How to make reservations

The easiest way to make reservations on European trains is at the ticket office of most European stations. Different rules to making reservations apply depending on which country you’re in.

In Italy, you can avoid queues by making reservations using the ‘Self-service’ machines, where these are provided. On these machines you must select the train you want to travel on and then click on the ‘Global Pass’ button.

In the UK it is not possible to make reservations for trains outside of the country and in Spain and Belgium you can only make reservations for trains departing and arriving in those countries. In some countries a limited number of reservations can be made at a time, including in the Netherlands where a maximum of two is permitted.

A booking fee may be charged when making a reservation in certain countries, for example in the Netherlands a €10 fee applies, however in most countries the fee is less, or there is no charge.

There isn’t a comprehensive railway website yet, where you can make reservations for all European trains. The online reservation possibilities are increasing though. Below are instructions for countries where it is possible to make online reservations:

Germany (Deutsche Bahn)

Book reservations for German domestic trains at the Deutsche Bahn website.

1. Enter train details.
2. Click on ‘Purchase’ for the train of your choice.
3. Choose 'Seat reservation only (no ticket)'.
4. Continue through the booking process and pay by debit or credit card.
5. You can choose online tickets, which you can print. (It is possible to have tickets posted but there is an additional charge.)

Book reservations for German night trains at the Deutsche Bahn website.
(Only for night trains departing from or arriving in Germany)

1. Enter train details.
2. Click on ‘Purchase’ or ‘Check availability’ (ignore the prices) for the train of your choice.
3. At the bottom of the page click on ‘Book only extra charge’.
4. On the next page select ‘Pass offer (InterRail)’.
5. You can then choose the type of seat or sleeping accommodation you would like. Prices are shown for the different options.
6. You can choose online tickets, which you can print. (It is possible to have tickets posted but there is an additional charge.)

Italy

Trains in Italy can be booked in advance at the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane website.

1. You must register before booking any reservations.
2. Enter train details.
3. (Step 1. journey choice) Select a train from the list (ignore the prices).
4. (Step 2. fares and preferences) Go to the ‘More fare’ drop down box and select ‘Global Pass’ (also select this if you have an Italy One Country Pass).
5. You will need to enter a ‘Card Number’ – this means your pass number or your order number (enter this if you haven’t received your pass at the time of making a reservation). Please note: you must enter the last 7 digits of the pass or order number.
6. Enter your personal details and then select how you would like your tickets delivered (choose between e-tickets or delivery to an Italian address).
7. Then continue through the final steps (Step 3. summary and payment, Step 4. purchase confirmation).

Sweden (SJ)

Book reservations for Swedish trains at the SJ website.

1. Enter train details.
2. Then in the ‘Traveller Information’ section go to the ‘Customer Card’ drop down box.
3. Either choose 'Pass 2 cl' (InterRail 2^nd class) or 'Pass 1 cl' (InterRail 1^st class).

The German Railway’s Booking Centre has English speaking staff. When you call, you'll hear a German menu, select extension 9 for an English menu, then 1 for train information and booking. The Booking Centre can be contacted by phone on +49 1805996633 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CET). Make sure you mention that you have an InterRail pass and that you only want to make a reservation. It’s best to check the Deutsche Bahn’s online timetable before calling, so you can provide the exact train details.

Please note:

• The booking centre does not charge a booking fee.
• You can collect your reservations for free from ticket offices and machines in any German train station.
• You can make reservations before you have received your InterRail pass.