Complete Guide to European Train Ticket Rules by Country

1. Paper ticket (Billet classique)

+----------------------------------+
| SNCF    TGV INOUI               |
|----------------------------------|
| PARIS GARE DE LYON              |
| LAUSANNE                        |
| 10:23  ->  13:20               |
| Car 12  Seat 42A (Window)      |
| Class: 2nd                       |
| PNR: ABC123                      |
| Fare: PREM'S (Non-refundable)   |
+----------------------------------+
                

Key information:

• PNR: 6-character alphanumeric code, the unique booking reference
• Fare: Fare type. PREM'S is the cheapest non-refundable ticket; LOISIR is a refundable leisure ticket; PRO is a business ticket
• Car/Seat: Carriage and seat number. French TGV seats are labeled A/B (window/aisle) and C/D (face-to-face table seats)

2. E-ticket (E-billet)

Purchased via the SNCF Connect app or website, displayed as a QR code. Note:

• You must "activate" (Composter) it before boarding—tap the button in the app
• If your phone dies, you can print a paper voucher at the station’s yellow composting machine (Composteur)
• Show the QR code to the conductor for scanning

3. Rail pass (Pass)

When using an Eurail or Interrail pass:

• You must write the travel date on the pass (in blue or black ink)
• You must reserve a seat for TGV/ICE via the SNCF app or website (€10–20 reservation fee)
• Boarding a TGV without a reservation is a violation, fine €50 + fare

+----------------------------------+
| DB Bahn    ICE 957               |
|----------------------------------|
| Berlin Hbf  ->  München Hbf     |
| 08:30  ->  13:03                 |
|                                  |
| 1. Klasse:  Wg. 12, Pl. 42A      |
| 2. Klasse:  Wg. 22, Pl. 55B      |
|                                  |
| Sparpreis (Saver Fare)           |
| Zugbindung: Ja (Train bound)     |
+----------------------------------+
                

Key information:

• Wg. (Wagen): Carriage number
• Pl. (Platz): Seat number. A/B/C/D indicate seat type
• Zugbindung: Whether the ticket is tied to a specific train. Sparpreis is train-bound; Flexpreis is not, valid on any train that day
• 1./2. Klasse: First / Second class

+----------------------------------+
| Trenitalia    Frecciarossa 9574  |
|----------------------------------|
| Roma Termini  ->  Firenze SMN   |
| 09:30  ->  10:45                 |
|                                  |
| Carrozza 3, Posto 12A, Fine     |
| Classe: Standard                 |
|                                  |
| Tariffa: Super Economy           |
| Codice PNR: ABC123               |
+----------------------------------+
                

Key information:

• Carrozza/Posto: Carriage / Seat
• Fine/Centrale: Seat position. Fine is near the carriage end (close to toilets); Centrale is the middle (quieter)
• Tariffa: Fare type. Base (refundable); Economy (non-refundable, date changeable); Super Economy (non-refundable, non-changeable)

+----------------------------------+
| SBB CFF FFS    IC 1071           |
|----------------------------------|
| Zürich HB  ->  Genève            |
| 08:00  ->  11:02                 |
|                                  |
| 1. Klasse:  Wagen 1, Platz 21A   |
| 2. Klasse:  Wagen 5, Platz 42B   |
|                                  |
| Sparbillette (Saver Ticket)      |
| Halbtax-Abo: Ja                  |
+----------------------------------+
                

Key information:

• Halbtax-Abo: Whether the half-fare card is used. Most Swiss residents buy the Halbtax (annual fee CHF 185), which halves all fares
• GA Travelcard: Swiss general pass (annual CHF 3,860 second class), unlimited travel on all public transport
• Supersaver: Super-discount tickets, available in advance at prices as low as 25% of the half-fare rate

+----------------------------------+
| Renfe    AVE 03971               |
|----------------------------------|
| Madrid Puerta de Atocha         |
| Barcelona Sants                  |
| 08:30  ->  11:15                 |
|                                  |
| Coche 3, Plaza 12A, Ventana      |
| Clase: Turista                   |
|                                  |
| Tarifa: Promo                    |
| Localizador: ABC12345678         |
+----------------------------------+
                

Key information:

• Coche/Plaza: Carriage / Seat
• Ventana/Pasillo: Window / Aisle
• Tarifa: Promo (non-refundable); Flexible (refundable); Premium (business class)
• Localizador: 10-digit locator code, used for ticket retrieval and changes