I am traveling through Paris in the end of April and beginning of May. We are going from Paris to Bordeaux, spend a few days and go to Clolmar and end in Paris. I know to travel in trains with big luggage is horrible. Can anyone recommend a site where they can transport our luggage to our destinations, without having to downsize our luggage.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2816 posts
I 've never heard of such a service in France.
However, if you search for the various stations on the SNCF website it tells you if they have a porter service. (it's under the "Travel Assistance" options for the station if they have it. )
Heres' Gare de Lyon for example (Good luck finding these porters however)
Posted by
Cornwall
624 posts
How are you getting the luggage to France?
Posted by
Paris
7373 posts
I know to travel in trains with big luggage is horrible
It's not that horrible, as long as you can carry the luggage in one go.
- Downsize to a weight that you can lift
- Book seats at the lower level on TGV (no stairs)
- Use taxis to/from train stations
SNCF has a luggage delivery service but it costs 38€/piece, it takes 2 days (they advertise 24-48 hours), and you would need to be present for delivery. The use case is not a short trip like yours, it would only make sense if you were going to stay somewhere for an extended period.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
538 posts
Consider as an alternative to have two smaller suitcases. One you leave in Paris and pick up when you return to Paris. You could use train station storage, third party storage like nannybag or stasher or ask your Paris hotel if they could keep it for you. The other you take on the train with you to Colmar and Bordeaux and back to Paris.
Posted by
Chicago
8896 posts
My husband and I have fair sized backpacks which we use for side trips when we travel. We use them as our bag for essentials on the plane, and as luggage for side trips. e.g. last year we did side trips to Lille for a few nights and to Chartres for a night. Being able to take only the few things we needed and in a backpack for easy boarding of trains made it easy. If you are planning on lots of train trips and moving around a lot, it is imperative that you reduce the stuff you carry. A medium backpack and a carry on size suitcase that you can easily handle is the most you should try hauling around on trains.
Years ago we saw an elderly couple with a giant suitcase having trouble boarding a train and so my husband offered to help -- the moment he picked it up by the handle, the handle broke as the case was so heavy. Once on board a train the space for large suitcases will often be full. It is just a misery to do train travel with large luggage. If you organize your wardrobe around a couple pair of dark slacks and layers, you can get by with very little and make your life easier.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2560 posts
I would really consider a change to a smaller suitcase by taking far less. We had three weeks in 9/23 and husband had a gym bag and I had a weekend style suitcase and we traveled all by public transport. That was especially helpful when getting up.and down the stairs on the French trains. it did take me a few years to learn to pack light but it is worth it.
Posted by
Western Canada
3731 posts
Hi Liz.
What are the dimensions of your suitcases, how many cases do you plan to bring, how many travellers are with you, and how mobile are you all?
How long is your trip?
Perhaps if we know those things, we can help you to manage your trip more easily.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
702 posts
I agree with the earlier suggestion to use two smaller bags and leave one at your hotel (or somewhere else) in Paris. I would further suggest taking one bag to Bordeaux, returning to Paris and staying a night in the hotel, then taking the other bag to Colmar. You have to go through Paris (and change train stations) to get from Bordeaux to Colmar. If you can afford it, get an apartment in Paris for the whole trip. I'm sure you have a perfectly legitimate reason for needing big luggage (like you'll be attending a bunch of fancy events that you need a tux and a ballgown for), but for train travel, a small roll-aboard that you can easily lift and carry up/down a flight of stairs and a tote or backpack is the way to go.
I would also look at whether it makes more sense to go to Bordeaux directly upon arrival, then spend time in Paris, visit Colmar and travel directly to CDG for departure (even if you have to spend the night at the airport). I don't know the feasibility of this plan, of course, and it depends on which stations have trains to which cities.