Hi, I might take an overnight train alone during my Europe trip planned soon. Want to understand if it is safe to do so on routes like Barcelona to Paris/ Paris to Prague/ In general Europe routes.
P.S.- I understand that I need to be alert as a tourist and I do not mind sharing compartment with other stranger females. I am just concerned about any theft/molestation incidents
I haven't taken an overnight train in over 30 years. I would fly between the cities you mention. Apart from any safety concerns, overnight trains can be uncomfortable for getting a night's sleep, according to many recent posts. Who wants to wake up cranky in Paris?
I think you're generally going to be pretty safe so long as you're cautious (I find moneybelts very annoying but always wear them on when on any kind of public transport where I'll be sleeping), but as a woman who also travels solo, I do understand your concern.
If you're very nervous, I'd concur that a budget flight is a better call, but if you're intent on the night trains (which I love and can be great for maximizing your travel days), and you can't afford a solo compartment, you might consider skipping the compartment all together and getting a regular seat. You'll be less comfortable for sure, but, surrounded by more people, you may find you relax better due to "safety in numbers."
Caroline
The Barcelona-Paris night train was discontinued a couple of years ago. The only one remaining around there, and maybe only through the end of June, is a standard night train departing from the French side of the border at Cerbere. 6-passenger couchettes in 2nd class, 4-passenger couchettes in 1st class, and no private sleepers. It may or may not offer a female-only compartment; you have to confirm when booking.
Paris-Prague is an excellent route for a cheap flight (see www.skyscanner.com); it's not a direct overnight train. If you took a daytime TGV to Mannheim and changed there to the CNL night train using a flexi-style of rail pass, that would use two days of the pass (it doesn't fit the 7 p.m. rule) as well as needing seat and sleeper reservations.
Bunkmates are not normally thieves. You lock your compartment door so that thieves can't reach in to grab a bag and run. Money belts and clipping a bag to a pole also guard against thieves. Out of at least six night train rides that I've taken, I only had one in a mixed compartment with a guy who seemed too friendly, but nothing actually happened in that case.
P.S. Your other posts said there were two of you. Maybe that's only for part of the trip.
Thanks guys for your advices..Thanks Laura for the details..I think it its not a direct train, I would not opt for it. And yeah, my friend is flying back from Barcelona. So I am on my own for the next few days
This does not exactly pertain to your question. On night trains in Germany (Munich to Paris, prior to it being discontinued, Frankfurt-Vienna, or within Germany) I've noticed solo young women take the night train sitting in compartments or the reclining seat. Every trip since 2009 for me has included one night train ride to max the over all days over there. None was North American, all except one (Korean ) were Europeans ( Germans and others) You sit in a compartment with 5 others, it's a toss up.
In that compartment Frankfurt to Vienna EN in 2009, I sat next to the young Korean woman, ca 22-23, who could barely speak German and English, three others were in there too. The one other time where a single woman was in my compartment was in 2010 Paris to Munich, a New Zealander, one other was there too, an Austrian. Based on what I've seen through the years on night trains esp in the summer, I would bet that Paris to Prague night route will have solo women passengers.
Usually, women on night trains I've seen do so in pairs or triples, although one of the tree others on that Frankfurt to Vienna route was a solo German woman.
I am one that loves night trains. I take them whenever I can. Unfortunately, they are not as numerous as in the past. My latest night train was last year in Sweden, so that doesn't help you. However, let me say I always get a private compartment as I think that is part of the fun of it. To me it is a treat. It is not a treat for me to sleep with strangers. If you can't get a private compartment, then even I would suggest flying. However, I think everyone should try a night train once to see which side of the debate one falls on; love them or hate them. Make sure the route is long enough to allow for lovely relaxation and sleep. Otherwise, if no private compartment, I'd take a train route up to 8 hours during the day to relax and enjoy the scenery.
On the link that follows, scroll down to the bottom section & then click on Paris to Barcelona & the section on night sleeper trains.
On of the reasons that sleeper trains have become rarity is that on many routes we have very fast trains. On Paris to Barcelona, for example, they are travelling at up to 200mph. http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-travel.htm#.VyQ83elVuia
For finding airlines, www.skyscanner.net is a good site - best to select ‘monthly view’.
Hi Apy, I'm with the folks who suggest flying versus taking a night train. I took one from Venice to Frankfurt 30 years ago and it was a terrible experience. We were in one of the 6-passenger couchettes, didn't get any sleep, and arrived totally worn out. I was traveling with a friend who thought it would be a great idea to save on hotel expenses. Not so in my opinion. Fly.
Thanks guys. I am not taking this train :) I am wither flying or breaking the route up. Let's see how it turns up. Thanks for your advice.
