A step-by-step travel guide Take the train from Barcelona to Praha

Do I have to book seat reservations?

Regular train tickets

Some trains require that you have a seat reservation. Seat reservations are included when mandatory with all regular tickets purchases made on All Aboard. If you wish to reserve seats when they are not included you can do so either at the train station or on the operator website.

Seat reservation for Interrail

Seat reservations are usually not required for local and regional trains. However, it is needed for most high-speed, international, and night trains. But make sure to book seats if you need to be somewhere at a certain time, traveling with kids or if it's high season. Unsure if you need a seat reservation? Check your route here.

Reservations for travelers with Interrail pass can be purchased at the train station, on the rail operator website, and on Interrail.eu.

Some rail operators will ask for your "pass cover number". This is a code which used to come with the old paper passes. You can generate such a code using your Interrail mobile pass here.

Is there wifi on the train?

There are few things as nice as watching a movie, listening to a good podcast or getting some work done on the train. And fortunately most long-distance trains in Europe today offer free wifi onboard.

Eurostar, Renfe, SNCF and Deutsche Bahn let you get access to wifi on the majority of their trains. If having wifi is very important to you, the best way to really know if wifi is available is to google the train number (that can be found on your ticket) and you'll find out.

For EU residents

Should the wifi connection let you down, as an EU resident, you still have the luxury to take advantage of free roaming in all EU countries, just remember to turn on roaming in your phone's settings. If you are an EU resident traveling through a non-EU country such as Switzerland, the UK, or Norway, it could be a good idea to bring a 4G dongle in your bag, and switch off roaming to avoid hefty bills.

Onboard catering & food

Most of the trains in Europe have restaurant cars open to all passengers, regardless of the fare. What is offered depends on the operator but also during what time you travel. They usually serve hot food, drinks and snacks available for all customers.

Onboard catering during covid-19

Many train operators don't have onboard catering due to the current situation. And face masks are required on many trains so if possible – eat and drink before you hop on the train.