5 Dangerous Train Journeys to Avoid as a Traveller

Pakistan’s railway network has long been a vital lifeline, connecting bustling cities like Karachi to remote regions. However, incidents of violence, including the reported hijacking of a train by militants on March 11, 2025, highlight the risks travelers face. The country’s trains have occasionally been targets for insurgent groups, particularly in volatile regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Beyond human threats, Pakistan’s aging railway infrastructure adds to the danger—derailments and accidents are not uncommon due to poor maintenance and overcrowding. For travelers, the combination of security risks and unreliable tracks makes many routes a gamble not worth taking.

Known infamously as "La Bestia" (The Beast), the network of freight trains crisscrossing Mexico isn’t designed for passengers but is often used by Central American migrants heading toward the U.S. border. This journey is fraught with danger: armed gangs prey on vulnerable travelers, extorting money or worse, while the physical risk of falling from moving trains or being crushed under wheels claims countless lives annually. Reports from 2017 noted a 476% surge in train robberies, and the situation hasn’t drastically improved. For adventure-seeking tourists tempted to ride, the lack of safety measures and rampant crime make this a journey to avoid entirely.


The train from Chennai to Rameswaram in southern India crosses the Pamban Bridge, a 2.3-kilometer marvel built in 1914 over the turbulent Bay of Bengal. While scenic, this route is notoriously dangerous due to its exposure to extreme weather. Strong winds and high tides frequently threaten the bridge’s stability, and in 1964, a cyclone washed away a train, killing over 150 passengers. Even today, trains crawl at a snail’s pace during rough seas, and flooding remains a risk. Travelers seeking tranquility might find this nerve-wracking ride more trouble than it’s worth.

The Thailand-Burma Railway, dubbed the "Death Railway," was constructed during World War II by forced labor under brutal conditions, costing thousands of lives—hence its grim name. Today, it operates as a tourist route through Kanchanaburi, Thailand, into Myanmar’s rugged borderlands. The journey features perilous high-altitude tracks along cliffs and through dense jungles, with aging infrastructure adding to the risk. Political instability in Myanmar and occasional reports of banditry near the border further deter casual travelers from this historically fascinating but hazardous trip.


The "Train to the Clouds" in northwestern Argentina climbs to over 4,200 meters above sea level, traversing 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, and dizzying zigzags across the Andes. While marketed as a tourist attraction, the route’s extreme altitude can cause sickness, and its engineering—completed after 27 years in 1948—relies on aging structures prone to wear. Landslides and harsh weather in this remote region have disrupted services in the past, stranding passengers. For those unaccustomed to such heights or wary of isolation, this journey might be better admired from afar.


Running near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, the Minami-Aso route offers stunning views of lava-scarred landscapes—but at a cost. The fragile iron bridge crossing this volcanic zone was damaged during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, and while repairs have been made, the ever-present threat of eruptions looms. Travelers peering out at the smoldering crater might find the unpredictability of nature too close for comfort, especially given the region’s seismic activity.


Cape Town’s commuter trains, operated by Metrorail, connect the city to its suburbs, passing through breathtaking coastal scenery. Yet, this route has become synonymous with danger due to rampant crime. Muggings, assaults, and thefts are frequent, with reports of at least one in ten trains being canceled daily due to security issues or vandalism. For tourists hoping to explore the Western Cape by rail, the risk of onboard violence overshadows the journey’s appeal.
The "Devil’s Nose" train in Ecuador zigzags up near-vertical cliffs in the Andes, dropping 500 meters in just 12 kilometers. Once a vital trade route, it’s now a tourist draw for its sheer audacity. The antique trains cling to narrow, century-old tracks with no barriers, and past derailments—like one in 2007 that injured passengers—remind us of its precariousness. Thrill-seekers might revel in the ride, but for the average traveler, the stomach-churning drops and outdated safety measures are reasons to steer clear.

These routes illustrate a spectrum of dangers: human threats like hijackings and crime, natural hazards such as volcanoes and storms, and man-made perils from aging infrastructure or extreme engineering. While some, like Pakistan’s trains or Mexico’s La Bestia, face immediate security concerns, others, like Japan’s Minami-Aso or Argentina’s Tren a las Nubes, gamble with nature’s unpredictability. Common threads include poor maintenance, isolation, and exposure to elements or lawlessness—factors that can turn a journey into a nightmare.

For travelers, the allure of an offbeat train ride must be weighed against safety. Research recent incidents—such as the Pakistan hijacking—and check travel advisories before planning. Opt for well-regulated, modern rail systems where possible, and avoid routes with a history of violence or instability. Adventure is thrilling, but no view is worth risking your life over. As the world’s railways continue to captivate, these dangerous journeys remind us that not every track leads to a happy destination.

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