Help Please-leaving in days! Lots of Luggage on Train from Paris? -Mom

Your daughter will need to store her large bags in the bins at the end of the carriage. It would be a good idea to secure them to the rack with a cable lock. See here: http://tinyurl.com/yryms7. The carry-on bag and backpack should fit in the rack above her seat.

Porter should be wearing a uniform and perhaps an official badge. Your daughter can ask for help in identifying them at an information "Accueil" desk.

Mom, I did the SAME thing when I went to study in Germany for a year. Except I had a huge rolling suitcase and a trunk! I don't know if people in France are as nice, but in Germany, I asked nicely and people were very helpful to me on the trains. I had to sit by the door with my luggage the whole train ride so I could easily get them on and off quickly and that's what she'll probably have to do (if they'll fit in that area.) She's going to need to learn a few key French phrases so she can ask for help. Isn't she learning at least a little French before she goes? It will probably be a difficult trip if she doesn't speak any of the language...

Tim & Amy- Thanks for the info.! We'll buy a cable lock. I don't think she'll be allowed to sit next to the luggage...I read somewhere these might be assigned seats (she's second class on the TGV East- 1.5 hr. ride), but I'll check with her, thanks! Any idea if the porter will help you get luggage onto the train itself, and what do you pay them? She took one French course this year (unfortunately, all Spanish in HS), and is trying to learn key phrases; definately helped me a lot also! The French were so helpful to me, I'm sure they'll help her out also! ---Mom

Your daughter will definitely have an assigned seat. The seats on all TGVs are reserved.

When people are struggling with luggage, especially women, someone (porter, passengers, etc) usually always lends a helping hand. I know whenever I saw the situation I always helped out.

I have moved several time around and to France and taken about the same amount.

First all luggage is stored at the end of each train car. GET THERE EARLY! It is first come first stored. and if she has alot it helps to get it up on the racks, so it's not sitting on the floor in the corridor. As for locking it. I did the first couple of times, and then stopped. I have never had anythin stolen on the train. She can lock it if it gives her the piece of mind. Just makes sure she keeps here vitals close by. Other passangers tend to scowl if more than just a backpack or "carryon" is shoved above her train seat.

If she does choose to lock it make sure she gets there to unlock with plenty of time. Once the train stops and the door opens there is a crush! To get luggage and out the door.

I just wanted to add.

I have always had help with my luggage getting on and off the train. As soon as you step off, nearby there will be the rolling racks designed for lots of luggae. Make sure you follow the signs for handicap to find elevators and avoid stairs.

Lots of people in France and other places move like this. She won't be out of place or stranded. Just remember, plan for lots of time! Don't try to push the time intervals between rides and trains or stops. Be ready, even if it means sitting around for little. Also, be prepared to spend a little extra on transportation for that day, taxi etc..

One last thing to remember. More people are nice, friendly, and eager to help abroad than they are mean and wanting to steal from you. If you saw a foreign student would you watch her luggage and then steal from her, NO! More often then not I find friendly helpful people eager to assist foreigners and travellers, especially students. Just use commons sense.

Have Fun! (and go visit!)

Dearest Mum,
My sisters and I will be traveling to Paris, France this coming month. We speak zero french. South Florida, you know, it's all spanish here. I came across the DK French Travel Pack. It's a 70-minute CD and cute little phrase book. HELLO i-pod. Easiest way to practice EVER! I take it with me when I walk the dog, go the beach, treadmill, ect. My accent is probably the most dreadful ever, but I can ask for toilette paper and other essentials. :o)
I know that wasn't the question but I felt like this would help some. Tell your daughter I wish her luck!
-Erin*

The best advice I can give your daughter is to PACK LESS. I know it might seem like you need everything in those suitcases, but if you don't need need need it, take it out! I only ONE suitcase and ONE rolling carry-on and I felt bogged down. The wonderful Parisians helped me haul it through 3 metro stations. Next time I go to France, I pledge to bring LESS.

The TGV has racks for luggage storage. But like someone else said, first come, first stored. The train stations in Paris are large, so make sure she gets there with plenty of time to orientate herself.

Bon voyage et bon courage!

She has about 4 hours between the plane arrival and the train departure (we're paying the expensive taxi ride- 50 Euros will do?), so she should have time to be prepared at the station (and ask for information). She's gotten reports from other students who just returned about how confusing the train station is, and how crowds of people run to the train platform as soon as it's posted. You would think all this would keep her from packing so much, but if you've ever taken a daughter to college you'd see how MUCH they can cram into a tiny dorm room! I guess it's all part of the life lessons you need to learn...I'm sure by the time she returns she'll be traveling light-the RSs way, like we do (she'll have to if she wants to see much of Europe). We're all going to visit in the Spring and we can't wait! Thanks ALL! ---Mom

Nancy -

A thought - have you priced shipping some of her clothes to her? I'm just imaging her trying to get so many bags onto the train. Surely she can't need everything right away?

The taxi from the airport will be about 50 Euro with a small additional charge for the bags.

Nancy, this may be a little late but the advice we received from the Study Abroad office when our son spend a spent a semester in Madrid, Spain, was to take a min amount of clothing. They suggested only one or two changes of clothes. Just enough to get by for one to two weeks. And then they should slowly purchase additional clothes as needed. First, they will want to fit in with their European peer group and they will dress differently. Second, they will be less problems especially for females (group advising) the closer they look like other European teens. Buy enough clothes but not excessive. Wear them hard and give them away prior to returning. That is exactly what our son did. Visited at Spring break and brought home all of his American clothing. We saw him at SBreak we were surprised by his look from his shoes to his leather jacket. He took one large rolling suitcase and backpack style carryon about half empty. He was very pleased with the set ip.

Like Doug mentioned, in France the taxi drivers will charge your daughter a small amount for each bag she has. When my daughter and I was in Paris we took a taxi to the hotel. The driver told us the fare then he added on a charge for each bag. He even tried to charge for Rachel's backpack that he didn't even touch. Well, Rachel told him there was no way that we were going give him something for it. Well, Rachel and him went round and round for about five minutes, then he left. Rachel was only 16 at the time but she stood her ground, she was polite to him but made sure he understood that he wasn't going to get any money for her bag.

Just wanted to share this...After reading everyone's replies, my daughter actually decided to take one less suitcase. After many agonizing hours making choices, and re-weighing the luggage over and over, she's down to 2 large checked bags and one backpack to carry-on. She even made herself a card with some survival French phrases to get help at the train station if she needs it. So you all did, what we could not...got her to listen to you. Now, could you just make my oldest son clean up his room? :) Thanks again so much, Mom