Anyone experience non airconditioned trains in Europe?
 

Just returned from Europe. We took the train from Vienna to Prague RT. Enjoyed the scenery but the train both ways was a living hell. No airconditioning in Second class. It was maybe 90 degrees in the train. The windows would not open.

Is this a regular situation? If so, next time I am renting a car!

We have experienced two "hotter than hell" train rides in the past. The first time was Geneva-Paris, TGV in 1st class, in 2001. Ironically, some of the 2nd class cars were much cooler, but the train was full so we were stuck sweating it out.

Last year we again encountered nonfunctioning a/c on a Zurich-Saltzburg train, again in 1st. class. Fortunately, this train was not full and everyone seated in our car eventually relocated to other, cooler seats.

On the other hand, this summer we rode in extremely comfortable ES trains from Naples to Milan and then back to Rome.

Yes I have had the oven train experience in spain on several occasions, and our train broke down on the line for two hours going to barcelona, its was a nightmare

Older trains without air-conditioning almost always had big opening windows, and curtains or blinds to keep the sun out. The problem of over-heated trains usually concerns modern trains with faulty air-conditioning: there is generally no way of opening windows so the train gets very hot. The fault is often limited to one carriage, so it may be possible to move if it's too hot. It is certainly not a regular situation, but the designers of trains should allow for air-conditioning faults and provide some emergency ventilation.

Are these stories any different from the stations on the Las Vegas monorail?

No a/c, exposed to the sun because of their near-100% glass construction, so heat gain even greater than the 104 outside. And no escape from the perpetual "most advanced system in the country" blatherings on the loudspeaker system.

As Geoff says, the problem is with badly-designed modern systems. A curse the Asians seem able to avoid: I've never encountered such problems in Hong Kong or Singapore. But apparently one that's infected European and American designers alike.

Does traveling in boxcars count? That was my first introduction to European railways -- but that was more than just a few years ago!

I was on the Glacier Express in the 1st class AC car. Obviosly, they have their own understanding of conditioners as it was impossible to be in the window seat on the sunny side. And it was not a hot day in May, just a warm one.

We were told the windows can't be opened in the 1st class, only in 2nd.

Luckily, I've never had that experience here in Spain. Quite the contrary..I usually freeze !!!!

<i> CHUBROACH, new to Fodors (who are you, really?) has started no fewer than 8 threads all today. Seems very bored. Shoo. Go away. </i>

And only &quot;cruises&quot; people were smart enough not to reply!

I'm with Faina Again. I think the hottest ride I ever did was in one of those silly &quot;observation&quot; cars with glass half way across the roof increasing the heat of the sun on the Glacier Express. It was pure misery.
And I've often said that one common difference between first and second class cars is that often the air is much better in first.

yes just this past July, in France; like others here I got stuck in a second class *roasting* train car but was lucky to get even that after waiting for the train for 4 hours near Mont St. Michel (foolishly traveling on Bastille Day). Other train travel has been quite comfortable.

I've had good luck with most trains being comfortable. We did get one of those &quot;hotter than ****&quot; trains this summer. It was no surprise when it broke down and we had to get out and wait for another train to come. Although an inconvenience, I was pleased to change trains and be on our way in a much more comfortable train!

Interesting question.

My experience on trains without AC in Germany, Czechia and Austria was directly influenced by my fellow passengers.

Even in the heat of July, I was passably comfortable as long as there were a few open vent windows (the little flop-down windows at the top of the larger view windows). However, my trainmates often insisted on closing them, whether because of the noise, or the draft, who can say. Anyway, once those windows closed, the cars got quickly stifling.

I actually had a window-open/window-close battle with a crowd of Asian college-age girls on a train between Prague and Vienna. I kept opening them when I thought they were asleep, or when they'd retreated to a WC. They quickly slammed them shut when they woke up or returned to their seats. The breeze from the constant opening and closing may have kept us cooler!

My advice: find compatible compartment-mates before choosing a seat. Even ask: mind if we keep the windows open? If they balk, find another seat.

Fritzrl

Don't 1st class cars have air-con?