European Reservations

[shredder1]

Ive recently used my first mobile Interrail ticket, in the past Ive used the paper versions. I only used this one on a trial between Poland, Czech, Slovakia and Hungary, but for the first time Ive noticed that on certain International trains it comes up on the app reservation needed, you can buy these on the app and they are cheap enough, but on the second day using the mobile ticket I forgot to buy a reservation, the guard scanned my pass and didnt say anything, so I didnt buy anymore for the rest of the week and everything was fine, but to reiterate Ive never bought reservations in the past using paper tickets, so I ask, are reservations not enforced in Poland, Czech, Slovakia and Hungary?

In Spain the Interrail is pointless as reservations there are quite expensive, so I usually buy the RENFE journey tickets which include free reservations, in Italy Ive found it appears to be hit and miss, Im doing the Scandinavia countries by Interrail Mobile in August, are those reservations enforced, are they expensive and can you buy them on a mobile ticket?

 

[Bletchleyite]

It certainly was the case that on some Polish trains "reservations compulsory" meant the same thing as it does on Avanti/LNER at the moment, i.e. reservations aren't compulsory to travel but a ticket won't be sold without one and tickets won't be sold at all if everything is full. This doesn't apply to all of them, though, in particular there is a penalty for boarding an EIP (Pendolino) service without a reservation and this may now apply to other trains.

 

[scarby]

Ive recently used my first mobile Interrail ticket, in the past Ive used the paper versions. I only used this one on a trial between Poland, Czech, Slovakia and Hungary, but for the first time Ive noticed that on certain International trains it comes up on the app reservation needed, you can buy these on the app and they are cheap enough, but on the second day using the mobile ticket I forgot to buy a reservation, the guard scanned my pass and didnt say anything, so I didnt buy anymore for the rest of the week and everything was fine, but to reiterate Ive never bought reservations in the past using paper tickets, so I ask, are reservations not enforced in Poland, Czech, Slovakia and Hungary?

In Spain the Interrail is pointless as reservations there are quite expensive, so I usually buy the RENFE journey tickets which include free reservations, in Italy Ive found it appears to be hit and miss, Im doing the Scandinavia countries by Interrail Mobile in August, are those reservations enforced, are they expensive and can you buy them on a mobile ticket?

I think the important distinction to make is between basic seat reservation and compulsory supplement, although the confusion is understandable as there is a fair bit of grey, as the supplements do indeed secure the reservation.


I don't know about all of Scandinavia, but certainly in Sweden you will need to buy a supplement for inter-city services. Services such as the X2000 require you to have a seat - in other words much like the "airline type" system used on the TGVs in France - no seat, no travel (usually, though personally I have had this waived due to a cancelled train).

See here:

https://www.sj.se/en/we-offer/interrail-and-eurail-pass.html

This page is your friend for prices across Europe:

https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm#Sweden

 

[dutchflyer]

Best site to check IF REServ is mandatory is via bahn.de-also much better in actual timings as the app of eurail.
communty.eurail.com, as has been mentioned here more as once, has an extensive overview on how to do REServ (and even without the 2€ surcharge) by frequent poster seewulf. It really varies per country-if it is really needed and if stated as yes, if also enforced.
Basically you run the risk of being treated as black=fraudulent rider in some cases, the protest that the pass is your ticket will not help then-but this is very rare. In some countries passholders simply have the prejudice on them, based on 50 yrs of young&thinking to be clever travellers, that they always try to cheat.

 

[shredder1]

I think the important distinction to make is between basic seat reservation and compulsory supplement, although the confusion is understandable as there is a fair bit of grey, as the supplements do indeed secure the reservation.


I don't know about all of Scandinavia, but certainly in Sweden you will need to buy a supplement for inter-city services. Services such as the X2000 require you to have a seat - in other words much like the "airline type" system used on the TGVs in France - no seat, no travel (usually, though personally I have had this waived due to a cancelled train).

See here:

https://www.sj.se/en/we-offer/interrail-and-eurail-pass.html

This page is your friend for prices across Europe:

https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm#Sweden

Thank you very much for that, yes the distinction can be confusing

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 May 2022 ==

It certainly was the case that on some Polish trains "reservations compulsory" meant the same thing as it does on Avanti/LNER at the moment, i.e. reservations aren't compulsory to travel but a ticket won't be sold without one and tickets won't be sold at all if everything is full. This doesn't apply to all of them, though, in particular there is a penalty for boarding an EIP (Pendolino) service without a reservation and this may now apply to other trains.

Thank you very much, appreciated.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 May 2022 ==

Best site to check IF REServ is mandatory is via bahn.de-also much better in actual timings as the app of eurail.
communty.eurail.com, as has been mentioned here more as once, has an extensive overview on how to do REServ (and even without the 2€ surcharge) by frequent poster seewulf. It really varies per country-if it is really needed and if stated as yes, if also enforced.
Basically you run the risk of being treated as black=fraudulent rider in some cases, the protest that the pass is your ticket will not help then-but this is very rare. In some countries passholders simply have the prejudice on them, based on 50 yrs of young&thinking to be clever travellers, that they always try to cheat.

Good advice thank you, Ill check out all the suggested sites, thank you all..

 

[Feuillesmortes]

Best site to check IF REServ is mandatory is via bahn.de

As an example for these trains tomorrow, would you take the bahn.de site as completely reliable? Example 1 says compulsory reservation, example 2 says "please reserve".

13:41
Krakow Glowny

EIC 3800
Kolobrzeg
Further information
Express InterCity
Subject to compulsory reservation , Number of bicycles conveyed limited , Buffet , vehicle-mounted accessaid , Behindertengerechte Ausstattung , Quiet Zone , air conditioning , parent-and-children compartment , compartment for nursing mothers / bottle-feeding , Wifi available
Operator: PKP Intercity

16:06
Warszawa Zachodnia

16:12
Warszawa Centralna

14:40
Krakow Glowny

TLK35100
Gdynia Glowna
Further information
Twoje Linie Kolejowe
Number of bicycles conveyed limited , Please reserve , Snacks and beverages available , vehicle-mounted accessaid , Behindertengerechte Ausstattung , parent-and-children compartment
Operator: PKP Intercity
15:18
Miechow

15:55
Wloszczowa Polnoc

 

[rvdborgt]

I'd say that's accurate. If PKP has gone back to pre-corona conditions, then TLK has no mandatory reservations.

 

[Beebman]

If I may chip in with a question please - would I need to make a reservation using an Interrail on ICE services between Germany and Paris?

EDIT: I've found the answer on interrail.eu - yes reservations are required.

 

[Austriantrain]

If I may chip in with a question please - would I need to make a reservation using an Interrail on ICE services between Germany and Paris?

EDIT: I've found the answer on interrail.eu - yes reservations are required.

SNCF rules on the French side, so - as you wrote - yes. From the first stop in Germany onwards, these ICE (and TGV) trains do not require reservation.