I am concerned about our luggage when traveling by train. We will be going from Venice to Lake Como and then continue on for a cruise. Hence, we will have a 2 large suitcases and 2 carry on suitcases. Does anyone know if there is a place on the train for the luggage, or will we need to keep it with us at our seats and use up our leg room?
Alternatively, we can rent a car for Venice to Lake Como and then drop off at the Milan airport when flying out for the cruise
Yes, there will be space on the train, but you need to be able to carry your luggage "in one go", i.e. no going back and forth between inside the train and the platform.
Also, how do you plan to carry your luggage in Venice? There will be steps, even with a water taxi.
Finally, do you really need what I assume will amount to 100 pounds of luggage between you? You would do yourself a favor packing ever so slightly lighter, even three pieces of luggage instead of four will be helpful
The general rule these days, everywhere in Europe, I'm afraid, is you brung it you tote it. There won't be porters or a luggage car. There will be a place to put luggage, and if you are joining the train at Venezia Santa Lucia - the main station for Venice, on the Grand Canal - you are joining at the origination station for the train. You can get there a little early and when they open the doors have a shot at a decent place for your bags. If the train terminates at Milano Centrale - rather than continuing to a further destination - you will have a bit of time to get off with the luggage too.
Changing to the train to your destination in Milan will be easy, but less easy. I, or others, can give further help if we know where on Lake Como you need to get to. The plan varies depending on the destination.
How large is "2 large suitcases"?
Is that 4 suitcases for just 2 people?
Yikes.
If you really must travel with so much you might consider exchanging the carry on roller bag for one of these- RS convertible-at least you can put it on your back making getting around Venice a bit easier and getting on/off trains, etc. And you will have a hand free. We have one and find it very useful- it actually holds more than you'd get into a hard sided carry on bag as it expands and is soft.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/carry-on-backpack
ETA: I am assuming your bags are roller bags? Hopefully yes.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming you're arriving to Venice from the airport. To make this a little easier, pack your carry on with only the items you will need for your pre cruise stops. Making sure everything for the cruise is in your checked bag.
From VCE , take the bus to Pizzale Roma, then to the train station and check your large bag at their left luggage facility. This eliminates hauling around two bags each and since your next leg is by train it makes retrieving the luggage easy. (Do allow additional time for picking them up)
Your checked bag will likely be stowed in the end of the rail car. If you like, take a small bicycle lock to attach them. (I've never found this necessary.) Your carry on will fit in either an overhead rack or between the seats.
Hope this helps, have a great trip.
All passenger trains have lots of luggage storage. Your large suitcases will fit in the luggage bins or shelves near the entrance to the train car. Your carry-on size can go on the overhead racks. Sometimes the seats are arranged back to back creating an A shape space between the two seat backs. That space can often take one larger suitcase but it does not belong to one seat or another. If the space is available, take it. On other trains all seats face the middle so that space is not available.
And, please, do not place your luggage on a seat near you even if the seat is open at the moment.
Thank you for all the pertinent information. We have decide to rent a car prior to departing Venice and drive to Lake Como, returning the car to the Milan airport when flying out to catch our cruise.
If you have decided to rent a car be sure to research ZTL, TUTOR, IDP, and the driving laws in Italy which are different than many places, the signage, and how to pay the tolls.
If you need help with any of those, ask.
thank you....I will check out the site on diving in Italy! I appreciate the information.
Be aware that car trunks have gotten pretty small especially for car models rented in Europe. I think when people here see “two large suitcases and two carry ons” they assume the latter is what they might normally travel with, and nothing else. If you mean one 25” bag and one 21” each, having a rental car will not be a solution unless it’s a really big one. Or if you pile some of your bags on the seat and don’t stop on the way (else you’ll risk being robbed). If your carry on is a day pack or similar a large piece of luggage that is certainly manageable whatever your mode of transport. Rental car or no four pieces of proper luggage sounds like a headache. My carry on in Europe is a day pack and I check my 22” suitcase, works great. Easy to carry upstairs as it packs to around 32 lbs. and fits in the truck of a rental car (unlike my 25” bag).
very helpful....we will be sure to get a vehicle large enough to accommodate the luggage based on the information your provided.
