Hello all! I am traveling with 3 people.. which mean 3 suitcases and backpacks. Sorry if this is a ignorant question but when you board a train and you are in second class, How much luggage can you bring? where does the luggage get stored?
The only trains i have been on in Europe were a long time ago and we had a overnight cabin. I just need help understand how we handle luggage when board trains between our big cities and even on the regional transfers?
Thanks,
Sunny
A similar question was posted recently on this Forum, under https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/luggage-on-trains . You may find the responses helpful.
Since one train car may vary from the next, you could find overhead racks, which might be big enough for your rucksacks but not necessarily for your bigger luggage. Otherwise, racks at the end(s) of the car should be available, or there may be space between seats.
Sunny,
There's no limit on luggage (within reason) but since you'll have to carry it, its prudent to keep size and weight in mind.
There are usually luggage racks at the end of each car for larger items, but they tend to fill up quickly. Keep watch on your luggage to ensure it doesn't "disappear" while the train is stopped in a station (I've seen examples of that). Smaller items (ie: those with valuables) are stored either on the rack above your head or even on the seat beside you if the train is lightly loaded.
Have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website for information on this. You may also find it helpful to have a look at this short video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1YaAt0ZrSw
This has been asked here many times. Short answer, read this webpage: http://seat61.com/luggage-on-european-trains.htm
This site (The man in seat 61) is the best info site on train travel on the internet.
To answer your specific query, you can (in most cases) bring as much luggage as you can carry. It is the same rule for 1st and 2nd class. But, don't forget, it is your responsibility to get your luggage from the station entrance to your train (which may involve stairs, not all stations have lifts and escalators), to get it on the train, and to put it in the luggage storage areas (overhead racks, between seat backs and sometimes floor to ceiling racks at the end or in the middle of the coach).
And when you change trains, you still have to carry it.
This is why everybody says "back light", every extra Kg you bring, you will have to carry for the whole of your trip.
Excellent point by Chris. Not only do you have to haul all your luggage yourself up onto and down from the trains, you have to get to the correct platform, often by going down a bunch of stairs, down a long corridor and up a bunch more stairs. Quite often the elevator in these stations is broken. (Welcome to Italy.)
That said, it doesn't seem like you're carrying that much so you might be fine. Be ready and waiting by the door BEFORE your train arrives at your final destination. If you're on a regional train, learn the name of the last stop before yours, so you can have some warning. They don't always announce the stops in advance.
Sunny, to add to what Chris and Michael said, sometimes there is an escalator, but it's either broken or is going up when you want to go down, or vice versa. And it happens in France, Spain, etc., too!
A note about Spain, they will X-ray your bags before letting you board - much quicker than airport security, but they still want to make the journey safe for everyone, after having some problems in the past.
The older-style train cars with enclosed compartments for 4 to 6 people and containing bench seats have largely been replaced by cars with airplane-style seats, although some of them face each other and may even have a table in between.
If you can limit your suitcase size to carry on size, you can probably get it in the overhead rack near your seat (although those do fill up also) and that is much more secure than having it at the end of the car. Particularly on trains that make many stops, it is fairly easy for someone to board the train and take the luggage at a stop. Another hazard is during loading. I observed the aftermath of someone putting their purse on their seat while they loaded their suitcase into the overhead rack. While she was doing that the purse disappeared. In Italy it is no unusual for thieves to board as if they are passengers and walk down the train picking up valuables like computer bags or purses that are not secured. This is a less a hazard in Spain as security is practiced on the platforms and only passengers are admitted.
If you intend to leave the large suitcases at the racks at the end of the train car, buy a cable lock and tie them together. It will be harder for a potential thief to grab one quickly on his way off the train. Theft on high speed trains is rare but better to be safe than sorry. Be careful for the gipsy pickpockets at the station and on city transportation ( subway and city buses). Refuse to be helped to carry your luggage by the pushy gipsies, use only authorize porters from Kipoint (a company contracted by the railway agency)
You're on the right track with the advice above. See also On the Train and the first episode of Rick's Travel Skills show.
