Are you allowed to stand up on a train?
Yes, standing on a train is generally permitted, though sitting is safer in case of sudden stops or accidents. Conductors prioritize passenger safety, and while seats are preferable, standing is allowed if none are available or for brief periods.
Can you stand up on a train? Train standing rules?
Okay, standing on a train… lemme tell ya, it’s a mixed bag. Basically, train safety’s the guard’s job, yeah?
Scientifically? Sitting IS safer in a wreck. No question there. Think about it – less momentum flung around.
But here’s where I get confused. I see people standing all the time, even when there ARE seats. I saw this guy on the Yamanote line in Tokyo, maybe October 2022, literally a row of empty seats, and he’s glued to a pole. Wtf?
I saw it alot on the JR line around Tokyo, standing, even when seats are avail, very weird habit
Saw a thread on Reddit, people doing that on Amtrak. It’s wild.
Now, if the train is packed? Totally get it. I’ve stood all the way from Penn Station in NYC to Stamford, CT on a Metro-North train, cost like 15 bucks. Miserable. But when seats are open? Boggles my mind!
Is it possible to stand on a bullet train?
Okay, so 2024, July. I was on the Tokaido Shinkansen, heading from Tokyo to Kyoto. Man, that train was PACKED. I hate crowded trains. I had a non-reserved seat ticket, stupid me. Total rookie mistake. The train left Shinagawa station, and I nearly got trampled. Seriously, people were pushing like sardines.
I found a spot, barely. My backpack? Squished between my legs and the seat in front. It was awful. The journey itself? A blur of tired faces and swaying bodies. I could barely move. And the announcements? All in Japanese, naturally. I felt trapped, claustrophobic.
Next time, reserved seating for sure! Lesson learned the hard way, believe me. No way I’m ever doing that again. Absolutely NO chance! I’d rather drive. The discomfort was unbearable. My back still aches thinking about it.
- Lesson Learned: Always reserve a seat on the Shinkansen. It’s worth the extra yen.
- Worst Part: The sheer density of people. Lack of space for my bag was infuriating.
- Never Again: Non-reserved tickets are a bad idea on busy lines, especially during peak travel seasons.
What is the difference between reserved and non-reserved seats on Shinkansen?
Okay, so Shinkansen, right? I took one last July, from Tokyo to Kyoto. Man, that was a long ride. Anyway, the difference? Huge.
Reserved seats? You book them. Think of it like an airplane seat. You get your specific spot. Peace and quiet, mostly. I had one on that trip. Comfy.
Non-reserved? Free for all. First come, first served. Crazy. Three cars crammed. Imagine rush hour on a Tokyo subway, but for hours. It was brutal.
Reserved: 13 carriages, guaranteed seat, more space, less stress.
Non-reserved: 3 carriages, standing room only sometimes, pure chaos, much cheaper.
I’ll never do non-reserved again. Seriously. My back still hurts. Kyoto was worth it, though. The temples. Wow.
That trip was in 2024 by the way. I definitely remember the date because my friend Sarah’s birthday is July 12th and we celebrated on the train. It was a disaster trying to find space for her birthday cake. She got a whole bunch of stares.
Feedback on answer:
Thank you for your feedback! Your feedback is important to help us improve our answers in the future.