Summary of Safety Tips for Train Travel in Europe
If you’re going to be taking a train trip across Europe, you have no need to worry: they’re just as safe as jumping on an Amtrak train at home. Make sure you pack your common sense and follow these five safety tips to ensure you have a wonderful trip!
Keep Your Backpack in Sight at All Times
Most important of all is to never leave your backpack on the train while you’re outside of the car, especially when it’s stopped at a station. While thefts of luggage are rare, you never know if someone’s been waiting for you to leave before they grab your backpack and make a run for it.
You obviously don’t want to carry your backpack and daypack with you whenever you need to go to the bathroom. Therefore, the best strategy is to keep all your valuables in your daypack and only take that. Ensure items such as your passport, cash, laptop, camera, Kindle, and phone remain in your daypack at all times.
Consequently, the best time to leave the car to get some food or use the restroom is while the train is moving. Wait until just after the train departs a station before getting up. This way, if someone tries to take your backpack, they won’t get far before you realize what’s happening.
Keeping Safe While Sleeping in Train Stations
If you’ve got an overnight wait between trains, you might consider sleeping in a train station instead of heading out to a hotel. This option can save you money and ensure convenience, especially if you only have a few hours to wait.
In larger train stations in major European cities, you shouldn’t encounter many problems. Make sure to use your backpack as a pillow and to keep your daypack on your front to deter any thieves. The more populated the area, the better, as there’s safety in numbers; therefore, it’s advisable to settle nearby others for added security.
Double Your Backpack Security
If you hope to sleep on the train without fear of losing your backpack, consider investing in a carabiner. Use it to hook a bungee cord, string, or belt through a backpack strap and secure it to an overhead rack or the leg of your chair. This method is lighter than a padlock but still effective, as it would draw attention if someone tried to unhook your backpack.
Safety on the Night Train
Overnight trains may sound risky; however, they are typically just as safe as daytime travel. If you’re fortunate, you may find a ticket for a train with a sleeper carriage, allowing you to sleep in a bed for a more comfortable journey.
When using sleeper cars, position your backpack at one end of the bed and sleep with your feet on top. Remember, in a sleeper car, you are with several other passengers, and any suspicious activity is likely to wake others up, reducing the risk of theft. If you’re less lucky and find yourself on a standard overnight train, you’ll likely sit the entire journey. In such cases, wrap the strap of your daypack around your foot while sleeping to keep it secure.
General Tips and Advice
Being safe while you travel largely depends on remaining aware of your surroundings. Just because an area has narrow streets and few streetlights doesn’t mean you should avoid it; some of the best cafes might be located in those areas.
Research plays a crucial role in this aspect. Before embarking on your train journey, it’s advisable to review experiences shared by other travelers about your specific route.
Nonetheless, traveling on European trains is generally safe. Always keep an eye on your belongings, aim to move around the train while it is in motion rather than at the station, and consider utilizing a carabiner to secure your bag if you’re concerned. Moreover, if you don’t have a reserved seat, sit in a carriage where there are many other passengers.
This article has been edited and updated by Lauren Juliff.
