What are seat reservations?
When traveling with one of our Passes, some trains such as direct high-speed trains and night trains will require you to purchase an additional seat reservation. This reservation allows you to board the train and guarantees the availability of your seat.
Seat reservations are a way for carriers to cope with increased demand on certain train services in Europe. By introducing seat reservations, carriers can guarantee that not only will you be able to board the train, but that there will also be a seat available for you. As carriers adjust their capacity, reservations allow them to provide you with a better service and customer experience.
Train services in extremely high demand, such as the Eurostar, TGV, and AVE, have limited capacity. Seat reservations help with overcrowding and guarantee that these services run smoothly and on time.
Are seat reservations mandatory?
Not all trains will require a seat reservation. However, especially during busy season, you should consider reserving a seat to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
The simplest way to know if you must make a seat reservation to be allowed on board a train is to check via our Timetable or in our Rail Planner app. The Timetable will also show you how to reserve a seat via our website (when possible) and any alternative methods available.
