Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

overnight train travel safety

Search

overnight train travel safety

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 05:14 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
overnight train travel safety

Hi,

I am new to this forum, just wanted some pointers re: what locks are good for locking luggage to overnight train to prevent theft.

Thanks.

Winnie
winstar227 is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 05:50 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,160
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
If you have a private sleeping compartment you can use the lock on the door.

If you mean locking your luggage to the luggage rack, I have on occasion used a lock with a cable, like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark...ge+cable+locks
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 07:39 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
<i>overnight train travel safety
Posted by: winstar227 on Sep 8, 16 at 9:14pm
I am new to this forum, just wanted some pointers re: what locks are good for locking luggage to overnight train to prevent theft. </i>

A wire tie is good. The thief will go to an easier target and/or make so much noise that you will wake up. Never put any valuables in your suitcase, anywhere anyway. For an introduction to night trains in Europe see http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail3.htm.
spaarne is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 08:29 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sleep on your valuables .. and even then .. if in an open seating arrangement have your money and passport in a moneybelt under your clothes.
Your stuff is not as important as your money, cards and passport.. everything else is replaceable.

My dd and her friends did an overnight from Italy to Germany just a few months ago.. miserable experience as they couldn't afford a nice private compartment( and one I warned them about) but they wanted to experience the night train thing.. I told them to fly.. lol
They did in fact fly from Amsterdam to Barcelona and were very happy they didn't take the train for that route..
justineparis is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 08:32 PM
  #5  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You've already gotten some great advice! One other tip: Once you've completed your last overnight train, consider tossing your cable with lock or tie or whatever unless you have a reason to keep lugging it around. ;-)

Good luck!
kja is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 08:42 PM
  #6  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
justineparis and I were posting at the same time, and you've gotten some great input from her, too!

IMO, putting one's money and passport in an underclothing passport pouch is "normal" when abroad, from take off to landing in my own country, unless I KNOW that I will otherwise be unable to reach those key things when needed, and in that case, I still sleep in/on them, if in a different and more easily reached place.

That said, I love sleeping on trains, and was glad I took a few overnight trains while in Europe, even if I couldn't afford a private compartment. YMMV.
kja is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 08:54 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,160
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
"...consider tossing your cable with lock..."

Sorry, I don't understand why you'd toss them. They weigh next to nothing and take up no space.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 09:01 PM
  #8  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@ MmePerdu: I didn't look at the ones you recommended; I was remembering the VERY heavy ones I used many, many years ago.
kja is offline  
Old Sep 8th, 2016, 09:07 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi all,

I actually keep a cable lock locked onto the top handle of my suitcase. It's coiled up, but ready. Since I usually travel by train, it's there in case I want to lock my case to a fence or rail while I wander the station in search of coffee or snacks, etc. I don't often use it, but it's small and unobtrusive, so I just keep it there.

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Toniseid
Europe
13
Sep 16th, 2014 02:08 PM
katya_NY
Europe
8
Sep 1st, 2007 05:03 PM
barbmike
Europe
6
Feb 14th, 2004 09:33 AM
alexantha
Europe
55
Sep 17th, 2003 09:47 AM
Barb
Europe
19
Aug 22nd, 2002 11:54 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -