Couple train questions

[nickvk]

Ok so I just got my eurail flexi pass in the mail. I just wanted to confirm a couple things with the experienced tavellers here.

First, the 7 pm rule. If I take a train after 7 pm and it goes until the next morning it only counts for one day and I enter that as the arrival day correct?

Also reserving trains.....Should I just book reserve my seat when I arrive in the city for my outbound train a few days later. or do I need to do this more in advance?

[Eagle]

nickvk, a few comments to hopefully answer your questions....

First, the "7 PM Rule" -- perhaps the best way to answer this is to quote from the Eurail Traveler's Guide.

"When traveling during the day you should enter the day's date (a travel day is from midnight to midnight). When traveling overnight a special rule may be applicable: if the first trip of the day is on a direct overnight train departing after 19:00 (7 p.m.) the arrival date at your destination must be entered. Travel between 19:00 (7 p.m.) on the day of departure and midnight on the day of arrival is then included."

One VERY important point to note is the word "direct" (italicized above). If the train has intermediate stops, I'm not sure this rule applies? Perhaps some of the other could clarify this?

Next, booking reservations -- I don't think it makes much of a difference whether you reserve a seat at the time you arrive, or just a few days before you leave. If you know your travel days and times, it's probably just as easy to make reservations when you arrive, as you'll be at the station anyway and won't have to make a special trip. Also, not all stations are equipped to process reservations, so this is something to consider also. An example of this would be the stations in the Cinque Terre. Only the station in Monterosso al Mare is able to process reservations. It's a fairly simple process to travel there from any of the towns, as the C.T. card includes "free" train travel. However it does take an hour or two out of a travel day to get this done.

One other important point (and I'm sure you've noticed this on your rail pass) -- BE SURE to validate your Pass before you use it for the first time. Again, a simple process - present the Pass and your Passport at the ticket window of your first station, and they'll stamp it.

Hope this answers your questions. Happy travels!!!