com to see which trains come with compulsory reservation requirement. The Spanish railroad site, www.renfe.es, is very temperamental.

The trains connecting your routes are AVE trains. The 1st class reservation costs 23.50EU each segment.

http://www.eurail.com/plan-your-trip...servation-fees

In comparison, if you booked a Turista class advance fare, it could be something like this including the seat reservation:
AVE 3940 8:30 46.65EU

Robert2533

Rate l passes are no longer the best way to travel by rail in Europe. Planning ahead does work.

mike_b12

Thanks for all the information!