A rail pass or rail ticket allows you to board a train but does not guarantee you a seat. Therefore, by making a reservation, you can be assured of a seat on a specific train at stipulated time and date. Seat reservations is compulsory on "Premier" or High - Speed trains but is not required on most local and regional services. You can avoid the need to queue at the ticket offices at the train station through advance reservation if the train which you have decided to travel on requires mandatory reservations .

Trains requiring reservations :

• Some intercity and EuroCity trains which are designated with a "R" in European timetables.
• All High-Speed (Premier) Trains, except ICE in Germany (though reservations are recommended).
• Sleepers or Couchettes on Overnight and Hotel Trains.
•Swiss Scenic Trains such as the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Bernina Express, Chocolate Train, William Tell Express etc. require advance reservations.

Some short and local/regional services do not offer or require reservations. Reservations are not necessary in Switzerland (except for Scenic Trains) or Great Britain, due to frequent services. Reservations for Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal or Romania can only be made upon arrival in those countries.

Reservations for Eastern Europe can only be made to / from major cities.

How to make your train reservations :
You could make your train reservation through your favourite travel agent. In Europe, reservations can be made at railway stations.