BootsnAll Travel Community

Ok, I've never actually taken an overnight train before, so I'm deciding if I should. How are border crossings handled? I'll be going from Austria -> Hungary and Hungary -> Romania border crossings. It's either this or take a train the whole day across Hungary (I'm coming from Vienna).

any suggestions would be helpful.

They wake you up for the border crossings. Kinds sucks when its in the middle of the night, but beats wasting a day on a train.

if you ask me how many times i've crosse that border, i'll have to admit that i am not able to answer. i do not remember. there's not supposed to be any problems at the romanian border . for sure, they will astk the purpose of your visit (the romanians), you do not have to justify, beware allthough, they have sniffing dogs, which are supposed to find any kind of (you know what). You may bring here no more than one liter of alcohool and TEN packs of cigarettes. This is all they are supposed to ask you for, so don't be wory. If you need further detail, please let me know, it will be handled. i know some customs officials.

oh, by the way , i remember, when i left romania , i was supposed to go to czech republic for a job, i travelled in a sleeping coach, and i asked my colleague not to wake me up if the costoms come, so i woke up (after a whole night of drinking) in slovakia, and i found my passport full of visas , they didn't ever bother to wake me up , so it was pretty ok. i swear it's true.

Cool, I just wasn't sure. The overnight thing is much better than spending the whole day on the train. Thanks!!!

Beware though:
Romania and other eastern european countries are full of pickpockets, cons and thiefs. I hardly advise you not to travel alone. I travelled a lot and I'v seen their 'techniques' . For example: the thief asks if you could recharge his mobile fone (every compartment has a power slot). Then he waits until you go to bathroom. In case you catch him in your compartment he will justify his presence there by saying that he must leave and he had to take his mobile phone.
Lot's of conmen play the 'plain uniform police' trick. They ask you to show your money to them. Remember, if they are not in uniform, they are not police, even they flip some fake police ID. Tell them that you want to go to police station, and they will quit.
Avoid taking coffee or some other food or drink from people you do not know, they might put some sleeping pills to get you asleep.
In case something happens, call police. In romania the emergency number is 112. When I came from Paris by train, september last year, I've seen police men patrolling in the train, which is good.

Cool, thanks. I didn't have to many problem in Hungary. I just keep my eyes open as usual. I'm looking forward to it though.