Hi, we are planning our first trip to europe this june. we will be taking 3 train rides. one will be on italiarail, in italy. one will be between venice and dijon, france. the third will be between paris and amsterdam. Can anyone let me know if there will be restrictions or fees for baggage?
thank you for your time and consideration
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Luggage in trains is not like planes. There is no checked baggage (with a very few exceptions), no restrictions, no fees. You can bring as much luggage as you can carry (again with a very few exceptions). It is your responsibilty to get your own luggage on and off trains, and put it in the luggage racks. Do not leave luggage in the aisles, that will annoy your fellow passengers.
The rule is, if you can schlepp it you can bring it.
See this page for more info: http://www.seat61.com/luggage-on-european-trains.htm
I would recommend the whole website as the best info source on travelling by train.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
Although there don't appear to be size restrictions, I encourage you to bring the smallest bag you can. I've seen too many people struggle with bags big enough to hide a body. As Chris mentioned, you handle your own bags. Not only on and off the trains, but on the many stairs you will encounter at the train stations. Many hotels don't have elevators, so expects to deal with stairs there too.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5457 posts
Some railways do have luggage restrictions, although in many cases these are not strictly observed so long as egregious, and are uch larger than most travellers need.
For example for the Thalys trains between Paris and Amsterdam the allowance is 2 large items of luggage (32 kilos and 158 cm maximum per luggage) and 1 small item of hand luggage per paying passenger.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Italy has two major train companies: Trenitalia and Italo. Italiarail is a ticket broker. Just pointing this out in case you are at a station looking for a train with "Italiarail" logo.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Faster trains in particular do not have luggage cars attached, so any checked cargo is shipped by another method (slow train or truck). The baggage limit on Thalys (same as on Eurostar to/from London) is very generous, allowing for much more luggage than we'd advise travelers to regularly carry. Packing light is important for all the times you'll handle your bags yourself in Europe, often with stairs, crowds, or other obstacles.