Merrpip
Traveller
19 comments
Posted 14 years ago
A friend and i are interrailing for 3 months from march till may, and we are intending to keep to a very tight budget where possible. The reserving of trains will make keeping to the budget slightly more difficult however so we would like to avoid doing so wherever possible. I have noted on the European rail timetable sight ( [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-interrail-route[/u] ) that for some trains it says 'subject to compulsory reservation', while for others it simply says 'please reserve'. Does please reserve mean it is not compulsory and simply recommended? or is this still compulsory?
Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
Merrpip
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
If it says please reserve reservations are not compulsory, although the trains may be quite busy
Merrpip
Traveller
19 comments
ok thanks :) im also curious to know how far in advance you have to reserve seats? i imagine it varies depending on the train?
Merrpip
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
most trains you can reserve on the day, its only really popular services like france-italy overnight fridays etc when you should try to book ahead by a few days
Merrpip
Traveller
19 comments
awesome thanks for your help! :D
Merrpip
Head
Traveller
101 comments
[quote]If it says please reserve reservations are not compulsory, although the trains may be quite busy[/quote]
They also may be quite empty as well ) Railways put that please reserve here and there since they get extra money for reservations. Don't even bother. On your trip, you may probably run into a crowded train a couple of times. Standing those couple of times in a aisle will be compensated by huge money savings not making reservations on all other please reserve trains. You go in spring, so overcrowding won't be often.
Merrpip
Traveller
19 comments
yeah i guessed it was probably just a money making scheme ;) thanks
Merrpip
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
yeah i mean use youre common sense, if youre leaving paris for the south coast on a friday evening its likely to be busy, and if its a long journey it might be worth reserving. If not, dont!