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luggage restrictions on trains in Italy

are there luggage size or weight restrictions on trains in Italy?

Posted by
3 posts

In my experience there are no luggage restrictions on trains in Italy, BUT, there are overhead shelves and space in the end of most rail cars. Many times (for instance the train from Malpensa Airport (Milano) to Milano Centrale everything is full and people have their very large rolling suitcases blocking the aisles. Remember that you must wrestle it onto the train, into the storage area (if it is not already full!), and off again. There is no help with this, so think carefully about how much you are willing to take.

Posted by
32173 posts

cryer,

There are no luggage or weight restrictions, but you'll need to be able to handle whatever luggage you take as there are no Porters. On the high speed trains, there are luggage racks at the end of each car but they tend to fill up fairly quickly. If you place any luggage there, it's a good idea to watch it closely so that it doesn't "disappear". There are racks above the seats where you can place smaller items (keep bags with valuables with you). If the train is lightly loaded, it's usually possible to keep large bags at the seat with you.

You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website as that has all the information you'll need on travelling by train in Europe (or anywhere else).

Posted by
8094 posts

Do yourself a great favor and stick to Rick Steve's packing list. Anything more is a hassle to handle.

Posted by
693 posts

There are also slots between the back to back seats on high speed trains that will take suit cases. The racks above the seats will easily take a medium size suit case if you can lift it overhead.

Posted by
1507 posts

There are no restrictions but traveling on trains with heavy and bulky luggage is a sort of slow suicide. At some stations you need to walk underground passages - good luck climbing the stairs with a big piece of luggage. You have to lift everything three steps to enter the railway cars, and maybe lift your luggage over your head to put it on the racks. When you arrive, the same thing in reverse. In my experience you can bring on airplanes a fairly big suitcase - the limits are the weight and dimensions accepted by your airline - but if you have to take trains you should better having a smaller and lighter suitcase.

Posted by
23178 posts

If you can carry it, you can bring it on board. Absolutely no restrictions. Big advantage to trains.

Posted by
3057 posts

Yes, if you can carry it --- up and down steep stairs, on and off the trains (usually three narrow steps) and manage within the train carriage ( don't count on space anywhere but the overhead racks), then you are welcome to bring anything aboard.

Posted by
32521 posts

I was on a train yesterday (England, same rules) when one of the only people standing was standing next to a string bass. He friend was next to a cello. Both were in cases, and both refused to play.

Posted by
19052 posts

per Sasha,

the "three narrow steps" today applies mostly to older regional trains - at least in Germany. Newer express trains (ICE/IC/EC) have (almost) platform height boarding, as do the newer, double deck regional trains. But, as David points out, it's much easier to board with a single backpack style carryon bag than with multiple large suitcases.

I've almost never been on a train that was so crowded that I could not put my single carryon bag on the seat next to me, or at worst, in the rack above the seat.

Posted by
111 posts

After traveling many times on European trains, we had a carry-on bags stolen on the Lucca-Pisa train. We put our bags in the luggage section near the door, went up a half flight to find seats, and went back to get our bags to bring forward.. One was stolen within a minute of boarding. So, ALWAYS keep your bag with you, as was said above.. Another word to the wise. Our tickets were less than E15, so we just paid in cash. Had we used our credit card, this would have been covered by the card insurance.. Hard lesson learned. FYI, if this happens, you need a police report from that station for further attempts at recovery.

Posted by
15043 posts

If you intend to use trains, travel with only carry on size luggage, or at most, an expanded carry on size. It's not fun to carry bigger luggage aboard and off trains, or lift it overhead on the racks.

Posted by
8377 posts

Big luggage is a good reason to learn to say "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" in Italian.