EURAIL Passes

EURAIL passes are certainly a cheap way and convenient way to travel around Europe, especially if you're under 26 (cheaper prices for youths). Besides, train rides provide some really great scenery. You'd also notice how the landscape of each country can be so different, even if they are just bordering each other.

However, there is indeed lots to learn about using that EURAIL pass before you can actually ENJOY your ride, so let me share a few pointers of whatever I know:

• VALIDATE your pass before using it!
• Write down the date that you're going to use it before you board the train, or ASAP when you're on it
• Keep your passport somewhere handy, conductors will check both your pass and your passport together
  
• RESERVE seats if necessary
  
• This is extremely important especially for Intercity Express (ICE) trains. We had to stand a large part of our 6 hour journey from Amsterdam to Munich because we did not reserve seats. The EURAIL pass DOES NOT guarantee you a seat. It only allows you onboard the train.
• Don't reserve seats if not necessary
• Not all trains are full, hence you'll get seats even if you don't reserve them. The best way to determine if there's a need to is to ask the ticketing office at the train station if there's likely a need to. We paid between 6EUR to 22EUR for each seat reserved. The cost varies from trip to trip.
• Know which seats have been reserved, and from which station to which station (if you haven't reserved your own seat)
  
• The ICE trains (and the DB German trains too, if I don't remember wrongly) have digital displays above the seats to show which seats have been reserved, and from which station to which station. If the display is not litted, congratulations, the seat has not been reserved and you're unlikely to be interrupted if you occupy that seat. If however, all the displays are litted, pick a seat that has been reserved from the furthest away station --- you'll get to sit for a longer period at least.
  
• Conductors can be nice or nasty
• Some will allow you sit in the first class cabin, even tho your ticket's for the second class (when there are no seats left in second class). Some will chase you away from family cabins even tho there's no family in sight that needs it. Just deal with it.
  

Can't think of anymore tips to post here, but hope these few help anyway!