How do I choose a seat on the rail in Europe?

You can make seat reservations through the Eurail.com website for 95% of all European trains. To do this, you need a Eurail Pass and a Eurail.com account. You can also book many trains through our Rail Planner App.



Choosing a specific seat on European rail in 2026 depends heavily on the carrier and whether you are using a Eurail/Interrail pass or a point-to-point ticket. On high-speed lines like the Eurostar, TGV (France), and Trenitalia (Italy), seat reservations are mandatory and can often be selected via a digital seat map during the booking process on the carrier's official app. However, for many regional trains in Germany (DB) or Switzerland (SBB), seating is "open," meaning you can sit anywhere that isn't marked as reserved by another passenger. In 2026, if you are a pass holder, you typically use the "Rail Planner" app to book reservations, though some lines only allow specific seat selection (window vs. aisle) rather than a full graphic map. For the best experience, travelers should book 1st Class "Quiet Zone" seats on long-haul routes to ensure a workspace with power outlets and more generous legroom, which have become a premium standard in 2026 European rail travel.

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When you buy a train ticket with us, in many cases you will be offered the chance to choose a seating preference. Window, aisle, table seats and, in some cases, upper deck or lower deck. Vibrating seats to massage you between Manchester and Montpellier, not so much.

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Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat and choose a different seat at any time after your booking is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

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The main contenders are Omio, Rail Europe and Trainline. Those three are all legitimate companies, and established ticket resellers for European train tickets. (They're official partners of the European national train companies.) And they all put you on the same trains!

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The best seats in Economy Class On shorter flights in Economy, I'll typically choose a window seat (for the views) and pay extra to sit in the front of the cabin or at the bulkhead for more legroom. On long-haul flights, I'll consider an aisle seat located about 4-5 rows from the back.

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Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat and choose a different seat at any time after your booking is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

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Because some trains are more expensive than others, or historically have received less income from Eurail/Interrail to cover the large amount of passholders making use of those trains (Spain and France mainly). Reservations are usually a fraction of the cost of regular 1st class tickets, with some exceptions.

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To find trains that don't require reservations you can use our Rail Planner app on a mobile device. Make sure to tick the 'No reservation needed' box when searching for trains. In some cases, reservations can't be avoided simply because no other options are available.

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Can I choose a specific seat? Not while you're making a reservation. Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat at any time after your booking is complete using interactive seat maps on the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com.

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Train tickets for the Eurostar usually go on sale 330 days before the date of travel. Book in advance to make sure you get the cheapest options as those tend to sell out, leaving only the more expensive tickets.

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Exclusive to First-Class Passengers Once onboard, you'll enjoy complimentary at-seat meal and beverage service provided by our onboard staff of First Class attendants. Selections include freshly prepared chef inspired entrees as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

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First class also has wider seats and aisles, and is more likely to have amenities such as air-conditioning and power outlets (though outlets are still rare on Europe's trains, in any class). While first class is less conducive to conversation, it's more conducive to napping.

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The perks. Traveling first class usually means spacious, comfortable seats, amenities such as USB-ports, free Wi-Fi and – in some cases – complimentary drinks and meals. Sometimes the perks of traveling first class even start before boarding the train, with access to lounges and priority check-in.

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