In Spain, seat reservations are mandatory on all long-distance trains, including most first and second class cars, and should be made in advance. Seat reservations are not accepted for most local trains, nor for trains traveling within Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg or Switzerland unless the train is traveling to another country. Reservations for sleeping berths or couchettes are required. Double berth compartments, consisting of an upper and lower berth, could be in either first or second class depending upon the services of the particular train. Triple compartments, when available, are second class, separated by gender unless the party occupies the entire compartment.
Couchettes are usually second class compartments with six berths.
Male and female travelers can both be assigned to the same compartment and travelers are expected to sleep in daytime clothes. Sleeper and couchette reservations are partially refundable at the discretion of the railway. Most reservations can be made from the U.S. by RailPass Express for travelers who first purchase passes or tickets from the company. All reservation requests must be made in writing on a RailPass Express Reservation Form that can be faxed or mail. Reservations can be made beginning 60 days in advance of the train departure.