Seat reservations aren’t included in your Interrail Pass – they’re an additional supplement charged by some railway companies to make sure everyone gets a seat on busy services. It can seem like a lot on top of the cost of your Pass, but trains that ask for mandatory reservations normally save you a lot of time, and have plenty of extra features like wifi and power sockets, so you can sit back and relax while you speed to your next destination.
Do you have to pay to reserve seats Interrail?
Seat reservations are not included in your Interrail Pass, but for a fee they guarantee you a comfy seat on busy routes across Europe. On most high-speed trains and all night trains, seat reservations are mandatory. Find out more here. You can book your reservations with us in 3 easy steps.
How do I avoid Interrailing seats?
Yes, you can avoid seat reservations by traveling on regional trains. However, it depends on your itinerary whether you can avoid them altogether. Most Interrail travelers take at least 1 high-speed train or night train to cover long distances quickly.
- To find trains that don’t require reservations you can use our Rail Planner app on a mobile device.
- Make sure to tick the ‘No reservation needed’ box when searching for trains.
- In some cases reservations can’t be avoided, simply because there are no other options available.
- A good example is the Eurostar high-speed train, traveling between London and Paris.
We advise you to book this popular train 3 months in advance.
How do I reserve my seats on Interrail Italy?
The only way for you to get a reservation for this train is trough https://www.interrail.eu/en/book-reservations. It only costs 2€ extra. But at least you get to buy your reservation.
Do Interrail tickets sell out?
+6
Full steam ahead 3300 replies Answer
There is a limited numer of seats for Eural/Interrail passholders on Eurostar. Once all those seats have been sold out, there are only normal tickets left to buy. Popular departures on the Eurostar sell out weeks in advance for passholders. Please note that I don’t work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don’t reply to personal messages. +6
Full steam ahead 3300 replies
On the 23rd of June there are only passholder seats left on 2 trains in the afternoon. 
Please note that I don’t work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don’t reply to personal messages. +6
Full steam ahead 3300 replies
Here you can check the availability of passholder seats, and if you have your Pass Cover Number you can make your reservation. https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#TravelWish Please note that I don’t work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don’t reply to personal messages.
Author Rail rookie 2 replies
So three out of the four trains I wanted on my 4 day pass do not have any reservations available. I just bought my pass today. Any way of getting a refund? +6
Full steam ahead 3300 replies
Please note that I don’t work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don’t reply to personal messages. +7 Probably too late now but from Amsterdam to London, always also check availability in the Eurostar Brussels – London.
What is the 7pm rule?
Hi Pascal. Both rules are accepted and the old one is tolerated and not fined if you make use of it. As several travellers bought their Interrail passes already in 2018 where the old rule was still valid and now travel in 2019. Officially it is said: The old 7pm rule obliges a customer to fill in the date of arrival if he boards a direct overnight train after 19:00h (7pm), provided the train arrives at its final destination after 04:00h (4am).
From 1st Jan 2019, customers will enter the date of departure in the calendar box for all trains. If customers are still on the train past midnight they do not need to activate a second day, unless they board a second train. There will be no longer be a time limit of 19:00 PM and 04:00 AM. Customers can also travel by night train that departs before 19:00 PM.
Customers can use the rule to travel on late evening trains that depart before midnight and arrive e.g.01:05 hours AM. Customers can travel during the day before taking the (night) train. When using an overnight ferry covered by the Pass, either the date of departure or arrival may be entered on the Travel Calendar (same as current rule).
Is Interrail cheaper than Eurail?
There is no need to be confused, as both are mainly the same thing! If you are from Europe (citizen or you have residency there), you should apply for an Interrail pass. Your pass will also be cheaper because, as a citizen, you pay taxes in Europe. If you are not from Europe, you should buy a Eurail pass.
What happens if you don’t have a seat reservation Interrail?
Can I avoid seat reservations? We’re all about flexibility – most trains covered by your Interrail Pass don’t require seat reservations, so if you’re willing to take a slower route you can often avoid the extra cost. National trains will take you to all corners of Europe, and you can just hop on and off as you please. Find out more →
Is Interrail valid on RER?
RER: Yes, on the lines operated by SNCF.
Do you have to reserve seats on European trains?
On most of Europe’s trains, reservations aren’t required, and there’s plenty of seating for everyone.
Do you need to reserve seats on Italian trains?
Why do I need a reservation on some trains if I have a Eurail pass and is there an extra cost involved? – The various types of Eurail passes, from the Global Pass to the Single Country Pass exist because of the cooperation between some 27 European countries.
That said, each national railway has its own set of rules and regulations, and the rules regarding reservations vary from country to country. It’s important that you check with us to find out exactly which trains need reservations and what the extra costs may be. You can hop on and off the majority of local and regional trains in the countries covered by your pass, but a good rule of thumb is that reservations are usually required on premium trains including: overnight trains, high-speed trains and International trains.
Some of the most popular trains require passengers to purchase a seat reservation, in addition to the cost of the pass. This includes all overnight train accommodations. Some trains offer seats at $11 USD per seat, up to a single sleeper for one person (available with a first class pass).
Most trains will offer the 4 person couchettes and 6 person couchettes also. These rooms are non-gender specific couchettes that accommodate 4-6 people and include a bunk bed and bedding. The private singles, doubles, and triples are typically used for families and are private rooms for 1, 2, or 3 people.
If a single traveler prefers to travel in a double or triple room, these rooms will be gender specific if you are not reserving the entire room. The cost of the overnight trains will vary depending on the train. Day trains, for example the high-speed trains in any country, require seat reservations.
In France, the TGV and Inner City trains require seat reservations. The cost for a seat reservation is about $11 USD per seat, If you are traveling on International trains between countries, you will also need a seat reservations. For example, if you take the Thalys train from Paris to Amsterdam and you have a 1st class rail pass, you can choose a 1st class seat reservation for an additional cost of $85 USD per seat.
If you have a 2nd class pass, the cost of the seat reservation is $54 USD per person. In Germany, trains that require seat reservations include the ICE trains, IC (Inner City) trains, and EC (Eurocity) trains. In addition, any cross border day train will require a seat reservation.
- In Italy, you must reserve seats on IC (InnerCity), EC (EuroCity), Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca trains.
- Reservations on the Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca trains are $14 USD per seat per train.
- ItaliaRail can make reservations on many but not ALL trains.
- For seats on trains we cannot reserve, you will have to wait until you are in Europe and head to the station to make the reservation.
Please note: If you board the train without a reservation you can be fined up to $65 USD per person and have your rail pass confiscated, which means you’ll lose whatever days of travel you have left on the pass. Take heart in knowing that if the train you want requires a reservation, that reservation is required for all passengers, not just Eurail pass holders.
Is Interrail the same as Eurail?
Eurail and InterRail are both rail passes, and while they are similar there is one critical difference – who can buy them. Eurail Passes are only for non-European citizens or residents. InterRail Passes are only for European citizens or residents.
Do I need to print Interrail reservations?
Most reservation tickets are only valid when they are printed on paper and can often not be shown on a mobile device. Please read the conditions of use on the ticket when you receive it. In case your ticket needs to be printed, you need to arrange this before boarding the train.
Is Interrailing expensive?
Is an Interrail Pass worth the money? – 
The cost of interrailing is one of its many pros. If you plan on doing a lot of travelling, especially long-distance or across borders, interrailing gets you decent value for money and saves you hassle along the way. As a rough guide, a month-long continuous pass works out at around £14/day if you travel every day.
If you’re not travelling much or are sticking with a country that already has bargain rail fares, a pass may not save you heaps in the long run. The best way to decide is to tot-up the cost of point-to-point train tickets before paying for a pass. Don’t forget the Interrail Pass gives you access to free or discounted travel on some ferry and local transport services, plus money off some hotels and attractions (what’s up for grabs varies by country).
While the travel discounts can help you get that little bit further for less cash, the discounted attractions tend to be railway related and may not be that useful unless you really, really like trains.
Can you sleep on Interrail trains?
Recommended reading: – Do I need a reservation? Reservations are compulsory for all night trains (with or without a Pass) and they guarantee you a seat or bed on the train. Depending on the train, you can make reservations online, by phone, or sometimes at the train station.
- Night train reservations are limited and often sell out quickly.
- Top tip: to avoid disappointment, book your reservation at leasttwo months in advance.
- How many travel days do I need to use? When travelling on a night train with an Interrail Pass, you only have to record the day of departure,
- For example, if you travel on a night train from 4 to 5 January, you only record 4 January in the Rail Planner app or on the paper Pass Cover (depending on how you decide to record your Journey Details).
On the day that your night train departs, you can take as many trains as you like – it’s on the same day after all. Top tip : if you take another train once your night train has arrived, you will need to use a new travel day. You need a Global Pass to book cross-border night trains, plus, the entire trip must take place within the validity period of your Pass.
What accommodations options are available? Night trains have several accommodation options, ranging from reclining seats and couchettes to single compartments -some with private bathrooms. You naturally have to pay a higher reservation fee for the more luxurious options. Reclining seats (on some night trains): We can’t pretend that this is the best option on night trains but you will save loads of money, meet new friends and have the most freedom to walk around the compartment (there’s no turbulence on this trip).
Although the seat reclines, you will be sleeping in an upright position with a bunch of strangers (it’s still more comfortable than air travel). Light sleeper? Consider a couchette upgrade. Couchettes: Think of a couchette as a hostel on wheels ! Best shared with friends or family (so you don’t have to bunk down with strangers), you will find yourself in a 6-berth compartment or a 4-berth compartment – it’s worth paying more for this option.
Couchettes transform from a seating area in the early evening to bunk beds at night. You will get a sheet, blanket, and pillow, and usually a tea/coffee and croissant for breakfast. Sleeping compartments: Sleeping compartments are the most comfortable way to travel, Depending on availability, you can book a 1, 2, or 3-bed compartment for your hotel on wheels,
You can request a standard sleeper with a washbasin (you’ll find the toilet and shower down the corridor) or a deluxe sleeper with ensuite shower and toilet inside your cabin. Note that the beds (or berths) are sold separately – you need to book all of the beds to have your own private compartment.
What happens if you miss a train Interrail?
With Interrail, you have the freedom and flexibility to hop on and off most trains as you please, as long as your Pass is valid. If you miss a train, it’s no problem – just jump on the next one.
Do you have to reserve a seat on Eurail?
Can I avoid seat reservations? We’re all about flexibility – most trains covered by your Eurail Pass don’t require seat reservations, so if you’re willing to take a slower route you can often avoid the extra cost. National trains will take you to all corners of Europe, and you can just hop on and off as you please. Find out more →
What is seat reservation train?
A confusing factor about train travel in a foreign country is knowing what is necessary and what isn’t. This is especially the case with seat reservations for trains. With some tickets you need to have a reservation and with others it’s simply not possible. 
Is Interrail valid on RER?
RER: Yes, on the lines operated by SNCF.
