I am a female who will be backpacking through Vietnam and Thailand alone. To help make me feel safe, I plan to take flights to most my destinations; however, this is obviously adding up! I hear that the overnight trains can be pretty sketchy, but are there any trains that tend to be safe? If I purchase a 1st class ticket, for example, will that help? My Vietnam book also mentioned the Pumpkin Express..anyone familar with that? I saw that they have private sleeper trains with 4 people to a room. Is that safe?

"I hear that the overnight trains can be pretty sketchy" - well, I wouldn't recommend third class - you'll sit up all night on hard seats in a crowded carriage. Is that what you mean by "sketchy"? I've taken several trains in both countries (solo female traveler), and in the sleeper classes they're fine. In fact, I particularly like the Thai trains because the bunks are parallel to the side of the train, instead of crosswise, so once you pull the curtains you have real privacy. And second class is fine if you're saving money.

Which book are you using? See seat61.com for lots of info on trains in both countries.

Thanks for thr seat61.com link--very helpful!

When I say "sketchy", I mean unsafe. I have heard that you really have to be careful with people having wondering hands with your personal items. I also have a friend who took the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train about 10 years ago, and she said she was a pretty scared (though I dont think they were in a sleeper).

I never felt unsafe on trains in either country - and I wound up in third class on a train from the Malaysian border to Bangkok one time. Although if it's your first time on Asian transport, it could be a bit overwhelming. You should take normal precautions, like a money belt for valuables, and sleep with it on. If you're really concerned, take a cable lock for your main pack. The people most likely to have wandering hands are your fellow backpackers, not the locals.

I don't think you will have any more problems than traveling by train in your own country. I more often see stories in Thailand where a tourist was yelling for help and ordinary bystanders and store owners caught the thief.

On the train you will be surrounded by other people. I bet if you started yelling you would get some assistance. Bring a bag or pack that you can lock up so you won't have to take your bag with you to the toilet.

I have taken the sleeper to Chiang Mai a few times and didn't see or hear anything. I even took a 3rd class ride on a train from Bangkok to Hat Yai (around 14 hours) and didn't see anything other than mostly friendly and courteous people. Keep your bags locked, just like on a plane or bus, especially a bus booked out of Khao San Road travel agencies. Trains in Thailand and Malaysia can be cold so have a light jacket or long sleeve shirt available.

Good luck.

The sleeper from Bkk to Surat Thani for (Koh Samui) is highly recommended - take a first class cabin to get privacy.

The key to safe travel is to not make yourself look like a victim. Think not just about how and where you keep your valuables, but how you behave - con men can spot a "nervous" or unsuspecting victim by looks more than anything else.
Loud aggressive behaviour or excessive timidity all add up in their eyes.
how you walk talk and interact with people could save you from a lot of hassle.

As mentioned by poster above tri travel in Thailand is quite save. For a single person a 2nd class a/c lower berth is the best way to go. 1st class cabins are meant for two people and unless you want to take a chance of a companion, you have to buy 2 tickets.

Also flying can be just as cheap as the train if you fly on a budget airline. For instance the average fare for Air Asia between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is just as cheap as one 1st class train ticket. Depending on how far in advance you book and the day it can be cheaper than 2nd class.

If you don’t mind traveling by bus it is another cheap way to travel. But only use government run ones, 1st class or VIP.

I dont know about Vietnam, but i do know that ive never heard about anyone having any problems on Thai trains in regards to safety. Youll have a great time, train travel in Thailand is fanatastic.

I have used trains in Vietnam and Thailand many times over the years and have never once had a problem. Thats not to say taht they don't occur and you are far less likely to encounter dodgy characters in 1st Class than 3rd so for a female alone I would definitely recommend 1st class . Khunwilko gives good advice re "not making your self look like a victim" i.e. look and act with confidenceI would add to those comments: Never accet drink or food from a stranger (drugging travellers is a favoured ploy). Get a security cage for your backpack and lock to something in the compartment. Use a waist money belt to keep passport and money safe (or thigh pouch if preferred). Buy tickets from stations not travel agencies.

There are lady only sleeping carriages on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains.

Re "There are lady only sleeping carriages on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains". This must be something new as I have not heard of this on any of the sleeper trains. Unless you mean that if a female gets a single 1st class ticket they will only put another female in the cabin.

It's been around for years but I think only on the 2nd class a/c sleepers. They have a "matron" and normally about 3 - 4 compartments are designated ladies only.

Opps suppose to say that they have matrons who looks after the passengers, make the bed and to ensure that it's women only.

I haven't seen female-only carriages in second class either, but then it never occurred to me to ask for one. You really don't need it - once you pull the curtains you have privacy. I think this safety concern is way overblown.

Wow, this is all great information--thank you! One mroe question, in the 2nd class sleepers, is there a plce to lock my bag up where I sleep? Or do I have to lock it in a separate place?

You keep your bag with you. See http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#On%20board and http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#Wh...0trains%20like