Train stations regarding luggage and stairs

Generally the stairs come into play when you have to change platforms to catch a connecting train. You leave one train, go down a set of stairs to tunnel that links all the platforms, and then up a set of stairs to your platform for the next train. Some larger stations will have an elevator.

For Salzburg to Zurich and Zurich to Paris you can take a direct train with no changes, so no stairs required to change platforms. From Prague to Salzburg you will have to change once. Use the BahnCard.de website to see what stations are the connecting point, and then see if the platforms are listed on the schedule. You may not have to change platforms. Or if you do, there may be an elevator if you look up the station information.

But you will still have to climb two steps to board most trains. Can you do that with luggage?

Are you sure rail passes are the way to go? I don't know your full itinerary, but advance-purchase tickets can be surprisingly inexpensive.

Prague main station has elevators and escalators to the platforms.
You will need to change trains between Prague and Salzburg. Make sure to buy tickets with only one change, either at Linz Hbf or Vienna Meidling. Both have elevators to the platforms, you may need to use them to change platforms when you change trains there.
Salzburg Hbf has elevators and escalators from street level to the train platforms.
At Zurich Hbf, train platforms are at street level.
Paris Gare de Lyon, train platforms are at street level.

However, you will have to lift your luggage possibly up a couple of stairs into the train and lift luggage into overhead racks or luggage storage space at the ends of the cars.

A rail pass is probably not a good value. Buy tickets in advance for good prices, as they work like airplane tickets. Nonrefundable tickets bought well ahead of time will be a lot less than tickets bought at the stations.

Sounds like you need a teen age grandchild to come along as your 'porter'.

You may be able to avoid stairs at stations, but you could hit problems at hotels. It is very common for older hotels to have a few steps up to the entrance. A ramp may have been added at the side for wheelchairs, but is a ramp better or just as bad?

Most large stations will have been made wheelchair friendly. This will either be a ramp, or a lift. For the lift you may have to ask staff for assistance, it may be the staff or luggage lift and only useable if accompanied by a staff member.

I think going by air, with all the associated getting to and from airports (possibly by train), and getting around airports will be more of a problem for your wife.

You say "My wife can walk up stairs but we, especially she, cannot be carrying luggage up stairs":
Can you restrict your luggage so there is only one case, which you carry (or wheel where on the flat). Perhaps with a small day-pack each to carry on your back.
Click here for photo of train door (a German "ICE" High Speed train). As you can see, it is 3 steps up. What many people with big cases do, is standing on the platform, put the case on the top step, then get on, and pick up the case? Could your wife do that?

A rail pass is usually not the cheapest option. It is usually a lot cheaper to buy advance purchase tickets from the railway company websites.

Finally, why Zürich? Most people go to Switzerland for the Alps, not cities. Zürich is not even the best city to visit in Switzerland.

Thanks for everyone's response! The goal is early December and Prague-Salzburg-Zurich-Paris with the first 3 being 3 nights each, 1 night in Paris. We plan to do these following day trips: Prague to and from Dresden, Salzburg to and from Vienna, Salzburg: to and from Munich, Zurich: to and from Lucerne, Zurich: to and from Bern. Since I cannot book those trains now, I have been checking the prices for this month for the trains to use as an example which doesn't help because it is summer now and more expensive to compare to. So I assume that if I book these trains closer to December, they would be cheaper to book individually than a global pass for the places we are staying and the places we are visiting?

Chris - I think 5-6 steps would be okay, but I saw some pictures of people walking up 2-3 flights of stairs at some train station...don't know which one but that was a big scare, just lifting the luggage up all those stairs and the pain and missing a train while doing all that lifting...that's what scared me. But I think Lucerne, not Zurich is the best closest place for a little snow and I hear Lucerne is prettier at Christmas.

If you want to visit Vienna as a day trip, why not just stop there for an afternoon on the way between Prague and Salzburg. Luggage can be stored in lockers at Vienna Hbf.

Munich can be visited from Salzburg with a Bayern ticket for 31 EUR total. Includes regional train to Munich (after 9 am weekdays, any time weekends), all public transport in Munich, and return train to Salzburg.

It sounds like she'll be fine on these train routes with your assistance and the available lifts. If necessary, each country's railway system will provide free boarding assistance to disabled and elderly passengers, but that service requires advance booking.
Of course, try to start with luggage as light as possible for each of you: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light.

Next, how firm is this trip plan? None of your destinations would benefit from having a rental car.

• Dresden, Vienna, and Lucerne are all worthwhile cities to stay overnight, if you have the time. Note that Prague-Dresden trains typically take 2h 20m each way, running about 2 hours apart, so you'll probably need the 8:30 a.m. departure.
• I can't really see spending just a half-day in Vienna, although there is at least plenty of train service between there and Salzburg (also about 2.5 hours each way). FYI, either Munich or Vienna are served by direct train from Prague.
• Pretty much anyone here would sleep for a few days in Lucerne instead of Zurich. Train connections to any next stops should be pretty equivalent.

Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the Deutsche Bahn train schedule link and tips for using it.

Note that waiting for help or for the elevator can add a lot of time to your connections, so take that into account.

Laura - I think you are right about rental cars and from what I am hearing everyone say, a rental car is a bad idea. The lightest my wife can travel is a 32 inch suitcase. I think we should get to a train station early enough and I can haul her suitcase up any stairs. I am big and strong and she can walk distances, but lifting is hard for her because of having bunion surgery a while back so as long as there are no 100 step stairs, we should be fine. And yes, I need to make sure we are not staying at hotels that don't have elevators to rooms. Having back pain really would kill her enjoyment of the experience....an experience that will cost a lot.

Sam - I thought about doing the day trip to Vienna and realized that getting checked in to our hotel in Salzburg is best and then the next day we can go there and spend an evening visit (to see the christmas lights and the christmas market) and come back late to Salzburg.....although the other option would be to just stay a night in Vienna but then we are unpacking and packing and spreading ourselves too thin.

Richard, I think what you are worried about is something like this (photo): http://www.abload.de/img/img_922305rvm.jpg
This is common where the platforms are linked by an underpass, and there are stairs up to each platform. If the station has been modernised in the last 20 years there will be a ramp (it may be behind the photographer), or escalators, or a lift.
If you are changing trains, you can always add more time at each station, for example 30 minutes instead of 10.

I am not sure what a 32 inch suitcase is. 32 inches = 81 cm, but is that longest dimension, or diagonally? That sounds big, you may have problems with a case that big on any transport, or getting in and out of hotels. I hope you mean one case between two, that you wrangle, or one each?
I suggest you read this info on luggage in trains: https://www.seat61.com/luggage-on-european-trains.htm

Prague-Salzburg-Zurich-Paris with the first 3 being 3 nights each, 1 night in Paris. We plan to do these following day trips: . . . ., Zurich: to and from Lucerne, Zurich: to and from Bern.

I strongly recommend you to stay in Luzern instead of Zürich. You can still do a trip to Bern from Luzern. Luzern has a lovely old town, and boat trips on the lake. Luzern to Paris is the same time as Zürich - Paris. See this 360° panorama of Luzern: http://tour.luzern.com/360/en/

Since I cannot book those trains now, I have been checking the prices for this month for the trains to use as an example which doesn't help because it is summer now and more expensive to compare to. So I assume that if I book these trains closer to December, they would be cheaper to book individually

It doesn't work that way. Train prices start low and go up. They never go down. The only difference in the busy summer is that the tickets sell faster so go up in price faster. It is always cheapest to buy as early as possible, as soon as the tickets become available.

1 night in Paris, no way! Either go for at least 3 nights, or fly home direct from Zürich.

If the lightest your wife can pack is a 32 inch suitcase, you are in trouble. No wonder she can't climb stairs with it, it must weigh 75 lbs. No more than a 25 incher. You can have your hotel do laundry for her while you are doing one of those day trips.

Chris - the length is 81cm and I think the limit for trains is 85cm but yes, my wife and I would each have luggage that size. My wife's bag weighs less than 50 pounds as well as mine.

The best deals on train tickets will be available when tickets for your dates first go on sale. Those dates will probably vary by country. Don't wait until December to look for tickets.

The Seat61 website may be helpful in pinpointing on-sale dates, but train companies can and do change their sales policies, so it would be best to check frequently to see whether your dates are available for purchase. Perhaps trainline.eu would be the easiest ticket source, rather than dealing with a separate train company for each country.

..... A 32" suitcase is a steamer trunk. Get is closer to a 22,24, or even 25. That is too big and too heavy to conveniently handle even if you are big and strong.

Watch Rick's TV clip on packing and the follow up by Sarah Murdock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58HdRSTAFec
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJeV5zHhr6Q

Also follow this current thread.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/what-size-luggage

Train prices do not fluctuate with the season like airline prices. They have a regular fare which is pretty much fixed. Then most companies offer significant discounts for advance purchase, 3 months (or more) in advance. These are generally restricted tickets, meaning they can only be used on the particular train for which they were purchased. They are non refundable. Sometimes they can be changed with a change fee.

So looking now for a random date in September (27 Sept.) I see the following fares on trInline.eu

https://www.trainline.eu

Prague to Salzburg, €24 in 2 class or €44 in 1st

Prague to Dresden is a bus for €9,70

Salzburg to Zurich, €29 in 2d class

Zurich to Paris, €29 in 2d class or €62 in 1st

Zurich to Luzern will be 24 CHF even if bought the day of travel. For tickets entirely within Switzerland, there is usually no discount for advance purchase, unless you want a Saver Day Pass.

As you can see, these fares are far lower than the cost of a rail pass. For travel in early December you could start looking in August. I was looking at a date 115 days out and the fares were there.

Thanks Frank and Lola. I guess I better stick to 24inch luggage at the most. The prices for the trains don't seem too bad, so it looks like it is better to buy the tickets for each site right when they first come on sale and skip the global pass.

Salzburg and Vienna train stations have elevators on every platform. Escalators as well.

Generally that is correct. Train ticket prices do not bounce around like US airline tickets. Each country train ticketing policy is different but general the train companies offer some tickets at a deep discount for advance sales and maybe a few more at a moderate discount. But once sold there are no more. These will have restrictions as to changing and refunds. Generally NO !! The number of tickets available will dependent on the route and the time. Obviously a 6am train will have more discount tickets available than a 10am. So if willing to commit to a specific date and time, the discount can be a very good deal.

Which Global Pass were you considering? Your $1200 price for two sounds like a 7-day select pass in second class. If so, it says right on the RIlEurope page that each travel day costs $82. Not one of your trips will cost even half that if you buy the tickets ahead at the prices I saw.

Lola, someone told me that unlimited use for 10 days (rail pass) is the best deal but since looking at a number of ticket prices and adding them up, like you said, best to buy each one individually.

I told my wife the trip to Hawaii we just took where she had a big carry on bag and a 32 inch luggage, not to mention the garment bag - would not work. She would have to eliminate the garment bag, downsize her carry on in a big way, and downsize her 32 inch luggage 24 inch luggage. If she cant agree to that, then the only choice is a rental car from Prague to Paris all the way, with trains to the day visits? Or is a rental car too difficult or costly with gas, parking, etc?

What is odd is a rental car from Prague to Paris for the 10 days is $1,400 but a rental car from Dresden to Paris for the 10 days is about $650!! Germany must be bosom buddies with France where as Prague must be enemies with France charging over double to return a car to France, LOL!! What the hell?

Renting a car in one country and dropping it off in another is exceedingly expensive. The driver must have an IDP (International Driver Permit). The passenger should be able to navigate driving in all the countries to be passed through. Both parties should learn the rules of the road, the signage and all the ways you can get ticketed.

A good reference about all this is the free downloadable brochure, What you should know about renting a car in Europe 2018.

We have rented cars and driven in many countries in Europe. We have always picked up the car and returned it to the same country. And we did it because we wanted to drive, not as an excuse to carry more or bigger luggage. In fact, the car we used in the Netherlands was so small that our 22" bags and 2 small personal items would not all fit in the trunk. One piece had to go on the back seat.

I don't know how old you are, but some rental agencies have age limits that start around 70.

Edited to add: I lived in Germany for 3 Decembers. I can't remember ever driving anywhere except to and from work in the winter those 3 years. I always took the train.

Maybe a car rental is best. No up and down platforms, no being stuck to a time schedule when going from location to location, or on day trips, no luggage hauling issue, just pop the luggage in the trunk, complete freedom the entire time from Dresden in this case to Paris and everything in between is our time owned by us. Gas and Valet parking are the only extras and parking on day trips. As it is, in the SF bay area, we pay almost $4 a gallon for gas as it is. Valet at hotels may run about $25-$40 per day.

A car rented in Prague and dropped off France must be transported all the way across Germany to the Czech Republic before it can be rented again. To Germany, it only has to be transported to the border.

If you go that way, assuming you are flying into Prague, you can rent the car in Dresden during your day trip. Just make sure they are OK with it being used in the Czech Republic and the trunk is big enough to handle 2 giant suitcases. You will need to buy vignette stickers and attach them for the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland. Get an International Drivers Permit as well.

More great responses! Yes, Sam, flying in to Prague. It make sense to take the day trip to Dresden after a night spent in Prague and this saves over $600 on the car rental (and get the IDP before we travel). It's more than just the luggage size, it is all the hassle with trains and schedules every day - as opposed to renting a car and not having to wake up at certain times, having to follow all the train schedules, and running late and those inherent major stresses. Plus we can see the Christmas markets in Prague and Dresden during our 3 nights stay with your idea.

Richard, I upsized from a 21" to a 24" case on my last trip (34 days) and the bigger size made it sooo easy .... to throw in more unnecessary stuff, and increase the weight beyond what I could lift easily. Can't even imagine how much a packed 32" bag would weigh!

On earlier trips of 21-42 days I had taken the 21" roller plus a smaller personal item (Rick Steves Eurotote, which rides on the roller bag.) The more transfers you make, the more annoying each extra pound becomes.
Yes, the stresses with a rental car are different -- and even being used to Bay Area gas prices, paying €60 for a half-tank fillup was shocking. We had a 21", a 24" and two smaller personal bags and it took strategic packing to get it all in the trunk. We strongly prefer leaving the driving to the train engineer unless it's an area (like Provence or Normandy) where public transit is limited.

But a car brings its own set of hassles -- overnight parking is always a big one. Most hotels do not have convenient parking garages associated with the hotel. I know it is personal preference and love to drive but we just find the trains to be far more relaxing and convenient. Unless, of course, you are going places where train service is not available. But you are planning to hit mostly large cities where a car has little to no advantage.

Thanks for the response Laura. I guess with the car comes its own stress levels. Maybe it is best to do trains and then catch a cab when looking around the cities and towns. But 60 for a half tank of gas is outrageous and that is something that is having me reconsider if a car should be a choice. Guess I am back to the trains idea with smaller luggage. Luckily, day trips only require a small bag like the one Rick Steve's has in his store.

Frank - the part about a car having little to no advantage has made me rethink everything. So smaller luggage and using trains is really the best solution that I am getting from everyone's input and since I have never been to Europe, better to take the advice of those who have. I'll break the news to my wife about utilizing the hotel washing service for clothes and traveling light.

What a great bunch of people here helping me to see the spotlight on all the forms of transportation and helping me make the decision to stay with trains for all connections and taking a cab where needed. That's my plan. Well, I'd like to see if I can possibly go with a 28 inch luggage though, lol. But no garment bags for us or heavy carry on items or it is back to Quebec and Colorado and Park City Utah, Jackson Hole, Tahoe, Banff, etc., for us if my wife cant trim down those luggage items. Hey, this brings up a good lead in. I am not a travel agent but if anyone wants to see any winter wonderland in North America, I have been to almost all of them many times and know all the best hotels and places to dine and can share that. Different topic, but I consider myself an expert level at Canadian and American Winter wonderlands. I've seen almost all the North American Christmas spots. Quebec City and Breckenridge and Park City I think are the best!

No 32-inch, 50-pound suitcase!!! It's simply not manageable!!!! Your wife is NOT simply going to the check-in counter of the airline and then giving over her suitcase. You all will be hauling it everywhere. The trains are very doable and very enjoyable, but NOT with a suitcase of that size (or anywhere near it). This is the biggest stumbling block right now to a successful and enjoyable trip.

NOR do you want to be dealing with a rental car in and out of big cities (and through different countries). More than "little to no advantage," in this particular situation, it would be a huge headache.

To answer an earlier point on car costs. For Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland you need a toll sticker, bought at the border.
For France, autoroutes have normal "Per Km" tolls.
I suggest you look up routes using https://www.viamichelin.com/ As well as routes and distances, this gives times (assuming no stops, add 10-25%) and costs, broken down into fuel and tolls. This will show you the French toll costs.

"Gas and Valet parking are the only extras and parking on day trips. As it is, in the SF bay area, we pay almost $4 a gallon for gas as it is. Valet at hotels may run about $25-$40 per day." - Do not assume city hotels have free parking, or any parking at all, always ask. If you are assuming valet parking you are in a hotel standard way above mine, 5* hotels only. And in big cities you cannot drive around and park where you want.

The (British) AA publishes petrol prices every month. Latest one here: http://www.theaa.com/~/media/the-aa/pdf/motoring-advice/fuel-reports/april-2018.pdf
Germany Euro 1.38 per litre
France Euro 1.48 per litre
Switzerland Swiss Francs 1.61 per litre
US$4 per US Gallon is give-away prices!

What would be great is if there were busses that went in this manner through all of these: Prague > Salzburg > Lucerne > Paris.

Flixbus. The US site, but just enter European city pairs to see the schedule.
https://www.flixbus.com/?wt_eid=2152466392900375382&wt_t=1528237766288&_ga=2.6119797.790380837.1528237711-363774730.1524663930

Thanks for the link Sam!

Unless your wife has medical issues that require equipment and/ or significant amounts of medication there is no reason you need a suitcase bigger than a carry on - even in winter! European trains, hotels, cars, etc., etc. are not designed for large suitcases and taking one will only complicate your trip. You are not going to the wilds of New Guinea - if you find you absolutely need something, you can easily find it - and that can sometimes be part of the fun!
With a smaller, lighter case, stairs, and significant walks with your luggage are no longer a problem - so that removes that worry about taking the trains - which is seriously the most efficient and cost effective means of travel given your itinerary.
As you've never been to Europe, the idea of packing such a small case may seem daunting. But the fine folks here are masters at packing and can give you excellent advice on what to pack - and more importantly what you can leave at home!

One more point for packing light.

You will have at least one plane change, possibly two before you reach your destination. Consider your plane may be late or you will have a short connection time.
What would your wife do if her luggage didn't make it? If it's carry on
this will never happen.

Something I haven’t seen in previous posts is a mention of the type of trip you’ve taken before. I suspect that you drove, stayed at hotels where there were elevators and perhaps porters to help with your luggage and are, therefore, unfamiliar with the type of travel you propose for Europe, where you will be taking trains and responsible for transporting your own luggage. The suggestions to drastically cut down the amount of luggage are valid. One way you can bring this home in your mind is to pack the large suitcase you (and your wife) propose to take and then attempt to walk around the block pulling it (assuming it’s wheeled), then attempt to lift it up and down a short flight of stairs and pick it up to simulate placing it on a luggage rack. I don’t think it will take long for you and your wife to see why we are recommending lightening up on luggage. It’s simply a different way of travel than you have been used to.

Richard, please, please see what you can do to reduce the size of your cases! Really, a 32" case is ENORMOUS and, IMHO, unnecessary for just a 10-night trip. We travel for 3 weeks with 24" 2-wheeled cases, which are already larger than the "Pack Light" devotees here would take, and mine weighs in at about 25 lbs. when we leave the states (heavier coming home because of the books and whatnot I buy at museums along the way). My lightweight carryon slips over the handle.

On our travels in Europe thus far, we've encountered all sorts of situations which have involved flights of stairs of varying lengths and steepness, and have needed to muscle the bags on and off trains in a hustle sometimes. Trust me, you'll both be MUCH happier with smaller, lighter suitcases you can manage if faced with a (pretty much inevitable somewhere) bunch of steps. Going from the size you're currently using to carryon only might be too big of a transition starting out but I'd get down to NO bigger than 24", tops. When fully packed, if either of you can't manage a flight of stairs (test them out), then something should be reduced, size, weight or both.

I think I'll go to Tj Max this weekend a measure out some luggage. I'll see how a 25 inch suitcase sizes up. I can always do a dry run and pack the suitcase and as someone suggested, take it around the block and up the stairs at our home. I currently have a 28 inch suitcase which I am hearing is a no-go so this weekend, I'll test the smaller one out. God I hate washing clothes at hotels. It sounds so non-jetsetting, non-galavanting, non-romantic as I always imagined a trip to Europe would be. I guess if someone just flies to one country and stays at one hotel, they wouldn't have all these considerations but my 4 stop trip is worth whatever sacrifices have to be made.

God I hate washing clothes at hotels. It sounds so non-jetsetting, non-galavanting, non-romantic as I always imagined a trip to Europe would be.

In many cities you can drop off your clothes at a laundry and pick them up at the end of the day, washed, dried and folded. Usually costs about 20 Euro for a 21" case full of clothes.

You have gotten lots of good advice about reducing your luggage sizes and weight. I have another tidbit. Start a weight lifting program!!!! As we age, we lose muscle, which is why luggage, even if the weight does not change, feels heavier. I swear by weight lifting ( and no, I’m not hardcore), just a once a week lifting schedule. The other day my neighbor was struggling to take the top of her oil gage on her car, I walked over and popped it off just like that. She was very impressed as she had really struggled with it.
Oh and I’m with you on the NOT washing clothes in the sink bit. Always plan to have our clothes laundered by hotel once or twice. Your right, washing clothes in the sink is as un-glamorous as they come.

I like the idea about dropping laundry off. The price of 20 Euros means we can focus on the fun stuff.

God I hate washing clothes at hotels. It sounds so non-jetsetting,
non-galavanting, non-romantic as I always imagined a trip to Europe
would be

LOL, Richard! While not especially romantic, we figure a trip to the laundromat is just another part of the European experience. We've met some darned interesting people whilst sudsing up the clothes! But yes, you can certainly pay to have a service do it so as not to interfere with the galavanting. 😊

Or, Richard, you could think of washing clothes and downsizing to smaller suitcases as part of a highly romantic return-to-your-youth trip. ;-)
OK, that's not going to fly. But jet-setters use hotel laundry services to have their tuxedos pressed and ball gowns spiffed up.

Thanks for the last two responses...made my day! Anyway, I checked a local store and a 25 inch luggage is perfect for me. Now to break the news to my wife, lol.

Now to break the news to my wife, lol.

Do it gently. Alcohol may help. 🍷🍷🍷 (apologies if you two don't imbibe).

A 32" suitcase is bigger than some of my college apartments. I am trying to think of HOW (aside from WHY) I'd fill such a thing for a 10-day trip. 🤔 Mix and match, my friend, mix and match, and anything that would only be worn once stays home.

Guess downsizing for this adventure may be a big enough shock to the system that we should save a discussion around the fine art of sink washing for another day? 😱

The first thing to do is lower the weight in the luggage case, presumably a spinner, to no more than 33 lbs. If you rely on the elevator, there are others doing likewise and will have 3-5 pieces and you most likely won't get on. Keep in mind the elevators may carry 5-6 persons, that is with out luggage. Escalators are better.

I would skip the rental car option.

have you consideredtaking a group tour of Christmas markets? you would still need to downsize your luggage but on most tours(other than RS) they will handle one bag each for you. yes you would have to get up early and be ready to go but all the travel logistics would be done for you and could even be less expensive

We used 32-inch suitcases...when we went for an eight-month sabbatical. Books and research materials were in the suitcase, along with clothes for three seasons. It held as much as the trunks we used when we moved to the States back in the old days. BTW, the 32-incher went over the weight limit. It cost a lot.