Hi! I am looking to take the overnight train from Turin to Rome however my Italian friend has advised against it also I have read stories of robberies even when the compartment door has been locked. Any advice for single female? Or should I opt for the plane the next morning?
Thanks

It is only a 4+ hour train ride during the day, why dont you just take the train first thing in the morning, or an evening train? No need to go overnight - a hotel room would be much more comfortable than a train that is stopping and starting all night, not to mention your concerns about safety.

A flight would take close to the same amount of time given you have to get to and from airports (plus the cost of that). The train goes city centre to city centre...

Yes, it's perfectly safe, forget the urban myths.

But the daytime option would be the best bet, as high-speed trains running at up to 175mph have now shrunk this journey.

Book online at www.trenitalia.com, look for a cheap 'Mini' fare.

Thank you for the replies, my first time using this website, it's realy helpful.
Overnight train saves on the hotel of course, I have travelled on overnight trains in SE Asia just never in Europe.
Yes I think it is the urban myths and my friend saying not to that got me thinking about the safety on this one. The train is slightly cheaper than flying and does fit in better with my train from Oulx the same evening.
Thanks again

If you take a single sleeping compartment, you should be absolutely fine.

If you share a sleeping compartment with one or more other women, you should be fine (but may not sleep quite as well).

If you don't book a sleeping compartment, but merely an ordinary seat, you may feel uncomfortable about falling asleep, given that you're travelling alone. That could transform the night passage into quite a "forgettable" experience. I don't think it's a particularly good idea to travel solo without a sleeping compartment on the night train, espcially for a woman.

Hello, I just wanted to add on a positive reply to what was a very easy, comfortable safe journey from Turin to Rome. I booked a Mini fair 44euros for 3 bed sleeper compartment and luckily i had the compartment to myself. There were also 4 other single women and we each had our own sleeper compartment. No problems. Hope the urban myths begin to fade rather than scaring pople away!

If you share a sleeping compartment with a stranger you have essentially no security. they may be fine, may be a thief or may be a ditz that doesn't keep doors locked.

The risk is not to YOU but petty theft - which can happen in the 5 minutes you are out of the comapartment.

Agree to take the fster daytime train.

Man in Seat 61 says it is an urban myth but I have heard lots of stories from reliable sources contradicting that and have personally witnessed folks in couchettes saying they have been robbed. Conductors always now ALWAYS make a big point of telling folks to keep the compartment door locked all the time and when returning from say the loo to re-lock the door at night.

Great sources for into on Italian trains and overnight trains in general - www.seat61.com - Man in Seat 61 who posts above his commercial site; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

I have taken literally hundreds of overnight trains and have never been victimized but am extremely careful and cautious - keep my real valuables on my person in a money belt - the theft mainly seems to come from someone sticking their hand in and pilfering luggage on the bottom floor of the typically three-tiered couchettes.

Theft on night trains in Europe is not a "myth."

I would opt for the fast daytime service

Theft can happen anytime, anywhere. If a person pays attention to their surroundings and belongings then they have far less chance of being victimized than one that is oblivious to everything. Most thieves are not idiots and prefer the easy mark. That said, you will still find the occasional nut-job that will try a snatch and grab on anyone.

Just be observant and careful and you'll be fine, regardless of when or how you travel. My daughter has done overnights in Europe and now Korea, never had a problem. Doesn't mean she won't, but has not up until now.

dave

I took a long overnight train from Vienna to Venice some years ago- shared a multiple sleeping compartment with others- no problems. I did sleep with my passport/money in money belt.

oops - no problems with my trip or sharing a hostel room with others. You can be robbed anywhere. My camera was stolen by a 'friend' visiting in my home.

Yes, it's perfectly safe, forget the urban myths.>

Man in Seat 61 - you really are talking out of your rear on this one - you need to take more ordinary overnight trains and not just the posh hotel trains you talk about!