Oui luggage

I think they are pretty strict, since it is part of what their entire business model is based on.

If you are strong, you can get luggage to an upper deck. I have seen friends do it, although I packed in such a manner as to not to have to, as it's more effort than I am willing to make.

If I remember correctly, there is an additional fee for larger luggage. Have you paid that fee?

Is your question about Oui vs SNCF or about Ouigo which is the discount train option. Oui is simply a marketing name used by the SNCF.

If you are traveling on Ouigo, luggage dimensions are closely monitored and checked. You are entitled to two bags, one handheld (36x27x15cm) and a second with a limitation of 55x35x25cm. There is no weight limit. If your bag exceeds this limit, you may pay 5€ online or 20€ at the station.

If you are traveling on the TGV INOUI, these limits do not apply. Bags on these trains are generally limited to 2 meters in length and 30kg.

The size limit for the larger (hah!) bag translates to 21.6" x 13.7" x 9.8". (I rounded down for safety.) That 21.6" is a very small limit--a bit less than the US- airline carry-on maximum.

so if u pay for extra bag u can bring any size?

how can you tell if you traveling on tgv oui?

its ouigo

we are seated for free downstairs
but its jammed

tons of seats upstairs for a fee

That 21.6" is a very small limit--a bit less than the US- airline carry-on maximum.

I agree that 55cm is smaller than the US carry on standard of 22¨ but a 22¨ bag is too large as a carry on for just about any European air carrier. Also, the 55cm limit includes the total length including wheels and handle (if it protrudes beyond the outer limit of the case).

Ouigo is the SNCF´s response to low cost air fares and their rules are very similar to those of, for example, Ryanair.

so if u pay for extra bag u can bring any size?

The 'additional or oversize' luggage has a 30 kg weight limit and a 2m x 2m dimensional limit, per the website.

Also noted the 'a or o' bag fee is 5 euro when part of the booking and 20 euro at the station.

Hope you do not have multiple extra bags

also can u get large luggage to upper deck?

The diagram I saw for the upper deck ( 3 euro seat fee) shows luggage storage, so presumably , if you can carry, you can bring it up there.

I've definitely been on train carriages--I think in France--where the only seating choice was down a few steps or up some steps. There were no seats at the the same level as the entryway. Perhaps those were not TGV carriages, though?

Acraven - yes, there are plenty of TGV carriages in France that are set up exactly as you are mentioning — you have to go up or down upon boarding.

followup no staff to check bags so didnt need to pay

Well, that turned into an Emily Litella moment.

Thanks for the follow up

I was on a TER train a few weeks ago from Mulhouse to Lyon. It was an old train with compartments that sat eight. The only place for luggage was on the rack above your head.

it is on TER, after all, kerouac2. I've seen some interesting trains over the years, including the "bus on rails" which used to ply the routes around Marseille. I still think compartment trains are best. As recently as 3 years ago I was on an open window compartment train around Mulhouse and Bâle.

The carriages on the Yellow Train through the Pyrenees are also not exactly modern.

France is the only country where I've ever simply found no place for my bag on the train. I'm short and cannot possibly lift it overhead (not sure it would fit anyway). In August when the whole country seems to be on the move, it's a real problem if you board at an intermediate station. More than once I had to sit on a jump seat in the vestibule and move my bag at each stop to the side of the train away from the open door.