1.  There are something like 10,000 train departures a day in Europe and the vast majority of those trains don’t require reservations.  If you’re willing to take slightly slower local and regional trains you can avoid reservations altogether.  Use the German rail site: http://reiseauskunft… for schedules anywhere in Europe.

2.  Express trains between major cities often require reservations.  If you use a railpass you pay extra for the reservation.  If you buy a point to point ticket on that train it will cost more than the base fare because it will include the reservation.  Generally reservations cost 4 or 5 euros, but some are more expensive.  Go to www.railpass.com click on “info center” then “using your railpass” then “supplements”  for a list, by country of reservations and the price for the reservation if you buy it at the train station in Europe.  Buying reservations on line will cost at least twice as much as buying them in Europe — sometimes 3 or 4 times more by the time you add in shipping and handling.

3.  Buy reservations at any major train station about a day in advance.  There are a couple of ways to save time doing this.  a)  If you have a set itinerary you can buy all your reservations at one time.  b) Buy the reservation for the train you’re going to take when you leave town upon arrival — before you leave the train station to avoid an extra trip to the train station.