How safe is it for a woman to travel alone on the train in Europe? any comments?

Very safe. I travel on trains alone all the time. It's very safe. Not to worry.

Hi There<BR><BR>Living in Europe, I take the train by myself a LOT. Of course you have to be aware of your surroudings, but that goes for everyone, not just single women! <BR><BR>Have fun!<BR>Terra

On my first train trip out of Rome, a handsome stranger from Calabria sat next to me and proceeded to steal my heart. So yes, it's quite dangerous ; )

Do you mean travel during the day or overnight? I've travelled by day with no problems. I would think you'd have to exercise a little more caution overnight in terms of protecting your belongings, but no first-hand experience.

I have travelled on overnight ferries, overnight trains, and trains that arrive after dark - with no problems. But I don't get stupid - if I'm arriving late at night, I make sure that my hotel is waiting for me, that I can easily walk to the hotel or that taxis/public transportation are available; I don't announce to anyone "hey I'm traveling by myself, I'm going to xxx, and my cabin # is..."; my luggage tags hide my name and address. I strike up conversations with fellow passengers, but specific details about my hotel location and itinerary aren't up for discussion.

Marina: Everything depends on where and at what time of the day resp the night.<BR>I don't think Europe is more dangerous than any other part of this world.<BR>Have fun!

I've travelled alone in Europe since I was 17, and I still (33 yrs. later) feel safer in Europe than in the US.

I just got back from a solo trip and it was safe. Like everyone says, just be aware of your surroundings. There was one wierdo that I remember on the train from Munich to Paris, he kept looking into my train cabin and was not being inconspicuous. Other than that, though, it was safe and comfortable.<BR><BR>I was lucky to have an American roomie in my night train to Prague--she was very nice. I shared my fruits with her and she shared her water!

Don't do it.

I live in Europe, and it has never accured to me that it could be dangerous. And I must move around, too, I cannot just sit at home. I am 52 years old, and at least to this day nothing has happened to me. My parents stopped accompanying me when I was 14. After that, should I just have sat in one place?<BR><BR>And nothing happened in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba and other places either.<BR><BR>

Europe is a rather large area! I would imagine that it would be safer taking a day train in Paris than a night train in Russia, but I don't know that for a fact.<BR><BR>Jennifer

It is not wise to sit in a completely empty car. Find one with at least a few people in it.

If you have the chance and can afford the price, booking a private cabin on an overnight train ride, is pretty fun! I've done it solo, female Geneva/Venice and Venice/Paris.<BR><BR>Not a 'couchette' which could be up to 6 mixed-sex, but the 'wagon-lit' which you can pay extra for a single or you might share w/ 1 other woman.<BR><BR>

I have traveled solo by trains and buses in Europe quite often, generally speaking, it is safe on the train. However, there are some train stations notorious of pick-pockets and muggers. I was mugged and injured inside train station in Madrid two years ago. My sister was almost robbed inside ticket office in HS station in The Hague last March. You just have to be extra alert in those area.