Could it be Covid safer to take the train rather than the plane?

[webfact]

 

The dreaded Covid virus apparently tends to linger longer, so sitting on a packed airplane flying domestically around Thailand maybe a way to spread the germs.

 

Therefore, perhaps in the future taking a train could be the answer.

 

Overnight trains can also be a favorite means of covering long distances because they are usually friendlier, cost less, and are usually more comfortable than taking long road trips being cramped in a small car or bus.

 

The other advantage is that you get to stretch your legs out and get a good night’s sleep in exchange for just a little bit more than you would pay for a hostel or budget hotel.

 

 

That said, it helps if you are open to surprises and do not easily get irritated by minor unexpected events. 

 

It is all a part of the ‘travel in Asia’ experience and best taken with a pinch of salt.

 

Penang to Bangkok 

 

With very fond memories of my excellent overnight trip from Penang back to Bangkok, where I had an almost queen-size bed.

 

This was two special Thai owned carriages hooked onto the Malaysian train at Butterworth and then re coupled onto a Bangkok train at the border.

 

There were no separate berths, but you got you privacy with curtains, to be fair it was actually fun to pass the journey chatting to travellers of all ages.

 

I cannot say I have tried any other sleeper services in Thailand, but I am sure as tracks get modified standards will rise too.

 

Vietnam sleepers

 

I decided to jump on a sleep train again, but this time in Vietnam.

 

Vietnam like Thailand offers excellent air travel connections and many locals, as well as tourists, tend to use them almost the same as just jumping on a bus.

 

However, as many a traveler will tell you, taking an overnight train in Asia can be quite an adventure.

 

Overnight trains can be a favorite means of covering long distances because they are usually friendlier, cost less and are usually more comfortable than taking long road trips being cramped in a small car or bus.

 

The other advantage is that you get to stretch your legs out and get a good night’s sleep in exchange for just a little bit more than you would pay for a hostel or budget hotel.

 

That said, it helps if you are open to surprises and do not easily get irritated by minor unexpected events. 

 

It is all a part of the ‘travel in Asia’ experience and best taken with a pinch of salt.

 

With very fond memories of my excellent overnight trip from Penang to Bangkok, when my son came to visit me, we decided to take an overnight AC soft sleeper train from Danang departing in the late evening and arrived in HCMC the next morning.

 

I must admit the actual accommodation was a bit of a letdown compared to the crisp white sheets on my Thai sleeper.

 

Here they supplied a rather old blanket, and the pillow was extremely uncomfortable.

 

That said the scenery after sunrise as the train ran along the coastline was fascinating.

 

We of course also saved on overnight accommodation, however arriving so early in HCMC meant we could not check in to our hotel for several hours.

 

I am sure there may be certain trains that provide a higher standard of service in Vietnam, so perhaps this was just one of those old carriages.

 

Keep checking and researching

Ideally, you need to complete your research before heading to the station.

The best bet is to check out this great website on train travel all over the world simple called Seat 61. Here is their link to their train tips and information for Thailand. https://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm.

Would be also extremely helpful if you can share any recent travel tips on your own train experiences in Vietnam as well.

 

Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date.  https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

 

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[Meat Pie 47]

No

[Credo]

This is interesting, but it doesn't answer the question of which is safer, air travel or train travel? 

[internationalism]

Airplanes are using the newest HEPA filters and you spend on them 10x less time, than on train. 
nice article, but outdated and sounds like an advert

[Howiehotspur]

It’s near on impossible to catch Covid on a plane … certainly actually in the air .. that’s what the airlines have been saying since practically the start of it … 

[JayClay]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The dreaded Covid virus apparently tends to linger longer,

Than what?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The dreaded Covid virus apparently tends to linger longer,

The only thing lingering is Prayut & Co.... 

[Skeptic7]

The train is for fun, romance and adventure. Planes are faster, safer and cheaper (here). Remember a 12 hour 1st Class "sleeper" when food and beer were served. Wasn't much sleeping going on! Great time, but give me plane over train any day!

[Robert Tyrrell]

Hello ,

Here we go !! Some of that bizarre Thai thinking ????

plane or train there crowded and in closed !! Solution assuring that there both properly cleaned and sanitized , Secondly masking , Frequent hand washing and sanitizing your hands is the solution PERIOD !!

So should I question the Thai thinking or Aseannow.com News !!?? ???? Or both !!?? ???? 

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, Howiehotspur said:

It’s near on impossible to catch Covid on a plane … certainly actually in the air .. that’s what the airlines have been saying since practically the start of it … 

But what about on the ground, at the airport and embarking/disembarking. Despite being told to remain seated everyone wants to jump up as soon as the wheels hit the ground. I flew to Krabi in Aug 2020 and CM in Dec 2020 and both flights were quite disconcerting with people's behaviour.

Trains are much safer. On 5th Feb 2020 as the pandemic was kicking off, I travelled from Bangkok to Pedang Besar by train, had to go 2nd class that time. Everyone on the train was wearing masks and got behind the curtains as soon as the beds were made up. You do not sit next to anyone on a sleeper train, it is one person per double seat which converts to a bed. The long distance routes have had new rolling stock in recent years and are quite comfortable.

I would normally try and use first class where you have your own cabin, particularly since they brought in the alcohol ban. It is a dedicated carriage with very few using the toilet facilities.

[Caldera]

NO.

 

I trust the air filters that a modern airplane has a lot more than those in use on Thailand's trains!

 

Also, eating and drinking can be banned on short domestic flights, so everyone can wear their mask at all times. The same isn't possible on a train, as a trip takes too long to go without food and drinks.

[MrJ2U]

If you have the time  it's easier just to drive yourself.

 

Take your time.  Stop where you like.  No taxis.

 

Driving is not for everyone, especially in Thailand.

However I find it fun and thoroughly enjoy it.

[Dcheech]

I trust blowers over trains, minibuses or Hepa filters on flights. The only study I read, granted, it was a linked study by someone else, on how safe air travel with filters is, was done by the airlines themselves. A number of train trips i have been on had serious air con unit blowers. If I was sure to get that, I would take the train.

[Guderian]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The dreaded Covid virus apparently tends to linger longer

Longer than what???

[khunPer]

For some destinations taking the train is great - like taking the sleeper to Chiang Mai - for other destinations it makes the journey too complicated compared to travel by air, for example if you wish to travel from Bangkok to Phuket, or even worse to koh Samui, apart from considering the trip as an experience...????

[MasterBaker]

Bicycle is much safer

[Tropposurfer]

No comment on covid n comparisons with planes. I love a good long distance sleeper train journey.

[Joules]

I do not give a flying (so to speak) phuck about covid.  But my advice is to take the train simply because nobody phucks with you.  Get your ticket, get on and go.  I went all the way from Central Plains to BKK, and as soon as I got on the train stripped off the stupid mask.  Nobody said a word.  I didn't get checked or searched.  I brought a good supply of reading material and gin and made drinks all along the way.  I had music on an MP3 player.  You can buy food (cheap) or bring your own.  You can go out to the stairs and smoke if you want to.  I do not smoke, but saw lots of people doing that.  Long?  Yes.  Boring?  Yes.  But very forgiving.  

 

I used to love flying.  Now I hate it.   I do not like being phucked with.   If you are in a hurry and like to bend over with your pants down, take a plane.  If you like to be left alone, take the train.

 

Edit:  Also in reply to people who worry about filters, the trains here are so leaky that riding in one is almost like being outside.   I usually take the second class with no air conditioning and open all the windows around me as soon as I get on.  Some people just love to worry.  

 

Edit no. 2:  When I last took the train a month or two ago, I traveled during the day and all the cars were practically empty.

 

Edit no. 3:  I forgot to mention that trains are also so cheap that they are almost free.

 

And note:  The question about which is safest is inane.  It is time for folks to man up and accept the fact that this virus will be with us forever and stop hiding in basements and shaking in fear.  Man up.

[Joules]

3 hours ago, Robert Tyrrell said:

Hello ,

Here we go !! Some of that bizarre Thai thinking ????

plane or train there crowded and in closed !! Solution assuring that there both properly cleaned and sanitized , Secondly masking , Frequent hand washing and sanitizing your hands is the solution PERIOD !!

So should I question the Thai thinking or Aseannow.com News !!?? ???? Or both !!?? ???? 

The only real solution is for everybody to stop being pussies.  That would be Yankee thinking.

[MSMU1993]

Narrator: None of it mattered...it was all overblown...

[mtls2005]

Sure, if you're "inside".

[RobU]

Is the overnight service from  Bangkok to Nong Khai back in operation now?

[sandyf]

7 hours ago, RobU said:

Is the overnight service from  Bangkok to Nong Khai back in operation now?

Looks like  it.

https://12go.asia/en/travel/hua-lamphong/nong-khai-train-station

[RobU]

9 hours ago, sandyf said:

Looks like  it.

https://12go.asia/en/travel/hua-lamphong/nong-khai-train-station

Thanks for the info sandyf

[Percy P]

On 2/17/2022 at 2:46 AM, internationalism said:

Airplanes are using the newest HEPA filters and you spend on them 10x less time, than on train. 
nice article, but outdated and sounds like an advert

Time no problem when on holiday . Once in Thailand I use the buses ,trains . I do not use airplanes. I travel down to Penang every 3months  . I go on train no 31 from Bkk to Hat Han Chang trains to the boarder .Immigration  . Get on Malysia train to Butterworth ,then ferry to Penang. Train No 31 has,latest luxurious carriages.

[Percy P]

Just now, Percy P said:

Time no problem when on holiday . Once in Thailand I use the buses ,trains . I do not use airplanes. I travel down to Penang every 3months  . I go on train no 31 from Bkk to Hat. Yai Change trains to the boarder .Immigration  . Get on Malysia train to Butterworth ,then ferry to Penang. Train No 31 has,latest luxurious carriages.

T

 

[Percy P]

On 2/17/2022 at 2:36 AM, Credo said:

This is interesting, but it doesn't answer the question of which is safer, air travel or train travel? 

Depends on the country your in.

[internationalism]

16 minutes ago, Percy P said:

Time no problem when on holiday . Once in Thailand I use the buses ,trains . I do not use airplanes. I travel down to Penang every 3months  . I go on train no 31 from Bkk to Hat Han Chang trains to the boarder .Immigration  . Get on Malysia train to Butterworth ,then ferry to Penang. Train No 31 has,latest luxurious carriages.

that was pre-covid. For almost 2 years land borders are closed.

I do also use trains extensively, as well as cheaper night couches, but only if I cant use air planes (very heavy luggage, air travel covid requirements etc).

But surely covid risk is higher, because new passengers alighting at each station, stop. Walking next to you along corridor. Sitting very close to you. So on a long 800km train journey I might have next to me 10-20 potentially infected co-travellers. I am very aware of this, but sometimes there is no choice

[spidermike007]

No. No science to back up that premise. You spend alot less time on a plane, they have high end air filtration systems, and everyone is masked up (whatever that is worth). I would rather fly here. The trains are substandard, they are slow, and they are usually late. Thailand should have been spending the last 4 decades upgrading the train service here. It is a bit like being in India. 

[daveAustin]

On 2/16/2022 at 7:13 PM, webfact said:

The dreaded Covid virus apparently tends to linger longer, so sitting on a packed airplane flying domestically around Thailand maybe a way to spread the germs.

 

Therefore, perhaps in the future taking a train could be the answer.

Contradiction much? Plane journeys are usually shorter per given distance. Surely one has a better chance of picking it up while sat on train for 18hrs?