Supplements and Reservations - Differences?

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.

[b]Reservation[/b]: there is no need to buy it - only if you want to have a guarantee getting a seat: this makes sense in peak travel times like Friday afternoon or Sunday evening.

[b]Supplement[/b]: you have to buy it if you want to use the train. In most cases the supplement includes a reservation (for example in a night train).

The supplements/reservation fees are in 95% the same for Eurail and InterRail.

Peter :)

IntraVol
Traveller
5 comments

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your swift reply - It is hard to get straight answers from people here in Australia!

I have been using the 'route planner' which is linked to this website and it is very helpful. Just to reiterate with you - When you complete a search and your given a detailed view of the possible train timetables/routes/networks and in the comments box it notes 'subject to reservation' (Kobenhavn - Berlin) this means I don't technically need one but I may need to relinquish my seat during the journey somewhere? Can I just board the train without reserving at the ticket office?

I am also a confused about the Eurail and InteRail tickets. Technically speaking, I hold dual passports (Australia and the United Kingdom) but I have never held residency in the EU or the United Kingdom. I plan on traveling in excess of 9 months in Europe on the UK passport. Which ticket would suit me? I have no stamps in my UK passport and I can't find anywhere within the document on where it was issued. I applied for it in Australia but I can't find any evidence.

Once again Peter, your help would be appreciated. :)

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.

No problem to ask. You are welcome... that's the sense of our forum - to help. :)

The route planer is just a normal route planer - not a special InterRail or Eurail route planer.
There is no special one existing.
Don't take care what there is written concerning supplements and reservations.
You will always have to do it this way (okay, it is a bit complicate - but after some trips, it is easy):

[b]1)[/b] Check the [b]schedule planer[/b]https://rail.cc/en/search-interrail-route

[b]2)[/b] Compare it to the [b]supplements[/b]: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-train-reservation[/u]
[b]3)[/b] Check the [b]country topics[/b] for details (night trains, how to avoid trains with supplements, ...): [u]https://rail.cc/en/countries[/u]

In case of the ICE Hamburg-Copenhagen, you do not need a supplement or reservation.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-train-reservation/germany/de[/u]

Concerning your dual citizenship. It is always a bit special and difficult to decide. :o
The logical answer is: it should be possible for you to travel on an InterRail pass.
Reason: if you travel with your UK passport in Europe on an Eurail ticket and the train staff is checking your Eurail ticket together with your UK passport with no mark in it that you lived your whole life in Australia, the staff won't understand it - and say it is not legal for you to travel on Eurail an Eurail pass as European resident.
In your case the logical solution is to travel on InterRail if you use your UK passport in Europe.
Keep in mind: you can not travel for free in your country of residence with InterRail which is for you the UK.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/how-to-interrail[/u]

Peter :)

IntraVol
Traveller
5 comments

Peter, thanks again for your advice.

I am just a little bit disapointed because the Eurail 3 month Global Pass would suit my travel moments for the first part of my trip as I will be on the go continuously. I will definiately be using my UK passport for the entire journey so would you recommend I risk using the Eurail ticket for the first instance?

Perhaps you recommend I speak to Eurail directly?

Thanks again.

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi. I can give you only the answer written above. Peter :)