Pertaining to train travel from Vienna to Prague,when they recommend "seat reservation",does it mean <BR>1)To buy the ticket at the ticket counter on the day of travel and specifically ask to be given a seat number e.g seat number 14. <BR>That is ,l can't sit anywhere l like on board the train. OR <BR>2)To book and buy the tickets a few days before the journey date.Would l be given a <BR>specific seat no. in 2nd class? <BR>Cheers! <BR> <BR>

Number 2, and yes

The tickts for the train that you will buy is good on any train, with the exception that some trains between Vienna and Prague are "Intercity" and may require a seat reservation. You can check the Deutschebahn website for that information. <BR> <BR>In tourist season it is usually advisable to get your seat reservation for a specific train a few days ahead of time.

Does it mean once l buy the specific EC/IC train tickets in advance,l cannot <BR>change it to a later train if l miss the <BR>original designated train.Or they allow <BR>but l must pay a fee?

Under normal circumstances (including IC/EC trains) a ticket is valid for a month after purchase or so and you can use it for any train going that route. You don't buy it for a specific date. The IC/EC trains cost additional money (a few dollar) to the normal train ticket. A reservation is only needed if you want to make sure that you get a seat and don't have to stand for a part or the whole journey. You normally can't buy it an hour ahead of the departure since the people don't know whether the train is already full. The reservation is obviously only valid for a specific train. <BR> <BR>But if you find an unreserved, empty seat, it's yours. You can also use reserved seats until the person with the reservation shows up (at least in German trains the reservation markers above the seat show the stations between which the seats are reserved). <BR> <BR>The Czech Republic had a somewhat odd custom of demanding a fee for being seated. I don't know whether that still exists but you can also pay the conductor.