Frecce train luggage restrictions

Patti,

There are luggage racks at the end of each coach, however they often tend to fill up quickly so it would help if you could be one of the first to board. Some bags will also fit in the inverted "V" where the two seat backs meet (not sure if that makes any sense?). The small bag / backpacks will go on the racks above your seat.

You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website.

Watch your luggage during the trip, as bags have been known to "vanish", especially when the train is in a station.

I think 25" bags are too big. Remember that you will have to push, pull, lift and carry them everywhere you go on your own. That means up and down stairs both in train stations and accomodations, into and out of trains and vaporettos, over bridges in Venice and cobblestones everywhere. The bags themselves are likely to be heavier than you think empty and too much when full. For 2 weeks, a 22" bag is plenty big so long as you do laundry yourself or have it done at a lavanderia.

There are lots of discussions about this topic on the Packing forum and the Travel tips, but a recent, fun and thorough one is here.

You can definitely fit 25 inch bags in the racks above the seats on frecciarossa, frecciargento and frecciabianca (only just) services. As long as you can lift your bag above your head. I have done it a number of times.

And on some frecce services the luggage racks are in the middle of the coach and not at the end.

Please don't underestimate the burden of carrying a 25" suitcase up and down stairs at train stations. Some stations have elevators or ramps but don't count on it. If some or all of you could downsize by a couple of inches you'll enjoy your trip much more.

Zoe makes a great point: the stairs in the stations can kill you with luggage! Weight is more of a factor than size.I keep my suitcase to around 20 lbs, maximum so I can handle it. I can go a month in any season with a 21" rollaboard. Make it work with 2 pair of shoes per person and layers that can mix-and-match. Minimize toiletries and share whatever possible.

Boring for teens, but maybe if they understand they have to carry their own luggage.... I've seen a lot of women with big bags have to give up and their spouses end up making two or three trips to carry the bags up the stairs at the station. Rick has a great suggestion: pack for your trip then spend an hour walking around your hometown with it. Make sure you do at least one flight of stairs about 20 steps long. Can you do it without help? If not, time to repack.

It all depends on your age, fitness and circumstances. We have no issues with 25 inch suitcases. We prefer to take two of these between four of us rather than bring four separate smaller cases.

And I think needing to be able to walk with the case for an hour is an exaggeration. I cannot think of any time I have ever had to do this. Even somewhere like Venice, it is a 2 minute walk from the platform to the vaporetto stop. Then a vaporetto ride. Then maybe a 5 to 10 minute walk to most accommodation.