Hello Everybody,

I will take the train from Munich to Venice in the coming summer. It is a direct train and is operated by DB.

From the time-table, it shows that reservation is not required and I will travel this train by
using the 1st Class Eurail pass.

Can anyone tell me whether reservation is required ?

I am afraid there will be a peak season, so many people travelling this train and impossible to find a seat for the 6 hours journey.

Hope to hear your opinion.

Thanks.

Gavin

Can anyone tell me whether reservation is required ?>

you can always make an optional seat reservation if reservations are not required and you may want to do so when you buy your pass (doing it at the same time negates a separate mailing fee) - but in first class in my decades of incessant European rail travel I have rarely seen a first-class train car full - I never make optional seat reservations and have never had to stand - but for peace of mind you may want to make one.

check out these great sources of info on European trains for answers to the question - www.budgeteuropetravel.com (if you want to ask an expert that question call Byron here - I have bought passes from him for years - no need to be buying anything, no pressure but great info; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteeves.com.

What Pal wrote. 1st class should be fine. And the train will start in Munich anyway, so any not reserved seat will still be available. As on every train, only a certain percentage of seats can be reserved anyway.

And, in general, the long-distance trains to Italy are rarely full (possible exception first weekend of school holiday start in Bavaria), as most locals use other means of transportion, and close to zero biz travellers which otherwise will be more frequent users of 1st class.

But the price for reservations, as Pal suggested, will be a small one for peace of mind.

and a check on www.bahn.de shows that reservations are not required on that train - but again can be made optionally - but cowboy's take on finding ample empty seats in first class is also my experience.

Have you considered the overnight train between Munich and Venice? It runs nightly I believe - took it a few years back with a railpass - pass pays for train fare but not extra sleeping accommodations which run a gamut from multi-person couchette to private singles and doubles. Saves a night's cost in a hotel to boot.

Thanks the above opinions.

AS my family of 4 will go from Munich to Venice, so we prefer the day-time train.

Contrary to PQ's experience I have been on a rare few trips when first class was full. A couple of times in Italy.

If you're going second class, definitely recommend making seat reservations.

Summer travel can be pretty hectic and busy. Travel light.

If you want 4 adjoining seats then it is highly suggested to book seat reservations if in 2nd class and even in first class if you need or want to all sit together - like in a block of two seats facing two seats - again seat reservations IME can easily be made in Munich if you want them - just show your railpass at the window and pay a few euros - seat reservations not being covered by a pass - just the train fare itself is.

when making seat reservations you can usually request which kind of seat you want - in first class you can opt for the so-called isolated seats - a seat with an aisle and a window - rows of just single seats - couples can find these facing each other with a table in between but some folks just do not cotton to riding 'backward' - there are also rows of two adjoining seats facing each other which could be ideal for a party of four wishing to sit together and perhaps picnic on the train! No restrictions ever usually on bringing on your own food or booze!

How much of the reservation fee for 4 people (2 adults and 2 children) ? Thanks.

I travelled on these trains from Verona to Munich yesterday, and Innsbruck to Verona the day before.

Both trains were busy but not full - yes it's only April, but it's Easter week.

I in fact ignored my reservation yesterday as it as in a seat next to a pillar (aren't they always!) and went to sit in a free unreserved first class seat withn unrestricted view from the window of the superb scenery through the Brenner pass.

Had lunch in the dining-car, lovely!

In 2nd class, 3 cars appeared full, seats were left in the next car, and if you wslked to the end one you could even have had a whole 6-seat compartment to yourself.

Be warned, there's heavy engineering work on the Brenner route this summer, 15 June to 15 Sept I think, affecting various trains on various days with a period of complete blockage, so do check.