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Question

Italy, switzerland, Germany France which rail pass?

  • September 19, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 29 views

I am traveling with a friend. in the month of October.

Here is my itinerary listed for each travel day Total of 7 Rail Days in the Month of October. I am listing the amount of time we will be on trains. Im trying to decide which  Global or global plus pass I should buy. 

Tuscany -Lucerne Switzerland  8.5 Hrs

Lucerne -Lake Geneva    3 hrs

Lake Geneva -Munich      7.5 hrs

Munich - Regensburg back to Munich ( Day trip)

Munich to Rothenburg - Back to Munich (Day trip)

Munich - Strasbourg FR 5 hrs

Strasburg- Tuscany     10.5 hrs.

QUESTIONS

1. Since 3 of the days the trip is long I am considering buying Global Plus where seat reservations are included. I know the price of the mandatory reserved seats. If I buy the Global Pass I have to pay for all the FAST train reservations but do I have to pay for all the others that say Seat reservations Optional. Does that mean I should reserve a seat? What happens on those if I don't reserve a seat?

2.What is your feeling about Global First class V Second class especially on my long days travelling 7.5 hrs up to 10.5 hours? Is it worth it for those long travel days?

3 replies

Marvin Heer
Engin-ius
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  • Marvin Heer
  • Engin-ius
  • September 20, 2026

1.) not all fast trains require a reservation. Highspeed trains in Germany and Switzerland do not require reservation (although during main travel times or when travelling as a group a reservation in Germany makes sense. If booked directly with DB (https://int.bahn.de/en) its 5,50€ per journey even it involves multiple connections in Germany)

If you dont reserve you just look for an unreserved seat (the seats on the ICE in Germany have small displays on or near them showing if  they are reserved. It can happen that you have to stand for part of your journey or have to change your seat multiple times if you dont have a reservation. )

I speak german 🇩🇪, english 🇬🇧, and i understand a bit of french
  • First timer
  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • September 20, 2026

Here’s my itineray, Can  you tell me if it would be better for me to  buy a 7 day Global pass,  ( 2 of the days are day trips within Germany) Or would it be better for me to buy a 5 day pass and 2 local tickets for my Munich day trips?

ALSO If I buy the Global Plus Pass ,which includes a reservation  do they assign the reserved seat  or do I still have to reserve seats myself. The following trains require reservations

Firenze to Lucerne /Munich to Strasbourg/Zurich to Milan

 

ralderton
Railmaster
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  • ralderton
  • Railmaster
  • September 20, 2026

The only way to do the maths yourself. 

Bear in mind you can get a day ticket for Bavaria, for up to 5 people for €34, which you could use for your Regensburg and Rothenburg trips.  

https://int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/regional-day-ticket-bavaria
 

Re reservations: all booking platforms will try to assign you seats together if they can. 

I’ve never managed to make the Plus pass add up. Better to buy your reservations separately

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