Quelqu'un aurait-il pris le train qui traverse ou tout au moins qui existe à Madagascar. Merci pour vos réponses à venir Anna Elise
Madagascar: prix du train
by Annaelise
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour
Quelqu'un aurait-il pris le train qui traverse ou tout au moins qui existe à Madagascar. Merci pour vos réponses à venir Anna Elise
Quelqu'un aurait-il pris le train qui traverse ou tout au moins qui existe à Madagascar. Merci pour vos réponses à venir Anna Elise
Oui 2 fois et j'y retourne en novembre
Incontournable, extraordinaire. Environ 13.50euros 48000 Ariary je crois à partir de Sambahavy le Lac Hotel
Bon voyage
mange pour vivre, ne vis pas pour manger.
Bonjour,
Ca aurait bien augmenté, il y a à peine deux ans, c' était 25 000 ariary !
Ca aurait bien augmenté, il y a à peine deux ans, c' était 25 000 ariary !
Si quelqu'un a des infos à jour pour le train je suis preneur car 13.50 euros c'est le prix qui m'à été donné. En première.
mange pour vivre, ne vis pas pour manger.
Si quelqu'un a des infos à jour pour le train je suis preneur car 13.50 euros c'est le prix qui m'à été donné. En première.
C' est obligatoirement en première classe pour les étrangers....
C' est obligatoirement en première classe pour les étrangers....
A-E,
j'ai pris en août le train FCE qui joint Fianarantsoa à Manakara. je pense qu'il faut se dépêcher de la prendre car il ne fonctionne plus que 2 jours par semaine et le voyage complet est désespéramment long. (18 h). Le site internet n'est pas à jour.http://www.madagascar-tourisme.com/component/content/article/6-actualites/202-tarif-du-train-fce
il ne circulait plus le jeudi dans le sens Fiana- Manak.
Quant à l'autre, c'est pareil avec un fonctionnement aléatoire et il ne part plus de Tana pour rejoindre Tamatave.
La ligne Tana -Antsirabé a été remise en état mais il ne circule plus que des trains complets retenus par des TO.
Si quelqu'un a des infos à jour pour le train je suis preneur car 13.50 euros c'est le prix qui m'à été donné. En première.
C' est obligatoirement en première classe pour les étrangers....
Point nenni, tout le monde peut monter en seconde. Par contre, les étrangers payent plus que les malgaches (le prix du billet de seconde + la "taxe touriste" dont j'ai oublié le montant), et surtout, contrairement à la première, il n'est pas possible d'acheter son billet la veille (on peut par contre essayer de rencontrer un guichetier sympa qui note votre nom et vous évitera une longue attente le lendemain)...
C' est obligatoirement en première classe pour les étrangers....
Point nenni, tout le monde peut monter en seconde. Par contre, les étrangers payent plus que les malgaches (le prix du billet de seconde + la "taxe touriste" dont j'ai oublié le montant), et surtout, contrairement à la première, il n'est pas possible d'acheter son billet la veille (on peut par contre essayer de rencontrer un guichetier sympa qui note votre nom et vous évitera une longue attente le lendemain)...
Bonjour,
Et bien c' est nouveau, j' ai toujours été invité à prendre la première ! Par contre je viens d' avoir le renseignement avec un ami qui est toujours sur place, les prix ont bien augmenté, c' est 40 000 ariary pour un aller en première classe ! C' est comme les hôtels et restaurants, moins il y a de touristes et plus ça augmente !
Et bien c' est nouveau, j' ai toujours été invité à prendre la première ! Par contre je viens d' avoir le renseignement avec un ami qui est toujours sur place, les prix ont bien augmenté, c' est 40 000 ariary pour un aller en première classe ! C' est comme les hôtels et restaurants, moins il y a de touristes et plus ça augmente !
Bonjour,
Il semble me souvenir que la "taxe touriste" est à 15 000 ariary (mois de mars). Oui, effectivement, ils orientent systématiquement les touristes en première et tous les expats de Fianar sont persuadés que c'est obligatoire. Les guichetières m'ont dit que ça ne l'a jamais été, c'est plus par mesure de sécurité (dans la première il y au moins un policier armé, en fonction du remplissage)...
Il semble me souvenir que la "taxe touriste" est à 15 000 ariary (mois de mars). Oui, effectivement, ils orientent systématiquement les touristes en première et tous les expats de Fianar sont persuadés que c'est obligatoire. Les guichetières m'ont dit que ça ne l'a jamais été, c'est plus par mesure de sécurité (dans la première il y au moins un policier armé, en fonction du remplissage)...
C' est comme les hôtels et restaurants, moins il y a de touristes et plus ça augmente !
Bjr,
Je ne comprend pas la comparaison du train de Fianrantsoa avec les hôtels et les restaurants. Moi, je trouve raisonnable le voyage en train à 40 000 ariary (11€).
Bjr,
Je ne comprend pas la comparaison du train de Fianrantsoa avec les hôtels et les restaurants. Moi, je trouve raisonnable le voyage en train à 40 000 ariary (11€).
C' est comme les hôtels et restaurants, moins il y a de touristes et plus ça augmente !
Bjr,
Je ne comprend pas la comparaison du train de Fianrantsoa avec les hôtels et les restaurants. Moi, je trouve raisonnable le voyage en train à 40 000 ariary (11€).
Il n' y a aucune comparaison, je fais juste un rapprochement des augmentations. En ce qui concerne le prix du voyage, je ne porte pas de jugement sur la justification, je me contente de constater une forte augmentation en moins de deux ans de 25 à 40 000 ariary. Et si ça ne représente que 11, 50 € pour un touriste, il ne faut pas oublier qu' il y a de nombreux malgaches qui le prennent et sur un salaire local c' est énorme. Le taxi brousse a encore de beaux jours devant lui !
Bjr,
Je ne comprend pas la comparaison du train de Fianrantsoa avec les hôtels et les restaurants. Moi, je trouve raisonnable le voyage en train à 40 000 ariary (11€).
Il n' y a aucune comparaison, je fais juste un rapprochement des augmentations. En ce qui concerne le prix du voyage, je ne porte pas de jugement sur la justification, je me contente de constater une forte augmentation en moins de deux ans de 25 à 40 000 ariary. Et si ça ne représente que 11, 50 € pour un touriste, il ne faut pas oublier qu' il y a de nombreux malgaches qui le prennent et sur un salaire local c' est énorme. Le taxi brousse a encore de beaux jours devant lui !
Bonjour,
Il semble me souvenir que la "taxe touriste" est à 15 000 ariary (mois de mars). Oui, effectivement, ils orientent systématiquement les touristes en première et tous les expats de Fianar sont persuadés que c'est obligatoire. Les guichetières m'ont dit que ça ne l'a jamais été, c'est plus par mesure de sécurité (dans la première il y au moins un policier armé, en fonction du remplissage)...
Vous m' en apprenez 🙂, j' ai habité plusieurs années à Manakara, j' ai pris le train de nombreuses fois, je n' ai jamais remarqué la présence de policiers, sauf en accompagnement de prisonniers. J' ai quitté la région il y a deux ans, ce sont peut être des mesures nouvelles ! Comme quoi, même en tant que résident, on ne sait pas tout🙂
Il semble me souvenir que la "taxe touriste" est à 15 000 ariary (mois de mars). Oui, effectivement, ils orientent systématiquement les touristes en première et tous les expats de Fianar sont persuadés que c'est obligatoire. Les guichetières m'ont dit que ça ne l'a jamais été, c'est plus par mesure de sécurité (dans la première il y au moins un policier armé, en fonction du remplissage)...
Vous m' en apprenez 🙂, j' ai habité plusieurs années à Manakara, j' ai pris le train de nombreuses fois, je n' ai jamais remarqué la présence de policiers, sauf en accompagnement de prisonniers. J' ai quitté la région il y a deux ans, ce sont peut être des mesures nouvelles ! Comme quoi, même en tant que résident, on ne sait pas tout🙂
C' est comme les hôtels et restaurants, moins il y a de touristes et plus ça augmente !
Bjr,
Je ne comprend pas la comparaison du train de Fianrantsoa avec les hôtels et les restaurants. Moi, je trouve raisonnable le voyage en train à 40 000 ariary (11€).
Il n' y a aucune comparaison, je fais juste un rapprochement des augmentations. En ce qui concerne le prix du voyage, je ne porte pas de jugement sur la justification, je me contente de constater une forte augmentation en moins de deux ans de 25 à 40 000 ariary. Et si ça ne représente que 11, 50 € pour un touriste, il ne faut pas oublier qu' il y a de nombreux malgaches qui le prennent et sur un salaire local c' est énorme. Le taxi brousse a encore de beaux jours devant lui !
Les malgaches ne paient pas ce prix là, nettement moins (même si ça reste très élevé pour eux)...Quant au Taxi-Brousse, euh, pas sur ce trajet en tous cas, puisque pas de route
Bjr,
Je ne comprend pas la comparaison du train de Fianrantsoa avec les hôtels et les restaurants. Moi, je trouve raisonnable le voyage en train à 40 000 ariary (11€).
Il n' y a aucune comparaison, je fais juste un rapprochement des augmentations. En ce qui concerne le prix du voyage, je ne porte pas de jugement sur la justification, je me contente de constater une forte augmentation en moins de deux ans de 25 à 40 000 ariary. Et si ça ne représente que 11, 50 € pour un touriste, il ne faut pas oublier qu' il y a de nombreux malgaches qui le prennent et sur un salaire local c' est énorme. Le taxi brousse a encore de beaux jours devant lui !
Les malgaches ne paient pas ce prix là, nettement moins (même si ça reste très élevé pour eux)...Quant au Taxi-Brousse, euh, pas sur ce trajet en tous cas, puisque pas de route
Les malgaches ne paient pas ce prix là, nettement moins (même si ça reste très élevé pour eux)...Quant au Taxi-Brousse, euh, pas sur ce trajet en tous cas, puisque pas de route
Le trajet du train est unique nous sommes d' accord. Mais la liaison par la route entre Fianarantsoa et Manakara, via Irondro, se fait très bien et est souvent plus rapide que par le train. Par contre on est loin de voir les même paysages ! Certaines gares, peu nombreuses, sont accessibles par la route.
Le trajet du train est unique nous sommes d' accord. Mais la liaison par la route entre Fianarantsoa et Manakara, via Irondro, se fait très bien et est souvent plus rapide que par le train. Par contre on est loin de voir les même paysages ! Certaines gares, peu nombreuses, sont accessibles par la route.
Oui, mais le gars (pas le touriste) qui veut aller à Amboanjobe ou Ionilahy par exemple, comment fait-il ?
Puis la pistes qui passe par Tolongoïna n'est pas toujours praticable...
J' ai bien dit que peu de gares sont accessibles par la route sur ce trajet. Néanmoins, même quand le train de marche pas, les malgaches se déplacent quand même, au besoin à pied !
J' ai bien dit que peu de gares sont accessibles par la route sur ce trajet. Néanmoins, même quand le train de marche pas, les malgaches se déplacent quand même, au besoin à pied !
Tsys olana Tompoko ! Je répondais juste par rapport au fait que "le taxi brousse avait de beaux jours devant lui" :)
Tsy maninona ! Mahay miteny gasy ve ianao?
Tsy maninona ! Mahay miteny gasy ve ianao?
Un peu ok, je me débrouille quand j' ai besoin de quelque chose et je remarque, qu' après la période marquée par Ratsiraka, actuellement de plus en plus de jeunes parlent le français.
Je n'ai pas assez d'expérience de Madagascar (un seul voyage) pour observer ça. Il s'agit de la nouvelle génération après la malgachisation ? C'est ça ?
Oui, tout à fait.
Oui, tout à fait.
Et si ça ne représente que 11, 50 € pour un touriste, il ne faut pas oublier qu' il y a de nombreux malgaches qui le prennent et sur un salaire local c' est énorme
C'est 11,5€ pour la première classe (me semble-t-il). Car il y a aussi des classes de la catégorie inférieure avec tarif low cost en accord avec le salaire local.
C'est 11,5€ pour la première classe (me semble-t-il). Car il y a aussi des classes de la catégorie inférieure avec tarif low cost en accord avec le salaire local.
Pour résumer , je pense que le seul trajet vraiment intéressant et aux horaires "réguliers" même s'il ne fonctionne que 2 fois par semaine , c'est le trajet Fianarantsoa-Manakara mais ne pas s'attendre à sans cesse des panoramas magnifiques sauf près de l'arrivée : les rails s'insinuent dans la végétation et souvent les branches fouettent les fenêtres !
Il met +- 10 h à l'aller et bien plus au retour car ça monte : il faut dire aussi qu'il s'arrête dans 17 localités , parfois 5 mn , parfois 30 mn , impossible de savoir à l'avance , c'est selon ce qu'il va charger en ballots et troncs d'arbres . Pas de places délivrées à l'avance à Fianarantsoa : faire la
queue 1 h avant le départ et ne pas oublier que lorsqu'il est permis de monter , premier arrivé-premier servi ! Depuis Manakara , moins de queue . Bref , c'est à faire !
PS Pour une expérience +- semblable et plus proche , il y a le petit train touristique très amusant de Lamastre en Ardèche !
bonjour, j'ai pris le train à partir de Fianarantsoa le 1er avril 2017 avec une réservation la veille. Le tarif en première classe était de 70 000 ariary. Un voyage paradisiaque durant la journée mais plus infernal (moustiques) pour sa partie nocturne avec une arrivée après deux heures du matin à Manakara.
Le côté sécuritaire a effectivement été renforcé avec la présence de trois militaires en tenue et en armes. Ce voyage reste cependant incontournable par la qualité de ses paysages et l'ambiance dans les gares traversées.
Erick SMAD
Bonjour Erick,
je voudrais aussi aller a fianarantsoa puis prendre le train un samedi de juin.mais je crois que je vais descendre du train a tolongoina .puis retourner a fianarantsoa par la route .puis je avoir quelques conseils utiles..
merci
bonjour, deux petits conseils: s'assurer de l'activité du train pour le jour prévu et prévoir de la petite monnaie pour s'acheter de quoi manger dans toutes les gares traversées. C'est excellent sur le plan gustatif et cela permet de rencontrer la population de ces villages isolés. En conclusion c'est une super activité pour s'imprégner de la vie locale.
Erick SMAD
Merci beaucoup.
bonjpour Clara ,
je voudrais y aller moi aussi , si tu est interesser a faire le voyage vers mi septembre on pourras y aller ensemble et peut etre prendre un guide a deux.
je voudrais y aller moi aussi , si tu est interesser a faire le voyage vers mi septembre on pourras y aller ensemble et peut etre prendre un guide a deux.
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Hi everyone, I wanted to take the Paris-Berlin overnight train with a sleeper berth, the new service operated by European Sleepers.
24/05/2026 17:45 Paris-Nord (actually 16:00 from Paris Bercy Seine) -> 25/05/2026 9:59 (actually 7:30 in Berlin) 05/06/2026 18:31 Berlin (actually 20:00) -> 06/06/2026 10:00 Paris Nord (actually 12:30) Part of the journey was operated by bus instead of the promised overnight train.
For 2 people: 340 € round trip
A total disaster. Never again. I was really looking forward to taking the overnight train, but we faced last-minute changes and truly unpleasant travel conditions. Here are the details:
1) 2 days before departure: email announcing a change of departure station for the outbound trip—Bercy Seine bus station instead of Gare du Nord. 2) Change of schedule: 4:00 PM from Bercy instead of 5:45 PM from Gare du Nord. 3) Change of transport mode!! A bus from Paris to Brussels, then an overnight train from Brussels to Berlin. No functional toilets on the bus. No children under 4 allowed on the bus. 4) On the sleeper train at 9:30 PM: no functional toilets in our carriage, so we had to go to other carriages, even in the middle of the night, to find working ones. 5) The onboard staff, though very friendly, were as lost as we were. In particular, they didn’t know how to handle the lower berths, so people using them had less space (armrests and backrests). Berth numbers weren’t respected, so some passengers had to move. The staff also didn’t know who was supposed to join the compartment during the journey. 6) Arrival at 7:30 AM in Berlin instead of 10:00 AM. No arrival announcement. Passengers had to search for staff to get breakfast and ended up with just a coffee (breakfast = 15 €, not bad for just a coffee). 7) Return trip: drastic schedule change announced by email on 26/05/2026—departure at 7:30 PM instead of 6:30 PM, with arrival between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM in Paris instead of 10:00 AM. No change in transport mode announced. 8) Change in transport mode announced by email on the same day (05/06/2026)!! Overnight train from Brussels to Berlin, then a bus from Paris to Brussels. No functional toilets on the bus. Children under 4 banned from the bus, and families in this situation were asked to find another way—after being notified the same day. 9) The overnight train arrived at Berlin station with a 30-minute delay on top of its initial delay (scheduled for 6:31 PM, then 7:30 PM, finally arriving at 8:00 PM). The heating was blasting in the compartment with no way to turn it off. No functional toilets in the carriage. From that point on, customer service stopped responding to my messages. 10) Woken up at 5:00 AM with an announcement in all carriages about arrival in Liège. 11) Woken up again at 6:00 AM to be told we’d arrive in Brussels at 7:00 AM. 12) Arrival in Brussels at 7:00 AM and a one-hour wait for the bus to Paris. No functional toilets on the bus. 13) Arrival at Paris Nord at 12:30 PM, so 2.5 hours late compared to the originally scheduled time. 14) The overnight trains used are very old—I recognized the carriages from 20 years ago!! No functional power outlets, no Wi-Fi, no air conditioning. Five people per compartment is a bit cramped, but I consider these conditions expected (especially the air conditioning), so I’m not complaining about that. There’s already plenty to gripe about with the travel conditions.
I have little hope of getting even a partial refund. Customer service emails acknowledge the discomfort but only offer to reimburse the cost of a coffee on board if we send them the receipt... a bit weak.
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24/05/2026 17:45 Paris-Nord (actually 16:00 from Paris Bercy Seine) -> 25/05/2026 9:59 (actually 7:30 in Berlin) 05/06/2026 18:31 Berlin (actually 20:00) -> 06/06/2026 10:00 Paris Nord (actually 12:30) Part of the journey was operated by bus instead of the promised overnight train.
For 2 people: 340 € round trip
A total disaster. Never again. I was really looking forward to taking the overnight train, but we faced last-minute changes and truly unpleasant travel conditions. Here are the details:
1) 2 days before departure: email announcing a change of departure station for the outbound trip—Bercy Seine bus station instead of Gare du Nord. 2) Change of schedule: 4:00 PM from Bercy instead of 5:45 PM from Gare du Nord. 3) Change of transport mode!! A bus from Paris to Brussels, then an overnight train from Brussels to Berlin. No functional toilets on the bus. No children under 4 allowed on the bus. 4) On the sleeper train at 9:30 PM: no functional toilets in our carriage, so we had to go to other carriages, even in the middle of the night, to find working ones. 5) The onboard staff, though very friendly, were as lost as we were. In particular, they didn’t know how to handle the lower berths, so people using them had less space (armrests and backrests). Berth numbers weren’t respected, so some passengers had to move. The staff also didn’t know who was supposed to join the compartment during the journey. 6) Arrival at 7:30 AM in Berlin instead of 10:00 AM. No arrival announcement. Passengers had to search for staff to get breakfast and ended up with just a coffee (breakfast = 15 €, not bad for just a coffee). 7) Return trip: drastic schedule change announced by email on 26/05/2026—departure at 7:30 PM instead of 6:30 PM, with arrival between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM in Paris instead of 10:00 AM. No change in transport mode announced. 8) Change in transport mode announced by email on the same day (05/06/2026)!! Overnight train from Brussels to Berlin, then a bus from Paris to Brussels. No functional toilets on the bus. Children under 4 banned from the bus, and families in this situation were asked to find another way—after being notified the same day. 9) The overnight train arrived at Berlin station with a 30-minute delay on top of its initial delay (scheduled for 6:31 PM, then 7:30 PM, finally arriving at 8:00 PM). The heating was blasting in the compartment with no way to turn it off. No functional toilets in the carriage. From that point on, customer service stopped responding to my messages. 10) Woken up at 5:00 AM with an announcement in all carriages about arrival in Liège. 11) Woken up again at 6:00 AM to be told we’d arrive in Brussels at 7:00 AM. 12) Arrival in Brussels at 7:00 AM and a one-hour wait for the bus to Paris. No functional toilets on the bus. 13) Arrival at Paris Nord at 12:30 PM, so 2.5 hours late compared to the originally scheduled time. 14) The overnight trains used are very old—I recognized the carriages from 20 years ago!! No functional power outlets, no Wi-Fi, no air conditioning. Five people per compartment is a bit cramped, but I consider these conditions expected (especially the air conditioning), so I’m not complaining about that. There’s already plenty to gripe about with the travel conditions.
I have little hope of getting even a partial refund. Customer service emails acknowledge the discomfort but only offer to reimburse the cost of a coffee on board if we send them the receipt... a bit weak.
I’m sharing this experience in the hope it might help others.
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Questionnaire link: https://forms.gle/gF1YyesVp2hkh2GDA
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Questionnaire link: https://forms.gle/gF1YyesVp2hkh2GDA
Thanks so much for your help! !
Hi everyone,
Are there any luggage lockers at Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in Bangkok?
Thanks in advance to those who can help me out, and happy travels! Jaunesoleil
Thanks in advance to those who can help me out, and happy travels! Jaunesoleil
Hi there,
We’re planning a 15-day trip to Uzbekistan in March—classic independent itinerary: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. We’d like to take the train between each city, but I don’t want to lock down the whole trip before we leave.
So, my question is: is it absolutely necessary to book train tickets before departure, whether for the high-speed trains or the regional ones? Is booking really essential for the regional trains?
Thanks a bunch!
Philippe
We’re planning a 15-day trip to Uzbekistan in March—classic independent itinerary: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. We’d like to take the train between each city, but I don’t want to lock down the whole trip before we leave.
So, my question is: is it absolutely necessary to book train tickets before departure, whether for the high-speed trains or the regional ones? Is booking really essential for the regional trains?
Thanks a bunch!
Philippe
Hello,
We’re traveling as a family with two boys aged 10 and 12 to Cairo in February. During our trip, we’re planning to take an overnight train (with or without a sleeper) for the Cairo-Aswan route.
Do you know how I can book this remotely?
Also, I’m looking for: - A local contact to sail the Nile by felucca for 3 days from Aswan - A contact to guide us in Cairo
Looking forward to your tips, and thanks in advance! Marie
Also, I’m looking for: - A local contact to sail the Nile by felucca for 3 days from Aswan - A contact to guide us in Cairo
Looking forward to your tips, and thanks in advance! Marie
Hi everyone,
I first traveled solo to Japan in 2019, exploring the Kyushu region (28 days), and I’m planning to return with my daughter (she’s an adult and it’ll be her first time in Asia) from April 25 to May 9.
I’m reaching out on this forum to ask for route ideas—this time north of Tokyo, but without heading to the Sapporo island (I’m saving that for a future trip).
I’d love to take advantage of the cherry blossom season and its festivities.
I’m looking to create a route that’s a little off the beaten path while staying within 5-6 hours by train from Tokyo to avoid spending too much time on transfers.
Thanks in advance for sharing your suggestions and experiences!
Michael
I'm heading to MEXICO IN NOVEMBER 2025. Since private guides and drivers are really expensive—over 300 € per day—I'm thinking of exploring the Yucatán by train. CAN YOU SHARE ANY INFO ON THIS? Thanks
Hi there!
We’re planning to visit Serbia (1 week) and then Montenegro (2nd week) with our kids from April 18 to May 4. We’d prefer to travel by train (overnight if possible), but we’re not sure which platform to book on or when to do it (is it too early?). If anyone has any tips, I’m all ears!!
I wanted to know if it’s possible to go from Tashkent to Almaty by train without passing through Kyrgyzstan. I’ve heard the border is often closed 😕 between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Thanks in advance!
Olivier
Hi there!
We’re planning to head back to Istanbul next year—obviously by plane—and then take the train from Istanbul to Antalya. Has anyone here already made this trip by train with TCDD?
I’d love any tips or info that could be useful for us!
I'd like to go to Montserrat on my own from Barcelona. Share your suggestions with me.
Which train should I take, where to get off, what to see once I arrive, etc.
Hi there,
I need to take a sleeper train from Bangkok to Vientiane in January. I found some ticket options on 12Go Asia, but booking doesn’t seem possible at the moment. I’ve tried simulations for several dates, but no luck. I’m wondering if it’s already fully booked, if they’ve stopped selling tickets… yet 12Go still features it every day 😕
Has anyone else run into this issue? Can I find tickets on another site? (I tried Baolau, but no sleepers left for January 8th.)
Thanks!
I need to take a sleeper train from Bangkok to Vientiane in January. I found some ticket options on 12Go Asia, but booking doesn’t seem possible at the moment. I’ve tried simulations for several dates, but no luck. I’m wondering if it’s already fully booked, if they’ve stopped selling tickets… yet 12Go still features it every day 😕
Has anyone else run into this issue? Can I find tickets on another site? (I tried Baolau, but no sleepers left for January 8th.)
Thanks!
Hi there,
I’m a bit late to be worrying about this, but hopefully someone can help me before I leave.
Tomorrow afternoon, I arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu on the TGV at 5:50 PM and take the TER to Mâcon at 6:16 PM. Is a 26-minute transfer doable? Are the TGV and TER on the same departure board? And are they on the same platforms too?
I’ve been to Lyon before but never had to make a connection after arriving.
Thanks
Hello,
Starting November 15th, I’ll be arriving in Thailand, and during my stay, I plan to visit the north, around the Chiang Mai area, then head south to the Krabi region. After Krabi, I’m planning to take an overnight train to Bangkok. I was wondering if there’s a train that leaves from Krabi or Trang, or if I absolutely have to go to Surat Thani? Also, which official website can I use to book my ticket?
Next, since I’ll be arriving at dawn in Bangkok, I’ve planned to spend 2 days in Kanchanaburi. What’s the most convenient way to get there—bus or train? And if you know any companies or websites, that’d be great.
Thanks for your tips!
Fred
Starting November 15th, I’ll be arriving in Thailand, and during my stay, I plan to visit the north, around the Chiang Mai area, then head south to the Krabi region. After Krabi, I’m planning to take an overnight train to Bangkok. I was wondering if there’s a train that leaves from Krabi or Trang, or if I absolutely have to go to Surat Thani? Also, which official website can I use to book my ticket?
Next, since I’ll be arriving at dawn in Bangkok, I’ve planned to spend 2 days in Kanchanaburi. What’s the most convenient way to get there—bus or train? And if you know any companies or websites, that’d be great.
Thanks for your tips!
Fred
Hi! I arrive in Vancouver on August 24, 2025, and I’m staying until Friday, August 29, 2025—the day I take *The Canadian* train to Toronto.
I’m exploring several things in Vancouver, including whale watching—if you’ve got any great tips, don’t hesitate! Thanks!
I’m exploring several things in Vancouver, including whale watching—if you’ve got any great tips, don’t hesitate! Thanks!
Hi there,
Does anyone know if there’s a bus from Luang Namtha to Boten to catch the train coming from China to Vientiane? If so, what’s the name of the company? Also, how long does the bus take to cover that distance? What’s the condition of the road like?
Thanks for your help!
Tom
I just realized there’s only one payment method accepted for booking the Mombasa-Nairobi express train ticket online: M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer service used in Africa. Would it be impossible to book as a European?
Hi
Have any of you booked tickets through rail.ninja?
Hi there,
I’d love to know if any of you have recently eaten on the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
We’ve always ordered food on the train, and it was really good (and super convenient). But in 2022, we ended up feeling like total idiots (with our 4-year-old daughter...) when we boarded the train only to find out that this service was no longer available... (It was the first time we’d traveled right after COVID.)
That’s also when we saw once again how kind Thai people are—they all offered to share their food with us, even though we were mortified. In the end, we managed to buy some instant noodles, which was better than nothing. Anyway, that’s the little story behind it.
In the following years, we’ve always brought our own meals.
I’ve read online that meal trays are back in service (could you confirm this, please?), but that the quality is really poor. I’ve also seen multiple reports that, even though you can eat well everywhere in Thailand, the train meal was the worst food travelers had during their trip...
Could you give me a recent opinion on this? We’ll be departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station—do you know if there’s anywhere to buy a meal there before boarding the train?
Thanks so much for your help, and have a great Sunday!
I’d love to know if any of you have recently eaten on the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
We’ve always ordered food on the train, and it was really good (and super convenient). But in 2022, we ended up feeling like total idiots (with our 4-year-old daughter...) when we boarded the train only to find out that this service was no longer available... (It was the first time we’d traveled right after COVID.)
That’s also when we saw once again how kind Thai people are—they all offered to share their food with us, even though we were mortified. In the end, we managed to buy some instant noodles, which was better than nothing. Anyway, that’s the little story behind it.
In the following years, we’ve always brought our own meals.
I’ve read online that meal trays are back in service (could you confirm this, please?), but that the quality is really poor. I’ve also seen multiple reports that, even though you can eat well everywhere in Thailand, the train meal was the worst food travelers had during their trip...
Could you give me a recent opinion on this? We’ll be departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station—do you know if there’s anywhere to buy a meal there before boarding the train?
Thanks so much for your help, and have a great Sunday!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Thailand in February 2026 and we’d like to take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Can we book two first-class tickets? I’m only seeing second-class options.
Thanks
We’re heading to Thailand in February 2026 and we’d like to take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Can we book two first-class tickets? I’m only seeing second-class options.
Thanks
Hi everyone,
For traveling in Rajasthan by train and bus, could you give me some info: where to buy tickets, cost, purchase locations, websites, etc.?
Any tips you have would be super helpful.
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re traveling to Java on October 23, just the two of us. I’ve read that it’s best to book train tickets in advance on tiket.com. Is that true, and how far ahead do you recommend? Are the tickets changeable?
Thanks for your help!
Nicole
We’re traveling to Java on October 23, just the two of us. I’ve read that it’s best to book train tickets in advance on tiket.com. Is that true, and how far ahead do you recommend? Are the tickets changeable?
Thanks for your help!
Nicole
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to travel from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk by train this summer but I’m a bit worried about crossing the borders. How does it work? Could anyone share their experience? (I’ve found quite a few accounts of people going *from* Russia *to* Mongolia, but entering a country is never the same as leaving it—especially in this context!)
Thanks in advance! 😊
Thanks in advance! 😊








