Seat Reservation

On most trains of the German Rail network, you may travel without having a seat reservation. Therefore, it is advisable to make reservations for a seat on long-distance journeys, because otherwise all seats may be taken, especially on Fridays and Sundays.

On most German Rail trains, a seat reservation is not required (exceptions will be marked in the Travel Service). You can reserve your seat up to 3 months in advance. The cost of a seat reservation is 4,00 EUR (in second class) / 5,00 EUR (in first class) per direction for one train and one connecting reservation. In combination with a ticket it is only 2,00 EUR (in second class) / 3,00 EUR (in first class).

Please note that for some trains there are special prices and booking conditions, as for example Thalys, most night trains, ICE Sprinter, some Eurocity-Trains (e.g. Hamburg-Copenhagen) and the Berlin-Warschau-Express (BWE).

When making a seat reservation, you receive a voucher indicating coach and seat number. Inside the trains a reservation tag or an electronic display above the seat indicates the reservation and the connection for which it applies.

It is possible to reserve a seat only, without purchasing a ticket. When booking online, click "Order" next to the desired connection and choose "no ticket, reservation only" on the following screen.

Please note that your reservation will only be retained for 15 minutes after the departure of the train. If you have not taken your seat until then, your reservation will be cancelled and your seat may be taken by other passengers.

When booking an Online-Ticket you will find your reservation details, such as coach and seat number, printed on your ticket.