How far in advance should I buy rail tickets?
 

Traveling to Europe and have a tight itinerary, especially on the last day of trip and NEED to get to Germany at a specific time. How far in advance should I buy rail tickets to assure a seat on a specific train? Any help would be great.

Book as far ahead as possible to ENSURE a seat ona specific train, but that may not get you the best PRICE

Hi C,

Usually, you can buy your train tickets as early as 60 days in advance.

Some of the hgh speed trains allow 90 days in advance.

The earlier you buy, the more likely you are to get discounts.

((I))

Tickets and seat reservations are two different things. In Germany reservations are not required, except on night trains and the Thalys. If you have a ticket and there are no seats available go to the bar car, if there is one. Seat reservations can be made for ICE, EC, IC, and CIS trains for 3 euro.

Like which specific train?

On which day of the week are you traveling?

Also from where to where?
How many days between when you arrive and when you need to travel?

I never make seat reservations in Switzerland, nor have I ever needed one in Austria. Usually I do not travel on Sunday afternoons and early evenings.

Some trains such as the TGVs, Thalys, and Cisalpinos have mandatory reservations.

Some trains have suggested or recommended reservations.

Unless we know specifically which one you mean, the question is vague and not really answerable.