21 Tips For Travelling On Sleeper Trains
I love a great overnight train trip. Without a doubt, they are sure to be eventful and you certainly are not guaranteed a great nights sleep. But… you are sure to meet the lovely locals and feel apart of their culture. And that’s what I love best.
I believe you have to be an adventurer at heart to use a sleeper train as a form of transport. You need to be able to appreciate feeling uncomfortable and not be a complainer or whine. Overnight train travel is not for the faint-hearted. If you have that attitude, you will be miserable and want to get off before the train even leaves the station. So you must look at it as an adventure. As another story to tell when you get home.
Your comfort level does depend upon which sleeper you pay for. You can choose between first-class and second then you can usually choose between four or a six bedder.
So far on my travels, I have had many fun days and nights on trains going long distances including throughout Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, and Peru. Such memories include our train derailing at 2:30 in the morning in Peru and another, getting saturated after a bucket load of water was thrown through our open train window during the Water Festival in Myanmar. Using body language and photos on our phone as a way to communicate with the locals made for a fun trip when we didn’t speak the language and I will never forget gifting whistles to children on the train in Vietnam and then regretting it for the rest of the trip.
With that under my belt, I feel I must share with you my top tips for sleeping overnight on a train;
Pack a bike lock so you are able to lock your luggage to the bottom bed - there is a little hook on the bottom bunk to run your lock through. This will help you to relax and enjoy the trip without concern
Never leave your bag or valuables unattended - that’s just common sense. Don’t trust anyone on a train
Sleep with your valuables under your pillow - if you still want them in the morning
Be prepared with your own portable charging pack - there is usually only one power socket in the compartment that you have to share with your fellow passengers
Don’t expect your compartment to have a door - depends on the country you are travelling in. Otherwise, there are usually curtains to allow some privacy
Don’t accept food from strangers - it is a lovely gesture but it is better to be safe than sorry. Or if they don’t let you refuse, take it and say you will eat it later
Use your trip as an opportunity to chat to the locals - get the goss on best places to go, foods to try, or ask any questions about their country etc. They are usually more than happy to chat (if they speak English)
You will be given fresh sheets, pillow and blanket - so be prepared to make your own bed. It’s all clean and ironed. If it is not on your bed when you arrive on the train, then your attendant will bring it to you shortly after
The attendants will visit at some point to turn your chair into a bed - you can agree on a time
Pack your own toilet paper - never believe there will be paper in there to use. Pack your own to use
Toilets are usually at either end of the carriage - somewhere near the entry where you got on the train
Do not go to the toilet while it is at a station - there is no flush so it goes straight down on the lines. Save your business for when the train is moving
Pack and use your hand sanitizer - trust me, you will need it. It can get pretty grotty in there
People get on and off at all times of the night - be prepared for noise, be prepared for them to talk without a care in the world, be prepared to be knocked especially if you are tall and your feet overhang the bed
Lights go off at ten pm - or thereabouts - most people are in bed and asleep by this time. Be considerate of your roommates
Pack an eye mask and earplugs - for a greater chance that you will sleep
It is unlucky to get the top bunk as it’s closest to the fan - so be prepared to be cold and/or freeze
If chatting to your friends you may be lucky and get to sit on the bottom bunk together or if this is allocated to a local you may have to sit on your own bunk - all depends upon the friendliness of your fellow passengers
The guard will check your ticket at some point - so have it handy
Older people in your room may ask to swap beds so they don’t have to climb up - it’s up to you if you would like to swap. Me; I usually say no. It makes it difficult if they get off at a different stop to you too
There is usually a diner carriage to get a nightly meal or at least a dining cart will come through every hour as well as people selling snacks - take advantage or pack your own dinner, drinks and treats
Hope these tips help with your next overnight train trip. I hope you can relax and enjoy the ride. There is nothing like watching the sunset and then waking up to the sunrise through the train windows.
Have you slept on a sleeper train before? Do you have a story to share? Or a tip to pass on? Let us know in the comments below. We would love for you to join the conversation.
