Train minier en Mauritanie
by Babeh
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
suis à la recherche d'elements sur le train "minier" (je crois) qui traverse une partie du desert de mauritanie...peut-on le prendre seul car sur les sites que j'ai trouve il s'agit toujours de groupes de trek, c'est pas que je suis sauvage mais je prefere voyager à mon rythme, peut-on le quitter pendant quelque temps puis repartir, en bref fonctionnet-il comme un train "sncf" ou bien est-il programmé pour des agences. merci pour vos reponses si reponses il y a. sabine
bonjour babeh !
j'ai pris le train minier de Nouadhibou à Choum l'été dernier. Il n'est pas du tout programmé par ou pour des agences, mais est exploité par la SNIM (société nationale d'industrie miniere) pour transporter le minerai depuis Zouerate jusqu'au port de Ndb, ce qui fait que dans l'autre sens il est vide.
Il comprend des wagons-voyageurs très rudimentaires : celui dans lequel j'ai fait le trajet n'était pourvu que de micro-fenetres, de 2 bancs en bois sur les cotés, sans électricité (trajet de 12h, de nuit...)
je ne crois pas que tu puisses reserver des billets depuis l'etranger. Nous (groupe de 6 personnes) avions voulu acheter nos billets quelques jours avant le départ pour avoir des couchettes, sur les conseils d'amis mauritaniens. Apres 3 deplacements infructueux jusqu'à la gare, nous avons obtenu des billets à 3000UM. Malheureusement, le jour du départ il s'est avéré que toutes les couchettes etaient deja reservées 🏴☠️, donc nous nous sommes resignées à nous installer sur les bancs (places à 800UM mais bien sur impossible de se faire rembourser !).
Pour ce qui est de sortir du train quand tu veux, il n'y a aucun probleme : il n'y a pas de porte ! 😉 par contre tu risques de te retrouver en plein desert, et si tu vas du coté de la frontiere marocaine il y a encore des mines...
😊 oups ! je viens de voir que j'avais deja pas mal papoté, donc si tu veux d'autres infos n'hesite pas à me contacter en privé.
(ci-joint un aperçu du wagon voyageur, à notre arrivée à Choum)
j'ai pris le train minier de Nouadhibou à Choum l'été dernier. Il n'est pas du tout programmé par ou pour des agences, mais est exploité par la SNIM (société nationale d'industrie miniere) pour transporter le minerai depuis Zouerate jusqu'au port de Ndb, ce qui fait que dans l'autre sens il est vide.
Il comprend des wagons-voyageurs très rudimentaires : celui dans lequel j'ai fait le trajet n'était pourvu que de micro-fenetres, de 2 bancs en bois sur les cotés, sans électricité (trajet de 12h, de nuit...)
je ne crois pas que tu puisses reserver des billets depuis l'etranger. Nous (groupe de 6 personnes) avions voulu acheter nos billets quelques jours avant le départ pour avoir des couchettes, sur les conseils d'amis mauritaniens. Apres 3 deplacements infructueux jusqu'à la gare, nous avons obtenu des billets à 3000UM. Malheureusement, le jour du départ il s'est avéré que toutes les couchettes etaient deja reservées 🏴☠️, donc nous nous sommes resignées à nous installer sur les bancs (places à 800UM mais bien sur impossible de se faire rembourser !).
Pour ce qui est de sortir du train quand tu veux, il n'y a aucun probleme : il n'y a pas de porte ! 😉 par contre tu risques de te retrouver en plein desert, et si tu vas du coté de la frontiere marocaine il y a encore des mines...
😊 oups ! je viens de voir que j'avais deja pas mal papoté, donc si tu veux d'autres infos n'hesite pas à me contacter en privé.
(ci-joint un aperçu du wagon voyageur, à notre arrivée à Choum)
merci pour ces renseignements, mais encore, traverse-t-on des villages ou bien ce n'est qu'un desert entre le depart et l'arrivée parceque j'aurais bien volontiers utilisé le train comme moyen de transport sur plusieurs jours avec des haltes decouvertes tout au long du trajet est-ce possible d'apres toi? en tout cas merci et à +. sabine
j'ai bien peur pour toi que les villages traversés ne soient meme pas sur une carte, et je ne suis meme pas sure qu'ils existent ! je m'explique : dans le sens où je l'ai fait, le voyage était de nuit, donc on ne voyait rien du paysage. D'autre part le train a bien fait quelques arrets, mais on n'a pas réussi à savoir si c'était dans des villages ou tout simplement à cause de la pluie... 🤪
désolée, je ne peux pas te donner de renseignements plus précis ! tu peux peut-etre t'adresser à Fabrice (pseudo : Nouadhibou ) qui a l'air de bien connaitre le coin. Il a été pas mal actif dans ce forum et semble donner de bons conseils.
quand meme un dernier détail : les horaires sont plus que flous, donc tu risques d'attendre longtemps à chaque fois que tu voudras remonter dans le train !
bonne continuation !
désolée, je ne peux pas te donner de renseignements plus précis ! tu peux peut-etre t'adresser à Fabrice (pseudo : Nouadhibou ) qui a l'air de bien connaitre le coin. Il a été pas mal actif dans ce forum et semble donner de bons conseils.
quand meme un dernier détail : les horaires sont plus que flous, donc tu risques d'attendre longtemps à chaque fois que tu voudras remonter dans le train !
bonne continuation !
Salut Babeth,
J'ai pris ce train il y a trois ans déjà, mais cela m'étonnerais franchement que ces infos ne soient plus valables.
Tout d'abord ce trai n'a rien à voir avec un train SNCF. Il n'y a pas vraiment de gare à Nouahdibou, le quai est juste du sable, ... 3-4 trains circulent par jour dont un seul ou deux s'arrete à Nouadhibou. Il y a deux types de wagons. un passager décrit plus haut, normalement réservé au personnel de la SNIM mais ils vendent en général les places. Au sinon, il y a trois cent wagons miniers vides qui t'attendent. Vu que l'on voyageait à vélo, on a mis tout notre barda dans un des wagons. Voyager ainsi est gratuit!
Le train s'arrête plusieurs fois entre Nouadhibou et Choum. Parfois quelques cases, quelques tentes de nomades. On se répère au bornes kilométriques cr ce n'est que du sable partout. Cetaines fois, le train ne fait que ralentir sans véritablement s'arrêter. Choum est un gros village. De là, des voitures attendent pour effectuer les 120 kms de sable mou (on y a bien galéré à vélo) vers Atar (petite ville). Sinon, le train continue après Choum vers Zouerate (la mine).
Voilà pour quelques infos. n'hésites pas si tu en veux plus,
Oli
J'ai pris ce train il y a trois ans déjà, mais cela m'étonnerais franchement que ces infos ne soient plus valables.
Tout d'abord ce trai n'a rien à voir avec un train SNCF. Il n'y a pas vraiment de gare à Nouahdibou, le quai est juste du sable, ... 3-4 trains circulent par jour dont un seul ou deux s'arrete à Nouadhibou. Il y a deux types de wagons. un passager décrit plus haut, normalement réservé au personnel de la SNIM mais ils vendent en général les places. Au sinon, il y a trois cent wagons miniers vides qui t'attendent. Vu que l'on voyageait à vélo, on a mis tout notre barda dans un des wagons. Voyager ainsi est gratuit!
Le train s'arrête plusieurs fois entre Nouadhibou et Choum. Parfois quelques cases, quelques tentes de nomades. On se répère au bornes kilométriques cr ce n'est que du sable partout. Cetaines fois, le train ne fait que ralentir sans véritablement s'arrêter. Choum est un gros village. De là, des voitures attendent pour effectuer les 120 kms de sable mou (on y a bien galéré à vélo) vers Atar (petite ville). Sinon, le train continue après Choum vers Zouerate (la mine).
Voilà pour quelques infos. n'hésites pas si tu en veux plus,
Oli
Salut Babeh
Je pense que tout le monde a bien expliqué qu'il ne s'agissait pas d'un train de transport touristique, mais d'un minéralier. Il existe tout de même un wagon voyageur à 800 UM la place (environ 2.50 euros). Le voyage reste difficile, avec la chaleur, la poussière du minérai, ma promiscuité, les gens qui pissent. Perso, je n'ai jamais pris ce wagon, mais toujours les wagons de minérai qui sont gratuits: ils partent à vide de Nouadhibou et arrivent 12H00 après sur Choum. Il suffit de sauter dans le wagon et te voila partie. Par contre, il faut ABSOLUMENT se munir d'un bon cheich et de lunettes pour protéger ton visage et tes yeux, car la poussière est très gênante (la situation est la même dans le wagon voyageur).😎
Il faut faire attention de bien prendre le premier train de la journée qui s'arrête à Choum, sinon tu iras jusqu'à Zouérate 200 km plus au nord !!!! Cela m'est déjà arrivé: mouvementée l'arrivée !!!! Par contre, si tu es seule, je te conseille de prendre le wagon voyageur, même s'il est moins agréable (question de sécurité !!). 100 km après le départ tu arrives à Boulanouar, petite ville où non loin passe la nouvelle route qui mène à Nouakchott. Ensuite un arrêt à Inale, puis à un petit campement et tu files tout droit sur Choum. Ne pas oublier de compter 12H00 pour savoir où descendre, surtout si tu prends les wagons de minerai. De toute façon, à Choum commence la montagne, que tu verras même en pleine nuit.
Ensuite, il s'agit de trouver un taxi-brousse qui t'enmène à Atar, ils sont fort nombreux (environ 1500 / 200 UM).
C'est encore une vrai aventure que de prendre ce train, bien que ce soit ultra fatiguant !!!! Quant tu le prends au retour, tu montes dans les wagons pleins de minerais, tu arrives tout noir, les yeux cerclés de kohl, c'est assez mortel !!!!! 🤪
Bonne chance, Olivia
Je pense que tout le monde a bien expliqué qu'il ne s'agissait pas d'un train de transport touristique, mais d'un minéralier. Il existe tout de même un wagon voyageur à 800 UM la place (environ 2.50 euros). Le voyage reste difficile, avec la chaleur, la poussière du minérai, ma promiscuité, les gens qui pissent. Perso, je n'ai jamais pris ce wagon, mais toujours les wagons de minérai qui sont gratuits: ils partent à vide de Nouadhibou et arrivent 12H00 après sur Choum. Il suffit de sauter dans le wagon et te voila partie. Par contre, il faut ABSOLUMENT se munir d'un bon cheich et de lunettes pour protéger ton visage et tes yeux, car la poussière est très gênante (la situation est la même dans le wagon voyageur).😎
Il faut faire attention de bien prendre le premier train de la journée qui s'arrête à Choum, sinon tu iras jusqu'à Zouérate 200 km plus au nord !!!! Cela m'est déjà arrivé: mouvementée l'arrivée !!!! Par contre, si tu es seule, je te conseille de prendre le wagon voyageur, même s'il est moins agréable (question de sécurité !!). 100 km après le départ tu arrives à Boulanouar, petite ville où non loin passe la nouvelle route qui mène à Nouakchott. Ensuite un arrêt à Inale, puis à un petit campement et tu files tout droit sur Choum. Ne pas oublier de compter 12H00 pour savoir où descendre, surtout si tu prends les wagons de minerai. De toute façon, à Choum commence la montagne, que tu verras même en pleine nuit.
Ensuite, il s'agit de trouver un taxi-brousse qui t'enmène à Atar, ils sont fort nombreux (environ 1500 / 200 UM).
C'est encore une vrai aventure que de prendre ce train, bien que ce soit ultra fatiguant !!!! Quant tu le prends au retour, tu montes dans les wagons pleins de minerais, tu arrives tout noir, les yeux cerclés de kohl, c'est assez mortel !!!!! 🤪
Bonne chance, Olivia
olivia, JELOUA, Nouakchott Mauritanie
Bonjour, c'est peut-etre un peu tard pour la reponse, j'ai fait le train du desert et j'ai croisé le Minéralier, les gens partaient de Zouérate je crois que c'est trés difficile de trouver une place, et de toutes façons tu es en plein air et c'est plutot dur, le mieux est de se renseigner sur place, sinon le train du désert qui suit le minéralier est trés confortable et part avec le POint Afrique, sur le minéralier que j'ai vu il n'y avait que 10 personnes environ et je ne pense pas que les gens s'arretent comme ils veulent Salut Jacqueline
J.prabonneau
* ***A chaque descente il fourni du courrant electrique pour sa ville destination. ***
Peux tu développer, il serait interessant de savoir comment un train diésel fait sur une ligne sans caténaires ???????????????
* **** Il ne transporte que du minerai. **** ainsi que quelques voitures voyageurs
* **** Il ne transporte que du minerai. **** ainsi que quelques voitures voyageurs
Lorsque mon papa y est allé dans les années 60, il m'a raconté ce que je t'ai dit. Je n'y suis jamais allé et donc ne peux confirmer...mais comme c'est mon papa, je l'ai cru sur parole...
Désolé, je n'essayai que de t'aider.
Par contre je suis allé voir sur un site internet, et ai vu que le train de minerai de fer faisait 2.7 km de long... et que les 240 wagons sont déchargés à quai, à un rhytme de 70 à l'heure ce qui est pas mal.
Cordialement Vince
Désolé, je n'essayai que de t'aider.
Par contre je suis allé voir sur un site internet, et ai vu que le train de minerai de fer faisait 2.7 km de long... et que les 240 wagons sont déchargés à quai, à un rhytme de 70 à l'heure ce qui est pas mal.
Cordialement Vince
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Bonjour à tous,
tout d’abord, merci pour toutes les précieuses informations que vous partagez et qui sont très utiles.
Mon mari et moi nous rendons en Corée du Sud du 19 septembre au 6 octobre. Nous savons que la période peut ne pas être idéale du fait de Chuseok mais différentes raisons ne nous laissaient pas d’autres possibilités de date et en même temps cette période correspond à d’autres festivals (festival de la danse des masques à Andong, festival des lanternes à Jinju et le festival Hwaseong à Suwon) qu’il nous faisait envie de découvrir.
Voici le programme prévisionnel :
19/09 arrivée à Séoul 20/09 bus pour sokcho - visite ville ou petite rando 21/09 parc Soraksan 22/09 retour à Séoul du 23 au 26/09 Seoul 27/09 bus ou train pour Andong - visite ville 28/09 Hahoe 29/09 au 01/10 Gyeongju 01/10 au 03/10 Busan 03 et 04/10 Jinju 05/10 bus/train pour Suwon 06/10 Suwon Et voici donc ma question : étant donné que plusieurs de nos trajets vont se faire pour ou pendant des festivals, sera -t-il possible de ne réserver les billets de bus/train qu’une fois sur place ou cela risque d’être déjà complet ? notamment Seoul-Andong / Busan-Jinju / Jinju - Suwon j’envisageais de tout réserver dès notre arrivé à Seoul le premier jour. Et s’il vaut mieux anticiper, comment s’y prendre? Je n’arrive pas à accéder aux sites letskorail ou kobus. Je vous remercie par avance pour vos réponses et votre aide ! et désolée pour le gros pavé !
Bonne journée !
19/09 arrivée à Séoul 20/09 bus pour sokcho - visite ville ou petite rando 21/09 parc Soraksan 22/09 retour à Séoul du 23 au 26/09 Seoul 27/09 bus ou train pour Andong - visite ville 28/09 Hahoe 29/09 au 01/10 Gyeongju 01/10 au 03/10 Busan 03 et 04/10 Jinju 05/10 bus/train pour Suwon 06/10 Suwon Et voici donc ma question : étant donné que plusieurs de nos trajets vont se faire pour ou pendant des festivals, sera -t-il possible de ne réserver les billets de bus/train qu’une fois sur place ou cela risque d’être déjà complet ? notamment Seoul-Andong / Busan-Jinju / Jinju - Suwon j’envisageais de tout réserver dès notre arrivé à Seoul le premier jour. Et s’il vaut mieux anticiper, comment s’y prendre? Je n’arrive pas à accéder aux sites letskorail ou kobus. Je vous remercie par avance pour vos réponses et votre aide ! et désolée pour le gros pavé !
Bonne journée !
Hello,
it's impossible to find travels by train between 25th of September and 8th October for :
Gyumri - Toumanyan
Gyumri - Vanadzor
Yerevan - Sevan
Yerevan - Dilijan
wich cities are accesible since Yerevan or Gyumri ?
it's impossible to find travels by train between 25th of September and 8th October for :
Gyumri - Toumanyan
Gyumri - Vanadzor
Yerevan - Sevan
Yerevan - Dilijan
wich cities are accesible since Yerevan or Gyumri ?
Hi everyone,
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Thanks in advance for your advice! !
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Do you think this itinerary is well-balanced? Any tips, must-see spots, or mistakes to avoid for a first-time visit?
Thanks in advance for your advice! !
Hi! I’d like to make stops across France, starting from Reims, and travel by train using the Intercités. I want to discover the landscapes and picturesque villages, and make some stops along the way. Could you give me some tips? Thanks!
Hi there,
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Hi everyone,
I’m planning a family trip in a year. Our goal: traveling to China (and maybe Hong Kong) by train. I’m all set with the route up to eastern Turkey. However, I’m just starting my research for the rest of the journey—namely the Caucasus (no trains as far as I know, so buses and/or ferries), then Central Asia and China. So, I’d love to hear any info or tips (general and forward-looking at this stage) about the train route through Central Asia and China to reach the east coast. I’m particularly interested in details on: - How far in advance to book / any potential difficulties with reservations - Whether there are PASS systems (or equivalent) between countries and/or if some tickets allow stopovers, meaning you can hop on and off as you please - Day trains vs. night trains (the latter option lets you explore cities between two legs of the journey) - A rough idea of ticket costs ...
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I’m planning a family trip in a year. Our goal: traveling to China (and maybe Hong Kong) by train. I’m all set with the route up to eastern Turkey. However, I’m just starting my research for the rest of the journey—namely the Caucasus (no trains as far as I know, so buses and/or ferries), then Central Asia and China. So, I’d love to hear any info or tips (general and forward-looking at this stage) about the train route through Central Asia and China to reach the east coast. I’m particularly interested in details on: - How far in advance to book / any potential difficulties with reservations - Whether there are PASS systems (or equivalent) between countries and/or if some tickets allow stopovers, meaning you can hop on and off as you please - Day trains vs. night trains (the latter option lets you explore cities between two legs of the journey) - A rough idea of ticket costs ...
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Hi everyone,
I’m planning a trip around Italy using only trains or public transport in October (hoping the weather stays nice!).
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I’m planning a trip around Italy using only trains or public transport in October (hoping the weather stays nice!).
I’d obviously like to see some tourist destinations, but I also want to get off the beaten path a bit, and I’m hoping to find some help here? I don’t plan to linger too long in the cities.
Starting in the north, I’d like to visit Lake Como or Lake Orta, pass through the Cinque Terre for some hiking, spend a few days in Naples and Rome, then head down to Sicily.
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Hi there,
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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.
I’m sharing this experience in the hope it might help others.
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.
Hi there,
I’d like to take the Train of the Clouds from Lima to Huancayo.
I’ve heard it only runs during certain periods.
Does anyone have info on this?
Thanks!
HuancayoHuancayo
Hi everyone,
As part of my professional thesis, I’m conducting a study on the evolution of long-distance rail transport in France, particularly since it opened up to competition. I’ve put together a very quick (about 5-minute) and completely anonymous questionnaire. Your answers will help me better understand users' expectations regarding pricing, frequency, and environmental impact.
Questionnaire link: https://forms.gle/gF1YyesVp2hkh2GDA
Thanks so much for your help! !
As part of my professional thesis, I’m conducting a study on the evolution of long-distance rail transport in France, particularly since it opened up to competition. I’ve put together a very quick (about 5-minute) and completely anonymous questionnaire. Your answers will help me better understand users' expectations regarding pricing, frequency, and environmental impact.
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




