hawki1989
Traveller
39 comments
Posted 11 years ago
Is there a general rule for making reservations?
The reason I ask is because I'm debating whether to make a reservation for a train between Copenhagen and Hamburg after 3pm, but if there are no seats, will I still be able to get on?
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
It depends on the train.
[b]A[/b]: If the train requires a reservation (like for example the TGV in France), you can't enter it anymore when it is full - as there are no more reservations sold for it.
[b]B[/b]: Other trains which do not require a reservation (like the trains in Germany of Deutsche Bahn - so the ICE you will use on the route Copenhagen to Hamburg), you can enter it always without reservation.
Which means: even if the train is full and no more seats available, you can enter it - and search a place somewhere - either stand, or jump from seat to seat when ever one gets free for a part of the route of the train, ...
So no worries, you will be able to use this train and get to Hamburg. A reservation for this train would be EUR 4.
It only happened once to me in Germany in a local train that the train driver asked by loudspeaker people to leave the train as it was to full (soccer fans, tourists with bicycles, beer drinking kids, ...). But no one wanted to leave so the train continued at very very limited speed and arrived with a huge delay - but it was a lot of fun...! :D
Peter :)
Tomthebear
Traveller
138 comments
There is no problem to get on an ICE, even when it`s full. I had it multiple times, that me and some others had to sit on the floor. Can be funny as well. ;)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi,
as already said, it is usually no problem to get on a full train (without compulsory reservation) and then stand or sit somewhere on the floor. However if a train is so full that emergency exits would be blocked it can be that all standees have to leave the train - but this is rather rare and you should not worry about it. ;)
If you are about to enter a train for which you would need a reservation but dont have one, always try to ask the conductor before entering unless you want to risk being fined.
Flo 8)