Sometimes it is necessary to make reservations on certain European trains.
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 a ticket window 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 counties 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.
Through a railway call center
Reservations for most trains can be made through call centers of European railways. We recommend using:
Deutsche Bahn Booking Center
The German Railway’s Booking Centre has English speaking staff. When you call, you'll hear a German menu, select extension 9 for an English menu, then 1 for train information and booking. The Booking Centre can be contacted by phone on +49 1805996633 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CET). They can help you book seat, sleeper or couchette reservations throughout Europe, as well as high-speed and international day trains. This call center does not charge a booking fee. Shipments costs €3.50 to every country.
You can also pick up your reservations at any German train station:
- You’ll receive a special code when you order, and can use this code at any German touch-screen ticket machine.
You can make your reservations even before your Eurail pass arrives.
When booking, be sure to mention that you travel with a Eurail pass and that you only need a reservation.
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
