Voyage en train au Canada
by Havamisha
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
J'aimerais voyager de la côte pacifique á l'atlantique en train, mais pouvoir m'arrêter un ou plusieurs jours quand bon me semblera et reprendre de nouveau le train. Qui peut m'aider á organiser ce voyage?? Merci d'avance
Le train au Canada n'a rien a voir avec le train en Europe , c'est peu utilisé pour voyager donc un peu la galère.
http://www.viarail.ca/fr
Utilise la fenêtre "Recherche" . Le sujet est souvent discuté . Je crois que le bus serais plus approprié.
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5861469;search_string=train%20%2C%20canada
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5507131;search_string=train%20%2C%20canada
http://www.viarail.ca/fr
Utilise la fenêtre "Recherche" . Le sujet est souvent discuté . Je crois que le bus serais plus approprié.
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5861469;search_string=train%20%2C%20canada
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5507131;search_string=train%20%2C%20canada
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
Voyager en train en Amérique, c'est peu pratique, lent... et les distances sont énorme. Le meilleur réseau se trouve dans le corridor Québec-Windsor. Et encore là, pour un européen, c'est un TGV roulant à une vitesse de tortue. La vitesse est similaire à celle d'une voiture. Montréal-Ottawa (200 km) se fait en environ 2 heures. Une location d'auto sera probablement plus avantageuse et plus flexible.
Aux USA c'est encore pire... Montréal-New York se fait en 11 heures en train... 7 heures en auto (plus ou moins selon le traffic et le poids du pied droit) ou 1h20 en avion (JFK).
Aux USA c'est encore pire... Montréal-New York se fait en 11 heures en train... 7 heures en auto (plus ou moins selon le traffic et le poids du pied droit) ou 1h20 en avion (JFK).
Merci pour votre message. Pour moi, le temps n'a pas d'importance. Ce qui m'interesse, c'est de voir la nature et m'arrêter pour voir de belles choses. J' ai déjà visiter le Canada, la province du Quebec et le Yukon, et vraiment ce sont des merveilles. Le train me semble un bon moyen de voyager et être libre. Q'en pensez-vous???
Le train me semble un bon moyen de voyager et être libre. Q'en pensez-vous???
Tu as déjà eu des réponses ; Le train n'est pas une bonne idée .
Mais comme il y a de tout pour faire un monde , as-tu consulter les horaires de train et les destinations pour voir ?
Sans doute pas.
Tu as déjà eu des réponses ; Le train n'est pas une bonne idée .
Mais comme il y a de tout pour faire un monde , as-tu consulter les horaires de train et les destinations pour voir ?
Sans doute pas.
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
Merci pour votre message. Pour moi, le temps n'a pas d'importance. Le train me semble un bon moyen de voyager et être libre. Q'en pensez-vous???
Le temps n'a pas d'importance, mais j'espère que l'argent non plus, car c'est très très cher. J'ai des amis (québécois) qui voulaient traverser le Canada en train pour leur voyage de noce (donc plutôt un bon budget), c'était tellement cher pour une semaine qu'ils ont finalement préféré passer 3 semaines de road trip dans les provinces maritimes. Comme ça a été suggéré, il faut faire une simulation sur viarail.
Pour la liberté, je dirais non, c'est surement le moyen de transport le plus contraignant au Canada. C'est certainement un très beau moyen de voyager (j'adore le train) et il doit traverser de très beaux paysages. Par contre il n'y a pas énormément de trains (comparés aux bus) donc contrainte horaires, peu de flexibilité, et plus les billets sont achetés dernière minute, plus c'est cher, donc ça oblige à tout prévoir jour pour jour longtemps à l'avance (à moins d'avoir un budget illimité). De plus, au Canada, il faut enregistrer ses bagages, comme pour l'avion, donc il faut être à la gare en avance, et perdre du temps avant son train et à l'arrivée.
Ensuite, question liberté, dans un pays aussi immense, la liberté se limite donc aux zones accessibles à pied depuis les gares… dommage car le plus beau au centre du Canada n'est certainement pas les villes mais les forêts et les Rocheuses.
Donc pour conclure, le train est un BEAU moyen de voyager, très cher, très lent (mais souvent confortable)et que je le qualifierais de contraignant. Maintenant, oui, c'est possible de traverser le Canada en train. Louer une voiture, ou même un van, coûterait bien moins cher et donnerait beaucoup plus de liberté.
Le temps n'a pas d'importance, mais j'espère que l'argent non plus, car c'est très très cher. J'ai des amis (québécois) qui voulaient traverser le Canada en train pour leur voyage de noce (donc plutôt un bon budget), c'était tellement cher pour une semaine qu'ils ont finalement préféré passer 3 semaines de road trip dans les provinces maritimes. Comme ça a été suggéré, il faut faire une simulation sur viarail.
Pour la liberté, je dirais non, c'est surement le moyen de transport le plus contraignant au Canada. C'est certainement un très beau moyen de voyager (j'adore le train) et il doit traverser de très beaux paysages. Par contre il n'y a pas énormément de trains (comparés aux bus) donc contrainte horaires, peu de flexibilité, et plus les billets sont achetés dernière minute, plus c'est cher, donc ça oblige à tout prévoir jour pour jour longtemps à l'avance (à moins d'avoir un budget illimité). De plus, au Canada, il faut enregistrer ses bagages, comme pour l'avion, donc il faut être à la gare en avance, et perdre du temps avant son train et à l'arrivée.
Ensuite, question liberté, dans un pays aussi immense, la liberté se limite donc aux zones accessibles à pied depuis les gares… dommage car le plus beau au centre du Canada n'est certainement pas les villes mais les forêts et les Rocheuses.
Donc pour conclure, le train est un BEAU moyen de voyager, très cher, très lent (mais souvent confortable)et que je le qualifierais de contraignant. Maintenant, oui, c'est possible de traverser le Canada en train. Louer une voiture, ou même un van, coûterait bien moins cher et donnerait beaucoup plus de liberté.
J'ai écrit un petit guide d'observation des aurores boréales, basé sur mes propres expériences: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9872650;#9872650
Tu as très bien résumé le train au Canada ;
En conclusion , je résume ; personne ne voyage en train au Canada .
En conclusion , je résume ; personne ne voyage en train au Canada .
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
En conclusion , je résume ; personne ne voyage en train au Canada .
Et j'aurais du ajouter, en retard!!
J'ai pris UNE FOIS le train pour faire Montréal-Toronto parce que les billets étaient pas chers et qu'avec beaucoup de bagages (incluant des instruments de musique) c'était plus pratique que le bus. Ça a été la dernière fois!! On a failli rater notre correspondance à Toronto à cause du retard à l'arrivée et des 30 minutes perdues à attendre nos bagages sur le tapis roulant….
Et j'aurais du ajouter, en retard!!
J'ai pris UNE FOIS le train pour faire Montréal-Toronto parce que les billets étaient pas chers et qu'avec beaucoup de bagages (incluant des instruments de musique) c'était plus pratique que le bus. Ça a été la dernière fois!! On a failli rater notre correspondance à Toronto à cause du retard à l'arrivée et des 30 minutes perdues à attendre nos bagages sur le tapis roulant….
J'ai écrit un petit guide d'observation des aurores boréales, basé sur mes propres expériences: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9872650;#9872650
v
J'ai pris UNE FOIS le train pour faire Montréal-Toronto parce que les billets étaient pas chers et qu'avec beaucoup de bagages (incluant des instruments de musique) c'était plus pratique que le bus. Ça a été la dernière fois!! On a failli rater notre correspondance à Toronto à cause du retard à l'arrivée et des 30 minutes perdues à attendre nos bagages sur le tapis roulant….
Pour les européens qui ont tous un excellent service de train , c'est difficile de concevoir que ce n'est pas du tout le cas au Canada et probablement pareil pour les USA . L'Amérique c'est le pays de la voiture et comme second choix le bus .
Pour les européens qui ont tous un excellent service de train , c'est difficile de concevoir que ce n'est pas du tout le cas au Canada et probablement pareil pour les USA . L'Amérique c'est le pays de la voiture et comme second choix le bus .
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
Ben que des commentaires négatifs sur le train au Canada! Mon commentaire serait plus positif pour ceux qui veulent y voyager en train.
C'est vrai le réseau s'est beaucoup réduit ces dernières années, mais permet quand même de relie New York jusque Halifax en passant par Toronto, Montréal, Moncton. On peut découvrir les pays québecois de l'intérieur tel que Senneterre ou Jonquière (Alma) Chicoutimi etc. On peut traverser d'est en ouest ou vv Toronto-Vancouver par Winnipeg et même aller jusque Churchill, là où la route ne va pas. Y'a même des jolis chemins de fer pour explorer l'Algoma (canyons) depuis Sault St Marie ou Hearst et on peut même aller jusqu'à Schefferville (si on voulait....) depuis Sept Rivières. Ou bien même le Yukon !
Pour la liberté, elle se construit, avec un parcours organisé à l'avance certes, mais qui, grosso modo, permettrait de découvrir une grande partie du Canada avec certaines liaisons en car, facilement organisables, pour relier des points un peu éloignés du chemin de fer.
A nos amis canadiens je dirai que point de vue confort, les trains canadiens valent facilement ceux que nous connaissons en Europe, avec des trains de nuit de qualité (Toronto-Vancouver et Montréal-Halifax) et des trains de jour avec deux fois plus d'espace pour le passager qu'en Europe.
Faut pas être pressé, faut réserver longtemps à l'avance pour avoir des réductions de presque 40% et faut pas avoir un rendez-vous important 5 minutes après l'heure d'arrivée prévue. A part ça je pense que cela peut être un très bon moyen de découvrir ce beau pays.
Tu as très bien résumé le train au Canada ;
En conclusion , je résume ; personne ne voyage en train au Canada .
C'est sûr, les canadiens ne voyagent pas en train, il fallait voir leur étonnement quand nous avons raconté à nos amis québécois que nous venions de faire " la croisière ferroviaire " entre Toronto et Vancouver, des paysages merveilleux vus du salon panoramique du " Canadien de Via Rail", le Mont Robson dans toute sa beauté, etc ..., nous en gardons un merveilleux souvenir et avons regretté lorsque nous sommes allés à Churchill de ne pas avoir pris le train Winnipeg-Churchill au lieu de l'avion. Ceci dit, vous avez raison c'est cher ! et il faut avoir du temps ... mais c'est une question de choix !
Bien amicalement à tous les amis du Québec !
En conclusion , je résume ; personne ne voyage en train au Canada .
C'est sûr, les canadiens ne voyagent pas en train, il fallait voir leur étonnement quand nous avons raconté à nos amis québécois que nous venions de faire " la croisière ferroviaire " entre Toronto et Vancouver, des paysages merveilleux vus du salon panoramique du " Canadien de Via Rail", le Mont Robson dans toute sa beauté, etc ..., nous en gardons un merveilleux souvenir et avons regretté lorsque nous sommes allés à Churchill de ne pas avoir pris le train Winnipeg-Churchill au lieu de l'avion. Ceci dit, vous avez raison c'est cher ! et il faut avoir du temps ... mais c'est une question de choix !
Bien amicalement à tous les amis du Québec !
Je n'ignore pas qu'il existe des circuits en train pour touristes ou vacancier en majorité . Mais pour avoir des trains tous les jours pour toutes les destinations et très souvent comme chez vous , ça n'existe pas ici .
C'était mon propos 🙂
C'était mon propos 🙂
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
Faut pas être pressé, faut réserver longtemps à l'avance pour avoir des réductions de presque 40% et faut pas avoir un rendez-vous important 5 minutes après l'heure d'arrivée prévue. A part ça je pense que cela peut être un très bon moyen de découvrir ce beau pays.
Dire qu'il y a très peu de train n'est pas négatif, ni positif , c'est.... une constatation . D'ailleurs tu mentionnes devoir utiliser le bus pour compléter les trajet. Autant prendre que le bus sauf exception .
Car le train ne relie que des grandes villes où des coins perdus ( sans intérêt ) et pas souvent . Et le Canada c'est beaucoup plus que cela.
Le 40 % de réduction est impératif autrement c'est très très cher le train .
Dans l'optique du projet de notre amie , le bus est vraiment conseiller pas le train sauf peut-être pour de très rare parcours
Dire qu'il y a très peu de train n'est pas négatif, ni positif , c'est.... une constatation . D'ailleurs tu mentionnes devoir utiliser le bus pour compléter les trajet. Autant prendre que le bus sauf exception .
Car le train ne relie que des grandes villes où des coins perdus ( sans intérêt ) et pas souvent . Et le Canada c'est beaucoup plus que cela.
Le 40 % de réduction est impératif autrement c'est très très cher le train .
Dans l'optique du projet de notre amie , le bus est vraiment conseiller pas le train sauf peut-être pour de très rare parcours
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
bonjour,
À propos de trains et de neige au Canada
de temps en temps on nous montre une spectaculaire video d'un train Canadien fonçant à travers la neige
voilà la plus récente... de cette semaine au Nouveau Brunswick:EPIC CATCH!!! Dashing Thru the Snow - CN ... - YouTube
À propos de trains et de neige au Canada
de temps en temps on nous montre une spectaculaire video d'un train Canadien fonçant à travers la neige
voilà la plus récente... de cette semaine au Nouveau Brunswick:EPIC CATCH!!! Dashing Thru the Snow - CN ... - YouTube
Suite des "Rencontres insolites avec des grizzlys, chercheurs d'or et autres dans l'Ouest Américain" (26 février 2009)
haha wahou! En tout cas ça doit être bien fatiguant pour le conducteur! Impressionnant quand la locomotive disparait complètement
J'ai écrit un petit guide d'observation des aurores boréales, basé sur mes propres expériences: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9872650;#9872650
Bonjour,
c'est super de traverser le Canada en train! J'ai fait deux voyages en train là-bas: de Halifax jusqu'à Toronto, et de Vancouver jusqu'à Montréal. La ligne la plus populaire, c'est le Canadien, qui relie Vancouver et Toronto en quatre jours. Pour organiser ton voyage il faut aller sur le site de Via Rail et réserver tes billets en ligne. Tu peux faire plusieurs arrêts, mais à ce moment là il faut acheter des billets de train séparés. Le seul souci, c'est que c'est un voyage qui coûte cher. Après à toi de voir si tu es prête à mettre le budget (qui dépend de la classe de confort surtout: compartiment avec couchette ou siège incliné...). J'ai raconté mes deux voyages sur mon blog: http://www.leblogdesarah.com/traverser-le-canada-en-train/
Tiens moi au courant si tu as pu concrétiser ce voyage ou pas.
Je voyage dans le monde entier depuis 2009 et raconte mes aventures sur mon blog voyage http://www.leblogdesarah.com
Ahh bien vu, je vais faire Montréal a Vancouver le 21 Mai prochain. j ai hâte. ;-)
Mathieu M - GoPro & Sacado
Astuces, Tests matériels Outdoor, Bonnes adresses et activités plein air au Québec
www.mathieumontaroux.com
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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
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! 😊

