I have heard many times to watch your luggage on the train to avoid theft, but never actually saw a theft of luggage until today as the train stopped at the Lisbon Oriente station. The American’s traveling in our coach had large bags that did not fit into the overhead and had them in the luggage storage area. When the train stopped, the ticket collector noticed someone with a backpack (looking like a tourist) reach for a large suitcase. Due to his quick thinking, the ticket collector chased the thief and caught him, turning the thief over to the police and got the luggage back to the Americans. Everyone in our coach clapped and gave him a standing ovation. Just a reminder to me to keep my eyes on my bags.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5342 posts
My wife has a friend who had her suitcase stolen a few years ago in Paris while she watched from her seat, unable to get over there in time. The thief walked onto the train and acted like he was looking for his luggage and then grabbed hers and ran. In 2019 on a train from Nice to Paris I noticed at each stop between Nice and Marseille that every time the train stopped, the locals would stick their heads into the aisle watching the luggage rack. Some even got up and stood by their luggage at the stops.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2358 posts
This is So sad and does worry me, but if they stole my bag they would be so disappointed. It would contain mainly clothes, most of them dirty. Everything important, including an extra set of uns, is on my lap in my R. Steves Euro bag or in my money belt.
Posted by
la la land...
1383 posts
Some even got up and stood by their luggage at the stops.
Exactly what I did in years past, especially on trains with frequent stops. Less of an issue on Eurostar London to Paris or vice versa, which tend to be the only train trips I take anymore.