Train travel Trieste to Venice - where is luggage stored?

Hi Eileen. Depends on the size & # of pieces of luggage you have. Theft is possible but unlikely. If you have bags that are airplane carryon / overhead bin size, they will fit in a rack above your seat on the train where they will be in your sight so it wil be a non-issue. If bags are larger, they will go on luggage rack at end of car. In this case, you may want to keep an eye on them at each station stop, and/or use a simple cable lock or cord to attach them to the rack. In any case, 'rife with thieves onboard' is definitely an exaggeration / not true. We've ridden many trains in Italy and throughout Europe with no problem, just use common caution; 99% chance it will be fine. Enjoy your trip!

Eileen, there are different types of trains in Italy. There are express trains e.g. Frecciarossa that have reserved seats and compartments at the end of the cars for the storage of large bags - self-service, no tagging or anything. In theory people could steel them...but these are express trains where people need reservations and a conductor checks each ticket. Thieves would have to risk getting checked.

Three are also luggage racks directly over the seats for smaller bags so you can keep them close to you.

However, between Trieste and Venice Santa Lucia station, you'll probably take a regional train, since those are direct. The faster trains connect at Mestre near Venice, and even though you'd take a faster train to Mestre, once you connect to a second train on to Venice (one stop, short ride) it's probably about as fast to take the direct regional train.

Regional trains have luggage racks above the seats too. I don't recall if they have luggage storage areas at the end of the cars like the Frecciarossa trains do. Regional trains are more like commuter trains. I always travel with carry-on bags only so just put my bags above me in the racks. If the train is not crowded, you can even keep larger bags on the floor near you if you aren't blocking an aisle. There are no reserved seats on regional trains, so you wouldn't be blocking someone's reserved seat by putting your big suitcase on a seat, though someone who has to stand on a crowded train might be annoyed if you are taking up an extra seat.

Be wary of pickpockets not just on trains but anywhere in Italy where tourists gather and where it might be crowded.

Tip: when getting on or off the train, DON'T let someone "help" you lift your bags on or off the train! These aren't thieves - but they are sort of shifty characters who will expect a tip for "helping" you and may become aggressive if you refuse. Just keep your hands on your bags and refuse anyone's help. Sometimes you don't even realize someone is trying to "help" you until they've grabbed your bag as you are trying to get on the train...

Do not attach your bag to a luggage rack. Some other passengers getting on or off the train may need to move the bags around a bit. That's very common.

Sometimes bags up to 24" or so fit in the space between back-to-back seats on the train. Bags much larger than that are really awkward to carry up and down the steps onto the train carriage.

I don't worry about theft of my suitcase in transit. I don't have expensive luggage, and I don't wear expensive clothes or jewelry. Why should someone want my luggage? It's far more important to be sure a pickpocket doesn't steal your purse or lift your wallet. While not a common occurrence, it's a lot likelier than theft of a suitcase.

Eilleen I know this will be a surprise to you, but nobody is interested in stealing used clothes of no economic value. As long as you don't have a Louis Vuitton kit of suitcases, you can relax.

Note that no thief would try to run away dragging a suitcase in a camera controlled station when there are dozens of tablets and smartphones to steal. Devices that are worth 10,000 times your husband's underpants, that do have a market and that can be easily hidden or handed to an accomplice in 1 sec.

Do you think that if trains were actually rife with thieves passengers would keep on leaving their stuff in the luggage areas? Nobody likes to take unnecessary risks.

so you wouldn't be blocking someone's reserved seat by putting your big suitcase on a seat,

But you could be fined if the you stumble upon the "wrong" conductor. More, if someone had to stand you would see your suitcases fly out of the window.

DON'T let someone "help" you lift your bags on or off the train! These aren't thieves - but they are sort of shifty characters who will expect a tip for "helping" you

You mean I could ask for money any time I help some aged ladies to lift their stuff on the train and off those overhead racks (that become a little higher any given year)?

Oh, if I had just known it 30 years ago... Today I would own around 5% of Italotreno's stocks and I'd go around in a limo. It's not about good manners and waiting too long in front of the car's door, it's about money! The Columbus' egg, US edition.

I'm female, over 70 and short. I can manage my bag up and down stairs (but not lift it overhead), but I'm a bit slow going upstairs with it. Occasionally a young person grabs the bag and takes it up or down the stairs for me, if only to get me out of the way. They may or may not ask before doing so. I've learned not to worry about it; they're just being nice.

I don't worry about my suitcase on trains, but your money, cards, passport are another matter.

While not common, forum members have had/seen incidents of pickpockets taking advantage of the rush of people getting off a train and focusing on their luggage, etc. My valuables are in a money belt under my clothing while in transit.

Thank you for all the good advice and reassurance. Taking the train seems like a good option for us.

Nearly all trains from Trieste Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia are REGIONAL trains, that is commuter trains where seats are not reserved. That means you choose your seat on a first come first served basis, much like a city bus. Pickpockets are not really common aboard trains, because, unlike buses, they don’t stop frequently, so it’s hard to run away. Also thieves are generally not interested in your large suitcases, but rather prefer to steal small stuff, like wallets from pockets or purses, and especially electronic devices, like phones and tablets. Since seats are not reserved on Regional trains, if it makes you feel more comfortable, you can sit on any seat where you can easily keep an eye on your suitcases. But as I said, trains are less subject to pickpockets. Statistically city buses, city subways, and markets, are the most targeted by pickpockets, according to the Italian police.

Trains are not "rife with thieves". I travel by train all the tine, all over Europe, and have never seen anything suspicious.
I know things do happen, but the probability is low. There are things that can go wrong during travel. Your luggage can be stolen or mislaid at the airport. It is why you have travel insurance. But you should not spend to much energy worrying about this. Things usually all go right.

So don't believe the scare stories. Every day millions of Europeans travel by train, and they arrive with their luggage at their destination. Europe is not a war zone.

I've seen it several times on this forum that anyone who offers to help you with your luggage or to assist someone who is clearly struggling to cope with a ticket machine is some kind of nefarious character who must be avoided or actively repulsed.

It is actually offensive to people like me who are thoughtful and helpful, just as a character trait. Would people rather get the wrong ticket, or miss their train stop because they aren't ready with their luggage, or can't make sense of the platform monitors because they are so distrustful?

A sense of proportion seems to be needed amongst some travellers. Would they react the same way in the US?

If you want you can buy cable locks and tie your suitcase handles together. A potential thief would have a hard time to carry away multiple suitcases at once.