Is it safe to go backpacking on the train in Europe or should a female travel with a male friend?

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Sir Matthew the All-Knowing

As a rule of thumb, generally whenever you travel throughout the world, it is best to have a companion along - whether you are male or female, but especially if you are the latter. It's not that you cannot protect yourself or something like that; it's just that it is useful to have backup now and then. You never know what might happen.

That said, most places in Europe that are great for holidays and tourists tend to be absolutely lovely, safe places (just watch for pickpockets in crowded areas). Mostly, inns and the like that you will come across will be charming, pleasant places that are completely without any hint of danger. So, you will probably not need to worry if you cannot take a friend along.

Still, I do advise going with someone. You could always take me with you. I have nothing better to do this summer. :)

snowriver

It is NOT safe or advisabe to go alone. Even in the safest settings, thing happen and do happen. What if your in the mountains, you fall and get hurt, who is to know?? You open your self up to potential problems. being alone, Which you do not need. Get a Buddy to go with you or do not go.....

miss_jojo

I confess: I regularly fall asleep on trains, sometimes missing my stop... which is how I ended up in Germany, instead of France, at five in the morning, with a load of people dressed in lederhosen who were going to the carnaval. It was an experience.

Try taking nighttrains as much as possible: you'll save on accommodation, and get more sightseeing time. Avoid weekends though: everybody is on the move...

If you are travelling by day, choose a compartment that is already occupied by a family or girls: I once met two Belgian girls who were travelling to visit relatives in the south of Italy, I think the youngest was 14 - they were very sensible - took turns sleeping, made a point of greeting the conductor who therefore kept an eye on them.

I've been all over Europe by myself and haven't encountered any trouble, but I do try to be sensible about safety. As for hostels, I'd be more worried about my luggage.... you'll find that by staying in hostels you will hook up with other travellers very easily, and make new friends!

Then again, if your male friend is nice and you are genuinely worried about safety, by all means travel with him on your first trip.

For more relevant sites, try:
http://www.travelpunk.com/tips/
http://travel.roughguides.com/europe.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

mystina777

You should always travel with a friend or friends just in case.

HanZ

not Italy, my friend who's an itilian told me that if i ever want to go to italy i should take him becuz in italy there's ton of pick pockets and local people tend to look out for dumb stupid american tourist to prey on.

don't bring too much money only bring plstics. plus do not accept bl0w jobs from chicks from bar, becuz they works for the bar. They will force you to buy expensive beers or wines if you don't they will press sexual harrasment charges.

but whatever good luck.

yes you should take a male friend, it is much more fun that way at night.

nowhere man

I am juslt like you, I am heading to Amsterdam on mid of July on my own, am little worried coz I'll be alone, though i am 26 sinlge male, i couldnt find copmany, but we have no other options, life is short and we want to enjoy it, just go ahead, Hostels in Europe are safe, most of them, you just need to be carful if you are walking in the night, dont carry credit carrds or lots of cash, wish you good times

~*AK*~

please heed what i say and really think about it----you are going to a foreign place all alone, and the fact that your a female greatly increases the risk of any number of things happening (god forbid tho)---- you really need to ask yourself if travelling alone and especially napping is worth the risk of having to live with being raped or hurt in some way for the rest of your life. other things can happen as well---- people can steal your stuff or you may oversleep and get lost (totally not worth the nap!) ---and there are alot of freaks out there---is it worth risking your life? of course not but that is up to you---please think carefully and be cautious and safe--try to take someone with you if you can---good luck and have fun!

iluvmycats_03

Only if you've known him for a really long time and you really trust him. That's just what I think.

phil_the_sane

Everywhere has it dangers. i suspect the country you come from has more violent crime than these countries. Try buses rather than trains if you are concerned.I know sleeping on trains saves accomodation costs but you miss out on what you ate travelling for. If cost is an issue then low cost airlines will be cheaper than the train anyway.
Do not put your nations flag on your pack it only invites some bigot with preconceived ideas to cause you gip. I question the need for a backpack try a large holdall. You will look more like a local traveller than a backpacker and it is easier to get on and of your shoulder (unless you intend to do some serious hiking). Europe has shops so if you need anything you haven't packed you can buy it.Bring some euros but ATM's are all over the place. keep a copy of your passport etc online. You will meet other travellers to travel with pick your friends with care nad you will probably be fine.

Jasna

Don't take a nap on the train if you're by yourself... And my choice would be to take trains by day when there's a lot more people around, and you don end up stranded in a completely unknown tow in 5 o'clock in the morning with nowhere to go (remember, most hostels don't accept late night travelers)... On the matter of hostel safety, I don't think you should have any problems... Maybe you'll meet a male friend on the road ;)

Callalily

Well, I would always travel with a friend just to be safe!

lilmisscowgurl

Personally i wouldn't be too worried about it. But if you're not confident about going by yourself then maybe you should go with a friend. I've never stayed in a hostel but i have travelled Europe. Like i said before, I wouldn't be worried.

brandane

Many trains now have women-only sleeping compartments, so find out from Italian and French railways. No point going with any companion if they fall asleep at the same time as you, makes travelling more like keeping watch - not much fun!Just be careful to keep valuables, including MP3 players,out of sight and out of reach, under your seat, bumbag/fanny pack etc.

joshktexastech

i would bring someone - 2 chicks in the EU is perfectly fine. A girl travelling solo? I would only stay in switzerland.

ethan148

hi
if i were you ... i would definitely join a tour or something. Euros exchage rates are raising and american dollars are falling. So it's a pretty good idea to join a tour. Meanwhile it will be cheaper if you join a tour than backpack yourself ... let alone safty. especially italy. It's not really a safe country to travel, on the street, you get to see robbery everywhere, and the mean ,cold italians seem don't care coz they see it everyday. So honey ... join a tour .. since you won't be able to have much of freedom but it's definitely safer !!
good luck to you ... me,myself is going to Scandinavia this summer.. and instead of backpacking .. i join a tour, and it will certainly save alot of money and alot of time !
by the way... England shall be a great place to backpack !
cheers
et

mercedeshoff

In general it is safe to travel by train in Europe. Especially because there will be lots of travellers around you in the train and hostels. I have been travelling to other countries in Europe many times without any problems. The only thing you have to worry in trains is pickpockets so if you want to sleep make sure you don't leave your luggage unattended and make sure you notice it if somebody tries to steal it.

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