Discovered a cheap train station trick in Europe that cut my lodging costs in half

Last fall I was traveling through Italy and needed a place to stay overnight near the Florence train station. I had read online that some train stations have waiting rooms that are open all night, so I decided to check it out. Instead of booking a hostel for 50 euros, I just hung out in the main terminal lobby with my backpack. Around midnight I found a quiet corner with a bench and put my coat over my head. I slept for about 5 hours without anyone bothering me, and security just walked past. The next morning I used the station bathroom to wash up and saved a full night's lodging cost. Has anyone else tried sleeping in a train station lobby to save money on a trip?

3 comments

3 Comments

willow4071mo ago

Wait, did you have any trouble with your luggage while you slept? I did something similar at the Munich Hauptbahnhof once, and I ended up looping my backpack strap around my leg so no one could grab it quietly. It worked out fine for me too (like you said, security just walks past if you look like a tired traveler). The main thing is finding a spot that's not right in the main walkway so you don't get bumped around all night. I'd totally do it again for a short layover or a single night, especially since even cheap hostels add up fast.

ross.felix22d ago

Looping the strap around your leg is smart. I've done that before with a sleeping bag, but for my actual backpack I usually just kind of wedge it between my legs and the back of a bench seat so it's pinned in place. Finding a corner spot near a pillar or a less busy hallway was the key for me, somewhere you can lean against the wall without blocking the flow of people. Security never gave me a second look, they're just checking for drunk guys causing trouble not folks catching a nap.

blakem131mo ago

Did you just tie your strap around your leg or like hook it through something?