How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
May 11th 2005, 11:23 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
have not been able to find this information.
Thank You; Eurotrekker
believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
have not been able to find this information.
Thank You; Eurotrekker
May 11th 2005, 1:18 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
Try www.raileurope.com.
shannon
shannon
May 11th 2005, 2:22 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
On Wed, 11 May 2005 19:34:43 -0700, Hatunen <[email protected]> wrote:
>On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>have not been able to find this information.
>> Thank You; Eurotrekker
>Don't get confused: train reservations are not th e same thing as
>airline reservations. A reservation is for a *seat*, and most
>high speed trains include the cost of a reserved seat in the
>ticket price.
>If you have a pass it's a different problem.
With a pass, you simply go to the station from which you are leaving
and buy a reserved seat from a machine or at the ticket counter. Usually
no need to reserve before you arrive in Europe.
You would be well advised to go to your library or a bookstore and get
a book on Eurail -- it will explain everything you want to know. Always
good to read up and more efficient than asking a question here or there
on a newsgroup. For more info on hostels and such try a book such as
Let's Go Europe or the Lonely Planet on Western Europe. Studying up
pays off big time.
>On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>have not been able to find this information.
>> Thank You; Eurotrekker
>Don't get confused: train reservations are not th e same thing as
>airline reservations. A reservation is for a *seat*, and most
>high speed trains include the cost of a reserved seat in the
>ticket price.
>If you have a pass it's a different problem.
With a pass, you simply go to the station from which you are leaving
and buy a reserved seat from a machine or at the ticket counter. Usually
no need to reserve before you arrive in Europe.
You would be well advised to go to your library or a bookstore and get
a book on Eurail -- it will explain everything you want to know. Always
good to read up and more efficient than asking a question here or there
on a newsgroup. For more info on hostels and such try a book such as
Let's Go Europe or the Lonely Planet on Western Europe. Studying up
pays off big time.
May 11th 2005, 2:22 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
I was wondering how I reserve a seat. Do I make reservation while still
in the US or do I make them once I get to Paris? Eurotrekker
in the US or do I make them once I get to Paris? Eurotrekker
May 11th 2005, 2:26 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker" <[email protected]> wrote:
>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>have not been able to find this information.
> Thank You; Eurotrekker
I would not advise making them from the states. You have a rail
pass and the beauty of that is that you can go as you please and
don't need to have a set itinerary. If you like a city, you can
stay longer, if you don't you can get out. Don't sweat it, travel
is easy by train in Europe and there is almost always room on a
train. If not one one particular train, there are frequent trains.
It is not like Amtrak.
>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>have not been able to find this information.
> Thank You; Eurotrekker
I would not advise making them from the states. You have a rail
pass and the beauty of that is that you can go as you please and
don't need to have a set itinerary. If you like a city, you can
stay longer, if you don't you can get out. Don't sweat it, travel
is easy by train in Europe and there is almost always room on a
train. If not one one particular train, there are frequent trains.
It is not like Amtrak.
May 11th 2005, 2:34 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>have not been able to find this information.
> Thank You; Eurotrekker
Don't get confused: train reservations are not th e same thing as
airline reservations. A reservation is for a *seat*, and most
high speed trains include the cost of a reserved seat in the
ticket price.
If you have a pass it's a different problem.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
<[email protected]> wrote:
>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>have not been able to find this information.
> Thank You; Eurotrekker
Don't get confused: train reservations are not th e same thing as
airline reservations. A reservation is for a *seat*, and most
high speed trains include the cost of a reserved seat in the
ticket price.
If you have a pass it's a different problem.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
May 11th 2005, 2:55 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
"eurotrekker" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected] oups.com...
>I was wondering how I reserve a seat. Do I make reservation while still
> in the US or do I make them once I get to Paris? Eurotrekker
---------------------------
Your own choice.
You can make the reservations ahead at home, for example from RailEurope
but you've to pay considerably more for them.
Or alternatively you can make the reservations while in Europe.
You'll also find many trains without a "reservation compulsory" and in
others it's not possible to make a reservation at all, just jump on-board.
In the big cities you can travel in many directions and you've the choice of
a hundred trains or more. Why not travel as you like and make the
decisions from day to day ?
Find small cities you didn't know about where it's also is likely to be less
expensive for lodging.
A real good companion while travelling is the Th Cook European timetable
eventually also the rail map. Available on-line from
http://www.thomascookpublishing.com/ or
http://www.travelbookstore.com/
>
news:[email protected] oups.com...
>I was wondering how I reserve a seat. Do I make reservation while still
> in the US or do I make them once I get to Paris? Eurotrekker
---------------------------
Your own choice.
You can make the reservations ahead at home, for example from RailEurope
but you've to pay considerably more for them.
Or alternatively you can make the reservations while in Europe.
You'll also find many trains without a "reservation compulsory" and in
others it's not possible to make a reservation at all, just jump on-board.
In the big cities you can travel in many directions and you've the choice of
a hundred trains or more. Why not travel as you like and make the
decisions from day to day ?
Find small cities you didn't know about where it's also is likely to be less
expensive for lodging.
A real good companion while travelling is the Th Cook European timetable
eventually also the rail map. Available on-line from
http://www.thomascookpublishing.com/ or
http://www.travelbookstore.com/
>
May 11th 2005, 9:47 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>have not been able to find this information.
I don't think most of the railway web sites allow the making of
reservations unless you're buying a ticket.
In any case, I wouldn't want to make them so far ahead, it greatly
reduces your flexibility. On most routes there are multiple trains to
choose, and it is unlikely that all will be full. I try to make
reservations a week in advance, if, for instance, I'm taking the train
to the airport. If I have more flexibility, I make the reservation at
most a day or so ahead of travel. For mandatory reservation trains,
you can usually make the reservation at the station when you're ready
to leave. For high speed trains, you usually will have to buy a
supplement anyway, as Eurail doesn't cover the full cost of the
ticket, and you can make the reservation at the same time.
I live in Italy, so I can speak with more authority on the Italian
system. The Eurostar trains have mandatory reservation, which is
included in the ticket price. Eurail pass holders have to buy a
supplement, which will include the cost of the reservation. You
mentioned in another post that you have a 1st class pass. First class
is almost never full, so you can just buy the supplement at the
station when you're ready to travel. If it's really really important
that you catch a certain train, buy the supplement for your departure
when you arrive in a city. You can do this at a travel agent without
paying more, if there is a line at the ticket window. In the larger
stations, there is often a travel agent inside the station.
Most other trains in Italy don't require reservations. You can get one
if you want, but I really don't think you'll ever have a problem
finding a seat in 1st class. These trains may not allow you to make a
reservation at the last minute like the Eurostar trains, because
they're not as computerized. I know at one time you had to make the
reservation at least several hours ahead, but this may have changed. I
have never made a reservation unless it was mandatory, and only rarely
have I not found a seat, even in 2nd class. On several occcasions,
I've upgraded my ticket to 1st class on the train in order to get a
seat, paying a penalty for not doing it at the ticket window. Since
you can automatically ride in 1st class, I don't think you'll have any
problem.
There are also in Italy the Pendolini on some lines, which I have
never taken, so I don't know how they work, but I think they require
reservations.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
wrote:
>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>have not been able to find this information.
I don't think most of the railway web sites allow the making of
reservations unless you're buying a ticket.
In any case, I wouldn't want to make them so far ahead, it greatly
reduces your flexibility. On most routes there are multiple trains to
choose, and it is unlikely that all will be full. I try to make
reservations a week in advance, if, for instance, I'm taking the train
to the airport. If I have more flexibility, I make the reservation at
most a day or so ahead of travel. For mandatory reservation trains,
you can usually make the reservation at the station when you're ready
to leave. For high speed trains, you usually will have to buy a
supplement anyway, as Eurail doesn't cover the full cost of the
ticket, and you can make the reservation at the same time.
I live in Italy, so I can speak with more authority on the Italian
system. The Eurostar trains have mandatory reservation, which is
included in the ticket price. Eurail pass holders have to buy a
supplement, which will include the cost of the reservation. You
mentioned in another post that you have a 1st class pass. First class
is almost never full, so you can just buy the supplement at the
station when you're ready to travel. If it's really really important
that you catch a certain train, buy the supplement for your departure
when you arrive in a city. You can do this at a travel agent without
paying more, if there is a line at the ticket window. In the larger
stations, there is often a travel agent inside the station.
Most other trains in Italy don't require reservations. You can get one
if you want, but I really don't think you'll ever have a problem
finding a seat in 1st class. These trains may not allow you to make a
reservation at the last minute like the Eurostar trains, because
they're not as computerized. I know at one time you had to make the
reservation at least several hours ahead, but this may have changed. I
have never made a reservation unless it was mandatory, and only rarely
have I not found a seat, even in 2nd class. On several occcasions,
I've upgraded my ticket to 1st class on the train in order to get a
seat, paying a penalty for not doing it at the ticket window. Since
you can automatically ride in 1st class, I don't think you'll have any
problem.
There are also in Italy the Pendolini on some lines, which I have
never taken, so I don't know how they work, but I think they require
reservations.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
May 12th 2005, 10:59 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
"B Vaughan" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>have not been able to find this information.
> I don't think most of the railway web sites allow the making of
> reservations unless you're buying a ticket.
-----------------------
Seem to be correct. I don't know about any railway at all allowing
reservations only on-line.
In France however you could make a reservation for a railpass in the
machines but that was years ago and I'm not sure about the present.
news:[email protected]...
> On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>have not been able to find this information.
> I don't think most of the railway web sites allow the making of
> reservations unless you're buying a ticket.
-----------------------
Seem to be correct. I don't know about any railway at all allowing
reservations only on-line.
In France however you could make a reservation for a railpass in the
machines but that was years ago and I'm not sure about the present.
May 12th 2005, 12:13 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
"Lennart Petersen" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "eurotrekker" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
>>>I believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>>have not been able to find this information.
>I don't know about any railway at all allowing reservations only on-line.
> In France however you could make a reservation for a railpass in the
> machines but that was years ago and I'm not sure about the present.
When I bought a railpass a few years ago, the vendor included an offer
to make reservations with the pass. I only reserved my first train and
waited until I arrived in Europe to make the other reservations.
When I got to the 1st station, I stepped up to an international window,
showed my pass and handed the clerk a list of the reservations I wanted.
The list was culled from the options I obtained from Die Bahn's website:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en . Compared to the prices
charged by the railpass vendor, the cost was negligible.
>> "eurotrekker" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
>>>I believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>>have not been able to find this information.
>I don't know about any railway at all allowing reservations only on-line.
> In France however you could make a reservation for a railpass in the
> machines but that was years ago and I'm not sure about the present.
When I bought a railpass a few years ago, the vendor included an offer
to make reservations with the pass. I only reserved my first train and
waited until I arrived in Europe to make the other reservations.
When I got to the 1st station, I stepped up to an international window,
showed my pass and handed the clerk a list of the reservations I wanted.
The list was culled from the options I obtained from Die Bahn's website:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en . Compared to the prices
charged by the railpass vendor, the cost was negligible.
May 12th 2005, 3:55 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
You can also just call SNCF (for France) and get English language service.
Their number is +33.8.92.35.35.39 ("+" is equivalent to 011 in North
America). Inside of France you dial 33.08...
"B Vaughan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>have not been able to find this information.
> I don't think most of the railway web sites allow the making of
> reservations unless you're buying a ticket.
> In any case, I wouldn't want to make them so far ahead, it greatly
> reduces your flexibility. On most routes there are multiple trains to
> choose, and it is unlikely that all will be full. I try to make
> reservations a week in advance, if, for instance, I'm taking the train
> to the airport. If I have more flexibility, I make the reservation at
> most a day or so ahead of travel. For mandatory reservation trains,
> you can usually make the reservation at the station when you're ready
> to leave. For high speed trains, you usually will have to buy a
> supplement anyway, as Eurail doesn't cover the full cost of the
> ticket, and you can make the reservation at the same time.
> I live in Italy, so I can speak with more authority on the Italian
> system. The Eurostar trains have mandatory reservation, which is
> included in the ticket price. Eurail pass holders have to buy a
> supplement, which will include the cost of the reservation. You
> mentioned in another post that you have a 1st class pass. First class
> is almost never full, so you can just buy the supplement at the
> station when you're ready to travel. If it's really really important
> that you catch a certain train, buy the supplement for your departure
> when you arrive in a city. You can do this at a travel agent without
> paying more, if there is a line at the ticket window. In the larger
> stations, there is often a travel agent inside the station.
> Most other trains in Italy don't require reservations. You can get one
> if you want, but I really don't think you'll ever have a problem
> finding a seat in 1st class. These trains may not allow you to make a
> reservation at the last minute like the Eurostar trains, because
> they're not as computerized. I know at one time you had to make the
> reservation at least several hours ahead, but this may have changed. I
> have never made a reservation unless it was mandatory, and only rarely
> have I not found a seat, even in 2nd class. On several occcasions,
> I've upgraded my ticket to 1st class on the train in order to get a
> seat, paying a penalty for not doing it at the ticket window. Since
> you can automatically ride in 1st class, I don't think you'll have any
> problem.
> There are also in Italy the Pendolini on some lines, which I have
> never taken, so I don't know how they work, but I think they require
> reservations.
> --
> Barbara Vaughan
> My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot
> it
> I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
Their number is +33.8.92.35.35.39 ("+" is equivalent to 011 in North
America). Inside of France you dial 33.08...
"B Vaughan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 11 May 2005 16:23:17 -0700, "eurotrekker" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains? I
>>believe that I want to make them while I am still in the States but I
>>have not been able to find this information.
> I don't think most of the railway web sites allow the making of
> reservations unless you're buying a ticket.
> In any case, I wouldn't want to make them so far ahead, it greatly
> reduces your flexibility. On most routes there are multiple trains to
> choose, and it is unlikely that all will be full. I try to make
> reservations a week in advance, if, for instance, I'm taking the train
> to the airport. If I have more flexibility, I make the reservation at
> most a day or so ahead of travel. For mandatory reservation trains,
> you can usually make the reservation at the station when you're ready
> to leave. For high speed trains, you usually will have to buy a
> supplement anyway, as Eurail doesn't cover the full cost of the
> ticket, and you can make the reservation at the same time.
> I live in Italy, so I can speak with more authority on the Italian
> system. The Eurostar trains have mandatory reservation, which is
> included in the ticket price. Eurail pass holders have to buy a
> supplement, which will include the cost of the reservation. You
> mentioned in another post that you have a 1st class pass. First class
> is almost never full, so you can just buy the supplement at the
> station when you're ready to travel. If it's really really important
> that you catch a certain train, buy the supplement for your departure
> when you arrive in a city. You can do this at a travel agent without
> paying more, if there is a line at the ticket window. In the larger
> stations, there is often a travel agent inside the station.
> Most other trains in Italy don't require reservations. You can get one
> if you want, but I really don't think you'll ever have a problem
> finding a seat in 1st class. These trains may not allow you to make a
> reservation at the last minute like the Eurostar trains, because
> they're not as computerized. I know at one time you had to make the
> reservation at least several hours ahead, but this may have changed. I
> have never made a reservation unless it was mandatory, and only rarely
> have I not found a seat, even in 2nd class. On several occcasions,
> I've upgraded my ticket to 1st class on the train in order to get a
> seat, paying a penalty for not doing it at the ticket window. Since
> you can automatically ride in 1st class, I don't think you'll have any
> problem.
> There are also in Italy the Pendolini on some lines, which I have
> never taken, so I don't know how they work, but I think they require
> reservations.
> --
> Barbara Vaughan
> My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot
> it
> I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
May 12th 2005, 8:05 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
In the message news:[email protected]. ..
"Mark Fagan" <[email protected]> wrote
> You can also just call SNCF (for France) and get English language service.
> Their number is +33.8.92.35.35.39 ("+" is equivalent to 011 in North
> America). Inside of France you dial 33.08...
Not AFAIK; while in France you should omit the 33 and just dial : 08.92...
Regards,
- Alan (in Brussels, where you must dial 02... for all local numbers)
"Mark Fagan" <[email protected]> wrote
> You can also just call SNCF (for France) and get English language service.
> Their number is +33.8.92.35.35.39 ("+" is equivalent to 011 in North
> America). Inside of France you dial 33.08...
Not AFAIK; while in France you should omit the 33 and just dial : 08.92...
Regards,
- Alan (in Brussels, where you must dial 02... for all local numbers)
Jun 6th 2005, 4:05 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How, where, and when do I make reservation for High speed trains?
Lennart Petersen schrieb:
> Seem to be correct. I don't know about any railway at all allowing
> reservations only on-line.
German Rail allows on-line booking of reservations without a ticket.
Choose "No ticket - Reservation only" when booking; major credit
cards are accepted for the reservation fee. You have to register
to book online, however.
Long-distance ticket machines also allow to make reservations without
buying a ticket.
... Martin
> Seem to be correct. I don't know about any railway at all allowing
> reservations only on-line.
German Rail allows on-line booking of reservations without a ticket.
Choose "No ticket - Reservation only" when booking; major credit
cards are accepted for the reservation fee. You have to register
to book online, however.
Long-distance ticket machines also allow to make reservations without
buying a ticket.
... Martin
