Post # 1
Member
29 posts
Newbee
Hi Bees!
I am a Canadian female traveling alone to York to visit a friend, and plan to fly into Manchester and take the train to York, with the same route on the way back. A few people also suggested going through Leeds. I hear a lot of mixed reviews about train safety in the UK and I am wondering if anybody can give me any advice? I have not done much travel and have never been to the UK. After the recent London train bombing as well as the Manchester bombing I feel a little nervous, especially as the area is apparently listed as “under high level of threat” on travel alerts. I know these are unpredictable events but as an inexperienced traveler I just would like to hear some UK bees input. Thanks!
Post # 2
Member
594 posts
Busy bee
Where have you read mixed reviews about train safety in the UK?
Your facts are off anyway.
Do you never travel outside your home?
Post # 3
Member
29 posts
Newbee
abouttodoit17 : Mostly tripadvisor and expedia trip reviews, there are a few conversations on there about it. There were also a few solo female travelers saying they felt a little unsafe. I was reffering the reported bombing at Parsons Green tube station that was all over the news here. Was that not confirmed? It is possible that my facts are off, but I was simply going off of what was on the news.
Yes, I have indeed traveled outside of my home. But being that I’ve never been to UK I was just wondering if locals felt fairly safe taking the trains.
Post # 4
Member
7564 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
My goodness, the British rail system is one of the safest in the world. The worst you will have to worry about is the train being late or someone not respecting the seat reservations and taking your seat, but being British, they will leave your seat when asked because the British in general are quite orderly and non-confrontational.
you are not even talking about the same train system as Parsons Green.
Do you think people should avoid Las Vegas because one evil, violent man killed a lot of people there? Should Ariana Grande never do another concert?
Post # 5
Member
1825 posts
Buzzing bee
The chances of anything happening are very slim. Just take the easiest route on the train.
Post # 6
Member
29 posts
Newbee
Horseradish : I didn’t realize it wasn’t the same train system. Thanks for your input. Good point – I do realize I’m probably being a little too scared, and letting news stuff get to me.
Post # 7
Member
3484 posts
Sugar bee
The UK is safe. A solo female traveller will have no issue travelling on our trains. The long distance trains all have guards / train managers on so there is always someone there to help.
The UK is a great place to visit and York is an awesome city.
Post # 8
Member
2226 posts
Buzzing bee
tamtam86 : I lived in Manchester and went to university in Hull (which is further along the same train line that you’re talking about). I caught the train frequently between home and uni and I have never felt unsafe due to unwanted attention or posible terror threats. I travelled by myself and often on the last train. Occasionally on the last train there will be drunks who might harass you but if you have any problems, leave the carriage and find the train manager but this is unlikely. This could also occur anywhere so deal with it the same as you would at home.
The Parsons Green attack was in London which is always more of a target than Manchester or York. The Manchester bombing was a different attack altogether. The stadium is above a train station but the train station was not the target, young innocent teenagers were the target. Both of these events are highly unfortunate and events that are out of the norm. The entire UK is on high alert for terrorism at the moment but so is most of Europe and the US. You can’t stop living your life for these events because that is what the perpetrators want. Plus you would literally never go anywhere.
Post # 9
Member
396 posts
Helper bee
People are being harsh on you considering you’re inexperienced. I’m Canadian female but lived in the UK for two years. Overall trains are quite safe particularly those going across the country. There have been a few terrorists attacks but generally people in the UK do not seem fearful and go about their days as normal. I was nervous living there with it being a “high level” threat, however I lived there in central London for over a year and never saw anything sketchy. If you’re worried just travel at off-peak times (not rush hour).
Post # 10
Member
29 posts
Newbee
snookpower : Thank you so much. I realize my question may seem stupid or silly but I haven’t traveled much alone and sometimes doing online research gets you a bit anxious, so was just looking to hear others’ experience. I appreciate your input!
Post # 11
Member
102 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding: October 2018 - City, State
You’ll be fine, us northerners are super friendly so don’t be afraid to ask for help!
York is a beautiful city, have a great trip!
Post # 12
Member
1995 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: May 2016 - Sussex, UK
I travel in and out of London all the time on Southern Rail (god help me – southerners will understand) and I’ve always felt safe. I’m at the end of the line. Just apply the normal common sense if you’re travelling alone late at night. The scariest thing is the prices to be honest, though they are more reasonable around the Manchester area.
I do understand why you’d be concerned, I wouldn’t say you are being dramatic as I do have friends who don’t want to be travelling in and around London, even if I don’t feel the same. Our threat level is ‘severe’ so an attack is ‘highly likely’. I felt nervous when I lived in London after the 7/7 bombings. A couple of times I had to get off at the next stop. I honestly don’t worry now because I refuse to live like that.
Don’t know much about trains around Manchester or York. I do love York though so I really hope you enjoy your visit!
Post # 13
Member
3461 posts
Sugar bee
tamtam86 : I’m a Canadian who just moved home after living in York for three years, it is a beautiful city and you will have an amazing time 🙂
Unfortunately there are no tips or anything you can do to “prevent” yourself being involved in a terrorist incident, on a UK train system or literally anywhere else in the world. Travelling alone as a female has absolutely nothing to do with your chances of being involved in a terrorist incident, so I’m really not sure what the content of these reviews on tripadvisor were. I honestly wouldn’t worry too much, I travelled solo on the train between cities in the UK more times than I can count and always felt very very safe.
Post # 14
Member
3313 posts
Sugar bee
tamtam86 : you will be fine. I use the train few times a months. As for our recent attacks we don’t let them bother us. One if my fave sayings is ” keep calm and carry on ”. I am Manchester based
Post # 15
Member
1359 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2018 - Banquet Hall/Conference Center
I went from London to York and back on Virgin trains recently and it was AMAZING how nice the trains were compared to the US. You’ll be totally fine.