In the old days, when border crossings in Europe actually meant something, the attendant on an international overnight train routinely collected your passport and dealt with border crossings so you weren’t awakened. Now, most border crossings in Europe are like crossing from one Canadian Provence to another — no passport checks at all. However if you take a train that crosses from a Schengen country into one that’s not a member there are still passport checks. You’ll just show your passport to the customs/immigration agent on a day train but if you’re on an overnight train the car attendant will take your passport to deal with the border crossing.

On day trains the conductor will occasionally ask to see your passport if you’re using a railpass — to make sure the right person is using the railpass, but will not keep your passport. They will look at the passport, check the pass and return both to you immediately.

As for security, trains are generally very safe, but you do need to keep track of your belongings — do not ever leave anything that’s valuable and easily portable unattended. Don’t leave your bigger bags unattended at any stop. Try to keep your bags at your seat — there’s usually an overhead rack. If you have to leave your bag at the end of the car, try to lock it to the rack or at least keep an eye on it at stops. On overnight trains, your bags will be in your cabin. Use a money belt and use your purse or anything that contains valuables for a pillow. Most importantly, STAY SOBER. Don’t assume a new friend you meet on the trip (or even your life long friend and travel buddy) isn’t a thief.

Thank you

Thank you!