Which trains require seat reservations?
You will need a seat reservation for most high-speed trains and all night trains in Europe. Reservations are often required in France, Italy and Spain. Trains in these countries are popular and will quickly get full, especially during the summer months.
In many other countries, like Austria, the Benelux and Germany, you can usually get by without reservations. Check the Eurail timetable to find all of your trains, and learn if a reservation is required.
- Countries with few reservations
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If you like totally spontaneous travel, these countries are your best bet, as most domestic trains don't require any reservations at all! You usually do still have the option to make a reservation if you really want to.
Austria
Belgium
Germany
Ireland
Luxembourg
Montenegro
Netherlands
Slovakia
Turkey - Countries with many reservations
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These popular countries’ railways serve huge quantities of travelers every day, so many of their trains require reservations. You might need some extra planning, but the numerous high-speed connections on some of Europe’s fastest trains mean you can see more in a short amount of time!
France
Greece
Italy
Spain - Countries with some reservations
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In these countries, some advance planning goes a long way! Some trains require reservations and others don't, so check our timetable if you're wondering about a particular route.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
Hungary
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland