European Train Stations you have felt most uneasy visiting

[tony6499]

I went to a concert in Dusseldorf and the arena was beside Dusseldorf Oberbilk, it was a dark, unmanned station with a poorly lit underpass entrance and stairs to the platform. I wasn't threatened but it makes you be extra aware of your surroundings and it would be the same for most stations in most cities.
I think it's just using common sense and extra awareness of your surroundings and where to get help, or escape if you needed to

 

[rvdborgt]

Regardless of security aspects, changing in Brussels Central if often the wise thing to do, specially if the connection is tight. As that station has only 6 tracks, you will never have to walk or run very far to catch your next train.

I find that changing in the first Brussels station you arrive at (usually North or South) is the best if you know you'll be able to catch your connection there. You never know what happens in the tunnel. Your train e.g. might get stuck in the western tube while your connecting train might be nicely on time in the eastern tube, shrinking your connection time.

 

[MarcVD]

I find that changing in the first Brussels station you arrive at (usually North or South) is the best if you know you'll be able to catch your connection there. You never know what happens in the tunnel. Your train e.g. might get stuck in the western tube while your connecting train might be nicely on time in the eastern tube, shrinking your connection time.

If you have enough time to walk the whole width of Nord or Midi, then yes, exiting at the first station is your best bet.

 

[nw1]

Strangely I've never felt that threatened at Bruxelles Midi, and I did exit the station to wander round the city on two occasions IIRC, both occasions when I had a 3-hour or so connection between ICE and Eurostar. It did look a bit rough but didn't feel too intimidated. Perhaps I was too trusting, though.

Frankfurt Hbf, and not even leaving the station, was the one I felt a little more uncomfortable at.

 

[Davester50]

Even back in 1979, Frau Messner (Peggy Ashcroft) from the marvellous Caught on a Train had reservations about Frankfurt am Main Hbf, although the dossers would all be from good families...

I stayed in a hotel not far pre-covid, and it wasn't great, but didn't feel unsafe.
Another vote for Brussels South, but outside the beautiful Central also had a lot of shady characters hanging around when I visited this year.

 

[jpl]

Frankfurt Hbf was an experience. I stayed near the station for a night and in the morning a shady character offered me something recreational... Not a whole family place.

 

[Mikey C]

Yet another vote for Brussels Midi. Inside the station is fine, but outside is at best pretty dispiriting, and for a major City station, it's incredibly hidden away, with its bland post war architecture and main entrance facing away from the centre of town.

 

[urbophile]

Genova, the only place l was ever propositioned by a prostitute on a train while travelling with my then-fiancée, who, being of Italian decent herself, promptly told her where to go, lol....

The immediate surroundings of Piazza Principe in Genova are seedy at best. The narrow medieval alleys of the Centro storico are notorious for blatant prostitution. Brignole, the other main station, faces a large bus station and a rather scruffy public park. But like everywhere, it's unfamiliarity which often makes for a sense of insecurity.
Thanks to Google Maps unilaterally relocating my hotel, I had a frustrating half hour or so outside Marseille St-Charles looking for it in vain in some dodgy back streets. Approaching a group of men who could have been drug dealers or worse, I was courteously and helpfully pointed n the right direction.

 

[alex397]

Yet another vote for Brussels Midi. Inside the station is fine, but outside is at best pretty dispiriting, and for a major City station, it's incredibly hidden away, with its bland post war architecture and main entrance facing away from the centre of town.

It’s a shame Midi doesn’t have the same modernist architectural appeal of Central and Nord (and to a certain extent the underutilised Congrès). All these stations, including Midi, were built in the early 1950s presumably by the same planners / architect and mostly look superb in my view. Midi has the same brickwork but has a much more plain design and looks quite ugly. Was some of the modernist design lost in subsequent rebuilds?

 

[MattSGB]

It’s a shame Midi doesn’t have the same modernist architectural appeal of Central and Nord (and to a certain extent the underutilised Congrès). All these stations, including Midi, were built in the early 1950s presumably by the same planners / architect and mostly look superb in my view. Midi has the same brickwork but has a much more plain design and looks quite ugly. Was some of the modernist design lost in subsequent rebuilds?

With respect, I am not sure that the architecture is the most dispiriting aspect of Midi.

 

[Bristol LHS]

Naples is a bit annoying as if your train is dwelling there, you know you’re going to be accosted by beggars, people trying to sell you stuff and you need to keep a close eye on your possessions. It spoils otherwise serene journeys.

However, the Ciricumvesuviana station below, somehow manages to be even worse.

Stations attract all forms of human life, and I think some level of liveliness that can border on seediness is inevitable, anywhere in the world.

But I agree on Naples Circumvesuviana. Bleak surroundings, and the most blatant pick-pocketing and harassment I’ve ever seen, not even trying to hide it, couldn’t wait to get out.

 

[alex397]

With respect, I am not sure that the architecture is the most dispiriting aspect of Midi.

I was responding to the ‘bland post war architecture’ comment about Midi, and comparing it to the rather grand aspects of Central and Nord which were built at the same time by the same planners. The eastern entrance along Av. Fonsny looks like a gateway to hell (ok, I’m exaggerating ever so slightly). It looks like the back of an industrial building. This architecture doesn’t look pretty or welcoming compared to equivalent stations. It’s not helped at all by the stench of urine, the homeless camp around (and on!) the tram platforms, and the exterior is covered in graffiti.
This area feels like a bit of an afterthought and doesn’t seem well designed for pedestrian / passenger movements.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Strangely I've never felt that threatened at Bruxelles Midi, and I did exit the station to wander round the city on two occasions IIRC, both occasions when I had a 3-hour or so connection between ICE and Eurostar. It did look a bit rough but didn't feel too intimidated. Perhaps I was too trusting, though.

Frankfurt Hbf, and not even leaving the station, was the one I felt a little more uncomfortable at.

Brussels Midi is an odd one. Inside the station is fine, if a little chaotic. On the outside, one side is a rather nice pedestrianised plaza with a couple of decent restaurants (or at least was in 2017)... the other side is a road and tram line heavily populated by some of the dodgiest people I've ever encountered!

I agree that Frankfurt-Main Hbf was far worse, and like yourself I didn't even have to leave the station. The only place I've ever had a beggar swoop in to try and intercept my change from a food stand as the vendor handed it to me!

 

[mountainpixel]

I never feel comfortable around Hamburg. Especially at night when waiting for a night train. You get asked multiple times for money (which is fine), but some are really pushy. At the same time the station is dirty and generally an unpleasant place to wait.

The surroundings are not much better, especially when going north.

Frankfurt might also be a contender, but did not have as many bad experiences there.

But never felt scared or threatened.

 

[Tinginys]

Never had any real incidents or threatening situations anywhere in Europe besides some stations or their suroindings lookinga bit dodgy, but back in 2012 just after exiting Milano Centrale with some luggage (there were 3 of us) was followed by a small group of who looked like an organised gang of pickpockets. It was not a very pleasant first experience of this great city. Right after arriving via the main train station I git followed by a bunch of pickpockets trying to snatch something from me and not even trying to disguise themselves too much. All in broad daylight. My subsequent visits to Milan (in 2025) and the very same Milano Centrale were much better and did not involve pickpockets or anything of the sort. I take it that I was either very unlucky back in 2012 or that things have improved in 2025.

 

[Rab Smith]

Never had any real incidents or threatening situations anywhere in Europe besides some stations or their suroindings lookinga bit dodgy, but back in 2012 just after exiting Milano Centrale with some luggage (there were 3 of us) was followed by a small group of who looked like an organised gang of pickpockets. It was not a very pleasant first experience of this great city. Right after arriving via the main train station I git followed by a bunch of pickpockets trying to snatch something from me and not even trying to disguise themselves too much. All in broad daylight. My subsequent visits to Milan (in 2025) and the very same Milano Centrale were much better and did not involve pickpockets or anything of the sort. I take it that I was either very unlucky back in 2012 or that things have improved in 2025.

Certainly when I was there in 2023 there was a very large police presence just outside the main entrance and in the Piazza itself. It didn't stop the dodgy characters hanging around inside and outside the station though.

 

[Ballyheigue]

Been through Dublin many times and never had a problem at Heuston but have had aggressive beggars challenging me at Connoly Station.

Oh Heuston has the beggars too, and at 9.30am on a Monday morning as well! They float between the tram stop and station entrance, moved off every so often by station security. Connoly is a different matter all together, the whole area around the station is unsafe such as Talbot Street.

 

[Rab Smith]

Oh Heuston has the beggars too, and at 9.30am on a Monday morning as well! They float between the tram stop and station entrance, moved off every so often by station security. Connoly is a different matter all together, the whole area around the station is unsafe such as Talbot Street.

Talbot Street is a typical setting for a dodgy area around a train Station. Very close proximity, quite dark and dingy under the rail bridge. Certainly nowhere near the worst areas I've seen around a station but I didn't particularly feel unsafe there. Dublin gives me a false sense of security with it being very like a UK City. Saying that, it's not a City you can walk around without encountering some absolute beauts!

 

[YorkshireBear]

I never feel comfortable around Hamburg. Especially at night when waiting for a night train. You get asked multiple times for money (which is fine), but some are really pushy. At the same time the station is dirty and generally an unpleasant place to wait.

The surroundings are not much better, especially when going north.

Frankfurt might also be a contender, but did not have as many bad experiences there.

But never felt scared or threatened.

Agreed on those two. However, like you never felt scared or threatened.

I also find the Aldi in South Leeds uncomfortable at times so it is what it is!

 

[Mag_seven]

Sofia Central - the station (at ground level) is not too bad but to get to the metro/trams/buses you have to use some very dark and dingy underground passages via poorly maintained steps and staircases. There are some very dodgy looking characters hanging about there too.

 

[alex397]

After visiting București Nord on a couple of occasions there a couple of weeks ago I didn’t feel unsafe there at all despite hearing various negative things about the place, though I did make sure all my possessions were safe (as I would do in any busy public place). There were a few homeless people outside, as well as some docile stray dogs (despite hearing that Bucharest doesn’t have a stray dog issue anymore). I did not see any aggressive begging.

My only concern was the risk of being a victim of pigeon defecation. Pigeons were everywhere inside the station, and they leave a lot of evidence behind!

 

[Djgr]

After visiting București Nord on a couple of occasions there a couple of weeks ago I didn’t feel unsafe there at all despite hearing various negative things about the place, though I did make sure all my possessions were safe (as I would do in any busy public place). There were a few homeless people outside, as well as some docile stray dogs (despite hearing that Bucharest doesn’t have a stray dog issue anymore). I did not see any aggressive begging.

My only concern was the risk of being a victim of pigeon defecation. Pigeons were everywhere inside the station, and they leave a lot of evidence behind!

Yes. București gets a lot of undeserved bad press. I think the biggest danger lies with the maniac traffic!

 

[Starmill]

I do feel like Frankfurt (Main) Hbf used to be WAY nicer before CoViD-19. I went there in 2019 for the Frankfurt Autoshow and the station and its surroundings were pretty nice, even at night.
In 2023 and 2024... not so much. I wasn't bothered at all by anyone, but the station's McDonald's was filled to the brim with people, as it was the only place warm and open late into the night.

According to a few people who profess to be locals to Frankfurt on Reddit about this, this is true.

The slow move from heroin to crack as the preferred drug that the unfortunate souls who occupy the liminal spaces around the station use for succour, combined with the ending overnight of the relief outreach at the start of the pandemic has put Frankfurt's Bahnhofsvierzel (railway station quarter) on the back foot.

Once someone is addicted to crack they are likely to behave very wildly and they need a huge amount of help to go through the withdrawal safely. Somebody living on the street is not going to be able to help themselves out of that situation, hence the shrieking, crying, semi-agressive form of begging seen on S-Bahn trains through the Frankfurt City Tunnel.

Personally I reckon if they just offered some free toilets and showers with 24/7 security guards it would help. It's not like they can't afford it, the problem is that the paid ones in the station would lose all their revenues if you did that. It's utterly disgusting how it smells currently though around the station front and entrances. How can people be blamed for that though when there is literally nowhere you can use the toilet for free?

 

[zero]

nowhere you can use the toilet for free?

I appreciate someone suffering drug withdrawal symptoms may have difficulty with this - but free toilets are easily available on trains just make sure they aren't departing in the next 10 minutes

 

[Steddenm]

I concur with Dublin Connolly:

The station has a pharmacy on the main concourse which is used by some of the addicts in the city to collect their daily medication. The escalator down to the Luas platforms and exit (and lifts) are littered with beggars, and the bit by the Luas lift stinks of urine.

It doesn't help that the station is in quite a rough part of the city and there are a number of homeless shelters and soup kitchens around the city. The same can be said for O'Connell Strret in the evening when the homeless are being fed outside the GPO.

As my home city, Dublin itself has started to feel very unsafe, especially in the North Inner City (Dublin 1) area. There have been spates of muggings, a significant rise in shoplifting and robberies in recent years.

When I do go home these days, I usually stay at the Gibson Hotel at The Point (3Arena) and it does feel a lot safer up there than staying in the city centre.

All cities have their rougher parts to them, but Dublin and London both feel unsafe now.

 

[Starmill]

I appreciate someone suffering drug withdrawal symptoms may have difficulty with this - but free toilets are easily available on trains just make sure they aren't departing in the next 10 minutes

I accept they're technically available provided you realise it's an option yes. And provided you find the correct unit type and check the departure time. And provided it's at an hour during which such a unit is available for an upcoming departure.

A short one stop ride often will not be a suitable train type to have toilets onboard.

 

[Mikey C]

All cities have their rougher parts to them, but Dublin and London both feel unsafe now.

London obviously has its issues, but I don't think any of the main stations or their environs feel unsafe. Indeed most of them feel much nicer than they used to, much more "sanitised" if you compare Kings Cross with its seedy nature 30 years ago.

 

[87015]

After visiting București Nord on a couple of occasions there a couple of weeks ago I didn’t feel unsafe there at all despite hearing various negative things about the place, though I did make sure all my possessions were safe (as I would do in any busy public place). There were a few homeless people outside, as well as some docile stray dogs (despite hearing that Bucharest doesn’t have a stray dog issue anymore). I did not see any aggressive begging.

My only concern was the risk of being a victim of pigeon defecation. Pigeons were everywhere inside the station, and they leave a lot of evidence behind!

Did you do the step up at the locals shacks out to Chitila? Basarab H, Carpati H, Pajura/Triaj and Depot Triaj I’m pretty sure would give some on here a hernia even once they got the head around stations having different names for different sides of a platform

 

[ABB125]

Did you do the step up at the locals shacks out to Chitila? Basarab H, Carpati H, Pajura/Triaj and Depot Triaj I’m pretty sure would give some on here a hernia even once they got the head around stations having different names for different sides of a platform

I walked from Chitila to Straulesti metro station last year. Wasn't too bad. I mainly did it because I didn't fancy waiting 90 minutes or so for the next train back into the city - changing trains at/leaving a potentially dubious station is one thing, but sitting there for a long time is another. I'd much rather be moving somewhere.
I stopped briefly at the Colosseum shopping centre on the way, which was lovely and clean and modern (and had one of the most incongruous sights I've seen in a retail destination: car tyres being sold in the same aisle as televisions...).

 

[ChiefPlanner]

One tends to forget how awful the old Pentonville Road station area was on Thameslink around 20 years ago - dealer central (and the area was then not great) , station itself fine , but the external public realm was desperate to say the very least. Concentrated and focused police action apparently sorted it out. The old St Pancras main line station was itself "not great" , not like it is today !