On certain European trains it´s sometimes necessary to make reservations.
You can make reservations at a European train station, by phone, or in some cases, online. Check out your options below.
At train stations in Europe
You can make reservations at larger train stations in Europe, including ones with a Eurail aid office. Just show your Eurail pass at the ticket office and explain which train(s) you want to reserve.
In Italy, you can also make reservations at the ‘Self-service’ machines to avoid queues, including stations in Bari, Bologna, Florence, Genova, Milano, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Turin and Venice. On these machines, select the train you want to use and then click on the 'Global Pass' button (see example screenshot). You can pay the reservation fee by cash or credit card.
At UK train stations it’s not possible to make reservations and in Spain and Belgium it’s only possible to make reservations for trains that depart and arrive in those countries. Also some stations only allow you to make a limited number of reservations at a time, for example in the Netherlands a maximum of two are allowed.
In some countries a booking fee is charged, for example stations in the Netherlands charge €10 per booking, though in most countries the fee is less or free of charge.
Tickets for the TGV route between Italy and France cannot be bought at Italian train stations. There's a RailEurope office close to Milan Central station (Milano Centrale). Here you can book the TGV from Italy to France or get help finding alternative routes. Address: Via Viturvio 1. 20214 Milano. Phone number:+39 02 40 32 35
As from June 9 reservations for Thalys trains can no longer be made through the Deutsche Bahn website, call center or at the ticket desks in German train stations. Read about your options to make reservations.
Railway call centers
Reservations for most trains can be made through call centers of European railways. You can make your reservations here even before your Eurail pass arrives. When booking, please be sure to mention that you travel with a Eurail pass and that you only need a reservation.
We recommend using one of the following call centers which have English speaking staff. Please note that lines can be busy during evenings (CET) and at weekends and you may have to wait.
Germany: Deutsche Bahn booking center
Phone number: +49 1806 996 633 (open 24/7)
When you call, you'll hear a German menu. Select extension "9" for an English menu, then "1" for train information and bookings. This call center does not charge a booking fee. Delivery costs are €3.50 to every country.
You can also pick up your reservations at larger German train stations. Just take the order number you received on the phone, to a ticket window or a 'self-service' machine in the station.
This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.
As from June 9 reservations for Thalys trains can no longer be made through the Deutsche Bahn website, call center or at the ticket desks in German train stations.Find out how to make your Thalys reservations.
Austria: ÖBB booking center
Phone number: +43 5 1717 (open 24/7)
When calling, you'll hear a menu in German. Select extension "1" for train information and bookings. Austria's ÖBB booking center has English speaking staff. The booking center can deliver your reservations to any country you prefer, without charging you booking costs. The delivery cost is €5.
You can also pick up your reservations at large Austrian train stations. Just take your order number to a ticket office in the station.
This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.
Switzerland: SBB booking Center
Phone number: +41 900 300 300 (open 24/7)
You will get a direct connection when calling this booking center. The Swiss SBB booking center can deliver your reservations to all European countries. Delivery costs are CHF8 (approx. €6.50). This call center may charge a booking fee. You can also pick up your reservations at main Swiss train stations. Just go to the ticket office with your order number.
This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.
Luxembourg: CFL booking center
Phone number: +352 2489 2489 (open Monday-Friday from 7.00 to 19.00. Except on national holidays)
When calling you'll hear a menu in German, French and English. Select extension "2" for bookings and train information.
Your reservations can be delivered to any European country. If you pick up your reservations at Luxembourg's main train station, the booking cost is €5. If your reservations are delivered to your home address (or any other address of your preference), you'll have to pay a delivery cost of €7. In the last case you don't have to pay the booking fee.
This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.
The Netherlands: NS HiSpeed call center
Phone number: +31 302 331 676 (open Monday-Friday 8.00-21.00 and Saturday 10.00 - 18.00 (local times))
When calling, you’ll hear a menu in Dutch. Select extension ‘1’ for services in English and then ‘1’ to book the Thalys or ‘2’ to book other trains. NS HiSpeed can book trains in various European countries (€12.50 booking fee; 2 reservations per call allowed). You have to pay for reservations made over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard credit card.
Through the call center, reservations can only be delivered to addresses in the Netherlands. There are no delivery costs. You can also pick up your reservations at a NS HiSpeed ticket desk or at a self-service machine. Just go to a Dutch train station with a NS HiSpeed desk with your booking code.
International Rail Australia
This booking center is especially interesting for Australian customers.
Phone number: 1300 387 245 (Toll free within Australia; open from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST).
Email: contactus@internationalrail.com.au
International Rail Australia charges a $30 booking fee for reservations made by email or phone. The booking center can deliver your reservations only within Australia.
This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.
Spain: RENFE call center
Phone number: +34 902 320 320 (open 24/7)
You will get a direct connection with Spanish speaking staff when calling this booking center. You can ask to be put through with an English speaking agent.
You'll have to pick up your reservations at a Spanish high-speed train station within 72 hours from your call. Just take your order number and pay for your reservations when you collect them.
RENFE does not deliver reservations to your address.
This call center can make reservations for Spanish high-speed and night trains.
Finland: VR call center
Phone number: +35 89 2319 2902 (open daily 7.00 - 22.00 local time)
VR is the national railway company of Finland and has English speaking staff.
You can pay for your reservations over the phone (by credit card) and collect them at ticket machines at Finnish railway stations. You will receive a booking code by email.
Reservations cannot be delivered to your address.
The VR call center can also be reached with Skype.
This call center can make reservations for Finnish high-speed and night trains.
Norway: NSB call center
Phone number: +47 815 00 888 (open Monday - Friday 08:00 - 20:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00 - 15:00 (local time))
When calling the NSB call center press ‘9’ for services in English.
You can pay your reservations over the phone by credit card and collect them at a ticket machine at a railway station in Norway. If you do not have a credit card, you can pay cash when collecting the reservation. In this case you have to collect the reservation at least 7 days before departure of the train!
The NSB call center can book trains in several other countries, but it charges a 50,- NOK (approx. €6.50) booking fee for making reservations for trains that do not pass through Norway. Reservations can only be delivered to Norwegian addresses.
Through a railway website
You can make reservations on several railway websites. Below are links to instructions on making reservations for the countries where this it possible:
Through a sales agent outside Europe
You can make advance reservations for seats on major European trains through various sales agents. View sales agent contact details.
