Am planning to catch a night train from Zurich to Zagreb as part of my trip...... many of the concerns that people have about night trains don't bother me - I tend to fall asleep very easily - however I am slightly uneasy about the security of my luggage?
Is this a big issue, as in should I spend the extra money for a single sleeper? Or will I be ok in a double sleeper? I'm travelling alone so could potentially end up with a stranger?
Don't worry-they don't mix sexes in the sleepers. I was assigned to a quad, however, it was just me and another person; since his stop was at 0400, he took the bottom, I the top.
" many of the concerns that people have about night train trains don't bother me...." How true.
No concerns on security regarding the luggage. If you're sitting in a compartment (6 seats), you luggage and that of the others there will be on the rack. Everyone is accommodating. If you're in the general seating area, your luggage is on the rack space above. I've done this numerous times, no concerns. I travel solo too when on a night train.
No experience with a sleeper or couchette. I don't use that option or want to spend that amount of money.
Oh yeah I already knew they’d be single-sex - I’m not worried about being raped so much as the possibility of someone nicking my stuff while I’m asleep?
Just wondering if this is an issue that others have encountered
The sleeper compartments have door locks. At least the ones I've been on do. This info from the man in seat 61 might help: https://www.seat61.com/sleepers.htm
If someone in your compartment is getting off the train before you, trust me, you'll know.
Yeah it’s more my roommate I feel nervous about. Problem being the very factors which mitigate some other people’s concerns (ie I fall asleep easily and then sleep through noise, movement, other people snoring etc) also means I’m less likely to notice if my roommate starts rummaging through my stuff while I’m asleep.
I know I can put my valuables into a money bag on my person (and I definitely will!!) and I know I tend towards paranoia regarding theft - not just when I’m travelling, but in general. But it sounds like this hasn’t been much of an issue for other travelers? So fingers crossed 🤞
My child was chloroformed on a train in Spain and robbed. The conductor said she was lucky she didn't wake up. They stole everything except her passport. The train cabin mates did it and hopped off the train. So it can happen.
Despite Suki's report, I would not worry much about any cabin mates. I do lock the door of the compartment, as well as my large luggage is locked and doesn't have any valuables in it. Potentially, you could also clip or lock your main luggage to something in the compartment, since you should be awake and alert well before the train arrives to Zagreb at 10:43 (but it's not the end of the line, so you have to be ready in advance). My money belt is under my clothes and my day bag may be under my pillow or otherwise attached to me.
Hmmmm..... actually on hearing Suki’s post - even though it might be a one in a thousand - I might be best just to spend the extra 60 euro (compared to a triple sleeper) for a single sleeper.
Especially since the same locks that stop thieves from getting in, would also stop a conductor or security guard from saving me if the absolute worst case scenario happened. It’s better safe than sorry 😐
Thank you all though
Taking the night trains I've not had any concerns about my luggage being walked off while I am asleep, never heard anything to that effect when taking a night train. My upcoming trip starting the end of April will include 3 night train rides which I've factored in as part of the itinerary.
I've seen young solo women or women in pairs (millennials) taking the same night trains I was on, none was American. They were European (Dutch, Swedish, Austrian, German ) and Korean,
I never worry about theft of luggage on trains, freely leaving my bag on a luggage rack near the door. My issue is discomfort. I know you said you don't have sleep issues, but have you looked at the stops on the night train between Zurich and Zagreb? There are 16 stops between 10 PM and 8 AM, 7 of which occur between midnight and 6 AM. For each stop there's deceleration, sometimes some bumping, noise, and then acceleration as train pulls out of the station.
I wonder whether you've considered flying. If your trip is well into the future, you might snag a decent fare. The night train will not be particularly cheap after you pay for a sleeping compartment.
Hmm, I just had a quick look at direct flights that same day and there was one flight leaving Zurich at 11am (which I’d never make on time) and another at 8pm (which would be fine - same time as the night train, too)
However both these flights were approx $270 usd, which is still more than the €189 for a single sleeper on the night train..... and I’d still need to muck around getting my bags then making my way to accomodation in Zagreb at 10pm at night, and have to pay for the accomodation too.....
I think I probably won’t have quite as good a sleep that night, as usual, but it’ll still probably be much easier (get on at Zurich, get some sleep - broken or not- wake up and then hop off in Zagreb).
Plus it’s only one night out of an entire trip, and it’ll be a bit of an adventure, an experience that I wouldn’t have had otherwise 😊 which is part of the fun of travelling 😊
Debbie, I love getting a private sleeper on overnight trains. I love, love, love these trains. I sleep well, bring a lovely snack and enjoy the scenery until it is time to sleep. I find it fun and convenient. Again, some of us sleep very well on trains. Try it so you know how you feel about it.
