Securing Luggage on Trains in Italy

How big is your luggage? Larger suitcases can be stored in the luggage area at either end of the car. Smaller bags, like carryon can go on the shelf above your seat. Smaller still, like day bags, will likely fit under your seat. Cable locks can be highly problematic if they interfere with other people's luggage., or their ability to use the storage space. Some seat configurations are back to back, with a space in between for a small suitcase. Try google images for train luggage storage photos

If you are riding the high-speed trains with fewer stops and expensive tickets Insouldn’t worry about it. Mia you have large bags that need to go on the rack at the end of the seat, try to select seats near that rack and you can keep an eye on them if you wish. As CJean says, locking them to the rack is inconsiderate as often people want to move bags a bit to make room for theirs.

Smaller bags (including most carry-ones) go in the overhead rack right by your seat, where it is quite safe.

If you happen to end up in seats that are back-to-back with seats facing the opposite direction (because the seats behind you are part of a foursome around a table) there is an A -shaped space between the seat backs with room for a bag or even two on the floor, as long as they do not protrude into the aisle. I think I may choose these seats next time I am booking high-speed trains in Italy.

It’s not necessary to secure it with locks.
Try and sit in seats so you can see your luggage on the racks as you travel.
If your train has stops before yours, just get up as it stops each time to check that yours is still there.
Train travel is very easy if you pack light.

It really depends on the routes you take. I heard that some passengers unfortunately had their bags stolen--the thieves got on the train while it stopped at major stations, grabbed the bags, and got off before the train took off.

I bring cable locks with me just in case. This is for big bags that cannot be stored on the overhead rack or under my seat. I took the Italo train from Salerno to Rome. By Naples, all the overhead rack space was taken.

I think thieves would be more interested in you wallet/personal bag than your suitcase.
While still not common, I recall posts on the forum about people being distracted by people trying to "help" with their luggage, or causing a commotion in the aisle, and losing their wallet in the process.

I have put luggage in the shelves at the end of train cars frequently. As we pull into a station I keep an eye on the area, and that is the extent of my effort. I'm sure it CAN happen, but It's not something I lose sleep over. True valuables are on my body.

All Stations are camera controlled and american used clothes have no market value. The idiot who wanted to steal only Louis Vuitton bags in Milan's main station was arrested after a couple of days thanks to the security videos that showed him slowly walking toward the exit. Not surprisingly he had no criminal record and he arrived in Italy a few weeks earlier.

hollruzz, professional pickpockets need crowds to hide themselves in; they want small, expensive, things that they can hide under their clothes or throw away in a second. A suitcase has almost zero value to them whereas it's the perfect evidence for cops watching security monitors.

Protect your wallet, your tablet and your smartphone. Forget about your underwear. Just like locals who don't use locks and do not keep an eye on the luggage area each time the trains stop.

When I have to place a larger suitcase at the end of a car, I just keep an eye on it when the train stops. If you’re really nervous, stand near it for peace of mind when the train stops (just don’t stand in the way of others trying to get on and off). Normally, though, I have a smaller suitcase and it’s above my seat. A cable seems like overkill.