tigerman99515

Need help.
We are travelling between Switzerland, France and Germany during the first two weeks of August. We have researched the train schedules, have purchased the Eurail Passes that allow travel intra and inter countries, and have 'generally' come up with our train travel itinerary. We know the French travel during August and we need to get from Interlaken/Switzerland to Marseilles via Lyon (I am guessing) as well as Marseilles to Munich - do we need reservations and what is best way to do that? Will I need reservations on any other trains during that time or can we wing it by taking local trains. Any recommendations?
Thanks for you help

sandi_travelnut

http://www.eurail.com/

Do I need to make reservations if I have a Eurail Pass?

Reservations are generally not mandatory, although they are recommended for busy times and routings. Reservations are required for some high-speed trains such as the TGV, sleeper trains, or, if you want a couchette during an overnight journey. Reservations can be made at the main European train stations for just a few dollars or outside of Europe for an additional service fee.

To check if you need a reservation, you can check an online Timetable, such as: http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en. Enter the time and date, and departure and arrival stations. The timetable will show all possible connections. In the details of your trip, compulsory reservations will be listed if applicable.

PalenQ

The Eurail Timetable that you should have got free with your pass clearly tells you for which trains reservations are mandatory before boarding - and plan accordingly - most French trains require them - few in Switzerland and Germany do but many in Italy do.

If reservations are not required then they're optional. I'll refer you to www.budgeteuropetravel.com to get the free European Planning & Rail Guide that answers these and many more questions and you can call BETS (800-441-2387) and they will answer questions like this even if you have already bought a pass elsewhere - a very unusual operation to do that. Generally you can make any necessary reservations easily as you go along. Some French TGV lines seem to have an allotment on pass reservations, especially on the Paris-Provence-Nice line that is often full to capacity and if they can sell a full fare ticket they will. (Actually has happen to relatives of mine - they were told no pass seats but could buy a full fare ticket for the same train.) www.bahn.de, the German rail web site good for all of Europe also indicates which trains have 'complusory reservations' you need not be in the city to make them as any train station in that country will and even in other countries though i've often found they bulk at doing this.

tigerman99515

Thank you Sandi and PalenQ - both excellent advice and we have made those reservations on line with your help.
thanks again!!

PalenQ

tigerman - you made them online - what site? thanks. any other details about making them. thanks

tigerman99515

PalenQ, wife made them, so I will check with her and let you know. I tried to book reservation with the German train on-line system but it would not let me since the trip that we are trying to reserve is completely within France.
But they do allow you to reserve on-line without buying a ticket (perhaps for those of us who already have passes?) - here is the site that explains that.

http://www.bahn.de/p/view/internatio...ervation.shtml

PalenQ

thanks a lot tigerman - it's a question that comes up frequently.