Seat & Sleeper Reservations

What is a seat or sleeper reservations?

A seat/sleeper reservation ensures you have a reserved seat/coach number on your selected date and time of travel. Rail Plus issue seat/sleeper reservations in the form of paper tickets. We do not issue E-tickets (excludes Eurostar) for seat/sleeper reservations. You cannot book seat/sleeper reservations online with us whilst you are overseas as we need to send you an actual ticket.

Are seat reservations compulsory?

Seat/Sleeper reservations are compulsory on most High speed trains.Sleepers must be prebooked prior to boarding the train. Often, if you purchase a sector fare on a High speed train, then your seat reservation will be included in the cost. If you are travelling with a pass then the reservations are at an additional cost.

Trains/countries that require a compulsory seat reservation are France (TGV), Italy (Eurostar Italia, Cisalpino & Artesia), Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg "Benelux" (Thalys) and Spain (AVE). Seat reservations are at an extra cost. Night trains also require a supplement for sleeping accommodation.

Is it best to reserve my seat before I travel?

We always recommend that you reserve your seat before you travel as this avoids sold out trains and queuing at the train station before you depart. You can reserve your seat with us below on our live booking engine. Just add in your departure city and arrival city along with the date and time.

Please note: The International Reservations system does not have the facility to select what seat you wish to sit in. Therefore, we are unable to request a specific seat number or forward facing seats.