Eurail - How to avoid reservation fees

How to avoid reservation fees

Avoid reservations by researching alternative routes! Your trip may take longer and require more transfers, but you don't have to pay reservation fees.

How to find trains which require no reservations:

1. Go to the online journey planner of OBB
2. Enter your station of departure and destination and the departure time.
3. Then select 'Without ICE, TGV etc'.'
4. Click on 'Search connection'
5. You will now see the train connections, which normally require no reservation.

You can also use the similar Deutsche Bahn timetable. Here you have to uncheck 'prefer fast connections', and select 'All without ICE'.
Example trip: Amsterdam - Paris

Fast route with reservation
The fastest train journey from Amsterdam to Paris takes 4 hours. This is a direct connection by Thalys high-speed train. However, this train is subject to (a rather expensive) compulsory reservation. The Thalys reservation fee for Eurail Pass holders starts from 33 euro in 2nd class, see the price overview at thalys.com.

Alternative route without reservation
An alternative train journey without reservations is possible on this route, if you don't mind a longer travel time and a few transfers. You can reach Paris from Amsterdam in 8 hours time, with changes in Antwerp, Lille and Aulnoye. Why not stop in one of these cities for a few hours for a meal or some sightseeing?

Timetable example Amsterdam - Paris
Discover Europe!

With a Eurail Pass, Europe is there to explore... Endless miles of railway lines running across the European continent connecting one breathtaking scenery to another, connecting one exciting city to the other. All you need to do is board a train, sit back, relax and enjoy your holiday through unlimited travel in an elegant, quiet and comfortable way.
Interior of a local train in the Czech Republic