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·tes,
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Merci pour votre aide ! 🙂
Je prévois un voyage uniquement en train ou transports en commun sur toute l'Italie au mois d'octobre (en espérant qu'il fasse encore beau !).
J'aimerai voir évidemment certaines destinations touristiques, mais aussi sortir un peu des sentiers battus, et j'espère trouver de l'aide ici ? Je ne compte pas m'éterniser dans les villes.
En partant du Nord, j'aimerai faire le lac de Côme ou d'Orta ; passer par les Cinq Terres pour un peu de randonnée, quelques jours à Naples, à Rome, puis descendre en Sicile.
Qu'en pensez-vous ?
Merci pour votre aide ! 🙂
Hi there,
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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.
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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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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.
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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
Hi there,
I can’t seem to complete the payment for my trip on the IRCTC (Indian Railways) site. No matter which payment method I choose, my Visa card isn’t accepted. Has anyone here managed to do it, and if so, could you share the method you used? Thanks in advance! Charlie
I can’t seem to complete the payment for my trip on the IRCTC (Indian Railways) site. No matter which payment method I choose, my Visa card isn’t accepted. Has anyone here managed to do it, and if so, could you share the method you used? Thanks in advance! Charlie
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! 😊
Hi
Can anyone tell me how to book train tickets online? We're planning to travel from HANOI to HO CHI MINH CITY by train, making several stops along the way. I'd also like to find the schedules and the stations where the trains stop.
There are four of us, and we've already planned stops in HANOI / DONG HOI / HUE.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
Mounette74
Can anyone tell me how to book train tickets online? We're planning to travel from HANOI to HO CHI MINH CITY by train, making several stops along the way. I'd also like to find the schedules and the stations where the trains stop.
There are four of us, and we've already planned stops in HANOI / DONG HOI / HUE.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
Mounette74
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Japan for the second time with my 20-year-old son. During our first trip, we spent two weeks in Tokyo and Kyoto (plus the surrounding areas). This time, we’re planning to stay in Tokyo for at least 4-5 days and then head to the island of Naoshima. I’m looking for suggestions and advice: Is getting to Naoshima from Tokyo complicated? If so, do you have any recommendations for a stopover somewhere? Given that we’d prefer not to move every day, we’d rather settle in one place and then explore on day trips... Do you think it’s possible to do something like this: 5 nights in Tokyo (Shinjuku) 3 nights in Kyoto 2 nights in Naoshima (or is one night enough??) and if one night is enough, where could I spend a second night on the way back to Tokyo? 2 nights in Tokyo (I’d love your advice on staying in a different neighborhood—last time we stayed near Ueno Park)—keeping in mind we’re flying out of Narita.
I’m considering maybe skipping Kyoto, which I love but has apparently become *very* touristy... Not really keen on Osaka... since we’ll already have done Tokyo as our "big city." I’d prefer towns where nature is present... (a bit like Kyoto, which offers all that...)
For info, we’ll be traveling by train. Thanks in advance for all your suggestions and help!
I have one last little question: Is cash still widely used in Japan, or not at all anymore?
Thanks so much,
Karine
I’m heading to Japan for the second time with my 20-year-old son. During our first trip, we spent two weeks in Tokyo and Kyoto (plus the surrounding areas). This time, we’re planning to stay in Tokyo for at least 4-5 days and then head to the island of Naoshima. I’m looking for suggestions and advice: Is getting to Naoshima from Tokyo complicated? If so, do you have any recommendations for a stopover somewhere? Given that we’d prefer not to move every day, we’d rather settle in one place and then explore on day trips... Do you think it’s possible to do something like this: 5 nights in Tokyo (Shinjuku) 3 nights in Kyoto 2 nights in Naoshima (or is one night enough??) and if one night is enough, where could I spend a second night on the way back to Tokyo? 2 nights in Tokyo (I’d love your advice on staying in a different neighborhood—last time we stayed near Ueno Park)—keeping in mind we’re flying out of Narita.
I’m considering maybe skipping Kyoto, which I love but has apparently become *very* touristy... Not really keen on Osaka... since we’ll already have done Tokyo as our "big city." I’d prefer towns where nature is present... (a bit like Kyoto, which offers all that...)
For info, we’ll be traveling by train. Thanks in advance for all your suggestions and help!
I have one last little question: Is cash still widely used in Japan, or not at all anymore?
Thanks so much,
Karine
Hi everyone,
We’re planning this *very* last-minute—I know! But we’d love to spend 4 days soon (within the next 10–12 days) on a city getaway with our young adult kids. Ideally by train, and for this short trip, we’d prefer not to spend more than 4–6 hours in transit, leaving from Lausanne (Switzerland). We’ve been considering Milan, Strasbourg, or Freiburg im Breisgau, but I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit lost...
Venice was our original plan, but the connection changes in Domodossola or Milan are making the travel time longer this year.
It’s peak summer, so there’ll be tourists and it’ll likely be hot, but oh well...
Any suggestions? We love wandering around, taking photos, exploring cities on foot, trying out restaurants, and keeping things low-key.
Thanks to anyone who wants to chime in! :o)
We’re planning this *very* last-minute—I know! But we’d love to spend 4 days soon (within the next 10–12 days) on a city getaway with our young adult kids. Ideally by train, and for this short trip, we’d prefer not to spend more than 4–6 hours in transit, leaving from Lausanne (Switzerland). We’ve been considering Milan, Strasbourg, or Freiburg im Breisgau, but I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit lost...
Venice was our original plan, but the connection changes in Domodossola or Milan are making the travel time longer this year.
It’s peak summer, so there’ll be tourists and it’ll likely be hot, but oh well...
Any suggestions? We love wandering around, taking photos, exploring cities on foot, trying out restaurants, and keeping things low-key.
Thanks to anyone who wants to chime in! :o)




