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 0229 54 4904
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.
Deutsche Bahn booking center
Phone number: +49 1805 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
