Luggage storage and trains

If I understand your question, the simple answer is, no. You take your luggage with you and store it where it is convenient. Now, there are some huge misconceptions about luggage and train travel. It is similar to a pickpocket on every corner. Luggage theft from the common bins is exceptional rare. We have tossed our luggage in the bins for nearly thirty years and never had a problem. The real issue may be, "Do you have too much luggage? " I don't know what you mean by "Large suitcase." There is big and large and really large. The overhead racks on most trains (not all) will hold your carry on size luggage but the big go in the bins. Put your luggage in the bins, relax, and it will be there when you get off.

Thank you for that reply. That helps me understand much better. We are not bringing anything overly large just common sizes. But now I understand what goes where.

Thank you,
Stacy

Luggage theft from the common bins is exceptional rare.

Mostly because the US clothes in the big suitcases have zero street value whereas the US phones and tablets usually kept in the smaller handbags are in great demand.

Imagine running away in a camera controlled station dragging either a large suitcase or a small handbag, what would you do as a thief?

That is true but still rare. The biggest issue, IMO, with train travel and luggage is the three narrow and high steps into the coach. And people pushing both ways to get on and off. Best practice is someone at the top of the steps getting the luggage from someone handing the luggage up or down but it is can be a zoo. Second, booking first class would reduce some of that pressure since there are fewer people in a first class coach. But at 80 we are still tossing our luggage in the bin.

If you choose to go Business Class, it is only a little more money when you buy SuperEconomy Tickets, but you will have more room, bigger seats, and fewer people. These tickets are like airline tickets, nonrefundable and specific to a particular train. The racks for large luggage are by the entrance, so you don't have to drag them to your seats. You can check out Youtube videos like this one traveling in Business Class on a Frecciarosso 1000, which is the type of train used by Trenitalia for the direct Venice-Naples trains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhKwLxB_EVs

Thank you for that idea of booking first class. It is more my parents I'm worried about but I'm glad to see you and your wife are still doing it at 80! The NYC subway prepped me well with all the pushing and shoving in tight spaces so that's a bonus😊

Since the bins are by the doors I carry a bike lock and cable the whole works together in Italy. Zip ties for the zippers too. If you need to change trains follow along with your watch so you can be at the door and ready to jump off with your bags (I'm speaking about small stations) as trains don't hang around they pull up/stop/and go. And just for Italy I wear a whistle on a chain around my neck. I have pulled it out every time I am in the Naples trains station and showed it to the pickpocket, who then moves on to some other unfortunate soul. Have used it twice in Rome, the young girl dropped the wallet she had taken, and the 3 guys who were surrounding me planning on taking my money ran away. I'm only going into so much detail since you will be assisting your parents and occupied doing that. And ps Don't let mom use a purse. J

Sam,

Thank you for the link.

Much appreciated,

Stacy

Thank you for that advice Joanne! Those are great points. I like the whistle idea too.

Stacy

Since the bins are by the doors I carry a bike lock and cable the
whole works together in Italy.

This is somewhat controversial. But from the video, you can see that the luggage racks, while close to the entrance, are within the compartment, at least in Business Class. You can keep an eye on them during the few stops between Venice and Naples.

Sorry, but the lock is not controversial: it is just a stupid idea and an annoyance for all the other passengers.

These thieves are either pregnant teens or kids younger than 14 without citizenship that can't be detained or deported. Therefore they are not able and they are not interested in stealing the big suitcases people leave in the bin by the door.

Why? Because they can't run away with suitcases they can't easily carry, and because they know big suitcases contain nothing worth stealing.

More, being recorded while carrying a stolen suitcase is an evidence; they know that they can't be detained, but that they can be sentenced.

They want the iPhones&iPads handbag, the wallet thay can take without being noticed and that they can hand to another kid out of the train in a matter of seconds.

Why? Because this way none can be arrested in flagrante delicto and sentenced for theft unless a camera has recorded the all scene from the beginning.

Thanks Dario, I was just trying to be polite (but inviting a blunt comment).

I appreciate your point Dario; no one is trying to run off with a large item. 😉 My main concern was not of theft but of where to put what and also being responsible for hoisting suitcases to their appropriate places since I'll be the "parent" to my older mom and dad. Thank you!