Karlsuhe to Paris, versus Brussels to Paris on Interrail

[DeverseSam]

Please can you check my information about Interrail reservations on these routes:

Karlsruhe to Paris in both senses - available on SNCF machines, not available on DB machines, not quota-controlled

Brussels to Paris in both senses - not available on SNCF machines, ticket office only, quota-controlled

 

[Flying Snail]

Ex-Thalys Eurostar have a small quota and AFAIK the Germany - Paris TGV/ICE also has a quota.

Both can be reserved online through the Interrail reservation system on their website and the Eurostar can also be booked through SNCB at https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#TravelWish

 

[mad_rich]

Brussels <> Paris by Eurostar is definitely quota controlled.

Karlsruhe <> Paris, reasonably sure it's not quota controlled.

Not sure about reservations from a machine. I'd buy the former from B-europe website or Interrail, the latter from Interrail.

Edit: I'm wrong. Having checked Seat61, there is a quota on the TGV/ ICE services FR<>DE.

 

[DeverseSam]

Thank you, can I also add Brussels TGV to non-Paris stations eg Marne-la-Vallée to the list?

I think they’re not available on SNCF machines, ticket office only, quota-controlled

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Dec 2023 ==

Not sure about reservations from a machine. I'd buy the former from B-europe website or Interrail, the latter from Interrail.

Thank you, I prefer the SNCF machines wherever possible as they are fee-free and refundable I believe, and also have a later cutoff time (5 minutes?)

 

[Flying Snail]

Thank you, can I also add Brussels TGV to non-Paris stations eg Marne-la-Vallée to the list?

I think they’re not available on SNCF machines, ticket office only, quota-controlled

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Dec 2023 ==


Thank you, I prefer the SNCF machines wherever possible as they are fee-free and refundable I believe, and also have a later cutoff time (5 minutes?)

Booking last minute for Eurostar or TGVs is a great way to get yourself stranded.

I was unable to get a reservation for a train that still had spaces more than 30 minutes before departure last year at machines or ticket office.

Also those SNCF machines are just awful, you would need to leave more than 5 minutes just to deal with the horrible interface and the ridiculous amount of personal info they demand before selling a reservation.

 

[rvdborgt]

Edit: I'm wrong. Having checked Seat61, there is a quota on the TGV/ ICE services FR<>DE.

Not anymore AFAIK.

 

[DeverseSam]

Booking last minute for Eurostar or TGVs is a great way to get yourself stranded.

I was unable to get a reservation for a train that still had spaces more than 30 minutes before departure last year at machines or ticket office.

I take your point ! which kind of train was that with a 30 min cut off?

 

[30907]

Thank you, I prefer the SNCF machines wherever possible as they are fee-free and refundable I believe, and also have a later cutoff time (5 minutes?)

Having tested both when there were queues at neither, I found a human being in Lille travel centre was quicker and more flexible.
However, they still couldn't give specific seats.

PS I also discovered that if you buy off b-rail or IR the machines can't exchange your ticket.